Chaplains on the River

I was recently visiting with a Christian brother and friend who, in addition to his secular work, is pursuing a ministry by blogging.  Jason Z. Hunt writes “The Ministry of Overcomers” with a witty and engaging style, always grounded in Scripture, that will make you laugh and cause you to think about your life in light of your faith.  I recommend his blog.  It may be found at www.theovercomer.blog.com.

In the course of our conversation, Bro. Jason said “It’s the Z guarantee!” referring to his unique middle name.  We laughed, but then my mind went into “preacher thinking” mode (it does have a tendency to do that after some 30 years in ministry!).  What are the things in our lives that we are willing to say we guarantee?  I would like to share some of my thoughts with you, and invite you to give this question consideration.

I guarantee that I am going to be honest with God.  When my faith is strong…and when my doubts are stronger…when I am on top of the world…and when the hole is deep and dark from where I stand at the bottom of the pit…I am going to be honest with my God and with my self about who I am, whose I am, and what needs to happen next.

I guarantee that I am going to be a man of honor and integrity.  Lying to others or misleading them accomplishes nothing of productive or positive value.  Promise less…deliver more…amaze always!

I guarantee that I am going to seek personal growth.  I want to be a better person in all realms - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, professional - and help others to move onward and upward.  To do this honors who I am and all those around me.

What about you?  What values are so important to you that you would guarantee them?

There is a commercial on television where the owner of a men’s clothing chain says of customer satisfaction “I guarantee it!”  I guarantee that if YOU will consider what values are most important to YOU, it will make a positive difference for YOU!

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: July 28th, 2010 under Towboaters.
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Do you remember the character of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh?  He is the donkey character from the popular stories.  It could be the most beautiful day and the little donkey would find the lone dark cloud in the sky!  Winnie the Pooh could be happy with a tub of honey, laughing while Tigger is dancing and bouncing around, while Eeyore would slowly walk by as if the weight of the whole world is on his shoulders.

This is the way some people choose to look at life.  They will ignore the positive and good aspects in any situation and instead choose to dig, ferret, and probe until they can find nuggets of negativity to support their pessimistic attitudes.

My late mother was always an optimistic woman.  I was not always that way.  I used to tell her that if I expected the worst, then I would never be disappointed.  But I have changed…Mom, I know you are glad to hear this!

The wisdom that comes with gray hair has helped me to appreciate the truth of Scripture:  “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).  CNN columnist Audrey Irvine describes this phenomenon with a phrase borrowed from her own mother:  “Don’t block your blessings.”  We have to be open to blessings in order to receive them.  But there is another step…we need to not immediately be an a** - an Eeyore - and start looking for the bad as soon as we experience the good!  There is NOT always the other shoe waiting to fall!

Another passage of Scripture is helpful for us in understanding how not to be an Eeyore.  During a difficult time for the nation of Israel, the Old Testament prophet Nehemiah said to the people “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).  We all need to be strong.  Many of you reading this post have jobs where you need physical strength - and your work helps build those muscles - while others have workout routines at home or gym to build physical muscle.  We also understnd that our mental muscle - the brain - needs to be stimulated and exercised with variety.  Here may be news for you - your attitude, your joy, your positive and upward outlook on life needs regular and intentional workouts as well to be strong!  The more we approach life looking for and expecting the good, the more often that is exactly what we will find. 

Jim Rosemergy, a minister in the Unity Church of Christianity and a gifted writer and poet, put it in these words in a poem entitled “He Lives in Me”:

I sleep in His peace.

I wake in His joy.

I walk in His light.

And am warmed by His love.

And all that I am and will ever be

Is all because He lives in me.

Do you want to be an Eeyore or a Nehemiah?

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

(A very special thanks to Dr. Cheryl for the suggestion leading to this blog post!)

Posted: July 20th, 2010 under Towboaters.
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Hurricane Alex has now gone ashore, and the vast portion of the Gulf Coast has taken a sigh of relief!  Each year, during the Atlantic hurricane season, those of us living in coastal states keep a keen eye on tropical waves and areas of disturbed weather over warm waters that might show even a hint of developing a rotation. 

Having grown up in hurricane country (south Louisiana), storm preparedness has always been drilled into me until it is second nature.  Come 1 June, folks around here check on supplies of non-perishable food and water, stock up on batteries and candles, haul out and prep power generators, and make sure they have an evacuation plan in mind.  It is too late to try to prepare when the storm is upon you.

That is a lesson we need to carry over into life as well!  Storms can come up in our lives even faster than the weather, and often with much less warning.  We usually have days…maybe a week…to prepare for a tropical storm or hurricane.  Advances in technology can give some advance warning of tonadoes, and even earthquakes in some situations.  But in life, dramatic and difficult events can happen in the twinkling of an eye.  If we are not prepared, coping may be difficult or impossible.

So how do you prepare for the stroms of life?  Might I suggest these thoughts?

1.  Have a foundation of faith.  Be at peace with your religious/spiritual beliefs so that they may provide you with strength.

2.  Have a foundation of friends.  Who will you turn to in time of need?  Who knows you well…and well enough to be honest with you?

There will most likely be other tropical storms/hurricanes beside Alex.  May we all be prepared and be safe.

There will most likely be other storms in our lives.  May we all be prepared and come through safely, stronger and wiser.

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: July 1st, 2010 under Towboaters.
Comments: none