Chaplains on the River

Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where you were close to achieving a goal or dream but faced an obstacle that blocked your way to achievment?  Most of us can identify with this situation.  It is all too easy to become filled with frustration and to give up on our dreams and goals at times like that.  But we know, deep down inside of ourselves, that despair is not the answer.

Have you ever seen a dog agility competition?  This is where a dog and it’s handler navigate an obstacle course to achieve a clean run (obstacles taken in correct order and within a prescribed time limit).  It is an exciting and fun venue…and looks deceptively “easy” when observed.  But I can tell you that it is not easy!  My friend Cheryl runs dogs in agility, obedience, tracking and herding.  It takes HOURS of classes and practice to develop into a team that make the challenging and difficult look easy and routine.  It also takes great patience as dog and handler learn from their mistakes and try again and again until the skills are mastered.

This reminds me a lot of life on a towboat.  When I watch, from shore or wheelhouse, and see the ballet on the water that towboaters perform each and every day, I am in awe.  It looks effortless and easy…but I know from visiting with crews and from the harsh reality of responding to accidents that towboaters do spend much time training and preparing to do their job safely and well.

Thank you for what you do…from deck to wheelhouse…barge to boat…water to dock to office.  As we each persevere in patient preparation, we can continue to make the difficult appear easy, and continue to do so with safety for all!

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: September 29th, 2010 under Towboaters.
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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.
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What comes into your mind when you see “B&B”?  If you are like most, your first thought is probably of a Bed and Breakfast inn…usually a home in an historic or tourist location where you have a room for the night with breakfast provided the next morning.  These B&Bs are very popular.  The homes usually are more interesting and quant than standard hotels, the innkeepers have more time to visit with guests because of the smaller size of the establishment, and the food is often varied and superb. 

But the “B&B” I have in mind today is very different than a Bed and Breakfast.  I am thinking about a favorite phrase that I was introduced to a few years ago:  Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!  In my estimation, this nicely sums up what our religious journey is about.

We are blessed as we experience the presence and provision of God as we understand the holy.  To have the assurance that we are not alone…that we live in and are an intergral part of something far greater than ourselves…is truely a blessing.  This is a highly personal experience.

To be a blessing to others around us is, to me, the ultimate calling for a follower in faith.  No matter in what world religion or religious denomination we may place our faith, they all call upon us to live out that which we say we believe in our daily lives…making a difference even if it is in only a small way.  In systems theory, there is a concept called critical mass.  When enough people are practicing and participating in a particular venture, the mass becomes sufficient to make a difference.

A fortune cookie from a recent meal in a Chinese buffet put this thought in these words:  The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing, because you think you can do only a little.  So…I invite you to be blessed and be a blessing…on your boat…in your family…among those with whom you work and play…to make a difference where you are by who you are.  If enough of us accept and practice this simple yet profound idea, there is no limit to the “B&B” we can generate!

See you on the river!  Be blessed and be a blessing!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: June 10th, 2010 under Towboaters.
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Memorial Day is upon us once again.  More than just hot dogs and beer, Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the actions of those who have died in America’s wars to permit us to enjoy the blessings of freedom in a land of endless opportunity.  First observed after the costly War Between the States in 1868, Memorial Day is no less meangingful today.  As our armed forces are deployed around the world in defense of freedom, it is fitting to remember our past, defend our present, and continue to strive for a brighter future.

I invite and encourage you to join in a special moment of remembrance on Memorial Day, 31 MAY 2010, at 3:00 p.m. your local time.  If you can pause, even for a brief moment, and remember those who have given their lives in service, you honor them and the ideals for which they gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Their hands may be motionless, their lips hushed, and their bodies returned to the dust, but the warmth of their love for their country will never die as we remember

Chaplain Mike

Posted: May 30th, 2010 under Towboaters.
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When times get tough, and you don’t know what to do…who ya gonna call?  Your Chaplain!

When life is rough, and you feel all confused…who ya gonna call?  Your Chaplain!

When family is naught, and you feel all alone…who ya gonna call?  Your Chaplain!

When tragedy strikes your boat or crew…who ya gonna call?  Your Chaplain!

Your SCI Ministry on the River Chaplains are a phone call or an e-mail away, to provide comfort, guidance, support and encouragement for you and your family in times of need.  We may not have all the answers, but our ministry is to represent the One who can help each of us through good times and bad.

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: May 3rd, 2010 under Towboaters.
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A church near my house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has the following saying on their sign in front of the church building:

NO LIFE IS TOO BROKEN FOR GOD’S LOVE TO REPAIR

I like that saying, for it is a powerful truth!  This is the heart of spirituality…that God never gives up on any one of us.  No matter our bad decisions…despite our self-destructive behaviors…disregarding the ways others may have criticized or put us down…No life is too broken for God’s love to repair!

I encourage you to open your life to God’s love today and everyday.    See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: May 3rd, 2010 under Towboaters.
Comments: none

With the many changes that have taken place in my life in the last twelve months, I have found myself reflecting on past experiences and realizing that there have been some valuable lessons learned along the way.  I would like to take a moment to share some of those lessons with you.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life goes on and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell more about a person by the way that they handle difficulty than any other way.

I’ve learned that making a living is not always the same thing as making a life.

I’ve learned to appreciate and grasp those second chances that life sends your way.

I’ve learned that even when I have pain in my life, I don’t have to be a pain.

I’ve learned that – every day – you should reach out and touch someone.  We all need it.

Last, but not least, I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn!

I invite you to pause and reflect on your lessons learned in life.  May your introspection be fruitful.

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

(Special thanks to Pastor Woody, Amazing Grace Motorcycle Ministry, Kenner, LA for inspiration.)

Posted: February 22nd, 2010 under Towboaters.
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Do you remember this saying from childhood:  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me!”  While this line may have helped sooth our hurt feelings and defend us against verbal bullies when we were teased or taunted as children, it is actually not true.  Words can have a powerful positive or negative affect on our personalities.  The things that we hear repeatedly, whether from others or through self-talk, will over time shape our self-image and alter our self-esteem.

A friend of mine brought me the sayings from a number of fortune cookies recently after she had been to dinner with fellow community hand bell choir members.  One of those “fortunes” was the inspiration for this blog entry:  “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are truly endless.”  While this is so very true, it has been my experience as a chaplain and minister for over twenty-five years that unkind words seem to come far to easily.  How often in a day do we allow ourselves to make unkind, or even cruel, remarks to others or about others?  Cynicism and anger have become major attitudes among young and old alike.  Instead of looking for, and expecting, the best from situations, others, and even ourselves, we instead more closely resemble this character.

God’s word in the Holy Bible also addresses this issue.  In the third chapter of the Book of James in the New Testament, the author uses an illustration that every towboater can appreciate.  He talks about how a large ship is steered by a relatively small rudder.  Every river mariner knows that without propulsion and steering the boat is just another barge!  James likens the human tongue – our words – as having that same kind of ability to steer our lives and the lives of others.  In James 3:10 there is this wonderful verse:  “Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing.  This ought not be happening” (my paraphrase).

What kinds of things are you saying about others?  Are you building people up or tearing them down?  I was on a boat today where the captain was enthusiastic and vibrant, and the whole crew was obviously feeding off that vibe.  Whenever a crew is together for extended periods of time, there will naturally be differences or even conflict.  Can we resolve to find ways to deal with these issues without resorting to verbal warfare?

What kind of things are you saying to yourself about yourself?  Are you more tolerant and forgiving of others than of yourself?  None of us is perfect…yes…not even you!!!  Do you put yourself down or build yourself up?  We need to be honest about our strengths and areas where we can improve…but we do not need to belittle and berate ourselves.  We are all children of God and deserving of abundant life.  Abundant life is life lived to the fullest…from A to Z!  Living live abundantly will put a big smile on your face faster than a trip to  Wal-Mart!!

What kinds of words are you sending echoing down through the corridors of life?  Are you seen as a positive person…a problem-solver…a team player?  The words we speak about others and about ourselves will be part of our legacy in this world.  I hope and pray that each of us will take the high road and help to make this world a better place, beginning in our own lives…our own familes…our own boats…and watching the good spread!!

See you on the river!

Chaplain Mike

Posted: October 13th, 2009 under Towboaters.
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