Category: Uncategorized

Christianity, Gardening, Recovery, Service Organizations, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Connections

gregoryjoel

I apologize in advance for any errors in this morning’s post. My “editor” is out of pocket this morning. It’s difficult to edit myself, but I wanted to get this morning’s thoughts out there. I hope you understand…

I’m a little “bum-fuzzled” this morning. Margaret was up early this morning to accompany our nephew and his wife to their final custody hearing at the court in Dallas. It threw a wrench into our (and of course, “my”) daily routine. I’m constantly amazed to find that I’ve become such a creature of habit. I’ve always thought of myself as somewhat spontaneous in spirit, but as I grow older, quite the opposite is true. I’m becoming my father. That’s not such a bad thing, mind you. My Dad was a loving and wise man who found joy and freedom in structure. I’m not sure how I feel about it though…

Margaret has a rough time in the mornings. She normally eases into the morning, allowing her body to adjust from sleeping to waking and moving about. It takes a lot of strength, perseverance, and determination to overcome the pain she suffers upon awakening to an early schedule. I’m reminded how much I love my wife and what an example she is for me. If someone needs her, she’s there regardless, of painful physical obstacles. I hope that I can be as self-less and loving as she is. I’m a better man because of my wife. Sometimes, I feel she was short-changed in this deal. Grace is truly a wonderful thing…

Anyway, I admit I’m a little scattered this morning. I pray gentle reader, that my thoughts are somewhat coherent. I had a couple of cups of coffee and some time to regroup my faculties, so here goes…

Over the last several weeks I’ve been blessed to be working with a local non-profit on an urban garden project. Although they are not a faith-based organization, I’ve had a good look at how ecological stewardship and community-building works in God’s world, in his kingdom. I could’ve have missed it if I relegated them to “just” another secular organization. Sometimes I think good Christian folks could learn a great deal from people who simply help others without regard to their religious belief or lack thereof.

I’m grateful that my consulting work has introduced me to a group of people, believers, who truly are workers in God’s kingdom. They don’t preach with words. They preach with action. They love others and plant seeds – literally. As a result, they have an incredible harvest with an abundance of fresh produce and fresh hearts. It seems I’ve heard that parable before…

So, I’d like to give a shout-out and a thank you to the folks at Bonton Farms in Dallas. I could write all day about stewardship and service in God’s kingdom. I’d like to show you how it works instead. I encourage you to visit their website at www.bontonfarms.org and see for yourself the transformation taking place in the lives of individuals and the community there.

“The kingdom is like…” It’s like Bonton. It’s like recovery. It’s like a mustard seed or a wee bit of yeast…

I always loved parables – wisdom coming from ordinary, everyday things, and situations. My favorite ones are the “kingdom is like” stories that draw on nature. I’ve found recovery, and hence my faith, is like a tiny seed that transforms into something bigger and better, bearing a great harvest. That tiny seed some wonderful people planted in me is growing, and I pray I bear better fruit today; that my actions are attractive and appealing to others.

What really strikes me over the last few weeks is the connection between people that takes place from the simple act of planting a seed. I saw it at Bonton Farms and I’ve seen it in the gardens I’ve been honored to work with in the past. Something about tending the soil and allowing God to produce the harvest has a profound effect on the people involved. The food and the flowers are important. They improve people’s lives by their simple taste and beauty. What’s really important, though, is that by connecting with the soil, we begin to connect with one another.

The kingdom really is like  a tiny mustard seed…

Christianity, Recovery, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Ragamuffins

gregoryjoel

The sun shines brightly on the porch this morning. The cold front that came through last night is far less severe than the last few ones. Winter is spent, even though it still throws waves of cold air, hoping to hang on. Spring is not having it, though. Shorts and a t-shirt are the garb of the day…

I started reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning a few days ago. It’s an annual thing I do. I was first introduced to Brennan early in my recovery by my brother Craig. Although I’ve given many copies away over the years I still have the first one he gave me: well-worn, loved, and treasured. I find something I missed each time I read it. I choose to believe that’s because of Brennan’s great insight and not the fact that my memory isn’t what it used to be…

If I may, I’ll share a little of Brennan’s background for those of you who may not be acquainted with him. He called himself a “vagabond evangelist”, a former Catholic priest who also happened to be a recovering alcoholic. That’s what initially sparked my interest in him early in my own recovery. Brennan knew, in no uncertain terms, that everything in his (and our) life is grace given by a God who is absolutely, crazy in love with him (and us). He influenced and helped so many people throughout his ministry as a “vagabond evangelist”. He passed away a few years ago. I cherish his insights and words of wisdom today.

Brennan wasn’t perfect. Many people felt let down by his relapses with alcohol, especially people in recovery. We can be a harsh, judgmental lot. We tend to think of relapse as failure. Brennan was consistent in his recovery – he brushed himself off and “got back on the horse” as we say here in Texas – and more importantly, in his relationship with God.

I think that’s why I re-read The Ragamuffin Gospel so many times. I need to be reminded that I, too, fail more than I’d ever like to admit. I need to be reminded that I desperately need the God of my understanding, the one that Brennan helped me find. I need to be reminded that no matter how imperfect or how many times I fall, God loves me: not just unconditionally (a word that has been so overused it has lost its impact), but in an incredibly awesome way I can’t even imagine. That fills me with hope and best of all, trust.

I’m okay with being a ragamuffin today. As a friend of mine tells me, “we’re just one beggar telling another beggar where we found food”. I came to God beaten-down, ragged, and dirty. My life was a mess and I hope I never forget that it still can be. The Teacher I follow today reminds me, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule”. I trust that is the case today. It seems to work for me. Today I’m just a ragamuffin who gets to eat at the banquet. So, Brennan, thanks for sharing the feast…

Recovery, Spirituality, Texas, Uncategorized

Go Yankees?

gregoryjoel

I didn’t have much time on the porch this weekend. I was at my grandson’s first baseball game of the season (and of his) on Saturday. I never thought I’d be a Yankees fan, but his team is the Fire Station Yankees. So, I can wholeheartedly admit that I’m a Yankees fan, although I still choke a little on the words. My Grandson had two singles and an RBI and they won. Yes, they did keep score, but I’m sure everyone will get a participation trophy (because in an ideal world…). Go Yankees!!!

I wish I’d taken my coat. Another visitor from the Arctic northland crossed over into Texas Friday night and the mornings have been close to freezing. My long-sleeved shirt did little to take the bite out of a bone-chilling north wind (Note to self: just because the sun is brightly shining doesn’t mean the jacket can stay at home…). Such is the rollercoaster of Spring here in Fort Worth. Apparently, other parts of the country are dealing with the same up and down of the thermometer. While those in other places deal with snow, we deal with tornado warnings. At least we’re not shoveling snow, right?

Texas is known for many things, most of which I’m extremely proud of. I’m a native Texan, born in Fort Worth. I come from a very traditional Texas home. My father taught me early on to always be proud of where I was born. After all, I could’ve been born in Dallas. People from outside Texas think Dallas and Fort Worth are one and the same. I can assure they are not. One of local radio stations, The Ranch, says it best – “Fort Worth is where the west begins, and Dallas is where the east just kind of peters out”.

I’ve lived other places over the years. I spent high school and college in Colorado and my youngest son was born there. I loved the time I had there. I had an internship in Washington D.C. and soon learned I’m not an east coast kind of guy. I’ve lived in Houston and moved back to Colorado. They were nice places to visit but I’m glad to be back in Fort Worth. It seems God knew the perfect place for me. I’ll probably be laid to rest in our family plot a couple miles from here. I’m not sure what heaven is like, but I can’t help but think it will be a lot like Texas…

Yet, as much as I love my state, I’ve become honest enough to admit it has its defects, particularly in the political, educational, healthcare areas. For which I wish to apologize to the rest of the country. We’ve been egotistical and arrogant when we’ve ventured into other parts of the world (like Oklahoma for instance…). We’ve fostered a feeling of superiority, of “us and them”. Dad used to have a bumper sticker (the only one I’d ever seen him put on a vehicle) that read, “If you love New York, take I-30 east”. The immigrants to our beloved state, particularly those from north of the Red River, were different. They weren’t like “us”. They brought with them a manner of living that was different from ours. Too often, we have equated “different” with “bad”. I look back at my youth and not only was race or culture a dividing line, but religion as well. When we moved to Colorado, all our friends were ex-patriot Texans from the same church for the most part; everyone else was suspect.

I’m grateful to have been able to step outside of the state lines and look inside. I’m glad I can see my home, and myself, with a degree of clarity today. My perceptions of the world around me have changed. Dad always told me that if you could identify the problem, you were halfway to the solution. That’s been true for me: and the solution was a new lens through which to view life. I just hope it can be true for all of us…

Christianity, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Good Citizenship…

gregoryjoel

It’s been more like Winter than Spring the last few mornings thanks to a visit from an early Spring cold front. It seems Winter refuses to let go. I know the feeling. Letting go is difficult at times. Letting go is usually the last thing I turn to – especially if it involves something of importance to me. I can sympathize, Winter, I really can. It’s time to let go, though. We’ll see you in a few months…

I spent a long time on the porch despite the chill this morning. I’m going in for a medical procedure tomorrow. It’s no big deal, just a normal thing that those of us over fifty do for wellness checks. My time on the porch will be limited tomorrow so I lingered a little longer today. Besides, I’m on a clear liquid diet and I need to distance myself from the kitchen…

I was busy prioritizing the day, but I kept hearing a verse from Matthew 6.33 where Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you”. It was a constant reminder of where my real priorities need to be today. I’d like to think I’m a simple guy (some would say I’m a simpleton…), but I can easily over-think and complicate anything. My friend Jim called it “complicating the cornflakes”. If I really want to keep my life simple (the old KISS principle), I need to pay attention to the voice in my head. “Seek first God’s kingdom…”

The word “kingdom” is a little outdated. There aren’t many kingdoms left. Monarchies aren’t in fashion any more. Those that are, tend to be in name only. I’ve treated God’s kingdom like that – like He was king in name only. That’s probably why I’m so critical of what church has come to mean today. “You spot it, you got it”, right? I’m often guilty of being a lousy subject, but it becomes easier when I remember where my true citizenship lies.

When I was a kid, my report card included a grade for “Citizenship”. Being a “good citizen” was just as important as reading, writing, and arithmetic (I’m not sure that’s the case anymore and no, I’m not some old codger waxing nostalgic…). Lower marks in academic subjects happened from time to time, but I better have good citizenship grades all the time. They were about how I treated others and functioned socially.

Today I want to be a good citizen. I want to be like the King. Jesus, who was the very image of God the King, spent a lot of time talking about what the kingdom is like and how to be a good citizen. He made it very simple – love God and love people. Simple is not always easy though! Sometimes I can be difficult to love. I assume you can, too?

“Seek first…” I think I know what I need to do…

Christianity, Recovery, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Just Folks…

gregoryjoel

Thoughts From the Porch: It’s kind of cold, not chilly, but cold on the porch this morning. It’s a reminder why the old folks say, “never plant tomatoes until after Easter”. Mine are going in today. The rest of the garden is green and growing. It may be cold this morning, but Spring has finally sprung here in Fort Worth.

I’ve had the honor to spend time with some fantastic people the last couple of weeks: some old friends and some new. Some of you know about the gathering this past weekend. In the spirit of anonymity, I’ll not share more, except for one little moment you might find humorous.

My son went with us this weekend. Following the meeting Saturday night, we sat out on the patio (the designated smoking area), laughing and spending time with old friends. He came up to me during a lull in the conversations and remarked, “This is such a weird group of people”. I prefer to call them eclectic, but he was right. All I could say was “yep”…

I love our old friends. We are a weird group of folks. We’re people who ordinarily wouldn’t mix and yet, there we were. I sat for a good while just watching my friends enjoy their evening with one another, pondering the picture in front of me. There was more diversity – racial, class, background, political views, sexual orientation, religious, non-religious… – than I certainly ever grew up with. There was a spirit of peace, serenity, friendship, and joy. It was kind of like church should be…

I’ve also been able to spend time with some new friends. We’ve met several times to discuss a shared vision of making our local community a better place, especially for the people who normally get overlooked. In turn, they’ve introduced me to more new people and reconnected me with some old contacts in the community activist arena. Experience has taught me that every time I begin to feel limited in the possibilities for a better, stronger community for ALL of us, God reminds me I’m not alone. I’ll write more about our shared goals and activities in the future.

In both instances, neither group is what I would consider religious by nature, but I imagine it’s more like the “kingdom of Heaven” than good religious folks would like to believe. In both instances, some individuals have ties to organized religion, but many don’t. The words “kingdom of Heaven” may not be the words they would use to describe what’s going on around them. They just seem to have a love for a Higher Power, whatever that is for them, and a love for others. I seem to remember hearing something similar from a guy named Jesus…

In both instances, personal piety isn’t what defines them but rather, how they serve others. One of the gentlemen I spoke to yesterday was sharing his vision for the future and then said he didn’t mean to sound so “lofty”. It didn’t sound “lofty” to me. It sounded more like God’s vision for His people, His creation…

As I sat on the porch this morning, I was once again extremely grateful for the people in my life today. I can’t think of a better bunch of folks – however weird we may be…