Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Like Frogs to Dogs Blog
You’ve probably all heard of the poison dart frogs that are found in Costa Rica. They really are fascinating. We’ve seen many of them - both in the wild as well as in “frog gardens” found throughout the country. They are much smaller than you might imagine. Most of them are only about an inch long. They are very colorful. One, often called the “blue jean frog” has dark blue lower legs and a bright red upper body... almost like a tiny frog wearing a cute outfit of jeans and a teeshirt. They are not nearly as poisonous as you might imagine. Tour guides often pick them up and let tourists hold them. If you handle them too much, they can cause skin irritation. But, you’ll get nowhere near to dying!
We have another type of frog here that we see much more commonly. Unlike the bullfrogs I grew up around, they have a dull brown skin. Unlike other frogs I’ve known, these can grow to be the size of a Frisbee. We’ve seen them that big! Unlike poison dart frogs, these big, dull, slow frogs can be lethal. To dogs, at least. We’ve had at least one dog on campus meet its demise from these frogs.
Only recently did I learn another fascinating thing about these poisonous creatures. Before I tell you, let me introduce you to Beckham. Beckham is our neighbor’s dog, and I have to admit I don’t like him. He’s not friendly. He has nipped at me more than once and outright bit one young woman. Even after seeing me every day for two years, he still used to bark and growl and make threatening advances every time he saw me. Finally one day when he came at me, I grabbed his snout, held it firmly and told him, “Never, NEVER do that to me again!”
He tried the next day, and I repeated the same action. Now, if he barks at me, I only have to say, “Beckham!” And he knows who is boss.
So far Beckham has almost died twice from eating poisonous frogs. He’s had to spend nights on IV’s at the vet hospital. The second time he almost died, the vet explained that the frog acts as a hallucinogenic. Though a dog can die from the “drug,” once it’s survived the experience, it craves another high. It’s likely Beckham will one day day of a frog overdose. (I’m not sure I’ll grieve the loss.)
We are a bit like Beckham. I trust you are nicer than he. I’m sure I am! But, being the sinful human beings we are, we tend to run back to the same God-dishonoring behaviors that kill us. I know what a few of my “frogs” are. What are yours?
We have another type of frog here that we see much more commonly. Unlike the bullfrogs I grew up around, they have a dull brown skin. Unlike other frogs I’ve known, these can grow to be the size of a Frisbee. We’ve seen them that big! Unlike poison dart frogs, these big, dull, slow frogs can be lethal. To dogs, at least. We’ve had at least one dog on campus meet its demise from these frogs.
Only recently did I learn another fascinating thing about these poisonous creatures. Before I tell you, let me introduce you to Beckham. Beckham is our neighbor’s dog, and I have to admit I don’t like him. He’s not friendly. He has nipped at me more than once and outright bit one young woman. Even after seeing me every day for two years, he still used to bark and growl and make threatening advances every time he saw me. Finally one day when he came at me, I grabbed his snout, held it firmly and told him, “Never, NEVER do that to me again!”
He tried the next day, and I repeated the same action. Now, if he barks at me, I only have to say, “Beckham!” And he knows who is boss.
So far Beckham has almost died twice from eating poisonous frogs. He’s had to spend nights on IV’s at the vet hospital. The second time he almost died, the vet explained that the frog acts as a hallucinogenic. Though a dog can die from the “drug,” once it’s survived the experience, it craves another high. It’s likely Beckham will one day day of a frog overdose. (I’m not sure I’ll grieve the loss.)
We are a bit like Beckham. I trust you are nicer than he. I’m sure I am! But, being the sinful human beings we are, we tend to run back to the same God-dishonoring behaviors that kill us. I know what a few of my “frogs” are. What are yours?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday '90's Rap
Here's a "rap song" I wrote when we were working with kids and youth in Louisiana. Can you believe it? ME?!? Writing a rap song?
Long ago took place such an awesome event,
It left an impression like a print in cement.
Jesus and His disciples walked with sights set
On the city of Jerusalem near Mt. Olivet.
Jesus called two disciples in Luke, it is told,
"God into the village and find me a colt!
There in the town, man, you'll find a colt tied
On which no one has sat or even gone for a ride.
"And if a dude tells you, 'Hey, let that colt be!'
Say, 'Don't have a cow! The Master sent me!'"
They went and untied it. (The owners chilled out.)
They said, "The Lord needs it," and they turned and headed out.
They piled up their jackets. The colt marched down the track,
And headed into town with the Lord on his back.
And as he was going, people threw on the roads,
All kinds of garments, from coats to Girbauds.
When I tell you what happened, don't think me a fool.
There were masses of people, it was totally cool!
The whole crowd of people began to praise God.
Everyone in the 'hood shout with voices so loud!
"We've seen the Messiah! This man is the King!
In the name of the Lord, His praises we sing!
Peace in the heavens and glory on earth!
He gives sight to the blind and talks of new birth!"
The Pharisee dudes felt they had to make a stand.
"Listen Jesus," they said, "This crowd's gettin' outta hand.
Tell your disciples to take a chill pill,
To pick up their jackets and head back up the hill.
He answered and said, "I tell you no doubt,
"If these become silent, the rocks will cry out!"
Long ago took place such an awesome event,
It left an impression like a print in cement.
Jesus and His disciples walked with sights set
On the city of Jerusalem near Mt. Olivet.
Jesus called two disciples in Luke, it is told,
"God into the village and find me a colt!
There in the town, man, you'll find a colt tied
On which no one has sat or even gone for a ride.
"And if a dude tells you, 'Hey, let that colt be!'
Say, 'Don't have a cow! The Master sent me!'"
They went and untied it. (The owners chilled out.)
They said, "The Lord needs it," and they turned and headed out.
They piled up their jackets. The colt marched down the track,
And headed into town with the Lord on his back.
And as he was going, people threw on the roads,
All kinds of garments, from coats to Girbauds.
When I tell you what happened, don't think me a fool.
There were masses of people, it was totally cool!
The whole crowd of people began to praise God.
Everyone in the 'hood shout with voices so loud!
"We've seen the Messiah! This man is the King!
In the name of the Lord, His praises we sing!
Peace in the heavens and glory on earth!
He gives sight to the blind and talks of new birth!"
The Pharisee dudes felt they had to make a stand.
"Listen Jesus," they said, "This crowd's gettin' outta hand.
Tell your disciples to take a chill pill,
To pick up their jackets and head back up the hill.
He answered and said, "I tell you no doubt,
"If these become silent, the rocks will cry out!"
Thursday, April 07, 2011
When Things Get Bad...
When things get bad, they might get worse!
That was the encouraging message I heard preached at our church last Sunday.
Look at the story of Jairus in Luke 8:40-56. Jairus came to Jesus on one of His busier days (we aren’t the only busy ones!), pleading, probably crying, humiliating himself - a prominent synagogue leader - in front of everyone. His only daughter was dying. His only hope was Jesus.
But, what happens at just that moment? Someone else barges in front of him! (Don’t you just hate it when that happens?!?) All attention turns to the woman with chronic bleeding who touched Jesus’ garment. Jairus’ situation looked bleak, but it was about to turn “bleaker.” Just then someone from Jairus’ household shows up to say, “Don’t bother the Master any longer. It’s too late. She’s dead.”
How can a heart that is at rock bottom manage to sink further? Well, Jairus’ did. That was it. All hope was gone.
But, Jesus overheard! He hadn’t forgotten the man’s pleas. He turned to Jairus with the words, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Now, how in the world could Jairus take heart from those words of the Master? Yet, not only was Jairus called upon to do just that, but we, also, are called on to do the same! When our situation goes from bad to worse to even worse yet, He says to us, “I have not forgotten you. Step aside. I am big enough to handle this. Despair, disease, and death are all under My control. Don’t fear. Only believe.”
My goodness, but Jairus was called on to believe!! Believe when his daughter was already obviously dead? Believe when all his neighbors and family laughed at him? But, Jesus knew what He was doing. He had the impossible covered.
He has your impossible covered.
That was the encouraging message I heard preached at our church last Sunday.
Look at the story of Jairus in Luke 8:40-56. Jairus came to Jesus on one of His busier days (we aren’t the only busy ones!), pleading, probably crying, humiliating himself - a prominent synagogue leader - in front of everyone. His only daughter was dying. His only hope was Jesus.
But, what happens at just that moment? Someone else barges in front of him! (Don’t you just hate it when that happens?!?) All attention turns to the woman with chronic bleeding who touched Jesus’ garment. Jairus’ situation looked bleak, but it was about to turn “bleaker.” Just then someone from Jairus’ household shows up to say, “Don’t bother the Master any longer. It’s too late. She’s dead.”
How can a heart that is at rock bottom manage to sink further? Well, Jairus’ did. That was it. All hope was gone.
But, Jesus overheard! He hadn’t forgotten the man’s pleas. He turned to Jairus with the words, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Now, how in the world could Jairus take heart from those words of the Master? Yet, not only was Jairus called upon to do just that, but we, also, are called on to do the same! When our situation goes from bad to worse to even worse yet, He says to us, “I have not forgotten you. Step aside. I am big enough to handle this. Despair, disease, and death are all under My control. Don’t fear. Only believe.”
My goodness, but Jairus was called on to believe!! Believe when his daughter was already obviously dead? Believe when all his neighbors and family laughed at him? But, Jesus knew what He was doing. He had the impossible covered.
He has your impossible covered.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Holding the Captain's Hand
I confess. I recently held a man’s hand, and it wasn’t Woody’s.
Don’t worry. He knows about it. And he’s cool with it.
Here’s how it came about. As many of you know, we recently hosted an International Teams Latin America Regional Conference in Cartagena, Colombia. About half of the attendees opted for an afternoon snorkel trip in the Rosario Islands. Our group got a great deal on the outing because of connections through Jerry and Barb Manderfield, ITeams missionaries in Medellin. They are friends with a man who has served for years as a captain of a large ship. The captain arranged for a boat and crew with two powerful 200hp motors to take us out to the islands. The boat was not that large... we were just able to squeeze the 27 of us on it. But, boy! Could it fly!
We all boarded and donned our life jackets. One of the crew suggested I find a seat towards the center of the boat. I should have taken the hint. Instead, I happily perched on the bench at the far front. It was a wild ride! For 40 minutes we sped across the heaving seas, the front of the boat surging up before violently slamming down again and again and again! Thankfully, I had taken Bonine and didn’t get sea sick. There were times when I could swear I got compression fractures from the violent pounding.
We were all awfully glad when we got to the snorkel area. I would like to say it was some of the best snorkeling we’ve experienced, but there were some fairly inexperienced swimmers along, and Woody and I felt a bit like sheep dogs with flippers, trying to herd in the flock, doing all within our power to avoid a phone call to inform a loved one that their missionary son or daughter drowned at the conference!
I thought myself very smart when we boarded the boat once again for the ride back to shore. Instead of the pitching, tossing, and reeling front seat, I chose a more stable spot in the back. I sat beside Mike Timmer, a missionary to Bolivia. We were facing the side of the boat on a small, slippery fiberglass bench. We took off like a rocket, the Captain’s assistant roaring all 400 horsepower to life. As the boat lurched to life, I almost slid off the edge of the bench . Desperate, I grabbed for anything available. Mike’s knee was the only handhold I could find. I shouted to his wife, “Sorry, Bonnie! I’m holding your husband’s knee and there is no way I can let go if I want to stay on the boat!!” (I’m pretty sure his knee had five Susan-finger-sized bruises after the trip!)
The ocean seemed determined to make its power known to the four of us in the far back port corner. It was like sitting in front of a saltwater power washer. I swear I was wetter on board than I had been while snorkeling! As I spluttered and gasped, still hanging on for dear life to Mike’s knee with my left hand, the Captain reached over with his bronzed hand and firmly gripped my other hand. While everything else seemed to be in a state of salty commotion, the Captain’s hand was the only thing that remained firm.
The rest of the trip was filled with screams and laughs and plenty of saltwater. My left hand stayed clutched Mike’s knee and my right was in the Captain’s grip right to the end of the trip.
I take three things away from that trip:
A stiff neck.
A great story.
And an unforgettable lesson to put my hand in the Captain’s when the ride gets rough.
Don’t worry. He knows about it. And he’s cool with it.
Here’s how it came about. As many of you know, we recently hosted an International Teams Latin America Regional Conference in Cartagena, Colombia. About half of the attendees opted for an afternoon snorkel trip in the Rosario Islands. Our group got a great deal on the outing because of connections through Jerry and Barb Manderfield, ITeams missionaries in Medellin. They are friends with a man who has served for years as a captain of a large ship. The captain arranged for a boat and crew with two powerful 200hp motors to take us out to the islands. The boat was not that large... we were just able to squeeze the 27 of us on it. But, boy! Could it fly!
We all boarded and donned our life jackets. One of the crew suggested I find a seat towards the center of the boat. I should have taken the hint. Instead, I happily perched on the bench at the far front. It was a wild ride! For 40 minutes we sped across the heaving seas, the front of the boat surging up before violently slamming down again and again and again! Thankfully, I had taken Bonine and didn’t get sea sick. There were times when I could swear I got compression fractures from the violent pounding.
We were all awfully glad when we got to the snorkel area. I would like to say it was some of the best snorkeling we’ve experienced, but there were some fairly inexperienced swimmers along, and Woody and I felt a bit like sheep dogs with flippers, trying to herd in the flock, doing all within our power to avoid a phone call to inform a loved one that their missionary son or daughter drowned at the conference!
I thought myself very smart when we boarded the boat once again for the ride back to shore. Instead of the pitching, tossing, and reeling front seat, I chose a more stable spot in the back. I sat beside Mike Timmer, a missionary to Bolivia. We were facing the side of the boat on a small, slippery fiberglass bench. We took off like a rocket, the Captain’s assistant roaring all 400 horsepower to life. As the boat lurched to life, I almost slid off the edge of the bench . Desperate, I grabbed for anything available. Mike’s knee was the only handhold I could find. I shouted to his wife, “Sorry, Bonnie! I’m holding your husband’s knee and there is no way I can let go if I want to stay on the boat!!” (I’m pretty sure his knee had five Susan-finger-sized bruises after the trip!)
The ocean seemed determined to make its power known to the four of us in the far back port corner. It was like sitting in front of a saltwater power washer. I swear I was wetter on board than I had been while snorkeling! As I spluttered and gasped, still hanging on for dear life to Mike’s knee with my left hand, the Captain reached over with his bronzed hand and firmly gripped my other hand. While everything else seemed to be in a state of salty commotion, the Captain’s hand was the only thing that remained firm.
The rest of the trip was filled with screams and laughs and plenty of saltwater. My left hand stayed clutched Mike’s knee and my right was in the Captain’s grip right to the end of the trip.
I take three things away from that trip:
A stiff neck.
A great story.
And an unforgettable lesson to put my hand in the Captain’s when the ride gets rough.
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