A Slower Pace

I began the weekend off in a good way by getting my butt out of bed and to the weekly men’s breakfast and Bible study. Because of travel and chores, I hadn’t been in a couple of weeks and it was good to see the guys there.

We dove into the scripture of 1 Kings, Galatians, and Luke. The readings that hit me were Galatians and Luke. Galatians 5:1-5 talks about being free in the Holy Spirit and leading a Spirit filled life. Luke 9:51-62 talks about committing your whole heart and life to Christ. Together with the discussion they had some impact on me. We need to be guided by the Holy Spirit, serving Christ, loving our neighbor, and being pushed out of our comfort zone. It was enough of an impact that, as I got in my car and left down the street, I distinctly noticed a wandering man at the foot of the freeway offramp. My first instinct was to offer help. However, several things justified or distracted me to inaction. He was on the other side of a busy street and there was traffic behind me. My personal safety wouldn’t be ensured. Maybe he was an adventurer and he wanted to be there.

As I got on the freeway headed away from him and towards home, I struggled with the thought of my nice Bible study, my comfortable car, my (fairly) orderly life, the safe cocoon I live in — it seemed too hypocritical for me to just go on about my business. I was very uncomfortable turning around but I prayed for God to guide me, use me, and protect me.

By the time I returned to the road, the stranger had crossed the busy road and now, again, was on the other side. However, he was headed towards church which was only a block or two away. I thought that was perfect because I knew there was leftover breakfast we could share with him. I had to turn around anyway so I went into the church parking lot and ran inside to make sure they didn’t put away the food.

As I pulled up to the traveler, I got out and approached him, asking him if I could help him with anything — specifically if he was hungry and needed a meal. He said he had just finished a candy bar and asked if there was a gas station he could get a Pepsi at. It seemed like a strange request and I secondly asked if he would like a nice breakfast seeing as how we had one already set up at the church down the street. He denied it and was prepared to keep walking. I asked him where he was headed which came with a response of Lexington (which is about 70 miles east). I told him that I couldn’t take him that far but would he like a ride to Shelbyville (about 17 miles east). He asked how far that was and when I told him he was very happy.

I swung by the church to let them know we wouldn’t be needing breakfast and told them I’d call them after I dropped off my friend in Shelbyville. As we left the church, I introduced myself. The man said his name was Mike. He was about 60 or 65 years old, had short grey hair, some grey stubble, and very few teeth on his lower jaw. He mumbled his answers and I had to carry quite a bit of the conversation. He said he was heading towards Lexington so he could catch the I-75 to head up to Dayton, Ohio. I asked if he had family there. “No, sir” was his reply. I followed up with “Is there a job up there?”. “No, sir” again. It turns out there is a laser show up there he was going to.

“Okay?” I thought. This along with the original candy bar answer when I met him began to give me the picture that Mike wasn’t all there. I found out later in the drive that he was from the Atlanta area, used to work for Eastern airlines, had at least two sons and an older sister down in the Atlanta area. He hadn’t spoken to them in years. I asked if he knew their numbers or wanted to call them on my cell phone and he declined. I asked him other questions about where he’s been, what he’s done, etc. He likes winters in Florida (who doesn’t?) and enjoys being farther north during the summer.

Taking a cue from Bible study too, I asked Mike if he believed in God. He did. I asked him if he believed in Jesus, knew that Jesus loved him, and forgives us of our sins. He did. I asked him if he carried a Bible, ready to give him the one I carried to the men’s breakfast. He said he didn’t but that he couldn’t read since he injured his left eye. I asked if he had a favorite verse or wanted me to read something and he declined. I told him that even more important than the ride I was giving him was sharing the good news of Christ with him. Again, that was a stretch for me because I usually don’t discuss matters of faith with strangers but rather that I be a disciple of example and let my actions speak.

As we approached Shelbyville, he asked to be dropped off by the interstate. I told him that at that exit there were no facilities, gas stations, or fast food joints. He didn’t care and I pulled off to the side when we got there. I asked him if I could say a prayer. We bowed and I put an arm around him. I thanked God for the beautiful day. I prayed for safe travels for Mike. I prayed that He continue to provide for us. And I thanked Him for His Son, Jesus.

With that Mike unpiled all his stuff out of my car. I asked him if he needed any money and if I could pay for his next meal. He politely declined and said “No, thank you, sir”. I gave him a few more direction updates and headed away. I expected him to hitch a ride there at the onramp or begin heading towards Lexington. Imagine my surprise when, after my 30 minute trip to Lowes to get paint with my wife, I saw him headed back down the street the way we came. I pointed him out to my wife and gave her some of the story.

I sure hope Mike is ok. Please say a prayer for him. And don’t be afraid to help him or any other Mike’s out there. It’s not as scary as you think.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I forgot to post about this yesterday.

While I was reading my morning devotion, I turned to the devotional scripture in Luke 7:11-17. Surprisingly, I opened my Bible up to that exact page without having to turn any others.

I thought that was pretty cool.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments hang
all the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 22:39-40

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

My dog is really sick. I took her to the country vet this afternoon. Her breathing is labored and she’s not eating. I will be taking her back there first thing tomorrow morning so they can figure out specifically what is wrong and run some more tests. She is old — 13 or so; I don’t know specifically because we got her from a lab rescue. But she’s been a member of our family for so long — longer than 2 of our 3 kids. I just kinda puts a damper on the weekend.

On a different note, a got a cross-post from Lt Col Patrick over at Duty In The Desert for my post yesterday on the “Person of the Week”. Go over and check out his site — not because he cross posted to me, but because he has an interesting and varied blog with a consistent pace of posting. Plus, he just came back from serving in Iraq and we owe him our thanks.

Thanks for the link, Lt Col Patrick. Enjoy your weekend.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I stated before that I would revisit some posts from this date one and two years ago. One year ago today I took the day off and joined the kids at the Science Museum. Two years ago today was the second time we visited our current church. The post had some good meaning. Reprinted below with permission.

This morning we hit the late service and it had about three times the people as the first service last week did. We stayed for a pizza luncheon afterwards and met quite a few people. More baby steps for us.

A quote during the sermon resonated with me.

“You may be the only Bible some people read.”

It goes hand in hand with a prayer I routinely ask — to be a disciple of example. I don’t like people cramming their ideas down my (or anyone else’s) throat. I figure it is much more effective to speak with actions rather than speak with words. Words without action are useless blabbering (kinda like this blog). Actions by themselves are powerful.

The rest of our day was spent as a family doing some errands after church and a few chores before an early dinner. It is now early to bed to prepare for the beginning of the week. That will get us a good night’s sleep which is our first step to a good day and getting it off to a good start. Again, school attitudes are positive this Sunday night which is important but I am also prepared for a step backwards if it happens. If it is two baby steps forward, one step back, that is ok. It will continue to take time acclimating. Going to church today was one more piece of the routine puzzle.

On another positive side, my wife took the freeway to the Kroger’s this afternoon. If you recall from a post on our trip out here, she had trouble driving and has been apprehensive ever since. She has warmed to driving the country roads, but hadn’t conquered the freeway until today. We’re getting there.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot com

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Exactly two years ago we closed escrow on this house and were moving all the boxes, furniture and stuff into it. As I remember it, the weather was nice — about 60F degrees and I remember thinking, “Winter isn’t too bad here in Kentucky”. Pretty funny since a few days later we got the most snow in 10 years.

A lot has happened in the short two years we’ve been here. What’s changed the most, though, has been our ability to reprioritize what is most important in our lives — our faith, our family, our friends, and our community. Work and possessions are in there further down the list but aren’t what we live for. It is good every once in a while to look back on how far you have come, how much progress you have made, what direction you have taken and the successes, challenges, losses and joys that are a part of your existence.

I am looking forward to many more milestone opportunities like today.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Below are a few pictures from our mission trip. I will continue to weed through the ones we all took and post those that tell a story.

Before

After
Here is a final picture of the house we worked on. While most of the work occurred inside, you can see the improvement just from the front. No more huge weeds and dumpster. In fact, it actually looks like someone lives there. On Thursday, the meter reader guy was driving by and passed it up, but then had to back up and actually went to check the meter cuz he thought someone had started living there. That’s a good sign we did something right!

Here’s the wall art we left at the camp. They have a hallway that has become signature hall because almost every group has left artwork, inspirational messages and signatures.

We took a tour of the shoreline in Biloxi and here is an example of some of the damage one year later. This strip mall was, er…. stripped.

This is all that is left of Redeemer Episcopal church. It was a beautiful facility prior to Aug 29. All that’s left are the supporting iron, the hurricane Camile memorial and the bent flag pole.

And finally, while hurricane Katrina wrought the most damage of any natural disaster the US has seen, the resilient spirit prevails. Here is proof. It says “I love the coast. Here to stay.”

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I continue to be amazed at the timing of impactful messages on my life. Some messages are repeats that reinforce the direction of my spiritual compass. Others are meant to change my heart and challenge me.

Below is a story from today’s sermon. It talked about happiness and serving others. Very appropriate given the mission trip we just all returned from.

It was great seeing my fellow teammates at church today too. I really bonded with them and even though it was very hard work, we enjoyed ourselves. I would go back with each of them in a heartbeat. If they are reading this, thank you to each of you for the person you are and the person you shared with me during that experience.

Sermon story —–

Marion Preminger stumbled upon it and wrote about where lasting happiness is to be found in her autobiography ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING. Born in Hungary in 1913, Marion was raised in a castle, surrounded by wealth, servants and the notoriety of an aristocratic upbringing.

At a Viennese ball, she met a handsome young man, the son of an Italian doctor. They rushed into a marriage that lasted only a year.

She returned to Vienna to embark on a career of acting. There she fell in love with the German director Otto Preminger. They married and she followed him to America where he began a promising career as a Hollywood movie director. But her new Hollywood lifestyle could not sustain her marriage and Preminger eventually divorced her.

Marion returned to Europe to live the life of a Parisian socialite until 1948. Then everything changed when she read that Dr. Albert Schweitzer was visiting Europe from his home in Africa. She determined to meet with the notable missionary doctor.

She first encountered Schweitzer doing one of the things he loved to do best while visiting Europe — playing a church organ for his own enjoyment. He invited her to dine with him. After the meal, Marion knew she had finally found what she’d been looking for. She accompanied Schweitzer every day during the remainder of his European visit. He invited to come back to Africa with him and work as an untrained staff member in the Lamberene hospital.

She left her life of status and ease and moved to Africa. There…the girl who was raised like a princess became a servant. She changed bandages, bathed bodies and fed lepers. She gave her life away to the poor, and because of it, found the happiness she’d craved for so long.

It was Albert Schweitzer who asserted, “One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

However, wherever and whomever you choose to help is unimportant. There are those in need everywhere. But when you figure out how to help other people, you’ll have also learned how to be happy for lifetime.

How true! In looking up this story, I also ran across this :

Someone said this about happiness:

To be happy for an hour — take a nap.
To be happy for a day — go shopping.
To be happy for a week — take a vacation.
To be happy for a month — get married.
To be happy for a year — inherit a fortune.
To be happy for a lifetime — help others.

Go be happy! I’ll let you pick how long you want to be happy.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I need to take this time to acknowledge those who were pivotal in my mission down at the Mississippi gulf coast.

First, thanks to God for the abilities and resources that allowed me to get involved. Thank you for moving my heart to get involved. The sacrafices and experiences will build me into a better person.

Secondly, thank you to my wife who “held down the fort”. Without the support of the other half of my home team, I would not have been able to take vacation time (away from the family) to help out down there. For anyone going on a venture like this, it is vital to have the full support and commitment of your better half. Their job is, in a way, harder than yours. At least you have the distraction of a new experience and work to get you through. They are doing the normal everyday routine — minus a resource. Kudos to my wife.

A huge thank you to my Dad who taught me the skills I used heavily while down there. Who woulda thought many years ago that at age seven, hauling brick in the Texas heat would give me the work ethic to work through the Mississippi heat and humidity. And from there every skill — carpentry, masonry, tiling, flooring, mechanical, problem solving to name a few — has been used extensively. I thank my Dad for sharing these skills with me throughout my life so I could leverage them for a positive impact last week.

And finally, thank you for those who prayed and thought about me and my team last week. I truly believe that we were kept safe and used to God’s glory to help those who needed it. I also very much appreciate those who financially support me and the team going down there. Without your generous contributions, we would not have been as effective.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Well, I made it safely home late last night. And just in time too. An hour or two later, we got hit by some of this year’s nastiest storms. The Louisville metro area is cleaning up floodwaters in areas. Both major freeways — the 64 (east/west) and the 65 (north/south) — were or are closed. And I was on the 65 just hours before. In fact, one person was swept away in their vehicle and drowned on the 65 last night. And there was tornadic activity from northern ‘Bama through Kentuckiana. It is amazing to me that we just went through all that hours before. We were certainly blessed.

So between the numerous lightning strikes, thunder, tornado warnings, heavy rains and winds, it seemed like I was getting a thunderous welcome home. I’m glad I was here for it though to make it easier on my wife. This morning there is some cleanup to do. We got about an inch of water in the basement. And more storms are expected tonight so preparations are a must. And even though I got longer and more unbroken sleep at Camp Victor, it was just so good to be in my own bed.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net