What will you be worth after your dead?

(A post from the “Hills” instead of the Wildwood, but anyway…)

Elizabeth Taylor made $210 million in 2012; Elvis Presley, $55 million; Marilyn Monroe, $10 million…even Steve McQueen, $8 million.  

And all of them passed away before 2012.

It was interesting to read this in Forbes, 11/19/12 and to see how each of these and countless others made this amount in the past 12 months…yes, after their deaths and in some cases many, many years after their death.

Name power is still strong, of course.  Marketing that name is even stronger.

What crossed my mind?  Of course, I thought of Abel.  “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb. 11:4).  After many more years than those listed above, Abel’s offering by faith still speaks from the dead.

I think of the name power of Christ even to this day from Acts 4:12, “Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”

How are we marketing HIS name in our lives and by our lives?

And, how much will we be worth after we are gone?  Will our faith live onward?  And, what will it be worth?

Just a thought on a quick Saturday…from the “Hills.”

Which are you?

Can’t take original credit for this…got it some time ago from a church bulletin titled Words of Life, vol.3, # 3, Hickory, KY.  It’s pretty good…enjoy!

A CARROT, AN EGG, AND A CUP OF COFFEE!

 

            A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.  Her mother took her to the kitchen.
            She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  Soon the pots came to boil.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.  In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.  She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.  She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.  Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"
            "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.  Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.  After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.  Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.  The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.  The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"  Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity.  Boiling water and each reacted differently.
            The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.  The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.  The ground coffee beans were unique, however.  After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
            “Which are you" she asked her daughter?  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?"  Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"  Think of this: Which am I?  Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?  Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?  Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?  Or, am I like the coffee bean?  The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.  When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.  If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.  When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?  How do you handle adversity?  Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Thanks for coming by and pilling up a chair for our visit...from the Wildwood.

Getting it done...time, time, time

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a stickler for scheduling and planning.  From my days in the business realm while I preached on weekends (“part-time,” so-to-speak) to now in “full-time” preaching, I utilize “flex” planning in scheduling to the “ten-second rule” (take ten seconds and address something right then—you’ll be amazed how much you can get done). 

Recently, I was reading Forbes magazine (Nov. 2012) about Jack Dorsey.  He is the CEO of Square, which makes the device that turns a smart phone into a credit/debit card machine.  An overview of his schedule was presented, so I thought, hmmm, how can I learn a little something? 

Of course, I am going to keep my “flex” planning within.  “Flex” planning might have only one thing on the schedule, but there is “flex” time for whatever arises.  Still get the daily plan done…and a few other things as well, or of the daily plan doesn’t get done, I’ve got some flex coming up in the next two days to complete it.

Now, back to Dorsey…initial reaction, I thought how it could be profitable for a minister of the gospel?

Sunday, Dorsey thinks about strategy and conducts job interviews.  Sunday, allow our preaching to present the spiritual strategy we need to press onward and accept responses (‘interview”) to help bring one closer to Christ.  Be certain to meet (“interview,” so-to-speak) our guests and welcome them.  “Interview” the members you’ve been missing with a quick greeting; check on the folks who have been ill. 

Monday, Dorsey says, is for addressing management issues.  Great opportunity to evaluate Sunday, the notes you’ve made from above; review plans to be made and refresh and organize the week.  Plan your visits or make one or two; some outside correspondence.  Just a general day to really implement the “ten-second rule” and address other opportunities.

Tuesday, Dorsey focuses on product engineering and design.  Yep, sermons.  “Hunker in the bunker” of the “war room” and go at it.  Of course, to do both sermons on one day is pressing a bit too much, but remember the “flex” of your schedule on the other days.   

Wednesday Dorsey zeros in on marketing and communications, and growth.  Yep, correspondence, bulletin articles and concluding some sermon work.

Thursday he holds meetings with outside partners and developers.  Yep, Bible Studies with prospects; some good visitation with members.  And, might be some “flex” time for some off time in developing self with a little rest or developing one’s health with some exercise or hobby time.  Never know when you might run into that one person with some interest in the Lord.

Friday is about “company and culture” and recruiting.  Yep, Bible class preparation; some invitations others; a few things to “promote” the “company” (the church) and to develop and enhance our “Biblical culture” even more of knowing the word and growing in His grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18).

Saturday, Dorsey takes off; in particular he likes to hike.  Yep, rest….time for family and “getting away from it all,” crossing our Lake Gennesaret, if you will.

All of us as ministers are always looking how we can more efficiently serve and effectively use our time.  Maybe there is something here for that “little extra” one is looking for.  Have at it…and thanks for joining me...in the Wildwood.

31 days and counting...PTP

Wow...been a while since I have blogged a little.  Confession time...could not recall the pass word and email...oh, well.

Since my last post, I've shed 36 lbs., been to Wyoming with my darling bride and watched Mom deal with some rehab after suffering a fall in April.  An eventful year to say the least.  Looking forward to some other speaking engagements as I go along as well.

But, one event I long for, look for and am eager to attend is my annual trek to Sevierville, TN and the "Polishing the Pulpit" workshop (www.polishingthepulpit.org).  Love to attend as this is my tenth year on the PTP excursion.  The first time I attended there were about 60-70 of us in a meeting room at a small hotel in the Doraville area of Atlanta.  Last year, well over 2,000 scattered throughout an events center.  Absolutely amazing and a joy to see so many great folks.

But, until that time arrives, I keep on plugging...from the Wildwood.  Have a blessed day!

Waltons Mountain, Lucas McCain and the Barkley spread

I've always been intrigued with old TV shows.  Several years ago I purchased a THICK book about the history of TV shows; when they first aired, when they went off the air, who starred in them, etc..  And, of course, a lot of them I don't remember the first time around because I was too little (born in '62) and a few I remember in reruns growing up.

Had an idea hit me some time back.  I noticed a "Walton's Reunion" on the Inspiration network and I enjoyed watching it.  At that time, the network announced they were going to show the Waltons daily from start to finish.  Liking the old TV shows, I set the DVR and decided to watch all nine seasons little by little.  I remember watching them when I was ten or eleven, but as time went by and as a teenager, other things became more important...well, at the time.   I thoroughly enjoyed it...sewed a lot of loose ends together for me as well.  And, it is real handy when you can find websites for the shows and then "copy and paste" a list to keep up with.

When I finished the Waltons, AMC decided to do the same with The Rifleman on Saturday morning--episodes in order.  Why not...matter of fact, I met the Rifleman, Chuck Connors over 20 years ago (pics are at my Facebook page).

Now, I am having a field day recording and watching from the start The Big Valley.  Never knew there was a fourth brother (Eugene) and I really understand Heath's character more (Tom Barkley was his dad, but Victoria was not his mother) and that was Lee Majors first acting role.  Peter Breck who played Nick is still living, regrettably he was diagnosed with dementia about a year ago, but his website is awesome.  I can hear Daddy talk about how much he really like Barbara Stanwyck as an actress.  And, time has been good to Linda Evans.  Richard Long died way too soon at age 47.  Man, what a cast...awesome show.

Can you hear the music?  Great theme.

It's enjoyable watching these old shows...especially when you don't have to listen to all the language and junk...plus, the theme songs are hard to beat.

So, find yourself an old show and let your DVR do the work.  And, thanks for stopping by and pulling up a chair for a little visit.  Greetings always...from the Wildwood.

Young people, nursing homes...and going home

I really enjoy visiting folks.  I have some home Bible studies going which I thoroughly enjoy and although you wished nobody would go to the hospital, I hope I can bring a little cheer there as well.  Nursing homes and rehab facilities are part of my visits also and there are some pretty special things that happen along the way like the time I was leaving a nursing facility and this little sweetheart of a lady in a wheelchair sings the first line of “When we all get to heaven.”  Well, I picked up with the rest of it and we sang together the rest of the hymn.  The staff applauded us…which kind of embarrassed me a little.  I told one of the girls on staff they didn’t need to do that to which she replied, “Oh, we were just happy—that’s the first time she got every word right.”  J

So, it’s time for my visits and I thought why not ask the teens to join me?  So, our youth group came along and we went to one of our places with several of our East Side folks as residents…sister Hull (who babysat about half of the kids years ago); sister McGee (who asked if we were going to sing and she joined right in with us); sister Puckett.  We dropped in on the daddy of sister Snyder (wife of one of our elders) and said hello and to the roommate of sister Keith (who was in the hospital).

I was blessed to be with some of the best young people in the world.  We had a wonderful time.  Our teens were respectful; gracious; brought cards and gifts; the young brothers led singing and prayers…I was so delighted with our boys and girls and as a side note, they left the cell phones and I-phones and all in their pockets and focused 100% on the opportunity at hand…and a visit to another one of our aged sisters, in retrospect, was as perfect as could be.

Sister Mildred Carver is 90 years old and has taught the three year old class in Sunday School for 34 years.  Yes, you read that right…and was still in the class with our Emiline Hutson until about three weeks ago when she suffered a fall at home.  On Monday night, she was not doing real well and her two daughters (also East Side members) were in the hallway.  I knew something was up.

All of the youth went in the room with me.  I talked with sis. Carver and she looked around at the group and about 75% of the teens had been taught by sister Carver.  She nodded when I called out one of the boy’s names in that she remembered.  We had prayer and went on, hugging the daughters outside the door.

I can’t back up the following with scripture other than maybe a slight implication of 2 Timothy 4:7-8 as Paul was near the end of his life, but have you heard of situations when a person is in pretty grave condition and after a child finally arrives or a matter is finally addressed, they pass away from this life?  It’s like when that one thing happens, it’s time to leave this earth.

When sister Carver passed Tuesday, I wonder if seeing all those children she taught touched her heart to the point where she said within her heart, “Lord, I’ve done my job…and here they are serving…time for me to go home.”

Make you wonder...and it sure refreshes hope—it’s just something I was thinking about…from the Wildwood.

From Helen to Mollie...gifts that matter

Received a call Sunday morning that one of our long time members, Helen Jones passed away. 89 years of age…a good, long faithful life. I always enjoyed my visits with her at the Martin-Boyd retirement home in Chattanooga. She was a wonderful lady and loved her Tennessee Vols. I had a part in her funeral Tuesday evening and her entombment on Wednesday morning.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

Received a call on Thursday that our sweet little Mollie Elizabeth Skelton arrived safe and well at 6 lbs. and 6 oz. Just had a nice visit with little Mollie…another child to hold and love.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).

So, this week is a week that gifts arrive left and right? Well, all I know is this…gifts come year round. Sister Helen was a dear friend and a gift to me and I know that Mollie will be a wonderful gift and friend, too.

Lord, you’ve blessed me with too many gifts. But, you know, I’d never return a one of Your blessings. Just the right size and always meets a need.

All the packages in the world never matter…hug and love the true gifts of one another.

Merry Christmas, everyone...from the Wildwood.