For the Joy of the Journey

Intersections – Salvation (1)

George January 22, 2020 Intersections 1 Comment

This post continues a series entitled intersections. As I reflect on my life’s journey, various intersections along the way come to mind. My ambition was for a straight and narrow path. but, that’s not how life goes.

Reviewing intersections in my life I have written about, I realized salvation was missing. Perhaps it should have been one of the first and I’m not quite sure why it wasn’t. Hopefully this writing will provide an answer.

If you stop to think about it, salvation is a big deal. It’s not unusual for someone to celebrate their heavenly birthday, marking the occasion of their salvation. “Have you been saved?” “Are you saved?” are go to conversation starters for evangelists. Pretty much everyone would say they want to be saved. In our western Christian context, generally, that would mean being saved from eternal punishment in hell.

That’s where my salvation story begins. I do not remember the exact date, but I was twelve years old and my family was living in Paducah, Kentucky. It was a Sunday morning worship service at the Broadway Church of Christ. The preacher was Brother H. A. Dixon. For reasons you might imagine for a twelve year old boy, I had been thinking a lot about my sinfulness and the prospects of hell should I die. As usual, the sermon concluded with an invitation to come forward and be baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of your sins and salvation from eternal punishment in hell and eternal life in heaven with God and Jesus. It was an uncomplicated and elegant solution to my angst. As the invitation song, probably “Just as I Am”, was being sung a cappella by the congregation, I made my way from the balcony to the front of the auditorium. I was greeted by Bro. Dixon and, to my great surprise, my mother joined me to be baptized (that’s another story for another time). I was properly baptized “I now baptize you In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of your sins” and completely immersed. I recall the elation and relief I felt being saved. At least I thought I was.

Salvation, as I soon came to understand and, for most of my life believed, was “YES, BUT “. I could confidently say “Yes, I am saved” because I was baptized. However,that confidence was quickly mitigated by, “BUT”.

The list of “BUTS” was long: Consider a few of the “You are saved as long as …”

…you are not living a sinful life.
…you have asked and received forgiveness for sins of both commission and omission since you last asked forgiveness
…you are a member of Christ’s true church.
…you are faithfully attending church.
…partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Those are just a few of a much longer list. Any thought that salvation meant eternal security, better known as “once saved, always saved” , would be rejected immediately. I was never quite sure if that rejection came because of biblical/doctrinal understandings or because it was what the Baptists believed. I lean to the latter. The bottom line is, salvation was tenuous at best, always depending upon my continued measuring up. Rather than something received, salvation was a carrot on the end of a stick God continually dangled in front of me to assure my faithful obedience. Maybe that explains why I don’t celebrate a ” heavenly birthday”.

As I stated at the onset, salvation is a big deal, a really big deal. How one understand their salvation or lack of it, shapes the whole landscape of their life, as it did for me.

This post is not the end of the story. The occasion of my baptism was a memorable event that is the Ebenezer of my salvation. It began a spiritual journey that continues as I write. The path from that day to today has been long, seldom straight and often difficult. My journey has brought from “YES, BUT” to “YES”.

The next post, Intersections – Salvation (2), will focus on my story of salvation between “Yes,But” and “YES”

Ommatrichophobia

George January 19, 2020 Things this old man thinks about 3 Comments

Ommatrichophobia – Fear of Eyebrows

Our time in Florida’s has been exceptionally pleasant; sunny and warm weather, connections with friends and neighbors, good food, outdoor concerts, farmers market, entertaining movies, antique show, and beach time.

One special aspect of our annual Florida visits is the opportunity for time together as a couple. Although being retired naturally provides more together time, Florida time is different and a nice change of pace. However, this year we have encountered a new and unusual challenge which is the subject of this post: Ommatrichophobia – Fear of Eyebrows .

Ann and I have been married for 57 years and you would think there isn’t much we don’t know about one another.,but I have recently come to realize Ann suffers from Ommatrichophobia – fear of eyebrows. Do not brush this aside, phobias are serious.

Fear generated by phobias can produce physiological changes in the body, accelerating the breathing rate, heart rate, leading to blushing and increasing muscle tension causing “goose bumps”, sweating, increased alertness leading to sleep disturbance and “butterflies in the stomach”. Concerning as they are, it gets complicated when you realize they also symptoms of sexual arousal.

Ann’s condition, probably one she has suffered from quietly for many years, is not unheard of. In recent years, UK basketball star Anthony Davis, in a brilliant marketing ploy, trademarked “fear the Brow” preying on ommatrichophobia.

So you are probably wondering what precipitated Ann’s current ommatrichophobia episode. As best I can discern, it started when I decided to exercise my inalienable right as an old man to pursue happiness. Happiness, in this case being defined as the freedom from culturally imposed conventions, namely neatly trimmed eyebrows There is no need to provide further justification for my decision, but I will any way.

Besides Anthony Davis, numerous Famous personalities have sported bushy eyebrows. My favorite is John L. Lewis. He was a notoriously tough union leader. I have wondered if someone had trimmed his eyebrows, would he have become powerless like Samson? Could he have ever bullied and intimidated without them? I think not.

How could anyone possibly imagine Andy Rooney being an effective curmudgeon without his signature eyebrows?

Beyond selfish reasons, there are some natural factors involved. As men get older it is very common to find their eyebrows have suddenly taken on a new lease of life and grown wild, bushy and out of control The change in eyebrows is due to hormonal changes. For many their levels of testosterone remain at a good level or even continue to increase up to the age of around 70 and this can encourage vigorous hair growth particularly in areas that were perhaps not as robust in younger years – areas such as the nose, ears and eyebrows. I’m not sure about testosterone levels but I can attest to some robustness.

I am not unsympathetic to Ann.In fact, I have researched treatment options and have decided to initiate some exposure therapy (Exposure therapy involves exposing the target patient to the anxiety source or its context without the intention to cause any danger. Doing so is thought to help them overcome their anxiety or distress.) in hopes of resolving her ommatrichophobia. Basically, that involves continued growth of my eyebrows and regular, intense eye contact with Ann. I anticipate when my eyebrows achieve the stature of this gentleman, she will be cured.

Of course your your thoughts and prayers for Ann’s healing are welcome.

Enjoy your week.

I AM WRONG

George January 17, 2020 Things this old man thinks about 2 Comments

No surprise.

That all too familiar realization, occurred again this week in conversation with my neighbor. Here’s the back story.

I walked next door to have conversation with our neighbors. They regularly sit on their lanai and I had not talked with them since our arrival. It was a good conversation. I was pleased to learn that Rick is a woodworker and turner. Even better, he turns segmented bowls. Finding common interest the conversation turned to the challenge creating segments for bowls. ( don’t want to get into the weeds here, so bear with me)

I mentioned that as long as you cut segments at 30 degrees, 12 piece rings work well. He immediately corrected me, saying no, they are cut at 15 degrees. My response was quick. No, it’s 30 degrees. I did not argue, but his qualifications became suspect. Convinced I was correct, I redirect the conversation and we talked for a while longer.

(Fast forward two days )

I admitted (to myself) that I was wrong.

What happened in the intervening days is the subject of this post. I believe My experience revealed some dynamics that fuel disagreement, division, discord, even hatred and violence in our society and can possibly be helpful.

Here is what happened after our first conversation. Some of you may recognize my commitment to my rightness. Rick’s assertion that I was wrong triggered a relentless mental turmoil for me. I searched the internet for confirmation of my position. Finding none, I was mildly encouraged that I didn’t find absolute proof I was wrong.

I know it’s weird, but I awoke during the night. Laying in bed, I searched my memory for confirmation of my position, working through the logic that I used to reach my conclusion. Given the subject, my discomfort was beyond any reasonable measure. Although I harbored doubts, I remained steadfast that I was correct. My morning began with another search for confirming information.

Later in the day while sitting on my lanai, another neighbor, Bill, stopped to visit. It seems that he had heard I am a wood turner and being one also, he wanted to meet me. We had a great conversation. He, too, makes segmented bowls. Bill went to his place and brought some of his work for me to see. He is an outstanding wood turner. His segmented pieces are beautiful. My other neighbor, Rick, joined the conversation and eventually we got to cutting segments. Looking for support in my 30 degree position, I was sure Bill, being an expert, would confirm I was correct. When I mentioned cutting at 30 degrees, he looked at me with such a way that it was clear he didn’t agree. Joining with Rick, they proceeded, in a gentlemanly manner to tell me I was wrong. Wisely, I changed the subject.

I believe the mental gymnastics I described, produced from those conversations, are not unlike most people’s reaction when told they are wrong. I know a lot of people (including myself) that are adamant they are not mistaken in their rightness. Somehow our belief that we are right trumps the truth that we are fallible beings.

Here are some takeaways from those conversations:

Do not under estimate the depth of resistance when told you are wrong. Some people may say they are open minded, but see what happens when they are told they are wrong.
I was astounded by how much such a mundane issue dominated by thoughts. If that is true, how much more will consequential issues produce deep anxiety and potential for greater negative outcomes.
Reflecting on my interactions with my neighbors, I realized that any future contact or conversations hinged on how I reacted to their declarations. To my credit, I did not tell them they were full of crap. For now, we are on good terms.
As indicated earlier, I admit I was wrong, but that is not enough. If I do not tell them I was wrong, we may have an amicable relationship but we will never enjoy its full potential.
This is the most difficult part of my experience. I was wrong. All the data and facts and evidence support that conclusion. I will confess my wrongness to my neighbors, BUT, In the depths of my soul, I have a voice that’s says, I am right. For that reason, I can begin to understand why people faced with incontrovertible evidence will harden their position instead of changing.
The best default position, for me, to engage and have dialogue with those whom I disagree is: I AM WRONG. At least I won’t have to apologize all the time.

IF you are interested, here are a couple of earlier related posts:

Why is it so important to be right? (6)

Echo Chambers :The Importance of Being Wrong (3)

Being “With It”

George January 15, 2020 Things this old man thinks about 2 Comments

One illusion, among many, that I entertain as a 77 year old man is that I am “with it”. You know what I mean. I have a handle on what’s going on in the world around me. I am hip, whatever that means. A year or so ago, I even created a single word name for myself, like Prince, Beyoncé et al.

“phaZe”

It has not really caught on but, there is still time, I hope. I consider my self to be technologically astute. Additionally, I’m culturally informed, able to occasionally drop some cool terminology in conversations with younger people. It is a point of pride that I am well read. Left to my own devices, I can feel pretty good about being “with it” at 77.

An important trait necessary for living a healthy, productive life is the ability to engage in self-examination. A painful but necessary exercise. I suspect you are thinking, I need dose of self-examination. Yes I do and so do all of us.

Recently, I had an opportunity for self-examination of my “with it” when I came across an article listing the best selling fiction of the past decade. Being well read, I was confident that my reading experience would be mirrored in that list. I would appreciate it if you would participate in the same exercise. Just take a minute or so to make your list of best selling fiction over the past ten years. Then look at the article’s list HERE.

For me, reading that list was bad news, good news. The bad news was I had read only four of the books listed. The good news was none of them were the top sellers. From that perspective, I’m definitely not “with it”. If your reading list matched up, then we need to talk.

Here are some things I’m thinking after that exercise:

Being “with it” may not always be a good thing.
What is the cost of being “with it”?
Being “with it” is important/essential in relating to others.”I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
Maybe I need to redefine what being “with it” means.
It occurs to me that “being with it” is the primary goal of many people and organizations.

Have a great day

phaZe

Things this old man thinks about

George January 11, 2020 Things this old man thinks about 4 Comments

Today is my first post in a new category entitled “Things this old man thinks about” It is my intention to share occasional thoughts that cross my mind, mostly in a random fashion. I realize this carries some significant risk, but transparency is important, right?

I would like to believe my thoughts will be original, but that is too optimistic. Over the years, one source that has stimulated some ideas, but mostly validated thoughts I’ve had, is the cartoon strip Pickles. I am pretty sure the author has managed to hack our Alexas. I encourage everyone to subscribe to Pickles. You can subscribe HERE. In addition to the daily lives of Opal and Earl you will often get a glimpse of George and Ann.

A good example is today’s strip. Although I have never discerned that Earl or Opal hold any particular faith. Reading Pickles today, this thought crossed my my mind, “Earl may be an evangelical Christian.”