From Where I Sit: When Life Comes Crashing Down

On Sunday, March 13, 2011, I was relaxing in my recliner watching golf when a microburst storm came through,  pelting our roof with branches. I heard a loud pop, crack, and a ninety foot red fir crashed through the house. I felt the tree on my shoulders, ripping my shirt and pressing me forward and bending me in half. I eventually was able to slip to the floor, and crawl through debris to safety. The doctor at the E.R. said I was the story of the day; the nurse said I should buy a lottery ticket, and KMTR news service called me Miracle Man to be able to walk away from that tragedy. Here is the link to the news story:  http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/19833/2297531?title=top_local_stories&wpid=9600  I give all the credit to the Lord of heaven and earth. This story is to praise His name and make His deed known among the nations. Psalm 105:1 Let me share a few lessons I learned from this “When Life Comes Crashing Down” experience.

RELAX! We have a tendency to panic when disaster strikes. In my dazed confusion, I initially tried to hold the tree up to keep it from crushing my lungs. All that did was strain my lower back. When I relaxed and emptied my lungs of air I was able to slip to the floor. When we quit trying to fight our burdens and rest in the Lord, He provides relief. Matthew 11:28

CALL FOR HELP. Psalm 86:7 By this time my wife Connie is standing at the top of the stairs viewing the devastation. All she can see is broken rafters, downed duct work, sheet rock and insulation, and a huge tree. She realized I am under all this rubble and screams, “What shall I do?” I reply, “Call 911.” Life is a team sport and there are people who are specially trained for disasters. Every Sunday we pray for our troops, and the local police and firemen who protect us. On this day they were an answer to prayer.

HEAD FOR THE LIGHT Psalm 27:1 Once I dropped to the floor, it appeared I was surrounded by a canopy of protection. Psalm 27:5 To my right and upward I see a shaft of light. It seemed like my salvation was toward the light. I was able to crawl through insulation and debris to the next room, my office.

WAIT FOR HELP. Psalm 33:20, 130:5 Impatience is a bad taskmaster. I could jump through a broken window into the freezing rain with a ripped t-shirt and no shoes, but I wasn’t in much of a super, miracle man mood, so I waited for help. I heard distant sirens and knew aid was near. When the firemen arrived, Connie gave them some shoes and a jacket, and they helped me to safety.

LET YOUR SUPPORT GROUP TAKE OVER. By this time neighbors and church friends began arriving. Connie and I were both in shock, and others began to make decisions for us which was a good thing. Neighbors took me to the hospital, and church family began to minister to Connie. After I was checked out by the E.R., they took us to get deodorant, toothpaste, clothes, etc, since we were not able to get back into our house. They made sure we got something to eat, and got us checked into a motel which has now been our home for over a week.

DO NOT MAKE ANY MAJOR DECISIONS. Nothing is so critical that you cannot wait until your spirit is settled before you make major decisions. Two of our sons drove through the night from Idaho to be with us and help us get through the next couple of days. They helped us organize our thoughts and do what needed to be done with insurance, etc.

RE-EVALUATE YOUR PRIORITIES Psalm 27:4 When it all boils down it is family and relationships that are important. All other stuff is just stuff. Realize the frailty of life and number your days.

TRY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL Connie went back to work on Tuesday, and I set up an office at our new digs. We are people of routine and habit. Disruption does not serve us well. I wanted to get our vitamins and start studying for Sunday’s message. If you throw a pity party, very few will want to come. Move forward.

BE PATIENT Ecclesiastes 7:8; Colossians 1:11 Rome was not built in a day, and neither will our house be repaired in a day. I never knew there were so many adjusters to deal with. We will eventually move into temporary housing for at least six months. We will eventually have to deal with contractors, etc.

REALIZE LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN Isaiah 42:9 If you are expecting things to go back to the way they were before life came crashing down, get over it now. Things will not be the same. The only thing constant in life is change. The motto of the day is “adapt or get left behind.”  Your new computer will be outdated next month. There will be a new normal, so adapt.

THANK GOD! I mention this last because it needs special emphasis. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thank God that the car was in the garage and took the blow first and held the tree up enough for me to slip out. Thank God Connie was upstairs. Thank God that our son went to California with friends for a few days before coming home for spring break. Thank God no branches struck me. Thank God for life, breath, family, church, and friends. We have a long process before us and many decisions to make, but we have our God, our church, our family and our friends, and that is enough. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: When Life Comes Crashing Down

Last Sunday afternoon I was relaxing in the recliner watching golf when a micro burst of wind began blowing branches everywhere. I heard a pop, crash, and a 90 foot red fir came crashing through our house. It struck me on the shoulder ripping my t-shirt and pinning me to the couch. I was able to slip to the floor and crawl through insulation to freedom. The firemen rescued me from the house, the doctor at the E.R. said I was the story of the day and marveled how I walked away. The nurse said it was my lucky day, and I should buy a lottery ticket. KMTR called me Miracle Man. http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/19833/2297531?title=top_local_stories&wpid=9600 God is the one to who all the glory goes. This story is to give thanks to His name and make known what He has done. Psalm 105:1
When life comes crashing down, there are lessons to be learned. Allow me to share a few I picked up on.
RELAX! We have a tendency to panic when tragedy strikes. In my dazed confusion, I initially was trying to strain against the tree to keep it from crushing my lungs, but when I relaxed, I found I could slip from the couch to the floor. When we quit trying to fight our burdens and simply relax and let God take over, relief comes. Matthew 11:28
CALL FOR HELP Psalm 86:7 My wife, Connie, is at the top of the stairs viewing the destruction below. All she can see is a large tree, broken rafters, fallen duct work and sheet rock, and insulation. She realizes I am under the rubble and scream, “What shall I do?” I replied, “Call 911.”
Life is a team sport, and there are people who have been specially trained for disasters. Every Sunday we pray for our troops, and the local police and firemen who protect us. They were answers to prayer that day.
HEAD FOR THE LIGHT Psalm 27:1 Once I drop to the floor, it is like I am surrounded by a canopy of protection. Psalm 27:5. To my right I see a shaft of light, and realize it is an opening. It appears my salvation is toward the light. I push through insulation, and am able to crawl to the next room, my office.
WAIT FOR HELP Psalm 27:14; 130:5 Impatience is a bad task master. I could jump through and broken window into the freezing rain in my t-shirt and sweats with no shoes. Instead I wait knowing the distant sirens will bring help. I have my wife give the firemen some shoes and a jacket so I will be protected.
LET YOUR SUPPORT GROUP TAKE CARE OF YOU.

From Where I Sit: The Little Guy

I am glad the LaBron-a-thon is over. It is amazing to me that one man can command so much attention that he has his own one hour T.V. special just to announce where he will be playing next year. But that is what the media do–cover the big, the famous, the amazing, the money. I do not doubt that LeBron James is the current, greatest NBA talent, or that he is worth millions of dollars, but what about the little guy?

Who noticed that the Portland Trail Blazers cut Ryan Gomes from their roster. He was just a back-up forward, but he had dreams, aspirations, and goals too. But wait, the Los Angeles Clippers signed him to play for them. He has a new start, new dreams, new aspirations, but who cares? Ryan Gomes cares, his family cares, the Clippers care.

We live in a world where the rich, talented, and popular are headlined.  It makes the average person think that “if I am not talented, rich, pretty or popular then I am a nobody.” That is the farthest thing from the truth. You are you and there is no one else like you. You are unique; you do things no one else can do; you influence people the rich and famous will never meet. You are a special creation of God, and God does not make any junk. You are valuable to Him, and have been assigned to do what no one else can do like you can. You are a treasure. You are a champion. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Technology

Yesterday I was sitting in a presentation in my son’s school on the history of computers. The presentation included video, Power Point, drama, music, and tasted like carrot cake. Okay, I made the last part up, but do kids know how blessed they are with technology? They used Photo Shop, Avitaur (something like that) and other stuff to put together quite a show.

When I got my Masters, I had to had write all my papers,  turn them over to a typist, and pay her so much for each page she typed.  She used something called a typewriter.  A type “stinking” writer–I would explain the concept to you kids, but it is beyond you since it has no batteries, and requires no ELECTRICITY! Excuse me while I go rub some sticks together to start the fire to cook dinner.

My Chinese name used to be Lo Tec, but I’ve recently tried to enter the field of technology. I have a cell phone, but still text like a dinosaur. I have a lap top, do my own Power Point, have a Facebook account, and even blog. I have not tweeted yet, but who knows? I am still way behind, and will never catch up because it keeps advancing. My son wants a new cell phone that will order Chinese food from CHINA and will deliver it piping hot in thirty minutes.

I am glad you have all that technology, but remember that the best communication is personal. It is still okay to sit down over a cup of coffee, or should I say for your generation, a skinny, decaf, whipped, shaken but not stirred, fake caramel latte (that tastes like ground-up packing material), and look at each other eye to eye and talk. Hey, maybe I would even have a Red Bull with you (no pink elephants please). Don’t forget the personal touch. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Making Memories

When Dad passed away in 1993, I asked my step-mom for only one thing: his fly rod. She gave me the rod, the reel (now shot), his fishing vest (now too small), and his flies. The flies hang in a fly case in my office as a mementos. They will never be used again. Several years ago I began making an annual trek to the same river where my dad and I spent many hours fly fishing. The river had changed, but the smells and feelings were the same. The deer, geese, and ducks still fled when spooked. The killdeers still pretended to have a broken wing to lead you away from their nest, and the mosquitoes still bit hardily. And the fish still hit the renegade fly. There was something nostalgic about catching trout on the same rod my dad had caught them on.

Three years ago, I introduced my eldest son to the sacred spot. He caught a couple of nice trout and was hooked. Now he wants to go every year. So on Memorial Day we spent six hours fishing the same waters my dad and I used to fish. It should not have taken us that long to catch our limit, but we lost as many as we caught. At the end of the day, I showed him how to clean the fish with the heads on so we could take pictures of our mighty catch when we returned. We walked miles, got soaking wet (it rained off and on all day), and were tired from carrying the weight of all those fish. But as we drove away I turned to him and said, “making memories.” He gave a heavy sigh as he relaxed back in his seat and said, “Yes, making memories.”

In the last two years I have also introduced a nephew, and two other sons to the sacred spot. They have all hooked and caught fish, but it was they who were hooked on the sights, sounds, and smells of the sacred spot. I imagine that one day I will take grandsons to that spot, and maybe even my daughter. There are not as many fish as there used to be, but there is hardly a better spot on earth to make memories. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Country Western Music

I’ll have to admit that I am not much of a Country Western Music follower, but when you are traveling in certain parts of the country, as I was this last week, that is about the only radio station one can get. In fact, I am convinced that wherever you are in the good old USA, you are never out of range of a Country Western music station.

So I was privileged to listen to some spankin’ good music. I was slapping my knee, and yelling Yippee Ki-yay (It keeps one awake). It was entertaining and sometimes downright funny. Who can beat lyrics like “Rain is a good thing. Rain makes corn; corn makes whiskey; whiskey makes  my baby feel frisky”? Doesn’t that make your frizzle frazzle? Who else but a country western writer could put “a mother’s love, cold beer on a Friday night, and jeans that fit just right” into a song?

One guy puts Tom Bodet’s “will leave the light on for you” at Motel 6 to shame. Hoping his baby will come back he croons “every light in the house is on just in case you ever get tired of being gone.” His house would look like a power plant. Airplanes could land in his driveway.

Another cowboy sings: “We can go to town, or if you rather, I can take you for a ride on my big, green tractor.” I choose A and I don’t even know what is in town. I know that in any country town I could take my honey for french cuisine–a parfait at Dairy Queen. Of course she’d probably prefer a Dilly Buster.

They even have spiritual songs like PRAY FOR YOU. Words include “I pray your brakes go out running down a hill; I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill, and knocks you in the head like I’d like to. I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls; I pray you’re flying high, and your engine stalls.” Oooooookay? It is a different kind of prayer than I’m used to praying.

“Honey, I want to be the syrup on your flapjack”? I’m not making this stuff up. Okay, I just made that last phrase up, but I bet George Crooked, Mary Overwood, or Sir Probellum could do something with those words. I won’t say I told you so if they appear in a future song.

Well, that’s all for now, Cowboys and Cowgirls. I close with the words of . . . . . . . . . . . whoever wrote, “we’ll leave the lights on for you.” (Unless we don’t) Country Western music is entertaining and true to life. They sing their real feelings and experiences without the mask. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: A Small Taste of Americana

Yesterday Connie and I ran Casey to Corvallis to go with their youth group to prepare for the mission trip to Peru. I decided to take the back roads through the country on the return home. We went through the heart of small town Americana and decided to stop to eat. It was the only restaurant in town. In fact, other than the Dairy Mart, that is about all there was. The sign on the outside of the small cinder block building said it was the night for the Prime Rib Special.

Now things are not always what they appear on the outside, but sometimes they are. When we walked in we had to take the booth next to the door. I mean right next to the door. When people walked in I could have reached out and patted them on the fan.., er, hip. There were only about 4 booths and some tables scattered here and there. One rectangular table seated about 2o.

There were two large screen T.V.’s and both were showing NASCAR, or rather NASTRUCK.  After a truck hit the wall Connie, not an avid fan,  commented that the guy”sure sprained his truck.” I thought it was an apt description as I saw the truck wobble into the pit where they replaced the tires and sent him back to the track. Connie did note that they were always turning left.

Connie said the ladies’ restroom was fine, but the men’s had a hole in the wall, broken tile, and the finishing touch of duct tape on the urinal handle. I would have expected nothing less. However, the food was good and a great price. Connie had the prime rib, and I opted for the Alaskan cod fish and chips over the fried catfish. The waitresses called you honey, darling, and sweetie, and refilled the soft drinks often. They brought bottles of catsup, fry sauce, and ranch dressing.

As our delicious fare wore on, the place began to fill up. People came from miles around (at least 9) for the prime rib special. It was the special gathering place for the community. Soon the large table which seated about 20 filled up with people. Some didn’t even know each other. “You know son, they have the farm with the llama with the bad leg. You know where the wagon wheel planter has the purple irises.” People seemed relaxed and happy.

Connie and I thoroughly enjoyed our “taste” of Americana. I thought churches ought to be like the Longbranch Restaurant (minus the wall o’ liquor). A place where the whole community gathers, and there are no strangers. A place you can wear your rubber boots fresh with barn mud, and kids run around in Pampers. A place that is not concerned with decor but with relationships. A place with lots of laughter, and people call you “sweet” things. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Marriage

Marriage is not a word. It is a sentence; a life sentence. One can take that as a joke, but if we take our marriage vows seriously, it is a true sentence. We said, “until death do us part.”

Yesterday, some dear friends of ours from church celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Most marriages don’t survive that long, but what helps make this one remarkable, is that 10 years ago he had a tragic accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. That type of tragedy usually takes its toll on a relationship, but theirs is stronger than ever.

I congratulate those who celebrate wedding anniversaries, because I know it takes a lot of hard work to maintain a good, growing marriage. Connie and I just celebrated our 38th. You would think we would have it down by now, but we are still working on deepening our relationship. This next week we will be going to a conference for ministers and wives.  A noted family counselor will be speaking. I will be taking plenty of notes not just for sermon fodder, but as tips for what to implement in my own marriage. We all need to take time to develop our marriages. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Anger

Thirty years ago today Mt. St. Helens blew its top. 57 people were killed and the landscape of America changed forever. When you tour the site today, you are amazed at the devastation it caused.

Do you realize what devastation you cause when you blow your top. Lives can be devastated, and the landscape of your relationships could change forever. I use A.N.G.E.R. as an acrostic to help me get a handle when I feel like blowing my top.

A = Admit your anger. We often try to excuse it, deny it, or blame it on someone else. It is your anger, so you must learn how to manage it.

N = Name the right you had that was violated. You got angry because someone or something invaded your space. I have a right to this lane of traffic; I have a right to be understood; I have a right to speak my mind; I have a right to have things my way. Identify the right that was violated.

G = Give all your rights to God. God takes very good care of His stuff. If you give Him all your stuff, He will take better care of it than you will. Give Him your reputation, your right to be understood, etc.

E = Expect God to test you to see if you have really given Him everything. If you blow your top then there is something else you need to give Him.

R = Remember to give God thanks in all things. There is nothing that happen in your life that God does not know about. “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18

We need to do everything we can from devastating others, and destroying relationships. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.

From Where I Sit: Kids

Franklin P. Jones said, “You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” I was sitting with a group of pastors the other day and almost all of us admitted to having almost written our resignation as a pastor because of some bad choice one of our children had made. Fortunately, our common sense prevailed and none of us ever did.

To those of you struggling to raise children, and the rest of you who are in denial, let me offer three suggestions:

1. It’s not about you, so don’t make it about you. Yes, we get embarrassed when our kids make wrong choices because we know it reflects on us, but it is about him or her. It is about what God is doing or trying to do in their lives. They may be resisting God, but hasn’t there been a time in your life when you resisted God? It is about lifting up your child in prayer. It is about turning him/her over to God. It is not about you.

2. It takes a village (church) to raise a child. I am proud of each and every one of my children, but I cannot take full credit. I would like to thank a whole host of churches for the teaching, leading, and the mentoring they performed to help shape each of my children. When you have a child who is struggling, do not keep it to yourself. Rely on others to share your prayer burden, and to love your child. Harold Hulbert said, “Children need love, especially when they don’t deserve it.”

3. Remember that God is not finished yet. Think of how patient God has been with you. Don’t give up. Keep praying, keep loving, keep hoping. With God all things are possible. In Christ there is always hope. At least that is the way I see it From Where I Sit.