Grandfather Clock

Clock History

This Emperor Grandfather Clock was built by Howard (H.T.) Morgan in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. I can’t remember the exact year, but I’d guess 1969 or 1970.  He and my uncle, Abner Morgan (Granddad’s brother) built their clocks at the same time from kits they purchased. I have no idea what became of my uncle’s clock, but he lived in Madera, CA.  His son, Roy Morgan of Morgan’s Garage in Madera, may still have it.

After my grandparents (Howard and Cora Morgan) passed, the clock was not kept running. My father, Von Morgan, did not particularly like hearing it chiming all the time, so it just sat in the house for years. In the summer of 2018, I brought it from my parent’s home in Ozark, MO, to our home in Mesa, AZ. I am fortunate to have a “Clock Dr.” a few blocks away that makes house calls. For a very minimal fee, he cleaned it, adjusted some things and set it up. It now keeps perfect time again. I love having it here, and unlike my father, I enjoy hearing it chime. There is special meaning in having a grandfather clock that was built by your own grandfather.

The Clock Dr. informed me that they no longer make the workings of this particular clock, so when it wears out, it cannot be repaired. He said it is in good shape, and though all things eventually wear out, this clock should have many more functioning years. Until that time when it will no longer run, it will continue to be part of our home and family memories.  I love it especially at Christmas time when it reminds me of my grandparent’s home.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Message at Gilbert, AZ Vineyard Church
March 29, 2015

CLICK HERE

Color them BLUE once again

“Dodger Blue” should be the title of a sad song by the late Hank Williams. “Have you ever seen a Dodger weep when Nats begin to fly…it seems they just can’t win it all…they’re so lonesome they could cry.”  It has been 1988 since Blue won the World Series (they’ve lost a couple). In that time the Yankees have won 5, the Giants (hated rivals) have won 3 fall classics, as have the Red Sox. The St. Louis Cardinals have won 2, and even the Royals and Dbacks have won a World Series since the tinsel town boys raised a banner.  Tommy Lasorda was still the skipper in 1988.  They have spent a gazillion dollars for all kinds of star talent to buy their way to the top, and still nada…no bueno!  It isn’t the manager (though some decisions have been curious….pitching wise). Heck..A.J. Hinch was awful in Arizona, and he is gold plated in Houston.  It is the players who win or lose. Having said that, the Dodgers have had the talent to win, so why have they not closed the deal? One reason…
THE CURSE OF THE DBACKS POOL!  The Dodgers never should have celebrated a divisional win in 2013 by playing in, and some say, peeing in the Diamondbacks pool…they’ve been snake bitten (pun intended) ever since.  And the curse continues!!

The Gatekeeper

Eat Grapes!

12 Health Benefits of Eating Grapes

Read article

SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES

Doing some research on families, I Googled the following:

“families that are most successful”

The entire first page of results were examples of families who had obtained the greatest monetary wealth, such as:  “Top 10 Wealthiest Families In The World.” That is an interesting insight into our society.  However, I was able to find some broader range measures of “success” by Googling the following: “what makes successful families.” One result was the website of Quentin Hafner, a family therapist from Orange County, CA. He gives the following broad definition of what he deems a “successful” family.

            “A successful family promotes a sense of positive family and individual identity, fosters satisfying and fulfilling interactions among all members, and copes with stress in a way that results in more flexibility and cohesiveness in the family.”

Hafner goes on to list ten things successful families (that fit his definition) seem to do. There are numerous such helpful lists.

1. Successful families have clear roles

Members of successful families know there is a clear, equitable, yet flexible structure in the family that helps each member know their role in the family. Also, as it relates to roles, successful families also have a clear understanding of how decisions are made in the family. Parents in successful families are leaders, are rarely authoritarian, are clearly in control, yet openly accept influence and input from their children.

2. Successful families are socially connected

Successful families are not isolated socially and maintain strong bonds to a wider society. One way this shows up for successful families is their ability to draw upon resources outside the family for help. As the cliché goes: It takes a Village! Successful families understand the importance of friends, neighbors, extended family, babysitters, nannies, and all the other ways to stay socially connected for social relatedness, as well as the importance of asking for assistance outside the family.

3. Successful families see the big picture

Religious orientation shows up again and again as one of the biggest factors that determine a successful family. Which religion families choose to participate in, or frequency in church or synagogue attendance is not of significance for the success of the family, but more broadly that the family is aligned around a subset of moral standards that orient the members of the family. Successful families see the big picture of the meaning and purposes behind their being a family.

4. Successful families know how to adapt

Successful families have the ability to demonstrate flexibility in the face of stressful life events for the family. Conversely, families that become locked in rigid family rules and family roles are generally unable to successfully transition through important family life-cycle milestones and family crises due to an unhealthy sense of rigidity in the family. Successful families know their roles, but can move in and out for the betterment of the family.

5. Successful families encourage one another

Successful families are encouraging of the individual members in ways that offer respect, support, and recognition. Strong families are always appreciative of the uniqueness of the individual members but also are able to cultivate a sense of belonging to the family as a whole. The family structure offers a sense of safe support for the individual members that encloses but does not feel confining.

6. Successful families balance the “me” vs. “we”

Time spent together is one measure that routinely gets reports in successful families—not only in quantity but also in terms of quality. Successful families appreciate their sense of togetherness and live in a way that fosters bonding and connectivity through quality time spent together. Also, successful families value the autonomy and individual needs of each member and work to facilitate individual and family development simultaneously.

7. Successful families honor the marriage

Successful families understand that the marital relationship is the foundation and the glue that holds the family together. If the marriage isn’t doing well, the success of the family begins to be jeopardized. The introduction of children into the marriage results in a natural—and normal—disconnection in the spousal relationship, but successful families traverse this family life-cycle period and return to a high quality marital relationship.

8. Successful families communicate well

The presence of effective communication is one of most frequently reported qualities of a successful family. Communication in successful families is clear, open, and honest, and family members communicate with each other frequently to show care, inquire into each other’s lives, and manage conflict in healthy ways. Healthy family communication is strongly correlated with high self-esteem for family members. Successful families understand there may be no right answers, but only right ways to solve problems.

9. Successful families appreciate one another

Successful family members offer each other a high level of positive reinforcement in their day-to-day living. Successful families appreciate each of the family members and maintain communication patterns that support and nurture this appreciation through positive daily interactions.

10. Successful families are committed

Successful families a clear sense of identity, unity, and kinship with one another. They act as a team and inherently know each family member is a reliable teammate. It’s not uncommon in successful families for members to band together in the face of family adversity to preserve the welfare of the family.

More helpful research, done by the University of Nebraska lists the six following characteristics they found that strong families share in common. I’ve included this research results, because it reflects a study that was done with no particular bent toward spiritual values or perspective.

1. Commitment: They make their relationships a high priority. This is particularly important in co-parenting families. Reassure your children it is OK to love all of their parents and siblings; don’t make them feel guilty.

2. Appreciation: They let other family know, daily, they were appreciated. Teach and use appreciative language and gestures. Children learn from adult examples.

3. Communication: They talk to each other about big issues as well as small issues. Keep your communication positive, listen to all opinions and don’t forget to lighten the mood with laughter when tensions are running high.

4. Time together: They are deliberate about planning activities. Mealtime is a great place to start. Include family members in menu planning, shopping and food preparation.

5. Spiritual wellness: They believe in a greater power and have shared beliefs. Model acceptance and tolerance. Share your views about your beliefs and why they are important to you.

6. Crisis and stress: They are able to cope with difficulties and crises—they are resilient. Be mindful of how others in the family feel when things are stressful. Encourage family members to work together and share feelings when the going gets tough.

Another helpful resource is taken from the following:

RSESEARCH ON SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES

A report on a conference sponsored by the

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

U .S. Department of Health and Human Services

This is a body of research on families that are enduring, cohesive, affectionate, and mutually-appreciative, and in which family members communicate with one another frequently and fruitfully. They are families that raise children who go on to form successful families themselves. They are not necessarily families that are trouble-free. Some have experienced health problems, financial difficulties, and other problems. But they are adaptable and able to deal with crises in a constructive manner. The goal of research on these families is to discover the conditions and behavior patterns that make for family success.

The study of family strengths has been pursued by researchers from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, sociology, social work, and marriage and family counseling. Many of the individuals involved worked to assist troubled families, as well as doing research on families that function well. Thirteen of the leading researchers in this field came together recently to describe their work in a two-day conference in Washington . This document provides a report on that conference.  Report dated: May 1990.

The committee found the following as characteristics of strong, healthy families.

1.     communication

2.     encouragement of individuals

3.     expressing appreciation

4.     commitment to family

5.     religious/spiritual orientation

6.     social connectedness

7.     ability to adapt

8.     clear roles

9.     time together

Happy Birthday, Dr. Paul Cunningham

Ken & Linda Stallings; Dan & Jenny Vanderpool; Edna Zimmer; Hardy & Lucille Weathers; Paul & Connie Cunningham;

Jim Zimmer; Nancy Olson; Mark & Sue Fuller; Mark & Bonnie Morgan

Happy Birthday, Paul Cunningham

My pastor, my boss, my mentor and most of all, my friend. It is a very short list of 2 or 3 men who have affected my life in such a way that it has made the difference on a daily basis of who I am and certainly, the pastor that I became. Paul hired me as the first full-time youth pastor of CCN, when no one knew who I was or much about me. That had to be the hand of God working through the obedience of a genuinely committed man. It changed my life. The pastoral staff at CNN in those years (mid 70’s thru the early 80’s) was a remarkable group.  We had a very special bond, and it continues to this day with those of us who are still around. This photo was an impromptu gathering for dinner one night about 10 years ago…Bonnie and I were in Olathe and having a little reunion with some of our former teens…and it just worked out for all of us to get together again (thanks to Mark Fuller for arranging that). It was an epic night! We were having such a great time, someone in the restaurant told us they felt like they should buy our dinner. We laughed, we shared stories, we felt the love and devotion that had been formed years earlier…so genuine.  Paul told us: “Whenever I speak to pastors around the world, this is the group of guys I refer to. We were a team, and it didn’t matter who got the credit, we just got the job done.”  Well, Paul…I learned from you how to put that into practice over 45 years of ministry. Thank you will never be adequate, but it’s all I can say. Blessings on you, and may God’s great grace bring a deep and abiding peace to your heart in knowing you made an incredible deposit in all of our lives and ministries.

7 Things Christians Need To Remember About Politics

How to be in the world, not of the world, in a culture of political vitriol.

(much of this was taken from an article in Relevant magazine by Bryan Roberts)

I put this paper together during the Obama / Romney campaign, but it still holds true today.

Political discourse is the Las Vegas of Christianity—the environment in which our sin is excused. Hate is winked at, fear is perpetuated and strife is applauded. There is the idea or even conviction that we can… Go wild, Christ-follower. Your words have no consequences here. Jesus doesn’t live in Vegas and we pretend that we can say something political and it “stays” in the political realm. But our hurting and hateful words don’t stay there. How we speak and love one another during these election days will linger far beyond the first Tuesday of November.

Not only are believers excused for their political indiscretions, but they are often applauded for committing them. Slander is explained away as righteous anger; winning arguments are esteemed higher than truthful ones (whether or not the “facts” align); and those who stir up dissension are given the pulpit. So I balk when pastors tell me the Church should engage in the political process. Why would we do that? The political process is dirty and broken and far from Jesus. Paranoia and vitriol (caustic verbal attack or an abusively stated argument) are hardly attractive accessories for the bride of Christ.

Rather than engage in the political process, Christians have a duty to elevate it. Like any other sin, we are called to stand above the partisan dissension and demonstrate a better way. Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them.

True Christ seekers will agree that we are commanded to help the poor, feed the hungry and pray for our leaders. Not one believer would say we should ignore the struggles of dealing with health care, immigration, the economy or the plight of the unborn and unwanted.

Here are seven things to remember about politics:

1. Both political parties go to church - including our church.

There’s a Christian Right & Left and, there’s a secular Right and Left. Party lines are drawn in chalk, and they're not hard to cross. The Church must speak into in politics – in love, not hate, but it must not be defined by the arbitrary lines in political parties.

2. Speaking about issues without disrespecting one another or those running for election is the standard for believers.

Each of us have ideas and beliefs that are fundamental to who we are and whom we would like to elect. When we see different solutions to a problem we are reflecting the diversity of God’s creation. When we attack a person’s character, race or religion we are sinning and attacking God’s creation. David, when he was being pursued by Saul said: “I will not touch the anointed one.” 1 Sam 26:9-11 David believed that God was sovereign and God would remove Saul in His timing. Was Saul behaving badly? Yes. Did God have a different plan for the leader of Israel? Yes. But David showed his trust in the sovereign God over revengeful and hateful action.

3. Those who argue over politics don’t love their country more than others.

They just love to argue more than others. Strife and quarreling are symptoms of weak faith (Proverbs 10:12; 2 Timothy 2:23-25; James 4:1) and are among the things the Lord “detests.” We need to rise above the vitriol and learn to love our neighbors the way God commanded us. We need to love our atheist neighbor who wants to keep creationism out of schools; our Democrat neighbor who wants to make gay marriage and abortion legal; our Republican neighbor who celebrates death penalty statistics; and yes, even the presidential candidate from the other side.

4. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is a mistake.

The social policies of your party were constructed by imperfect politicians fueled by ambition. It’s nearsighted to canonize them—and it will make you obsolete in a few years. Every four years, the parties adopt a current, updated platform at their respective conventions. And while they stay on general tracks, every four years the platform evolves to meet the needs of a growing, modernized and changing party. The Republican or Democrat party’s of today don’t look like they did 10 years ago. We need to know when to change our views to meet a changing culture—and when to stand by them

5. Scripture tells us to pray for our governing leaders (2 Timothy 2:1-4) and to respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7).

Translation: if you’re mocking your governing leaders on Facebook or ANYWHERE else, the Holy Spirit is grieved. We should spend more time honoring our leaders and less time vilifying them. This doesn’t mean praying the President will be impeached; it doesn’t mean praying your candidate will win. God commands us to pray for our leaders—for their wisdom, for their hearts and for them to be led by Him. Paul wrote those words when the Romans, who were in charge, were persecuting followers of Jesus. That matches the heart of Jesus when He said “pray for those who persecute you.”

6. Don’t be paranoid.

The country is not going to be destroyed if your candidate loses. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Stand up and demonstrate what God has given you. America has functioned—albeit, at varying levels of success—for years under the direction of alternating Democrat and Republican control, and at every flip, the other side thought it was the end of the world. It’s not. And if we’re a Church that believes God is in control, we have to believe that He is the one in control of the end times—not Barack Obama, not Mitt Romney and not whoever succeeds them. While we love our country we do not worship the United States our faith is built on Jesus not our country.

7. Stop saying, “This is the most important election in the history of our nation.”

It’s not. The most important election in the history of our nation was when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Before that, we thought it was okay to own people. Every generation thinks it’s living in the most important moment in history. We’re not, our parents were not and our children probably won’t be. And that’s OK.

Sep 21, 2012 12:32pmed in the bulletin. We urge you to take a few moments to read this. Thanks 7 Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics How to be in the world, not of the world, in a culture of political vitriol. (Most of this was taken from an article in Relevant magazine by Bryan Roberts) Political discourse is the Las Vegas of Christianity—the environment in which our sin is excused. Hate is winked at, fear is perpetuated and strife is applauded. There is the idea or even conviction that we can… Go wild, Christ-follower. Your words have no consequences here. Jesus doesn’t live in Vegas and we pretend that we can say something political and it “stays” in the political realm. But our hurting and hateful words don’t stay there. How we speak and love one another during these election days will linger far beyond the first Tuesday of November. Not only are believers excused for their political indiscretions, but they are often applauded for committing them. Slander is explained away as righteous anger; winning arguments are esteemed higher than truthful ones (whether or not the “facts” align); and those who stir up dissension are given the pulpit. So I balk when pastors tell me the Church should engage in the political process. Why would we do that? The political process is dirty and broken and far from Jesus. Paranoia and vitriol (caustic verbal attack or an abusively stated argument) are hardly attractive accessories for the bride of Christ. Rather than engage in the political process, Christians have a duty to elevate it. Like any other sin, we are called to stand above the partisan dissension and demonstrate a better way. Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them. True Christ seekers will agree that we are commanded to help the poor, feed the hungry and pray for our leaders. Not one believer would say we should ignore the struggles of dealing with health care, immigration, the economy or the plight of the unborn and unwanted. Here are seven things to remember about politics: 1. Both political parties go to church - including our church. There’s a Christian Right & Left and, there’s a secular Right and Left. Party lines are drawn in chalk, and they're not hard to cross. The Church must speak into in politics – in love, not hate, but it must not be defined by the arbitrary lines in political parties. 2. Speaking about issues without disrespecting one another or those running for election is the standard for believers. Each of us have ideas and beliefs that are fundamental to who we are and whom we would like to elect. When we see different solutions to a problem we are reflecting the diversity of God’s creation. When we attack a person’s character, race or religion we are sinning and attacking God’s creation. David, when he was being pursued by Saul said: “I will not touch the anointed one.” 1 Sam 26:9-11 David believed that God was sovereign and God would remove Saul in His timing. Was Saul behaving badly? Yes. Did God have a different plan for the leader of Israel? Yes. But David showed his trust in the sovereign God over revengeful and hateful action. 3. Those who argue over politics don’t love their country more than others. They just love to argue more than others. Strife and quarreling are symptoms of weak faith (Proverbs 10:12; 2 Timothy 2:23-25; James 4:1) and are among the things the Lord “detests.” We need to rise above the vitriol and learn to love our neighbors the way God commanded us. We need to love our atheist neighbor who wants to keep creationism out of schools; our Democrat neighbor who wants to make gay marriage and abortion legal; our Republican neighbor who celebrates death penalty statistics; and yes, even the presidential candidate from the other side. 4. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is a mistake. The social policies of your party were constructed by imperfect politicians fueled by ambition. It’s nearsighted to canonize them—and it will make you obsolete in a few years. Every four years, the parties adopt a current, updated platform at their respective conventions. And while they stay on general tracks, every four years the platform evolves to meet the needs of a growing, modernized and changing party. The Republican or Democrat party’s of today don’t look like they did 10 years ago. We need to know when to change our views to meet a changing culture—and when to stand by them 5. Scripture tells us to pray for our governing leaders (2 Timothy 2:1-4) and to respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7). Translation: if you’re mocking your governing leaders on Facebook or ANYWHERE else, the Holy Spirit is grieved. We should spend more time honoring our leaders and less time vilifying them. This doesn’t mean praying the President will be impeached; it doesn’t mean praying your candidate will win. God commands us to pray for our leaders—for their wisdom, for their hearts and for them to be led by Him. Paul wrote those words when the Romans, who were in charge, were persecuting followers of Jesus. That matches the heart of Jesus when He said “pray for those who persecute you.” 6. Don’t be paranoid. The country is not going to be destroyed if your candidate loses. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Stand up and demonstrate what God has given you. America has functioned—albeit, at varying levels of success—for years under the direction of alternating Democrat and Republican control, and at every flip, the other side thought it was the end of the world. It’s not. And if we’re a Church that believes God is in control, we have to believe that He is the one in control of the end times—not Barack Obama, not Mitt Romney and not whoever succeeds them. While we love our country we do not worship the United States our faith is built on Jesus not our country. 7. Stop saying, “This is the most important election in the history of our nation.” It’s not. The most important election in the history of our nation was when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Before that, we thought it was okay to own people. Every generation thinks it’s living in the most important moment in history. We’re not, our parents were not and our children probably won’t be. And that’s OK.

Parenting

10 Parenting Principles I Believe In

1.     Children will learn more by what you do, than by what you say. However, what you say and how you say it is still vitally important. Language is important.

2.     Discipline must be an act of love rather than mere punishment. What you want and expect discipline to accomplish is vitally important. Be clear minded about its purpose.

3.     Do not allow your children to hold you hostage to the fact that you are not a perfect parent. Reasonably good parenting is a much more realistic and healthy goal. In the end, there will be things our children will need to learn to forgive us for, and that is also an important principle of doing life that works.

4.     Physical punishment, never abuse, should be reserved for a very few, non-negotiable situations that must be reinforced as strongly and quickly as possible.  Some reasonable physical discomfort (temporary pain) is not the same as abuse. Used sparingly and wisely, it will have the greatest positive impact.

5.     Physical punishment should be quick, to the point (void of long and tedious lectures), and then it is over, followed by a demonstration of love and acceptance. “I love you, but that particular behavior will not, and cannot be accepted…it is ultimately dangerous to you and the person you will become.”

6.     You are born with incredible value. You don’t have to prove yourself or earn it, including to yourself. Reinforce this idea constantly.

7.     Parenting is the ongoing assignment of allowing you to recognize, to keep, and to grow a sense of personal value in your children.

8.     The spiritual and moral development of children requires guidance, and should not be left totally to their own choices.  Requiring spiritual and moral input does not have to be abusive and controlling.

9.     You cannot, and should not try to protect your kids from every minor danger, difficulty or failure. Life is about ups and downs, so let them learn that within the context of love and acceptance.  A “blue ribbon” for everything they do is not reality. Pain is the result of some choices. They must learn to accept some things they do not choose and do not particularly like….including food.

10.  Give them ways to earn things they value.  Otherwise, they will have everything and value nothing.  This is a huge disservice. Just because you didn’t have it growing up, does not always mean that you should give it to them. Even if you have the money…make them earn things.

Note to parents:  The degree to which you have difficulty with these principles in your life, will be somewhat equal to the difficulty you have in passing them on to your children.

Let us reason together....

I’ve read a few outdoor type books (quite a few, actually), that included info on falconry, hunting, fishing, wilderness survival, wild mustangs, and other similar topics. If I could have one wish today it would be to spend ONE DAY WITH....

The sense of smell of a grizzly bear
The eyesight of an eagle
The speed of a pronghorn antelope
The hearing of the deer or elk
The sheer strength of a buffalo
The craftiness of a fox
The tenacity of the wolf
The energy of the beaver

The one great thing we humans do possess, unlike all the incredible animals of the world, is the ability to “come, let us reason together....”. And, we seemingly do so little of that...instead we opt to act more like animals (either predator or prey) and are not well equipped for the task.

Hearts of Yore

From the end of the 6^th grade at LaVina School in Madera, CA, to living in Arizona at age 64, I had lost track of a special childhood friend, Sharon Gilchrist. One afternoon, on Facebook, I was reading a private group message on the Madera Memories page, and there was a post from her. I couldn’t believe it. I was thrilled. It seems we never stopped being friends, and it has been a joy to reconnect. 

Hearts of Yore

We knew not our hearts were young and free,

That all too soon silent years would be,

A barrier to sharing love and life,

A twist of fate that severed like a knife.

With passing years memories grew dim,

What’s become of her, what of him.

A message read, and joy unsurpassed,

As hearts of yore, were hearts again at last.

The BASICS of life

In my perspective, according to my faith base, and the theology that supports it, I believe the reason we exist is for relationship.  We were created (however you choose to define creation…in days, or millions of years), on purpose, for relationship with a personal, loving being, God.  Everything we are and ever hope to be or achieve has a relational aspect. Thus, it is the most basic attack we face as mortal beings. We constantly deal with life that tries its best to ruin us at the relational level. Primarily, so we can’t have a healthy, growing relationship with our Creator.  Out of that, it affects all other relationships in our lives. Primary to that struggle is the attempt to make anything, and everything more important than relationships. It is the BIG rip off we deal with. Our ability (or lack thereof) to create, embrace and maintain good, honest, healthy relationships is the key to life that works, and life as it was meant (created) to be. When we sacrifice relationship for any other pursuit, we are missing the mark, and there will be a price to pay. What are some of the things that tend to rip us off, if we are not careful?

Self

Fame

Wealth

Position

Sex

Power

Calling

Vocation

Education

Privilege

Adventure

All of these, and more, can be OK, if they are realized within the construct of healthy, honest relationship…first with God, and also with one another.  When and if they become the driving force of our lives, above relationship, they will ultimately bring destruction and a rob us of a better way to live.

Conservative or Liberal

Conservatism / Liberalism  or  Capitalism / Socialism

Which are you? The question is a difficult one, in that it covers several aspects of day to day life. Namely, economics…distribution of wealth and goods (the primary distinction), personal well-being (health, education, etc.), pursuit of happiness (ownership and freedom of choice), religious belief and practice, and other lesser implications. In most capitalistic countries (USA) and socialistic countries (Sweden) there is a combination of both ideologies. The rub comes in the mixture of the two and to what degree they are embraced. This tension is one of the things that has made our two party governmental system work for an extended period of time. There will always be debate and disagreement on the particulars, but where do we draw the boundary lines?  What is the big picture?  It’s kind of like the outer perimeter around a huge park. There are lots of choices of what to do, what to ride, how to spend your time, energy and money within the park.  Just don’t cross the line.  Freedom within boundaries.  When the perimeters are crossed we end up with:

• ·        Socialism to extreme socialism (communism) where the state is in complete control and dictates your life and well-being. Personal liberty is non-existent. Incentive is thwarted. The money/goods are in the hands of a few powerful folks at the top, and they decide how it is distributed…almost always to their own benefit and wealth. Usually a dictator emerges and rarely is it benevolent.
• ·        Capitalism to extreme capitalism where the wealthy and big business call the shots, because everything is about more profit for the owners at all costs. The environment and the people become objects to be used in the pursuit of more wealth. Inferior business failure is expected and embraced. Incentive is valued and is necessary.  Sink or swim, it’s totally up to you.  If you can’t swim with the sharks, you’ll likely be swallowed up by them.

The real problem with both systems is that they are both self-serving.  Capitalism is more blatant, but socialism is just as selfish, just couched in terms and promises that will never work, never have worked, and never will work.  Why? Because the folks who pull the strings are self-centered at heart…just like the capitalists.  Thus, we continue to fight with each other over systems that are doomed to failure. Oh, we may have a good run of a few hundred years, but sooner or later (and often sooner) the selfish heart of man rules the day and the welfare, benefit and value of each individual is sacrificed. This is the fundamental difference in a worldview that focuses on the here and now, and one that focuses on the world to come. We will never eliminate the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized and the needy. We simply do not live in a world, under either system, that fundamentally cares for others above self.  Never has, and never will…thus, history repeats itself…again and again.  I am convinced that this is the reason you never see Jesus getting political.  He never spends time and energy railing against the politics of the day.  He knows it is futile. Countries and societies come and go. His focus is on the Coming Kingdom, where love and compassion reign supreme.

The Cyclone Racer / Long Beach, CA

copied from an article...

“Here's something that will bring a tear to your eyes, it certainly always does to mine. Today, 9-15-2016 is the 48th anniversary of the last ride aboard the Cyclone Racer. It was a Sunday night, 9-15-1968 at around 11:00 PM when the last paying customer was served. Then the city officials came wanting last ride. As they hemmed and hawed who would get the last ride, the ride operators were thinking something different. To upstage the very people who served the death sentence to the Racer, the ride operators put the brakes on automatic and took the actual last ride on the great coaster after everybody left. How do I know this? I interviewed the actual ride operators who worked the last night. The demolition took place the very next morning destroying the coaster from the ocean end forward. It took almost 2 months to totally destroy the great ride and perhaps destroying forever the most iconic and famous ride in history ever built by man. Picture was taken early November 1968.”

My personal account

I rode this great coaster when I was about 6 or 7 years old…circa 1957.  They evidently did not have an age or a “you must be taller than my stick” restriction.  My Uncle Don Kilcrease took me on the ride.  To him, a Korean War veteran…it probably was not that big a deal.  To me it remains to this day the single most TERRIFYING event in my life!  I could not breathe plummeting down that initial drop, and then speeding out over the ocean.  I’m pretty sure he asked me if I wanted to ride it again…I declined. My Aunt Frankie was wiser than both of us, in that she remained on terra firma the entire time. Approximately ten years after my maiden (and only) voyage, they tore it down.  What a ride!

Fernando's Father

“Before you leave, would you please come and pray for my father…he is very sick, and I want you to pray for God to heal him.” These were the words spoken to us from our friend, Fernando, as we were getting ready to fly back to the USA.

          “Sure we will.” Actually, I don’t remember if it was me or my partner that answered him, but it was a familiar request, and one we rarely ever turned down. It made no difference what our schedule was when a request like this came. We were committed to go and pray for this man that we had never met, and knew nothing about.

          Let me back up a bit. We were in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, to meet with a group of Mexican pastors that looked to us for leadership and pastoral training. Dennis Bourns had initiated this effort a few years previously in response to a supernatural calling to go to Mazatlan.  That was all he knew at the time…go to Mazatlan. As a result of what we call a “divine appointment,” Dennis made contacts that led to many trips and many years of wonderful training and ministry in that beautiful city that sits on the Pacific ocean. To the best of my recollection, I think this was a trip to make plans and organize for a large team we would be leading to Mazatlan a few months later.

We were familiar with the city, having been there many times, and we also had met and networked with quite a number of local church pastors. Fernando was one of them. Fernando had a small, very Pentecostal, church. They loved to sing, dance and carry on for hours out of the joy they had in their hearts for Jesus.  This was not exactly our tribe, but we had learned to love Fernando, including his enthusiasm and faith.

We had eaten lunch with him that day in a little one room restaurant which, in reality, was just the front room of a home that opened right onto the sidewalk. A mother and daughter cooked traditional food and served it on a daily basis as part of their livelihood.  We have no such equivalent places here in the United States. While Fernando, Dennis and I were getting our food, we were chatting with the mother and daughter. We told them we were here to tell people about Jesus and asked if they had invited Jesus into their heart.  They replied that they had not, but wanted to, so we prayed for them right then and there. It was an amazing time.  After we had prayed with the owners, others in the restaurant asked us to pray for them as well…that Jesus would live in their heart.  We prayed for everyone in the place, with the exception of one man.  Upon leaving, Dennis and I had exited onto the sidewalk and Fernando had stayed back, we were amazed at the openness of people to have us pray for them. In a few minutes Fernando came outside and said, “the man, he gonna take Jesus now.”  So, we went back in and prayed with him as well. It was a clean sweep. Every person in that little room who had come to eat lunch left with Jesus in their heart. It remains one of the most amazing days I have experienced in forty-five years of ministry.  The Holy Spirit was so real and present you could feel him.  Humanly speaking, it was also due to the compassion and zeal of Fernando.  We could not help but love him!

From there, we went with Fernando to pray for his sick father.  Even after the little restaurant ministry we had just experienced, we were not prepared for what was about to take place. 

Dennis and I were led right off the street through a doorway and into a small private home. The room was similar to the one we had just been in, except this one was much smaller and had very little light. We followed Fernando through the room, out another door, and along a semi-covered walkway into an attached building in the rear.  We would most likely call it an attached shed.  This room was darker and was filled with odds and ends. It was not furnished as a room in the main house might be. It looked like a place where you might repair lawnmowers, or something similar. There were cracks between the weathered boards of this room that allowed some light to enter. You could see dust particles dancing in the sunlight rays that made their way into this dark, dingy room. On the side of the room, next to the outer wall was an old, metal bed frame with what passed for a mattress and some coverings. In many areas of the world where poverty is rampant and basic survival needs are minimally met, there is an ominous, hopeless feeling in the air. This place had that feel. It was palpable.

Fernando’s father was lying on the bed.  This man was sick…very, very sick. There was no greeting, no “hola,” or “como estas?”  He simply lay there, motionless with a fixed stare at the ceiling. His face was totally sunken, his eyes were hollow, and his breathing was extremely shallow. I thought I could detect a bit of what is called the “death rattle,” coming from him.  In my unprofessional, but somewhat experienced, opinion, he looked to be in his sixties, though impossible to tell for sure. I was sure he was at the end of a lingering illness in which his body had wasted away to almost nothing. Dennis and I looked at each other as if to say, “go ahead...take charge here, if you want to.”  If ever I have looked at a person who was knocking on death’s door, and I have seen a number of them, this man was just about to move through the veil of death and into eternity beyond.  I knew it.  I have watched it happen. I seriously wondered if we were going to finish praying before he made his final journey.  Exactly how we prayed, or which one of us prayed is fuzzy.  We were both under the heavy despair of the moment and the faith we had experience in the restaurant shortly before had vanished. The Bible talks about having faith the size of a mustard seed. That would have been an improvement for what we felt at this moment. We said we would pray for him, and we did. I have very little recall of that specific prayer, but I am quite sure it sounded like one of those you “mail in” when put on the spot. I know we did our best…we always did.  I do remember that after praying for this deathly sick man, I told Fernando, “you know, sometimes our prayers are not always answered like we want them to be,” and “God’s ways are higher than our ways.” You know...exactly what you would do in that situation.  I was trying to help God keep his credibility in this hopeless encounter.  We were acting more like God’s PR agents than men of faith and compassion.

We left that room as quickly and as politely as we could. I know we went to the airport and flew home without talking much about what we had just gone through. The experience in the restaurant occupied our thoughts and was what we could not wait to share with folks (and our congregations) back home in Arizona.  It had been an amazing time.  Truthfully, I kind of forgot about Fernando’s father. I think I subconsciously put it out of my mind. That was not a ministry experience that I wanted to keep fresh in my memory. We said we would pray for him.  We did pray for him.  We saw nothing but death on that man, and we left knowing what the outcome was going to be.

Some months later, Dennis and I were back in Mazatlan. Again, it is fuzzy, because we made many trips and I can’t recall the exact mission of each one.  However, we did see Fernando. Remembering our previous visit, and praying for his father, I vividly remember asking him, “Fernando, when did your father die, and how are you doing?” 

Fernando looked at Dennis and I with a puzzled expression, and said in his broken English, “Oh…he no die.  You heal him.  He working now.” 

I cannot overstate the mixture of what we felt in that moment. Confusion, surprise, joy and shame are just a few of the emotions that flooded us. We could not believe it. Never have I seen a human being in that condition that did not die…NEVER.  Not before, and not since.  It was more than just a healing. It was a miracle.  To me, it was like being raised from the dead. I could not have been more amazed. Those broken words have stayed with me, and I have often re-played that tape in my mind when faced with what seemed to be a particularly difficult situation; “he no die.  you heal him.”  I have told this story many, many times, around the world, and never do I recall it without being completely awestruck again and again, by the mystery of prayer and the compassion of God.

I am sure faith was present that afternoon in that dingy room with a nearly dead man, but it wasn’t my faith.  It wasn’t the faith of my partner, Dennis.  All we could do in that moment was simply fulfill our promise to pray for Fernando’s father. We attended a graduate course in ministry that day.  We learned in our hearts and in experience what we had often taught when training people to pray for the sick. It isn’t about us. It is always about Him. We cannot always know, and we certainly cannot promise outcomes when we pray the prayer of faith for healing. The best we bring is our obedience to pray.  Healing, miracles and outcomes often vary. They are optional. Obedience is not.

Granddad

I was fortunate to grow up with two grandfathers in my young life. They were similar, but very different. I called both of them by the identical name…Granddad.  That’s it…just Granddad.  I made no distinction unless I was referencing one of them, for clarity’s sake, to someone else. Then, it would be Granddad Howard or Granddad Leonard. 

Granddad Howard was my father’s dad…the Morgan side. They came to the San Joaquin Valley in central California in the 1930’s from Tennessee…near Lawrenceburg. In Tennessee, they lived in a cabin in the woods and bore a striking resemblance to the famous Jed Clampett TV family. Granddad bought farmland in the famed San Joaquin Valley and grew cotton, alfalfa, and raisin grapes, along with a few head of livestock and always one milk cow. They were not wealthy, but being land owners, they made a decent living and had an adequate investment when the time came to retire, sell out and move to the coast.

Granddad Leonard was my mother’s father. They were the Kilcrease side. He also migrated with his family in the 1930’s to California. He was from the Texas panhandle, not too far from Oklahoma. They were not land owners.  They always lived at the mercy of someone else’s generosity, or lack thereof. They were honest folks, and very hard workers. An ironclad contract was no better than Granddad’s simple yes or no. Granddad Leonard would make you think of John Steinbeck’s sharecropping, hardworking character, Pa Joad, and his family in the terrific novel, The Grapes of Wrath. Granddad was a janitor at my grade school, and my bus driver.  It was a low paying job, but he never treated it as such. He gave it all he had…every single day.

These two men greatly influenced me…very similar in that they were both down home country through and through, but vastly different in how their lives played out.  They were my Tennessee granddad and my Texas granddad. I suppose it would take a book to include all my memories of these unique men, and my experiences growing up around them. Perhaps someday that will come to pass.  I owe them a debt of love and gratitude that cannot be calculated. I came from very good bones.