Opinions

Nothing lit me up like hearing the Atlantic High School band play “The Horse” at a pep rally or at a game. The instrumental by Cliff Nobles and Company was surprisingly popular, peaking at number 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. The brass instruments and the rhythm made it a staple of marching bands and pep bands nationwide. For decades it was played at high schools as well as by college bands. Listening to it online or YouTube brings me back to high school football during my senior year in 1974. Having a crowd of 8,000 rocking along made for great memories. Still does.

There was a birthday being celebrated but the remarkable “coming of age” belonged to two cousins who plopped down at the restaurant table and said, “We’re exhausted…but Happy Birthday!” They had been at Weeki Wachi Springs State Park for a weekend-long Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp. Immediately, 100 questions fell from heaven into my lap. “How did you learn about this?” “What possessed you to go?” “Was it wonderful?” To answer the first question, they told me stories of their friend who has participated in this camp for six years. She convinced them to join her this year for “an underwater adventure where mermaid dreams do come true.”

When we traveled to Alabama for a Fourth of July celebration with family, we saw nothing but rain. It rained for six hours and 300 miles on the way there; it rained for two days while we were there; and it continued to rain for six hours and 300 miles as we returned home. It was while we were traveling home, in the rain, that a question from 40 years ago emerged again, just as compelling as it was in 1967. Why did Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge? Do you know?

I rarely discuss end-time events, but I’ve been receiving emails with questions pertaining to the church being removed from the earth, the second coming of Jesus, and the antiChrist. The reason is simple why I avoid these topics, and it has to do with being unsure of my interpretations of them. I’m sure you are aware there are many opinions about eschatology with most Bible teachers and scholars being convinced they are correct. But, if all Bible passages were crystal clear, there would only be one Christian church and every follower of God would be in agreement without any strife or divisions. The purpose of this column is not a place to be controversial over religious doctrines or stir up anger over political positions, but to present inspirational and encouraging messages to help us understand what God wants from us and what our responsibilities are to Him. On the other hand, we are not to be afraid to stand for truth due to fear of public criticism. Pastors face this every Sunday. Therefore, with so many important questions about our future, I’m curious like most of you about what is going to happen and hoping I will be able to discern the signs. Just let me say my personal views are not set in dogmatic concrete, but rather are possible scenarios and considerations.

Some days, when I’m not sure how everything has gone so terribly wrong in this country, I find myself focusing on the image of the ruler that the Coca-Cola Company gave me when I entered first grade in my small town of southern Alabama.

Ever been fired? A couple of days ago at a local lunch venue, a woman was heard to say, “I’ve never been fired, but I’ve quit a bunch of times.” The late comedian Rodney Dangerfield often said, “the one good thing about getting fired, it helps you make up your mind.” Plenty of people have used a euphemism – saying something unpleasant in a nice manner, like being “freed up for the future” is softer than admitting to being sacked or canned. “I made a career transition” doesn’t have to include that it was abrupt. Studies show the average number of times Americans experience “involuntary separation” is just two times, though about 40 percent admit to being laid off or terminated. Most don’t want to admit they’ve been decruited.

Devoted to Seeking God’s Heart – Zach Crook I was talking with a friend the other day and he made a very interesting comment about how easy it is easy to spend a lot of time around Jesus without actually spending any time with Him. He was referring to the story of Mary and Martha. Specifically, he mentioned that Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and soaking in His teaching and Martha was too busy cleaning to spend time with Him. I understand what he was getting at, but I think it goes even further than that. How many people do you know who go to church every week and sing songs and hear sermons but never actually experience God?!

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” is not uttered in The Godfather movie, though it is found in the novel, by Mario Puzo. While I’m not given to revenge, it seems it is most often cooked like a mess sergeant in a hot-headed rage and then slung like hash. Note to Self: Avoid any place whose chef is feared for the pettiest form of revenge. Growing up as a teenager in Florida, my mom and stepdad took my sister and I to the many farms that allowed the public to exit their cars and pick their own fruit or vegetables. Rural roads with U-Pick signs were like current gas stations that sell lotto tickets… they attracted a certain type of people, like us. We’d even bring our friends.

For years, I have viewed photography as a good friend. I never felt as if I traveled alone as long as I had my camera by my side. Recently, however, I have relaxed my emphasis on picturetaking because I have no more room for picture frames or albums at my house…and there’s no need to take 20 pictures at Christmas if you can capture the best five or six to tell the story. But on a recent weekend vacation, I couldn’t resist the urge to play with my camera. We were staying at a resort in Central Florida where wildlife had a sure refuge. On the first evening, I tracked ospreys up and down fairways usually reserved for golfers. Getting a picture of an osprey is not as easy as National Geographic would make you believe. You have to be quick with the shutter and not given to vertigo. After I spun around in circles, peering into the setting sun, craning my neck as I attempted to move my camera in the same direction that the birds were flying, I found myself staggering to the sides of the fairways which might not have seemed too unusual to the trees which stand guard there, but it was disconcerting to me.

I wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate you, the reader, for taking time each week to read “Living On Purpose.” I’ve written sermons, songs, and books, for over 40 years, but only started this faith column on January 2016. Each of my columns have file numbers, and as several editors have noticed, this week is number 500. It’s hard to believe that 10 years has gone by so quickly. We know that 500 weeks of messages is small compared to many pastors and teachers who have presented thousands of sermons. Sharing my heart with you is very special, and this week I’m celebrating God and grateful to Him for making it possible.