Well, as you know I have been working on this dog gone or cat gone website for several days… and it ain’t been no fun… double negative and all. It was caused by something my wife absolutely hates… updating. Every time she updates her phone she can’t get it to do the stuff she has just learned how to do, and likes the way it is being done. Microsoft updated her right off the number TEN Windows to an Apple MacBook Pro. She wants her old XP back.

I must admit, my old webpage looked half way decent. I could maneuver around it quite easily. But NOOOOOOO, I wanted it to look better…more attractive… able to do more things. Well, right after I installed a new theme and upgraded to a business account… a grenade went off inside and blew that thing to the alligator pits of Parris Island. I have even purchased two books to help… one especially for dummies… neither one helped this dummy. I even had several online chats with support… no help, that plugin doesn’t work. I am persuaded that one day it will work again. Just not right now. As we say… “In God’s good time.”

The second thing was when I went to Barnes and Nobles to get my wonder book, I let Shirley off at Belk so she could pick out whatever it is I got her for our anniversary (52 years). You should have felt a disturbance in the force, I left my cell phone at home… I know OMG. I take my little 15 minutes to get my book and get back to Belk and wait for another 1 hour and 15 minutes for Shirley to come out. I parked in one place for about 45 minutes and then moved to another place. I finally backed out and headed down toward Belk and Shirley is sitting on the bench outside Belk. As she got in the car she said: “Why didn’t you call me? I’ve been in there just walking around waiting for you to call. And I was getting ready to call you.” I replied: “Remember, I said at Olive Garden that I didn’t have my phone?” She said: “When I walked away from the car, I said: ‘Call me when you are ready.'”

We hadn’t been home but about an hour when we heard this knocking on the door… you know the kinda of knock that only a friend does. It wasn’t a friend. It was a guy selling books to give to children so he could go to school. I really wanted to help but he was selling 6 books for $40.00. He was all over the place with his pitch, ending up saying could you give me something so it could all add up to a sale. Showing me his folder, which had several $5 bills behind that plastic sheath, I finally said: “I will give you $5 or $10 to help you.” He just frowned, turned and walked away. Not really sure about what really took place there.

Do you know that out of all the stuff that happened today… Shirley got the wonderful gift I got for her… although she hasn’t shown it to me just yet. I didn’t have to go door to door in the hot and sticky humidity of an NC summer selling something to go to school. I do have a lot of health problems. But today I celebrated 52 years with my best friend as my wife. We have been so very fortunate to have had each other this long. Hey, and we still can recognize each other… can’t hear one another… but I can still pick her out in a crowd. There is a lot to be said for that.

We have a wonderful Son, daughter-in-law, and two absolutely amazing grandkids. They make our days and our night so much more complete… and exciting. Even though there are days when she has too much husband and I have too much wife, we still love each other just like we did when we were kids. Happy 52nd Squirrley. Love you, Babe.

Grace and Peace

Steve

Take a Look at Amazon Book & Things

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Well, guys, I am doing it again. Doing what? I am glad you asked. I am trying to update the look and functionality of my blog site. I want it to look a little fresher and be capable of offering more opportunities to you and me.

One of the opportunities I am looking at is the ability to direct you, and all who visit my site, to see a listing of all my books – without me having to physically enter that info with every post. That little diddy will allow me more time to write my posts… and stop procrastinating and finish my novel.

What all of that means is I had to upgrade my WordPress site to business to be able to get these additional features. Working through that is always a nightmare for me. It seems the older I get the lest techy I am.

Please bear with me as we go through this transition.

Steve

Be sure to take a look at the “Amazon Books and Things” page I have included. I call to your attention especially the works of Reverend Doctor James Howell. I believe you will find his compassionate heart shinning through all the honest work he does. I enjoy hearing him preach every Sunday at Myers Park UMC in Charlotte.

Just click on some of his books and take a quick look-see. Oh, if you happen to see any of my books you may… by some slim chance want to take a quick look-see at them… may not hurt.

Thank

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Matthew 14:13-21

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” ¹⁸And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I have always wondered about this story of the feeding of the five thousand. As a kid, I imagined that Jesus was some sort of magician complete with assistants (not pretty ladies, but some rather rough looking men) who, waving heir arms in Vanna White style, would hand Jesus the five loaves and two fish. Jesus would place some sort of cloth over it… say some magical words, and as he pulls away the cloth there was food all over the grass beneath his feet.

Throughout my growing up in the faith years I have recovered it was not magic that all people, many more than imagined, were fed with the grace and blessings of a loving God. The skepticism over the years went from the disciples having extra food hidden behind the bushes… to some some sort of first century catering business starting up. Some even suggested that the people themselves already had extra food that they shared, and because of the sharing all were fed. This last speculation seems more feasible than any of the others.

There is no mention of manna from heaven as the Hebrews experienced in the desert. Just a blessing, a breaking and a giving. All were filled with twelve baskets left over. I have always wondered about the disciples who witnessed this feeding… how could they then deny, doubt and fall away from Jesus? Fill up the local baseball park in your local town with five-thousand homeless and hungry people. Gather 12 guys and Jesus out on the pitchers’s mound. Hand Jesus 5 loaves and two fish… and wait for it to happened again.

Somewhere, between the time that Jesus received the food and the time that He handed it back to the disciples to feed the people, the meal had multiplied. Here is the invisible interaction of heaven and earth, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of natural things, Jesus Christ, God, and man. It is similar to the miracle of the water turned to wine. The jugs contained water, but when the liquid was poured out, it was good wine. When did the change take place? How did the multiplication occur? Miracles are only miracles to we humans; miracles are what God does by virtue of who He is and the power inherent in His being. Jesus saw a need through His eyes of compassion; the people were hungry and needed food. He, through the power of God simply did what needed to be done. There is always the two-fold significance to the acts of Jesus. He meets a need and He shows forth the glory of God. It was done by the mingling of love and power.

The miracle happens when the twelve gathered around Jesus on the picture’s mount – who are modern day disciples, Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Business person, community leader, everyday citizen… even a preacher… feel the rebirth of life inside of them and they turn the city into a sanctuary where no one – absolutely no one is homeless or hungry. The take old abandoned buildings and build shelters and training facilities for people to learn a trade. The people of the city see their leaders caring compassion and there is a rebirth in them to the extent that they turn lose of some of their blessings to join the city in lifting people up instead of allowing them to fall. The miracle happened because He blessed, and broke, and gave to them the grace of God.

The word for us is continue the miracle of the pitcher’s mound.

Grace and Peace

Steve

Steve’s Amazon Author Page 

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I saw this book title the other day and I thought how clever it is… how it must make people laugh and then want to pick it up… at least to see what it is about. Below I have included some of the front matter of this book in an effort to perk your interest in wanting to read more about these lessons for the Christian Church.

“Pope Francis has taken the world by storm, captivating Catholics, Protestants, and non-Christians alike. Sneaking out of the Vatican at night, washing the feet of inmates, and taking selfies with young fans is certainly unlike any religious leader we’ve seen in a while, and some of the religious establishment is uneasy about it. The revitalization Francis is bringing to the Catholic Church is not without precedent, however. Jesus had a similar effect in his day, drawing crowds with his humility, kindness, and wisdom–even as he drew the disapproval of established religious leaders. The things that have brought Francis such media attention are the same things that made Jesus so peculiar and attractive in his day.

Thoughtful examination of Jesus’ example and legacy, as well as an honest look at the similarities and differences between Catholic and Protestant faith, invites reflection on the heart of Christianity and how we relate to our fellow Christians. Readers will discover the power of heartfelt joy, radical love, and passion for justice to shake people out of religious complacency and into dynamic, contagious faith. Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar looks at what is universal among Christians, what is unique to Catholics and Protestants, and how all Christians can practice understanding and cooperation across differences. Perfect for individual or group use, discussion questions are also included to encourage further thought and conversation.”

They are right when they suggest that the Pope is one of the more interesting religious leaders to come in a long time. Even, we Protestants are speaking of Pope Francis in uplifting and admirable ways. He is a different sort – not a religious politician but a man who lives the lifestyle of a humble servant with a truly Servant’s heart. I applaud this Pope for his refreshing and healing spirit.

I have always admired the Catholic Church and their missionary heart. Certainly we don’t agree on theology, but we do agree on the Church is called to be the sanctuary that uplifts the human spirit and opens a portal for grace and healing to take place in all the dark places of the world.

When I first read this title I couldn’t help but think: “What is the punchline of that joke?” We’ve all heard the jokes about three men walking into a bar… told in many ways with many different punchlines. What if the punchline of this joke is… it isn’t a joke. They actually do walk into a bar. They sit together at this big round table. They have a drink together. They talk together. They invite a Jewish brother to come over and join them. Then they welcome a Muslim brother, a Buddhist, a Hindu, and many, many more. They even invite and welcome an atheist brother, an agnostic brother, and even a self-righteous brother.

The table is filled with representatives of all faiths, walks of life, all races and nations. To these people Jesus says: “Welcome my Brother. My prayer for us all is that we may be one.”

And so should we…

Grace and Peace

Steve

Jesus, Pope Francis, and a Protestant Walk into a Bar

Steve’s Books on Amazon

Don’t forget…

Steve’s new book…

Coming in the fall

Kill Potus

a novel

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Matthew 14:13-21 is the Lectionary text for this Sunday. I have always loved this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. I guess because I am a sucker for the good story ending. All these people… probably an untold amount of people… looking to some as many as five thousand… are getting hungry. You know hungry, as hungry as Methodists at 12:02pm on Sunday. They are starting to fidget, and squirm, and clear their throats, and tap on their watches. Some are even heading for the door. Hungry and in need of something to fill up their growling emptiness.

The disciples look on this hunger and no McDonalds close by as a great problem… let them go and handle this problem themselves. Jesus, on the other hand, sees this as an opportunity for the grace of God to be experienced by all concerned. Jesus says: “You feed them.” And they respond with the big but… “But all we have….”

And so the disciples’ suggestion that these hordes of people go buy food isn’t just unrealistic – they are, after all, out in a deserted place – it’s ridiculous…and even a little insulting, as the folks making up these desperate crowds probably didn’t have money to buy food in the first place. And so Jesus tells his disciples to get over their callous self-concern and feed them themselves.

Jesus uses the disciples, even when they would rather look after themselves, to tend the needs of these thousands of men, women, and children. Using words and actions foreshadowing the Last Supper, Matthew depicts what happens when you move from a worldview of scarcity – “we have nothing here but five loaves and fishes” – to one of abundance – “thank you, God, for these five loaves and fishes.” Whatever their initial skepticism, or doubt, or self-preoccupation, the disciples are caught up in Jesus words of abundance and gratitude and distribute what they have and participate in the wonder and joy that “all ate and were filled.” God used even these reluctant disciples, that is, to care for the poor and hungry that God loves so much.

And that miracle continues even today. When a college-grad turns away from a high-paying job in order to teach disadvantaged kids, God’s miracles continue. When a parent puts dreams of an academic career to the side to care for a special-needs child, God is working that same kind of miracle. When a church makes the wrenchingly difficult decision to celebrate its century of faithful service and close its doors after significant decline in order that another ministry might flourish, miracles abound. When one student stands up against bullies in defense of another student, the God of compassion is again miraculously revealed. When a fledgling community of faith makes a promise that no one that comes to its doors will be turned away hungry, God is still at work performing miracles through disciples eager, reluctant, and everything in between, miracles that easily rival those reported in today’s reading.

The real wonder of this story is that it continues: God still cares deeply and passionately for those who are most vulnerable – the poor, the immigrant, the hungry – and God continues to use us to care for them.

Grace and Peace

Steve

My Author Page on Amazon

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Well, guys, I guess I should have warned you that I would be away for a little while writing a novel. Should have… Could have… Just didn’t. As they say: “My Bad!” As most of you who follow me know that I have written nine books so far. They have been religious in nature: The Grieving Heart, Daily Devotions with Pastor Steve, Lectionary Homilies – years A and year B, My Life as a US Marine, The Sayings of Noah, two Nutritional Log books to help us pay attention to what we are eating, and a Journal for our meditations. They have been sold in Europe, the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States.

My new adventure is a work of fiction entitled: “Kill Potus.” Some friends posed the question: “Why would a retired preacher write a book about killing the President of the United States?” I am not real sure I have the answer to that. I wish safety and well-being to all our Presidents no matter which party. And I don’t think that it has anything to do with our current President. I do not wish him any harm. I have wondered, back during the primaries, if either candidate would be safe in today’s crazy world?

The book is really not about killing POTUS, but more ways to save his life. A new FBI team has been brought in to investigate the assassination of a former President of the United States, and to seek to run assassination simulations on the current President in order to keep him sake. You see the premise is… as I am sure it is for the Secret Service… every successful simulation we can run on the president is, in reality, one more threat against his life we can take off the board.

It has been a rewarding, trying, frustrating, exciting time for me. I took James Patterson’s Masterclass on writing fiction and found it absolutely inspirational. His class gave me the push I needed to step out and put pen to my story. So far it has fifty-five chapters of a plot outline, with me being on my second rewrite.

I will tell you up front… there is no bad language in my book. I don’t think that is necessary to tell the story. If it hinders the sales, then so be it. I am the one who has to look my grandchildren in the face and answer them when they ask: “Papaw, why did you say that?” I don’t like bad language in movies, television shows, books, on Facebook, or in everyday life. No goodie two-shoes… just think it’s not the proper way for a person to speak.

Promise to be more faithful in my blogging. It will not be as frequent as it was but I will be better than the last 45 days.

Grace and Peace to all

Steve

PS. I must add that my plot outline at fifty-five chapters is nothing like the one I included in my last blog… big time difference.

My Author Page on Amazon

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