November 7 – “He’s smoking”

What a great morning.  We went out in the back yard and sat in the porch swing.  The temperature was in the high 60's and a light breeze was blowing.  The sun was so bright we had to rearrange the extra chairs to be able to even look at each other.  The leaves on the trees were changing or were already falling to the lawn.  Josh paid a neighborhood kid to rake their front yard.  This whole seasons thing is certainly a nice change from "rainy" and "dry."   Zakary and I were playing this morning when Josh walked through and went outside.  I turned to Zak and asked, "What is Daddy doing out there?"  Without batting an eye he replied, "He's smoking."  I know I did a double-take on that one, so I asked again, "What is he doing?"  Again, he replied, "He's smoking.  That's what Daddy does when he goes out there."  I followed him over to the window.  He innocently pointed and said, "See."  I moved around to follow the direction of his finger, and finally I saw it.  He was pointing directly at … the barbeque pit.  That's where Daddy makes smoke come out."  Well, of course.  What did you think?   Christi's family got into town this afternoon.  Her Mom and Dad, Grandmother and Grandfather, and brother and sister-in-law all came in for a special family edition of the baby dedication to be held tomorrow morning.  Josh cooked burgers and hot dogs, and there were at least three desserts.  After we ate, Josh gathered everyone together and led us in a brief ceremony dedicating Caleb and asking us as his family to be actively involved in bringing him up under God's ways.  They put together a time capsule for him that had some blessings from his grandfathers and parents, as well as some things that symbolized his life so far – a toy motorcycle from Zakary, a strength tool from Josh, and a music CD from Christi.  We'll finish the festivities at church tomorrow.   Matthew  21:16 says, 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"   Father, draw our little guys to yourself as they get older.  Amen.

November 6 – “Already sore”

We headed out early this morning for Mansfield, Texas.  Our grandson Caleb's baby dedication is Sunday, and we couldn't miss it.  The trip went smoothly, except the air conditioner went out.  Every so often Chris would roll the window down on my side of the car and scare me to death.  Or at least scare me awake.  The motor that operates the window on her side is burned out.    I finally got started on Dan Brown's newest book, The Lost Symbol.  Typical Dan Brown so far.  Very engaging story.  Lots of action.  Rather poor use of facts.  But then who cares about facts when you have a good story to tell, right?   It was great to see our North Texas grandsons.  We played what Zakary called "Little Brother Wrestling."  A gentle form of horsing around with a three year old and a ten month old.  Great fun.  I'm already sore.   Caleb decided that he would take to me about like Cailyn takes to Chris.  He gladly lets me hold him, but will only go to her if she is standing between me and his Dad, and only if she immediately transfers him on.  My turn.   We went to a local Mexican food place for supper.  As we were finishing up a guy came out with a guitar and started serenading us.  Caleb was fascinated.  In fact he kept reaching out and literally shoving his mom out of his way so he could see the singer.  Tomorrow promises to be even more fun.   Matthew 18:2-4 says, "He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"   Father, thanks for this break from Galveston stresses.  I needed it.  Amen.

November 5 – “Paint, the Goat”

Goat Day today at Seaside Christian Academy.  The math teacher brought one of his goats with him so the kids could have an excuse not to do schoolwork on his last day.  Well, they actually did get some work done.  I heard them.  But they were some kind of excited about that silly goat.  Her name was Dixie Chicks Painted Lady.  They called her Paint, for short.  She was quite a hit with all the age groups.  The kindergarten kids gave her hugs and fed her.  The lowers enjoyed feeding her so much, they even handed her grass.  All but two of them even passed on soccer to hang out with the goat.  They wanted to rename her Noah, make her the school mascot, and have her ride around in a homemade ark.  A lady driving by stopped when she saw her.  She was interested in raising goats, so she wanted to talk to the owner.    After the initial excitement died down, we were all back inside and Paint was grazing lazily on her rope.  The church phone rang.  It was our lowers teacher calling.  But she was at school today.  Where was she?  "Pastor Kelley," she said, "Where is Jim?  I found the goat over here by Ms. Dru's window.  I have the goat.  I don't know what to do with a goat.  Tell him to come get the goat!"  Sure enough, the goat had broken one of the links on her collar and was free at last.  He left her out for awhile longer, but he finally put her back in her travel cage for the rest of his day.   While I was outside with the younger kids, a little four-year-old climbed up on a picnic table and lay down.  One of the teachers called over to him, "Are you tired?"  In the indomitable style of a very intelligent four-year-old , he rose up, pointed his finger in her direction and said, "I am tired.  I'm tired of you.  I'm very tired of you."  No, he wasn't punished.  The teacher had to walk away to hide the peals of laughter struggling to explode from her mouth.   I had a chance to talk with the science teacher, too.  He told me about a student who seemed to want to do pretty much nothing.  The student's question was the proverbial, "Why do I have to learn all this stuff?"  The answer, which we rather embellished as we talked, was something like this, "Learn all you can so that when you are just sitting around doing nothing you will at least have something interesting to think about.  And when people ask you, 'What are you thinking about?' you can mystify and amaze them with your wealth of knowledge, and they'll think you are a genius."  Interesting philosophy.  I like it.   Proverbs 1:8-9 says, "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."   Father, please give our kids a better motivation for learning than "having something to think about when they are doing nothing." Amen.

November 4 – “I hate religion”

We had some extra bodies around the school today.  The plumber arrived to install the new o n demand hot water heater.  It is located up above the ceiling, so they brought in a ladder and their tools.  Math class was the pathway to the black hole that developed when he pushed aside the ceiling tile and disappeared into the ceiling.  At least one of them disappeared.  The other guy stuck around.  In fact he crawled up on the ladder and sat down on the very top so that his head was half way in and half way out.  He was waiting just in case the guy who was actually in the attic ever needed anything.  Interesting job.  He quietly hummed to himself until he came looking for me to find out where to turn the water off.  That was a potential crisis that we managed to divert by spreading the word earlier to "hit the bathrooms as soon and as often as you can!"  No one seemed to miss it when the water was off.  Now we have to wait for the electrician to actually plug it in to the breakers.  Not sure when that will occur.  He was going to come tonight, but the contractor never let me know for sure.   Tomorrow should be interesting, too.  It's the math teacher's last day.  The high schoolers begged him to bring one of his goats with him to class tomorrow.  I waited until he was outside, and told him to bring it on.  I forgot to tell the kindergarten teacher about it, though.  I guess they'll find out soon enough in the morning.   One of the high school guys stopped the Bible teacher and me after school today.  The student is moving to Tomball, and Friday is his last day.  He told us, "You two are the most religious guys I know."  We both responded almost immediately.  The Bible teacher said, "I'm not religious at all."  I said something along the lines of, "I hate religion."  The student's jaw dropped open.  Obviously not what he was expecting to hear.  All he could muster, though, was, "What?"  The Bible teacher said, "We're both into relationship, not religion."  And the student seemed to be fascinated.  I backed off and let them continue talking.  I'm anxious to find out the outcome of that one.  That kind of opportunity is why we have the school in the first place.   Matthew 28:16-20 says, "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"   Father, please touch that student and draw him to you.  Amen.

November 3 – “I’m not dead yet!”

Day one of my new medication is well underway.  I think it is helping better than he last one did as far as the joint pain is concerned.  And I was careful to take it with food, so as far as I can tell, my esophagus is still intact.  I have seen one big difference though.  That strange, out of body, slow motion feeling hit me several times today.  I couldn't think of the right word, or my mind would check out and I would zone out with no idea what to do next.  It didn't usually last very long, so I figure maybe I'll "outgrow" it.  And most importantly, to quote a line from a classic old movie, "I'm not dead yet!"   I showed the high school kids the first part of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  They were bored stiff.  Some of them literally.  They were snoring.  Our time ended before it even got to the part where they discover the Holy Grail.  Maybe we'll finish it out tomorrow.  Beyond that I have no idea what to do.  Not if they don't want to see movies.  Oh, and the math teacher told me he has to be out Friday to take a physical for his new job.  I'll be on my way to Caleb's baby dedication.  I'm glad Cindy will be there.    Two new students started today.  They are in sixth and seventh grade.  I also found out that one of our other high school students will be moving to Conroe.  Friday is his lat day.  The new headmaster starts next week.  Looks like he has lots to do right off the bat.  He came by again today.  I think he tried to do some more calling to look for a math teacher.    Chris is in Bay City again.  She left this morning and is planning to come home tonight.  But she took extra clothes with her just in case.  It's really coming down to the wire with her mom.  She hasn't answered my after-school text yet.  If she's not going to be here for supper, I guess I'll have to come up with some alternative to Luby's where Mom and I can go out to eat.    Now I get to decide what to do next - again.  Watch a movie?  Definitely intriguing.  Work on the house?  Takes energy.  Doesn't look good right now.  Go to the Post Office?  He'll come by in the morning some time.  I can just put the letters out then.  Sit here and stare at the keyboard?  Nah.  I could at least check out Facebook.  Think I'll start there.   Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."   Father, thank you for being patient with my ramblings and rumblings.  Amen.

November 2 – “Compelling”

After waiting what seemed like forever, I finally had an appointment with a rheumatologist today in Houston.   He and his student doctor did the kind of exam I expected.  He felt my knuckles, wrists and elbows.  He tapped on my knees with his little hammer.  He listened to my lungs and heart.  He asked me a lot of questions.  He made quite a few comments that I sure didn't understand.  Chris picked up on a few of them and looked them up when we got home.  On most of them she thought he was just speculating or brainstorming or guessing or showing off for the student or something.  Every so often he would ask the student what she would do, or what she thought was going on, or what medication she thought might help.  That got to be kind of funny.  He would ask about a very specific procedure, and she would get a quizzical look on her face and say, "I don't think we should do that."  He would push the issue, trying to get her to change her mind.  Finally he would grin and reply, "OK.  Neither would I."  They argued about whether I should have x-rays or another MRI.  Finally he said, "Oh, I don't think we should do either one.  They wouldn't tell us anything right now, anyway."  They almost got a rise out of me when they debated the pros and cons of putting me on some more steroids.  That's not an experience I am particularly eager to duplicate.   In his mumblings to himself, we caught a few of his random theories.  At one point he said it could all be related to my disc problems.  Fairly reasonable, I guess.  Then he said my elbow might hurt because back when I had shoulder surgery I probably used the elbow wrong to favor the wrist.  What?  That was two years ago, and my shoulder has felt fine since then.  He said the name of some strange, off-the-wall spinal condition where the spine fuses to itself and I get shorter and hunched over.  That's the one Chris actually remembered and looked up.  She said that was equally silly.  I am shorter than I used to be, though.  With my shoes on I am now officially only 5 feet 8 inches.  I used to be five nine.  The one thing I did understand was when he said he was definitely not ruling out rheumatoid arthritis yet.   When he finally finished quizzing the student and guessing to himself, he stood up and said, "Well, I must say, your case is compelling.  I am intrigued by your symptoms."  That's not exactly what I wanted to hear from the guy who is supposed to pull a Doctor House out of his hat and tell me right then what is wrong.  Compelling.  At least he was interested.  He ordered all the same blood work I had with the neurologist, because that blood work was really useless for what he wanted to see, because it was done right after I was on those steroids.  He even ordered a urinalysis.    And what was the bottom line?  Well, apparently the bottom line hasn't been written yet.  He finally said, "I really don't know what's going on just yet.  I want to see the blood work.  Take this slightly stronger medication twice a day.  Take it with food and make sure you sit up for 20 minutes after taking it, or it will eat a hole in your esophagus.  Come back and see me in two weeks."  And that was that.   So I still don't know what's going on.  I get to try a new medication that may help, or it may eat a hole in my esophagus, but it will probably at least make me sleepy all day.  Chris found one potential side effect that was really exciting – heart failure.  See ya, everybody.   Philippians 1:21 says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."   Father, I know I'm still around for a purpose.  My heart goal is to live like Christ … really.  I'm not particularly excited about dying right now.  I'm just tired -  again.  Help.  Amen.

November 1 – “Steak”

Church today went pretty well.  We had some visitors from all over again.  One couple from Waco came up to me afterward and prayed for me.  It was one of the best prayers I have ever heard … and it was for me.  That was encouraging.  Especially since we had a discernment meeting right after that.  We discussed lowering our building insurance, since we discovered we were way over-insured.  We did that, but then the discussion gradually slipped to where the atmosphere was bordering on testy.  It was a shame, because everybody wanted the same thing ultimately – first, for God to be glorified, then for us to be about doing what we were called as Christians to do – lead lost people to Jesus - and finally, for us to be responsible stewards of his money.  Different people had different ideas on how that should happen.  And still do.  And that's OK.  It took less than an hour, and we finally came to some agreement on specific actions we could take to begin to solve the concerns.  I'm happy to have folks to watch over things like finances and insurances.  I just really want all of us to stand unified before God in what we do.  So much has changed about Galveston.  Nothing is the same as it was before Hurricane Ike.  The stress has hit people in different ways and at different times.  Seaside lost some families who simply didn't return after the storm.  Our school enrollment went from 21 to 7.  Some of the people who have been worshipping with us since the storm are hesitant to commit totally to anything, sensing the stress of the unknown.  The folks there today seemed ready to become the nucleus of a "new reality" at Seaside.  I just pray that the One who has already won the war will be victorious in this little battle as well.  Satan has won enough in Galveston.  It's time for Jesus to have his day.   We had lunch at Happy Buddha.  Yep, that's Chinese food.  I ordered the only American thing on the menu - a steak.  It was not bad, but it was cooked rare and I ordered medium.  I'll just microwave the piece I brought home in my doggie bag a little longer than usual.  That is if it doesn't touch the Chinese chicken stuff Chris brought home that tastes like dessert.  It's actually not bad, but not until you eat real food first.   The bride and groom of the wedding we went to last night came over and spent the afternoon with us.  It was a lot of fun to see and hear their giddiness.  They leave for a honeymoon road trip in the morning, and they haven't even decided where they are going.  That's going to be fun.  I think I'll recommend that for our next vacation, whenever that will be.   In John 17:20-23 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."   Father, you have given us that gift of unity.  Help us act like it.  Amen.