I took advantage of a "break in the weather' yesterday and took down all of my outdoor Christmas lights.  The "dismantling took about three hours."  That surprised me because putting them all up took about three days!  The contrast struck me:  How much easier it is to "tear down" than to "build up!"  Why is this so?  The answer is that to "build something" (even an outdoor scene of Christmas lights" requires creativity, intention, purpose, and considerable effort.  To tear something down is sort of easy...

We did something new at my church for Advent this year.  For years we have sponsored an Angel Tree which provides our members with an opportunity to purchase gifts for children who desperately need to know they are not forgotten at Christmas time.  We continue in this tradition, but this year we also wanted to provide a way for our members to pray for one another as we journey together towards Christmas Day.  So, on Thanksgiving Sunday (one week before the 1st Sunday of Advent) we provided decorations upon which our congregation could write out a "seasonal prayer request."  At our Hanging of the Greens party these requests were hung upon a Christmas Tree and on the first Sunday of Advent members were encouraged to take a prayer request and make this request a part of their daily prayer time as we continued through the Advent season.  In the midst of these decorations someone placed a "partridge," on the tree so we began to refer to this Advent experience as our Partridge In A Prayer Tree, prayer opportunity.  So far, the entire experience has been extremely well received...

For years it has been our family tradition to "turn on" the Christmas house lights during the evening of Thanksgiving day.  The "flipping of the switch" honor usually goes to our two grandsons who take delight in having the power to "make the lights shine."

I am so blessed.  I am in my 13th year as senior pastor of the 1st United Methodist Church of Sapulpa and I serve a wonderful congregation.  I have known this for years but this truth was made evident once again this past Sunday as they surprised me (and my family) with a Pastor's Appreciation Day celebration.  Cake, balloons, an office door covered with notes, a wall display of art work done by the children of the church, numerous greeting cards (many with personal notes of appreciation) and a love offering, were all apart of this wonderful day.  I know that I am truly fortunate to serve such and amazing congregation.  But I am also aware that there are many pastors today, all across our land, who are tired, stressed, and struggling because of the stress and conflict that the work of ministry sometimes brings...

One thing that is clear about my wife, there is hardly anything she won't do if it means spending time with her grandchildren.  Recently, our daughter Beth, and grandsons, Andy and Sam, decided they wanted to "try their hand" at an indoor ropes course.  The course led participants to a height of approximately 20' above the floor.  The course involved a number of obstacles and maneuvers and most people would consider it a challenging adventure.  The participants wear safety harnesses so I wasn't too concerned when my daughter and grandsons got in line to purchase their tickets.  My anxiety heightened, however, when I saw my wife get in line and I realized she was planning to go rope climbing with them.  "Are you crazy?" I asked.  She let me know that she was sure (even though she suffers with a moderate degree of neuropathy in her feet and related balance issues) that she would be fine.  Fortunately that proved to be true as she had a wonderful time with her daughter and grandkids.  Her experience, also suggested several life lessons...

Taking a "step of faith" sometimes means moving forward in the face of strong fears.

Recently my wife and I vacationed (along with our daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren) in the beautiful Winter Park area of Colorado.  While there we got to spend some time at Snow Mountain Ranch (near Granby) and a friend of ours arranged for our son, daughter, and grandsons to ride the "zip line" that stretches across the Snow Mountain Ranch valley.  To ride the zip line, however, requires one first to climb to the top of a 35' tower, get "hooked up," then step off of the edge of the tower and allow the force of gravity to pull you down the mountain side.  For most people, this climb and ride provokes a heightened level of anxiety and requires taking a definite "step of faith."...

Some people work hard to get "somewhere."  Unfortunately they have little vision of what they want to accomplish or what their Preferred Future might really be.  Others have a clear vision of where they want to go but they do not have the dedication to work towards this end.  Still others have vision and dedication, but they spend little time in prayer seeking God's guidance or assistance.  But I believe it is when when vision, hard work, and prayer are merged together that there is often a wonderful outcome...

Something has really been bugging me lately; it's the amount of time I spend "on hold" during phone calls.  Several times recently I've had to call the Social Security office.  Each time I've been put on hold for nearly 40 minutes as I wait for "the next available representative."  This same thing has happened with calls to other businesses and after a while it really becomes annoying.  A similar frustration comes when I am directed to a voicemail box that is "full - unable to receive message."  Then there is the frustration of being able to leave a message only to have no one return my call.  When taken all together it becomes clear that some people are just hard to connect with!  But there is One who never puts us on hold; is never too busy to visit, and is always responsive to our needs.  By now you've probably figured it out - it's the person of God...

On Friday my daughter told my wife and me that it was National Donut day.  Now I was skeptical that there really was such a thing but it sounded like a good way to have some fun so we found our way to the local donut shop.  (My wife always gets a cinnamon role, I get a maple bar and a strawberry glazed, my daughter gets something with gooey cream in the middle.).  National donut day or not, we all had an enjoyable time.  But then, as I looked at my daughter holding up a donut, I had a moment of reflection.  It occurred to me that donuts are a lot like people. ​Just think about donuts:  no matter how well rounded they are, no matter how sweet they may be, no matter how good they are, there is always a hole in the middle - there is always something missing....

Today I was coming out of St France Hospital and as I crossed the parking lot I happened onto a momma duck who was frantic because her ducklings had all fallen into a drainage hole!  As I arrived on the scene the Tulsa Fire Department was rolling up (pictured above) and they quickly removed the drain cover, lowered a man (head first) with a sack into the hole, and retrieved 8 baby ducks...

It was a beautiful sight as the baby ducks were reunited with their mother and she began to lead them away...

Hats off to the Tulsa Fire Department for duty "above and beyond" the call of duty.  It was a wonderful scene to behold.  Personally, however, I am hoping that momma duck will take a parenting class:  first she leads her ducklings across a dangerous drain grid, then (after being reunited) begins to lead them across a busy street!  Mercy!