Finally the new season of network TV has begun, and we got to watch the first episode of the second season of “Bull” last night, “School for Scandal.” How will Dr. Bull figure out a way to convict a woman who has murdered her husband when everything points to justifiable self-defense? (Spoiler alert if you keep reading.) Continue reading “What do I not see?”
Category: Life
Let life unfold
In a piece Brandon Evans wrote about riding out Hurricane Irma, he shared this recommendation: “Rather than trying to control every outcome or obsess about what might happen, just let life actually unfold.”
It’s hard to do that. We’re swept along by schedules and deadlines, we’re super-sensitive to what people are thinking and might say, we have a specific outcome in mind, and we engineer our time and energy to get there. We are scared to death by media-driven hypochondria, and how every little variation in life will hurt your pocketbook, affect your family’s health, and leave you vulnerable to imminent doom. Social media pictures of happy people doing exciting things in exotic places haunt us with the possibility that life has left us behind.
Actually, we have very little control over the weather, earthquakes, what other people say and do, wars and the economy, disease and death and doom. Think about how much happens in your life without your permission, approval or initiative. Much of the time your foot’s not on the accelerator or the brake or the steering wheel. You’re just buckled in for the ride.
What do we control? We can work hard and do a good job. We can take time to rest and let our bodies regenerate. We can talk and listen and get to know the people around us. We can embrace the journey or the day even if it doesn’t go the way we planned or we didn’t get anything done that we wanted to. We can get to know the One who does have a handle on time, the world and life.
Think about that for a moment. When Jesus was here, he wasn’t especially concerned about the weather. He soundly slept through a potentially life-threatening storm. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry, having time for prayer, conversation, worship and rest. He wasn’t concerned about politics or politicians. He knew they couldn’t do anything unless he let them. The demonic didn’t creep him out. Neither did disease. Or death.
As life unfolds, a good prayer to keep handy might be, “Lord, help me learn from this experience.” It may not be what you expected or wanted. Or, it might be an unexpected surprise. It might be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. Or it might be the best advice you ever got.
When things happen, take a moment, take a breath, take another look. Take stock of your feelings, your reaction, and what, if anything, you need to do. Once in a while, just let life unfold.
It’s not the end of the world.
Oops.
Today is not the end of the world, as David Meade has been saying. What he meant to say is that September 23 would be the beginning of catastrophic events to occur when Planet X passes by the earth. Whatever.
Here’s my question. Why do people choose to listen to doomsayers like David Meade, but completely ignore Jesus and what he had to say? He spoke of the end times and what that would look like, and most simply dismiss his words. Anyone else can make a prediction of the world’s end and get a headline in the Washington Post or Fox news. The media rarely shares Christ’s words with us. Continue reading “It’s not the end of the world.”
Listening in on an interview
After making a couple of hospital visits at Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville, I stopped at a Starbucks on my way home. Got my latte, found an empty table, and checked out the room. Being right off I-95, it was busy, mostly people passing through I would imagine.
A slender, twenty-something young man sat next to me at another table. Polo, khakis, decent shoes, but no beverage. A few minutes later another gentleman walked into the store, carrying a zippered briefcase, polo, khakis, athletic shoes, carrying a bit more weight. He shook hands with the young man, excused himself to the restroom for a moment, and then returned, also no beverage.
I thought to myself, “I’ll bet this is an interview.” Cool. I’m going to eavesdrop on their conversation and take notes. Latte, clerical shirt, phone out, writing in my journal — perfect cover.
First observation: both were fast-talkers. Really fast-talkers. Nerves? Maybe. But they never relaxed. They kept up the frantic paced conversation for the next twenty minutes. Good thing they didn’t order any caffeine.
I was right. Job interview. First question, “So are you looking for full-time, part-time…” First answer, “I just need a job.”
“So tell me about you.”
21 years old, between jobs, girl friend, did a little life-insurance sales, didn’t work out. Took care of grandfather. Took a few college classes. Played a little football in college. Wide receiver and defensive end.
That was their common ground. The interviewer had played football, too, till he broke his hand. He revealed a little more about himself. A few years in the military. Three college degrees, but didn’t use any of them. Thirty-eight years old. Didn’t know anything about finance until he got into this business. “I was a police officer when I started. But I told them I would work harder than anyone else.”
That’s a lot of education and experience packed into just a few years.
He continued. “I’m not a salesman. My goal is to help people be better than they were when I met them. I let them make the decision. If they don’t want to do this for their family, I don’t care.”
He went on, “I’m looking for someone to manage people. Most life insurance companies…” So that’s the job: selling life insurance. “Most life insurance companies lie, rip you off, take your money. Ours is different. We have 700 agents in our office. On the average the people in our office make $175,000 a year.”
Impressive. But now I think I know where this is going.
He went on, hardly taking a breath, as if his plane were boarding in five minutes. “After thirty days you’ll have 10-15 people on your team. Another thirty days, you’ll have 30-40. Hardest thing you’ll ever do. I’ve been at this for eleven years. You come up to our office twice a week for training. Hey, I’m OK teaching you, even if I don’t make any money. I’d rather make less and do the right thing. What’s your name, again?”
After an exchange of names for the first time in the conversation, the interviewer continued. “You just make sure you’re helping people and training them. Two years from now I can see you making $100,000.”
All along, the interviewee has been affirming that he can do this. He already has some of the licenses. He’s willing to learn. At this point he breaks in, “What’s the name of the company?”
First mention of the company. “Primerica. Biggest insurance company in America. Biggest investment firm, too.” Note to self: fact check later. “We do car insurance, home insurance, long term care insurance. Whatever people need.”
My coffee was gone, I had filled two pages with notes, and I was exhausted just sitting there listening to the pitch. Time to head home. I hope things work out for the young man.
When I returned home, I checked out Primerica. It is a big multilevel marketing insurance company, that appears to be a descendant or reincarnation of the 1980’s buy-term-invest-the-difference A. L. Williams firm. Online reviews of Primerica include the typical range of “best company ever” to “high-pressure, lying, cheating, rip-off artists.”
No judgment from me. Just listening and learning, reflecting and writing. I wonder who’s eavesdropped on any of my coffee-shop conversations?
The end is near!
The other night I sat with two year old grandson Elijah and watched the movie Trolls for the who-knows-how-many-th time. And we heard Branch warn everyone, “The Bergens are coming!” “Ahhh!”
Guess what? It’s that time again. The end of the world is coming. September 23. OMG in just a few days the planet Nibiru will collide with earth and it will all be over, according to David Meade!
Here are a few things to do in preparation:
Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28 ESV).
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes”(Matthew 24:45,46 ESV).
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:8,9 ESV).
You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him (2 Peter 3:11,12,14).
The end is near? I say, “Finally. Come Lord Jesus! Bring it!” But I know it’s not the end. Just a few birth pangs. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
Forget about minimalism when a hurricane comes
I’m not the best minimalist, but I’ve adopted a few habits that have decluttered and simplified my life. After I read a book I donate it to a library. When I purchase a new item of clothing, I get rid of something older. I’ve stopped accumulating bolts and nuts and screws and nails I might (but probably won’t) need someday.
But when the hurricane is breathing down your neck, you urgently have to accumulate things. Gas cans (4), extension cords for the generator (2), battery-powered lanterns (2), disposable plates and utensils, candles (#?), bottled water, ice (5 bags from our own ice maker), a new cooler, a new fan (a life-saver), chains for the chain saw (2), a yard rake, a new pair of work gloves, and calming toys and bones for the dog (3).
We ended up using most of what we bought. We never lost water, so I donated it to a semi headed for south Florida. We didn’t really need the ice; our generator kept our refrigerator running.
Clutter during the storm? We didn’t mind it so much. On the plus side, we won’t have to buy those things again. But now I have to store all of that away. Somewhere. Because there will be another storm. Someday.
I wonder what people will do with all the bread and water and chips people bought before the storm. The shelves at the storm were empty, so their houses must be full of those items. Did you really eat that much bread before? Are you really going to eat that many peanut butter sandwiches now? How much food will be thrown away in the next few weeks?
If I were in a flooded area and I lost just about everything, would I try to replace everything? Or would I downsize, just getting what I need and use? I don’t know. We didn’t lose anything this time. This storm added to our possessions.
Who’s watching?
Who’s watching me? I’m not paranoid. I really don’t mind people watching me. I just started thinking about all ways I’m being watched and I don’t even realize it.
Like all those security cameras in the stores. Maybe some are just recording. But some must have someone actually watching the feed.
What about the people in their homes who watch me through their window as I walk by with my dog? I always look up when they walk by my home. I’ll bet they glance at me, too.
I hope people are watching me from their cars. I want them to miss me rather than hit me if I’m crossing the street.
How about the people slowly driving through the neighborhood. I don’t always recognize the car. Are they watching to see when I’m home? And when I’m not?
There’s a lizard on the porch who watches me very carefully. If I take one step too close, he’s gone.
Then there’s my dog who watches me when I’m eating. Just in case a scrap falls to the floor. Or I save a piece of something for him.
I know that someone digitally watches me when I browse products online. Ads for those very items immediately pop up when I use other applications.
The waiter or waitress at the restaurant watches me. To see if I’m ready to order, need a refill or dessert, or need the check.
Facebook stalkers. They look at everything I post and every picture I’m in. But I never know it. They never post themselves. They may not even be friends. But they are watching.
Some of the cars following me have sensors that watch me. If I stop, they make sure that car stops too, avoiding a rear-end collision.
There is always someone monitoring the self-checkout lane at Home Depot. I hardly notice them, but I know they are paying attention to me.
I am often surprised by the invisible voice who calls out, “Welcome to the store!”
It could be the other people you are having lunch with. They are watching closely to see if I’ll reach for the check.
I like to watch people. And I’ll be they like to watch me.
Who’s watching you?
A few things I learned from Hurricane Irma
Now that another hurricane has come and gone (the second in eleven months), my power and cable have been restored and life is slowly but surely returning to normal, I can ask, “What have I learned this time around?”
I learned how to use my generator. I purchased this generator after three hurricanes came close but didn’t directly affect our home in 2004. Through all that we really didn’t lose power for more than a day. My across-the-street-neighbor was going somewhere to buy a generator and asked me if I wanted him to get one for me. I said, “Sure!” and got a 5000 watt Coleman Powermate. For the next thirteen years, it sat in my garage. I never started it up. Never even put gas or oil in it. Since the day I took it out of the box, we never lost power. Even last fall during Hurricane Matthew, we were without power for less than a day. But we learned from that experience that a generator might be good to have. So this time around, I learned how to use it.I put oil in, gassed it up, tested it, and got some decent extension cords. After the rain stopped and the winds died down we were without power for five days, and ran it continually for the refrigerator, lights and fan. Worked like a charm. I learned that I could get about three hours of run time for each gallon of gas.
I learned how much better I am able to keep in touch with most of the members of the church. Even with no power and no internet, we had enough cell coverage to stay in touch with everyone, let them know when we would next meet for church, and find out if anyone needed help. Thirteen years ago there were no smart phones. Now they are the backbone of a lot of our communication, showing us the path of the storm, the progress of the power company, where to buy gas for the generator, who you can help and who can help you.
I learned how to more quickly and easily prep for the storm. Bought my cases of water a few weeks ahead of time, cut down some suspicious looking trees a few days before, filled an extra tank of propane, and bagged up extra ice ahead of time. We already had most of the food we needed, so there were no rush trips to the store and long waits in the lines.
I learned that ten days of hype exhausts you even before the storm arrives! The media-driven fear and paranoia created panic when the storm was barely off the west coast of Africa. I like the way Brandon Evans described some of the lessons he learned from the storm: “For our society, fear has become the dominant emotion.” “Our society whips people in to such panic that we create traumatic experiences for things that haven’t happened yet.”
I learned that I don’t have to live that way. I don’t have to buy into the frenzy. I can prepare, wait, experience, observe, learn, and recover without losing my mind.
My world just got a lot smaller and a lot bigger.
As I sit here in my post-hurricane, pre-power-restoration home, I realize that my world has shrunken dramatically, something I wrote about just a few weeks ago in “A Shrinking World.” Consumed with yard debris cleanup, finding gas for the generator, checking to see if any power crews are working on our street and carefully navigating extension cords in my home, I haven’t paid attention to much of anything else going on in the world. I haven’t given any thought at all to Houston (Hurricane Harvey), Los Angeles (wild fires), North Korea (nuclear missiles?), Mexico (earthquake), Key West (so many houses destroyed), or even flooding in the town next to us.
My world has become minuscule, my home being the locus of my attention. Continue reading “My world just got a lot smaller and a lot bigger.”
Waite for it... 