“Time keeps on slippin’ into the future” – Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band

For the longest time, that statement made no sense to me. How could it be possible for time to be slipping into the future? I always thought that it should be the opposite. Time should be slipping past us into the past, shouldn’t it?

A number of years ago, I began to think differently about those words. Slowly I began to realize that time really is slipping into the future. Time in a general sense isn’t what slips into the future. Time that we should be spending working towards our dreams, our goals and aspirations is what is really slipping into the future.

You see it isn’t really time, but life itself that is “slipping into the future.” Have you ever noticed how many tasks, goals, and dreams people put off until “someday”? It often seems to me that people put off their entire lives until someday in the future. Someday they will take that trip. Someday they will start their own business. Someday they will write that book. Someday they will turn their dream into a reality, someday, but just not today. And so time “slips” into the future.

So my question to you is this, what have you put off until some day in the future? What did you put off in 2004 until later? What did you do with your life in the last year? Did you, like many people, spend your time simply trying to make it from one day to the next? Or did you accomplish something more than that? Did you take your first step towards writing your book, or did you make reservations for that trip you’ve spent years talking about?

Once I had children everyone was quick to point out how I should watch what I say, because children are like a sponge when it comes to language – especially when they are exposed to it on a regular basis. Most people were concerned about the language (cursing) that seems to accompany any plumbing project I tackle. After several years as a parent I find that I am more concerned about words that are even worse. I am concerned about my children hearing words like ‘can’t’ and ‘someday.’

For what its worth, I hope you resolve this year to stop allowing your life, your hopes and dreams, to keep “slippin’ into the future.”

Happy New Year!

“I grew up in a gentler, slower time. When Ike was president, Christmases were years apart, and now it’s about five months from one to the next.” – Garrison Keillor

I think Mr. Keillor is right, its does really seem like Christmas was only about five months ago. But now we are once again deep in the midst of the Christmas season. It is time again for the Christmas classics. I don’t know what that means to you but for me it means that by December 26th I will have watched each of the following movies at least three times:

Christmas Story
Christmas Vacation
The Santa Claus
Miracle on 34th Street (the original version)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original Boris Karloff version)
Charlie Brown Christmas
The Sound of Music

Okay, I know "The Sound of Music" isn’t really a Christmas movie, but there is something about this time of year that makes that movie seem incredibly appropriate. Maybe its because the Captain realizes what’s really important is getting to know his children instead of finding the “right” governess. Maybe its because it reminds me of a simpler time, like a Currier & Ives painting.

Of course, no Christmas would be complete without watching "The Charlie Brown Christmas." Despite the fact that Charles Schultz hated it because it was so poorly drawn, it is a classic. We own a copy of the movie so I’m not dependent upon some network to decide whether or not to show it (lest we offend someone because of its biblical/Christian references). Yes I know that is what Christmas is all about, but it doesn’t seem to be something people want to admit or talk about much any more.

Like Charlie Brown I feel the grip of commercialism tightening around the very spirit of Christmas. However, I have found a way to help put Christmas back into perspective. It has been a tradition of mine for a number of years.

First, you need to make the time (time isn’t found, its made – but that’s a topic for another posting!). Make about twenty minutes some evening before Christmas. Then you will need to make some hot chocolate. While the water is heating up, go turn on the lights on the Christmas tree and turn off all the other lights in the room. Once the hot chocolate is ready (read marshmallows added) start playing the Mannheim Steamroller version of Silent Night (Still Nacht). If you don’t have a copy, run out and get one NOW!

Next, sit on the floor in front of the Christmas tree and take a deep breath. Now just sit there and don’t say a word. Anyone caught talking before the song ends should be thrown out of the house (these are the same people who don’t vote and you don’t really want people like that in your house anyway!).

Just sit there, drink your hot chocolate, and enjoy the sight of the Christmas tree while surrounded by the blissful sounds of Chip Davis’ masterful interpretation of Silent Night.

I’ll bet by the time the music stops, you will find yourself in a much better mood and more relaxed. If that isn’t the case, repeat the process again. If that still doesn’t work, you probably need professional help!

Since it is Christmas, I have a gift for you that in the true spirit of the season comes with that wonderful phrase we all know and love, “Some Assembly Required.”

Grandma Orwig’s Hot Chocolate Mix
1 Box Carnation powdered milk (8qt)
1 lb box powedered sugar
1 6oz size Coffeemate
1 32oz Nestle’s Quick

Use ¼ cup mix with hot water

For what its worth, keep in mind this makes a ton of hot chocolate mix. Feel free to share it with friends, neighbors, and yes even relatives!

Merry Christmas!

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice.
- Traditional Indian saying

This weekend I went to a funeral/”Celebration of Life” for a friend of mine. Scott was the Youth Pastor at the church we have been attending for several months. To say that Scott was full of life would be something of an understatement; kind of like saying Las Vegas is a nice little truck stop in the dessert! Even when he was tired from an all-nighter with the youth, Scott had more life and enthusiasm than many people I know.

His obituary in the newspaper said he left behind a wife and a two-year-old son. The other day there was a church full of people who have found themselves orphaned by his absence. There was an entire church full of people this young man had touched. Even before the service started I found myself being overwhelmed by the realization of the impact this person had on so many lives.

I know during the brief time my family knew him; he had an impact on our lives as well. My children couldn’t wait to go to the Children’s Church service he led during the “grown up” church service. He bonded immediately with my wife when he realized they had grown up in the same part of Ohio. He and I laughed – not that is unusual I think most people will remember Scott laughing. I introduced him to blogging. He really liked the idea of being able to create an online diary he could use to possibly reach out to other people. We are just one family who knew him for a relatively short time. I cannot imagine the sense of loss felt by those who knew him longer and more intimately.

My daughter said that perhaps God thought Scott had told enough jokes on earth and it was time for him to tell his jokes in heaven. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said that you must enter the kingdom of heaven as a child. Well, most people would agree that Scott was just a big kid. So on that point alone I’m sure he is in heaven!

But after having some time to reflect, I thought of this saying. Scott was gone and there was an entire community of people teary-eyed saying good-bye. Even though it truly was a celebration of his life and we all smiled and laughed, we also cried because we will miss a wonderful friend. Yet at the same time he is in heaven with the God he loved and I am sure he is rejoicing.

For What Its Worth, I think Scott really did know how to live and in a world of false heroes, his life was a shining example we can all learn from. You can still get to know him through his blog, just click on the link (or if that doesn’t work, just copy and paste it into your address bar).

http://www.gettingtoknowwhoiam.blogspot.com/

“The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.”

- G.K. Chesterton

Last week I said good-by to an old friend. We had been friends for over ten years. He was a good listener, a faithful companion, and ever the friend. He was very much a part of our family. When the tornado sirens went off this summer, he wouldn’t rest until everyone was downstairs – even the cat! Every night he would “tuck-in” my children. Every person who came on, or near, my property was challenged and subject to his inspection. But he fell victim to the plague of our age, cancer. Yes, even dogs get cancer.

If you have never had a dog, you simply won’t understand – don’t even bother trying to read this. A dog isn’t just a pet, after an amazingly short period of time (think weeks) they become a part of the family. Its no longer just a dog, but a part of your family that you lose. It isn’t easy when your an adult; and trying to explain that to a five-year-old and an eight-year-old isn’t easy either!

That evening, through angry tears my daughter wanted to know why puppy-dogs don’t live as long as cats. Not being someone who likes cats, I thought that was a pretty valid question. I didn’t have an answer for her then, but after having had several days to think about it, I have one now. I think God allows dogs such a short time to remind us not only of our own mortality, but of how precious life is.

My wife and I have explained to our children that our dog was sick and hurting. We explained that now he is happy in heaven with my Grandmother (who loved all animals). I’m not sure how much that explanation helped ease their suffering, but if you have a better idea, you are more than welcome to submit it by posting a comment!

Now before anyone gets too bent out of shape allow me to further clarify my explanation. Yes, I believe that there are dogs in heaven. Someone once tried to explain to me that dogs don’t have souls and therefore couldn’t make it to heaven. This person never had a dog, so they obviously just didn’t understand.

I personally believe that dogs are God-sent and cats are just evil. Really, stop and think back for a moment to Halloween – any Halloween. Have you ever seen a witch pictured with a dog? No…always with a cat! Hmmm…Interesting.

What do they call people who are revered for their holiness? Oh yea…Saints! You know, as in Saint Bernard – oh wait, that’s a type of dog isn’t it? Didn’t Jesus say he was the good shepherd. You’ve heard of shepherds, like German Shepherd, or Australian Shepherd. Wait…those are types of dogs too, aren’t they? And even if they don’t have “shepherd” in their name, there are several types of dogs that are routinely used to help in shepherding. Maybe dogs are here to help “shepherd” us along as we move through life. The point is, dogs are good, cats are evil.

But even more importantly, you aren’t going to live forever. For what its worth, you had better enjoy and make the most of your life – that is one of the many lessons I learned that from my dog.

One final thought:

“My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am” – author unknown