Two sheep walk into a bar - no into a pasture, that's it

Two sheep in a pasture

Sheep1 is somewhat older, experienced some would say.  Sheep2 is young and energetic. 

Their shepherd is called two legs.  Sheep1 is giving Sheep2 a brief orientation since he's new to the flock.

Sheep1:  I think you'll like it here.  2Legs seems to be a good sort.

Sheep2:  What makes you think so?  I've heard of some of these two legs that are completely worthless.

Sheep1:  Well I'd stick close to him if you know what's good for you.  I know some of these two legs don't deserve our company but this one does.

Sheep2:  In the flock I came from across the valley there was a two leg who ran away every time a wolf came 'round.  Can't say that I blame him.  We're all running 'round in circles when one comes by and I have no idea what that accomplishes but no one can think of anything better.

Sheep1:  Well this two leg carries a big stick but it's not made of wood.  He calls it rod.  Why anyone would name a stick 'rod' is beyond me.  I don't say I understand these two legs but I know a good one when I see one.

Sheep2:  So what's the stick for?

Sheep1:  Oh, my mind wanders some.  Almost forgot what we were talking about. 
A while back a wolf came round.  Of course we all start running in circles hoping the wolf will attack someone else. 
Just then the two leg does the strangest thing!  He runs up to the wolf who's about to pounce on young Sally, and whacks the wolf up the side of the head with the stick. 
There was a loud crack that sounded like someone stepped on a walnut and the wolf fell on the ground.  Then the two leg hits him again across the back.  The wolf never moved again.

Sheep2:  Is this two leg crazy or something?  Seems like the best thing to do is run when a wolf comes.  I think there should be something better than running in circles but running seems like the best policy to me.

Sheep1:  I can't say I understand it either but I'm glad he does that.  And that's not all.  A while back when I was about your age I had eaten some strange grass that didn't agree with me at all.  Terrible gas!!  I thought I was going to explode!!  Nobody wanted to be near me.  Can't say that I blame them.  I could hardly stand myself.

Sheep2:  I had that once.  It was awful!!  

Sheep1:  Well I saw some good grass on the other side of the ravine that I knew would settle my stomach.  I was in such pain!!  The good grass didn't look very far off and I could even smell it!!  It smelled SO GOOD!!  I decided I could get across the ravine, eat enough good grass to settle my stomach and be back before anyone noticed.
The flock had always crossed the ravine further down, and it seemed easy enough, so I thought I'd be able to go across here just fine.

Well the ravine is much different up here.  It was very confusing and steep.  I slipped off the side and tumbled down into some bushes and was completely tangled up.  This hair we've got it great stuff for keeping you warm but it's murder to get tangled up in bushes!!

Sheep2:  I've seen that.  Once I saw a poor chap who died in the bushes and birds ate him!!  Gives me the shivers just to think of it!

Sheep1:  Well I was facing that very same fate or worse because I could hear wolves howling in the distance.  I couldn't help but crying out for help even though I knew the wolves could hear me too.  I didn't know what I was thinking because I knew the rest of the flock couldn't help me and the two leg, if he had any sense, would take the rest to safety.

Sheep2:  Would it do any good to run in circles?

Sheep1:  I was caught in the bush!!  I couldn't run in circles!! 

Sheep2:  Oh, right, sorry.  Please go on.

Sheep1:  So there I was trapped in the ravine.  Wolves coming.  No one to help!!!

Sheep2:  You're a gone'r.  Wait you're here so you must have got out!

Sheep1:  Brilliant!!  Yes, I got out.  The two leg left all the others in the pasture and came looking for me.

Sheep2:  WHAT!!  That's just stupid!  Why would he do that?  What makes you so special?

Sheep1:  I have no idea.  But he did - and that's why I'm here telling you this.  Stay close by the two leg! 

Sheep2:  Does he ever hit us with the stick?

Sheep1:  No.  I thought he might when he found me but he picked me up and carried me back to the flock.  I was totally embarrassed but glad to be alive.

Sheep2:  Once you got back did he treat you any differently.  Did he tie you up or put you in a pen.  I was in a pen once.  It was awful!!!

Sheep1:  No.  I got to run freely with the rest of the flock.  I've never seen him put anyone in a pen.

Sheep2:  He is a strange one!  But I think you're right, I might like it here.

Easy Life

The Easy Life.

I often find myself thinking how hard I have it.

Somehow in the back of my mind I hear 'Jesus must have had it really easy being the son of god'. 

The more I think about that, the more wrong it seems.

Jesus didn't have an easy life.  In fact Jesus physical life was anything but easy and remarkably typical.  Given the total of humanity that has ever lived his life was very typical.   It's easy to forget that from the insulated comfort of our western 'modern' lives.

Even today most of humanity doesn't have central heat, clean water, electricity, public schools, honest public safety, safe food or 'modern' medical care we take for granted.  Jesus certainly had none if these things.

He spent 30 years experiencing the difficult parts of being human.  Waking up sore and tired.  Being thirsty, hungry, oppressed, humiliated.  This was all before the crucifixion.  This was all before he even started his ministry.  I think he knew very well how difficult it is being a human.  I think he may have even been sick, injured on the job or other mundane things we imagine he must have been exempt from.

I imagine before his ministry started his hands were already scared and dirty and strong from working with Joseph as a carpenter.

So when I'm tempted to think he was without sin because he had an easy life, I know better.  He had a typically miserable human life.  But that life qualified him and taught him how to communicate the kingdom of his father.  The ideas he brought to humanity have challenged the brightest minds humanity can muster for the last 2000 years. 

These ideas came from a semi-literate, manual laborer, who never wrote a book, never commanded an army, never held political office.

Vox Dei Community Audio

Vox Dei Community Audio

Being domestic today.

After working out at the YMCA (1 hour treadmill, weight circuit, swimming, jacuzzi), I baked another loaf of bread. 

Here's the recipe. 

Here's a pic.

 

Too bad we don't have smell-o-vision on the internet.
  Notice wine glass in the margin.  Must keep the chef happy.

Also started another massive pot of chili in the crock pot.  I made the recipe on this up.  Someday I'll post it.  It's pretty traditional except it has a pound of hot Italian sausage in addition to the ground beef.

Who's this guy???

A typical baby boomer, ultra-previleged, white middle class, suburban male.

Looking back and looking around right now it's amazing how privileged and blessed by grace my existence has been.  Emphasis on the grace.  I have not deserved or earned ANY of what I've enjoyed.

From the beginning I was doted on (ask my sisters) by parents and grandparents.  When this happens expectations become distorted.  The world revolves around me.  That's the way it's always been.  Whatever I want I'll eventually get.  It may take some effort on my part occasionally, but that just makes things interesting.

So after a life of achievement and success there came a time of realization of what my life really amounted to.  I had felt I was an pretty 'ok' person.  Tried to be helpful and kind when it suited me.  And it seemed like it suited me fairly often.  But it was always from the excess.  The part that was left after I consumed as much as I wanted. 

But looking back and seeing my life through God's eyes was a total shock.  I'd been maneuvering and manipulating people and situations all my life for one purpose.  To satisfy the spoiled little child that was me.

This revelation happened after a catastrophic motorcycle injury accident.  I had been riding (with abandon) for over 30 years when two weeks after completing a solo motorcycle trip from Key West, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska, I had an accident that broke the right femur in three places and destroyed the ligaments in the left knee.  

So after months of immobility, and isolation, and limitation, and constant pain (and I was highly pain tolerant from distance running), I had a trip back to Carolina to see my parents when God began to show me what a total disaster my life had been.

I had the feeling that the Alaska trip had been a disaster but I wasn't sure why.  I had accomplished the objective, right?  But what was the objective?  Just to get from one place to another?  No.  Use your skills, determination and perseverance to over-come obstacles?  Yes. But to achieve what?  To prove what?

I knew the answer once.  But even that came too easy.  I didn't appreciate what it was.

What is the answer?

Stay tuned.

Welcome

A quote that's been attributed to J.R.R. Tolkien: "Not all who wander are lost."

This blog is about a journey and life.

I don't claim to be an authority of anything.  Just a fellow wanderer who has found a few things by the grace of God. 

I'll supply some background about where I'm coming from in future posts.  I just wanted to set your expectations (preferably low) before you spend much time on this.  There lots of more talented bloggers you can read.  I feel a little presumptuous to even imagine I have something worthwhile to say.  But you decide.