Thursday, July 24, 2008

Life is good...

You know, no matter how my day has been, it's always a good day. I think it was George Burns who said, "When I wake up, the first thing I read is the obituaries... if I don't see my name there, I get out of bed!"

I think the perspective of time is so interesting... the things I thought were important when I was younger don't seem to be such a big deal anymore. The older I get, the more precious and fleeting and whimsical life becomes...

I used to be a night owl... wait, I am a night owl! Anyway, I used to sleep in in the mornings, which I find hard to do anymore. Life is too short... now one of my favorite things is to get out of bed and go get the paper... especially when it's summertime in Minnesota. The air is usually so clean and clear, you can hear all the birds singing... my mom used to say, "Oh, I hear Mr. Cardinal!" Now, that's what I say when I hear a cardinal... must be maternal imprinting.

I know it's hard to believe, but I get discouraged just like the rest of you mortals do... thank God for the internet! My sister sent me a link about an incredible young man named Nick... here's the link: 
http://www.crystalcathedral.org/hour_of_power/videos/nick.php

It's a bit long, but I'm not sure how anyone who watched it can feel sorry for themselves...

I love this line from a James Taylor song... "The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time..." That's so cool! 

Then the next verse goes:

"The secret of love is in opening up your heart
Its okay to feel afraid
But don't let that stand in your way
cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since were only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile
Isn't it a lovely ride..."

Finally, a few of you may be old enough to remember Dr. Sidney Freedman from the TV show M*A*S*H... Allan Arbus (Dr. Freedman) played an Army psychiatrist... at the end of one episode, Dr. Freedman gave the stressed O.R. staff some advice: "Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

Enjoy the journey, my friend... remember, life is a one lap race!

Pray for peace... and passion!
Prairie Pete

Monday, July 14, 2008

I know this doesn't count as a "posting"...

My beautiful bride always sends me things to look at, usually when I'm in the middle of something I think is important. Today, for some reason, I decided to read this one... and I think you should, too!

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I hope you will enjoy it half as much as I have!! Don't start reading this one until you have got 3 or 4 minutes to just 'scan' over it. It deserves some time for reflection.

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed....’

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2); there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas, and those airplanes stay up in the sky because "angels carry them."

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our Cocker Spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watches the planes land, and speculates loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats.
His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never as happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an ‘educated’ person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap... I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

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When you read this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do... there is nothing attached. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. Prayer is powerful. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards.

"FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY."

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Have a GREAT day... remember to pray for peace!
Prairie Pete

Sunday, July 13, 2008

You know, it's kinda sad...

...it's kinda sad when you have to look up your login info because it's been so long since you last logged on!

Hi, sports fans! A lot has happened since I last reported to you! Our church had it's annual outdoor worship service... our nation celebrated a birthday, my 103 grandmother passed away... I've been on vacation to "God's country" (Northern Minnesota)... our summer attendance remains steady and strong... my appreciation for the people who volunteer at PLC to help out with music grows each week, and it's finally summer in the Twin Cities!

Speaking of the Twins, I've enjoyed watching and listening to the games for the most part. Some people thought the team would collapse after losing Torii Hunter and trading Johan Santana...

Did I tell you that I emailed the new Twins GM, Bill Smith, just before the Santana trade went down? I told him that I appreciated the difficulty of deciding which way to go, but that as a loyal fan, I still loved he way the Twins do business and the product they continue to put on the field.

Go Go Gomez is a fun but nerve-wracking watch, Livan is questionable, but I still love my Twins! I love watching "the kids" figure out what it means to be a big leaguer...

Do you remember "Angels in the Outfield?" (Yes, I cried at the end of that movie too, just like I did for "The Parent Trap!") When the little kid kept saying, "It could happen!" It could happen with my Twins! (You can't spell Twins with out WIN!")

There's this great little blog/email letter you should check out... it's from a United Methodist Church in Green Bay, WI of all places... but it's still good!

Here's the link: http:\\soundbites@fumcgb.org; Check it out... I think you'll like it.

Another cool deal is my friend Rob Barrett's "Cooking for Dads." It's a YouTube deal where he helps "dads" (and others!) who might be kitchen-aphobic, and helps them make delicious, healthy meals.

Alright, kiddies... time for bed! Thanks for reading, and I'll catch you next time!

Prairie Pete