My Pal Hal

My Pal Hal

I was sitting in the living room looking out the window keeping an eye on Sparky, our dog, doing his daily duty. All of a sudden I heard this roar of a motorcycle and saw it pull up onto the sidewalk. There it was, a big Harley with two people dressed in leathers, staring at my dog! They got off the bike and walked toward Sparky. It looked everything like a dog snatching. I wasn’t going to let bikers steal my dog! I ran out the door screaming, “Leave my dog alone.”

First impressions aren’t always the best. It wasn’t a dog kidnapping. The bikers were a married couple that lived down the street. Before they moved to Bozeman, they had a Sheltie that look a lot like Sparky. They often saw Sparky in the yard and this time decided to stop and visit. As we began visiting, I was still skeptical; two bikers interested in my dog? Really? Well, like I said what could I do but carry on a conversation with one eye on Sparky.

Looking back, I see how God uses creative circumstances to bring people together. This seemingly chance encounter of dog lovers birthed a friendship that has passed the test of time. Judy and I found out that we not only had dogs in common but a lot more. When Hal and Susan found out that I was a pastor, they decided to try out our church. Not all church people become good friends but this one has.

Hal is not only a good friend but also a confidant. We have travelled to Africa together on a mission trip experiencing what a third world country is really like. For the last six years we have partnered in mentoring a group of young men. Our teaming up, a pastor and an entrepreneur, has brought not only a rich friendship but has encouraged next generation leaders.

Hal, thank you for being my pal and you can come and visit our new Sheltie, Daisy Mae, anytime. The Bible says, “You use steel to sharper steel, and one friend sharpens another.”

Benedicamus Domino Part 2

Benedicamus Domino Part 2

 My years in the seminary were a challenge. For the first time in my life I had a goal. It was a long haul, eight years of study and discipline, neither of which I was good at. What made life easier were the relationships with men who were heading in the same direction.

As I look back to the time when I was a young man in search of my destiny, I remember with fondness those years of preparation. Time has muted my memories of insecurity and fear of whether I would make it all the way to my goal. What I do cherish are the friends I made along the way and the people who encouraged me to keep going.

What I have learned is that the road to the goal is not always a straight one. I had no idea that being ordained a priest was only the first part of a much longer journey. My youthful roadmap did not lay out the full journey that included ups and downs and a lot of turn arounds. I had no idea that I was on a journey far beyond anything I could image. I am grateful I did not know.

Well, now for that Latin phrase “Benedicamus Domino.” I first heard those words at 5am. It was my first morning at the minor seminary. Someone was out in the hallway ringing a noisy bell and screaming those words. In addition to scaring me, it was really annoying. When I opened the door, there stood before me a student holding a bell. I asked him what he was doing and he said it was our wake up call. He then told me I was to respond “Deo Gratias.” I had no idea what he was saying.

Once I had a little Latin 101 under my belt, I was able to translate these words. It was a Roman tradition, carried over to American seminaries, that every morning students are awakened to the sound of a bell and the words “Benedicamus Domino” (Let us bless the Lord). The proper response is “Deo Gratias” (Thanks be to God). Not a bad way to start the day minus the bell!

Benedicamus Domino

Benedicamus Domino

Wow! A little Latin is good for the soul. Not long ago, I can across this phrase in my reading. It immediately brought back a flood of memories. These memories took me back to 1962 right after graduation from high school. So here’s another story.

After graduation I was planning to attend one of the state colleges. I wanted to major in Spanish and Forestry, an interesting combination. Not having any summer plans, I signed up as a junior counselor at a Catholic Boy’s Camp in northern Minnesota. Little did I realize that this job would change the direction of my life.

I love the outdoors and northern Minnesota. I had spent my youth in Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts. I was excited to spend the whole summer in the woods. I discovered that most of the camp counselors were men studying for the priesthood. They spent their summers working with young men. I was impacted by the way these men were friends with one another and how they shared their lives with those they worked with.

As the summer progressed, I sensed a stirring in my heart to forego my college plans and apply at the seminary. I wrote my parents explaining that I was seriously considering studying for the priesthood. They were surprised and somewhat skeptical of my decision. I wasn’t exactly an honor student and barely showed any sign of being religious.

When the summer job ended, I formally applied to the minor seminary to begin my college education. The rector (principal) of the seminary was direct in his interviewing me by saying that I probably would not make it through the school year. My high school grades and my apparent lack of religiousness were the telltale signs of a rough road ahead.

Although the academics were tough, I relished the atmosphere of community life with a specific goal of becoming a priest. The daily discipline of prayer and study took some getting used to. But I finally had a goal for my life.

Oh, the Benedicamus Domino? You have to check out next week’s blog!

Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants

Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants

For a number of years, I travelled overseas to Great Britain. The purpose of these trips was to strengthen relationships with associated churches and to help transition leadership in a South Wales church. Although I have not been there for several years, I cherish the friends I made. Although I was kiddingly referred to as the “cousin from across the sea” or the “Yank,” I was welcomed as a brother in the Lord.

On one of these trips, while I was making a purchase with “their money”, the English pound, I noticed an inscription on the edge of the two-pound coin. It read, “standing on the shoulders of giants.” Intrigued by the phrase, I googled it on my IPad and discovered an interesting story.

Although the phrase goes way back in history, Isaac Newton is the one who is credited for making it popular. Remembering your high school physics class, Newton formulated the laws of motion and gravity. Where upon he wrote these words, “if I had seen further, it is standing on the shoulders of giants.” That inscription made me think.

It is easy for me to forget those who played a part in my life. I am the kind of person who is always looking forward and rarely looking backwards. What Isaac Newton said forced me to take a good, hard look at those who earned the right to speak into my life. A number of those man and women are only with me in memory now. Some I have not seen for a long time. But I will tell you this, God used a lot of people in a lot of circumstances to shape and mold me. By the way, he is not done yet.

More times than I care to remember, I hear myself teaching, preaching or counseling words of wisdom that my grandmother, my parents, my mentors and my friends spoke to me. There is much to say for book knowledge but it is the wisdom that comes from the giants in your life that allow you not only see but go further than you ever dreamed.

Praise God for the giants!

Deep Dark Forest

Deep Dark Forest

As a child I remember that nothing good would be found in the deep, dark forest. That was the place where ogres, witches and goblins lived. To venture into the deep dark forest was putting your life in the hands of those who dwelt there. More than one fairy tale told the sad story of a child who did listen to their parents, ventured into the forest and were never seen again.

Near our home is a small forest with lots of wildlife and a mountain stream running through it. In the summer, the foliage is thick with aspen, scrub pine and assorted brush. A wandering path with lots of bends and dead ends, meets the requirements of a mysterious place. It is a perfect deep dark forest to take our grandkids.

When Abby and Ella were just toddlers, Judy and I would put them in a wagon and head for the forest. At first they were hesitant about going into the woods. Judy would assure them that it was ok while I told them to watch out for the ogres and goblins. The look on their faces was evidence enough.

Now that they are older and able to walk to the forest, they still want Nana and Papa to go with them. As we approach the edge of the woods, the girls instinctively grab our hand. They are excited to take the stroll but not with out a helping hand. It makes Nana and Papa feel needed and important in their lives. Recently, Judy and I took Ella and her two-year-old brother Ben to the forest. Ben is too young to be scared but Ella reached out for Nana’s hand.

I am reminded that everyone needs a safe hand to hold on to as we venture down life’s path. As grownups, we may no longer believe in the fairytale world, but there are enough dark places and unfamiliar trails where the security of a steady hand calms all fears.

The Bible says “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are beside me. Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.”