tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87429534598971133112024-03-05T01:03:53.599-08:00DEALing with My WorldThoughts of mine as I travel this journey.Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-848337288533482042018-09-06T11:03:00.000-07:002018-09-06T11:03:18.584-07:00Be StillSomehow, I wrote this in February and failed to publish it. Perhaps, it wasn't meant to be published until now...<br />
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“Be Still”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tommy Deal, February
28, 2018<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I do not know if I can be
identified as a “Type A” personality, or one who is driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do know is for me to sit still is
odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I were a child today I may be
diagnosed with something that explains my constant moving.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Over the past weekend I found
myself in need of doing “nothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Susan, my wife and life-partner, will tell you that even when we do find
ourselves with a slow, quiet evening at home and we relax in front of the
television catching up on our favorite DVR’d shows that fast-forwarding through
the commercials robs me of the time I have come to desire to get up and “do”
something or “get” something.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes, however, the body
seems to say, “Hey you! Sit!” I found myself like so many others dealing with
“the CRUD.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I first went to our
Convenient Care Center with stuffy head syndrome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a shot where the sun doesn’t shine
and some medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two days later I
literally could not breathe through the sinuses and got in to see the ENT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After thorough examination I was diagnosed
with acute sinusitis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sarcastically
told the doctor there was nothing “cute” about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Working among some highly
qualified medical personnel on Friday I asked one to listen to my lungs to see
if she heard anything unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
morning she said other than one slight crackle in the lower lobe of one side my
breathing was “text-book.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GREAT! I
thought. I am “text book” and beginning to feel lousy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I agreed to go on home for the
afternoon and take it easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What really
bothered me were the plans I had made now needed to be put on hold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking forward to riding-along with
Dalton PD, an opportunity which I look forward to as one of their
Chaplains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then the next day with
promising beautiful weather I was going to hike the trail at Lula Lake with
other associates of our health system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead “be still” was in my forecast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My energy was waning and I could feel tightness in the chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Be Still.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i>
what it means; I just don’t know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>
to accomplish it very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with the
help of my lap companion Chihuahua “Lucy” I proceeded to let the body
rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the afternoon and evening
the chest became more congested, coughing became quite intense and I settled
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susan was spared the brutal moaning,
groaning and violent coughing thanks to our church’s Women’s retreat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I could write and say that this
was a “spiritual” event in which I prayed and fasted, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I never lost my appetite, which is not a
good thing!) My first step was to decide how much TV I was going to
interject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second was to consider
three books I needed to finish. (Oh, did I say I am NOT an avid reader?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading to me can be a chore!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the books are part of my current
involvement in CPE, or Clinical Pastoral Education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other is a book my father had sent to me
about a family from our hometown.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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With the weekend ahead of me I
made a conscious decision to hunker down Saturday and Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was convenient as it would not cost me
leave time from work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got to
Monday, however, I had to decide the cost versus the payoff – 8 hours of paid
annual leave and perhaps be on the road to recovery, or work through it and
continue in this funk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, in
healthcare nobody really wants you coughing all over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three and a half days I spent at home
reading, listening to one book on Audible, watching a movie and napping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most exercise I got was taking Lucy for a
short walk outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I must say that I kind of enjoyed
it – other than the congested, violent coughing spells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never stopped to inventory the minutes I
wasted and should have been doing something constructive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only calculated the investment in time to
ward off the problems the ol’ body was facing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A chest x-ray confirmed no pneumonia; I had no temperature and the
medicines with rest were working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
back up to 100% -- or should I say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MY
100%</i> which is probably about 80%.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems to me that when God said
“Sabbath” he knew what He was talking about. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BE STILL. . .<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-26846696958813922752018-02-19T16:45:00.000-08:002018-02-19T16:45:15.128-08:00Speed Limits
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SPEED LIMITS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tommy Deal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is it about posted speed limits that bother
people?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Or, better yet, why do folks
feel they do not apply to them, that they are merely a suggestion?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And, why are they so apologetic when they get
caught and get a “Blue Light Special?”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I must confess that I may sometimes find that I have
worn my heavy shoes some days.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Particularly when I get out on the interstate and mere survival requires
that I keep up with the flow.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But regularly neighbors in my neighborhood could care less
the posted speed limit is 35 mph. (Disclaimer: I do not live within the city
limits of our great city of Dalton!)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I pull out of
my driveway with no cars within a quarter of a mile from my driveway; I
accelerate to the posted speed and from out of nowhere a neighbor is running
late to drop the kids off at school or get to the office and suddenly I become
the bad guy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At least I must be the bad
guy as evidenced by the friendly gestures and mouthed words sent my way.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I applaud all the efforts our officers give to make us safe,
including stopping some who apparently received their driver’s training from
NASCAR.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It seems that when they are
presented their “certificate of recognition” they are not so much repentant for
their breaking the laws as they are that they got caught.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speed Limits are posted for our safety and good.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Laws are written to give guidance to an order
with which we should live.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Those who
enforce the laws are instruments of maintaining a safe society for
everyone.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are laws of science and nature.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For the most part these are givens within our
world which provide the order with which we live.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Breaking any of these laws, too, have
consequences.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Fall off a ladder and one
will soon find that two laws of nature were broken, and now perhaps they are,
too.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God, too, has given us laws.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>These were not given to limit us or to break us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They were given in hopes that those who
follow them will find God’s original plan of love and grace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Unfortunately, we each think that “a little
over the limit” won’t really matter…unless we get caught.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prophet Micah wrote, “He has shown you, O mortal, what
is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to <span style="margin: 0px;">love</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">mercy</span> and to walk humbly with your God.”</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus, the Christ when quizzed about the greatest
commandment (or law) said, “<span style="margin: 0px;">Love</span>
<span style="margin: 0px;">the</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">Lord</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">God</span> with all <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> heart <span style="margin: 0px;">and</span> with
all <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> soul <span style="margin: 0px;">and</span> with all <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> strength <span style="margin: 0px;">and</span>
with all <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> mind’; <span style="margin: 0px;">and</span>, ‘<span style="margin: 0px;">Love</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">neighbor</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">as</span> <span style="margin: 0px;">your</span>self.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, there is other guidance Holy Scripture gives us and we
should live as it instructs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But I would
surmise that if more of us would just follow these two, this world we live in
would be a much better place. (And, perhaps we wouldn’t be speeding through
life and missing the best parts!)</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-78753493647118553332017-09-19T03:54:00.001-07:002017-09-19T03:54:22.433-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_lc8i4crgmwci"></a><i><span lang="EN" style="color: blue;">Pastoral Care -- A New Perspective<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN">Tommy
Deal, Chaplain, Hamilton Health Care System Hospice, Dalton Georgia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">For over thirty-five years I have attempted to
offer pastoral care to those whom God placed before me through church,
community, compassion ministry, disaster response and now hospice. I have learned and am continuing to learn
that the strongest message spoken in times of care are not words, but presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">Recently I had just finished a week offering
pastoral presence to nineteen hospice patients and their caregivers. The first half of the following week I saw
nine more. Through this ministry of end
of life care I am honored to be present with people who truly are “walking
through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.”
I find each one of these are Holy moments. When it comes to the door this side of
eternity most everyone contemplates where he or she is headed. God is ever-present and in most all of these
times there is a sincere seeking His divine love and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Then, I found myself on a table in the Cardiac
Cath Lab of our hospital. Apparently
what I had surmised as “out of shape old guy syndrome” was just a little more
serious. Over the next fifty-six or more
hours I became the recipient of pastoral care.
Susan, who lovingly and patiently waited on me, soon found she was needing
answers. The hospital Chaplain and
caring fellow hospital associates brokered the securing of information to calm
her concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">Many, many friends from our church, First
Baptist Church of Dalton, Georgia, showed up to check on us, pray with us,
offer their presence and love. Some sat
with me while others went with Susan to the Cafeteria for something to eat.
Many came by and shared their deep concern and love for me. My co-workers wonderfully expressed their
love, appreciation and prayers. The pastoral
staff at our church (minus the Minister of Music, of course!) were present
offering prayers, presence and encouragement.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">The end result of my time in the hospital
resulted in two now unblocked arteries thanks to three stents and a balloon, a
heart attack or worse averted and a “New Lease on Life!” The new insight I have gained is how powerful
and wonderful pastoral care is. Most
everyone of these dear friends near and far are not “professional clergy.” Yet, they earnestly live their lives with an
understanding that they ARE the presence of Christ; that they are called to be
a blessing; that “because they have been given much, they, too, must give.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN">“Thank you!” seems to be inadequate to express
how blessed I am to have experienced each of their (and your) expressions of
love and concern for me. The ol’ ticker
is much better now. However, I am still
an “out of shape old guy.” I guess I
need to work on that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-39543433747524132712017-02-13T17:22:00.001-08:002017-02-13T17:24:30.374-08:00“I’m down…in a Good way!”<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">For several
years I would write a Blog every so often.
Nothing ground-shaking; just my thoughts and ramblings about life as I
was experiencing it. I never knew when
the “spirit would hit me.” But when it did, I would sit down and the thoughts
would brew, the words would percolate up and the fingers smoked as I tried to
put it down before I forgot something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I checked
and my last “DEALingwithmyworld” Blog was over a year ago. And it was full of the pride and joy of
becoming a grandfather. There has been a
lot to write about this last year with their (twin girls!) bubbling into this
joyous life. I just have not taken the
time or have listened to my inner self; oh, and I have been busy—well, who
hasn’t?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, here I
sit with something to write. Again,
nothing earth-shattering nor profound.
Just my musings for my life right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do not
make New Year’s resolutions. Not because
I do not want to improve in some area of my life. It is more about the fear of not
succeeding. We all are amused at those
who pronounce far-reaching resolutions, only to be disheartened by falling
short.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With that
being said, I did come into this New Year (or more accurately I left the
holiday season) uncomfortable, stuffed and not feeling up-to-par. I wasn’t obese, but I knew I was not healthy. My pants were tight and I could barely suck
it in enough to fasten them. I seriously
had reached the last hole on my belts!
My shirt collars would not button.
I literally would get winded walking down the drive way walking the dog
or taking the stairs to my bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While our little nuclear family was
gathered for Christmas I insisted we take a family photo. A tradition, a documentation for years to
come. It became Susan’s and my Christmas
Card. It was great! Susan and I each holding one of our precious
granddaughters, William and Mary Kate, Ragan and Jessica. And it dawned on me: I don’t have one good reason to get healthy;
I have SEVEN! (Eight if you count me!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to be
energetic to be “Tom-Tom,” I want to be fit to enjoy our family get-togethers,
I want to be able to help my sons and their families with home projects,
baby-sitting, etc. Basically, I want to
be around!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve said it
before, “Getting healthy is a state of mind, and the state of mine is pretty
darn good,” now. Seriously, I challenged
myself and began to get healthy by following a healthy diet, receiving
encouragement and support from a health coach and enjoying the successes. (It helps that Susan wanted to as well!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dec. '16</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt0ydRCV0qcud76YWJ0q2nZa8A4CbUbCvMN6AAZraxPznYJfZlLn0kivfsPw99C03VlNSbHmFTgkLKscejBb-CT7FdcFfsdKouMYtRA1_r9nXaUgLTHhMD40cDODMst22AKLt_4i4y92G/s1600/Bust+pic+Feb+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt0ydRCV0qcud76YWJ0q2nZa8A4CbUbCvMN6AAZraxPznYJfZlLn0kivfsPw99C03VlNSbHmFTgkLKscejBb-CT7FdcFfsdKouMYtRA1_r9nXaUgLTHhMD40cDODMst22AKLt_4i4y92G/s200/Bust+pic+Feb+17.jpg" width="129" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Feb. 12, 2017</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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would think I was all neck!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Dec. '16<span style='mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">On the right is me today, four weeks
after starting this journey. I am down
fifteen pounds (five away from my Goal #1 weight), my pants fit, and I’m using
the correct belt holes and the dress shirts button! Best thing is I can walk my driveway and skip
up the steps! It is amazing what fifteen
extra pounds does to one’s body! I am
feeling good, I am feeling good about myself, I have a healthier outlook on
life and my kids and grandkids are going to have to put up with me for a very
long time!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many of you
have kept me going! You’ve seen my
Facebook posts. Thank you for every
“Hoorah” and encouragement you have given.
It has meant a lot! I could not
have done this without my life’s partner, my best friend and my bride by my
side. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one
vital element in all of this that I would like to point out: my health coach! This is a friend who has encouraged me,
advised me, and is on the journey with me (he’s lost over 30 pounds!). He is the key “free” element in what I am
doing. I believe in it so much that I
have decided I, too, want to help others who want to get healthy. If you would be interested in learning more,
or having me as your Health Coach, send me a message, 12tdeal55@gmail.com. <b>“Let’s
talk.”</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-80763156894506054372016-01-10T16:21:00.001-08:002016-01-10T16:21:14.119-08:00"There's Nothing Like it"<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">When our
son, William and his wife, Mary Kate announced to us their pregnancy we were
thrilled to say the least! Our first
grandchild! No, wait, there’s two?!?
Twins!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For months
we have been anticipating their arrival and entering into that holy fraternity
of GRANDPARENTHOOD. Dozens of already
established members of this wonderful society told us repeatedly, “There’s
nothing like it!” or “If I had known it would be this much fun I’d have had my
grands first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I can now
say, “THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT!” If you
follow me, Susan, William, Mary Kate, Ragan or any other relative or friend of
ours you have encountered numerous pictures posted to the wonderful world of
Facebook. Gone are the days of
photographs with film and having to wait a week for development. Praise be to God! Today there is instant gratification and
sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Some have
heard the account of January 3, 2016 from our perspective. It began like any other Sunday just like
yours. You know; you wake up, stretch, drink
your coffee, have some devotional time, walk and feed the dog, shower, dress
for church and find a flat tire on your car!
So, Susan and I take my loyal Toyota truck to church. Having just returned from some extensive time
with families in Virginia and Alabama, and an extension of our time in Alabama
to help with Susan’s mother who fell and broke her hip, we were greeting folks
at church as we entered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">William had
made for me and gifted me at Christmas a “two peas in a pod” lapel pin which I
chose to wear on my suit coat for the first time. Susan and I met our pastor, Bill Ireland in
the hall and he inquired into Susan’s mother’s condition. He then asked about William, Mary Kate and
the babies. We told him the news we
received at Christmas that a date had been set for the C-section: February 2<sup>nd</sup>…and
my phone rang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">On the other
end was William. The timbre of his voice
was higher than normal and syllables were flying by. What we understood him to say was he had just
preached the 8:30 service at his church, had an urgent text from Mary Kate,
another minister copied his sermon and told him she would cover the 11:00
service. He would keep us informed but
would be going to the doctor or the hospital to check to see why Mary Kate was
so sick. (Keep in mind the scheduled
date was a month away and that was even early.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Our pastor
assured Susan, the Minister of Music, that she needed to do whatever she needed
to or wanted to do for her family.
Susan, the wife and expectant grandmother told me, “Go get the flat tire
fixed!” So, off I went, back home,
change clothes, put air in a tire and see what it needed. Ragan, our oldest son was finishing up his
Christmas vacation with us and was still at the house getting ready to come to
church. He drove behind me to find </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">a
tire repair shop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Before we
could get to a tire shop, I received a text from William, “You’re going to be a
‘Tom Tom’ (hopeful name they will call me!) today!” Susan received a different text, “Holy
Smokes! Fully Dialated!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This all
transpired while Susan was preparing the choir to lead in worship. She kept her phone with her and advised the
pastor of the progressive nature of the news.
Everyone encouraged her to go ahead and leave, but remember, she had no
vehicle. We had communicated that she
would leave whenever Ragan could arrive at church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I found no
place open to repair a tire on Sunday and made the decision to drive my truck
to Richmond and not take a chance on the tire, which was holding air. I turned on the radio knowing that our church
service was being broadcasted. Here’s
where it gets good! At 11:25 a.m., the
choir begins singing the anthem, “Benedictus (Blessed is the LORD).” I am driving up the highway back to the house
and those words open up the dam of emotions…at 11:25 – 11:30 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The pastor
begins his sermon from Matthew 2, the account of the Magi’s journey to see the
promised one. He states, “What a joyous
day today has already proven to be.
Susan, Tommy and Ragan are now beginning their journey to go see those
promised precious babies.” Again, the
emotions well up inside and then out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Sweet
Adeline Charlotte Deal and Dorothy Hope Deal were born at 11:28 a.m. and 11:29
a.m. respectively. The</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mhv1wPUWgPu1VEuWWp7St_IDUQK1BVlUzLyD1kr_xj381yRHljDJqsZCv4H7eOOXV6XQ1ck0vpydAqdjtPiU8fQ3hkCbymmWbg-2v3L47Y9swKognwxC_IxCmuugWriiPmbyyzbRnL9f/s1600/IMG_4577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mhv1wPUWgPu1VEuWWp7St_IDUQK1BVlUzLyD1kr_xj381yRHljDJqsZCv4H7eOOXV6XQ1ck0vpydAqdjtPiU8fQ3hkCbymmWbg-2v3L47Y9swKognwxC_IxCmuugWriiPmbyyzbRnL9f/s320/IMG_4577.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
exact moments
that God Himself appointed for their earthly journey to begin, for the choir to
sing “Benedictus” and our pastor to verbally pull it all together. <i>“Blessed
is the LORD!”<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Having now
begun my journey as a grandfather, I agree:
“There’s nothing like it!” (Rest
assured: more will come!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-59740072204785216292015-12-03T14:37:00.000-08:002015-12-03T14:37:16.071-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“I bring you good
tidings…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These words are familiar to most of us, particularly at this
time of year. These are the words of the
angel announcing the birth of the Messiah.
I’ve never actually heard angelic voices, but I know good sounds when I
hear them. Some have even said someone
“sings like an angel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think we all know what that means; don’t we? Hopefully, it is a compliment, basically
applauding one’s rendition of lyrics and melodies that convey a message. I love to sing. I love good singing. I loathe bad singing. The Psalmist reminds us to “Make a joyful
noise to the LORD,” and honestly that is all some of us can do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, what about those shepherds that night? Out of nowhere shows up something (the angel
of the Lord) they had never seen before blasting an announcement with the force
of what we could imagine as a rock band-type sound system volume. And the first words were: “Fear not!”
If I was a shepherd back then, I probably would have said, “Yea, right!”
as I high-tailed it away from there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this grand introduction the voice said to them, “I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” In today’s vernacular, I imagine the angel
saying, “Hey Dudes! Listen up! Have I got something to tell ya!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And…they listened.
Shocked and in awe the shepherds were the first to know that the Savior
of the world had come. They heard; they
believed; they did something (they went to see); and they spread the news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we are in the Advent season, all the world is eagerly waiting
the celebration of the coming of the Christ.
‘Tis the Season for hustle and bustle, for shopping and feasting, for
music and laughter, for giving and receiving of gifts. So many things to do, see and experience,
that when it is all said and done, I wonder if we might miss the whole purpose? Perhaps, there is too much noise and we do
not hear what we really need to hear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are we so busy that we miss the voice calling out,
“Hey! Listen up! There’s something more to this. Don’t miss it! It is for everyone!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-58530449094837454742015-11-02T17:16:00.000-08:002015-11-02T17:16:13.978-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">October 31, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8N2nC6YoBbh15MEBw3qebkOMM8Oi-j4C61R-KUFbgGa41Q0pHXIEe5OjrR6EjHiPA6H10VU28RyR_r6a5YK3gYID__kDYDdwjQQSOyZt029iLgaM7Qs1fWTohM5rAXBXQqJsXU-cT-Qv/s1600/0824151228b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8N2nC6YoBbh15MEBw3qebkOMM8Oi-j4C61R-KUFbgGa41Q0pHXIEe5OjrR6EjHiPA6H10VU28RyR_r6a5YK3gYID__kDYDdwjQQSOyZt029iLgaM7Qs1fWTohM5rAXBXQqJsXU-cT-Qv/s320/0824151228b.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I drive around the beautiful
and spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains I am reminded of the work of God’s
hand. The vibrant and lush colors of Autumn
are popping out; the clear and cool air allows for some awesome views from
overlooks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, as we have gone into the
autumn season, I am reminded of a final summer </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">experience Susan and I had. On Labor Day, we drove to Blue Ridge, Georgia
and up the Toccoa River where we stepped into the cold (yes, cold!) flowing
waters and tubed the Toccoa. What began
as an overcast morning, turned into one of the most beautiful, sunny mornings
that afforded exactly what our bodies, minds and souls needed—nothing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not exactly “nothing,” but for
two and a half hours we did “nothing.”
This “nothing” of an experience, however, reminded me of a few
lessons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One, we all need respite. We live in such a fast-paced,
winner-takes-all society that if we do not stop, rest and retool, we will
quickly burn out. Once I plopped down
into the inflated pink (yes, real men do wear pink!) inner tube, I didn’t have
to decide much of anything. I rested in
physics to take me where I should go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Second, as song writer Jack
Johnson put it, <b>it is better together</b>. As we checked in we were given an additional
strap to tether our tubes so that we could stay connected. We realized that we were on this journey
together, and together it would be fun.
Drifting apart would have meant more energy to attempt to reconnect or
catch up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third, goes along with “second,”
the momentum of one helped when another got stuck. Invariably an obstacle, usually a large rock,
protruded out of the swift moving water and would catch the one in the front.
While this manned inner tube sat there paralyzed against the fighting forces of
rock and rushing water, the tethered inner tube would gently float around and
find the current’s flow around the rock.
Being tethered the “free” tube would persuade the other to follow. And this happened time and again. It didn’t matter which one got stuck, the
other was there to urge forward movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fourth, life vests are for a
purpose. For the most part, I didn’t need
this designer orange floatation device for its purpose, so I used it as a
pillow. Which by the new definition
fulfilled its purpose!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, relying on others,
particularly strangers, is important.
While we did not actually hear “Dueling Banjos” playing, several times I
did wander if the tubing company would actually pick us up at the end and
return us to our car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>Conclusion: </b></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Respite is not only a good thing,
it is God-ordained. Take it when you can;
make it happen for your spiritual, emotional and physical health. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is a journey that cannot and
should not be done solo. Find those
whose life resonates with yours and tether together. You won’t drift apart and when you get stuck,
their momentum will help you along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you cannot fully utilize
something for its designed purpose, maybe there is a secondary function you can
use it for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Relying on others requires
trust. Trust others around you and those
whose paths you cross today to help you achieve today’s goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mostly, go enjoy this adventure
called life.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-28947880956071761502014-12-02T17:10:00.000-08:002014-12-02T17:11:03.716-08:00For Such a Time as This<div class="MsoNormal">
When my friend asked me to read and review his new book, I
was first surprised and amazed! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0B6OrKf0zynuAxfp12OYm8_d4xSh0_U5R3pWyK3r8K0zg0_XyQyXcf6uG6VBU3Pm217IHqIwrj2uVn407aRnXOX7zxdbGcbAyukdxS4rptaClmFQ81keY_o9PjLqq5wIghvia3RugLEP/s1600/For+such+a+time+as+this+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0B6OrKf0zynuAxfp12OYm8_d4xSh0_U5R3pWyK3r8K0zg0_XyQyXcf6uG6VBU3Pm217IHqIwrj2uVn407aRnXOX7zxdbGcbAyukdxS4rptaClmFQ81keY_o9PjLqq5wIghvia3RugLEP/s1600/For+such+a+time+as+this+cover.jpg" /></a></div>
Surprise
was because I had not received such an invitation before. (I have read and reviewed books that have
been “around for a while” and others had shared their insight; but not one just
being published.) Amazement was due to
his trust in me to give some constructive thoughts and encouragement that might
draw others to read.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>For Such a Time as
This…Aligning Church and Leadership for Missional Ministry</i> by Ircel
Harrison is a short, concise book which seeks to encourage the Church – God’s
representation in our society; my church; your church – to BE what it is to
be. Use of the term “missional” is seen
throughout the book speaking of “missional churches” and “missional Christians.” While this is a fairly new term, it is one
which simply means that one is involved in God’s mission – the redemption of
the world. It is not one program or set
way of doing anything. It is being a
redemptive presence in the world in which one finds itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This book is not a resource kit or packaged program one
would use to go and “make” one’s church become missional. It is a small volume filled with
encouragement for the church to do some introspection to determine what it is
doing well, what it is not doing, and what it is doing that no longer is making
an impact on the Kingdom of God.
Harrison writes, “It may mean identifying one thing the church is doing
that is no longer needed and invest that time and energy into a new
outwardly-focused ministry.” I paused to
reflect how many “things” the churches I have been a part of all my life that
continue to do “things” <i>just because.</i> There is no kingdom impact, no one finds a
deeper spiritual journey because of, or other things are not allowed to be
scheduled because of it. What if we were
to face the reality that some things we do once had a meaningful, life-changing
purpose, but now are just someone’s sacred cow of service?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author encourages those who wish to align church and
leadership into missional ministry to think outside the box. “We've never done it that way before,” may
just be the beginning point of that one ministry opportunity right before our
eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Building and empowering leadership is a key the author
writes passionately about. He states
that as a whole the church has done a good job of Bible teaching “but little to
equip lay leaders.” This topic is one
which not only needs more elaboration, but needs volumes written and seminary
courses taught to both new and experienced clergy. The pastoral call from Scripture states to “equip
the saints…” but for many reasons, this role has been overlooked or pushed to
the back of the priority lists. Early
New Testament followers were not elected to a position but were empowered to a
ministry. How can we in church
leadership shift our focus to empower and equip our membership to do the
ministry God has ordained them for?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It <i>IS</i> time for the
church and its leadership to align itself with God for the missional ministry
only they have been called and ordained to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-78006586790714639832014-09-22T12:51:00.004-07:002014-09-22T12:51:50.624-07:00Seasons<div class="MsoNormal">
After living in Orlando, Florida for ten and a half years,
my wife and I longed for seasons other than hot and rainy. Moving to Dalton, Georgia three years ago this
November we were reminded of what we love about this part of the country—four
seasons!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Usually my favorite season is whichever one we are currently
in. There is something great about each
one. But to be honest, I love autumn the
most. It is a time of beauty with
magnificent colors. It is a time of
spice and wonderful smells; it is a great time for drives to Ellijay and Blue
Ridge to enjoy the majesty of our mountains and savor some delicious apples.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Autumn is also called “Fall”. Just that word conjures up certain
images: leaves gently falling from the limbs
of trees persuaded by the wind; lawns needing to be raked; piles of these
multi-colored leaves with children and pets tromping through. Cool, crisp mornings and evenings inviting us
to enjoy “the beauty of God’s wonderful world.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Holy Scriptures, we read in the Book of Ecclesiastes, “There
is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the
heavens.” The God who created
everything, created the seasons as part of His majestic plan. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lives we live seem to have “seasons” as well.” It seems that the “season” I am in is
autumn. That doesn't mean that I’m at
the end of my life. But I do realize
that I’m not a “spring chicken” anymore either.
I have lived quite a few seasons and I cherish the many memories I have
had. I have survived the season of
growing up; I completed the education
and training necessary for my chosen vocation;
I married and raised a family; my wife and I are enjoying the empty nest
and along with that the joy of visits of our adult children. One day we will enjoy grandchildren, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life as we have been blessed with is to be lived to its
fullest. To each person, that takes on
different meanings. What is it that
gives meaning to your life? What do you
need to make that happen? What season of
life are you currently in? How can you
make this season your favorite?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>God, Creator of life
and seasons, guide us as we go about our days helping us to find those whose seasons are troubling and give us the compassion to offer them a hand and a shoulder to help. Remind us each of Your promise of "Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!" AMEN!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-6104525646904313362013-12-05T05:42:00.001-08:002013-12-05T05:46:29.802-08:00WAIT!<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Celebrating Advent means being
able to wait. Waiting is an art that our
impatient age has forgotten. It wants to
break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often the greedy eyes are only
deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and
disrespectful hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">~Dietrich
Bonhoeffer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">One of
my fondest childhood memories is of the brisk autumn days when my cousin and I
would play football in the yard. With
ditches and trees as our only boundaries we would play hard with visions of being
the next Johnny Unitas or Raymond Berry (Yes, I know that dates me!). I dreamed of one day wearing one of those
fully recognizable white and some shade of gray uniform—this was by the way
before color TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">After
many “Hail Mary” TD passes and tackles into the muddy ditch, we would take our
“half-time break” under the pecan tree (pronounced Pee-can where I grew
up!) There we would look for a fresh nut
to crack open with our bare hands and savor the fruit. Too many times we tried to rush our
fulfillment as the nuts were not quite ready; they were still in the green
hull. Not only were they almost
impossible to crack open, they weren’t any good when we did. It wasn’t until we were much older around ten
that we realized we needed to wait until they were ready—the husk turns black,
pops open and the nut falls out with minor persuasion (like a football spiral
flung up into the branches!) Then, and
only then, were we rewarded with the snack of champions we hoped for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Like
Bonhoeffer stated, this “Advent” thing is about waiting—waiting patiently until
just the right time. Our calendars, and
way too many merchants, remind us that the “right time” is December 25<sup>th</sup>. In all truth, the “right time” was when God
chose to Be human kind’s redemption, to enter not triumphantly as expected, to
grow and live among us, to pay the ultimate death for sin, and overcame death
so that all who believe may receive God’s Grace and redemption!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oh, and
something else happened to me about the same time as the football and pecans—at
just the right time for me: I realized my need for this One whom we are trying
to celebrate this month. <i>“Trying?” </i> Yes, unfortunately we almost overlook the
whole Reason for the Season. It is at
this time of year in which we as Believers have the most perfect opportunities
to help another whose time is now to believe, if they only had another to
witness, testify, invite or encourage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">May we
all see the opportunities before us to help ripened fruit fall safely into the
loving arms of the One who came in Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">This post originally ran
on the ABPnews Blog (</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.abpnews.com/blog" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">www.abpnews.com/blog</span></a>)<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">& </span><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #3366ff; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://dealingwithmyworld.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com</span></a></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-83521908938192984392013-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:002013-08-26T16:47:10.199-07:00The Trails of Life<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year I blogged about a “new adventure” I had
undertaken—hiking. Unfortunately I have
not kept up with it like I had wished.
However, recently on vacation my wife and I decided it would be a good
“exercise” for us. So, we chose the
“short” trail. Short? Yes, yet straight
up! During this short, yet strenuous hike I had several observations, several
parallels to life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hiking is <b>better with
a companion</b>. If the other person is
in the lead, you can watch where they step.
Why make the same misstep? If you
do slip and fall, they can pick you up when you fall. And probably the best reason: they encourage
you to continue. (“Just a little bit
farther.” “You can do it!”) We need companions in life, too. As a Christian fellow disciples help “disciple”
others encouraging to walk in Christ’s Light.
There is something strengthening to meet with, gather with, other
like-minded believers. We call this “church.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUYsD5LOwyBKFNDzY6eYM7th-x0edJCpteCNKNm5UEGWtXf1GDFgwisWkaJ00OgoKztJFzQ_LCSZgyHLYFce8avNyobjE1EGOXuGac22HIr9J_YTFQUlhRYc7PXTg99eNRYn62DLQ7VGq/s1600/2013-08-01+12.38.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUYsD5LOwyBKFNDzY6eYM7th-x0edJCpteCNKNm5UEGWtXf1GDFgwisWkaJ00OgoKztJFzQ_LCSZgyHLYFce8avNyobjE1EGOXuGac22HIr9J_YTFQUlhRYc7PXTg99eNRYn62DLQ7VGq/s1600/2013-08-01+12.38.00.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p>On a trail <b>steps can
be treacherous</b>. What looks like a
dry rock can be slippery. If your
companion makes a misstep, you choose to either follow or step somewhere else. You choose to step in their footprints or
take another. Regardless of steps, no
path is straight. When I considered the
actual places I stepped, the path of my footprints looked more like the
slithering of a snake. I ended up at the
end of the trail, but due to choosing where each step was to be placed I
“wriggled” all along the path. When a
friend stumbles in life, I am there not to judge and condemn, but to lend a
hand to help them regain their foothold and to assure they won’t stumble
again. I watch carefully my own
spiritual journey and hopefully learn from their mistake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Path choices can be
wrong</b>; you can learn from them. You
need to have an idea where you are going and choose the path best suited for
YOU to get there. After getting deep
into the woods and up the mountain it is not real comforting to hear, “I’m not
sure where this will lead…” or “It looked “good/right”. I thought it would lead me to where I wanted
to go.” What does one do when they find
they have gone down the wrong path?
Well, you try to correct the error.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk36Y5nQTn288pwwUVcyTLKHIi8S5Y2iLgEiaWjICCPO84-cYsrJLlP-UMjyJ3aYs1u6azWBf2iqnajdd5102ZgluVXhSs9e4Legh-bDttm8egL08l0Uo9PADCj6hDYhnuAN1WCx_mPVGU/s1600/2013-08-01+14.06.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk36Y5nQTn288pwwUVcyTLKHIi8S5Y2iLgEiaWjICCPO84-cYsrJLlP-UMjyJ3aYs1u6azWBf2iqnajdd5102ZgluVXhSs9e4Legh-bDttm8egL08l0Uo9PADCj6hDYhnuAN1WCx_mPVGU/s1600/2013-08-01+14.06.36.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Trail map is
mandatory</b>. Someone who knows this
area better than me has mapped out a pretty good guide to use. A well-worn
trail map can be your friend. At the end
of the journey you look at it and realize how often you referred to it. What is the “trail map” I use for my
life? As a Christian, the Bible is my trail
map. Oh, how I wish I referred to it
more often! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9TbzqegT5l8eXSUrdfOb9lrhTCReeJef3Uar2DoLkZBnSCUlDirwoMYfqirY9kV6jB3CpkI9x3NM_OwaLhXabxNGSSQsrSPnTXIjzAHDdyb3kTjlNkLatWgrXamYsKQMSiV7wShPk8Jj/s1600/2013-08-01+12.40.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9TbzqegT5l8eXSUrdfOb9lrhTCReeJef3Uar2DoLkZBnSCUlDirwoMYfqirY9kV6jB3CpkI9x3NM_OwaLhXabxNGSSQsrSPnTXIjzAHDdyb3kTjlNkLatWgrXamYsKQMSiV7wShPk8Jj/s1600/2013-08-01+12.40.16.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Using a trail map and
noting the well-placed signs along the way are helpful</b>. They help to confirm that you are still on
the chosen path and you haven’t ventured off your planned course. They are also placed at appropriate
intersections to help one determine the direction to go. There were several times we couldn’t find the
friendly red mark on a tree we were to follow so we slowed down until we did. Life is full of changes and constantly
monitoring <b>one’s direction is important
to attain one’s goals.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Even though I’ve done
this before, I had to start over</b>. If
in my previous treks I had begun to build stamina and/or muscle, they were long
gone since I had not kept up with it. In
my Christian life, I fail many times keeping up the “walk” that should go along
with my “talk.” When I do, I realize
that I have to go back to the basics and not try to run all at once. The good news is that I am always welcomed
back!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The climb is worth
the view</b>. The sore muscles, the
profuse sweating, the racing heart and gasping for oxygen all begin to bring
doubt to one’s mind. <i>Turn around.
You’re a fool. Go back and have a
Coke and a cookie.</i> With the
encouragement of a companion, the signs of direction, the beautiful reminders
of God’s beautiful creation along the way you trudge on, hoping that it will be
worth it. You have to rest along the
way, but you do not give up. And when
you do reach the top it is confirmed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmajYMVENrebIb3Agtw2QhoI5WKNPccxUC0R8xfiab_m6LpSMTs4N-8Qf12UPepPg5R9OzTum3AJJQeVdDw7Wdg3zVDnlZlzIIjvzSJh9WWt2le9_1ShO-WvbAoEdc5Io2OD0wQnZod0Wp/s1600/2013-08-01+12.22.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmajYMVENrebIb3Agtw2QhoI5WKNPccxUC0R8xfiab_m6LpSMTs4N-8Qf12UPepPg5R9OzTum3AJJQeVdDw7Wdg3zVDnlZlzIIjvzSJh9WWt2le9_1ShO-WvbAoEdc5Io2OD0wQnZod0Wp/s1600/2013-08-01+12.22.42.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You gasp, you soak it all in. You see, experience and breathe in the
“Majesty and Glory of His Name.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a time you realize you have to go back. The trip back down is yet another journey. And you thought the steps UP were
treacherous!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-80620908953598954522013-06-05T09:47:00.003-07:002013-06-05T09:47:31.786-07:00There's a Hole!What you may not know about me is that my ministry “day job”
is to give leadership to my church fellowship’s national disaster
response. In this role I interact with
our churches, other churches and faith-groups, NGO’s and voluntary
organizations active in disasters. I
have just returned from Oklahoma where not only did I see the devastation, we
had to seek shelter from another one while I was there.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently my wife and I moved into a new home. We all are aware that when you do, you spend
weeks (no months!) doing “things.” Things
like installing blinds, hanging pictures, arranging (and re-arranging)
furniture, etc. I began a task that I
had put off as long as I could—installing towel racks and toilet paper
holders. You know the drill---measure
twice cut (or in this case “drill”) once. I pride myself in being pretty savvy at these
things, so I venture in with all of my wisdom and expertise. Well, the very first towel ring over the sink
in the guest bathroom created for me my dilemma. I failed to look at the diagram correctly and
see that the holes should be vertical, nor horizontal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s right! An unnecessary
3/16” hole on the bathroom wall! I
quickly determined that I could use one, mark another in the correct location
and continue. But there was this hole
staring at me. I began to fume,
religiously of course, at myself and get disgusted at my error and that I had
to do the job anyway. I was flustered
that I was having to concern myself with putting these things up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, I heard a voice inside of me (really, I did!) say, “At
least you have a wall to mount one on.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh boy! That does it;
humbled to my core. There I was
distraught over a silly 3/16” hole in the wall and I knew of people who only
wished there home was still standing.
How could I be so caught up in my own little world?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all do this from time to time. We get so caught up in our own little
problems and fail to see the larger, more brilliant picture God has put out
before us. The old hymn “Count Your Many
Blessings” comes to mind and I do need to stop, even right now, and do that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-16575781058295749482013-04-08T12:46:00.003-07:002013-04-08T12:46:58.926-07:00Nothing…Nada…Zip<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I and many others traveling on this third rock from the sun
this past week have had very vivid and personal reminders of what someone did
for us long ago. Yes, Jesus of Nazareth—the Christ, suffered and died on a
cross for my sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Tony Campolo
titled one of his books, “It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!” we who are on this
side of The Resurrection know that the grave could not hold Him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I spent this week reading, studying and teaching a class at
my church on Easter Sunday about the passion and the suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Henri Nouwen put it, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided
participating in your death?” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even
watched the finale of “The Bible” on the History Channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I saw mirrored what I had felt through
the week: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how could any person endure
such agony?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The temptation here is to get all “preachy” and
philosophical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to get personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know because we have heard it said all our
lives that “Jesus did it all for me,” etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But seriously, he did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to
wonder if I could endure the beatings, the whipping, the flogging, the trudging
up to Calvary carrying my death-causing lumber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No, I couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet, what if only one of my sins put me there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like us all, there are many to choose from. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But think for a moment of only one (it doesn’t
have to be one of the “big ones”) and realize crucifixion is what we
deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, Christ chose to take my
place!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sang “He Chose to Die” during our Maundy Thursday
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ, being fully God, could
have “called ten thousand angels” and zapped ‘em all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would have proved a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But love prevailed and he chose the suffering
servant role.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast forward back to today in the twenty-first century and
after this high holy week we Christians will return to our disciple-type of
arguing over who is the best in His Kingdom and who will get the choice seats
in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure that I don’t
get it all right, yet neither do you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still we voice our opinions as “gospel truth” and demean another
follower of Christ as a lesser Christian because he or she sees an issue
(usually a social one) differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, I have lived that kind of discipleship—one in which I was
sure my interpretation was Biblical and anyone who saw it differently was wrong
and really couldn’t be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i>
Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I sense that now from
others, I wonder what happened to the “love one another” command Jesus gave to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure he meant it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I describe myself now as a Romans 8 Christian. To summarize,
this passage says that nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in
Christ Jesus my Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nada!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t name one thing that can negate my
relationship with Jesus Christ—and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
is a very good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-71338869415067082162012-12-24T16:43:00.000-08:002012-12-24T16:43:28.110-08:00Music fills the air!<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is the universal language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music is prevalent during this festive time
of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music is imperative for a soul
to really “sing.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is very much a part of my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melodies and harmonies abound around a family
who all love to sing and whose Matriarch (my lovely wife) is a Minister of
Music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are in the midst of providing music for our church and
community and this year we are experiencing everything from Lessons and Carols
to the John Rutter <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gloria</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have observed the music which lovely
little ladies of our community have danced and have sung along with the local
community orchestra.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is less festive, I believe, without music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I love it when the radio stations
begin their round-the-clock playing of Christmas “tunes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit in my office with one station playing
them now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I am drawn to this year, however, is not the
“Fa-la-la-la-las” but the intricacies of the crafted joining together of notes
and rhythms and words to convey a message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have attended the concert of our local community’s orchestra, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">L’abri</i> twice—once for their annual
Christmas concert and then for a special venue with our church’s senior
adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was this second one that drew
me in more than any other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat at one
of the closest tables to the orchestra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, it was pretty close to the conductor’s sweat produced by his
wonderful leadership.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the very first time ever my point of view allowed me to
see up close and personal the violins, violas and cellos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the expressions on the faces of the
instrumentalists as they purposely and perfectly produced the notes in sync; I
saw their fingers and hands meticulously touch the strings to produce the
differing notes; I saw the bows eloquently glide across the strings creating
the sounds that, when placed all together, captured my ear, my mind and my
soul.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is more than notes or rhythms. It is the carefully
crafted, beautifully placed mixture of each individual’s unique touch and
perspective marrying their desires for the same beautiful outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music of this season sings on in our hearts
because we all know the tunes so well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Music is a beautiful analogy for living in community with
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As co-inhabitants of this
wonderful planet we should applaud each other’s’ contributions and listen for
the harmonies they bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many
times, however, we tend to only hear the discord of those who may be different
than us, go about life in a “peculiar way,” or tend to listen to the beat of a
different drummer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe during this Holy Season we should just stop and
listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This post originally ran on the ABPnews Blog (link to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.abpnews.com/blog%C2%A0&%20DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">www.abpnews.com/blog & DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com</span></a></span><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-40666710530683304282012-11-10T06:34:00.002-08:002012-11-10T06:34:56.796-08:00Praying behind his back<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recently my
family was honored to participate in my son’s ordination to the Gospel
ministry. After heeding a call from God,
enduring seven years of higher education and gaining quality experiences, his
church in Topeka, Kansas felt it was time to “set him apart” in the Baptist
tradition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His friend and colleague brought the “Charge to the
Congregation.” Traditionally, these are
words aptly spoken to remind the church what they were doing and what they
should consider by this special recognition.
While typical admonitions to encourage and support this newly ordained
minister were given, what rang out loud and clear to me was “pray for him
behind his back.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all too many human interactions we are all too fast to
talk, act and do things about another without including them, i.e., “behind
their back.” His encouragement was
before your speak to him face to face, be sure you have prayed for him behind
his back, or without his knowledge. His
counsel was that if we were prone to do this, we would more likely have less to
“attack” another from the front side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is good advice for all congregants and their
ministers. Heck, it is good advice for
every family member towards others in the family! I sense that if we did more “praying for
others behind their backs” we wouldn’t so willingly sling fiery darts their way
attempting to burn down their good works or character.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps this is good advice for us and our newly elected and
incumbent officials. If all of us spent
at least half the time we criticized in prayer for the person, I believe God
would hear our prayers. When we actually approach the Throne of the Most High God on
behalf of someone else, we just might begin to see her as a child of God just
like ourselves. We may even see that he,
although frail like me, is attempting to hear God as best he knows how.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little novel I read once had a statement that I have adapted
as my personal mission statement: <i>Help people get to know Jesus better and let
Him change them from the inside out.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps I should stop now and pray for you. Will you also pray for me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This post originally ran on the ABPnews Blog
(link to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.abpnews.com/blog%C2%A0&%20DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.abpnews.com/blog &
DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com</span></a></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-23561586185477473682012-10-02T08:44:00.000-07:002012-10-02T08:45:45.441-07:00Long, long ago and far, far away...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember a day when one would get in trouble for passing
handwritten notes in class! I also
remember the first time a girl passed me one—be still my heart! Yes, I also remember black and white TV with
a dial for 13 VHF and UHF channels if you were lucky enough to “receive” any
with aluminum foil-enhanced rabbit ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember cars with no air conditioning or cruise control
and only AM radios. I remember being
sent to my room when “Laugh-in” and “Love American Style” was on. I also remember our first color TV, an RCA,
and when it “gave up the ghost” one summer—what’s a guy to do!!! Well, my parents had bought a full set of
World Book Encyclopedias, so I started in “A”.
I didn’t read every word and it certainly did not help me on my SAT
score later on! But my eyes were open to
a whole wide world (the first www) that had before been so far away. For a fifth grader those transparency
drawings in “H” for human body began to really educate me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus fondly. I was quite good with math and formulas were
solved “long-hand” and on paper. As a
senior in high school I was introduced to the marvel now vaguely remembered as
a slide rule. I am still amazed how that
thing actually worked. Who figured that
thing out?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember college chemistry class and having to formulate
and calculate before I had a calculator.
In fact, it was Christmas of my freshman year of college asking for a
pocket calculator with scientific notation.
You would think I had asked for a Corvette Stingray. Those little gems, manufactured by Texas
Instruments, cost a fortune. Luckily
Santa Claus found a Montgomery Ward model of the TI calculator for about half
the price and I passed the last half of Chemistry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I typed many of my college papers on a portable manual
typewriter. In seminary I was allowed to
use the church’s IBM Selectric typewriter with backspace correction. And, let’s not forget Kate Turabian?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember meeting my future father-in-law who had his very
own Apple MacIntosh computer in their home.
I remember the first PC I had in my office in a church—it had the most
impressive dark green screen on which bright light green letters would flash up
when I typed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward now into the twenty-first century. (I remember when I thought it was so far, far
away, too!) I have a PC and a laptop
computer in my home, my wife has an iPad, and we both carry on our hips “smart
phones”—all of this keeps us instantly connected to our world. If we have a question about a topic or wonder
where an expression comes from, we “Google” it and obtain the knowledge
desired. We post on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and other social media our updates and we send and receive our
emails—instantly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have caught on to the craze.
I’m hooked. I have expanded my
sphere of influence, or those who know what I’m up to, a hundred-fold with my
posts and updates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I found it interesting that Twitter CEO
announced enhancements to come as a result of users wanting their profiles to
be more personal. I say, “Duh! Read my
update.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to remind myself constantly that even though this
world is flying by, God still whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.”<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">This post originally ran on the ABPnews Blog (link to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.abpnews.com/blog%C2%A0&%20DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">www.abpnews.com/blog & DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">.</span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-86241220368482403212012-08-16T09:42:00.004-07:002012-08-16T09:43:08.048-07:00Tweet this, Facebook that<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is my life worth?
Is it all based on the perception of “friends” who read my posts on
Facebook? Do I need to be sure they know
how I <i>really</i> feel about my LORD or
politics? And, what if I don’t “copy and
paste” into my status to prove my love and submission to God?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find it interesting to read posts on Facebook these
days. Yes, there are friends who I envy
because of the life of leisure they are now able to live (or that’s all they
choose to post about.) There are those
who pass along helpful posts and links from renowned authors. Friends let me know about the significant
life milestones going on. I read and
cherish each one; really I do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are also a myriad of political and pseudo-spiritual
diatribes being espoused as well. While
I support the right of everyone to have feelings, thoughts and opinions about
the happenings of our world, I am growing weary of posts which fane the
sickness of one political party or philosophy over another; the “we are better
than you are” mentality of one thought-process over another; the “world is
going to hell in a hand basket” if you support the other candidate opinions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of this is to be expected during an election year. I joined “Facebook” four years ago and
wondered about this then. In fact,
reading some of the posts then influenced my stating my political views in
status as the Nike brand’s “Just Do It.”
Yes, I am concerned about our nation and who is leading it; but short of
a new revolution, I’m not sure much will change. I am more convinced that expressing my
opinions on Facebook will not actually influence a change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suspect, too, that whatever I choose to express will put
me in the “de-friend” category from some of my closest Facebook friends. So, why risk it? I’ve just found a bunch of them after many
years of separation and I rather enjoy catching up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, Twitter keeps life simpler—or shorter as
the case may be. If I “tweet” I am
limited to 140 characters. I couldn’t
even finish this blog with that limitation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would rather live my life attempting to please the LORD;
and to do that I don’t need Facebook, Twitter, or email (although many times I
wish He would send my answer this way.)
I don’t need current technology to report to Him my downfalls—He sees
all and knows all. I don’t need to
report to Him that I agree with or disagree with the current popular “right”
way of thinking. What I suspect I <i>DO</i> need to do is treat every person I
meet with respect, dignity and love.
They need to see and hear Christ living through me. “They’ll know we are Christians by our
love.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“No, nothing can
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.” </i> (Romans 8:38-39)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m going to eat my tuna fish salad sandwich on my back
porch now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This post originally ran
on the ABPnews Blog (link to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.abpnews.com/blog%C2%A0&%20DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.abpnews.com/blog &
DEALingwithmyworld.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-79268912992257131342012-07-13T08:06:00.000-07:002012-07-13T08:06:14.007-07:00Time Keeps on Slippin' Into the Future<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
24 hours =
1 day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
168 hours =
1 week</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
627 hours,
720 hours, 744 hours = 1 month depending on calendar (except leap year)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8,760 hours
= 1 year (note above)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
495,670
hours (approx.) = my life thus far</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time Management. What
did I do today? Did I earn my pay? Have I wasted time? How has my productivity been? Did I give ample, adequate and quality time
to my wife? My children? Prayer?
Bible study? Service to
others? Recreation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not punch a clock—for that I am grateful. I admire those who do; they know that to do
their “job” they must log certain amount of time. It may be 9 – 5. It may be split shifts. It may be rotating shifts (oh the sleep
deprivation!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Others’ “job” is to accomplish certain tasks and they may or
may not use a calendar or time piece to gauge their work. Farmers, for example, know that the ground
must be tilled and prepared at a certain time, perhaps with a certain amount of
moisture or temperature. Seed should be
planted at the “appropriate time” to better the chances of a successful
crop. During the growing “time” or
season care must be given to the crop by weeding, pest control, and
irrigation. And then at the most
very-right time, harvest!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My “work” is a mixture of things nowadays. I affectionately call it “spinning plates in
the air.” Much of what I “do” relates to
each other; so I struggle over assuring I give each one all the appropriate
time and attention they deserve. It is
not much different than being fully engaged in local congregation employment
(those of us who do or have done know that to be true!) But one of the struggles I have been dealing
with has been managing my time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The song that is on “repeat” in my mind is the Steve Miller
Band’s <i>Time Keeps on Slippin’ Into the
Future.</i> With every beat of my heart,
the clock ticks and this second is no longer the last second, and so
forth. Jim Croce recorded another song <i>Time in a Bottle</i> in which he sings, “But
there never seems to be enough time, To do the things you want to do, Once you
find them.”</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><br />
So, I am working hard
to relax in the day, do what I can, consider the things I missed and
re-evaluate how much stress I place on myself to get it all done. I am reading back over this now and just got
tired. I think I’ll take a break now!<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-86189525536658966632012-06-18T11:03:00.000-07:002012-06-18T11:03:11.325-07:00ABBA, Father, Dad, Daddy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having just participated in yet another “Hallmark-inspired
holiday” I am reminded how fortunate I am that God gave to me the parents that
He did. In all of the male and female
homo sapien combinations that have come together, I was blessed beyond measure
to receive the best parents ever. (You
can’t argue with me; this is My Blog and my opinion!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like millions of others, I phoned my Dad and wished him a “Happy
Father’s Day!” I told him that I love
him and am thankful for all he has done for me.
I, too, was the recipient of such affection from my two sons. A Dad couldn’t be prouder of his offspring
than I am of mine! (Again, My Blog, my
opinion!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love my Dad. He was
a good provider and mostly a good example of life, love and consistency. My relationship with him is such that I call
him the affectionate “Daddy” and “Dad” with enthusiasm. No formal “Father” for me. In fact, he would probably stumble wondering
who it was calling him that! Daddy
taught me a lot. He probably won’t admit
it, but he did! To borrow inspiration
from an article I read in Sunday’s paper, here are a few things my Dad taught
me:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">Dad taught me how to tie a tie—a full Windsor knot.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in;">A classy dresser, he always knew how to dress
up.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Speaking of dressing up, he taught me how to shine my
shoes.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">(Which I don’t do quite as often
as I should!)</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Saturday night I pulled
out the shoeshine kit and did a number on several pairs of shoes and strolled
down memory lane of many Saturday nights on Shell Road shining shoes and
watching “Lawrence Welk.”</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">He taught me that a well-manicured yard communicated that
you cared—for your surroundings, your neighbors and the world.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Dad took care of his cars so that they would take care of
him.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">A well-maintained auto drives many
more miles than one not so well-maintained.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">A clean car even rides better.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">It is better to give than to receive.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Dad was invested in his community.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">The fire department and rescue services in my
hometown are a result of his, and others like him, desire to help his neighbors
in time of crisis.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Church attendance, active participation and mostly being a
follower of Christ is paramount to getting through this life and ready for the
next.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Consistent, persistent unwavering love for wife and family
is important enough that nothing should stand in its way.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you, Daddy, for loving Momma, Cheryl,
me, your grandkids, brother, sister, parents, in-laws, cousins, etc., etc. in
such a wonderful way!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t feel pressure by the greeting card industry to share
my affection for my father. Although we
live miles apart, we speak regularly on the phone “just to hear” each other’s
voices. We don’t wait until the annual
opportunity to send a card to say “I love you.”
We say it often each time we talk.
He always insists that I share “his love with the family.” To which they know Papaw means what he says!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you, Dad!</div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-18257862316192843002012-06-05T06:18:00.002-07:002012-06-05T06:18:42.195-07:00Feasting on Elephants<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having started out on many journeys I have learned that if I
kept thinking about how long it will be, it will not be fun at all. Whether it is a long drive across many
states, or a hike up the nearest mountain trail, to begin is an arduous task
unto itself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, before the ignition is started or the first step taken
one must know what the final destination is.
This is paramount to set the course.
My mantra on a “journey” is becoming “one step at a time.” Or as one wise sage once queried, <i>“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went for a walk the other day around our
neighborhood. The path I chose was one I
had done several times before. I began
down a slight decline of the street we live on, then a slight incline followed
by another longer decline. Oh, this is
easy, I thought. Then, I reached the
bottom and remembered, I live at the pinnacle of this “mountain” and I will
have to get back up there!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like I said, I’ve done this path before and the climb was
not a memorable one. I recalled the
strenuous steps it required and the conscientious sucking for oxygen. I looked up and thought I would never make it
back to the top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUR6quShAfJCFJ1-KbSpRykZL_zvf5XHy23dVe5JjF6qRujoJej4HhFriht-e_q7RScgcccuXD7ky_gNPnLRJBGHu6IAa4TJvjxxX_vZOjL5Z4QdjthAaUXC1KKLuLPhHmHh6ZRj1Wchc/s1600/appltrl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUR6quShAfJCFJ1-KbSpRykZL_zvf5XHy23dVe5JjF6qRujoJej4HhFriht-e_q7RScgcccuXD7ky_gNPnLRJBGHu6IAa4TJvjxxX_vZOjL5Z4QdjthAaUXC1KKLuLPhHmHh6ZRj1Wchc/s320/appltrl.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This time instead of looking ahead at the “out of reach”
goal, I began to look to my right and to my left observing the woods and the
creek below. As I took the steps up the
path, I watched birds, squirrels and rabbits going about their routines. A neighbor drove by and we both raised a hand
in greeting. Before I knew it I had once
again returned to the pinnacle. Oh, I
was still sucking for air, but the journey became more than getting from point “a”
to point “B.” (Capitalization intended for emphasis of the climb!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Too many times in my going about “living” I have missed “life”
as it has gone by. Is it my age? Is it my new surroundings? Or the paradigm shift I am experiencing? Regardless, I am living into the “stopping
and smelling the roses” right now. This
is hard, very hard, for a task-oriented person.
It is hard to justify checking off the to-do list “enjoying life.” It may not generate income or impact my
little world, but it is helping me to experience God’s creation in a new and
refreshing way.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The elephant will still be eaten, and since I can’t swallow
it whole, I might as well savor each morsel of the feast…one bite at a time.</div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-17459245890619786122012-05-20T13:50:00.000-07:002012-05-20T13:51:05.082-07:00Blue Bloods<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are TV shows that I have come to enjoy some for their
content, some for their humor, and mostly all for their entertainment. Those which are my “favorites” I set up the
DVR to assure I don’t miss them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my favorites now is “Blue Bloods” starring Tom
Seleck. It is a typical Cop show which I
have always been a fan of. It is in New
York City which I enjoy seeing the scenes after spending some time there. It is about somewhat real stories of real people
in the profession of law enforcement in a big city.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, its stories are centered on a whole family who are
involved in all levels of crime fighting.
One son is just beginning as a rookie cop. Another is a tenured detective. A daughter is a prosecutor in the District
Attorney’s office. The father, played by
Seleck, is the Police Commissioner. Oh,
and if that isn’t enough, his father is a retired police commissioner.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What I have come to look forward to in each episode is the
last few minutes. At the end of every
show the entire family has gathered together around the dinner table at the
father’s (Seleck’s) home. There is
normal sibling banter going on; inquisitive young children trying to figure out
some of the “code talk” the adults are doing; and grandpa usually has a calming
word to offer. What impresses me is they
are being “family.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Some of my best family memories revolve around the family dinner
table. Whether it was at Grandmamma and
Granddaddy Daniel’s on Sunday afternoon, the Deal clan coming from all over to
the Deep Creek Community Hall, or at Mom and Dad’s, eating a meal together
brought us together. There we would
joke, share stories, learn about our family history. There I learned table manners (after many,
many failures, I am sure!) There I
learned I was accepted and loved, and that everyone around the table was part
of my family.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The “Blue Bloods” family argues how to uphold the laws and
sometimes differ greatly. But, one thing
is sure, differences do not divide them.
No one is divorced from the family, or sent to their rooms until they repent, because of their opinions expressed
or views on how the world revolves or who is in an elected office.</div>
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I wish I could say that is true for my family. Not my family of blood and marriage; my faith
family. I have witnessed too many times
brothers and sisters who feast at the same table of our LORD Jesus Christ
differ on issues of politics or interpretation of Scripture. Sometimes we grow from these dialogues; most
of the time we get up from the table still “family.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, there are times that sadden our LORD as He watches
His family differ on issues yet cannot continue to love one another, cannot
accept someone who is different than themselves, who cannot fathom that someone
who believes <i>that way</i> can really be a
Christ-follower. In essence they
subscribe to the “divorce-is-the-only-solution” philosophy and our
collaborative witness to a world needing Grace is too often lost.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn’t the Christian faith one that is built around
blood? Isn’t it said, “blood is thicker
than water?” How is it that these “blue
bloods” exhibit how to live with differences better than those of us who are
washed in the red blood of Jesus Christ?</div>
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<br /></div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-31010076659852858502012-05-07T15:30:00.001-07:002012-05-07T15:30:30.372-07:00Nuts Don’t Fall Far From the Tree<br />
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Early in the ‘90’s we lived in the parsonage of Mount Hermon
Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.
The front yard was full of tall, mature pecan trees. Many times now my family of four will recall
the fall days when we would go out and pick up all the pecans we wanted. However, we wanted more than those on the
ground. We wanted the ones that were
still hanging on by a thin fiber inside the wide-opened black outer shell.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, we got creative.
We would jump up and catch a limb and shake, shake, shake. The boys were little and we made a game of
running and picking up as many as we could.
Later we would desire ones that were even higher. One of the boys went inside and got a football. They would throw it up and hit one or
two. Then, Dad got rambunctious and
began punting the ball up high into the tree.
Soon we were pummeled by dozens of hard shelled pecans. Keeping the football theme the boys ran
inside and got their football helmets to protect their heads from the
hail-storm of nuts coming out of the tree.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several things are for sure.
We had lots of nuts to eat, cook with and share. And, without a strong wind all the nuts fell
fairly close to the tree.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week my family will celebrate the graduation from
seminary of our second son William. In a
couple of weeks I will help him move to Boone, North Carolina where he will
begin his first full-time position at First Baptist Church. It will be like déjà vu all over again! His older brother Ragan graduated just last
year and I helped him move to Topeka, Kansas where he is now Associate Pastor
of First Baptist Church.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To say that Susan and I are proud of our sons is an
under-statement. How can we cease to
praise God for His blessings? Some have
quipped that they are just staying in the family business. When they individually talked with us about
their feeling “called to ministry” we did our best to talk them out of it. Why wouldn’t we? They had grown up in two ministers’ home;
they had experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. We encouraged them to do whatever they wanted
to do and God would be pleased.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, they each insisted that they knew God wanted them to go
into full-time vocational ministry. It
just goes to show that no matter how much wind we, the parents, tried to blow
the nuts away from the tree, God’s will and desire for them was much
stronger. And, without a doubt, we are
so glad these nuts haven’t fallen far from the tree of their parents’
vocational journey.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!</div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-16186241980057061492012-04-23T11:27:00.001-07:002012-04-23T11:27:32.080-07:00YOUTH – They will surprise you!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Sunday my home church (First Baptist Church Dalton,
Georgia) had “Youth Sunday.” Many
churches do something similar in which the youth are in charge for a day. (With proper supervision and ONLY for a day,
mind you! We wouldn’t want them to
really be in charge!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting there in my pew I reflected back to when I was a
youth and we had Youth Sunday. Keep in
mind that those memories are now only vague, and definitely in black and white,
not color. I remember teaching Sunday
School. “Teach” was not so much the
operative word, now that I have a better understanding of the cognitive
approaches to imparting knowledge and understanding. I had “the” Men’s class that day. What could I tell them that they did not already
know? How would they be moved to a
deeper Christian faith by my feeble attempt to pontificate the Word? It didn’t matter in the long run; they were
very supportive and appreciative of my attempts and the encouragement I
received may have benefited my openness to hear God’s call into ministry.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many adolescents there was apprehension abundant. However, each participant “performed”
wonderfully and we “had church!” Some
read Scripture, many sang in the youth choir, some played percussion instruments;
one very talented young lad played the organ (how does one do that anyway? It takes hands AND feet!) A couple even prayed – out loud!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Until I became comfortable speaking in public, I was very
timid about praying in public. After
all, I’m talking to the Almighty on behalf of all of us in the room. These pray-ers gave thoughtful consideration
to the words they were to utter. Perhaps
they were coached by the youth minister or other leaders. Regardless, they were well done.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not many pray-ers, myself included, impress me in the
hearing of the audible prayer like one this Sunday. The young man spoke clearly and
eloquently. He demonstrated for many how
to pray an “opening prayer” or “invocation.”
He articulated that we were all entering into the opportunity to worship
God. He asked God to “aide us to hear
your Word this morning.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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WOW! That’s it, I
thought! In all we do in our designed
one hour of “worship” on Sunday morning – singing, praying, reading litanies,
hearing a sermon – we are there to hear a word from God. It cannot be done unless God Himself aides us
so that we actually “hear” it. This aide
could take many forms. The aide I
normally need is to clear my mind of distractions and focus on the moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God wants us to hear His Word through many means each and
every day of the week. It may be in the
reading of Holy Scripture; it may be in silent (operative word!) meditation; it
may be in singing hymns and spiritual songs; it may be in caring for another person
who has a need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Oh God! Forgive me for not hearing you like I should.
Aide my hearing today so that I do not miss what You have for me today!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-73571339251332616342012-04-10T13:33:00.002-07:002012-04-10T13:33:48.658-07:00"Ducks on the Pond"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieccXdNySkhP8CrvMBnjPgC9pI21Gf55xvJUL0xe1yMOVOV9S8__9xlgkKrznqUaCzZ5ocqUansXM3Fkv8ULNHh72VbRIrCtL-9t4-Uv9mEnZF7ubyNBiSoh8J8baAxDD1JNHQ62Xi3T6-/s1600/Duck+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieccXdNySkhP8CrvMBnjPgC9pI21Gf55xvJUL0xe1yMOVOV9S8__9xlgkKrznqUaCzZ5ocqUansXM3Fkv8ULNHh72VbRIrCtL-9t4-Uv9mEnZF7ubyNBiSoh8J8baAxDD1JNHQ62Xi3T6-/s1600/Duck+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sitting
in a rocking chair at the Terrace Hotel at Lake Junaluska Retreat and
Conference Center one morning I was overlooking the lake. Behind the shimmering luster of the water
were mountains, small and grand peaking out through the early morning fog. A few early risers were exercising along the
path around the lake, workers were beginning their tasks of maintenance,
housekeeping and the like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape alt="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YcdMmn9EweI/SqrwtAPg9gI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/9YekTyRavPI/s640/DSC03605.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 135.75pt; margin-left: 352.5pt; margin-top: 86.55pt; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 180.75pt; z-index: 251657216;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><v:shape alt="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YcdMmn9EweI/SqrwtAPg9gI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/9YekTyRavPI/s640/DSC03605.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 135.75pt; margin-left: 352.5pt; margin-top: 86.55pt; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 180.75pt; z-index: 251657216;" type="#_x0000_t75"><br /></v:shape><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I observed one lonely duck floating
across the lake. That in itself was not
that inspirational. What drew my
attention was the ripple effect out behind it.
This small little creature wasn’t creating a large wake as it glided
across the water. But what it did still
ventured out long and far behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The
LORD reminded me in that moment that my actions and thoughts are like those
ripples of water. Whether good or bad,
those actions, thoughts and words extend out and affect long and far after I
have spoken them or acted in such a way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The
obvious was to turn inward and reflect on the negative ones, yes, sin. Forgive me LORD, purify me, and cleanse
me. Reveal to me those
un-confessed. Restore to me the joy of
my salvation by your love mercy and grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Without
pride, however, I realized that there have been “good ones,” too. LORD, may they be only reflective of
you. Let me have no selfish pride. Help me to have more good ones than bad ones
today, rippling out positively touch my world today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">AMEN<o:p></o:p></span></div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742953459897113311.post-75188636204485751292012-04-02T01:52:00.000-07:002012-04-02T01:52:47.425-07:00“The moon and stars suspended in space.”<div class="MsoNormal"><i>“When I gaze into the night skies and see the work of Your fingers; The moon and stars suspended in space Oh, what is man that You are mindful of him? You have given man a crown of glory and honor and have made him a little lower than the angels You have put him in charge of all creation The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea But what is man, oh what is man that You are mindful of him? O Lord our God, the majesty and glory of Your name transcends the earth and fills the heavens O Lord our God, little children praise you perfectly and so would we - and so would we. Alleluia, alleluia, the majesty and glory of your name Alleluia, alleluia, the majesty and glory of your name Alleluia, alleluia!”</i> “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name,” Linda Lee Johnson and Tom Fetke, © 1979.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you gaze up into the night skies during March? Have you ever seen such a sky? Not unless you are umpteen hundred years old. Apparently we experienced a phenomenon called a “conjecture.” I’m no astronomer, but I am impressed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Humankind has been amazed at the heavens from the beginning of time. From the first chapter of Genesis we read how God put each one in place (Genesis 1:14). Intelligent man quickly learned how these “things” could be used to guide them. Very wise men used an exceptionally bright one to find the Christ Child.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The phenomenon of the March sky was amazing! Venus and Jupiter and the Moon were all right up there together bright as can be (Is this the “Age of Aquarius”? Look out Fifth Dimension!) These planets, along with little Mercury, and the Moon all became very apparent in our night sky. They were so bright. It made me think “what is really out there?” For those of us who are followers of the One true God, we know <i>Who</i> is out there?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But, He is not just “out there.” He is here, right now, with you and me. But why don’t we recognize Him? Perhaps it is because we aren’t reflecting His Light correctly. Isn’t it written, “You will know them by their love for one another”? And, I might add, their love for others.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If we do not have love for one another (and others not like us), then we are nothing more than a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Or worse, we are non-reflectors of His light. Wouldn’t our world be better served if we were “moons” reflecting His love and light? What if people gazed into our lives and it guided them to the One whose Light we reflect?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Father, forgive me for dulling the reflection of Your light. Help me to love others so that they begin to see You and yearn for You.<o:p></o:p></i></div>Tommy DEALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01492217881675753319noreply@blogger.com0