So, I show up at church to pick up my daughter last Wednesday, and am accosted by Branden, the High School Pastor.
Branden: Hey Dale - on our upcoming trip to Uganda, we plan to do some dramas. I know that you mentioned that this was a neglected area of HSM, so you're the first one I thought of. Would you be willing to pray about helping us develop some sketches, etc. and - Holy Spirit willing - maybe join us on the trip?
Dale’s Mouth: Yeah, okay. I'll pray.
Dale’s Head: I'm 49 years old, and have successfully avoided going on any mission trips for the entire 26 years of my Christian life. Sure. I'll pray. Don't getcher hopes up too high, Pal.
So I'm sitting in the Fellowship Center on Sunday, and the "Chasing Daylight" campaign gets mentioned. That, of course, sets off a whole 'nother mind pattern. See, I had some significant issues with the campaign. I much prefer the simpler, more straightforward message that came from Steven Curtis Chapman in "The Great Adventure".
"Saddle up your horses, we got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder, of God's amazing grace!
We'll follow our Leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other, whoa! this is The Great Adventure!"
As a matter of fact, that song has been our family’s “theme song” for about 12 years now. So this argument starts up in my head.
Dale’s Heart: So, do you really believe that? You’ve claimed The Great Adventure, the glorious unknown, for several years now. Shoot, you named your company after it. But do you really believe it?
Dale’s Head: Sure I do, but this is different. This isn’t unknown. This is heading off to some strange 3rd world country. Been there, done that, Dude. Remember that brutal series of trips to Mexico City back in 01? Do you really want to go through THAT again?
Dale’s Heart: Excuses – Gee, how did I know those would be coming? Those were business trips, and you ventured in there all alone. You weren’t there to minister for Christ, you were there to implement software. The question is still hanging there, Bucko - do you really believe it?.
Dale’s Head: Ah, c’mon Man!
Dale’s Mouth (to wife): This seat is killing me. I’m going to stand up.
Dale’s Feet, after a few minutes, start moving across the room towards Branden.
Dale’s Head: Hey! Heyheyheyheyhey! What are you doing?! Where do you think you’re going?! Stop it! Who’s in charge here anyway? Stop I say! STOP!
Dale’s Mouth (having a hard time maintaining composure): Hey Man. I’m terrified, but I’m in. (Branden administers a hug) I’m being dragged kicking and screaming, but I’m in.
Branden: I think that’s the way it has to be.
Dale’s Mouth: I’m 49 years old and have never done anything like this.
Branden: Neither have I, so we’re in this together!
Dale’s Head: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dale’s Heart: Yessss! Here we go folks. THIS is The Great Adventure! ‘Bout bloomin time we stepped out!
November 25, 2008
September 29, 2008
Seasons Change
My family has just gone through one of those important milestones in life. My wife and I took our first born and dropped him off at college last week. To nobody’s surprise, my mind and emotions have been engaged in a gymnastics tournament throughout the whole process.
To begin with, we are absolutely thrilled with the college that he chose and the experiences that we have had there. This school has rejected the traditional notion of parents dropping off their freshmen student and leaving. They have developed a 2 day program where the parents are walked through the process of what they will be teaching the students, what types of ministries are available, what service opportunities the students will have and what school services are available. Every step of the way we had faculty and administration officials – up to and including the President of the University – thanking us for entrusting our son to them. There wasn’t a single one of these people who projected insincerity in any form.
The temptation is obviously to look at this like we’re the first parents who have ever experienced this type of event. Whether it is sending a child off to college, off to the military or off into the work world, however, it is an experience that virtually every parent goes through in one form or another. It is exciting. It causes anxiety. It brings us great pride in our son. It even causes a certain level of mild fear.
As I contemplated all of this over the weekend, I tried to bring some perspective to my thoughts and feelings. It so happens that my business partner down in California helped in this regard.
His wife is about to give birth to their second child. The already have a lovely 3 year old girl, and it appears number two is to be a boy. They are understandably excited about the prospect. In around 15 years, they will undergo a similar experience to what my wife and I are currently walking. Around 3 years later, the young man about to be born will then take his turn. My partner and his wife have the same excitement, anxiety, pride and fear to look forward to.
I then started thinking about the faculty and administration of the college thanking us for putting our trust in them to help continue the education of our son, how they were honored by our trust. I thought back to his birth and the first time I held him in my arms, and I realized that there are more similarities to these events than I originally thought.
Quite simply, when our son was born the Lord placed him into our hands to allow us to raise him and educate him. I didn’t express it at that point, but I am so very thankful that He entrusted this young man to us. We were deeply honored to have been allowed to raise him and educate him to this point. The important thing for us to remember, however, is that he belongs to God. Always has, always will. Our Father entrusted him to us for a season, but that season has now changed and it is time for the next.
The final piece of the 2 day event was the Convocation. It was held in the school Pavilion (gymnasium), and began with a set of bagpipes escorting in all of the faculty of the school, dressed in full academic regalia. After prayer, a message on Communitas and the singing of a hymn (Be Thou My Vision), the faculty formed a circle around the perimeter of the gym. The new students were then invited to come down out of the bleachers and enter the circle where they were welcomed by the faculty. It was a physical symbol of our son leaving our home and joining the new community of the University. Very poignant. I’ll admit that my sunglasses snapped onto my face as we left the building to hide my tears!
So yes, the occasion has affected me deeply. I take comfort, however, in the thought that we have now entrusted our charge back into God’s hands. He never really left.
To begin with, we are absolutely thrilled with the college that he chose and the experiences that we have had there. This school has rejected the traditional notion of parents dropping off their freshmen student and leaving. They have developed a 2 day program where the parents are walked through the process of what they will be teaching the students, what types of ministries are available, what service opportunities the students will have and what school services are available. Every step of the way we had faculty and administration officials – up to and including the President of the University – thanking us for entrusting our son to them. There wasn’t a single one of these people who projected insincerity in any form.
The temptation is obviously to look at this like we’re the first parents who have ever experienced this type of event. Whether it is sending a child off to college, off to the military or off into the work world, however, it is an experience that virtually every parent goes through in one form or another. It is exciting. It causes anxiety. It brings us great pride in our son. It even causes a certain level of mild fear.
As I contemplated all of this over the weekend, I tried to bring some perspective to my thoughts and feelings. It so happens that my business partner down in California helped in this regard.
His wife is about to give birth to their second child. The already have a lovely 3 year old girl, and it appears number two is to be a boy. They are understandably excited about the prospect. In around 15 years, they will undergo a similar experience to what my wife and I are currently walking. Around 3 years later, the young man about to be born will then take his turn. My partner and his wife have the same excitement, anxiety, pride and fear to look forward to.
I then started thinking about the faculty and administration of the college thanking us for putting our trust in them to help continue the education of our son, how they were honored by our trust. I thought back to his birth and the first time I held him in my arms, and I realized that there are more similarities to these events than I originally thought.
Quite simply, when our son was born the Lord placed him into our hands to allow us to raise him and educate him. I didn’t express it at that point, but I am so very thankful that He entrusted this young man to us. We were deeply honored to have been allowed to raise him and educate him to this point. The important thing for us to remember, however, is that he belongs to God. Always has, always will. Our Father entrusted him to us for a season, but that season has now changed and it is time for the next.
The final piece of the 2 day event was the Convocation. It was held in the school Pavilion (gymnasium), and began with a set of bagpipes escorting in all of the faculty of the school, dressed in full academic regalia. After prayer, a message on Communitas and the singing of a hymn (Be Thou My Vision), the faculty formed a circle around the perimeter of the gym. The new students were then invited to come down out of the bleachers and enter the circle where they were welcomed by the faculty. It was a physical symbol of our son leaving our home and joining the new community of the University. Very poignant. I’ll admit that my sunglasses snapped onto my face as we left the building to hide my tears!
So yes, the occasion has affected me deeply. I take comfort, however, in the thought that we have now entrusted our charge back into God’s hands. He never really left.
June 25, 2008
One of These Days
Has it really been over a year since I posted anything on here? Time sure flies when you get busy, but thanks to my sister-in-law, I realize that I have something I need to post.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it in here before, but I do some amateur acting at our church. I was asked to play a minor role in a dramatic sketch during our church services this last weekend, and it has had an unexpected impact on my life that I thought I'd share.
The sketch was titled "One Of These Days". The scene opens in a cemetery, with some mourners gathered around a grave and a couple of groundskeepers working on cleaning up a bench. As it progresses, it turns out that the groundskeepers are actually angels. After an initial discourse by them, the scene shifts to the minister who is presiding over the funeral. I was playing the minister.
I gave a pretty depressing little spiel:
"As for man, his days are like grass
As a flower in the field, so he flourishes
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone
And its place remembers it no more
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Another life comes to an end
Let us take a moment of silence"
One of the angels freezes time, and chides the pastor for not finishing the verse. "Psalm 103:15 goes on to say 'But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age'. This is not the end. I think you need to go back to seminary." The angel then snaps everyone back in.
The grandson of the man who has died then starts to make some comments, but gets frustrated and walks off. The angel freezes the rest of us again and they (the angels) have a discussion with the grandson, reminding him of the immenense of the resurrection. The rest of the group is then unfrozen, the grandson returns and delivers a short, stirring discourse, and the band goes into "One Of These Days", the song made popular by FFH (the church band and singers did a fabulous job on this, by the way). Towards the end of the song, the angels - who have now changed into more heavenly garments - walk over to the grave and lift out the grandfather - who now has his new resurrection body. He has a brief reunion with his grandson and then walks out in glory.
The sketch was very well written and performed, and the effect on everyone present was, well, dramatic. I saw lots of tears - most of them through the blurriness of my own.
So this all happens at the 2 services on Sunday, June 22, 2008. I found out early in the morning of Tuesday, June 24 that a dear friend - David Diehl - had passed away the previous day. Dave was a young man - I don't know his exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was around 45. He was wise beyond his years, and possessed a dead pan wit that could level anyone. Dave has left behind a beautiful wife, Lori, and 2 daughters, Lexi 12 and Dani 7.
Dave was the Executive Pastor - basically the business executive - at the church we used to attend. My wife and I had been in a small group with them, attended numerous functions with them, visited each others homes, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Back then I still participated in making a fool out of myself on the golf course, and often did so in front of Dave. I remember one early morning outing with just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time relating our life stories with each other.
When I heard this news, my thoughts were immediately drawn back to the sketch. I know Dave loved the Lord, and I KNOW that he is now with the Lord. Every time I think about that sketch now, I picture him as the one who is pulled out of that grave - dressed in glorious white. He emerges with wonderful surprise, and walks over to Lori and his daughters. They are able to embrace one more time before he heads off to wait for them with our Lord. Even as I type these words, I'm having a difficult time seeing through my tears.
Oh, I have questions for God - why do Lori and the girls have to endure this? Why is he being taken so young? But I know now more than ever that I WILL see him again. More importantly, so will Lori, Lexi and Dani.
A final footnote on the sketch. Russ, the man who played the grandson who is grieving the loss of his grandfather, did a magnificent job with the role, and it was played completely from the heart. He lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer last year.
He WILL see her again.
Praises to our King!
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it in here before, but I do some amateur acting at our church. I was asked to play a minor role in a dramatic sketch during our church services this last weekend, and it has had an unexpected impact on my life that I thought I'd share.
The sketch was titled "One Of These Days". The scene opens in a cemetery, with some mourners gathered around a grave and a couple of groundskeepers working on cleaning up a bench. As it progresses, it turns out that the groundskeepers are actually angels. After an initial discourse by them, the scene shifts to the minister who is presiding over the funeral. I was playing the minister.
I gave a pretty depressing little spiel:
"As for man, his days are like grass
As a flower in the field, so he flourishes
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone
And its place remembers it no more
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Another life comes to an end
Let us take a moment of silence"
One of the angels freezes time, and chides the pastor for not finishing the verse. "Psalm 103:15 goes on to say 'But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age'. This is not the end. I think you need to go back to seminary." The angel then snaps everyone back in.
The grandson of the man who has died then starts to make some comments, but gets frustrated and walks off. The angel freezes the rest of us again and they (the angels) have a discussion with the grandson, reminding him of the immenense of the resurrection. The rest of the group is then unfrozen, the grandson returns and delivers a short, stirring discourse, and the band goes into "One Of These Days", the song made popular by FFH (the church band and singers did a fabulous job on this, by the way). Towards the end of the song, the angels - who have now changed into more heavenly garments - walk over to the grave and lift out the grandfather - who now has his new resurrection body. He has a brief reunion with his grandson and then walks out in glory.
The sketch was very well written and performed, and the effect on everyone present was, well, dramatic. I saw lots of tears - most of them through the blurriness of my own.
So this all happens at the 2 services on Sunday, June 22, 2008. I found out early in the morning of Tuesday, June 24 that a dear friend - David Diehl - had passed away the previous day. Dave was a young man - I don't know his exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was around 45. He was wise beyond his years, and possessed a dead pan wit that could level anyone. Dave has left behind a beautiful wife, Lori, and 2 daughters, Lexi 12 and Dani 7.
Dave was the Executive Pastor - basically the business executive - at the church we used to attend. My wife and I had been in a small group with them, attended numerous functions with them, visited each others homes, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Back then I still participated in making a fool out of myself on the golf course, and often did so in front of Dave. I remember one early morning outing with just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time relating our life stories with each other.
When I heard this news, my thoughts were immediately drawn back to the sketch. I know Dave loved the Lord, and I KNOW that he is now with the Lord. Every time I think about that sketch now, I picture him as the one who is pulled out of that grave - dressed in glorious white. He emerges with wonderful surprise, and walks over to Lori and his daughters. They are able to embrace one more time before he heads off to wait for them with our Lord. Even as I type these words, I'm having a difficult time seeing through my tears.
Oh, I have questions for God - why do Lori and the girls have to endure this? Why is he being taken so young? But I know now more than ever that I WILL see him again. More importantly, so will Lori, Lexi and Dani.
A final footnote on the sketch. Russ, the man who played the grandson who is grieving the loss of his grandfather, did a magnificent job with the role, and it was played completely from the heart. He lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer last year.
He WILL see her again.
Praises to our King!
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