Why?

The parents of Pulitzer-prize winning author, Larry McMurtry, divorced in 1976, after 44 years of marriage. Forty-four years! Why, after 44 years, did Mr. and Mrs. McMurtry divorce? There were probably several, but the author, and son, focused on one in the first volume of his memoir.

Larry McMurtry’s father “was haunted” by the price his own mother (Larry’s grandmother) paid for settling on the frontier of Texas. One example was the burden of transporting water from the spring to the cabin, which Mr. McMurtry personally witnessed as a boy. There were, of course, many more hardships she had to endure to assist her husband and serve her growing family.

Larry’s father married a woman, who did not have to endure such toil.  Life was easier. Yet, a tension lingered for the duration of their marriage. As Larry wrote, even though the couple could occasionally have fun, “the core problem remained: my father could not forgive my mother for having an easier life than his mother had.”

The Wrong Policy

I read a humorous story, in a bulletin, several years ago. It seemed a farmer’s barn burned down. It was covered by insurance. An agent came and informed the farmer that in lieu of paying cash, the insurance company would simply build him a barn identical to the one that burned.

The farmer was not impressed. “Well,” he said, “if that’s the way your company does business, you can cancel the insurance on my wife!”

In church relations, marriages, and work, one area I see as being problematic is that of unrealized expectations. I pondered that reality one day, as I notice the word “ask” is used over 750 times in scripture.

This reality implies communication, clarification, and understanding. Those are good things to seek going into or staying in—a relationship.

Want realistic expectations? Start by asking.

Two-Faced

Abraham Lincoln was known for his humor. One story, perhaps apocryphal, speaks of Lincoln during the early period of his political career.

Some critics had accused Lincoln of sometimes lying and being two-faced. Hearing this, Lincoln responded, “If I had another face, do you think I would use this one?”

Abraham Lincoln may not have thought he had the luxury of being two-faced, but a lot of us do. It is imperative we be open, honest, and a people of great integrity.

Let's Name a City After This Guy!

When his young wife left him, he became a heavy drinker. Distraught, he joined an Indian tribe. There, he drank so much liquor, he earned the nickname, “Big Drunk.” He lost an election for the Tribes Council because his drinking had become so wild.

Later, he learned that a congressman had accused him of corruption in his dealing with Indians. The charges were false, and he became so angry, he confronted the congressman in public and beat him mercilessly with a cane.

The United States House of Representatives tried him on charges of assaulting a congressman. The congressman sued him and the court awarded the injured man $500. Instead of paying, the aggressor fled to Mexico.

While in Mexico, he became dissatisfied with the government and became part of a movement to secede from the country. War ensued, but he and his fellow rebels won. A military hero, he was elected president of the new Republic.

Later, his country became part of the United States. He was elected senator and governor. Citizens of his state so respected him, they chose to name a city that was to become the fourth largest in the United States after him.

I find it fascinating that the citizens of Texas never gave up on Sam Houston. Like God, they forgave and allowed this man to become what he was capable of being.

I think the church should be like that.

Hebrews 11 is full of people who made terrible mistakes, some habitually, yet, they were cited for those moments they demonstrated faith in God. And God used them.

No one will ever fall so low that God will refuse to use him.

What Is An Excuse?

Marshall Keeble was a trail-blazing, African-American preacher and one of the truly great preachers of the twentieth century. In one of his sermons, he addressed the flaw of making excuses in a colorful way:

"An excuse is a lie with a suit on. It is a lie dressed up."

Free Speech

[PHOTO CENSORED]

Recently, the Boulder, Colorado city council made a bold decision—they would forbid people from stripping, while speaking to the council during meetings. The impetus for this decision was a recent display by an angry man, who often spoke during the time period set aside for public comment.

The “gentleman” was not happy with the council’s work and lectured members with regard to his reasons. Perhaps, to assure the rapt attention of his audience, the critic performed a striptease during his speech, concluding his remarks in his underwear. (Warning! Preachers, DO NOT TRY THIS IN THE PULPIT!)

It does not disturb me that the city council felt compelled to issue an edict: no one can address the city council “while stripping, wearing masks, or otherwise being contemptuous.” What DOES disturb me is the local ACLU chapter is protesting the council’s decision on grounds it could intimidate the practice of free speech.

On my computer, I have a sermon illustration file entitled “Our Changing Culture.” Safe to say, I’m saving this story under that tab.

The World’s Fastest Snail

You are looking at a photo of Sidney. (Incidentally, this is how I look when I get up in the morning, but that is a different story.) On July 17, Sidney became a world champion. He raced 13 inches in 3 minutes and 41 seconds. Fast enough to make him the world’s fastest snail. 

Unfortunately, Sidney did not even approach the world record of two minutes. This magnificent feat was accomplished by a snail named Archie in 1995. No one noted if Sidney was crestfallen, when he discovered how much faster Archie traveled.

Ever feel like your life is traveling at a snail’s pace? Do you feel frustrated by how slowly you are accomplishing your goals?

The older I get the more I am convinced there are no big accomplishments. Those things we call big accomplishments are really an accumulation of a lot of small accomplishments.

I have always liked Psalm 118:24, ”This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” One facet of that enjoyment is appreciating the little things I can do to accomplish my goals (hopefully all of which God inspired and are blessings to God.)

“Successful” moments are just that—moments. If we cannot enjoy the journey, they may not be worth the pursuit.