Jean, a Senior Saint and family friend, asked the question while I was visiting my dad’s church in Tullahoma, TN, last year: “Steve, next February, would you be willing to speak to a group I’m a member of?”

“Sure, Jean, I’d be happy to. February looks clear. Just email me the details.”

When I’m asked to speak to a group and my calendar is clear, I always say yes. I’ve spoken about my Appalachian Trail hike and the lessons I learned over 40 times in the past few years. I’ve shared my insights at churches, schools, children’s homes, community centers, colleges, and camps across a dozen states. Audiences have ranged from 10 people to several hundred, from 3rd graders to really old people.

I’m invited not because I’m eloquent but because I don’t charge a fee and people are interested in my hike. I accept the invitations because I’m blessed to have the opportunity to share a unique perspective on my AT journey and corresponding faith journey. The AT hike gives me an excuse to talk about God to people who might otherwise not be interested. I realize this season won’t last forever—the invitations will eventually stop coming. So, for this season, I always say yes.

That brings me to Jean’s invitation.

“I want you to speak at the February 4th meeting of the Highland Rim Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.”
“Head and neck people?”
“No, that’s otolaryngology. I’m talking ornithology.”
“Insects?”
“No, birds. We’re bird people.”
“Birds? I don’t know anything about birds.”
“Yes, but you hiked the AT.”
“I don’t recall seeing any birds.”
“You hiked over 2000 miles in the woods and didn’t see any birds?”
“Not that I recall. I heard one or two fluttering in nearby bushes. I’m sure there were others, but I was looking down, watching where I was going.”
“Hmm. Maybe that’s okay. I’ve heard you speak and I think they would appreciate what you have to say. You sure you didn’t encounter any birds?”
“Well, I don’t know if this qualifies, but at an all-you-can-eat buffet in Atkins, I ate 7 or 8 pieces of fried chicken.”
“Chicken? We can work with that.”

For the first time in 4 years, I got a little nervous about an upcoming speaking gig. What was I going to say to bird people? Aside from feathers and the ability to fly, I know almost nothing about birds. As for experience, in the late 90s, two birds pooped on my youngest son, Kyle, within a span of 30 minutes. He teared up and his mom comforted him while I laughed. But that was while waiting to board a boat at the San Antonio Riverwalk, not on the AT. I’m not sure that was the kind of bird insight these people were looking for. And, with the venue being less than a mile from the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, would the audience even be sober?

Unsettled, I went to my friend, Valerie, a kind person, mother of 4, wife of 1, and bird lover. Valerie is into birds big-time. She identifies, counts, and photographs them. She bathes her children in a birdbath—except for Eli, who’s a male teenager. Valerie doesn’t just sit in the pew in front of us at church—she nests. While others affirm the preacher with a hearty “Amen!” Valerie squawks. On a jog in Alcoa this past summer, I spotted her standing by a pond, staring into the sky with binoculars. Birds energize her in much the same way that an RC Cola and moon pie energize me. Yes, I would approach Valerie for advice.

“Hey, Valerie, I need a favor. I’m speaking to an ortho…, ornith…, to some bird people in Lynchburg next week. Can you help?”
“What do you know about birds?”
“I’ve had fried chicken.”
“I see. Are you the only thing on the agenda?”
“No, I’m right before ‘great backyard bird counts’ and a ‘Woodcock display outing’.”
“Woodcocks are awesome!”
“You bet they are!” (She wasn’t going to out-enthusiasm me.)
“Seriously, let me show you the funky American Woodcock dance.”
(She pulls out her phone and orders up a video of an American Woodcock dancing.)
“That is awesome! What a crazy head bob!”
“It’s a courtship display.”
“I know that. I used it myself in college.”
“So, when you’re talking about the AT, just work in a little Woodcock dancing.”
“That’s perfect. I’ll bob and weave and keep moving. I’m so glad I came to you.”

Later that evening…
“Hon, what are you doing?”
“Practicing the Woodcock dance.”
“The what?”
“The Woodcock dance. It’s a mating ritual. What do you think?”
“We’re past that. Just come to bed.”
(What does Jan know about birds!)

So, yesterday, I drove to Lynchburg to talk to mostly strangers about God, the AT, and birds. I was greeted warmly by Jean and hubby Darrell, then approached by an elderly woman with the aura of a bird club matriarch. She introduced herself and told me she was 86 years old…

I replied, “Wow, I bet you’ve seen a lot of birds!” (Not a great opening line. Should have led with the woodchuck.)
“Oh, yes indeed.”
“What are your favorite birds?” (My small talk skills are legendary.)
“Well, that’s a tough one. I enjoy the wren…although it’s so small. Hard to spot.”
“Yes, tiny, but cute.”
“And, of course, the reticulated woodpecker.”
“Of course. The way it reticulates reminds me of my favorite bird, the woodchuck.”

She gave me an odd look and then we were mercifully interrupted by the announcement that it was time for dinner. I joined 25 of the sweetest Tennesseans you’ll ever meet for a delightful meal featuring nuts and seeds. During the meal, I learned that on their latest bird count for the Audubon Society, they had reported an impressive 76 species and 3,706 birds. These people take birding seriously.

As I stood to prepare to speak, I did a little Woodcock dance as an ice-breaker/attention-getting step.

Dead silence. Tough crowd.

“You okay?” a man asked.
“Yeah, just got a little crick in my neck. Long drive.”
“Maybe use a chair?”
“No, I’m good.”

For the next 45 minutes, I talked to these dear people about God, the AT, and birds. For the bird portion, I used a picture of a nest with 4 eggs in it, which I had taken while on the AT in Grayson Highlands, Virginia. The excitement in their eyes I had hoped for may have been diminished by their familiarity with nests and eggs.

More positively, I mentioned a “distraction display” that I had witnessed on the trail a few times, where a bird will fly away from its nest and flap its wings, feigning injury, to distract a predator from its nest. A few in the audience nodded in understanding and approval. They were essentially acknowledging my bird swag. For one special moment, I was one with the audience—birds of a feather. I spent the rest of my allotted time talking to them about God and the AT, and then I drove home.

In 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, Paul said, and I’m paraphrasing…

• I became like a Jew to win the Jews
• I became like one under the law to win those under the law
• I became like one not having the law to win those not having the law
• I became weak to win the weak
• “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

I’m not a bird guy. I’m not eloquent. I’m certainly not Paul.

But when the February 4th 2020 minutes of the meeting of the Highland Rim Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society are written, may they state: On a rainy night at the Moore County Building in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the unqualified and not-entirely-confident Fob W. Pot became a bird guy, though not a bird guy, to try to win some bird guys.

What can you become?

What unfamiliar or uncomfortable environment can you enter to reach someone?

If you follow sports or national news headlines, you’ve probably heard about or seen video of the all-out, bench-clearing brawl that occurred at the end of the Kansas-Kansas State college basketball game on Tuesday night. As basketball fights go, it was the scariest I’ve seen. It’s a wonder no one was seriously injured.

Coaches, parents, youth ministers, and middle-aged bloggers call these incidents “teachable moments.” However, before we get to what is teachable, let’s set the stage.

The Kansas Jayhawks had a 22-point lead over their cross-state rival and the ball at half court toward the end of the game. In such a scenario, two unwritten rules of game etiquette generally apply:

1. If you have the ball, are way ahead, and time is running out, you stop trying to score. There’s no need to add to your already substantial lead—no need to further humiliate your weaker opponent. You dribble in place and everyone stands around until time expires.
2. If you are far behind and your opponent is adhering to rule #1, you allow them to. You back off and let them run out the clock.

However, there is a third principle that is often applied in sports and in life: 

3. Play hard to the end. Never give up. The game isn’t over until the final horn sounds.

Despite Kansas State Coach Weber’s explicit instructions to his team to adhere to rule #2, DaJuan Gordon was having none of that. Whether it was due to his youth, inexperience, frustration over losing, or a firm belief in rule #3, Gordon stripped Kansas’ Silvio De Sousa of the ball and drove down the court to attempt an end-of-game score. De Sousa, upset that his adherence to rule #1 had not resulted in his opponent’s adherence to rule #2, charged down the court to make a play on the ball. If his opponent was going to live rule #3, he would as well.

De Sousa caught up with Gordon and forcefully blocked his attempted layup. Had the story ended there, we would have no story. Unfortunately, De Sousa, still enraged over the perceived disrespect shown him, stood over Gordon, taunting him. Players on the Kansas State bench, in response to the taunting, left the bench and charged the scene. Players from the Kansas bench soon followed. A melee ensued, with pushing, shoving, and punches thrown. As the fight spilled into the crowd, De Sousa picked up a chair and raised it to deliver a blow, but was stopped by an assistant coach. After several frightening moments, players were separated and order was restored.

As for the teachable…

1. Note the linkage between anger and violence. When emotions get out of hand, bad things result. James 1:1 asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” In the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says it’s not enough to simply not murder…we should not even become angry. Violence, and the murder that sometimes results from it, has its roots in anger. Rather than fully vent our rage like a fool (Proverbs 29:11), we “should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

2. Be a peacemaker! In Matthew 5:9, Jesus blesses peacemakers and says they will be called children of God. You can spot them in the video of the brawl. They are the coaches, security personnel, and others who are separating players, deescalating the situation, and preventing further harm. Without their calming presence, I wonder how the scenario would have ended. I also wonder, had I been there, what role would I have played? Would I have joined my favorite team in throwing punches? Would I have stepped back but cheered them on? Would I have sat silently, thinking “it’s not my fight”? Or, would I have helped deescalate the situation as a peacemaker?

3. Bad behavior has consequences. In Colossians 3:25, Paul writes, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs.” Yesterday, the Big 12 suspended four players a combined 25 games for their roles in the fight. De Sousa, as the primary instigator, was given a 12-game suspension by the league office. A teammate received a 2-game suspension and two Kansas State players received 8-game and 2-game suspensions. Both schools were reprimanded by the Big 12 for violations of its sportsmanship policy. Beyond that, the incident sullied the reputation of the teams, college basketball, and the players themselves. Less importantly, the suspensions will impact the teams’ ability to win basketball games while the suspensions are served.

4. Bad behavior should lead to contrition. To the credit of the players and coaches, that’s what happened following the brawl. The coaches and several of the players apologized. Coach Self called a female spectator who had been knocked down in the scuffle to check on her and apologize for his team’s behavior. I didn’t read any excuses from anyone directly involved in the incident. In this day and age, that’s remarkable. Pay attention to how often people try to justify or mitigate bad behavior by beginning, “But what about…” and then pointing to the just as bad, or even worse, behavior of someone else. It happens every day. Except for some fans’ comments, it didn’t happen in this case. Consider De Sousa’s heartfelt apology on his Twitter account…

I’m sorry for my actions last night, please read this: pic.twitter.com/cmkEO0I5Ax

— Silvio De Sousa ™ (@SilvioDeSousa5) January 23, 2020

 He owned his behavior, apologized for it, and accepted the consequences. He offered no excuses. There was no, “But what about…” He’s embarrassed by his actions and wants to do better going forward. He concludes with “I messed up and I am sorry.” That’s contrition. In the Christian context, that’s called confession of sins and repentance.

5. When we learn from our mistakes, we can be better going forward. In Philippians 3:13b, Paul calls us to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead. To bounce back and not let our past define us. I believe that will be the case with Silvio De Sousa. I’ll admit, I had a pretty low opinion of him after watching the video. Literally, all I knew about him was what may go down as the worst 30 seconds of his life. (I would hate for anyone to judge me or draw conclusions based on the worst 30 seconds of my life!) I still don’t know much about the young man, but on his Twitter account, I note his prayer for the safety of our troops on January 4^th and, on December 29^th, an expression of thankfulness to “the man up above” for every minute of his life. On December 18^th, he joined his teammates in Christmas shopping for families in need. I don’t know Silvio De Sousa’s heart, but I think he’s going to bounce back and do great things with his life. I’m pulling for him.

A teachable moment? I think so. To recap… 

• Guard your emotions, especially anger. 
• Be known as a peacemaker, regardless of context.
• Before acting, consider the consequences of your behavior.
• When you screw up, own it. Don’t make excuses. Ask God to forgive you.
• Learn from your mistakes and be a better person going forward.

Oh, and one more thing: Don’t draw conclusions about a person based on the worst 30 seconds of their life. There may be more to the story.

Class dismissed.

On Sunday morning, May 26^th, in Ballwin, Missouri, Janet and I had the privilege of hearing our youngest son, Kyle, preach a sermon about discerning God’s will. Among other points, he said that when you face difficult decisions or are unsure of the way forward, you should seek God’s will. God may open or close a door. He may put the right person in your path or bring clarity to the thoughts swirling about in your head. His guidance may be immediate and obvious or it may take considerable time and be more obscure.

Toward the end of the lesson, Kyle invited everyone to join him for a few moments of silence. He asked each listener to offer a silent prayer to God, seeking his guidance on 2 or 3 decisions we were facing. Without consulting each other, Janet and I each offered a similar prayer. It went something like this…

God, we’ve been on the road for nearly 5 years, living in and serving from our RV. What’s next for us? What will it look like? Where do you need us? Should we stick with our tentative plan to settle down in East Tennessee? Should we keep on Sojourning? Should we hang on to our RV?

On Tuesday morning, the day after Memorial Day, less than 48 hours after offering those prayers, my phone rang…

“Hello.”

“Is this Mr. Johnson?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m the owner of the Whispering River RV Resort in Walland, Tennessee. Are you the owner of the Thor Windsport being stored here for the week?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’m afraid I have some bad news. There was a fire at our campground yesterday afternoon and your RV was one of five that burned to the ground. I’m so sorry.”

And just like that, we had our answer.

I’m not suggesting God sent fire from heaven to burn down our RV…though he certainly could have. (For more on that, read about the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18.) I learned long ago not to put God in a box and try to explain what he is or isn’t doing. I simply have faith that he answers prayer in his perfect timing and consistent with his perfect will. I know he’s active in the world and that, for Christians, our stories end well. That is enough.

I got off the phone and took a deep breath. For reasons related to personality type and my military training, I didn’t panic, get angry, or become emotional. Instead, I remember having 3 distinct thoughts:

1. God is good…and good will come from this.
2. What did we lose that cannot be replaced?
3. What are the ramifications? We’re homeless now. Where’s the checklist for that?

I broke the news to Kyle and Janet who, like me, were shocked but remained calm. I asked Kyle to offer a prayer for our situation and he obliged. (Least he could do since he was the one who told us to pray for discernment!) After a few phone calls to notify various family members, we took the next logical step: going out for Mexican food with long-time family friend Brett. Between bites of Arroz con Pollo, the magnitude of this life setback began to sink in.

Fast forward 6 months from that fateful morning, and I am compelled to proclaim the following:

While I didn’t get emotional on the morning of that fateful phone call, I’m a bit misty-eyed this afternoon thinking about what has transpired over the past 6 months. (Or maybe Janet is cutting up onions in our kitchen…yeah, it’s probably that.)

To recap…

• No one died. All 5 RVs were empty of people at the time. Based on the burn pattern, investigators suspect the fire started with the RV cattycorner to ours, but they don’t know why.

• We had insurance. Turns out really good insurance. I know people who are uninsured or under-insured for certain tragedies that befall them. That was not our case.

• After the fire, hundreds of people reached out to us to offer their prayers and well wishes. Dozens of friends and family members offered up rooms in their homes, along with available RVs for us to live in indefinitely, and even second homes and vacation cottages, at locations all over the country. Those offers touched us to the core. It felt like God was unleashing a giant safety net, in the form of our friends, to ensure a soft landing. You all are the best!

• Most of what we lost is replaceable. It took some time to get new passports, birth certificates, our marriage license, etc. I lost most of the gear from my AT hike, all my tools, and all my fishing gear. We lost most of our clothes, all of our winter clothes, and all my Air Force uniforms. I lost the watch my late grandfather had given me that he received for his many years of service at Goodyear. The precious picture of our RV that our daughter-in-law, Rachel, drew is gone, along with my 30-year-old collection of CDs. Sadly, the crocheted Fob W. Pot doll, stuffed with beard hair, that my sister-in-law Carol made me, is gone. Again, most folks who have experienced house fires have had it much, much worse, so you won’t hear us complain. It’s mostly just stuff…and God has spent the past 5 years teaching us to not get too caught up in stuff.

• We found a nice apartment in Maryville, TN, as the search for a house continues. A 1 bedroom apartment may seem small, but not to folks who have lived in a 350-sq-ft RV for nearly 5 years. It’s next to a pool and a workout room…and, between us, we’re down about 45 pounds since the fire! Pass the turkey.

• We found an incredible church home and Christian friends at Eastside church of Christ. They took us in, moved us in, and gave us a “pounding” of food, kitchen supplies, and other items to get us re-established. What an amazing, loving, group of people! Thank you all!

• Our fire-induced break from Sojourning gave us the time, oddly enough, to finish our book about Sojourning. Still, our plan is to continue Sojourning in 2020, on a more limited basis. We’ll stay in cabins, for now, and eventually hope to get a small camper. 

• One of our main goals will finally be realized on December 13^th when Janet’s parents, Raymond and Shirley, move in with us. They are dear Christian people and it will be an honor to have them live with us for the remainder of their lives. And if you don’t think their presence will inspire a future book or screenplay, The In-Laws, you don’t know me very well!

A final note…While going through some boxes this week in preparation for our move to a larger apartment, I came across an old suitcase, which contained an old box, which contained my grandfather’s Goodyear watch! Turns out it wasn’t lost after all!

Are we thankful this Thanksgiving season? You bet we are!

God is good.

God is faithful.

Praise God!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another interesting afternoon at Vienna Coffee House, one of the Maryville-area coffee shops I frequent. A couple of times each week, I spend a few hours drinking coffee, listening to music, and trying to turn ideas into books. While some authors prefer writing in quiet solitude, I’m inspired by the sights and sounds of humanity milling about. Everyone has a story. 

Earlier this afternoon, I found my usual spot in a comfy chair and began writing. Two millennial fellas sat across from me. One was engrossed in his cell phone and the other was devouring a Turkey Pesto Panini as if time were running out on a food shot clock.

The cell phone guy glanced over at me and noticed the hiking boot and Appalachian Trail stickers on the back of my laptop.

“Excuse me, sir. You familiar with the AT?” he asked.

“Yeah, pretty familiar with it,” I answered.

“Ever hike any of it?”

“Yep, I’ve hiked the whole thing.”

With that, his face lit up and his buddy looked over, mustard dripping from his chin.

“You’re a thru-hiker?!”

“Yep, did the whole thing in ’16.”

“Wow!” They were in shock. Cell phone guy looked over at his buddy, then got up and sat down in the chair next to me. “Mind if I ask you some questions.”

“Go for it.”

Over the next 30 minutes, he enthusiastically peppered me with dozens of questions about the AT, and I responded in kind. I have a strand of AT in my DNA and never tire of the subject. No one can “out enthusiasm” me on the AT. On my deathbed, just before they pull the plug, I plan to mutter something about the Half Gallon Challenge.

Some of cell phone guy’s questions were the usual ones—bear sightings, conditioning, hardest part, best section, gear, etc. Others were unique to him and his buddy. They are from out of town, are leaving tomorrow, and wanted to get in a hike before sunset. That led to a discussion of area trails and the pros and cons of each. I pulled up a few recommendations on my laptop and they snapped pictures of each. We discussed my AT books and they plan to check them out.

As I type this, the fellas have likely parked their car at Cades Cove and have arrived at Spence Field shelter on the AT. If they keep their pace up, they have a decent shot at getting back to their car before sunset.

I wonder if I’ll ever see them again. Unlikely, right?

I wonder if there would have been a conversation, and how it would have gone, had my laptop sticker been not of the AT, but of a cross.

I wonder if I would have been as enthusiastic in sharing my faith as I am in sharing my AT knowledge.

I wonder if these two fellas believe in God. I wonder if anyone has helped them connect the dots between the amazing Appalachian Trail and the even more amazing God who made it.

I don’t wonder if it was a missed opportunity. It clearly was.

So, I just ordered a cross sticker for my laptop from Amazon. If it doesn’t prompt a bystander to inquire, maybe it will prompt me to take a chance.

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t sell courage. That comes from within.

Only I can share my faith.

I’m asking God for another chance.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
– John 15:13 

Less than three years after the 9/11 terrorists attacks against our country, I arrived at the Pentagon for a 3-year tour. By then, the physical damage had been repaired, although building renovations were still ongoing. 

Not long after my arrival, I went to meet with a senior officer from the Army’s G-1 personnel office. While waiting in a reception area, I struck up a conversation with the secretary and asked about her 9/11 experience. I knew that the Army G-1 had sustained a direct hit, killing 29 people, including their leader, Lieutenant General Timothy Maude. 

The woman I spoke with survived that day because she was away from her desk at the time of impact. In a large computer room, while on her way to run an errand, she felt the impact and was knocked to the floor. In total darkness and with smoke filling the room, she knew she had to get out. Rattled and disoriented, she didn’t know which way “out” was. 

Suddenly, she heard a reassuring voice in the darkness.
“Grab a hold of my waistband. We’re going to crawl out of here.”
The voice belonged to a Sailor, who was on his way to the Pentagon gym at the time of the attack. The woman complied, and the two of them slowly crawled through the smoke and rubble. 

At one point he asked her how she was doing. Her main issue was the snot and soot coming out of her nose. The Sailor pulled off his sweatshirt so she could wipe the snot and grime off her face. 

They eventually made their way out of the building. The Sailor quickly left her with his Navy sweatshirt and she never saw him again. She suspects he may have gone back into the building to help others. Although she doesn’t know his name, she said she will forever be grateful to him for guiding her out of the building, and perhaps saving her life, on that fateful day. 

The note from the margin reads: Lessons from 9/11…

1. Be a hero. Thousands of heroes were revealed on 9/11 and the days that followed. We found them among the World Trade Center and Pentagon personnel, rushing to save themselves and others. We found them in a group of strangers who teamed up to take back United Flight 93, preventing the plane from killing an untold number of U.S. Capitol personnel. We found heroes in the firefighters and other first-responders who rushed toward danger to help others. Many lost their own lives in the process. 

In John 15:13, Jesus highlights a special kind of hero: one who loves his friends enough to lay down his life for them. Jesus raised the bar higher. He laid down his life not just for his friends but for his enemies. He suffered a cruel death for those who despised and rejected him. While I’m confident I would lay down my life for my family, and most likely for my friends, I’m not so sure about my enemies. That’s another thing that sets Jesus apart and makes him the hero among heroes.

You may never have the opportunity to be a hero in such a dramatic and public way as those who emerged on 9/11. But, every day, we have an opportunity to do good for others. Paul, in Galatians 6:9-10, states, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” 

2. Live each day as if it were your last. Psalm 90:10 reads, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” The psalmist reminds us of the difficulty and brevity of life. We are mortal and, in the context of eternity, have but a few days. (See Job 14:1 and Psalm 90:12) James puts it this way: “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) 

On the morning of 9/11, I doubt any of the victims gave much thought to the idea that it would be their final morning on earth. We don’t like to think about such things, and yet, we all have that date with destiny. As such, we must make “the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5:16) 

Jesus drives the point home in Matthew 24:42-44: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

3. Get back up when you get knocked down. The 9/11 terrorist attacks knocked our nation to its knees, but we rebounded stronger and more united than ever. The Army secretary who shared her story with me represents thousands of survivors and next of kin who had to literally or figuratively crawl on their hands and knees in darkness until they found the light. 

Faithful Christians can expect to get knocked down from time to time. In 2 Timothy 3:12, we read, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Our response to being knocked down and persecuted is found in Proverbs 24:16: “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” 

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Paul, who faced his fair share of persecution, concludes, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 

9/11/01…may we learn the lessons and never forget.

On paper, today will go down as an ordinary day in my life—day #19,419 to be exact. I ate three meals, did routine work with some friends at a Bible camp, played with a dog, worked on a book, went for a walk, and attended an evening Bible study. But as I sit here just past midnight and reflect on the day gone by, I believe God had a couple of specific messages for me. He sent those messages—those reminders—via three friends and fellow Sojourners. Those messages, if I take them to heart, can make today not ordinary but extraordinary.

 The first message came from Dale Morris, a man who I have grown to love and respect through our work together as Sojourners. Dale did our morning devotional and talked about how the existence of God can be seen in the natural world around us. Actually, he did more than talk. Dale was pretty fired up and it wasn’t just because of the warm cinnamon rolls. He talked about a National Geographic program he had seen that featured a stunningly beautiful jellyfish, spotted 4000 feet beneath the ocean surface off the coast of Baja California. 

As Dale put it, “The thing was incredible, I mean it was beautiful, and it was dancing! Ya gotta see it! (I did, and included a link below) I mean, why is this gorgeous and intricately detailed creature dancing at 4000 feet deep? I’ll tell you why. Because God made it! And we serve an awesome, creative God!” 

Dale was just getting started. His next stop took us to a giraffe exhibit at a zoo where he had taken his grandchildren. Dale talked excitedly as he described one particular feature of the giraffe—its black tongue. “You know why it’s black? I’ll tell you why. Because giraffes spend much of their waking hours with their tongues out, trying to reach leaves at the top of trees. Those tongues are highly susceptible to sunburn. So, God designed the giraffe with a black tongue to protect it from ultraviolet rays! Ya gotta see it! What an awesome God we serve!” Dale was fired up…and that got me fired up…at least enough to pen this blog.

After a few more examples, Dale concluded with God’s most significant creation—mankind. When God made man, he was at the top of his game, and made us in his own image. Among other things, that means he instilled in us a tiny fraction of his creativity. To make his point, Dale pointed to Denton Wiggains, another Sojourner friend of mine. 

Among many great qualities, Denton is a creative problem-solver. Years of solving problems on the farm, at church camps, and elsewhere have given him a knack for looking at problems in unconventional ways. Case in point: Denton was asked to take the lead on a bathroom repair project here at Carolina Bible Camp that was supposed to take a couple of weeks and cost several thousand dollars. Denton studied the situation for several minutes and came up with and implemented a brilliant, creative solution that took him two hours and zero dollars. 

How was Denton able to pull that off? I’ll let Dale answer: “Because our creative God made him that way! And you know something else about Denton? No one gets more excited about completing a project than Denton does. He emerges from cold, dark, damp, dirty places with a smile from ear to ear because he knows God just helped him figure something out!” Denton’s joyful attitude reflects the God who created him. It’s also contagious…but will I catch it?

In addition to learning about joy and God’s creativity from Dale and Denton, I learned a third lesson from Bob Jarvis, another Sojourner friend who made a comment in class tonight. We were discussing how heaven is the ultimate, final blessing for Christians, but we experience many blessings even while we’re still on this earth. Yes, there are hard times—trials and suffering—but also many good things that should bring us joy.

Bob chimed in and said that “eternal life” is not something that will begin when we die. It’s something that already began when we began our new life as a Christian. For Christians, you might say eternal life is already underway. I had never thought of it that way. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” While our ultimate home in heaven will be the final, complete, and perfect manifestation of that abundance, we also experience it on this side of eternity. We experience God’s peace, provision, and purpose for our lives, and that should give us joy. 

Just like the giraffe tongue, it might even get Dale fired up.

I’ve never outgrown wanting to please my parents and make them proud of me. Parental affirmation is a powerful force in the life of any child at any age. We can be our kids’ greatest cheerleaders and help forge their confidence, or criticize their every fault and wear them down with negativity.
With my mom now gone from this life and my dad in his 80s, I realize the window for me to receive such parental affirmation is closing. That’s what makes this note from my dad so special. He had already purchased 7 copies of my new book…he has specific people in mind to give them to. Then, after power reading it, usually while in the bathtub, he writes, “I’m going to buy more Bible books. Fantastic.”
Fantastic. With just a word, a year’s worth of work has been affirmed by a man who helped launch me into this world—a man whose opinion matters. I feel about 15 feet tall this morning, and got up at 5 a.m. to work on the next book.
Can I make a suggestion? In addition to whatever gifts you plan to give your kids this holiday, add one more…some affirmation. Tell them you love them…not just for what they do but for who they are. Tell them you’re proud of them. Point out areas of growth you’ve seen in 2018. They might outwardly become a little embarrassed, but I promise you their soul is drinking it up. Other voices matter, but you’re the parent. Your voice booms. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell your kids they are, well, fantastic.

Hurricanes come and go. If I’m being honest, my interest level depends on the proximity of my loved ones and their possessions to the storm’s projected cone of impact. I pay more attention to a storm threatening my dad’s Florida condo (occupied or vacant) than a typhoon that threatens the lives of thousands of people in Indonesia. I value all human life, but it’s difficult to become emotionally invested in the fate of complete strangers on the other side of the planet.

As a major storm makes landfall, I watch reporters get pounded by the wind and rain during live updates. It is an exciting and interesting spectacle…the ultimate in reality television. Always a news junkie, I stay glued to my television as the eye of the hurricane makes landfall.

In the days that follow, I hear reports about the devastation and loss of life. I see before and after photos of neighborhoods wiped off the map. I hear inspiring stories of first responders rescuing victims and neighbors helping neighbors. I watch politicians and community leaders offer “thoughts and prayers” and promise to rebuild.

By about the third day after the storm, a funny thing happens. National media coverage stops. They have moved on to the next news story of the day. People outside of the destruction zone have moved on with their lives. That’s to be expected, given our busy lives and short attention spans. As we return to regular programming, we tend to forget the short-term and long-term suffering and hurting of those whose lives have been turned upside down by the storm.

That all changes when you travel into the zone of destruction. My wife and I have had the opportunity to do so in Biloxi, Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina), Beaumont, Texas (Hurricane Harvey) and, more recently, Panama City, Florida (Hurricane Michael). While we build our RV travel calendar around sojourns (sojourning.org), we look for opportunities to do disaster relief when we’re able. It gives our traveling a purpose.

In case you’ve “moved on to the next story,” I’d like to refresh your memory of Hurricane Michael and share four things I’ve learned during our week in Panama City. Hurricane Michael was the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States in our nation’s history. In terms of maximum sustained wind speed, it was the strongest storm to strike the contiguous United States since Andrew in 1992. It was also the strongest storm on record to ever hit the Florida Panhandle.

With winds reaching 155 miles per hour, Michael made landfall on October 10, 2018…less than a month ago. It caused 60 fatalities and over $11 billion in damage. Those are facts…statistics. They register for a few seconds…we shake our head…and then we move on with our lives. Or, we can travel to a disaster area, see the devastated property and shattered lives first-hand, pitch in to help with recovery, and be forever changed by the experience.

Lesson Learned #1 – A Badge of Love. One of the neatest aspects of doing disaster relief is the opportunity to meet and get to know the storm victims and your fellow relief workers. One such volunteer is John Powers, a retired firefighter and paramedic from Big Bear City, California. I look up to him physically—at 6’ 7”, he was unable to “fit” inside my Honda Fit! More importantly, I look up to him spiritually. He has a heart as big as his frame is tall.

During a morning devotional, John said that during his firefighting career, his badge meant something. It gave him instant credibility. Whether he was talking to schoolchildren about fire prevention, checking smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, putting out a fire, or rescuing victims at an accident scene, he wore his badge. It mattered. Everyone who saw it knew that John was “legit” and could be trusted, even with their own lives.

John told us a Christian’s “badge” is our love. It gives us instant credibility. We are called to love one another as Christ loved us. (John 13:34) That’s a high standard. If you want someone to listen to what you have to say about God, they must first see Christ at work in your life. They must see the love. If a Christian isn’t consistently demonstrating love (wearing the love badge), he is nothing but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1) In short, he’s wasting his time.

We won’t win the world for Christ by building fancier church buildings, winning doctrinal arguments, or rendering judgment on the eternal destiny of our neighbors. However, our neighbors might pause for a moment and listen to what we have to say if they notice our badge…a badge of love.

Lesson Learned #2– The Five Phases of Disaster Relief. Each relief worker “processes” these experiences differently. Here are the 5 phases I go through:

• Phase 1 – Shock. Driving south on Highway 231 toward Panama City, the damage got progressively worse. Downed trees. Crushed homes. Demolished businesses. Debris everywhere. I have never seen anything so devastating over such a wide area, and I am shocked by it. This can’t be real.
• Phase 2 – Sadness. As you start to meet victims and hear their stories, you can’t help but be profoundly impacted by it. Their tales break my heart. With each one, I give the person a hug, but I really want to wave a magic wand and make it all better. One guy lost his home, his job, and most of his possessions. He’s here living at the church building, volunteering to help others, and starting to rebuild his life. I’m proud of him, but also sad for him.
• Phase 3 – Dismayed & Disheartened. You start to realize the scope of the damage. What do you say to the person who, in an instant, lost their home, possessions, and job? When there is severe damage on every block in town, and nearly every structure, where do you begin? I would describe it as someone taking one hundred identical 2,000-piece puzzles and dumping them all together on the floor. How will you solve them all? Where do you begin? There are too many pieces! It’s depressing to the core.
• Phase 4 – Resolve. We got this! We can do this! We have lots of talented, dedicated volunteers from around the country. The Church of Christ Disaster Response Team has an organized process and a semi full of chain saws and every tool imaginable. The Church of Christ Disaster Relief Effort has shipped a wide range of needed supplies for the impacted community. There are portable showers and air mattresses for volunteers to use. Every meal is provided for us. There are scores of other relief organizations around town as well. We’ll solve the 100 identical, mixed up puzzles known as Panama City one piece at time…but solve them we will!
• Phase 5 – Faith. Wait a minute…God’s got this! God can do this! God is the Conductor and we are merely 4^th trumpet. This is not about our talents, abilities, supplies and processes. This is about a God who is bigger than any storm…who knows the thoughts, struggles, and needs of every victim…and who is uniquely qualified to heal the broken-hearted. We can’t do diddly squat without God. However, with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

Case in point: I had the unique privilege this week to join with several other volunteers in cutting down trees and clearing debris in the yard of 81-year-old Stanley Laidler. Master Sergeant (retired) Laidler is a faithful Christian, Vietnam War veteran and former Forward Air Controller (“Ground FAC”) who was awarded TWO Bronze Stars…one from the Army and one from the Air Force! After finishing our work for the day, our group (including a dozen students from Freed-Hardeman University) circled up to pray for Stanley and his wife. After the prayer, he talked to our group and shared some life lessons. With tears flowing down his cheeks, he said, “You’re going to have some problems in life. Things won’t always go your way. Things like this storm. But listen to me, young people. God is bigger than any problem! Never give up on God!”

I share these 5 Phases because Phases 3 & 4 are time-consuming, energy-sapping, and unnecessary. Give yourself a few hours for the inevitable Shock & Sadness, then put your faith entirely in God and get to work!

Lesson Learned #3 – Adjust to a New Normal.Tim Neal, the preacher at Palo Alto Church of Christ, preached a powerful sermon this morning. He told the audience, many of whom had lost all or part of their homes, that they would need to adjust to a “new normal”. “As surely as sparks fly upward,” man can expect trouble in this life. (Job 5:7) This town has experienced trouble in the form of Hurricane Michael. For many, the “new normal” would include neighbors they might not see again, different places to shop/eat/get gas, new activities (debris removal vs ball games), possibly new jobs (some worked at Tyndall AFB, which was effectively destroyed), etc.

Rather than fight the “new normal”, we need to find a way to embrace it and go with it. Even those of us who haven’t been impacted by a hurricane can become very comfortable in our routines…and agitated by anything that upsets them. We all face “new normals”—the effects of aging, moving to new places, deaths of loved ones, etc. Will we boldly face the challenges in faith, or cower in fear?

Lesson Learned #4 – Orient to New Opportunities. Tim shared that our “new normal” includes new opportunities. Many people were meeting (and even helping!) their neighbors for the first time. Many had encouraged their friends and neighbors to get free food/clothing/supplies at the church building and to fill out a form to get help with other needs (tree/debris removal, mucking out houses, etc.) Although God wasn’t “behind” the storm, could he be using it to open doors of opportunity for folks to share the gospel? Yes!

In fact, earlier this week, we cleared debris and mucked out the home of a man and woman in their 70’s who will remain anonymous. After circling up and praying for the couple, the man teared up and thanked our group. He then pulled me aside and said that they had a long road ahead toward recovery, but that they weren’t giving up. He also said that he and his wife wanted to “return to church” and asked me several questions about the local congregation and what we believe. I answered his questions, and told him we were helping him because we love God and want to share that love with others. He seemed eager to learn even more, and I couldn’t help but think that maybe our group, collectively, had shown him the love badge that John talked about.

As Tim finished his sermon this morning, I noticed a man standing in the doorway listening. The man is not a church member, but rather an election official, there to help Bay County residents vote in an adjoining room. (Yes, this congregation offered up a room in their building for voting to occur, which is somewhat humorous given all the emphasis on “separation of church and state.”) I got to thinking about the man in the doorway. If the hurricane hadn’t happened, voting wouldn’t be happening in this church building. That means that man wouldn’t have been in the doorway, listening to a fine gospel sermon.

After services, I went over and introduced myself to the man in the doorway. I asked if he needed anything to eat or drink. “How about a Diet Coke?” he asked. “Coming right up,” I answered. I could be wrong, but I sense an opportunity.