The best writers are not the best bloggers.  Case in point, my brother Wesley, pastor of Estes Brook Church in rural Minnesota.  Wes has a gift with words and ideas that I can’t begin to approach.  But I am a better blogger simply because he doesn’t blog. So, occasionally, I offer a guest post.  In this case, after visiting the remote family cemetery in northern Kansas, he sent musings in an email to his siblings.  I’ve expanded, reduced and adapted so that the main ideas are to his credit, but altered to the extent that all blame should be directed to me. Unaltered sections will be in italics. Brackets indicate my explanatory notes.  Final commentary is mine.

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Subject:  Cemetery Theology Committee 

David and John, [our brothers who live in reasonable proximity to the noted Wesleyan Cemetery of Clay County, Kansas.  Other brothers have come perilously close to being more identified with Calvinism instead of Wesleyan theology,  So how did a Calvinist become the chairman of the Wesleyan Cemetery Theology Committee? Did he just choose to be the chairman out of his own free will? We will have to leave that mystery to God’s sovereignty.]

One of the first things the committee must do is remind Christians who own plots in the cemetery to remember their duty to put Scripture on their tombstones.  Our witness for Jesus should continue after we die.  In 2011, I took photos of several Macy tombstones and of all the photos I took, only 3 [out of 22] have Scripture on them … or any reference to God. Continue reading “Tombstone Evangelism” →

I don’t  suppose we will celebrate birthdays in heaven. Admittedly the Bible doesn’t address birthdays, so we can’t be sure about that, maybe we will, but certain birthdays impact me more than others.

Today, just three days from Father’s Day, is the 95th anniversary of the birth of my father, Alton Ralph Macy, born on June 13, 1918. Dad has been with the Lord since February 17, 2002, but eleven years of absence doesn’t make me forget the impact of this man on my life.  He wasn’t perfect by any measure. Continue reading “Father’s Day 2013 – My Dad at 95” →

Have you seen the latest Cheerios commercial featuring an ethnically diverse family, an apparently Caucasian mom, an African American dad and their beautiful little preschool daughter?  Having been told by her mom that Cheerios are good for heart health, she dumps a pile of Cheerios on her sleeping father, resting on the couch, who wakes up from his nap obviously puzzled.  It’s a touching picture of loving caring family relationships.

But sadly, it has resulted in numerous ugly racist reactions from those  opposed to inter-racial marriage. Continue reading “Marriage and Cheerios! But What’s Next?” →

The closer you live to a national or international event, the more you feel the impact, even it there is no deeply personal connection.

I write today as as a man who has no friends, but before you feel too sorry for me, I should clarify context.  Specifically, I have no Facebook Friends, not even a Twitter account, though that has more appeal to me than Facebook.  Yes, I have access to a computer, even an iPhone, no iPad yet.  So I’m stuck in the ancient world of email and regular web searches.

But because my wife is on Facebook and has lots of friends, I vicariously participate through her.  I see the relational value of Facebook. I’ve gained a lot of useful information about dear friends. The stronger connections are wonderful.  But I am mystified by many of you who feel the need to share what you had for breakfast, Continue reading “Think before you Post!” →

One of my true heroes, a man I’ve admired for more than 50 years, has died.

Largely unknown to the following generations, but a man who had a huge impact on my life, 104 year old George Beverly Shea died on April 16. It was the day after the Boston Marathon Bombings, so I didn’t even hear about it in the news.

What’s so great about this old fashioned singer?  Continue reading “George Beverly Shea 1909-2013” →

Finished reading Leviticus this morning; captivated by the If you… then I… language used by God in speaking to Israel.

If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you… Leviticus 26:3ff (ESV )  And it goes on to describe the blessings of good weather and abundant crops and peace and victory over enemies, a generally blessed life of prosperity. I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you. (9) And even better, God says, I will make my dwelling among you.(11) But there is another side… Continue reading “If you…then I… Judgment and Grace” →

I don’t remember ever going to a movie on opening day, in fact I normally wait so long, I don’t go at all.  But 42, the compelling story of the integration of baseball led by Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson, grabbed my attention and did not disappoint. In fact, as some great one liners popped out throughout, I surprised myself by spontaneously leading the theater crowd in applause at one point.  Fortunately, I was joined by others.

What’s so great about 42?  Bottom line, it is the impact of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on culture.  Continue reading “42” →

From The Valley of Vision, page 189

There is much unconquered territory in my nature,
scourge out the buyers and sellers of my souls temple,
and give me in return pure desires,
and longings after perfect holiness.

Next to the Bible, The Valley of Vision is one of my favorite books.  It is an anonymous selection of Puritan prayers that both encourage and confront, highlighting my radical sinfulness and God’s radical grace. You can order your copy from Christianbook.com  I use these prayers regularly to strengthen my anemic prayers with some real substance. Of course, the far superior source is the Bible itself, but sometimes more recent fellow strugglers like the Puritans can be an additional encouragement.

Motivational slogans come and go, but here is a new one from the Final Four Wichita State University Wheat Shockers – Play Angry!  

The challenge apparently originated a few weeks ago with Antoine Carr, former Shocker and NBA star, whose number is retired at the top of Koch Arena.  But it caught on and has been used by Coach Gregg Marshall ever since to motivate his team toward passionate effort.  It worked!  They came very close to a Butleresque* appearance in the NCAA championship game before losing in the semis to eventual champion, Louisville.

Welcomed back home last Sunday by appreciative fans, Coach Marshall decided to pass on some life lessons.

Whatever your occupation is, what every you do in your daily life, without hurting anyone else, without being too overtly aggressive, do it with anger… Preach angry, If you are a cab driver, drive angry.  if you are a school teacher, teach angry.  If you are an accountant, count angry. Continue reading “Play Angry… Preach Angry???” →