Category: Blog

Thoughts from here and there…Ho Hum another year another ?

I once worked for Winthrop-Atkins Company in Middleborough MA., as a journeyman printer. I enjoyed my job until one morning the foreman stopped with another individual and informed me that I was being moved to a different printing press.

At this point I don’t remember the names of the people involved. In any case, they would be changed to protect the guilty. I do remember what happened.

The owner’s daughter had been married and this was the son-in-law who was going to learn the business from the floor up. He was taking over my position.

I reluctantly agreed.

It took time to show him what was needed to set up a job. The day came when it was necessary for me to move on. I watched his progress or lack of it with great interest. He did not produce much. His greatest accomplishment appeared to be to cover himself with varied colors of printer’s ink.

One evening, I walked him out of the building and asked him how it was going. His reply has stayed with me, “Another day, another Raleigh coupon.” He smoked Raleigh cigarettes, a pack a day. There used to be a coupon in each pack that was redeemable for items in their catalogue.

Ho-hum, another day another Raleigh coupon? How would you like to accomplish more than that. How about New Year’s resolutions. But why bother. In all likelihood there has not been much success with resolutions.

We could take the tack of Calvin. Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes) philosophically says to Hobbes, “Everybody makes the wrong kind of New Years resolutions. All they do is promise to stop bad habits and start good habits. Its not enough to change a few little habits. Everybody I know needs a complete personality overhaul. “That’s why I’ll be spending the remaining days of this year telling people what I hate about them and how they should change.” Hobbes: “Some people would like to reciprocate.” Calvin: “Sorry. My resolution is not to change a bit.” (Dr. John Bardsley Sermons for January)

So we decide to do nothing and nothing is what we will get. What we may not fully understand is that if we are willing to do nothing for ourselves, in all likelihood we will not do much for anyone else.
There is something what we can do. In an episode of the comic strip Nancy, Nancy is sitting at a table writing: ”

9. Be nicer to people;

10. Eat only healthy food;

11. Share with friends.” She is all the way down to number 28 which is “Stop being so pushy.” She writes, ”

29. Cut down on sweets;

30. Be less critical of others.”

Sitting next to her is her friend Spike. Spike asks: “New Years resolutions?” Nancy replies: “Its that time of the year again.” Spike says, “I’m impressed. These are really good goals…but do you think you can keep all of them?” Nancy replies: “Why should I? These are for you.” Then she hands the list of resolutions to him! (From: Wayne Long)

It is easy for us to sit in the cat-bird’s seat and talk about what it is that ought to be done by others. We make resolutions for those who which we are critical. It is much more difficult to manage with one’s self. But it is with ourselves that we have to work.

I have learned what I believe to be a fundamental principle of life. If I want to I will; If I don’t want to I won’t. No one can force me to do anything. It is my choice. Other people do have some influence on what has been done in life. Accidents happen! Basically, I am the sum total of the decisions that I have made. Life changed dramatically when I allowed myself to accept the help of God.

Have you ever found yourself, like the Actor and Director, John Huston, having a terrible time. The Rev. Jean M. Hilton, Chaplain, Presbyterian Homes, Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, in a sermon said, he was “reminded of one of the great American film directors, John Huston, whose films included The Maltese Falcon and Moby Dick, who had perhaps the toughest assignment he ever had with the modestly titled film, The Bible. John Huston, the director, found the Creation scenes especially challenging. When a friend asked him how things were going, he replied, ‘I don’t know how God managed. I’m having a terrible time.'”

We have some idea of his God managed. We have clear picture of how Jesus managed his life amidst the joys and the sorrows that he faced. We do not have to have a terrible time. With God there are no terrible times.

Having A Better Life in 2025

New Year’s resolutions will soon be broken. Promises to one’s self or another will not hold up. Here is a way to put into practice some rules that will enable you to grow a better life in 2025.

Corita Kent, the former nun turned graphic artist, says in one of her posters, “Life is a series of moments; to live each one is to succeed.” We misunderstand what it really means to be alive if we think that we can solve the problem of living once and for all. We can only deal with it day by day, a constant struggle to fill each day with one day’s worth of meaning. ((1) Video | Facebook

The Ten Commandments for Getting along with Other People (Unknown)

Take ten and apply them. You will find meaning and success.

Keep skid chains on your tongue. Always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice— how you say it often counts more than what you say.

Make promises sparingly, and keep them faith- fully, no matter what the cost.

Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging word to or about somebody. Praise good work, regardless of who did it.

Be interested in others: Their pursuits, their work, their homes, and their families. Make merry with those who rejoice; with those who weep, mourn. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard them as a person of importance.

Be cheerful. Don’t burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your aches and pains and small disappointments. Remember, everyone is carrying some kind of burden.

Keep an open mind. Discuss, but don’t argue. It is the mark of a superior mind to be able to disagree without being disagreeable.

Let your virtues, if you have any, speak for themselves. Refuse to talk about the vices of others. Discourage gossip—it is a waste of valuable time and can be destructive and hurtful.

Take into consideration the feelings of others. Wit and humor at the expense of another is never worth the pain that may be inflicted.

Pay no attention to ill–natured remarks about you. Remember, the person who carried the message may not be the most accurate reporter in the world. Simply live so that nobody will believe him or her. Disordered nerves and bad digestion are a common cause of back–biting.

Don’t be anxious about the credit due you. Do your best and be patient. Forget about yourself, and let others “remember.” Success is much sweeter that way.

Thoughts from here and There…Tumbledown Barn

The house can hardly be seen for the mature trees that surround it. The barn is slowly collapsing. The north gable has tilted in and is in danger of total collapse. The east wall is held in place by an old silo. The west wall is bulging in and it is only a matter of time before it finally collapses in.

For ten years I watched the ravages of weather and time take its toll on what once was a sturdy and practical barn for the housing of livestock, hay and milking machine.

If you listen you can still hear the voices of the people discussing the days events, the weather or the coming storm. How are the crops? Will milk prices stay up so that we can keep milking? Do you want to know what I saw in the field today? The sounds of children playing were hushed by tired parents who, after a long days work, looked for a little peace and rest.

In the barn is the rustle of cattle chewing the cud from the feed and hay that had been given to them. The cat stalks the illusive mouse. The soft whir of wings of the barn owl moves through the air as it exits to hunt for its evening meal. Now the only thing that is heard is the wrenching of once solid timbers and they are pulled apart and laid to rest in unnatural positions.

There is something about the old Amby Sullivan farm on Highway 14, west of Arena, that reminds you of what happens when property is sold, people die, and there is no one to care for what was once very important, but now the buildings are worthless.

No maintenance has been done for years. Does this remind us of our lives as we face a New Year? What are we going to do. Neglect leads to decay. Attention to detail in our religious life with the proper maintenance leads to life. We cannot afford to neglect prayer, Bible reading, and worship attendance. These help us to grow strong and to maintain what we have. God will help us to take care of the rest. So, when you make a New Year’s promise, that is if you do, hold on to the better part.

Thoughts from here and there…Where will you find what you need?

This poem: “The Search” by Emily Templeton was used in a Christmas Eve Sermon I thought it appropriate for this last Sunday of Advent as we prepare for Christmas Eve and Day.

I looked for Christmas everywhere,
Through snow-filled skies and winter’s air.
I hunted in the likely places —
The festive shops, the children’s faces.
I searched for Christmas day and night,
In sprigs of holly, candlelight;
In gifts gay-wrapped and friendly greeting,
Yet found it not, and time was fleeting.
And then — with a sudden start —
I thought to search within my heart.
And there — not lost, but warm and waking —
Was Christmas, mine just for the taking!
Who Is This Baby?
In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception.
In physics, He disapproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven.
In economics, He disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5,000 men with two fishes and 5 loaves of bread.
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs.
In history, He is the beginning and the end.
In government, He said that he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through him; So. Who is He? He is Jesus! The greatest man in history.
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Thoughts from here and there…Donkeys and Christmas Pageants

This story helps to create an appreciation of the Christmas Story.

“There’s something very special about Christmas pageants, even those in which everything seems to go wrong.

“Robert Fulghum tells about one such Christmas pageant. Trying to outdo previous years they decided to rent a live donkey for Mary to ride on. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

“Have you ever noticed that a lot of things ‘sound like a good idea at the time?’ The day of the pageant arrived. The congregation sang beautifully some Christmas carols and the angel choir, complete with haloes, got through their first big number ‘almost on key and in unison.’

“The time came for the grand entrance of Joseph and Mary, with Mary riding on the donkey. She was ‘carrying what later proved to be a Raggedy Andy doll.’ Then it happened. The donkey made two hesitant steps through the door of the chancel, took a look at the whole scene, and locked his legs. The donkey would not move and the entire procession came to a halt. Jerking on his halter had no effect. Neither did some wicked kicking on the part of the Virgin Mary.

“Just then the president of the trustees, seated in the front row and dressed in his Sunday best, rose to the rescue. The floor was polished cement. With another man pulling the donkey’s halter, the president of the trustees crouched at the stern end of the donkey and pushed–slowly sliding the rigid beast across the floor, inch by stately inch.

The choir director chose that moment to turn on a tape recorder, which blared forth a mighty chorus from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This scared the donkey. By this time everyone was laughing.

Organizers vowed never again to put on a Christmas pageant. ‘The memory of the laughter outlives the memory of the hassle,’ Fulghum writes of the experience. ‘And hope–hope always makes us believe that this time, this year, we will get it right.'”

Sometimes you read a story that contains such insight and understanding that it needs to be shared. Is this such a story?

Thoughts from here and There…Religious Symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Right or wrong, it is controversial. But some that believe it the popular song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a song that is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children has more significance than nonsense.

It has been suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Faith.

They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The “true love” mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself.

The “me” who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the “days” represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn. True Love refers to God.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree: The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song,

Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ’s sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . .” (Luke 13:34)1.

1. Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments

2. 3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

3. 4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

4. 5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

5. 6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

6. 7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

7. 8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

8. 9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

9. 10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments

10. 11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

11. 12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

There you have it. If it is true that this is a teaching song from the 16th century than maybe it is one that we might use today. It wouldn’t hurt.

Thoughts from here and there…Fractured Christmas Stories

I like the Family Circus written by Bill Keane.

Dolly is reading the Christmas story to Jeffery and PJ (The Family Circus, from the Joyful Noiseletter. Reprinted with permission of Bill Keane. ©Bill Keane.)

“Mary and Joseph were camping out under a star in the east…It was a silent night in Bethlehem until the angels began to sing…Then Santa brought baby Jesus in his sleigh and laid him in a Manger.

“Pay attention Jeffrey, or you’ll never learn the story of Christmas.

“Chestnuts were roasting by an open fire and not a creature was stirring…So the Grinch stole some swaddling clothes from Scrooge who was one of the three wise men riding on eight tiny reindeer.”

This telling of the Christmas story reminds me of Edward Everett Horton and Fractured Fairy Tales that he used to tell on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Jeffrey will probably not get the story straight, especially as told by Dolly. But then how often do we get the story straight.

It might be helpful this year to find your Bible and turn to the Gospels and read the Christmas story in all four of them.

There is no confusion in this, there is only an expanding vision of who Jesus is, why he came to earth, and what he can do for you.

Thoughts from here and there…Unthanked people

November 28 is Thanksgiving. This blog has been used before, but it is worth reading again and applying the principles that it contains.

(Just in time for Thanksgiving, Rev. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR, of the Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH relayed the following reflection on “Unthanked people” via e-mail from Steve Goodier. The Joyful Noiseletter, November 1999, page 5)

When William Stidger taught at Boston University, he once reflected upon the great number of unthanked people in his life. People who had helped nurture him, inspire him or cared enough about him to leave a lasting impression.

“One was a schoolteacher he’d not heard of in many years. But he remembered that she had gone out of her way to put a love of poetry in him, and he had loved poetry all his life. He wrote a letter of thanks to her.

“The reply he received, written in the feeble scrawl of the aged, began, ‘My dear Willie.’ He was delighted. Now over 50, bald and a professor, he didn’t think there was a person left in the world who would call him ‘Willie.’ Here is a copy of that letter:

“‘My dear Willie, I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years and yours is the first note of appreciation I ever received. It came on a blue-cold morning and it cheered me as nothing has in many years.’

“Not prone to cry easily, Stidger wept over that note. She was one of the great unthanked people from Stidger’s past. You know them. We all do. The teacher who made a difference. That coach we’ll never forget. The music instructor or Sunday school worker who helped us to believe in ourselves. That Scout leader who cared.

“We all remember people who shaped our lives in various ways. People whose influence changed us. Will Stidger found a way to show his appreciation—he wrote them letters.

“Who are some of the unthanked people from your past? It may not be too late to say, ‘Thanks.”‘

Thoughts from here and there…Put On A Happy Face

It was what one radio personality called, “a moody and introspective day.” You know when the cloud cover is deep gray, the showers are falling, and you feel somewhat closed in and tired. It is a good day to take a nap, but you have too much to do.

As I was contemplating the day I thought of a song and started to sing “Put on A Happy Face.” by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams that reads:

Put On A Happy Face

Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face

Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy
It’s not your style
You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad
You decide to smile

Pick out a pleasant outlook
Stick out that noble chin
Wipe off that “full of doubt” look
Slap on a happy grin

And spread sunshine all over the place
And put on a happy face

Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Brush off the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face

And if you’re feeling cross and bickerish
Don’t sit and whine
Think of banana splits and licorice
And you’ll feel fine

I knew a girl so gloomy
She’d never laugh or sing
She wouldn’t listen to me
Now she’s a mean old thing

So spread sunshine all over the place
And put on a happy, happy face
Put on a happy, happy, happy face
Oh, come on bubby, smile its your birthday

I thought to myself, “How do you put on a happy face when you are not happy?” There is another song that fits right in here. It is called “Smile.” The tune was written by Charlie Chaplin, the words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by…
If you smile

With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just…

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just…Smile

Smile as though you are happy and as you do you will be able to overcome the gray clouds and the unhappiness. It is called intentionality. You intentionally smile when you don’t feel like it and in time you enjoy a change in attitude, and you will smile. Try it, it really works.

Thoughts from here and There…Lord, Prop Us up

Every time Mike Atkinson is asked to pray, he thinks of the old deacon who always prayed, ‘Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side.’

“After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

“He answered, ‘Well sir, you see, it’s like this…I got an old barn out back. It’s been there a long time. It’s withstood a lot of weather. It’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years. It’s still standing, but one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn’t fall.

“‘Then I got to thinking ’bout that and how much I was like that old barn. I been around a long time, I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms, I’ve withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, and I’m still standing, too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leanin’ side, ’cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning, at times.’”

If you have to lean try, as the song says, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”

Leaning On the Everlasting Arms is  Song by Iris DeMent

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Refrain

Songwriters: Elisha A. Hoffman, Cyril A. Mclellan, A Showalter.

It helps to remember that one of the great props is thanksgiving. To help you not to lean to much to one side or the other express your gratitude to God for all his blessings, and to your family and friends for all the times that they have been a help and encouragement to you.