Building Memories

I have been reminded in recent days of the importance of memories--and our deliberate intentions to build good ones. Our son, Nick, now a junior at Ouachita Baptist Univesity, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, is home for the summer. Because he is our youngest, we are fully aware that his days at home at limited. So we are making the most of our time with him--in simple and fun ways. Already this summer, we've walked through Scheels several times and shopped among the vast assortment of fishing and hunting supplies--even picked up a new rod and reel for the boy. And he has become rather proficient in the art of bait casting! Then a few days ago, we did something different. I pulled out my flyrod, unused for some time now, and stood in our front yard and introduced Nick to the intricacies of fly casting. I suppose to our neighbors we looked a bit fooish, but it was a grand and simple time. At some point in the next few days, we will take our new learning to the water. That should be fun. After the fly casting lesson, Nick asked if we could play pitch. It took a while to find baseball gloves and to get a ball but soon we were back where we had been a few years ago, father and son tossing a ball back and forth, displaying technique and intrigue, laughing at our mishaps, inventing situations (bases loaded, bottom of the 9th, one run lead, two out and the count is three balls and two strikes--and the pressure is on), and totally enjoying our romp down memory lane. We have spent a lifetime building memories. I am glad we have them.

In the last two nights, I witnessed more memory building in our Vacation Bible School. What a joy to watch children having such a good time at church! Vivid images came to my mind of wonderful experiences in church during my childood. In fact, I think the earliest memory of my life was in church. I recall as a little guy, maybe a year of two old, resting on a pallet at my mother's feet and looking up at her lovely face as she sang the hymns of faith. A warm sensation still goes through me as I recall it.

Such memories as our children are experiencing this week in VBS and my experience in worship at Boughton Baptist Church are the stuff of which great living is made. When vital faith in God is blended with deep relationships with others, and all in an atmosphere of caring love, along with laughter, we are living out what Jesus called "abundant life."

Building memories is an important matter. For in them we discover resources for great living.

Talk later. LM

Making the Most of Time

We have just passed the summer solstice which marks the beginning of summer and also the longest day of the year. That is, more minutes of "suntime" happened on June 21 than any other day of the year. For months now, each day has seen more daylight than the day before. But now the cycle reverses. Each day we will experience fewer minutes of daylight, a process that will continue until the winter solstice in December. Then the cycle begins again. I suppose the cycle has always, since Creation, been a part of our earthly existence.

Here's my thinking. While the minutes of daylight and darkness alter each day, as the earth tilts in various degrees on its journey around the sun, there are still, according to our measurement of things, sixty seconds in each minute! That hasn't changed. Neither has the fact that time doesn't stand still. When a second or a minute is passed, it can never be re-lived. That's both a sobering and humbling thought. I said in a sermon some weeks ago, that the use of time is like spending money. You can spend it in many ways, the choices are almost unlimited, but you can spend it only once. Once it is spent, there are no do-overs.

Here is a word from Scripture: Be careful how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Whether summer, fall, winter or spring, I hope you are having the "time" of your life!

Talk later. LM

It has been a while since I have written, but am back again. Had a great time with our grandson, Andrew, a couple of weeks ago. Sure do miss the little guy.

Around church, summer activites are in full swing. A group of 45 are completing a week in New Orleans (our 4th such Katrina trip in recent months) and will return to SF early next week. I am so very proud of First B in responding so lovingly and sacrificially to the tragedy in the South. A strong relationship has been fostered with the St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in N.O. that will last on. Lives have been touched there and here. I give thanks to the good people at First B who have given financially, personally, and prayerfully in our response.

Also, VBS is just around the corner. This is a marvelous opportunity each summer to make a difference in the lives of children and families. In these few short days, a great deal of Bible study and learning will take place. Friendships will be developed and a lot of fun will be had. And most of all, there will be children who will come to Christ during VBS. Lives will be changed forever. What a great joy!

Talk later. LM