Fireworks

On the night of the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress voted for Independence (on July 2, not July 4), John Adams wrote his wife Abigail. He said this day of deliverance should be celebrated with, among other things, fireworks.

Yes that's right. Fireworks have been a part of our July 4 celebrations since the first. I guess that's why they continue to be with us, despite their dangers.

People everywhere end up in emergency rooms with skin burns and other ailments. Also, more dogs run away from home on July 4 than on any other day. They flee in terror from the fireworks.

Despite the negatives, USA Americans will spend over $400 million on fireworks this year. John Adams would be proud.

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Dad the Mentor

In all the excitement about Fathers Day, I started thinking of the many things Dad taught me about the ministry. He was a mentor before mentoring was cool. He taught me how to:

Administer the Lord's Supper
Baptize
Lead a Deacons Meeting
Do a funeral
Perform a wedding
Preach short sermons
Use stories in sermons
Greet people before and after church
Telephone prospects
Use the Roman Road in soulwinning
Lead a holy life
How to treat my wife.

You get the point. This list could go on for a while. Thanks, Dad. Happy Fathers Day.

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My Dad

Happy Fathers Day. Few people have more cause to celebrate this day than I do. I was raised by a Godly dad, who is still alive, and had both my Godly grandpas till I was 28 years old.

The Gospel was for sure conveyed to me through masculine channels. This is a missing trait in much USA Christianity. Too many dads are absent and/or abdicating their spiritual role to wives and mothers.

This is tragic, because studies continue to show that children tend to follow the religious habits of their dad rather than of their mom. Men, we need to step up to the plate and fulfill our God-given responsibility to raise Godly children.

I intend to go see my dad tomorrow. He will turn 86 in August. One thing I hope to remember to tell him is how grateful I am for the spiritual influence he had in my life.

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Prayer Folder

Heimlich Maneuver

Today in 1974 the Heimlich Maneuver for saving choking victims was first publicized. It has saved countless thousands of lives. I have two favorite stories about it.

The first story involved an elderly woman and her husband at the Emergency Room. She had some broken ribs. The husband had earlier been choking to death, and the wife did not know what to do. In desperation, he grabbed her, turned her around, and did the maneuver on her to show her what to do to him. It worked for him. She ended up in ER.

The second story involved John Chancellor when he was the NBC News anchorman. One night he announced his life had been saved at noon by someone doing the Heimlich Maneuver on him. He was extremely grateful. If I remember right, the hero was a young NBC reporter named Tom Brokaw. I do love stories.

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Branson Getaway

Since I don't have to preach this Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, Ruth and I decided to slip away for a Friday overnighter in Branson.

We like it here. Accommodations are reasonable, people are friendly, and Silver Dollar City is nearby.

Yesterday I found another reason to like Branson. While browsing through the St Louis Cardinals (Did I mention they have the best record in baseball?) store, I heard Christian music. When I stepped outside, I heard Christian music being played over the Branson Landing PA System. Yay. Way to go.

Looking for fun in our own back yard? I recommend Branson. One warning: beware traffic on Country Music Boulevard.

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I Miss My Small Group

If one purpose of a small group is to promote close bonding, our group has to be doing something right. I miss our Thursday night college students. I miss their zest for life, their love for Ruth and me, their commitment to the Scriptures, their voracious appetites, their laughter, their crazy antics surrounding each session's picture.

I've learned they love pizza, lemonade, and chocolate milk. Whenever I see any of these three items, I think of my college group. When I see people standing up and talking while eating, I think of my group. When I see it's Thursday, I think of my group. Wow. It's going to be a long summer. I'm ready for August to get here.

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