There is a Bible verse which speaks of a man becoming closer to you than a brother. Not that your brother can not be close, but one who comes to mean this to you is by choice. Such was the case in my life with Basil Cass in South Africa. I remember Jesus looking down at John from the Cross. He gave John a great charge.....this is your mother. Why? He had a bond with Peter and James. He was human remember. John had a connection which touched a deep fiber.
When I went to Texas around Ray Votaw's funeral it had been 20 years since I'd seen his wife Thena. The last I saw her was in connection to her oldest daughter's funeral. I was laying here this morning, it's now 4:07, trying to remember when I last saw Sharon Votaw Reed. Sharon flies out this morning returning to Cape Town South Africa. God go with her.
When I walked up to Thena we exchanged a hug of sorrow and friendship time never erases. She remarked it's been sooooo long. It has been over 20 years. My remark to Thena was...."nothing has changed between us." I think the last time I saw Sharon was when she and her family were moving to Cape Town. Kelly, her middle daughter, would have been the age of her oldest daughter. It did not matter....Time does not erase bonds as Jesus knew existed between John and himself.
Those are the bonds you give sacred gifts to in life. "your mother" In South Africa in November Gloria Cass gave me a tie pin worn by Basil. It was like she handed me his life. The bond was felt so deep for he was one if life demanded I know I could have said.....Basil your mother. Such is the bond I felt in Texas with Thena and Sharon. Life gives you gifts beyond words. I'm thankful God has made available, in my life, gifts which time never erases.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Ray Votaw A Writer Of History
In 1972 I began my drive to move my family to South Africa. Early in 1966 I had focused on going to Australia. Some things are not meant to be your direction. Little did I know the direction I'd be taken in was to the Indian (India) population in Durban, South Africa.
I'm sure my first efforts were filled with mistakes in understanding a different culture. Finding guidance is essential to being useful in the lives of others. Before I left the U.S. I received a book which let me know not to take the American Culture into my work. Again, reading is essential, but many questions still were present due to little experience.
God hears when we are wondering in a desert whether it be physically, emotionally, or in a spiritual direction. I think it was 1975 when I first met Ray Votaw. Since the 50's Ray had worked among the different African tribes in South Africa. Ray was filled with the knowledge of experience. While he had not worked much with the Indian population he understood his role. It was to open doors not to control the doors.
He had the gift of listening to one with his mind in neutral. I can not ever remember him telling me an answer to a question. Rather he'd ask me a question which, when it sunk in, contained my answer. All felt Ray could put himself on their level. Opening the door to all to seek his knowledge gained in experience. He touched lives many will never touch who want you to know how important they are in life. Ray wrote history in the lives of many. These today are continuing on in opening doors and not in controlling doors. It's the old story applied ..... give a man a fish and he will eat for a day....teach him to fish and he will fead himself all his life. Yea, I know, I stretched that saying. Hendrix Morris knows what I'm saying. Listed as a coloured, when I knew Hendrix, there was no difference between Ray and Hendrix. Many a time I heard Ray ask Hendrix a question so Hendrix would give the answer to those around him. Men who write history are often in the shadows, but history will never forget them. We will lay Ray's body to rest on Saturday. He's already at Rest with Christ.
I'm sure my first efforts were filled with mistakes in understanding a different culture. Finding guidance is essential to being useful in the lives of others. Before I left the U.S. I received a book which let me know not to take the American Culture into my work. Again, reading is essential, but many questions still were present due to little experience.
God hears when we are wondering in a desert whether it be physically, emotionally, or in a spiritual direction. I think it was 1975 when I first met Ray Votaw. Since the 50's Ray had worked among the different African tribes in South Africa. Ray was filled with the knowledge of experience. While he had not worked much with the Indian population he understood his role. It was to open doors not to control the doors.
He had the gift of listening to one with his mind in neutral. I can not ever remember him telling me an answer to a question. Rather he'd ask me a question which, when it sunk in, contained my answer. All felt Ray could put himself on their level. Opening the door to all to seek his knowledge gained in experience. He touched lives many will never touch who want you to know how important they are in life. Ray wrote history in the lives of many. These today are continuing on in opening doors and not in controlling doors. It's the old story applied ..... give a man a fish and he will eat for a day....teach him to fish and he will fead himself all his life. Yea, I know, I stretched that saying. Hendrix Morris knows what I'm saying. Listed as a coloured, when I knew Hendrix, there was no difference between Ray and Hendrix. Many a time I heard Ray ask Hendrix a question so Hendrix would give the answer to those around him. Men who write history are often in the shadows, but history will never forget them. We will lay Ray's body to rest on Saturday. He's already at Rest with Christ.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Our Strength Versus:
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is delcaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth. And their utterance to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat." ( Psalm 19:1-6 NAS version)
I'm totally in favor of all humans taking care of the planet. That has never been the issue with me nor any I know. What is the issue is the arrogance of those professing to understand the workings of this world. Understand it to the degree of knowing what moves it's very fiber.
Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980. Mount Saint Helens is on the N. W. corner of the U.S. In 1980 South Africa began to experience a drastic shift in wind currents. South Africa is on the southern most tip of Africa. There was speculation the eruption had a part to play in that change. The change resulted in a draught. One that brought very severe water limitations on the population in Southern Africa. Now I don't know if that speculation was correct. My only point is: When you evaluate what is being written or said about Global Warming consider the power and insight of those who are doing the writing and speaking.
Can they alter the path of the Sun? God could! Only He would set it in motion has the power and insight to change that motion. Not that He is at this moment. At least I hope not. I chuckle when I hear the "wisdom" of those who did not set it in its path.
I'm totally in favor of all humans taking care of the planet. That has never been the issue with me nor any I know. What is the issue is the arrogance of those professing to understand the workings of this world. Understand it to the degree of knowing what moves it's very fiber.
Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980. Mount Saint Helens is on the N. W. corner of the U.S. In 1980 South Africa began to experience a drastic shift in wind currents. South Africa is on the southern most tip of Africa. There was speculation the eruption had a part to play in that change. The change resulted in a draught. One that brought very severe water limitations on the population in Southern Africa. Now I don't know if that speculation was correct. My only point is: When you evaluate what is being written or said about Global Warming consider the power and insight of those who are doing the writing and speaking.
Can they alter the path of the Sun? God could! Only He would set it in motion has the power and insight to change that motion. Not that He is at this moment. At least I hope not. I chuckle when I hear the "wisdom" of those who did not set it in its path.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Unconditional Love & Labs
In 1999 Gail and I lost a black lab. I had to ok a vet to put her down. That's painful. You been there? We could not think of another dog for several months. We had also lost Gail's Shih Tzu several months before we lost Diamond.
Some are not dog lovers. Different dogs have different natures. Lab's have a way that gets to you. No matter how long you've been away from them they are excited to see you when you open the door. We picked a pure white Lab in April, 2000. Sunshine was a part of a 13 pup litter, She'll be 12 14 Feb. 2012.
Unconditional Love is Sunshine's gift to me. Even after times of having to get onto her she's wagging her tail. She holds no grudges, has my back always, and totally trust our guidance.
The Old Favorite: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..." Does this need much conversation? What word can you find that comes close to explaing why God (Deity) gave His only begotten Son to a world that hated Him. A world which walks away from His guidance often. A world which seldom trusts His guidance. Unconditional Love. Yes, I'm among that "world." I'm thankful God's door is Open when I come crawling back. No matter how many times I come crawling back. Why? Unconditional Love.
Some are not dog lovers. Different dogs have different natures. Lab's have a way that gets to you. No matter how long you've been away from them they are excited to see you when you open the door. We picked a pure white Lab in April, 2000. Sunshine was a part of a 13 pup litter, She'll be 12 14 Feb. 2012.
Unconditional Love is Sunshine's gift to me. Even after times of having to get onto her she's wagging her tail. She holds no grudges, has my back always, and totally trust our guidance.
The Old Favorite: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..." Does this need much conversation? What word can you find that comes close to explaing why God (Deity) gave His only begotten Son to a world that hated Him. A world which walks away from His guidance often. A world which seldom trusts His guidance. Unconditional Love. Yes, I'm among that "world." I'm thankful God's door is Open when I come crawling back. No matter how many times I come crawling back. Why? Unconditional Love.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Moving-or-Adventure?
For 71 years my dad lived on the same street where he met my mother. Most from his generation remained in the same town as their birth. From August, 1961 to December, 2011 I've lived in 8 locations. These ranged from Tampa, Florida - Pine Mountain Valley, Georgia - Salem, Ohio - Akron, Ohio - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa - Pinetown, Natal, South Africa - Athens, Alabama, USA - Birmingham, Alabama, USA. In January, 2012 my family will move to Dahlonega, Georgia, USA.
I remember questioning one's sanity in living in -0 weather. In August, 1966 my family moved to Salem Ohio. -20 was the temperature several days in 1966-67. South Africa? I can remember the questions about that move. How on earth will you talk to those people? Oh, I got that several times.
My point in all this rambling is life is a choice. Actually I loved living in Ohio. Loved the snow covered fields. South Africa always amazed me. Gail and I stopped at the tourist center in 1995 to ask how do you pronounce Dahlonega. From someone I inherited the love of adventure. I remember writing a report on Australia in the 4th grade. I'll be 70, God willing, in July. My daughter Julie, who knows me well, said "it's time for a new adventure." Adventures in life do not have to involve moving. That's not my point. It's finding in one's life what makes one smile each day. (Oh, I struggle with this as most.) I have to remind myself each day---find the adventure. In writing this I'm encouraging myself (I pray you as well) to live each day wanting to get up, for there is an adventure. Retire? If you mean slow down....might be good, but retire from finding adventures? Boring!!!! I remember sitting on the bed of a crippled 84 year old lady in Akron, Ohio. I went to cheer HER up. Every time I left seeing life bigger than when I arrived. Granny saw life to be lived even though she could not get out of her house. Each day was an adventure to be lived. That's according to Granny Young! "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." The body does wear out. Unless the mind is affected by disease, God says our spirit/heart can continue looking for and enjoying adventures till death. Granny Young kept finding adventures in encouraging others to live life each day.
I remember questioning one's sanity in living in -0 weather. In August, 1966 my family moved to Salem Ohio. -20 was the temperature several days in 1966-67. South Africa? I can remember the questions about that move. How on earth will you talk to those people? Oh, I got that several times.
My point in all this rambling is life is a choice. Actually I loved living in Ohio. Loved the snow covered fields. South Africa always amazed me. Gail and I stopped at the tourist center in 1995 to ask how do you pronounce Dahlonega. From someone I inherited the love of adventure. I remember writing a report on Australia in the 4th grade. I'll be 70, God willing, in July. My daughter Julie, who knows me well, said "it's time for a new adventure." Adventures in life do not have to involve moving. That's not my point. It's finding in one's life what makes one smile each day. (Oh, I struggle with this as most.) I have to remind myself each day---find the adventure. In writing this I'm encouraging myself (I pray you as well) to live each day wanting to get up, for there is an adventure. Retire? If you mean slow down....might be good, but retire from finding adventures? Boring!!!! I remember sitting on the bed of a crippled 84 year old lady in Akron, Ohio. I went to cheer HER up. Every time I left seeing life bigger than when I arrived. Granny saw life to be lived even though she could not get out of her house. Each day was an adventure to be lived. That's according to Granny Young! "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." The body does wear out. Unless the mind is affected by disease, God says our spirit/heart can continue looking for and enjoying adventures till death. Granny Young kept finding adventures in encouraging others to live life each day.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Peanut Butter
Sunshine loves Peanut Butter. Sunshine is our 12 year old Lab. (Well her birthdate is 14 Feb. 2000). Almost 12. When she was a pup we had pills to get down her throat. Now there are all kind of techniques. Shove them in, close the mouth, and rub the throat till the tongue comes out. Pills gone. Sometimes. Now with peanut butter you can hide the pills. Our order is: peanut butter out of the cabinet (no matter where in the house she'll hear the cabinet), spoon out of the drawer, pills removed from containers, spoon in peanut butter jar (by this time she's drooling), a generous dip, pills hidden (hurry up she's saying), down they go.
What's that got to do with anything. Life's short enough. Mary Poppins said to use sugar to make the medicine go down.
Find our own "peanut butter" to help get past what is hard to swallow. That can be friends, prayer, reading, walking in a favorite place. In a troubled time a friend made available to me a location near a lake. I could go sit alone on a peer, read, watch the fish jump, birds fly, stare off into nothingness, etc. What is your "peanut butter?"
What's that got to do with anything. Life's short enough. Mary Poppins said to use sugar to make the medicine go down.
Find our own "peanut butter" to help get past what is hard to swallow. That can be friends, prayer, reading, walking in a favorite place. In a troubled time a friend made available to me a location near a lake. I could go sit alone on a peer, read, watch the fish jump, birds fly, stare off into nothingness, etc. What is your "peanut butter?"
Kink's In My Armour"
Why? A friend wrote recently about a relationship she had ended. In her remarks she commented that a Knight in Shinning Armour might just be a man in Tinfoil. Well, somethink like that or close. You get the gist. I wrote I could never be a Knight in Shining Armour for I had to many kinks. My daughter Julie and she wrote, assuring me, I was a Knight with my Kinks.
As I prepared to begin this project I could never find a title that suggested a subject. One that would say write about life as it is. Write being open with people as we all have our kinks while we are walking this earth. My friend remarked she knew I had kinks, but my honesty about my kinks is what she respected. That, along with a comment from Julie, was one of the highest compliments I've ever received. No, No, I"m not getting the big head. Just humbled me for I often feel I've not been a good influence. Or, at least not the influence God desired in me.
This blog is not to proclaim the greatness of any human. This blog is not to present life's journey through rose colored glasses. This blog is not to make light of the struggles along life's journey. This blog is not to excuse one from the consequences of choices. This blog is to be a place one can come feeling he/she can express concerns. Feeling he/she can open a subject, being respected, as others listen with a heart of one walking with kink's in their armour.
As I prepared to begin this project I could never find a title that suggested a subject. One that would say write about life as it is. Write being open with people as we all have our kinks while we are walking this earth. My friend remarked she knew I had kinks, but my honesty about my kinks is what she respected. That, along with a comment from Julie, was one of the highest compliments I've ever received. No, No, I"m not getting the big head. Just humbled me for I often feel I've not been a good influence. Or, at least not the influence God desired in me.
This blog is not to proclaim the greatness of any human. This blog is not to present life's journey through rose colored glasses. This blog is not to make light of the struggles along life's journey. This blog is not to excuse one from the consequences of choices. This blog is to be a place one can come feeling he/she can express concerns. Feeling he/she can open a subject, being respected, as others listen with a heart of one walking with kink's in their armour.
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