STUDIO AUDIENCES

"The deadpan expression of audiences is the despair of public speakers. A single appreciative face stands out and is a source of inspiration.

"In the early days of radio when performers worked in silent studios, many of them found it impossible to give good performances. Studio audiences were introduced--and stage managed--to supply the appreciation which is essential even to professional entertainers."

David Dunn
Try Giving Yourself Away
Prentice-Hall  1947
p. 62

Dunn reminds readers that a public speaker or pastor, pouring himself out to an audience, can become pretty discouraged without an appreciative comment. I wouldn't recommend "commenting" during a sermon, but I suspect signs of engagement would certainly encourage a pastor, performer, or speaker. A little head nod, appropriate chuckles, or even a smile might do wonders. And . . . I'm thinking a worship leader would love to see smiles, clapping, raised hands or even a little toe tapping.

Can I challenge you this week? Appreciation, sincerely spoken, is always an encouragement. This week, try it without words. 8-)

Smiling,
Lonnie

IMPACT UNKNOWN

"How we travel in darkness and the work we do in all seriousness counts for naught, and the thing we toss off in play-time, unconsciously, God uses!"

David Grayson/Ray Stannard Baker
Adventures In Contentment
Grosset and Dunlap Publishers  1907
p. 61

The preacher thought himself a failure; but had the young boy in the front pew known the preacher thought so, he'd have convinced him otherwise.

Sometimes I wonder if God will ever use me. Other times, I'm convinced that He does; I just don't know how or when. And that's as it should be. For I wonder how long it would take before I'd take credit for what God has done. More than God not sharing His glory with another, I believe ministry wrapped in pride loses its effectiveness.

 God use what you will -- my work, my play; my smile, my tears; my voice, my silence; my blessings, my trials . . . I'll be me. You be You!

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

EIGHTY-ONE AND LONELY!

"While I was volunteering for an organization called, 'Friendly Visitors,' I went to an 81 year old lady's house to help her with housekeeping. She was very quiet, just sitting at the kitchen table while I worked and made small talk.
. . .
As I was getting ready to go I asked if she wanted me to blow out the candle. She kept looking at the candle burning, in broad daylight, and said, "No it keeps me company."

Dawn Nelson
From The Heart Through The Hands
Findhorn Press  2001
p. 12

That's lonely!

Is there someone in your life, church or neighborhood who needs to see another human being, hear a human voice, or feel a hand clasped over theirs? Next time you or I light a candle, I sort of hope this . . . haunts us.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

DEFINE NEGLIGIBLE!

"Darling, when you read and hear about the wonderful gains our army is making, keep in mind it just didn't happen--that many guys gave a lot of blood, even lives, to gain that objective. Don't forget that--even when the newspapers say "our losses are negligible."

Keith Winston (edited by wife, Sarah Winston)
V-Mail: Letters of a World War II Combat Medic
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill  1985
p. 176

Oh my gosh! Even when I thought negligible meant "few" I couldn't count any death above zero as negligible. How do you tell a parent, "I'm sorry your son died in combat--but he was the only one in our company . . . ?"

Then I actually looked up the definition of negligible. "Worthy of neglect; trifling." --American Heritage Dictionary.

I'm several decades late for writing an editorial, but let me make myself clear. I disagree!

Lonnie

LETTERS FROM WAR

"This morning we saw scores of haggard Russians walking toward our rear--prisoners the Nazis had used as slaves and left behind when the Krauts retreated. Darling, when I saw their faces--their smiles of joy, their revived hope--and American food in their hands, it brought tears to my eyes for I knew I was seeing first-hand just what we're fighting for--the right to be free--to go unmolested, to have freedom from oppressive tyranny--something these poor souls hadn't known for years."  (emphasis mine)

Pfc. Keith Winston (edited with preface by Sarah Winston/wife)
V-Mail: Letters of a World War II Combat Medic
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill   1985
p.195

Do we even begin to appreciate our freedom? Or the sacrifice of blood, limbs, family time, or even finances paid to obtain it? Do we appreciate those representatives who fight to maintain it?

EverGrateful,
Lonnie

What is V-mail?
"A V-letter was written on a single sheet of special stationary, which was on sale at post offices, and was photographed after mailing; the film was sent overseas by air, and the letter was then printed in reduced size on photographic paper and delivered . . . this did not always work out." p. 100

ASK THE QUESTIONS

"God calls us to question, because only then can we learn for ourselves. It's the truest foundation of faith. How easy it is to have the foundation of our beliefs shaken with a simple question, if we haven't asked ourselves those questions already."

Michael Spaulding
March 18, 2013--Facebook


I have understood, forever, that my faith can't save my children. They can't hang on to me and slide into heaven on my shirt tails. Probably what I "haven't" understood is that my beliefs can't be the skeleton of their faith either. They have to ask the questions and find the answers themselves. That is HARD on parents' hearts. But, we have to let them question and trust God--who loves them with such a pure, unconditional and overwhelming love.

Mike makes comments on facebook that make me re-examine my beliefs instead of just accepting the most prevalent Christian opinion. He makes me ask questions; and they're good ones. We may, still, not end up on the same page; but I also may not end up on the page where I started.

When our son, Mat, was in highschool he tried to convince me that our nation and government weren't perfect. (Yes, please laugh with me.) I'd barely passed history and current events in school, but in my forties I began reading--mostly antique history books that concentrated more on "character (s)" than events. I still read an occasional book that debates political issues today. I do this because Mat "questioned." And he was right to do so. I still don't "get" a lot of the political jargon and the connection between this and that, but I've moved off my page.

We can't accept "just because." We have to question, dig, and form our own beliefs. As a parent, we still need to guide. I don't think we need to encourage testing of every faith and experience. But we need to allow freedom to Ask the Questions.

Mike, a young man and a soldier, once again gives me pause. I hope he does the same for you. Thank you Mike, for your challenging comments and for staying connected. So glad you will be home with your family soon.

Ever-Ever-Growing,
Lonnie

FIGHT DISEASE -- WITH GRATITUDE

"According to San Franciso researchers, acts of appreciation and caring actually can contribute to having a healthier heart. Doctors found that when we dwell on more altruistic actions, heart rates slow and levels of disease-fighting chemical ImmunoGlobulin A (igA) rise and stay that way for several hours."

Loretta LaRoche
Relax: You May Only Have A Few Minutes Left
Villard  1998
p. 65

A perscription with no co-pay.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

HUMILITY AND NOBILITY

Title of a Magazine Article:
HUMILITY AND NOBILITY: Marks Of A Weaned Child

"God made man from the dust of the earth, which teaches us humility. He made us in His image, which gives us nobility."

David Faust
The LookOut  July 31, 2005
p. 3

Faust's title speaks volumes. Humility comes with maturity; and we usually associate it with discomfort. But Faust takes a little of the sting out, doesn't he? What an amazing God! What an amazing love!

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

CHANGE "HIM"

" . . .  a wife requested prayer for her husband. She painted a rather sordid picture of him, and I gathered that she wanted us to pray that God would punish him.

. . . . .If we hadn't prayed the Scripture, we would have prayed the wife's frustration and anger instead of the nature of God . . . "

Judson Cornwall
Praying The Scriptures
Creation House
p.130

A friend and I carry totally different memories of our mothers. If someone hurt my friend, my friend's mother berated her own daughter and gave the offender every excuse for causing the hurt.

If I was hurt or frustrated, I called Mom. She'd get mad along with me.

God will listen; and He will comfort. But he won't be like either of our mothers. He loves, unconditionally, the offended and the offender. When I struggle to know how to pray and don't know appropriate Scriptures to do so, one way I can always pray for an offender, an enemy . . .  a President, congressman, or boss that irritates every fiber of my being is, "God, Thy will be done."

Or . . . as I have prayed in the past, "God, change him or change me." ( I always suspect the need will require God to change both.)

This year, I'm praying that God will teach me how to pray.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

THEY USED TO CALL THEM TRAMPS

"When he saw me he gathered himself together with reluctance and stood fully revealed. It was a curious attitude of mingled effrontery and apology. 'Hit me if you dare,' blustered his outward personality. 'For God's sake, don't hit me,' cried the innate fear in his eyes. I stopped and looked at him sharply. His eyes dropped, his look slid away, so that I experienced a sense of shame, as though I had trampled upon him.

"I confess that my first impulse, and a strong one, was to kick him for the good of the human race. No man has a right to be like that.

"And then, quite suddenly, I had a great revulsion of feeling. What was I that I should judge without knowledge? Perhaps, after all, here was one bearing treasure. So I said:

"' You are the man I have been expecting.'

"He did not reply, only flashed his eyes at me, wherein fear deepened.

""'I have been saving a coat for you,' I said, 'and a pair of shoes. They are not much worn,' I said, 'but a little too small for me. I think they will fit you.'

"He looked at me again, not sharply, but with a sort of weak cunning. So far he had not said a work.

"'I think our supper is nearly ready," I said: 'let us go in.'"

David Grayson/Ray Stannard Baker
Adventures In Contentment
Grosset & Dunlap  1907

I would love to share the whole story, but I've already taken more liberty than I should. What strikes me is, while fiction, I suspect Mr. Baker has accurately portrayed the inner feelings of a homeless person. (used to be called tramps) And sadly, I suspect, he has captured our feelings when we see someone standing on a corner with a sign or crouched in a doorway. We can't stop the thoughts and we can't always help--and sometimes shouldn't. But, we can pray for the person and if God "does" ask us to do something (even if it's only to smile or say hi), we can be obedient.

We often see bumper stickers that say, "Start Seeing Motorcycles." Do we "see" the homeless? Or do we look through them or past them? No one wants to be invisible.  

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

P.S. Incredible book, by the way. And while fiction, Grayson's/Baker's biography bears much resemblance to his story. Grayson has wonderful wit and wisdom. Reading this book is about as relaxing to me as some would think it would be to lounge in a hammock beneath a full-leafed maple tree.

TO DAD

"Not for them are the honors. No Virtuti Militari or Cross of Valor for them.

"These decorations are expressly granted for 'valor in the presence of the enemy.' But the air force stations must be situated as far as possible from the enemy postions if they are to carry out their task."

"So the mechanic runs to the airplane with all the passion of devotion and gives it a thorough overhaul. He listens to its heart, fingers it, smells and penetrates its vitals. He is no longer an  ordinary soldier, a private or corporal, but a specialist of metal diseases, who knows that on his skill and thoroughness depends not only the pilot's life, but his victory in the next encounter. A squadron's victories are brought to birth on the ground, through the services of the mechanics."

Squadron 303: The Polish Fighter Squadron With The R.A.F.
Arkady Fiedler
Roy Publishers   1943
p. 127, 123

How I wish my dad were alive so that I could share this with him. Though Dad wasn't a part of this squadron, he was an airplane mechanic during WWII.

Someone once made a comment to Dad, in my presence, "Well, you weren't in the fighting," as though he were never in danger, or as though his job weren't important. It sounds as though that were a prevalent thought during war times, as well.

I wish I could copy about four pages of this incredible book which honors many many men without the exclusion of airplane mechanics.

I was already proud, Dad; I'm even more so now. Hugs.

Your Daughter,
Lonnie

BECAUSE . . .

Setting: China where full-time Bible distributors held covert church meetings.

"Knowing that in China's communist system those who didn't work went to prison, I asked them why they did not have to work a regular job.

"'Because on the job we witness,' they replied.

"'Then why don't they put you into prison?'
"'Because in prison we witness, too.'"

Brother Andrew with Verne Becker
The Calling: The Challenge To Walk The Narrow Road
Fleming Revell   1996
p. 139

I love this!! And I wish it were me.

Room to Grow,
Lonnie

TOUCH DEPRIVATION

"Ashley Montagu says that the use of touch and physical closeness may be the most important way to communicate to ill and aged persons that they are still important as human beings. Touch deprivation (emphasis mine) is a largely ignored yet major cause of depression among the elderly in our society, whether they live independently, in a retirement community, in an assisted living complex or skilled nursing facility."

Dawn Nelson
From The Heart Through The Hands
Findhorn Press  2001
p. 27


I am so grateful for a single friend who told me how important hugs are for single women. I'm afraid it's something we married folks, or even dating couples take for granted. We all need touch. 

Once in a while my daughter uses lotion to give me a foot or hand massage. My husband strokes my hair. Both make me feel comforted, relaxed, and loved.

Our grandchildren walk in the door and give us hugs. Let the potatoes burn! I want my hugs! 

My husband, Ray, tells others how our son hugged us--in public, even though he seemed to be in rebellion. Treasured memories for both of us.

I remember when hugging became a part of my life. It was odd--uncomfortable. I was a counselor at a summer camp. Every Saturday boasted of good-bye hugs--dozens of them. No one went home, hugless. From that time, I began hugging friends and family members. At first, the guys resisted, but . . . I'd hate to lose any of them without having ever hugged them.

There are many ministries or expressions of love that you may not feel qualified for, but here's one I think we can all participate in: hugs, touching a hand or a shoulder, kiss on the cheek . . . 

Any other ideas? What touches are precious to you?

Loved and Growing,
Lonnie 

BLAMING LESS

"Let's say I interviewed ten people asking each the same question--'Do you trust God?'--and each answered, 'Yes, I trust God,' but nine out of ten actually did not trust Him. How would I find out which one of the ragamuffins was telling the truth?

I would video tape each of the ten lives for a month and then, after watching the videos, pass judgment using this criterion: the person with an abiding spirit of gratitude is the one who trusts God."

Brennan Manning
Ruthless Trust
HarperSanFranciso   2006
p.24

I'm not that one person, yet; but I'm getting closer. I'm not thanking God in ALL things, as Paul tells us to do. I'm not rejoicing in all kinds of trials, as James encourages. But . . . I think I'm blaming God less. Isn't that a little closer to trusting? 

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

IMITATION

"Through imitation, the juveniles [jackdaws] learn basic survival skills, such as how to travel safely through their home range. To his surprise, Lorenz discovered that the birds follow traditional routes that are passed from one generation to the next. Thus, when he set a hatch of hand-raised chicks together with an experienced adult, the young jackdaws quickly adopted the flight ways of their mentor. Indeed, they took the older bird's pathways so exactly that they continued to avoid parts of the garden where the family cat liked to hunt. Yet, the cat had died long before these youngsters hatched."

Candace Savage
Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays
Sierra Club Books  1995
p. 56

If someone were to so "exactly" follow our pathways, where they might end up?

Just Thinking,
Lonnie

LEGENDARY HONESTY

"Sometimes he [Harry S. Truman] lost his temper and didn't think much about what he was saying. But he was never mean or dishonest.

"In fact, his honesty was legendary. When he wrote letters home to his mother and sister, as he did almost every day, he paid for the stamps himself. The franking privelege--which allows senators and presidents to send their mail free--was meant for government business, he said. He never used it for his personal letters.

. . . .

When a Republican who was a political rival left his briefcase at the White House, some of Truman's Democratic aides wanted to go through it and see what it held. President Truman was horrified."

Joy Hakim
All The People 1945-2001
Oxford University Press   2003
p. 14-15

Having barely passed history in highschool, sometime in my adult life I became facinated with men and women of past decades--particularly with their character. They weren't perfect role models, as this anecdote attests to. But they certainly set standards worth reaching toward.

Legendary honesty. Really? That's quite a reputation. I can't help but think of Jesus' words recorded in Luke 16:10 NIV: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much."

We crave this honesty in our government officials--and spend a fair amount of time complaining about its absence. But . . . I, for one, need to check my mirror.

Guilty and Forgiven,
Lonnie

Joy Hakim wrote a series of history books for children. Rather than cover to cover boredom, they were fun and an inspiration to me.