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