September 11, 2006

• Some thoughts

  
  

  Yesterday was a good day.

  
  

  I mean, any day, in which its accedingly mirthful events lead to Chris and I singing “Summertime” as we run down the streets of Binghamton, leaping and doing air guitar and air harmonica while making musical sounds noises, and devolving into shouts of “We’re not drunk!”  and “We don’t need no stinking beer…. we’re crazy!” has got to be a good day.

  
  

  

  
  

  These pictures do not represent the extent of our adventures.  They only represent the brief moment that we slowed down enough that we could be captured on film.  The rest of the day was a blissful blur.

  
  

  I do recall that we were able to interbreed football, food and intellectual conversations regarding race, racism, and the state of the church.  And speaking of racism, I was reminded of my parentally induced fear of black people in big pants as we discussed prejudices and all the related territory.  I was later given opportunity to challenge this fear when we were at the park tossing the pigskin and I noticed some kids (with big pants) who were watching us play catch with keen interest.  I wanted to invite them to join us, but was afraid of how their dad may react if they got hurt (they were only about 10 years old).  However, considering that he just left them there and wandered off into the crowd, I figured that there were worse things I could do to them than invite them to play with us.  And you know what?  We had a great time.  We got to know each other and be all friendly and have some fun.  Even the girls got in on it, so we were not only indisciminate towards race and age, but there was equal opportunity for the genders as well.  It was probably the most politically correct football game I have ever played.

  
  

  Good stuff.

  
  

  And if playing football/dancing to the blues was not enough, there was also a good deal of dancing done on Saturday night at the Plantation House.  I hear they have excellent food, but I didn’t even step inside.  We were salsa dancing out under the stars and drinking cocktails of giddy amusement – shaken, not stirred.  I haven’t danced in awhile, so it really was great to get out and do stuff again.  And you know, once I get off my butt and start moving, it’s really hard to stop.  Team tag probably deserves its own entry, but I’ll summarise it here:  The teams were Greta and Aubrey VS. Me.  I had to carry Greta on my back while I chased Aubrey down the hall.  Just lots and lots of fun.

  
  

  Truly, it was as if the clouds parted, the sun rose, and God looked down on us and said, “Son, today I will bless you with friends, food, and fizzle my izzle funtertainment.”

  
  

  And you know, somewhere between the tomato plant post, chatting with Stan, and shouting “We’re not drunk! We’re not drunk!” on the streets of Binghamton, I realised that I am really joyful again.  I have found that I am full of praise for my God and King.  It is true what Gary Ingraham said about God’s timetable (which I will post on later).  I am grateful that my Jesus was patient and forgiving enough of me to walk me through the last several months of pain, anger and depression.

  
  

  Pastor John is right,  (and I think my mentor said it first 4 months ago), God is doing something in our church and in Binghamton.  We have been praying for years for revival in this region.  Perhaps, just perhaps, we may live to see those prayers be answered.

  
  

   

  
  

  18 “Forget the former things;
         do not dwell on the past.

  
  

   19 See, I am doing a new thing!
         Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
         I am making a way in the desert
         and streams in the wasteland.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  –Isaiah 43: 18,19

  
  

   

  
  

  Do y’all remember this picture from the flood?
  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  Take a look at it now.
  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
  –Revelation 21:3-5, NIV

  • 12:50 pm
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