The Time In-Between and Learning to Tie Ones Shoes – Spending Time I

“If you don’t believe the dead come back to life, you should be around here at quitting time.” 

This quote was on a poster that had been pinned to a cork board in the factory where I worked.  One of the supervisors, I am sure, must have seen the humor in it and was trying to give his employees an indirect message.  I saw the humor in it too, because sure enough, as soon as that final buzzer sounded, the employees would run from the building as if it had burst into flames and they were fleeing for their lives.  Yeah, I laughed at the quote, too; but I was also one of those whom had run.  We all wanted to get out of that parking lot as quickly as we could to avoid the daily traffic jam that was sure to develop on the highway in front of the factory in this busy, metropolitan area.

So the quote on the poster was meant to imply, that the employees lackadaisically worked throughout the day until it was time to go home.  It was only then that they came to life with any sort of energy.  Now, I know I was not one of those employees.  I had a love/hate relationship with this job, but I also know I was a hard worker and I tried diligently to set a pace that would be above what was expected.  I had a reputation with the quality control inspectors, as one who would never have a “pick-up”.  I learned this fact one day, when early on in my career, one of the inspectors said to me, “OH!  So you’re the one that never has a pick-up!” 

Huh!  What is that supposed to mean?  I worriedly wondered.  I quickly learned that “pick-ups” were mistakes the inspectors found before sending the finished product to shipping.  The inspector would label it as a mistake, so the mechanic could come back and correct the error.  The mechanic?  That would be me.  We were called aerospace mechanics and though it wasn’t really an assembly line, we were assemblers building the interiors of airplanes, i.e. over head storage compartments; seats; etc.  Sooo, not having any “pick-ups” was a good thing, I had learned on this particular day. Anyway, all of that to say, no, I was not one of the “dead” that only came to life at quitting time.  My whole day was spent in 5^th gear, it seemed.

And the fast pace began the moment I arrived each morning. In the same way, I ran out of that building to avoid the traffic jam, I also ran into the building to punch the time clock before the 7:00 buzzer sounded.  They were strict, at this place of business and I do mean STRICT.  If one wanted to keep their job, one had better not be late, and the employees were not allowed very many tardies on their records. 

I have never been a morning person…well at least if it means leaving the house.  I like to rise early, but I like to spend the first hour or two in solitude, quietness, and comfort.  I just didn’t get to do that when I worked these 8 years in the aerospace industry.  I always had to be there by 7:00 am and often times I had to be there at 5:00 am because much of the time, mandatory overtime was required.  Though, I only lived 10 or 15 minutes from work (in the mornings anyway; it was much longer when stuck in traffic jams trying to get home) I almost always pushed the limit of tardiness.  Without fail I ran into that building each day, punching that clock exactly at 7:00 am.  I often times came in with my shoes untied, or my jacket with an arm in only one sleeve, because if I had taken the time to tie the shoes, or put on the jacket, the seconds would have added up and I would have been late - if only by seconds, it was still classified as a tardy.

Well, this is my youth, ok….young and foolish…just a little, I guess.  But I will never forget the time my boss saw me run in with my shoe laces untied.  He watched me punch the clock in the nick of time.  “Jannie”, he said with a twinkle in his eye, “if you ever trip over those laces, it will finally be the day you punch in late!”

I laughed.  As long as he was calling me "Jannie", I knew I was still in favor.

So anyway, I guess this post is about time clocks and the nick of time, and not so much about the dead coming back to life.  But it’s also about the fact that I ran in to start my day, in the same way I ran out: full speed; while seeking inspector approved quality for the time smooshed in-between the two.

Shouldn't we not only spend our career time striving for quality; but shouldn't our lives be lived this same way. Charging in to handle the tasks set before us; seeking to do the best job we can for the One who has appointed us to those tasks, but just as excited to finish the race so that we might hear those important words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."  I think so.

I have lots of funny stories about my days at the airplane factory.  I don’t know why, but I decided to write down a few of these memories.  Not all of them will be funny, some will be written with a certain amount of fondness, some a lesson, hopefully none with bitterness or regret.  Hmmm, well, most likely a few will be with regret. I think life without regrets would be arrogance, wouldn’t it? We are all bound to trip over a shoe lace once in a while.  Hopefully, somewhere along the line, I have at least learned to tie my shoes.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3: 13-14

Fingernail Moon - Spending Treasure - X

He walked out into the cool, crisp morning air, but I stopped at the screen door, waiting for him to say good-bye.  It was early and I could see from the front door that the grass was layered in frost.

“Come’re, Ma! He said looking back over his shoulder, as he motioned me outside. “It’s so beautiful!”  So at this encouragement, I followed him outside and down the walk.  “Doesn’t it feel great!” he continued.  “Look at that fingernail moon”, he stated as he pointed to a small sliver of the moon still lingering in the early morning, autumn sky.

He was right! Everything was so beautiful; so still, fresh and clear, despite a low layer of fog hanging around, dressing the foliage in burka like coverings, exposing very little of what it was behind the shroud.  Oh my!  How I love that my son pauses often to appreciate the beauty of nature, but also that he is always so willing to share it with me.

He has always done that; ever since he was just a little tyke.  It is one of the things I love most about my son.  “Come see, Mom!” “Come hear”; “Come look”.  It has always been that way.  It is always heartfelt moments from him, and heart-warming experiences for me.

I was so glad he encouraged me to share the beauty with him, this morning.  I would have missed it. He stopped to snap a picture, as I walked out to get the morning paper.  Yes! I do love autumn, once my whining about the summer season being too short is behind me. 

I enjoy harvesting the garden and cleaning up the residue, and tilling the soil nicely so it will be ready for spring.  I love the sunsets and sunrises, that just seem to be more extreme during these shorter days of fall.  I love putting away the garden hoses, and the outdoor tables and chairs.  And I love that there is a nice wood pile chopped and ready to burn. 

I had my favorite kind of day, today - simply being home.  I read; I wrote; I studied.  I cleaned a little, and I relaxed in the sun shining through my living room windows. I finished canning the last of my slowly, ripened tomatoes just so that I would feel that I had at least done something constructive.  I even wrapped a Christmas present.  The holidays will be here sooner than we know, and I am trying to be more prepared this year. I started dinner; then, I went out to feed the horses, pausing to brush them a little so I could enjoy their thick, silky winter coats while I listened to their soft munching. 

The evening is as beautiful as the morning was. The sun setting in the western sky has left a pink cushion separating fluffy silver clouds from the now azure mountains.  The air remains crisp and cold. It remains quiet; it remains still.  I love where I live. I love that the animals are fed, and dinner is in the oven for my family. In just a little bit, we will be talking about things that took place since we have been apart…laughing, and sharing; sometimes complaining; listening.  

The busyness and workload of the summer is behind us, and the preparations for winter are done.  The busy holiday season is not yet upon us, and today was what it feels like autumn is all about - rest, after preparation.  I love that settling in feeling. The day that I spent at home today just seemed to exemplify all of that.

I could almost bet that in a few hours my son will be calling me to come see something funny on the computer or television.  He will stop to look out the window searching the evening sky, and I know I won’t be too busy to stop to take a peak at a fingernail moon.

You Ready?

Are You Ready for the End of Time? I had seen the title when I checked the book into my bookstore.  But I didn’t pay much attention to it at that time.  I didn’t pay much attention to the author, either. Though I knew J. C. Ryle sounded familiar, I had never read any of his writings. I assumed it was yet another book on eschatology that had become so popular in these…well, end times! 

A few months ago, I received a book order for Ryle’s book from my on-line bookstore. I got ready to mail the book off, and as is my practice, I looked it over to be sure the condition was as I stated on the website.  I paid more attention this time, and saw that the author was not a current author at all, but one from the mid 1800’s.  This made me curious, so I decided to do a quick reading before I sent the book off to my customer.

I scanned the chapters and saw Mr. Ryle had written a good deal about Israel. Because I was unsure how much time I would have to read it, I started by reading these chapters first. I could not have been more excited about all that Ryle had written.  It was as if he was living at this very time. He had understanding that was amazing considering this book was written in 1867.  Just think; Israel had not yet been restored as a nation at this time, yet because of what he had read in Scripture, his faith was without reservation, that one day soon, Israel would be restored. I quickly decided I had to read this entire book before sending it to my customer.  I knew I had two days according to the contract before it had to be mailed.  So I sat down and devoured Ryle’s book.

Even more important than his view of the end times, was his rock solid theology on all matters.  I felt like I had come home.  I am not afraid to say, I have been very discouraged by much of what is taking place with our Christian faith. Never in my life have I seen such blatant misinterpreting of Scripture, diverse doctrine, and confusion among Christians.  I have been very discouraged by it, but continued to be encouraged by my belief that Christ will not lose His church.

As I read this book written all those years ago, I became so uplifted.  This is it, I thought to myself.  This is the faith of my youth. This is the doctrine and beliefs with which I was raised. Ryle writes with truth, and strength, and love.  He unashamedly writes centuries’ old beliefs with clear understanding.

He acknowledges from the beginning of his book that he understands there are different doctrines and beliefs among Christians and that unless it is a matter of salvation and the core foundational truths of the Bible, he will not expound upon those issues. He will only write about what is clearly laid out in Scripture.  He had no attacks for anyone, no attempt at finding some new spiritual truth to make himself appear some how more knowledgeable and in tune with God than others.  (Yes, sometimes we Christians do that!)  He only wanted to write about the truths of the Bible and show the importance of God’s Word. 

In the preface of his book he states:

One thing only I wish to premise, before making my statement. The reader must distinctly understand that I do not put forth my prophetical views as articles of faith, but only as my private opinions, I do not say that nobody can be saved who does not agree with me about prophecy.  I am not infallible. I am very sensible that holier and better men than myself do not see these subjects with my eyes, and think me utterly mistaken.  I condemn nobody, I judge nobody. I only ask liberty to hold and state distinctly my own views. The day will decide who is right. It is the new heart and faith in Christ’s blood, which are absolutely necessary to salvation.  The man who knows these two things experimentally may be wrong about prophecy, but he will not miss heaven.

I love that.  Where a teaching does not hurt the truth of the Gospel message, or distort verses for a private gain, then I believe we should allow acceptance of one another in matters that are not entirely clear.  The Bible says without a doubt, there is only one correct interpretation of Scripture, but in our human nature, we sometimes make mistakes in our own interpretations. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

I felt like other than the Bible, this was the most accurate accounting I had read in a long time.  I could hear my grandpa and grandma in Ryle’s words.  I could hear my mom and dad. I was simply reading rock solid faith; no doubts, no questions; just faith unshakeable and it made me feel like I had come home.  I don’t know how else to explain it, though I feel that description isn’t very accurate.  I don’t want to leave the impression I have been away, or that I don’t get good teaching at my church.  I do!  And I love my church and pastor for that reason. I believe my pastor is one of the most gifted in our area. But with all the books, television, radio and internet, we are also exposed to a huge amount of diverse beliefs.  I get discouraged with that.  Someone’s always looking for something new to say, or some new view to share, it seems.  We don’t need that.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13: 8) The Bible is all we need.  And I may not agree with every thing Ryle believed, but I absolutely loved this book – its simplicity in sharing profound Biblical truths. I didn’t want to let it go, but I mailed it off, and then went on line to look for another one for myself.  It was one I wanted to be sure to keep in my library.

The next Sunday, when I went to church, I decided to walk over to our church book store; I wanted to see if there was anything by my new favorite author.  My church is very careful with the books they sell there, not wanting to promote anything that isn’t entirely Biblical.  I was curious to see if J. C. Ryle would be among the authors the church bookstore is comfortable in carrying.  Sure enough! There was a copy of Holiness - Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots. I bought it.  Oh boy, that book is for a whole other post.  It’s awesome.

I usually hesitate to write about Spiritual issues, knowing that there are sometimes many differences of thought among family and friends, but if I could explain as Ryle did in the above quote – “… I only ask liberty to hold and state distinctly my own views. The day will decide who is right. It is the new heart and faith in Christ’s blood, which are absolutely necessary to salvation.” – then, I know I will write more about this author later. 

I have also found some of his sermons on line, and there is one specifically that I have wanted to share. Not because I believe there is anyone that needs to read it or to force my views on anyone; but simply for the fact we all want to share that which we love.  In things that are not related to a salvation message, we share mostly for ourselves, I guess…out of our own excitement.  But I wanted to write about this first…simply the joy in being part of the body of faith that Gods’ Word says is based on something that never changes and is forever the same. Despite the fallible efforts of man sometimes, the infallible Word of God remains.

In regard to my disillusionment and discouragement with today’s church that I mentioned earlier, let me borrow a nugget from Ryle: 

I believe that the widespread unbelief, indifference, formalism and wickedness, which are to be seen throughout Christendom, are only what we are taught to expect in God’s Word.  Troublous times, departures from the faith, evil men waxing worse and worse, love waxing cold, are things distinctly predicted.  So far from making me doubt the truth of Christianity, they help to confirm my faith.  Melancholy and sorrowful as the sight is, if I did not see it I should think the Bible was not true. 

(Matt. 24:12; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1, 4, 13).

And a comment from Ryle that is so very important to me, and why I remain so very involved in politics in my life:

I charge every reader of this address never to forget the close connection which Scripture reveals between the time of Israel’s gathering and the time of Christ’s Second Advent to the world.  (That’s now, folks!) In one Psalm it is expressly declared, ‘When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory’ (102:16). Where is the true believer that does not long for that blessed day?  Where is the true Christian that does not cry from the bottom of his heart, ‘Thy kingdom come’? Let all such, work, give and pray, so that the gospel may have free course in Israel and be glorified.  The time to favour Zion is closely bound up with the restitution of all things. Blessed indeed is that work of which the completion shall usher in the second coming of the Lord!

This is exactly why I believe our nation must support Israel.  This is why I try to remain active in our nation’s politics; to help ensure that we do “favour Zion”.  As I have said before on this blog, I believe this is one of the most powerful witnessing tools, available to the Christian, today.  What a time-clock we have in Israel!  What amazing Biblical prophecy is being revealed as accurate!  When we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we are ushering in the Kingdom of God. “The time to favour Zion is closely bound up with the restitution of all things.”  When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.' As Ryle so factually points out, the same way that the degradation of society and the church point to the accuracy of the Bible and help confirm our faith, the restoration of Israel as a nation and the stumbling block to the world it has become, should also cause us to consider the accuracy of Scripture.

One more gem from Ryle’s book, if I may, which should encourage us all:

The one point, on which I desire to fix the eyes of my own soul, is the second personal coming of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To that ‘blessed hope and glorious appearing’, I wish, by God’s help to direct all who read this volume.  God forbid that anyone should neglect present duties!  To sit idly waiting for Christ, and not to attend to the business of our respective positions, is not Christianity, but fanaticism.  Let us remember in all our daily employments that we serve a Master who is coming again.

Faith, Family, Football, and Fifty's

Kathie Lee Gifford

Sometimes as I clean house, I will turn on the television to add background noise while I complete my duties.  I can pause periodically if something catches my interest and it makes for a nice, relaxing morning as I get things done.

This morning I decided to watch 700 Club, I knew Pat would have a commentary on the recent release of Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier that has been held captive by Hamas for the last 5 years.  (Don’t worry; this post will be more light-hearted than that discussion would be.)

As I continued to clean, at 10:00, I decided to switch channels to catch a little of Kathie Lee and Hoda. I rarely watch this show, but every once in a while I will pause to watch Kathie and Hoda’s opening conversation. It is all, generally, a pretty light hearted conversation; and I enjoy Kathie Lee’s sense of humor.  She is a born again Christian, who is married to Frank Gifford, one of the NFL Hall of Fame football greats from the 1950’s. Therefore, I have always had some things in common with her: our Christian faith and our love of football.

This morning, I stopped for a minute to watch, because I could see Kathie Lee was giving a heartfelt testimony about something.  I read the message at the bottom of the screen.  “Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.” 

She was fighting tears as she spoke of her marriage to her best friend of 25 years.  We all know, and she readily stated, their marriage has been less than perfect.  She cast no stones, as she admitted to some of her short comings as well.  She gave the glory to God, stating how rare it is to have a marriage that lasts in this day and age; “with more things fighting against marriage, rather than supporting it in today’s world”.  It’s true, it seems; especially in the entertainment industry. It was really a very touching tribute to her husband and her love was deeply apparent.

I laughed as she transitioned out of the statements she had been making; always true to her form, eventually bringing a little levity to a situation that she knew had been discussed long enough. 

I laughed at myself, too - I guess because of all the years I have stopped to periodically include her in my life.  When Matthew was a toddler, I used to watch Regis and Kathie Lee week-day mornings at 9:00.  I probably watched it a little more often back then, because I have never forgotten a particular day when I was watching. Matthew walked into the room, looked at the television set and seriously stated, “Hmmm, Kathie Lee having a bad hair day.” 

Matt could not have been more than two or three years old when he made that comment.  He was using full sentences at the age of two. I remember his expression like it was yesterday; and I had a good laugh this morning at the picture in my mind. Simply because I had paused to watch Kathie Lee, today, I enjoyed a wonderful memory of my little boy from several years ago.

I have just always found her fun to watch. At that time, she would talk about her kids, and her marriage and sometimes her faith. I liked the jokes and banter between her and Regis; and it was always fun to see what trivial event they might be discussing in their opening conversation.  More often on that show than now, she would occasionally become serious.  She went through a tough time in her marriage at that time, and I believe that difficult season in her life was what eventually caused her to leave that show. 

Though I rarely watch her anymore, (so I cannot actually recommend it as a wholesome show or not - I don't watch it enough to know) sometimes, I laugh at myself and wonder why in the world I have this connection with Kathie Lee.  I watch very little television - other that news programs - so why is her show one that I actually will sit down to view?  I have seen her misquote Scripture, and joke about drinking, and other things that as a Christian, I do not approve.  But I would never doubt, or question her commitment to the Lord.  That’s God’s job, not mine. I believe her commitment is real. I have my issues, too; as we ALL do. 

I guess I enjoy her because she is open, she is honest, and she is refreshing.  She is not afraid to say what she thinks, and she has often times landed herself in trouble over her views.  There have been times in her life she has taken a tremendous amount of attacks from the media and paparazzi because of her Christian faith.  I guess that is partly why I like her.  Through all her success and even with some of her faults, I have never seen her stand down from her faith. It would be great to see more people in the entertainment industry place such importance on marriage, strong values, and Scripture. 

Oh, by the way, she had a great hair day today; looking pretty good at 58!  Ha! Our age!! Could that be another thing we have in common?