Glory! OMG!

Doris and I have been together for forty-something years now. It is a challenge, on those special occasions in our life, to try and find the perfect gift for the perfect person who has everything (she is perfect you know... and enchanting! ). In December, for example, I begin the agonizing search. I shop until my feet are aching. I look until my eyes are blurring. I think until my head is spinning. There have been times when I thought I had found the perfect gift. For example, she loves cats. One Christmas I gave her a kitten, and that turned out to be a huge mistake. Right before my very eyes it quickly morphed into a cat. IT BACKSLID!

I thought I had found the perfect gift for our 25^th wedding anniversary. For years I had promised her a trip to Hawaii on this occasion. As fate would have it in our 25^th year we were appointed to Hawaii as divisional leaders. On the morning of June 4^th 1991 I took her out on the front porch of our home nestled in the lush gardens of Waioli in the Manoa valley. After surveying the tropical landscape, coconut, papaya, mango trees, I pointed to the blooming orchid bush in our yard, took her in my arms, gave her a kiss and said, “Happy anniversary. Its all yours!” And she said, “WHAT A GUY!”

On another special occasion I thought I had found the perfect gift. I gave her a very expensive set of diamond earrings. They were so expensive she hid them and then forgot where. For years those earrings remained hidden and she didn’t have the pleasure of wearing and enjoying them. We returned from our appointment in Hawaii and decided to go skiing. When she put on her ski boots she felt a strange object in the toe of her boot. The diamond earrings—GLORY!

On another Christmas, under the tree was a figurine, hand sculpted by “Illadro,’ of a nurse, as is she by profession and training. It is today prominently displayed in our home. She finds joy and great serenity in the beauty and handiwork of this great artist. In that way, it has great value to her.

When I look at it today, I look at it through different eyes. I look at it through an investor’s eyes and see how it has appreciated in value. When I look at it I see part of the mortgage being paid down. When I look at it I think about the next earthquake that will inevitably come. She says I have no soul. And with respect to that figurine she’s probably right.

In our home is also displayed the greatest gift ever given. It is not a static gift displayed in an ornate cabinet. It is a living gift that keeps on giving. People don’t have to come into our home to enjoy it. We take it with us wherever we go. And its value cannot be measured in material terms. With respect to this gift, I have a soul that is full of glory.

The Word (perfect gift) became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes – John 1:14 TM).

“OMG!”

JN

Merry Christmas From the Left Coast!

The Hound of Christmas

Watched a crazy movie the other night with some of the old SNL cast, “Mixed Nuts.” They were in the movie, not in our living room watching with us. Actually Doris purchased it the night before on “Movies On Demand” for a buck ninety-eight and for that price it’s yours to watch as many times as you want for 24 hours. Well, she wanted to get her money’s worth, so she insisted that I watch it with her again. Not bad, three viewings (she twice) work out to 66 cents each. Dim the lights, throw in a little microwave popcorn, couple of Dr. Peppers and you have a cheap date.

The film is shot along California’s Venice Beach Boardwalk, one of the craziest places on this planet, and with a Christmas theme, which makes it even crazier. Roller blading Santa’s, skate boarding snowmen, palm reading elves, pipers piping and a partridge in a pear tree make it even zanier. If you’ve never been there, Venice Beach should go on the top of your bucket list, Christmas time if possible.

It is so California and one of my favorite places. Walking down the boardwalk one December I shot the above picture. And I swear it was a window in the same building featured in “Mixed Nuts,” minus the hound. Love it! Guess that’s why they call it "The Left Coast."

Merry Christmas!

joeNdoris (Notice that her name is a little to the "right" of mine).

Christmas in the Army!

Long time ago when we were always being asked to put clever Christmas programs together, Doris wrote these words to the tune, “Christmas in Killarney” – I think this one for a Divisional Christmas Party (Do they still have those?) A bit irreverent I guess.

As we sit on the beach in Hawaii, Christmas in the army is but a distant memory, no longer being asked for clever and creative. Feel free to use if you think it not too old fashioned. By the way, the timbrel art on this page is Doris’ creation also, painted on an old, well used tambourine (like us). Hum or howl along as you read the words. - just like the dog in the drawing.

Christmas in the Army

Is quite a thing to see.

Listen for a moment

And I’ll take you there with me.

The Carol Sing, the kettles ring,

The ladies go “League of Mercying.”

When it’s Christmas in the army,

You’re lucky to see your home!

It’s nice you know, to kiss your beau,

As off to the Home League Bazaar you go.

When it’s Christmas in the army,

You’re lucky to see your home!

The door is always open,

The neighbors pay a call.

They’re running up the stairs,

And then they’re hiding in the hall!

How grand it feels,

When all the meals

Are served and you’ve counted the mail appeals.

And the Santa Claus you’ve lined up

Is the Corps Sergeant Major’s son.

So if the mails not answered,

The stats aren’t coming in,

The phones are always busy

And the filing is a sin.

You’ll find it true at T.H.Q.

Or anywhere else that you travel too,

Though you’re dinner isn’t ready,

You’re lucky to be at home!

JAC Challenges High Council Members!

Convening of The Salvation Army’s High Council at Sunbury Court has been announced: January 21, 2011 (not a pleasant time of the year, weather wise in London). Doris and I have had the opportunity and privilege of sitting on two of them: May 1999 when John Gowans was elected General, and August 2002, John Larsson the choice. We sat as retired officers on the latter, something that doesn’t occur very often. If you are an active officer (Commissioner) when the High Council is called, you automatically become a member. If I remember correctly, the HC was called approximately four days before my 65^th birthday. Voila! Seven weeks later, as rejuvenated retired officers, we found ourselves again in that hallowed space at Sunbury Court.

With those memories in mind and the approaching High Council, I direct you to the recent issue of Journal of Aggressive Christianity. Steve Court has a telling article in it titled, “High Council Issues.” The statistics he unveils are very sobering indeed.

http://www.armybarmy.com/jac.html

I am convinced that every High Council member should have a copy of this article in hand for reference purposes and as a resource when preparing their submission questions to each nominee. Whoever the nominees, they should be required to answer questions revolving around the issues raised in this article. I applaud Court for the courage to put them out there. I’m going to bring it to the attention of those attending from my territory. Perhaps those reading this (and Court’s article) should do likewise. I know I would have appreciated something like this at my disposal when I was there. After all, they are representing us, aren’t they?

JN