Sometimes you just have to reboot

Probably two of the most frustrating things in my life are my computers. One sits and taunts me from the top of my desk and the other lies in wait on the bookshelf next to my recliner. Back when they were fresh out of their boxes, I firmly believe that the desktop (the older sibling) whispered to the new laptop (the baby), “Hey, let’s gang up on Jimmy, and make his life miserable at the most every opportunity. It’ll be fun, you’ll see!” So, the fun began…or at least for them.
Over the past several months, I have been plagued with viruses, adware, dead batteries, the slowest speeds imaginable, temperamental CD drives, total crashes, etc. Finally, it has gotten to a point where the blue screen of death is a welcome sight to see. After dealing with the ringleader desktop computer until the wee hours of the morning, I finally decided to wipe it clean, reinstall operating systems and programs, and start all over again. It seemed a much better option than spending the money for a new one when this renegade is not that old. It just needed an attitude adjustment.
It happened. Without any warning, I began the next day by sneaking up and accessing the dreaded DOS system and began to reformat. Kicking, screaming, and making all manner of threats against me, the PC finally succumbed and I spent the better part of the morning restructuring it into the machine I wanted. The machine it once was. Since that time, with all new (and free) programs to monitor for viruses, adware, malware, and the other type of –wares, I have a very safe and secure system that operates quickly and exists solely to keep me happy. The laptop will have a similar appointment coming; however, I need to keep that day a secret - especially since it is sitting on my lap as I type.
Many times our own internal operating systems become messed up and we cease to operate as God wants. We let down our protective guards and allow all manner of viruses and hurtful elements to enter our hearts and minds. The Word of God should be the only guard we need to keep harmful things out of our lives. However, they are often so attractive that we rationalize that “just this time won’t be a problem, will it? Will it?” Like a computer virus, once it has a toehold in our life, then it spreads to all areas.
Is that movie the most appropriate to see? Is it something that God would approve of one of His children watching? Is that website or chat room a place where you might compromise God’s standards for a few minutes of selfish enjoyment? Is that word or phrase you just spoke one that builds up someone, or tears them down? How about the places you hang out for fun and the company you keep?
With a finger pointing back to me, I ask….how did we come to this point? We allowed the virus of disobedience to enter our life and it is taking over. God is being shoved further and further into the background because we know He wouldn’t be pleased. Then the point finally comes where we need to be rebooted. We have to make the painful choice to erase and remove all the worldly influences and allow the renewal drive of God to take charge once again. These periods of cleansing are not always easy, but they result in a happiness and joy unlike any other. Is it time for you to be rebooted?
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

Things have been rather wild in Jimmy-world lately. Working at the Library in town, doing media/press for a local Mayor's re-election campaign, finding and writing grants for a Children's Literacy campaign, plus all the responsibilities of a church musician. Not that the wildness has been a bad thing, just a wild thing.

For some reason, I have been consumed with reading over the past few months....even to the point where I have neglected my writing and music. All this has thrown me off-kilter somewhat. Not good, Jimbo.

It's been a year ago this week that I was in the hospital with a "mild" heart episode and was made to realize that it was time for me to leave my newspaper job and find something else. However, the downside of working for the paper was I kinda lost my touch of writing for the fun of it....for the enjoyment...for the God of it. It has been a week of thinking back on that time and figuring out where I am now. But, as Jeremiah tells us, God knows the plans for my life better than I could ever could. (Jer. 29:11).

My time seems to be consumed with concern over a family member who is struggling with alcoholism and pharmaceuticals. Not admitting the problem, this person continues to create a lot of worry and stress, yet I still feel the need to fix it. There doesn't seem to be anybody here on earth for me to talk with about it...friends are all facing their own crises and I don't need to add to their burdens (or allow them to add their burdens to mine). I just want someone to listen to me. Because of the family situations and dynamics, I am not able to go a minister...been to a Christian counselor, but that didn't help except to spend an excessive amount of money and creating more debt.

The bright side is that I am really, really blessed with a good family, friends, and church family. I just hate feeling that I need to keep "the Christian happy mask" on all the time when I would just like to crawl into bed for awhile....or camp out on the sofa in the sunroom....or go to the beach....or the mountains...just go somewhere. But, I do know that God is walking with me. Guiding. Nudging. Whispering. Hugging. Letting me know that He is in charge and I really don't need to worry. So, I'm working on that half (the worrying part, that is), and it is working better with each day.

I knew I could get some thoughts out here on "Being God's"...whether anyone reads or not. This was my intent in the beginning; to share about the struggles and joys of a single guy trying to live a life for God in a very hostile world.

Until then, for today this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

The past doesn't make your present or your future

My church recently celebrated a Homecoming Sunday. For those who are not in the “church know,” that is a time when former members come back to the church to renew old friendships, hear good music and preaching, and of course, eat lots of good food. The problem is, that it is very easy on those days to remember a time when a church had more people, more money, more staff, more programs, etc. This leaves us in a feeling of the good ole’ days are over and things just ain’t gonna be the same. We focus on these material and temporary things and not necessarily look at the important part of the spiritual well-being of the church. Are we growing in our faith, are we reaching our community and beyond with the knowledge of God, and are we experiencing true worship?

The poet and philosopher, George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." I think he was speaking to us on a couple of levels. From a personal level, we need to learn from our mistakes. We need to learn to forgive ourselves and others then get past it, not dwelling on it. On a church level, we need to continue looking forward to continued ministry and not become fixated on the temporary things of our past. My mom goes to the same church where I grew up and they still provide an active and vital ministry in their community with 20-something people as they did when there were 200 people….and in many ways a better and more heartfelt ministry.
Janie, a friend of mine from church, told me that she was riding along the highway recently and saw one of the vintage Dodge Darts alongside her car. Remember those (at the time) fancy push button transmission buttons? They are certainly a reminder of days gone by. It seems that more and more cars that I owned as a high school and college student are being seen with antique car license plates. As this friend and I continued to talk along these lines, her thoughts were so good that I asked her to write them down for me to share with you.
“Remember when life seemed simple? Less complicated? We all have memories of a time when life seemed much simpler. Our lives today are filled with so many pressures. So many demands. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go back to a time when life was simple and we all could feel peaceful? In an attempt to bring back pleasures from the past, manufacturers have re-made cars to look life our favorite muscle cars, furniture to look like the furniture we grew up with and CD’s to compile each decade of our favorite music. We can even go to Cracker Barrel and purchase candies and gifts from our yesterday.

“We see commercials promoting quality time with our families by having game nights and dinner together at home. As cozy and wonderful as these things are, they can only provide temporary comfort and peace that we as humans so desperately long for. Only by having a relationship with God and His Son, Jesus, can a lasting peace be found.”

After our conversation, I began to think that this is the secret to looking back and looking forward. Jesus can help us take our past and move us forward through His love. As my friend Kirk Talley sings, “He can bring us past our past, and then we can go on.”

So for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

It was all Marley's fault

I really did not want to go to church this week, but try as I might I just could not come up with a believable excuse. To start off, I guess several late nights had put me in a sleep deficit because it was just far too difficult to get up and my eyes just refused to stay open. Even as my body began to function, my mind was still in slumber mode and craved just a few more hours. Plus, I made the mistake of putting in the final CD of the “Marley and Me” audiobook. Even though I knew how the book ended, it was very sad to hear it on my way to Conyers, especially as it brought back memories of my pet, Murphy. By the time I pulled in the parking lot at 8:00 a.m., the tears were still flowing and I just wanted to go somewhere and curl up for awhile…not go in and hit the keyboard in performance mode. I guess it was just one of those days that I would have rather not been bothered with the church thing and felt it more appealing to be at the lake, in the mountains, at the beach, or just sitting on the back deck at home.

In the first service, just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The lights were dimmer than usual so I could not see the music well which created quite a few bizarre notes. Microphones were acting up, computers were on the fritz, musical rhythms were off, and on and on. As the service ended, I was hoping for the best in the next service, until…I clicked the organ on and…no sounds came forth. Lights were on, cables were connected, but no sound. Sheesh, It was one of those days when everything seemed destined to say, “Jimmy, you should have just stayed at home today.”

As I sat during the sermon time and listened to the pastor speaking about healing of hearts, minds, bodies, my heart began to listen and realize it wasn’t anyone’s fault but mine that I was in this attitude. I could not blame anyone else for my not getting enough sleep for several nights. It surely wasn’t Marley’s fault…he’s a dog…and on a CD in my car. I couldn’t blame the lights, computers, microphones, or even the organ. My heart and my attitude needed the healing and once I realized it and opened my heart to God, the healing began and I was finally glad to be at church with my church family.

What keeps you from the enjoyment of going to church? Too early? Your kids complained what you wanted them to wear? You sat on spilled Froot Loops at the kitchen table and had to change clothes at the last minute? You have an afternoon of ballgames, tennis, and golf to watch? You worked all week long, spent Saturday doing yard work, and feel like you really deserve a day on the boat?

You know, the most remarkable thing is that despite all the excuses we can come up with to miss this once a week time with God, He is faithful to stay with us. The Scriptures tell us that He delights in our presence, yet we try to come up with any reason to avoid a couple hours of worship and communion. Why is this? Why do we begrudge a few hours a week when God has given us all we have and provided a path for eternal reward out of His love for us? All He asks is that we love Him and tell others. Let’s work on that this week, okay?

And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

It's not easy being blue

I’m reading a new book entitled “Blue Jesus” (by Tom Gardner) that is based upon the blue people of the Appalachian region, including north Georgia. These were actual people who had a blue tint to their skin due to the inability for their blood to maintain a certain level of oxygen. My mother even remembers going by a home in Atlanta during her childhood years to see the blue baby sitting out on the front porch and has talked about it often since this book was published. The book storyline is not as important here as the fact that at one time another culture existed in our country where people were defined by the color of their skin.
In our church service this week, the children were shown a cookie cutter design of a boy and another of a girl. They were reminded that in Genesis God created male and female and He was pleased with the creation. The lesson continued with the fact that some people have fair hued skin, some have an olive hue, some with darker hues, and now we learn some with a blue tint. The children were urged as they begin another school year to remember that God made everyone just as they are, just as He wanted to, and He is still pleased with the result.
Throughout history, we have judged other people by such superficial items as the color of their skin, the clothes they wear, the neighborhoods in which they live, and the friends they have. Now here we are in 2009, and even though great strides have been made, we are still far from the goal of acceptance of all. I sincerely wonder why this is so difficult. Especially disturbing to me is why this is still so difficult for the Church? Jesus did not look at someone’s bank statement from The Jerusalem National Bank, what model their cart and mule were, or what brand name was on their robes and sandals. He didn’t even care on which side of the Jordan River you lived or if you belonged to a country club in the suburbs. Do you remember when Jesus reached out and helped the Samaritan lady whose culture was literally despised by the Jewish race to which He belonged? This is the example expected from us today, His Church.
His message is simple. “Love God.” “Love each other.” “Do the right thing.” “Tell others.” How can we do this if we isolate ourselves in our own little worlds and avoid those who might be a smidge different than us? I am fortunate to be in a church that is a true multi-cultural, multi-generational church. We have a ministerial staff that leads the congregation in celebrating the cultural diversities in the community and extends a warm welcoming hand to all who come to hear the Word and to worship. They not only reach out to the local communities, but also have ongoing ministries in several countries around the world. In the words of a dear old grandmother, “those people there just do good.”
In the book of Acts, Peter speaks about Jesus travelling from village to village doing good and that is our role as God’s people. It isn’t so hard, as long as you don’t think about it. Thinking is what gets us in trouble. Just rely on your faith in God and His desire for all people then go with it. To use the line Patrick Swayze said so eloquently in Roadhouse, “Just be nice.” Let’s all give it a try sometime this week.
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

Reading is alive and well

It’s not that I’m a particularly cynical person, but occasionally my faith in humankind is renewed in an “epiphany” sort of way. Once again this has happened and caused me to feel better about the future of society. Ready for the startling news? People still like to read! Yes, I have learned that people still like to read and it has made me sleep much better in this techno/iPod/Kindle/e-book world..
Media websites would have us think that printed materials are on the way out of existence. To hear them tell it, in the near future all newspapers, books, magazines, textbooks, etc. will be obtained through the internet or other electronic means. As a writer, journalist, and lover of books this is most distressing news to hear. To me, nothing is better than holding a newspaper in my hands where I can tear out articles or other items of interest to my heart’s content. I can also fold the paper in all manner of ways to work a crossword puzzle, Sudoku, or a word jumble while lounging in the recliner. To make it even better is to have that nice cup of coffee ready while reading the paper. I feel even stronger about a printed book. I just get all giddy when I have a free evening (or ecstatic if it is a weekend) and can curl up in the sunroom, on the deck, at a mountain cabin, or at the beach with a good book.
Now, that I’ve laid out my thoughts, here’s where my epiphany begins. I recently started to work as a part-time Library Assistant at the Cochran Library in Stockbridge. Library work is something I did before my retirement at Georgia State University; however the more community-based library has proven far different and much more exciting than the University setting. I see small children coming in by the droves with glee to get their first library card and to check out their “own” books. Parents come to the various events at all the Henry County libraries with their children as they learn to do yoga, make smoothies, view movies and have book discussions. Adults of all generations are coming in to grab the latest novels and to check out many of the old classics. Educational DVD’s fly through the circulation desk as people learn to speak other languages, yoga and other wellness programs, as well as touring foreign countries. The shelves full of audio books stay in constant use as patrons are listening to their favorite authors as they travel, commute to work, clean house, or just sit back and listen as the books come to life in the spoken word.
The Henry County Library System is an abundant source of printed materials and a place where you can also use computers or bring your own laptop to access the Wi-Fi network. They are no longer the dark and dreary buildings of musty books and scary librarians, but are now well lit, colorful facilities with comfortable chairs, current newspapers and magazines, plus friendly staff members who can help you with any questions you might have.
Yes, my faith is renewed to see that hundreds of people are daily using the Cochran Library as well as all the libraries in our county. Go check one of the branches out today and find a good book to read.
The gospel according to Jimmy? Go read a good book. There's plenty of great Christian fiction and non-fiction out there. I can certainly give you suggestions as well as a lot of my blogger friends.

The Fish with no face

Once upon a time there was a fish. A happy fish doing what fish do…swimming along minding her own business until one day another fish decided she didn’t like the happy fish and swooped down upon her and ate half her face off. Now, I would think that there should be some median point between not liking the happy fish and biting her face half off, however, such are the ways of fish world. Sad to say, this is a true story and even sadder to say, the happy fish (probably no longer quite so happy) continued to live for a period of time with only half a face. I can only imagine how she managed to avoid the little castles, bridges, and other toys with only one eye.
Now before you think this is another one of my “fish tales,” let me assure you that the fish belonged to a friend of mine and I have a picture that I might have to submit as a Times Pet of the Week for your viewing belief.
Once upon a time there was a person. A rather happy person doing what people do…working at their jobs, taking care of a family, yard work, community activities, volunteering, etc. They thought they were minding their own business; however, one day the happy person ticked someone off at work. It may have been an innocent comment made in jest or it may have been a suggestion on how to do their job better. Of course, it could have been a snarky remark about how someone looked or what they had done wrong. Without thinking, the other person lashed out in anger or self-defense and (figuratively) chewed the happy person’s face off.
No longer was the man a happy man. He was wounded, confused, disoriented, and left open for more attacks. Eventually the happy man became a bitter man and began to wound others around him, even his closest family and friends.
We have all been the recipient of an unprovoked attack upon our person. It could be because of our appearance, our beliefs, our work ethics, our politics, or because of how we live. In all honesty, we have probably been on the giving end of some of these same words and attacks at times without realizing the damage we can do.
All scriptures or holy writings instruct in various words the same truth... “Be kind to each other,” “treat others as you want to be treated,” “watch your tongue and actions that they do no harm.” As a Christian, I have certainly done my share of hurtful words and actions; never quite as severe as biting someone’s face off, but just as serious in other ways. Was my image as a believer in God harmed? Sure, it was. Did it do long lasting harm to my witness? I’m sure it did. How did I behave when someone attacked me? Not so great, I admit. Having yourself wounded by another can provoke a retaliation that can also do harm.
I think we all need to calm down and be more tolerant of others. If we use the old adage of counting to ten (or to a hundred) many times we can give advice or suggestions without chewing someone apart. It will probably save a friendship or a working relationship. Just calm down, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “is this how I would want to be treated” before speaking. James told us in his letter to, “be quick to hear, slow to speak and be slow to anger.” I’m working on this in my daily life….how about you?
And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.