A Symphony of Significance

I watched Mr. Holland's Opus again last night for about the fifth time. I love the movie most because it's about purpose and significance in life. I see most of life differently these days than I used to, so even watching a familiar movie can be a new experience.

Near the end of the film upon Mr. Holland's forced retirement he says, "You work for 30 years because you think that what you do makes a difference, you think it matters to people, but then you wake up one morning and find out, well no, you've made a little error there, you're expendable. I should be laughing." That struck a nerve in me because it verbalizes how I felt after seven years of pastoral ministry.

In real life seldom do we walk into an auditorium filled with friends and acquaintances cheering in gratitude for the difference we've made in their lives. Maybe we'll never really know the measure of our contribution, but God knows. His opinion is the only one we should be concerned about.

You see, everyday I wake up to two little boys shouting my name. God gave them to me, and everyday presents me with an opportunity to make an imprint on their lives deeper and more lasting than anyone else can ever make, one I pray that bears a resemblance to Him. Because they matter, I matter. So we discover that we find our significance most in helping others find their own.

Saddle Up

My friend, Sim Church Planter, and I were in east Texas today at a Hastings video/bookstore killing time during lunch drinking espresso and reading books for free. While in line for our espresso, a small, irate woman with heavy hillbilly twang stormed into the store and handed her three video rental returns to the clerk with the exclamation, "This is sick! I want my money back!" The clerk was puzzled and questioned what she meant. She said, "I tried to watch this movie, but this is sick. I want my money back!" The clerk calmly replied, "Maam, we can't return your money if you rent a movie and don't like it. Didn't you read the back of the case to see what it was about?" The firecracker popped back, "I didn't have my glasses!" When the clerk repeated her apology that the store would not return her money, the woman huffed out the door. As soon as she left, the clerk nearby asked which movie was in question. The clerk said, "Brokeback Mountain." Those of us privileged to the encounter erupted in laughter. For the next hour you could hear spontaneous outbursts of laughter coming from the front of the store as different employees and customers heard the saga.

Can you imagine the poor woman's shock? She picked up what she hoped was a good western with two good looking cowboys on the front of the box, only to discover those two in the throws of passion within the first few minutes of the movie. I bet she swallowed her snuff. I'd like to thank her for making our six hour round trip worthwhile. Oh, what a small world some choose to live in.

Eccumenical Message on Easter

I don't know how many of you were able to watch TV Easter Sunday morning, but Tim Russert hosted an interfaith dialogue on his Sunday morning news show, Meet the Press. His special guests were"

Sister Joan Chittister of the Order of St. Benedict and author, “Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir”
Rabbi Michael Lerner of the Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in California and author, “The Left Hand Of God: Taking Back Our Country From the Religious Right”
Jon Meacham, managing editor, Newsweek magazine, and author, “American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation”
Sayyed Hossein Nasr, professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University and author, “The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity”
Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, editor, First Things, and author, “Catholic Matters: Confusion, Controversy and the Splendor of Truth”
Joel Osteen, senior pastor, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and author, “Your Best Life Now; 7 Steps To Living At Your Full Potential.”

The discussion was riveting. Anyone with emerging interests would genuinely appreciate the content and tone of their dialogue. I encourage you to read the full transcript for yourself. I found Sister Chittister, Father Neuhaus, and Sayyed Hossein Nasr to be the most intriguing guests. Sister Chittister in particular had several things to say that left me seriously re-evaluating my thought process on several important social issues. I appreciate the challenge.

On the home front, let me also recognize the Interfaith Symposiums recently held in Cenla by Rabbi Arnold Task of the Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim, Pastor Leem Weems of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and Majed Sabke, former Imam of the Islamic Center, all of Alexandria. While I was unable to attend the events, I appreciate the message they conveyed to our community about the importance of respectful civil discourse in the pursuit of common ground.

Fresh Revelations

I started reading a demythologized biography of St. Patrick the week of the patron Saint's holiday and finished it today at the dentist's office. I learned today that Hibernia is a variation of the native name for Ireland, so the green theme color of Hibernia National Bank must be a cultural statement and not a slight of hand to make you see cash. Somehow the brand transition to Capital One doesn't quite have the same folk appeal, unless you count the Vikings' prod, "What's in your wallet?"

On a slightly more serious note I was drinking a wonderful Cabernet-Merlot blend from Washington State reading Proverbs and Ecclesiastes this evening when I found an awesome verse which I've also added to the top of my blog,

With the help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster,
I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life.
~ Ecclesiastes 2:3, The Message

How cool is that? You've got to love Solomon and Eugene Peterson, don't you? They go together just like a Cab-Merlot. One final quote to share,

The words of the wise prod us to live well.
They're like nails hammered home, holding life together.
They are given by God, the one Shepherd.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:11, The Message

My friend, Sim Church Planter, first introduced me to the name Gotthammer, which he explained was an obvious adaptation of "God's hammer." The origin of that expression fails me at the moment, but how succinctly this verse makes it clear. Words are powerful, even life changing. When crafted carefully they drive home the point and endure. Less any wordsmith become vain, we must not forget that truly wise words are gifts from God. We are but the hammer, albeit, a little hammer, that drives them home.

Let us thank Him for the words He gives.
Let us thank Him for the nails that hold life together.
Let us thank Him for the Word He gave.
Let us thank Him for the love that held Him there.
God make us a hammer in thy hand.

Escaped Convict Loose in Town

In case you haven't heard about the convicted murdered who escaped from a local maximum security federal prison and is running loose in our community, please read about it at The Town Talk.


Before we all jump on the bandwagon of playing "Monday morning quarterback" and take cheap shots at the Ball Police department for releasing escaped convict Richard McNair, let us not forget the more important question, "Why was he able to escape in the first place?" No law enforcement agency should be held to greater accountability for trying to capture the escapee than should the Federal Bureau of Prisons for allowing him to escape.

In years gone by the construction of new prisons in small communities was seen to be a blight and a threat to public safety. However, in recent years the economic impact has far overshadowed any perceived threat largely due to the assurances of greater technology. Richard McNair did not escape from the minimum security work camp. He escaped from the state of the art maximum security federal penitentiary.

Before any new prison begins receiving inmates in Pollock, the Federal Bureau of Prisons should give the public notice of steps being taken to insure their safety and also reimburse local law enforcement agencies for the enormous costs of manpower and resources expended to apprehend a convict from their facility.