West Cocoa Chat

In commenting on yesterday’s post, Terri (of “That Girl” fame) (http://thatgirltl.wordpress.com/) gave me the encouraging admonition, “Run Forrest, Run.” I had decided to join my tremendously in shape son and his equally in shape 18 year old buddy, Zack, in an almost 5 mile run from Zack’s house in beautiful West Cocoa to our Church building on U.S.1. Yes, the correct “middle school term” for such thinking on my part would be “crack-head.” Nevertheless (line from the movie, “The Outlaw Josse Wales”) “I endeavored to persevere” with the task at hand.

We took off from Zack’s house and immediately the boys left me. There was no way I was going to be able to run their 18-year old pace. They were kind enough to stop about a half mile down and allow me to continue. It probably only took them about a mile to catch me and pass me up. For some reason the story of the “Tortoise and the Hare” came to mind. I was wondering if there would be enough course for the “effect” to take place.

As we crossed in front of “Wally World” I noticed the boys seem to be slowing down. I decided to see what “kick” I had left and by the time we turned on Michigan Ave heading for U.S.1 and our church building, I was gaining ground on them. There are 2 things about our run that I will cherish.

One was the look on their faces when they saw me catching up. Their looks of surprise was priceless. I almost started laughing and would have saved for the fact that I was oxygen deprived at this point. My other memory I’ll carry is Steven and Zack telling me in essence, “Not bad for an old man.” I love the word that Steven uses, “Pops.”

So for today, “Pops” is heading home, eating lunch with my bride, and taking a day off from running. Have a “Happy Non-Bailout Tuesday.”

462 was the number that attended our “Dedication Service” of our renovated auditorium. I have attended many moving worship services at Long Beach, Pepperdine, and the Zoë Conference but what took place yesterday at our church literally moved me to tears. I don’t know how we did it but we managed to include our children, the Brevard County Youth Choir, our instrumental and a-capella Praise Teams, an outstanding sermon by our Preacher Don, and powerful “Cardboard Testimonies” by many of our members. I was one of the “cardboard people” but I don’t think my testimony was as powerful as many of the other folks but it was personal to me.

On the front my cardboard read:
“Despite the cost, always believed instrumental music wasn’t a sin.”

On the back my cardboard read:
“Proud leader of a church that believes and practices the same.”

To any “non-c.o.C-ers” out there, that probably doesn’t make any sense and it shouldn’t. Many of our own leaders, preachers, elders, and scholars know that to make the case that instrumental music is a sin takes some serious “Bible Gymnastics” to make all the arguments work. At the same time the journey that our church has taken to get where we are with our acceptance of Biblical worship styles in my opinion hasn’t been “artificially” induced. You need only read some of my posts from the last 2 years to see how God has brought our church to what it is, not that we’ve “arrived” at any state of perfection. We’re far from it.

A little more digression here. My advice to any church for what it’s worth, is the same advice that my good friend and golfing buddy in South Carolina so often gives me, “Don’t be me, be you.” I think Paul does the same thing with Peter in Galatians 2:14 when he wrote:

“When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?”

When you’re not “being you” especially when you’re a leader, it has detrimental effects on yourself, the people around you, and ultimately your church.

Alright, let’s get back to “my tears” without removing too much of my “Man Card.” I guess my tears flowed from seeing the other cardboard testimonies as well as thinking about “the cost” that was written on mine. Some may think those tears were tears of sadness especially when you consider that my journey included being booted from a ministry that was near and dear to my heart. For whatever reputation I had, in many ways I’m sure my name is bantered around in c.o.C’s around Florida with the likes of (fill in the blank with your choice) _________________.

There may have been some sadness in my tears but let me tell you and open my heart. No, there was so much more joy in those tears! I could hear my now college age son’s tenor voice singing with our combined Praise Teams the chorus of “He loves us.” I could read all of the cardboard testimonies from our own people who were being as transparent as one could get.” It was truly “worship in Spirit and Truth.” Finally, my tears flowed from not so much as seeing the faces in my mind of some who have left us, but more so the ones who stayed and are coming. As one of our visitors said who has known of our church for years, he asked, “I don’t know how this church got to where it is but I want to be a part of it.”

Oh, I’ll add one more element. I have a heart for our youth. As most of us know, many of our youth are leaving the Churches of Christ when they enter college. I can tell you with tears beginning to well up in my eyes again, ours are not. In fact and especially the ones that have gone away to college are bemoaning the fact that they “can’t find a church like Central.”

I don’t say that to brag. I say that as a thanksgiving to our Almighty God because isn’t that what we want for our children? To see a “faith walk with Jesus” and being a “member of a local congregation” as something relevant and needed in their lives.

You guys have a good Monday. BTW – pray for me. Weather permitting I’m suppose to run almost 5 miles today with Steven and his good friend (remember the New Orleans trip posts) after school today from beautiful downtown West Cocoa to our church on the River Road.

To "impress" my Middle School students yesterday, I decided to use some of their verbiage in introducing the topic of the day which was the wonderful world of "Subtracting Real Numbers." My opening statement went something like this, "Today we're going to be discussing the (sound familiar?) wonderful world of subtracting Real Numbers. As you all know, in this class (teen slang coming up) we try to "keep it real" as that's "the way I roll."

My students reactions varied from being impressed to being repulsed. I guess the repulsed ones were thinking, "Man, that just doesn't sound right coming out of a "geezer's" mouth." However, when I relayed this story to my son at dinner last night he was quite impressed, I think? He did smile and laugh at me. Do you think that constitutes "being impressed?" Any way, he decided to add another piece of teen slang to my repertoire.

He said, "Dad, if you really want to impressed your kids try this, "Nome sayin." Now I believe this is meant to convey the thought, "Do you know what I'm saying?" I think the first few times I said it, it sounded more like an ancient and dead language. It took me several, no, most of the night (yes, I can be some what "O.C.," "Nome sayin.") to quit saying the word "what" in between the "words" "nome" and "sayin."

So, there you have it. The majority of whatever energy I had left last night was spent trying to perfect a phrase that sounds more like a city in Vietnam. So, to keep it real and to give you a window as to how I roll during the week, I'll end this post. Nome sayin?

First, thanks for the prayers for Steven's wrist. It's a little better but still needs improving and thus, the title of today's post, "Best Laid Plans."

Steven's game was supposed to be on Wednesday. Nope, he called around 4:15 to say that his Coach had messed up on not only the time but the day of the game. My plans to go straight home and chill became a plan to meet Barb and drive down to Melbourne to see Steven play. Not that I'm complaining mind you.

So we get to BCC's field noticing that the rain "appears" to be moving away from the field. This was great as we were set to watch our son play in another Community College baseball game. Son then motions me over to the fence and tells me he's playing in the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. Happy for son even though it was going to be a "long" evening or so we thought.

In my conversation with son, he asked me to get him a "Rock Star." Now, do any of you readers out there know what a "Rock Star" is other than Mick Jagger or Eddie Van Halen? Ah yes, its an energy drink. Well, knowing that the drive to the nearest store would kill some time and trying to be a good Dad to son, I graciously agreed to do this for my son. I informed wife and in-laws of my quest for a "Rock Star" and off I went.

I got out on the main highway when I encountered rain. Being the loving and wonderful companion that I am, I called my mate to tell her that rain was probably on the way. As you can imagine she was quite grateful.

A minute later as I was approaching the 7/11, a full out monsoon broke out with rain blowing side ways. I called wife back and the conversation went something like this:

Wonderful Husband: "Baby, you better hurry up. There's a monsoon on the way."
Wife: "!#**!"
Wonderful Husband: "Baby, you broke up. I'm trying to tell you that there's a
(for emphasis) "stinking" monsoon headed your way!"
Wife: "!#**!" "I know, I'm trying to gather everything up, keep from blowing over,
and avoid drowning because a "stinking monsoon" has come upon us. I'll call
back!"

Needless to say the game was canceled, we were soaked to the bone, and we headed back home. The blessing was that Steven's wrist will have another day to heal. Have a safe, happy, and dry Wednesday.

Yes, it seems we have the "S.I. (Sports Illustrated) Blog Post jinx" in our family. Just as soon as I posted about Steven doing well at practice, he went to the beach today and sprained his wrist skim-boarding. He has practice tomorrow and a game on Wednesday. We'd appreciate any prayers you could offer to have Steven's wrist heal as quickly as possible. Thanks.

First, a Steven update. He had a good day yesterday as he attempts to make a spot on BCC’s Baseball Team. In yesterday’s double-header, he pinch-ran in the first game scoring a run. He played 4 innings in the second game going 1 for 2. He reached on an error and then had a strong hit down the 3^rd baseline. He played 2^nd-base and had one of those plays that makes you want to play the theme from ESPN’s Sportscenter. A ball was hit up the middle and Steven laid out in a dive backhanding the ball. He was able to rise up and gun the guy out at 2^nd. It was a good day for Steve-o.

As for me, your “sleeping more / humble and lowly middle school teacher posing as an elder,” I had another one of those moments that reminded me of a movie. In the course of one of my Algebra classes, I asked one of my students a question. When they responded I answered, “Danke,” which I’m sure most of you recognize as German for “thank-you.” One of my students then said out loud, “Mr. Walker, why do you always try to sound like you’re from Australia.”

O.K. kids, can anybody guess which movie had a similar line/mistake uttered by it’s lead character?

Remember the scene in the movie, “Dumb and Dumber” when Jim Carey, early in the movie, is chauffeuring an obviously European woman to the airport? She says something to him and he detects her accent only to say something like, “Oh, you must be from Australia. You know, “Good day mate,” “Put another shrimp on the “bar-be.”

As it became obvious that this student was serious about his “Austria / Australia” mistake I had to ask, “Who is your Social Studies teacher.” I prayed for this teacher and his student over the weekend. Well, enough of that.

Good day mates.

Been a few days since my last (10 to be exact) post. Hit a stretch that was much like my last Saturday night. 8 of us from church met at some boat loops on the Banana River Lagoon to kayak under the light of a full moon. Going out we battled a little bit of a head wind but nothing that was insurmountable. The river wasn’t white-capping so we felt safe and even remarked that we would have the wind at our backs on the return trip. Silly people we were.

We headed for the part of Cocoa Beach that borders the Banana River Lagoon. There are a multitude of canals that form what locals call “the Thousand Islands.” Not only are the 1K Islands a safe haven for kayaks and the like, they are a great place to encounter Manatees, dolphins, and the occasional jumping school of mullet.

As we came out of the 1K Islands making a loop in our journey, we had about a 2 mile paddle across open water. Much to our chagrin we discovered that the wind was not at our backs as we had hoped. Rather, it was now blowing “sideways” and the intensity had increased. With the waves causing our kayaks to pitch sideways as well as blowing us off our course for home, the intensity ratcheted up a bit. My frustration as I’m sure all of ours were, was having to work twice as hard to make half as much headway as we attempted to make it back to shore.

I won’t kid you in that there were a few times when my kayak almost rolled and I was starting to let little doubts enter my mind as to if we were going to make it back at all. Two things helped me. One, my buddy Bret paddled up beside me and we went at it together. The second was the bright light on top of the flag pole at our park. We could correct our course by keeping our gaze fixed on that bright light.

That’s how I made it through these past few days. I had good friends that hung in with me when I don’t thing I was very (here’s a new word) “hung-able” to hang in with. I also had God’s Word and the ability to praise Him in song that lifted my spirits. So, I think I’m back. Have a good weekend.

Barb turned 50 today and for 9 days, I'm married to an older woman. My 50th will occur on the 18^th and thus will be a “pair of fifties.” But hey, did I tell you I have my own song now?

For the second night in a row, my son and his “New Orleans partner in crime,” Zack, chose to run from beautiful West Cocoa, past our Church (www.cocoachurch.org) building, and down to the Indian River. All total, about a 5-mile run. Like last night, tonight Steven asked me to pick them up which I suppose when one runs 5 miles, one is somewhat deserving of being picked up.

When they got in the car I told them that all Heaven was rejoicing at their run. I then took Barb’s Birthday Card, which plays the “Hallelujah Chorus” when opened, and played it for them. Zack being a very quit witted young man responded by saying, “Hey Mr. Cecil, when you turn 50 next week we’ll sing, (to the tune of the “Hallelujah Chorus”) “Fifty something, fifty something, fifty something.”

Well, there you have it, immortalized in song. Tomorrow’s post will involve a surprise “write-in candidate” for President. Take care.

What is your best “Visitor / Guest Card” comment you’ve been privy to read? I remember visiting Greg’s church in Long Beach and filling out a Card. I think I wrote something along the lines of demanding an immediate visit from the Preacher. I handed it to Greg and then he wrote a comment on my card and handed it back to me. It went something along the lines of, “Go away. We do not make visits.” We had a good laugh over it.

This past Sunday someone handed me a Guest Card that was filled out anonymously. It read:

“In the opening of Sunday services, I noticed something strange. I turned around and looked back over the church and most were smiling.”

That was it, no signature, no address, and no rhyme or reason for the complement. In this world that can so quickly and often take away our smile, isn’t it nice that for some, church can put it back on.

The note made me wonder if our card’s author was anonymous or an angel in disguise?

1:29pm - I just spoke to Kirk at the Carrollton Ave. Church in N.O. He and another member have stayed at his home to ride out Gustav. They have gotten some minor leaks but are O.K. He said they are thankful for the prayers that as he put it, "Prayed down Gustav to a "Cat 2." They plan on getting out with chain saws and roofing materials once the winds abate. Keep them in your prayers and especially pray for those levees.

I know many of you are wondering about our first service back in our new auditorium with a combined instrumental / a capella service. I feel embarrassed about the emotion and perspectives I want to convey about a day that for all intents and purposes (at least for our area) was a historic day for our church, in light of the fact that Hurricane Gustav is bearing down on the Gulf Region. Please remember our blog friends Dee (http://deeandrews.net/) and John (http://johndobbs.wordpress.com/) Dobbs as Gustav prepares to deliver his punch to the Gulf Region. Also remember the Carrollton (www.carrolltonavenuechurch.org) Ave. Church, which is also in New Orleans. Many of you have read about our youth group trip to help them recover from Hurricane Katrina and then my son’s and his friend’s trip back to continue the recovery efforts as well as delving into personal evangelism in New Orleans. These folks are special to us so remember them in prayer.

What can I say about today at our church? I guess the words historic; unity, freedom, and unity come to my mind. There was a moment where are Instrumental Praise (which son sings on – can you tell the proud Papa) Team started “Light the Fire” and then after one verse, our a Capella Praise Team joined them in finishing the song.

The picture was overwhelming when you consider for so long and in so many places, brothers who believed in Jesus, who practiced being baptized into Christ for remission of sins, who held a high view of Scripture, and who believed in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, have battled and drawn lines of fellowship over something that never gets anyone condemned in the New Testament – worship. That “over whelming picture” was a 360 degrees IMAX picture because the unity, the bearing with one another, and the not judging your brother was not only taking place on the stage of our auditorium, it was also taking place in the pews. You see and this goes without saying as many of you know, “worship” can be a very touchy subject. Forget about one’s personal tastes of I like singing hymns, Psalms, or Praise songs. When you factor in instrumental or a Capella you can only imagine the worship DNA quagmire that could occur. I’d like to give ourselves a pat on the back and say it’s all due to “brilliant shepherding” but those of you who know me really well know better. The grand experiment we currently find ourselves in the middle of can only be attributed to another act of the Holy Spirit. Makes me want to sing the opening line of “Light the Fire,” “I stand to praise you, but I fall to my Knees.”

That is my perspective on what is taking place at OUR church and I want to emphasize the word “OUR.” Remember my friend’s “golfing advice to me?” “Just be you.” What is happening at our church is not a blue print for other churches. We are not the “Borg” on the T.V. series, “Star Trek the Next Generation.” Remember the standard line whenever they encountered another species? “We are the Borg. We will assimilate you. Resistance is futile.” I would like to think that our adding an instrumental aspect to our worship wasn’t just to say, “We can do it, nanny, nanny boo-boo.”

If you’re still reading I do have one more perspective to share with you concerning our journey. It has to do with the fear of threats, retaliation, and acts of what I’ll call “Brotherhood terroism” or basically things done to you or your church by “outside hostile forces.”

It goes without saying that despite no ill will on our part or our church’s, the following has been done to us in the name of what I’ll call Brotherhood (which is an oxymoron) Purity:

1. After 25 years of service, bounced out of a local Bible Camp.

2. Our youth rally sabotaged by a local church of Christ who sent out letters telling others not to attend.

3. Some of our teens attending A.I.M being told by leaders of other churches that they would not contribute to their support because they were members of our church or associated with me.

4. Members of our church being “encouraged” to leave our church by men of “influence” from para-church organizations here in Florida and from a “prestigious” institution of higher learning in our brotherhood.

5. Members of a local church of Christ sending a letter telling their members not to eat or fellowship with any member of our church.

I could go on and I hope I don’t sound bitter because I’m not but I do want to illustrate this point. What these “terrorists” didn’t realize is this:

All of these acts only drove our church together, gave us more resolve to follow God’s leading, and fostered a feeling of we must be doing something right. I honestly think that if persecution had not come our way by these outside forces, we might not be where we are now.

So, to all of these men, churches, and organizations that I so want to bring out into the Light I will say this, Thank you!

To any of you out there that are dreaming great dreams for your church what ever they may be, do not fear. Pray for persecution on both an individual and church wide level for it brings unity and freedom.