West Cocoa Chat

The year was 1992. Here are some 1992 facts:

My son was 2 years old.

For you Tide fans:
NCAA Football Champion - Alabama 13-0

NBA Champions - Jordan's Chicago Bulls defeat the Portland Trailblazers 4 games to 2

Top 5 Movies:
1. Home Alone 2. Batman Returns 3. Lethal Weapon 4. Sister Act 5. Aladdin

Most Popular T.V. Shows:
1. 60 Minutes (CBS) 2. Roseanne (ABC) 3. Home Improvement (ABC) 4. Murphy Brown (CBS)5. Murder, She Wrote (CBS)

O.K. - Why the 1992 love affair? 1992 was the first year I attended the Pepperdine Bible Lectures. I kept that streak running for 16 straight years until last year when my son graduated from High School (Mama thought I should be home for that) and we planned a trip with our Youth Group to go on the Wilderness (http://www.wildernesstrek.org/) Trek in Colorado.

My first Pepperdine Lecture gave me a sense of identity as to our larger fellowship. I did not grow up in the Churches of Christ and so I was largely unaware of our Christian Institutions. I remember standing outside of the Smother's Theater one night as a crowd was coming out of an evening worship service. The night was cool and the sky was clear. I remember thinking, "So this is who I am."

As good as that experience was I was also in need of healing and inspiration. Greg had left our church to go to "the Beach." Our church took a turn into traditionalism that ended up introducing me to the parts of our heritage that I reject. Its the parts that has taught some of our people that we're the only ones going to Heaven, you must do worship in this manner and in these steps or you'll bust Hell wide open, and to use any means, no matter how despicable to eliminate, banish, and squash anything or anyone that falls outside these norms. I was dying spiritually but I wanted to continue with my walk. Each year Pepperdine gave me hope in the glimpses that it would give me of the best of our Fellowship. I owe and my family owes a huge debt of gratitude to Jerry Rushford.

Fast forward to 2009. My son is completing his freshman year of college. The church I attend has the kind of inspiring worship that in the past was just a dream. We claim the best our Fellowship has to offer while trying to be an autonomous / non-denominational group of known sinners who have been made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ. We like to say that our church is on a journey. Boy, that's an understatement! :)

But since 1992 I have been on a journey and on Saturday I will make another journey west. I won't be alone as I'll be travelling with my good friend, Steve (aka "the Puckster") Puckett. I will renew my "every-day friendship" with Greg, Janice, and Josh. Of course Josh will be a bit busy now that he is married to Heather, running a business, and has 3 kids under 2! Jessica will be unable to see us this time but she will be there in the sweet spirit that she possesses. I will miss seeing my good friends at my "western church home," the Long Beach Church but I look forward to going to Greg's new church.

Finally, this will be my first Pepperdine Lecture where the evening worship will not be at the top of my list of things to do. It seems that things at my home church really connect with me. Oh, I'll go to some of them but I might try to find that tree that Greg and Randy used as their "Lectureship Central." :)

I was thinking about our recent belligerent guest. I went back in my mind thinking about my personal and 2nd party experiences along these lines. I discovered an interesting correlation.

Disgruntled / Rude Visitors:

People Claiming to be Members of a Church of Christ - 100%

People Not Affiliated with a Church of Christ - 0%

I pray that when our folks visit your churches they're nice. If they're not, let me know. :)

Good morning,

I actually typed, posted, and then withdrew this post yesterday and then two things occurred that prompted me to re-post this post.

The first was a call from one of our members. He was in full agreement with me about this past Sunday at our church - powerful! Our Worship Minister filled in for Don who is on vacation. He delivered a powerful sermon on "doubt." Because he preached our worship was all acapella. I love that part of our Church of Christ heritage and I know I'm being a bit partial when I say that I think we "do it" to a high degree of enthusiasm and energy. There are so many things to be, I'll say it, proud of our American Restoration heritage. Then there are other things -

(Judy, if you're reading you might want to skip to the next paragraph due to your love of cats.) On the way to work this morning I witnessed depending on your perspective - something amazing and, or quite vicious. I take a country back-road on the drive to work that is mostly woods and horse farms. As I was driving I saw a bald-eagle, seemingly larger than my car, swoop down and gather up a cat in its claws and carry it off. I'm sure the cat had no idea what hit him.

I think that's how this member felt after being confronted by a visitor from out of State. He had greeted this gentleman before services and ended up sitting in the pew in front of him. When our service ended, he asked this visitor what he thought. Like that eagle, this visitor proceeded to launch into an attack on our worship minister, our church, and our service. He said we should take the name "Church of Christ" off the sign. You're probably thinking what I am, what would he have said if we had our usual "blended service?" This is the part of our "heritage" that disgusts me. I cannot ever imagine any situation where upon visiting a church and attending one of its services, that I would feel compelled enough to tell one of its members what this guest did. I might think it but never would I feel I had the right to do what this gentleman did.

To our member's credit and also being caught off guard by this guest's tone, he wished him a blessed day and invited him to come back again. Sounds like something Jesus would have done.

Here's my question - How would you have replied? If you were on your game and not completely caught off guard, how would you answer? Have you been in this situation before?

I am convinced of one thing - we must be doing something right. It seems Jesus elicited those types of responses from the religious "know it alls" of his day.

I know most of us live in places that in relatively short periods of time, we can be amidst God's Creation. Still, it always amazes me when I can leave work, drive about 20 minutes, and stand on a beach in the shadow of our Nation's Space Center, and fish. Yesterday was one of those days. The sky was clear, the breeze coming off the ocean was cool, and there I was with 2 good friends from church fishing for what ever lurks in the water. I did have some success. Here is a picture.Any one buying that? O.K., so we didn't have a crane! :) Actually, a more accurate picture would be this one:

In my 28 years of "touching (code for teaching Middle School) the future" I have noticed a phenomenon that occurs this time of year in my students. Usually right after their return from Spring Break they will start to engage in behaviors or practices that were prevalent back in August or September. Being the seasoned educator that I am, I always attempt to stop or modify these behaviors and as with most years, I've usually accomplished this with some level of success.

But then the little darlings go home for a week for a much deserved break. Upon their return it sometimes seems like we're starting over again with some of the things they say or do. Then I will usually make this speech, "Class (or dirt bags if you prefer :) ), you are now regressing instead of progressing and that is something that to be honest, is irritating." Of course, that statement in of itself is buffoonery since Middle School students enter a stage in life when sometimes their very existence is meant to be irritating but I digress.

As a coach "regressing instead of progressing" was a pet peeve of mind. In basketball my preference was always to play man to man defense. As vigilant as I am about my Algebra students showing their work I was just as vigilant about players not "giving up the baseline" to an offensive player. I tried to teach my players to use the baseline as a"second defender" and to force their man into the middle if need be where supposedly our players on the weakside would make the adjustment and give help. We would work and work on that in practice and yet halfway through the season I would have kids who would act as the "Welcome Wagon" for an opposing guard driving the baseline for an easy lay-up.

Have you been there - regressing or doing things you know you shouldn't or should do after having a period of success? Been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. Apparently so did Paul. Look at Romans 7:14 - 20

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

I know when I do something or not do something that is out of character for the son of Cecil Sr. and Jean, a college graduate, a father, an elder, and most importantly, a Christian I feel like dirt. So did Paul if you look at the first part of verse 24:

24What a wretched man I am!

But then there is the end of Romans 7 and the blessed start of Romans 8:

24..... - 25 Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

That was on my heart this morning. Have a blessed day.

Good morning, good morning.

Monday took a little twist from its usual routine of work, run, Weight Watcher's Meeting, and the obligatory celebratory meal there after. On the way home from our meal of blackened mahi-mahi my lovely wife asked me if I needed anything from Wal-Mart? My response, "Oh yes my sugar plum, I need some "Pledge cleaner."

You would have thought the bald spot on top of my head had instantaneously filled back in to it's 1980's thickness by the way she looked at me. I could see the wheels spinning as it does in most marriages when such responses are offered to what seems like a very innocent question.

1. What could he possibly want with "Pledge?"
2. Do I dare ask?

That's where I'll leave it with you, the home viewer. Any takers? Why do you think I needed to purchase Pledge? Remember, I'm "fragile" ( :) ) so be kind.

The answer tomorrow.

I’m sure many of you remember John Wooden, the fabled “Wizard of Westwood” who’s UCLA Basketball Teams won 10 national championship, including seven in a row from 1966-73. His teams set an NCAA record of consecutive wins (88) over a span of four seasons. He is the only coach to have four 30-0 seasons. And during his time at UCLA, his teams were 149-2 at Pauley Pavilion. Those numbers in all likelihood will never be duplicated again.

During this unprecedented run, Coach Wooden was once asked if he had a secret or method to scouting opponents. His answer was fairly succinct. He said, “We don’t worry about what the other team is doing. We work on what we’re going to do in a game and let our opponents worry about us.” This quote came to mind when I was thinking about our subject today.

Recently it came to my attention that our church had been listed on a list that someone had posted on the internet with respect to fellow Churches of Christ not doing things exactly as this particular brother believes things should be done. I suppose his intended purpose was to embarrass those on his list as well as warn others to tow the line or they’re church could end up on his list.

I'd like to be like Coach Wooden in this regard. We will pray, teach, plan, and coach our body of believers that comprise our “team” and not worry about the opposition. It seems they are doing enough of it for all of us. I will say this as I’ve tried to say in the past, our church nor any of the others on that “List” are perfect nor are they any kind of model to be emulated. I suppose they are full of flawed, known sinners who by the grace of Jesus Christ are on the only list that matters, the one you’ll find in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” So we’ll continue to be a non-denominational Church of Christ.

One final comment about “the list” – As I heard a brother once say, “Jesus didn’t get nailed to two boards by playing is safe.” I’d say that would include “lists” as well.
God bless.

This was relayed to me last night by our Preacher who I think won't mind if I relay it to you, the "home viewer." Besides, I can fire him, right? That's a little "elder humor."

Any way, our minister, youth guy, and our worship minister were having breakfast at one of our favorite diners. Don said for an hour and a half they discussed how to move our members closer to being transformed by Christ in their lives. Don said near the end of their conversation, a mother and her adult daughter got up from their table and started to leave.

The mother stopped by their table and introduced herself. She then with tears in her eyes told our guys what a blessing it was to listen to "men" discuss Jesus with boldness and passion. Her daughter made the same comment.

Pardon me if I throw in some "Klingon Theology." One of my favorite characters of the T.V. show, "Star Trek the Next Generation" was "Warf." He was a Klingon Warrior now working for the good guys. In one episode Warf is trying to be persuaded by a fellow Klingon to return to his "warrior ways" which include killing indiscriminately for the "glory of the Empire."

In the end scene Warf rejects his plea and tells him that for the Warrior, the real battle is within ourselves and that words like "duty" and "honor" mean more to the Warrior than killing.

Does that sound familiar? How about Paul's instructions to his young warrior in the Faith, Timothy, in First Timothy, Chapter 4:

7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

There is a debate about Hell which I guess would make that debate one #%*!! of a debate. Is the "fire that consumes" one of "ever lasting damnation" or as some such as Ed Fudge propose, a once and forever "whoosh" and your soul is "dead" forever? As Ed Fudge said in his class at Pepperdine, which ever belief is correct still means a very, very bad end for those not in Christ.

What is your "version of Hell?" Mine happened today in a "Middle School" kind of way. My 2nd Period class was about to end bringing up my planning period. With 5 minutes to go we were told over the intercom that 2nd Period was being held due to a line of storms that were passing through our area. No sooner did the announcement occur than the power went off and it stayed off for 2 hours.

I know, there are some of you out there who will think, and, or write, "toughen up big boy" and maybe I need to do so. But 2 hours with the same group of kids with no power - oll vey!

What is your version of Hell?

It looks like my Spring Break turned in to a blog break as well. We had a full week with work and play. We took time to get our pool and patio back in shape. With my solar heat turned on, a brand new solar blanket for the pool, our pool temperature is now in the low 90’s. Any body for a swim?

My friend of over 40 years came down with his son from South Carolina. We ended up playing 27 holes of golf and with the help of 2 good friends at church; we got in a round of surf fishing on the Kennedy Space Center beach. We caught a few blues which we used for bait, hooked in to a couple of sharks but were unable to land them, and we brought in one huge sting ray.

We took one day out to visit the campus of Palm (http://www.pba.edu/) Beach Atlantic University, a non-denominational Christian College that Steven and 2 of his friends are considering attending in the Fall. PBA is a beautiful campus on the inter-coastal waterway in Palm Beach.

Perhaps the highlight of the week (other than all of you, friend and foe missing me) was a late night that went to 1:30 in the morning. Two very passionate about their faith young men, asked if they could sit down with me and study a subject that those of our tribe tend either to avoid or quickly shut down – healing. We sat in our living-room with open Bibles and discussed this subject and others as well. I was reminded of two verses in 2nd Timothy:

2nd Timothy 2:22 - Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2nd Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

May we all pursue Scripture with the passion of youth.

For some reason, I have "Bugs Bunny" in my mind yelling as he did so often in some of his classic cartoons, "You'll be sorry!" My wife has a version of Bugs that she like to say, "Remember, you're not in your 20's anymore." For a while I felt like I was.

We had our church picnic at KARS Park this past Saturday. KARS is located across the Banana River Lagoon from the Space Center. KARS has a huge campground, athletic fields, pavilions, tennis courts, basketball courts, and boat ramps. Any employee of the Space Center can rent the park for activities such as our church picnic.

So, this 50-year old Weight Watcher took advantage of my weight loss / conditioning to enjoy some basketball, softball, and as you folks (Brady http://evendays.org/) across "the Pond" like to call it, "Football." My fellow elder from Venezuela shook my hand after our game and said, "Now you play a man's sport." I will say this, I will never complain about running 6 (and especially when I consider Trey http://www.treymorgan.net/ running a marathon) miles again. I kept waiting for our team to huddle up, call time out, or throw the blasted ball back to the Pitcher but no, all we did was just keep running!

Yesterday we got together at our Youth Deacon's home for several games of beach volleyball. I'd like to tell you about those games but I can't remember them. You see, I didn't wake up until 9am this morning! Lets just say I slept like an over sized baby.

So, what did you do this weekend and can you still walk?
Have a blessed day.
I will.
We're on Spring Break!!!!!!!!!!!

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

"How He Loves" has become my song of choice when I crank things up in my class in the morning before school. My favorite version of it is sung by Kim Walker. When "The Pulse" performed this song at our first "C-4 Concert," Steven's back-up vocals really came through loud and clear. I love the lyrics:

"He is jealous for me - loves like a hurricane - I am a tree."
It communicates to me how God always makes the first move to us. He moves towards us with the amount of passion generated by the emotion of jealousy in the form of a hurricane. I think that sometimes in the "act of doing church," we forget about a loving, jealous God who desires a relationship with us. "Us" despite the fact that He and each of us individually know only too well our faults and the sin that should otherwise keep us separated from God.

Remember this my friends as you go into the weekend, He is jealous for you and me. Rejoice and take heart.

In one of my favorite episodes of the T.V. series, "M.A.S.H.," Radar comes down with a crush on one of the nurses who happens to be from a classical background. As was his mode of operation, Radar goes to Hawkeye and Trapper to ask for advice. One part of the advice they give Radar is to utter the phrase, "Ah, Bach," if she were to confront him with something (which would have been all of it) from the classical world he was unfamiliar with. I still use the phrase today with close friends at church or at school when someone presents something that seems to be a bit out there or is too good to be true.

For the past few days, I've been playing classical music (Bach's "Prelude," "Sarabande" to name a few) when my students have been working. Today they are taking a test with Mr. Bach in the background. There is some educational research that states some classical music (no Greg, not Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" :) ) will put the brain in a certain wave that is condusive to learning.

At first my "Hip-Hop / Gangster Rap / Country Music" students laughed and made fun of "Mr. Walker's music." However, as each class progressed, there were less objections and almost to a student, each one was on task. Today when my students entered my room to take a test before Spring Break, they all asked for "the music."

Hey, maybe that's why some of our CofC church fights have been so ugly in the past. We should have been playing Bach when our members entered our Auditoriums. Just imagine, if one of our preachers during a sermon stated its O.K. to clap during worship, before the first you can't do that / Noah built the Ark out of Gopher wood / the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu arguments could come out, someone would stand, put their index finger on the side of their face, and in the grandest tradition of Radar O'Reilly say, "Ah, Bach!"

For some reason today reminded me of a whitewater raft trip we took down the New River in West Virginia when Steven was in 7th Grade. We were "fortunate" to have a "part-time" guide due to the size of our group. She took us into a rapid called "Surprise" in a path that no other raft in our party took. Just before we started she uttered these immortal words, "There's our video photographer - this will look great on the video!"

My good friend Bret and I were in the front of the raft being the heaviest and only adults on board besides are dim-witted rookie guide. As we started down this hole it becomes apparent that we now must navigate up the hole and over this huge wave. I remember having 2 thoughts:

1. This reminds me of the scene from the movie, "The Perfect Storm."
2. We're not going to make it.

As the wave broke over us I tried to do a duck dive into it but instead of going forward, me, the raft, and everyone inside it were catapulted backwards. The point, I knew it was coming but it didn't help.

Sidebar - To add insult to injury, the video photographer ended up being another Raft Company's employee and after all of that - we didn't make the video!

April 1 / (Fools) always bring the anticipation of pranks. You know its coming and in most cases you're not fooled. However there have been times when I knew it was coming and was had any way. A very good friend and fellow blogger has been (including his sweet wife) the author of most of those times. To be fair I've done a little "had-ding" of my own but we won't go into detail to protect the "innocent."

So, I hope you were able to avoid to being had and perhaps did a little "had-ding" of your own.