Seeing New Light

The Ministerial Alliance here in Swisher County will be hosting a Community service of gratitude on Friday during the lunch hour. It’s been one month since the craziness really began! We’ve learned much about each other and our city during this past month. One thing we’ve learned is that cooperation among neighbors and churches is still alive and well–the good news has significantly outweighed the bad from my vantage point thus far. When I have time to get a breath, I will post some of the more outstanding stories from the disaster that I witnessed. Suffice it to say, cooperation has been pleasant to see in times which seem to be quite bitter in the country as a whole. Of course, everyone is invited to the service on Friday. We will read scriptures, sing a few hymns, pray, and just generally visit with a renewed focus on the continuing work that needs to be done.

There’s not much time to post today, but I will direct you to a great sight for a Monday laugh, or at least a chuckle. Head over to Godissues.org, the website ministry of Dr. James Denison in Dallas. On today’s post, he relates some funny news about government red tape and Christian ethics.

So…we’re looking at no clouds, no wind, and 80 degree highs through the weekend. Any mom could love that weather. We miss being 300 miles away from our moms, but we will get to see everyone soon. I hope y’all like the gifts.

We attended the RSVP Spring Banquet last night. Tulia has many community type events during May, and the month sure flying by. Anyway, two folks from our church were honored with RSVP Volunteer of the Year award. They are the kind of people who serve “under the radar,” without many people noticing. Yet, it was good to honor them yesterday. We all kept the secret from them quite well. Anyone, in Tulia can benefit from the organizations these two are involved in–Good Shepherd Christian Outreach and Angel Food Ministries. It continues to show how wonderful this small community can be and the opportunities for service there really are out there. Here’s to the “under the radar” servants! 

Today, H.L. Rowell passed away in Amarillo. My first home visit in Tulia was to H.L.’s house last August. He reminisced about his days as the prison chaplain here, and he showed me thousands of correspondence letters with former inmates who had been deeply impacted by his witness there. H.L. has even been featured in the Baptist Standard a time or two. If you get on their website and do a search under his name, you’ll find the corresponding articles about his part of the prison ministry from FBC Tulia, and you’ll actually get a feel for the man. H.L. will be missed significantly around here, but we know that he is now celebrating the victory he so boisterously and boldly proclaimed in his earthly life. Thanks, H.L. We’ll miss you.

It’s been interesting to go through a grieving process (at least that’s what I think it is) over the past couple of weeks with people. This week, the main experience for me has actually been anger. Every now and then that great question pops into my head, “Why did that stupid tornado have to come tear everything up and mess with our town and my schedule in particular!!??” I know it’s just a part of the process, but indescrimanately, the questions arise to provoke a quiet and rather unassuming (but nonetheless it’s there) anger. It didn’t help to see what happened to the folks at Greensburg, Kansas. If I saw what an F2 can do, I can’t imagine what F5 damage does to a person’s spirit. Although, we talked much about anger in seminary, and the ethical approaches therein, it’s a whole other ballgame to experience such situations. This is one of the first times I’ve consciously thought, “Well, sometimes Jesus got angry, too–and for the right reasons.”

Other people in the community are just plain fatigued, but doing well. I’m proud of Tulia. Seeing the smiles and the “back to business” attitude is refreshing. People who dog West Texans (and Panhandle people in particular) really should come out here and experience the pioneer spirit that drives us. You may just set up shop and never leave if you do. May is a month full of good activities, too-band banquets, graduations, Mother’s Day, RSVP banquet, etc. I’m hopeful for a time of rest and fellowship.

the Baptist minister’s wife, the Presbyterian pastor, and the Catholic priest ensue serious hilarity in a hospital?? Well, of course, you get the Tulia Melodrama–”The Dastardly Dr. Devereux”. I’ve gotten a chance to read lines with Shannon, and this thing is down right silly-but great fun. Hope to see you there. We all need a good laugh.

FYI-The Ministerial Alliance will be trying to get together a community fellowship and prayer lunch at the park off of dip street on May 25 during the lunch hour. This would simply be a time for community to come together, eat some hamburgers, share positive stories, and continue to pray for the community. Let’s hope this comes together.

This week has, of course, started off in the “extremely busy” category. We served lunch to recovery and city workers yesterday, but the highlight so far this week has been meetings. Most people don’t look forward to meetings, and there have been a few in my time that I would have rather watched paint dry than attend. However, the meetings I’ve had a chance to be in on thus far this week have been productive and focused on looking forward. I commend our church and city for not only meeting immediate needs but also looking at ways we can meet needs 6 months down the road. Looking forward does help the healing process.

We experienced a meaningful Sunday worship services. Thank you for your continued prayers.