Chaplain’s Corner

This unique “Parable” applies to more than the situations mentioned. It is all too descriptive of a much larger portion of our life today. Too often we are like the characters in the parable. Our priorities are messed up and we live with feelings we’ve set to an ultra-sensitive level. All too easily we ignore responsibility, shun accountability and rely on others to do the job.

It’s been said there are two kinds of people in the world today: (1) those who are willing to work, and (2) those who are willing to let them. It’s reflected in the 20-80 rule. 20% of the people do all of the work and make 80% of all the sales. Which group will master us?

Can we continue leaving the job to “Nobody.” Dare we any longer stay idle in facing the almost insurmountable obstacles at every level of our culture? Can we continue to leave the future in the hands of leaderless government? Can we allow the rich heritage and foundation of our great country to continue to crumble? Can we remain silent while corruption and crime steal precious values from us? Can we continue to live without vision, still unaware we are rushing toward another Noahic Flood? Can we carelessly close our eyes to the needs of so many around us, especially in their personal relation to God, or lack of it?

Today would be a great time to break the cycle.
Let’s stop being “Somebody, Everybody and Anybody.”
Let’s step up to today’s responsibility.
Let’s strongly embrace this moment’s opportunity.

I Corinthians 15:58 gives us great insight: “Therefore…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Remember, “if not you, who? If not this, what? If not now, when?” If not here, where?

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

Charles Dickens, in his remarkable story, A Tale of Two Cities,
wrote:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,
we were all going direct to Heaven,
we were all going directly the other way—
in short, the period was so far like the present period,
that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received,
for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

This great novel unfolds the loving sacrifice one man-made for another. Sidney Carton, bearing a remarkable likeness to the imprisoned Charles Darnay facing imminent death, made a prison swap and substituted himself for Darnay, stepping to the French Revolution guillotine. Carton’s love was not so directly at Darnay as it was to his beautiful wife who chose Darnay in marriage, not Carton. What must Carton have been thinking as his time of death arrived? Here is what is recorded:

I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy, in that England which I shall see no more. I see her with a child upon her bosom, who bears my name. I see her father, aged and bent, but otherwise restored, and faithful to all men in his healing office, and at peace.

I see that I hold a sanctuary in their hearts, and in the hearts of their descendants, generations hence. I see her, an old woman, weeping for me on the anniversary of this day. I see her and her husband, their course done, lying side by side in their last earthly bed, and I know that each was not more honored and held sacred in the other’s soul, than I was in the souls of both.

I see that child who lay upon her bosom and who bore my name, a man winning his way up in that path of life which once was mine. I see him winning it so well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his. I see the blots I threw upon it, faded away. I see him, fore-most of just judges and honored men, bringing a boy of my name, with a forehead that I know and golden hair, to this place—then fair to look upon, with not a trace of this day’s disfigurement—and I hear him tell the child my story, with a tender and a faltering voice.

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.

Carton tearfully hears the execution of the seamstress who had traveled with him to the place of death and who recognized he was not really the Darnay condemned to death. He is then pushed towards the slot where the blade would fall.

How you draw good out of evil. Think not only of the past and the dangerous now but of the joyful future to come. Too often the world threatens to crush us. Our problems seem much greater than any solution.

Dickens is so right. Today is like the day he wrote about. Is our life making any difference? Are we making any sacrifice, whether great or small? It may not be as monumental as Carton’s but it can make a change now and in the future.

Our Lord has set the pattern. Simply read Isaiah 53:4-12, Ephesians 5:2,I John 2:2 and many more scripture texts that declare the density and vastness of the Lord’s loving sacrifice.

Ask Him for strength to follow His example. You may be writing a new novel!

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

Denny Mog in Touched by an E-mail, pp. 121-122, has some interesting insights for our New Year. He says, “There are two days in every week about which we need not worry.

One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone!

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds. But it will rise. Until it does we have no stake in tomorrow for it is as yet unborn.

This leaves only one day: today. Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is when you add the burdens of two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow – that we break down. It is not necessarily the experience of today that disturbs one’s peace of mind. It is often the bitterness of something that has happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.”

Truly said! Unchangeable moments of the past and unknown probabilities of the future can paralyze us into incomprehensible inactions in the present. Dare we afford to allow what has happened or what might happen to strap us into frustrating failure in the present? Now is the time. Today is the day. This is our choice. We truly only have this moment. Whatever the Old Year may have presented or the New Year offer, we have a new start as our present moments unfold. Someone said the past is gone, the future not yet happening. Now is a gift. That’s why we call it the “present.” Let’s ask God to keep us and it in the palm of His hand and give us strength to use it wisely.

One great thing that transcends it all is mentioned in the text of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ…the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

“O Holy Night”, a favorite carol of Christmas, was the creation of Placide Clappeau, the mayor of Roquemaure, France. Clappeau, a winemaker, also wrote poetry, mostly for his own enjoyment. His minister asked him to write something special for the Christmas celebration. While riding in a carriage to Paris Clappeau penned his lyrics. He asked Adolphe-Charles Adam, a classical composer of music mostly presented in secular venues and ballets, to create the melody for his poem, “O Holy Night.” Clappeau’s powerful lyrics so greatly impressed the French composer that he created the deeply stirring music for the song. No one can question that the lyrics and music make a perfect combination for one of the all-time great songs of the season.

In 1847 this song was first presented. It became an overnight success. Later, when the French church discovered Clappeau had left Christianity to follow the social movement of his day, and also learned the music composer, Charles Adams, was Jewish, the hymn was banned. Because it was so popular with the people, who continued to sing it outside the church, “O Holy Night” grew in public acceptance and was reinstated. John Sullivan Dwight later translated the lyrics into English and it became an American Christmas carol favorite. Around the world this song has provided praise and inspiration and has uplifted Christmas celebrants everywhere.

On Christmas Eve, 1906, a Canadian –born inventor named Reginald Fessenden transmitted the first radio broadcast in history from an experimental tower in Massachusetts. Fessenden, who is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Radio Broadcasting,” read passages from the Bible and then on his violin played “O Holy Night.” When he did, he made it the first song ever transmitted over radio waves.

This beautiful carol of the season gives us many lessons. God is able to use those we may consider most unlikely to bring Him praise and honor. God can put together a team that can create something so special it will inspire and bless others globally. God can take something that some would discredit and throw away and keep it lasting and enriching.

The lyrics of “O Holy Night” present that Christmas 2000 years ago as “Divine.” It tells us what lay beyond the manger…darkness dispelled by light…despair pushed away by deliverance…sadness replaced by joy… emptiness filled with abundance…and so much more.

May you discover such a night for yourself. May this inwardly be your greatest Christmas!

Till next time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

Again we have watched Baseball’s World Series. Even if the outcome was not what we wished it is still a great event.

Many years ago one of the most amazing games in the series was played. In 1924 the World Series between the New York Giants and the Washington Senators was tied after six games. Griffith stadium in Washington was packed for the final game on October 10, 1924. They came to the ninth inning with the game score tied at three runs each. New York was put down in order and Washington came to bat. The home team fans screamed for one lone run, which would win the series and the world championship. The first two men made outs and it looked like extra innings. Then a player named Leon “Goose” Goslin came to the plate.

Two strikes were called and then two balls. The crowd was watching every pitch. On the fifth pitch, Goslin stepped into the ball and slammed it to left-center field. The crowd became delirious; it looked like a home run, but it hit inches below the top of the wall and fell back into the field of play.

Goslin was slowing down for a triple when the third base coach waved him on to try for an in-park home run. The shortstop took the peg from left-center, and fired the ball to the catcher. Goslin slid into home in a cloud of dust, seemingly a split second before the tag. The catcher followed the routine of throwing the ball around the bases, just in case, while waiting for the umpire to make the call. The umpire made a delayed call, consulting the other umpires, and then cried, “You’re out!”

Washington player/manager, Bucky Harris, along with his team and fans, rushed onto the field, protesting the call. The umpire secured order, and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the batter is out because he didn’t touch first base!”

The game went into extra innings and in the bottom of the twelfth inning, Early McNeely hit an infield ground ball, which should have been an easy out but took a bad bounce over the third baseman’s glove into left field. That was enough to score Washington catcher Ruel from third base with the winning run. This was the first world championship Washington won and it was on, what some would call, an unearned run.

A 20th Century evangelist named Angel Martinez used this story in his sermon, “Play Ball.” First Base represented salvation, Second Base, baptism and church membership, Third Base was Christian service and Home Plate stood for heaven. In his sermon’s conclusion, Martinez, building upon the 1924 Series even said “you can be baptized and join the church and do many good works but if you miss the first base of salvation, you too, will be called out at the home plate of heaven.

The Bible describes first base in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him… .” This gift is freely offered to us by the Lord. Have you received it yet? All the other bases in life are important but if we miss first base it matters for nothing. Let me say again we’ll never make heaven if we skip salvation.

Which base are you on today?

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

John Griffin, an Oklahoman in his early twenties, newly married and blessed with a beautiful baby was deeply shattered in the 1929 Great Stock Market Crash. Brokenhearted and sad, John packed up his few possessions and headed East with his family. John found a job tending one of the great railroad bridges across the mighty Mississippi.

Day after day John would sit in the control room and direct the enormous gears of the immense bridge over the river. He would watch as the bulky barges and splendid ships glided gracefully under his elevated bridge.

In 1937 John had a new dream in his heart. His young son, Greg, now eight years old developed great interest in his father’s work. To John this brought hope that Greg would follow his father in a future bridge operation career.

One day they packed their lunches and headed toward the immense crossing. Greg looked in wide-eyed amazement as his Dad pressed down the huge lever that raised the vast bridge. His father must surely be the greatest man alive to control the movements of such a stupendous structure.

When noontime arrived John elevated the bridge to allow some scheduled ships to pass through. Then he and his son left the control room and found a place to have lunch.

John told Greg stories of his work at the bridge until a startling reality took place. It was the shrieking whistle of a distant train. The bridge was still raised and the Memphis Express would be at the bridge in minutes.

John calmly instructed Greg to “stay put.” He quickly leaped to his feet, jumped on the catwalk and ran toward the ladder leading to the control house. Once there he searched the river to make sure no ships were in sight. Then, as he was trained, he looked down to be sure everything was all right below the control house. What John saw was devastating. His son had attempted to follow his Dad but fell off the catwalk, wedging his leg between the teeth of two main cogs in the gearbox.

John was faced with an unbelievable decision—to save his son or save the passengers on the approaching train. He thought of how he might get to his son and pull him free. But there was not enough time. The 400 passenger train would soon emerge from the trees and speed across the bridge. Burying his face under his left arm John plunged down the lever. The cries of his son were quickly drowned out by the noise of the bridge grinding into place. In a matter of seconds, the Memphis Express rolled over the bridge.

John lifted up his tear-stained face and looked into the windows of the passing train. He saw a businessman reading the morning newspaper, a uniformed conductor glancing at his vest pocket watch, ladies sipping afternoon tea, a small boy, looking strangely like his son, enjoying a dish of ice cream and many others engaged in idle conversation or careless laughter.

No one even looked John’s way. No one cast a glance at his gigantic gearbox that contained the mangled remains of his son.

In anguish John pounded the glass in the control room. He cried out, “What’s the matter with you people? Don’t you know? Don’t you care? Don’t you know I’ve sacrificed my son for you? What’s wrong with you?”

No one answered. No one heard. No one even looked. Not one of them seemed to care. The train moved rapidly over the waters and disappeared. – Christianity in Crisis-21st Century, vol. 4

This remarkable story deeply moves me. It is a faint glimpse of what God the Father did in sacrificing the Son of His love, Jesus. His sovereign will and purpose and His great love made it all possible. Like those in John’s story we just don’t notice the sacrifice that was made. We just push on with our lives, not really caring at all what God has done for us.

Consider these special truths:

“All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone unto his own way. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isiah 53:6

But He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The question is “Would God save His Son or redeem the world?” The Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection was not to save 400 passengers on the Memphis Express. It was to change the whole world, millions upon millions. Such an unbelievable choice allows us to avoid terrible disaster and safely cross to our heavenly destination.

Till Next Time, Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain

David Jordan has some intriguing thoughts to share. He says, “The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he is going.” This applies to those who learn where they are going late in life as well as for the young. At age 53, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first female Prime Minister. At 64, Francis Chichester sailed alone around the world in a 53 foot yacht. At 65, Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister for the first time and started the epic struggle against Hitler. At 72, Golda Meir became Prime Minister of Israel. At 75, Ed Delano of California bicycled 3100 miles in 33 days to attend his 50th college reunion in Worchester, Massachusetts. At 76, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli became Pope John XXIII and started changes in his church. At 80, Grandma Moses, who started painting in her late 70’s, had her first one-woman exhibit. At 81, Benjamin Franklin skillfully mediated between disagreeing factions at the U. S. Constitutional Convention. At 80, Winston Churchill returned to the House of Commons as a member of Parliament and also exhibited 62 of his paintings. At 99, CD Madsen scored his very first hole-in-one from 108 yards at Marin Country Club in Novato, California. On his 100th birthday, ragtime pianist Eubie Blake exclaimed, ‘If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

How inspiring to so many of us who are living long and looking for where we are going with the remaining years. If it seems you know where you’re going the world will step aside to let you pass to your goal.

In an interview with Fox News, Wink Martindale, now 85, former Memphis radio and TV star who became known and successful nationally, was asked what motivated him to pursue a lifetime in Television and Media said, “It was what I heard Art Linkletter say when asked when he was going to retire. Linkletter answered, “Retire…from what. I’m not tired.” That should motivate us too.

I’ve know where I was going since my early youth. I know where I’m ultimately going, just as many of you do. My goal in these later years of my life is expressed in II Corinthians 5:9, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” It keeps getting better!

Till next time,
Don Johnson, Chaplain of Kirby Pines

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down… It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in their papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. “Really?” she heard whispered. “I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!” and, “I didn’t know others liked me so much,” were most of the comments. No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn’t matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. “Were you Mark’s math teacher?” he asked….. She nodded: “yes”‘ Then he said: “Mark talked about you a lot.” After the funeral, most of Mark’s former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark’s mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. “We want to show you something,” his father said , taking a wallet out of his pocket. “They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.” Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said about him.

“Thank you so much for doing that,”‘ Mark’s mother said. “As you can see, Mark treasured it.” All of Mark’s former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, “I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home.” Chuck’s wife said, “Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.” “I have mine too,” Marilyn said. “It’s in my diary”. Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. “I carry this with me at all times,” Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: “I think we all saved our lists.” That’s when the teacher finally sat down and cried.

She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again. Her list of long ago was such a simple thing, but it accomplished so much.

You and I could start our list of friends and family. We could write something kind and truthful about them. And we could get the list to them. Let’s do it now, while there’s time before the opportunity passes. Let’s tell those we love how very special and important they are. Let’s do it now.

Till next time,
Don Johnson, Chaplain, Kirby Pines

During the Civil War, late at night, a stranger came to the home of the famous preacher, Henry Ward Beecher. Mrs. Beecher heard the knock and went to see who was there. Opening the door slightly she found a tall stranger covered in wraps up to his eyes trying to protect himself against the cold weather. He asked to see Pastor Beecher but refused to give his name.

Pastor Beecher’s life had been threatened many times during those days, so Mrs. Beecher closed the door and returned to their upstairs room. The stranger was left standing outside in the cold.

When Beecher learned that someone was at his door, standing alone outside, he quickly went downstairs and welcomed the stranger into his home. Sometime later Beecher returned to his wife upstairs. She learned that the man who came to their home to see her husband but who wouldn’t give his name was none other than the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. He was facing a crisis and had come to Pastor Beecher for prayer.

At this time of celebrating our country’s national freedom on the Fourth of July, this story has some great points. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our leaders, not only from the White House, but from Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States would realize the crisis we are in and seek counsel and prayer from Godly men and women throughout the nation? We are living in critical times in America and throughout the world and our real help must come for the One mentioned in our Pledge of Allegiance. We are “one nation under God.” We have too long forgotten this. Prayer is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom and recognition that things have gotten beyond our control.

The promise of II Chronicles 7:14 still relates to us today: “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Today’s times may be cold and harsh, like the winter night at Beecher’s home. But this must not keep us from seeking help beyond ourselves.

Do you know who may be knocking at the door? The stranger may at first be unrecognizable, even unknown. The circumstances may seem accidental but they are really Divinely planned. Are we the kind of persons who will draw others to seek us out when they need help? We must prepare ourselves for this unbelievable opportunity! Listen to words from Matthew 25, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to you? And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.”

May many around us overwhelmed by the growing crisis know they can knock on our door and find a special welcome, a listening ear, and prayer that specifically seeks God’s answer and direction. And may we know there are others around us that we can go to in critical moments and find uplift and help no matter the cost.

Till next time,
Don Johnson, KP Chaplain

Dr. Russell Conwell who founded what is now Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, repeated a story told to him by a tour guide during a trip to Nineveh and Babylon in 1870. Here’s his story.

There was a wealthy Persian farmer named Ali Hafed, owner of a very large farm with orchards, grain fields, and gardens. Hafed was happy and contented. A Buddhist priest visited him and spoke of diamonds with beauty and value beyond belief. He said if Hafed had a handful of diamonds he could purchase a whole country, and with a mine of diamonds, he could place his children upon thrones because of the influence of their vast wealth.

That night Hafed, who had considered himself wealthy and happy, became discontented. He now felt he was poor and needy. Where could he find these diamonds?

The priest told him to look for a river running through white sands between high mountains. There he would find the diamonds.

Hafed sold his farm, left his family in the charge of a neighbor and began the search for his desired treasure. Into Palestine and all through Europe Hafed wandered and searched. At last with his money was gone and failing to find his long-sought diamonds he was in poverty. Standing on the seashore at Barcelona, Hafed, having lost all, cast himself into an outgoing wave and was never seen again.

The man who had bought Hafed’s farm discovered in a stream in his garden a large stone having a light within. He placed it on the mantel inside the farm home.

The priest who had originally spoken to Hafed about diamonds paid a visit to the new owner. He noticed the stone on the mantel and said, “Here is a diamond! Has Hafed returned?” “No,” replied the owner. “I found the stone in a creek running through my land.” Together they went to the garden stream and discovered more stones, “diamonds” bigger than the first one. This discovery led to the establishment of Golconda, one of the richest diamond mines in the world.

In desperation to satisfy his discontent, Ali Hafed had tragically searched the world for what was already in his own back yard. He failed to realize that on his own farm were “acres of diamonds.” This story, repeated hundreds of times in a message Russell Conwell delivered, became a book entitled “Acres Of Diamonds.” Its message is insightful and probing.

Too many times we have discounted our own present wealth and happiness and allowed discontent to upset life. We sell the treasures we own in a vain effort to acquire more. There is never enough! Never!

Priceless diamonds of opportunity are all around us, where we are, now! There may be a diamond of a friendship we can cultivate… or an open door through which we may walk…or a love we can deepen…or a life we could influence.

It’s time we stopped looking for satisfaction somewhere else and start searching our own back yards. If we don’t, sometime someone else will.

Let’s look closely at our acres. Let’s consider carefully who we are, where we are and what we have. As we pick up each diamond we can enrich our lives. Matthew 6:19-21 should be our guide: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:33 can also be a challenge: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Let’s start searching our “acres of diamonds” today!