Athletes in Action

Brenda and I just recently returned from working w AIA in rural Ohio, Palestine, OH, to be exact.  We had almost 30 participants from around the world- Togo, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, S. Korean, Philippines, Rwanda, Angola, Mongolia, and several places in the USA.

Amongst our speakers was Dell Harris, one of the greatest coaches in the NBA, coaching some of the best-known players. It was thrilling to have supper with him and ask him questions. It was great fun to get to speak with coaches and athletes, but the key thing.

The story was told that one of our AIA staff met the grandson of James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball.  The descendent said, “My grandfather invented basketball in order to introduce men to G^d!”  I had NEVER heard this before.

Our time with AIA was very educational. When you bring an international group into a group of Christians and you give the Christians an opportunity to fellowship and serve, everyone benefits. Maybe one day we can try a variation on this theme with our Faculty Ministry.

 Lina, Jonathan, Sammy, Anjou, Brenda

 15 Nations

Our friend, the bb shot-doctor, Paul M.

Life review: The Prof, Dr. Howard Hendricks

In about 1987, give or take a year, I went to a Cru Christian Faculty Conference in the Harvey Hotel in Carrolton, TX.  the Speaker was Dr. Howard Hendricks, and to this day I quote from several of his lectures.  One of the catch phrases I picked up from The Prof was "May your tribe increase!"

When I heard his say it, I wondered what Scripture he was quoting. I reviewed in my mind, all the places it could be in the Bible.  I couldn't come up with anything, and went to my computer Bible, which was new in those days, and which was searchable.  Still I couldn't find it. Finally, I emailed the Prof at the Leadership Center of Dallas Theological Seminary.  to my surprise, the famous Dr. responded personally to my email.

And here is the source of the quote:

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An Angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the Presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,

And with a look made of all sweet accord

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."

"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"

Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,

But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,

Write me as one who loves his fellow men."

The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again with a great wakening light,

And shoed the names whom love of God had blessed,

And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

Read that little poem and think about it. 

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". And, that one is "like unto" the one that came before.  "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:36-40)

Anticipation-- Sweet Anticipation

One of the GREAT things about my years of working was the sweet anticipation of the coming events: holidays, vacations, special events. The academic world was filled with anticipation of start of a term, end of a term, first exam, Fall break, Thankgiving break, Christmas break, ACSM Conference, Spring break, Summer break, even the weekend was sweet anticipation.

With retirement, one of the things I have missed most, is the absence of all that anticipation. Now every day is like Saturday, and there are NO breaks. I really miss the anticipation, I really do. So what is there left to anticipate?

Well, I look forward to the joys of heaven.  Think about it. No more sorrow, no time, no need to rush, nothing can go wrong. We will be able to associate with the saints of old, and our family and friends who have gone before us. We will walk those streets of gold, and worship with great joy!

Sweet anticipation!  Welcome back!

Life Review- A Shoe Story

I am a bit surprised I never have blogged my shoe story.  It says a lot about me and my thinking, and not sure why that is important, but still one of my fav stories.

I arrived at the University of Alabama in August 1984.  One of my grad students was a M.S. student, Jan Morris, the niece of a Ph.D. student, and Jan was from Decatur or some other North AL town. In those days, UA had a contest, open to anyone, to pick the theme for homecoming.

As a competitive cuss, and with an occasional creative whim, I was all in.  I thought about it, and fairly quickly came up with "Alabamagic"! I told Jan and she immediately sketched out a drawing of a magician pulling an elephant (symbol of UA) out of a top hat.

We entered our creation into our first competition... and won!  So what's that got to do with shoes?

Well, we won a $100 gift certificate at a local men's store. It was only right to equally split our winnings, so I went down to the shop to spend my winnings. I wanted to get something useful, and I'm not much of  fashion plate, so went with shoes, these shoes.

I have worn them, pretty steadily since fall, 1984, that is a bit over 34 years!  I had them resoled about 19950, but it was pretty pricey.  I took them with me to Jordan when Brenda and I went to a Sport Conference in 2006.  for only about $6 US, I got them resoled again- Jordanian style, which involved a lot of little nails.

So here it is, 2018, and I wore them to church today. But alas, like all things, their days are numbered. One of the soles has a small split in it and the heels have worn down to the leather. They have been comfortable and a joy to wear, plus I get a small thrill from time to time when I think of how they came into my possession.

G^d is a GREAT giver of gifts, and G^d can keep things, including sandals, from wearing out. These shoes have lasted a long time... but their service is mostly done. It will be sad to see them go.

Southern Food Culture

Now that the holidays are over, it is a good time to reflect on Southern Food Culture.  Yes, in the southern USA, we have some pretty important food rituals, which are shared to some extent across the USA.

Perhaps the most serious rule is this: NEVER run out of food, on pain of total loss of reputation! This means you have more dishes than needed, and more of each dish than could be possibly eaten by attendees.

It is well known that in the Southern USA we like fried food and often bacon, or bacon grease is involved even in vegetables. I attempt to eat according to Jewish dietary standards and so pork, and pork products are NOT part of my desired diet, though I will eat it, if served. So, bacon or ham chunks can be found in Southern: green beans, lima and other beans, quiche, eggs, omelets, and bacon grease is used to fry lots of stuff. Frying is popular and we fry everything, including vegetables like squash, okra, and tomatoes.

Grits are a well known southern dish made from corn. Grits are very popular among some, but grits seem to be more of a "nostalgia" dish, than a daily popular food.

Of course no southern food discussion, as is no southern meal, is complete without sweet tea--and I mean sweet ICED tea. A famous Bishop family story deals with my father's first-ever hospitalization in Marietta, GA. We were all visiting dad when they served his dinner.  Dad had selected from the menu, "tea", expecting sweet iced tea.  He got instead a tea bag, which he mistakenly thought was some sort of instant tea mix--because who  serves hot tea in the South?  It's hot here already!  Many Northerners are not accustomed to sweet iced tea, so this can be a novel concept for some.

Maybe our most famous southern dishes are out desserts: pecan pie, home-made ice cream, and chocolate cake.  And perhaps that is a sweet ending.

Thanksgiving Thanks

On Thanksgiving, Brenda and I compiled at list of great qualities of the family members in attendance at lunch.  Here is our list, in the order of longevity in the family, preserved for posterity!

Brenda- Read the B'day letter- LOVING, Warm, approachable, strangers will share lives, sensitive..

Kelly- Reading and grammar buddy, reflective, Good teacher, good CC admin, effective, contemplative, insightful, analytic

Daniel- Intelligent, self-disciplined, patient, self-controlled, attentive.

Anna G- Very thoughtful, kind, loving, great teacher, Good cook who shares...

Michael- Quiet, Contemplative, Creative game builder, gifted musician, GREAT SS member!

Parker- smart, sensitive, looks out for his mama, loving, good Gamer

Shannon- Pure Math says a lot..., attentive, Intelligent, self-disciplined, creative, clever

Isaac- Quiet, twinkle in his eye, good Gamer, good hugger

Ben- Pastoral, studious, organized, Responsible, Thoughtful

Evie- Bright, energetic, Beautiful, enthusiastic, inquisitive, Good reader

Jem- Thoughtful, obedient, Mature, Knows his animals

Peter- Wrestler, energetic, Fun, loves things with wheels

Hazel - Fun, Loving, Beautiful, Takes good care of Margaret, Cuddly

David, Rie, Nene, Juno, and ANDREW--not present, but we love you all!

NEW Thought for the New Year:: Persecution—not that bad a deal, not at all!

In the end of the Beatitudes are two beatitudes that look a bit repetitive:

Matt 5:10 says, “Blessed

Matt 5:11 says “Blessed are

Now get your eyes off the persecuted and look at the payoff. “…theirs I the kingdom of heaven.” And “…your reward in heaven is great…”.  What’s not to like there?

So, if the rewards are great, why do we flee persecution at all costs?  There is ONLY ONE explanation for this strange attitude towards a great reward.  We simply do NOT believe it’s true.  That’s “sweet-by-and-by” stuff and are “here-and-now” people. Plus, we prefer comfort to future rewards. No surprises there.

Why did Jesus say the same beatitude twice, with elaboration on the second? Because He knew that we would struggle with the promise, as we do.

So, I don’t expect that faith in the rewards is any stronger today than in that of Jesus. But maybe you are an exception.  When persecution comes, rejoice and be glad, for great are your rewards, and you are in good company, for they persecuted G^d’s prophets too!

You’re in good company, but there aren’t many folks along with you.  Rejoice!

When a Class jells

I am part of a small men’s Sunday School class this term. This is the first time I can recall having a men-only class, and only 7-10 men attend. I have had the distinct of teaching that class most of this term. What has been most fun is seeing the participation of the members. Sometimes it takes a long time for classes to grasp the idea that they are invited to think, to participate, to be totally engaged. This group reached that stage several weeks back.

G^d has gifted each of us with different skills, experiences, and knowledge. When we all contribute, everyone benefits. This group contributes, and we all benefit. It’s not always this way. Often the semester is near done before class members understand that they are welcome to be engaged and to speak out, to share what G^d has given them. Not this time!

It’s great when a class jells! Thanks guys!

Looking back on 2018!

Just after I wrote this, "Good Morning America" said the same thing.  It's 20 Dec, and in 11 more days 2018 will draw to a close.   2018 we hardly new ye!

To say it once again, time is fleeting, and fleeing. Redeem the time!

2018 began with our annual Cru Midyear Conference in Dallas. From there we had Common Call Christian Faculty Conferences in Greenville, SC, then in ATL, and from there flew straight to England in time for "The Beast from the East" snowstorm. Much of our planned schedule was cancelled, but we worked around it and had a good time of ministry and building relationships.

In March we were a last-minute fill-in for a speaker at a Christian Student group meeting in Gulf Shores AL. It was a blast.  In April I had a consulting job in WV that took the better part of a week. Dr. Jim Houston, Dr. Mike Parker's writing buddy, came to UA, and we got to spend some good time with him and associated friends.

The month of May was great because we made our trek to Laguna Beach Christian Resort. The spring was filled too, with visits to southern US Universities for Fac Commons. In August we made the looooong trip to Japan where we connected with Andrew in visiting David and his family in Kakegawa.  In Sept we got another week of vacay and spent a week at Laguna followed by another week of Wellness and Sukkot with our Christian friends. In early Oct, I went to Minneapolis and met with FC folks and then on to WI for a great week of ministry.

We did a "thank-a-Prof" campaign at UA, and I spent quite a few hours trying to deliver those notes.  This is indeed a great ministry.

When you add in all the little daily stuff- teaching Sunday School, buying a house, beginning remodeling... etc. etc. it becomes a bit clearer why the year flew by.

May 2019 be a Terrific Year of Laboring for the L^rd for you and for us. 

Blessings,