Life Review: Ancestry

 I volunteered to be part of a research cohort. As part of their study they tested the DNA of all participants. Though most of the findings were pretty irrelevant (bitterness sensitivity, lactose tolerance and ear wax stickiness), they did test ancestry.

I was 62% Northern and Central European

28% SW European (Spain etc.), and 

10% Ashkenazi Jewish!!  As many friends know

A Latino friend had told me that the name "Diaz" was Sephardic Jewish name--and that looks to be true.

As many friends know, I have definite Jewish leanings. I eat a diet from Leviticus, I have a mezuzah on my door post, have several kippahs (Jewish man's cap) and a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl). I can say the "Shehecheyanu " and the first part of the Shema.

I am not sure why I am so happy about that little 10%. I guess being related to G^d's Chosen People is why I like it so much.

You might not recall but I told the story in a blog post about being challenged in a court deposition about being biased toward Jewish attorneys. I wish I had known about that 10% then.

Kol Tuv

April Showers Bring May _________

 We all know what April showers Bring--May flowers. We are Blessed to live in a beautiful little spot. It is beautiful year-round, but especially so during spring. We are surrounded by azaleas, we have several Bradford pears, we have irises growing on land and around our dock. There are 2 different species of cheery. We have tulip trees, and roses, and camellias, and a bit later we will have lantana and day lillies and gladiolas and hydrangeas. 

Here are some shots from 20 March:

Here are some shots from about 2 weeks later...

Spring gives us HOPE. As Followers of Christ, this is the worst life we will ever experience.  

Think about it.

Life Review: Conference in Switzerland i

Many years back I had a professional conference in Montreux, Switzerland. As was my habit I contacted Cru and asked for contact info for the Swiss National Director. They connected me with Urs Wolfe who was enthusiastic about booking me to speak a few times there.

After the conference ended I headed for Geneva where I met with some Christian students. From there I went to Lausanne, Home of the International Olympic Committee. I gave a talk there to some Christian Medical students and then headed for Zurich, where Urs lived and ministered. When we finished our time, the students were exceptionally gracious and insisted on escorting me to the train station and making sure I got onboard the correct train.

I got on the train and headed north for Zurich. The train had lots of announcements that did me NO good at all. They were in Swiss (German) and French. I studies French in High School and as a freshman in college, but that did me no good. I am terrible in languages.

We passed through many stops along the way, but when we pulled out of Basel, I had a sinking feeling. I quickly found someone who spoke English. I asked whether I should have changed trains at that last stop. The answer made my heart sink.

My great friends who had put me on the train to make sure I was OK, had failed to mention the train change required. I hastily jumped off the train at the next stop. I quick survey of the info available and a double check with some English speakers confirmed that I could still make it to Zurich, it would just take a couple of extra hours.

I made it in, tired, but no worse for wear. The speaking opps and ministry in Zurich were great. In all, it was a wonderful time of ministry all around. And, lesson learned!

Life Review: Oh Boy, it's Tax Day!!!

 Another Tax Day has come, even though the tax deadline has been extended due to COVID, I think it is important to recognize the traditional date and celebrate.

Celebrate taxes?

Yes, at least our taxes are reasonable. Our friends in Sverige pay a lot more than we do. And, we do get something for our money. I have in the past worked for the DoD, and for NASA--big governmental agencies who spend a lot of $$$$. and your guess is right, they are not necessarily the most economical with their $$$--or rather out $$$.

For the last 40-50 years I have filed my own taxes. I figure that if I have to gather all the info. and tell the tax prep folks all they need to know, I might as well file for myself. Historically I did this with paper copies of taxes, now I do it on the computer. Which brings up a story...

In 1997 I filed my 1996 taxes. My federal taxes went through with nary a hitch. HOWEVER, in transferring by hand the info from my federal to my state taxes, I failed to fill in all the details of my itemized deductions. I had the totals correct, but failed to transfer the info showing from where these deductions had come.

So, I get a nasty-gram from the Alabama Department of Revenue. I quickly reviewed my tax submission and immediately recognized my error. I called the AL Revenue Dept. and explained the situation. They gave me simple directions on filing an amended return, which was surprisingly easy. In fact, I was SHOCKED at how easily my error was repaired. It o impressed me that I contacted the HEAD of the Dept of Revenue. He immediately told me that they NEVER get people bragging on them, only complaining. He thanked me and told me if I ever needed any help from them, let him know.

Hmm, that is a NICE promise.

I learned it pays to brag on those who don't receive much praise--like the Dept of Revenue!

Life review: A Visit to Israel

In Oct. 1996, Brenda and i got to Israel. I presented some science papers at a Conference, so the Uni paid my way and our hotel for part of the time. It was one of our most memorable and enjoyable trips, and we have made several.

Lots of places stand out, but the top two were Capernaum and Bethany. Bethany is the site of a lot of Bible action--home of Mary and Martha and brother Lazarus for example. It is on Mt. Olivet and over looks the Temple Mount. Speaking of which, the west wall, the Wailing Wall, is where we saw "...not one stone upon another," the stones from Herod's temple laying in disarray.

Up north at the Sea of Galilee, on the NW shore is Capernaum where Jesus did a lot of teaching. Nearby is a large natural  amphitheater where it is speculated the Sermon on the Mount could have been delivered with excellent acoustics. And, to see the Lake Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee) with our own eyes was a thrill. Walking on water, Peter catching a fish with a coin, Jesus calming the storm--all happened there.

Seeing the steep road from Jericho UP to Jerusalem gives new insight into the story of the Good Samaritan. Going up to Jerusalem from any direction makes sense. And, wandering the streets of the old city and seeing David's palace and so many other interesting sites was a thrill, as was traveling the short distance to Bethlehem.

Some of the non-Biblical sites like the fortress Masada, were also impressive as was floating in the highly salty Dead Sea. To see the site of the Essene scrolls was interesting.

For such a small, small country, Israel is rich with history--including the home and ministry sites of Jesus. Don't pass up an opportunity to visit--it will change your view of the Scriptures and the stories it tells.

"No Regerts"

Perhaps you have seen the tattoo, "NO REGERTS!".

The old Chinese saying proves true, "We become too soon old, and too late smart". I am clearly old, having been retired since Jul 1, 2017, I do have some regrets. Probably, working with profs through Faculty Commons gives me more opportunities to reflect and identify things I could have done during my tenure as a teacher.

I wish I had carried a Bible to class, at least a few times per semester. It's a book, The BOOK, but still a book. I did it as a High School student, why not as a prof?

I wish I had kept a bowl of candy in my office. This attracts folks to chat.

I wish I had offered to pray with students, faculty and staff.

I wish I had taken more people to lunch, and invited small groups of students to lunch.

I wish I had been more aggressive in sharing the gospel. I have it down to 10 words. Who can complain about 10 words? Well, we now they can, but why not do it anyway?

I wish I had written a guide for Grad Students. They know how to be great as undergrads, but Grad School is a different animal.

I wish I had mentioned to my students about those occasions when I heard directly from G^D. Yes, it happened, and happens still.

I wish I had offered a student Bible study to previous students.  They volunteer, so who can complain.

I wish I had offered them books after the final exam and placed a box of good evangelistic books outside the door.

I wish I had gotten to know my undergrads better. I did pretty good with grad students, but I could have done better with the undergrads.

I wish I had put together more talks for students on family and marriage, and other issues of intense interest to them.

I wish I had made a bigger deal over office hours for things besides just my class. 

I wish I had reached out to more internationals, particularly over the holidays, and particularly after my own children began to leave the nest.

I wish I had done more to encourage my Christian students to keep at it, to use college as an opportunity to grow in their faith.

I wish I had written a short letter to my A+ students and to my F students. 

I have come to recognize more clearly the eternal nature of all mankind. My students and friends are all eternal creatures with only one of two eternal destinations. I might not be able to impact them all, but I can impact a few.

We did some things that were good in inviting students to our home each term. I made a lot of Cru Mission trips and I spoke for Cru after some international professional conferences. I identified myself as a Christian the first day of class, and if anyone visited my office I always made time for them. I practiced the ministry of presence. I led our campus Christian group in posting Christian adverts in the campus newspaper with names of Christian faculty and staff volunteers. I put together a talk on "Evidence of G^d in Human Physiology." I talked about following Christ with some of my grad students and tried to engage my Ph.D. students in ministry.

And, perhaps that is the way of all things. We can always look back and identify things we wish we had done. But take note, if you are not yet retired, there may be some things you can do now, to cut down on the number of your regrets. Think about it.

Bar Abbas

Today is Easter and I got up early, before sunrise, to start celebrating. A couple of days back, as I read the story of the Last Supper, the prayer in Gethsemane, and the trial and crucifixion of our L^rd, it dawned on me how much I have in common with Bar Abbas.  "Bar" means "son of" and "Abba" means "father".

Recall that Barabbas was the insurrectionist who was freed by Pilate on Passover as demanded by the people instead of Jesus. When Pilate asked "What shall I do with Jesus", the people cried out "Crucify Him!"

Yes, I was set free even though I am guilty. It deserved the harshest punishment for my own insurrection against G^d.  I am egocentric, filled with pride, concerned about myself, envious, hyper competitive, and so much more.

Yet G^d...

G^d, our L^rd Jesus the Christ, gave Himself in my place. He was crucified that I, the guilty one, can go free.

Thank you L^rd, that I am another barAbbas. I live, because the L^rd died for me.

Thanks be to G^d whose Grace and Mercy are never ending.