It's a...Humingbird Explosion

 For reasons unknown, our hummingbird feeder has been overrun with hummers the last 3 days or so (it is 5 Sept today). We have had as many as 8 hovering around it, and that's a problem, as it only has 4 "flowers". We have had all four occupied at once, which is pretty unusual because they are not accepting towards each other. As most of you know, they fight constantly.

I am unsure as to why hummers are so appealing. They are marvelous to watch--so tiny, so maneuverable, so animated. Last year we found 2 of their nests in our pines in the backyard. We haven't seen a one this year. But there has been a steady supply of hummers--though never this many.

We first speculated that one of our close neighbors had taken down their feeder, or perhaps had an empty feeder. It is also possible that these are pausing on their southward migration, and stocking up on food for the long journey to Mexico or Central America. This is the right time of year.

Regardless of the reason, we are thoroughly enjoying this "flock" of hummers. Their constant fighting, even when there is plenty of food for all, reminds us of ourselves. Humans are like hummers.

They are very hard to photograph with a phone, but here are a couple:

I only got singles, but trust me, there are gangs out there now.

Ah, the beauty of G^d's creation.

Calming and Quieting Our Souls

 Ps 131:1-2,

"O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things
    too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
    like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child is my soul within me."

Presently, Afghanistan is in turmoil. Haiti is struggling from the latest disaster. Inflation is quite high at the moment. The world is covered by a pandemic. And this is why these verses are so meaningful right now.

I, and you, have NO control over any of these things. We don't even control the mundane things: traffic, weather, others' attitudes and actions. 

It would be easy, easy to despair.

But, we Followers of Jesus don't have to occupy ourselves with things too great and marvelous for us. We can simply relax like a weaned child with its mother. Mom will take care of her baby, and the G^d who spoke the world into existence will take care of us.

No worry, no fretting, no agitation, we can simply relax in the arms of G^d. He loves us enough to die for us. He is our hope. We shall spend eternity with Him.

Relax.

Life review: Where were you in _______?

 I thought it might be useful, some day in the future to know when we were in various places, and when some events occurred. So here goes:

My birth: 10 Mar 50.

Graduated USNA:  June 7, 1972

Shipboard, USS Sellers, Sept 1972-March 1973

VQ 4 Flight Squadron, 1974-1977

VMI, 1977-1980

UGA Doctoral program, and temp assist prof, Aug 1980-Aug 1984

Promoted to Assoc. Prof, 1990

Visiting Professor, New Chalcedonia (formerly The Queen's) College, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K., 1992

Promoted to Full Prof, 1994

Visiting scientist JSC, April 1991-Aug1992, association w JSC lasted until 2000

Director of Human Performance Lab, 1984-2005

Visiting Prof at USMA, Aug 1997-June 1998

Summer Research Fellow, U.S. Army Biomedical Research and Development Laboratory, Ft. Detrick, MD, 1998 

Visiting Investigator, Nationellt Vintersport Centrum, Mid-Sweden University (MIUN), Ostersund, Sweden, Feb 2- May15, 2012 

Fulbright Fellow, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana. Teaching and Research, Jan 15-Dec 2, 2013

More later.

A Sincere Question

 Pre-COVID, one of my best friends invited me to a men's conference in a venue that seats over 10k. The Conference was excellent, with well-qualified speakers and excellent music. It was fantastic to be in a venue with so many men who wanted to worship G^d and grow more like the Christ. I enjoyed it thorougly, but then started doing the math on the conference.

I think there were between 5k and 10k as the announced attendance. This was a while back, but I am thinking the registration was $100. So the gross was about $700k. Most of the speakers & musicians were selling something: Books, CDs, tee shirts--something. I don't know if those folks had to pay for the opportunity to sell their wares, or if it was an even trade, or whatever. Regardless of the exact math, the man who put this on grossed a huge amount and netted a goodly sum.

Likewise, my youngest two kids worked at a Christian camp in CA. They and dozens of other volunteers got paid $0. But the fee for attending one week of the camp was $3k a person--give or take a little. The camp was big enough that I won't even try to do the math, but let me assure you, this is a very profitable venture.

Now, as my friend Rex used to say, "Money is like oxygen, you need a little bit to live." So, I do NOT have any problem with paying a pastor, youth pastor, music minister, or lawn-care person a fair wage. I used to say I was the ONLY over-paid prof in the entire University--so I am not whining about my own pay, nor begrudging anyone a profit.

BUT, here's my question for you: When does financially profiting in the name of Christ become profiteering in the name of Christ? Again there are operating costs. Ministering does not come free. Facilities are expensive. I want Salvation Army and Children's Hospital to continue their good work. On the other hand, it seems a shame to charge so very much that some Believers can't afford a conference or camp, so that the owner/operator can make a fortune.

I am NOT seeking a specific $$ amount that is a hard-and-fast boundary. I am sincerely asking, what is the difference between a justifiable profit necessary to feed everybody and pay the bills, and what is profiteering in the name of Christ?

Comments, private messages, all input is welcome. Thanks.

Life review: A little encouragement for Parents

 As the parent of 5 kids, I was often searching Scripture for better direction in parenting. Except for a few verses, I concluded that G^d just didn't give us much direction. But then I concluded, the MORE I can fully engage as a Follower of Jesus, the better parent I am. It's tough--we must strive to be as Christ-like as we can all the time! Grace and mercy to any parents who may read this.

In fact, all the troubles we face have similar answers: be MORE like the Christ. Frustrated? Annoyed? Greedy? Covetous? Judgmental? All these from worst to least need one remedy: be more like the Christ.

It is easier said than done of course. This is why I appreciate G^d's grace and mercy so very much. He knows we will fail--which is why the Christ came. He lets us start over again and again.

Blessings, friends,

Life Review: Prepping to Teach

 I just a couple of days back learned what I would be teaching in the fall Sunday School class. I will teach with tow other guys, which means I only prep 5 classes total. As usual, I got busy pronto prepping these classes. 

I find early prep to be very useful. When you have a grasp of what you will be teaching soon, you can keep your eyes and ears open for good illustrations, good ideas, good points. It is 22 August and the first class is 12 Sept, so I do have some time.

I went ahead and prepped my first two classes: the overview and Chapter 1 of Joshua. I am starting to at least outline the last 3 classes--all of which I will teach. My only worry is having to trade w someone. Maybe I'll just stop with the outline for now.

As you might guess, I enjoy prepping to teach G^d's word. I am pretty sure I get more out of the prepping than I do with casual reading.

How about you? Ever teach? What's your prep routine?

Late Flowers

 We were shocked to see only 2 days back (14 Aug), a new gladiola bloom.  Here 'tis.

So why were we so surprised? Because these usually bloom in May, and early June. Not only did this one show up late, it blooms are quite pretty as you can see. G^d is sovereign, and things happen as He desires. What a joy to see this lone bloom in the upper flower bed.

Last year we planted a group of zinnias after they had bloomed. Today we had but one bloom, but it is a good 'un. Take a look.

We have enjoyed this summer so much and the joy of the flowers has added to it. There has been an abundance of rain, but the flowers have benefitted greatly.

Thank you L^rd for the beauty of the earth.

The Late Bobby Bowden

 Last week the great FSU football coach, Bobby Bowden, died. I never followed FSU or coach Bowden very closely, but I did quote him from time to time.

Coach Bowden spoke at First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL in the late 1980's. We were members of that congregation from 1984-1991, before my first Sabbatical. 

My most often used quote is Bowden's tale about proposing to his wife. Allegedly, it went like this.

"I proposed to my wife over the phone, because I couldn't be there in person. I said, 'Will you marry me?' and she said, 'Yes!, Who is this?'"

Of course I retell the story without attribution and use me and Brenda as the players.

His second big quote from the evening was about mentions of his retirement from FSU. He started coaching there in 1976 and didn't retire until 2009. I was pretty new in my professorship at UA, so retirement seemed a long way off then. But, in what seems a few short years since that night, I find myself retired from UA and working with Cru. So, Coach wasn't totally correct when he said,

 “After you retire, there's only one big event left....and I ain't ready for that.”

He died on 8 August, 2021 at age 91. I know he has a reputation as a committed Christian. I suspect he was ready.

How about you?

Running Alone

For over the last year, Andrew and I have run together about 3x per week, typically M, W, F. We started out going a bit over 3 miles and then ramped it up to 5. We have been steadily at 5 miles per run since fall of 2020.

Andrew has either been booked or out of town since early August, so I have been running alone since 4 August. Our conversations are seldom deep, but I am amazed at how much easier it is to run with someone rather than alone.

I have been running pretty steadily since early 1976, I think. Much of that time I ran with buddies. Roger B was my first regular running buddy, then Mike B, then Kirk C and others at UGA. Once I got to UA, I ran mostly with my graduate students, but sometimes with colleagues. Matt G and I ran many a mile together, and Yang Z ran with us often. My old buddy Wojtek was a colleague and one of my all-time most interesting running buddies.

Once I retired, I was relegated mostly to running alone, so it has been great to have Andrew to chat with as we huff and puff up and down hills. He got here in March of 2020 just as COVID was ravaging the USA.

I am a bit surprised to see that I am running slower when I go by myself. It is quite hot out, so that slows me some. I think too, the lack of distraction causes me to focus more on the physical challenges of running and that is the big issue.

Running alone makes scheduling easier--but beyond that there are no apparent advantages.

Well, back to the loneliness of the long-distance runner.