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Our Operating System   5-2-2002

I help manage the computer lab at St. Luke's Lutheran School in St. Louis city. Bunny is the kindergarten teacher there. The computer lab consists of 10 computers networked together to one server. The workstations consist of 7 "486" machines, the really old and slow kind, with two Pentium 1 machines. The server is a specially built machine to handle the network.

This past week I received a very panicky call from a frustrated kindergarten teacher. She told me, "I get a very unusual error message when I try to start the machines."

"What is it?" I responded.

"No operating system found," she replied.

"Not a good thing," I understated.

Yes, six of the machines have no operating system. Thursday they had one, Monday it is gone. That is a terrible dilemma. I am still trying to solve that one. Then she tells me that the office computer is down. It seems as if the CPU and the motherboard are fried. In one weekend, the school lost the majority of its computers. I am working on solutions to upgrade, replace, or fix the computers.

It struck me this morning, what a great "gen-x" object lesson. We are born with an operating system with a fatal flaw, sin. We live our lives continuing to operate with our sin. Sometimes the flaw is evident, sometimes not, but it is always there. Our "bios," if you will, is corrupt. Then along comes Jesus. He wipes out our hard drives. Our operating system is gone, completely and forever. He installs a new operating system, His Grace.

I am not sure just how far down that illustration you want to go. I am thankful that God removes my sins as far as the East is from the West. I thank Him for that.
As we observe this National Day of Prayer, it is my prayer that more people will come to know the peace that only Christ can give through His redemptive work.

How Are You Doing?    5-9-2002

"How are you doing?"  Besides being a cute TV ad campaign, this is a very common greeting heard at the office, in church, at school and on the streets. I like the question and will often ask it. Most of the time I ask this question to inquire about the health, mindset, or emotions of the person I meet. Most of the time I am genuinely interested in their answer. Some of the time I actually am told how the person is doing. I treasure those moments. It is the time that we can honestly share the ups and downs of life when we are the most vulnerable. It is also the time that we are the most receptive to ministry.

This past week Bunny and I received the results of our respective physicals. So, "How am I doing?"   I am glad you asked.

Bunny's tests came back perfect. Aside from cancer cells throughout her bones and blood, she is healthy.

I have healthy bones, but fat blood. My triglycerides were elevated - well, they were more than elevated, they were somewhere over the end of elevated. Hence, I have to change my diet. No more alcohol (except for Communion), no chocolates and no soda. More things like vegetables and fruits. I also have to start something I thought I could avoid most of my life, exercise.

So "How am I doing?" Actually I am doing great and so is Bunny. We have Bible study tonight in our home, we have each other, we have great jobs and we have Jesus as Savior! Who could ask for more? With Jesus, our sins are forgiven. With Jesus, we have a heavenly home. With Jesus, there is no trouble, no fear, no pain that is not bearable. With Jesus, we can face each day with really only one goal - touching lives with the Gospel. Sometimes it is by what we say. Sometimes it is by what we do. Sometimes it is by what we do not say or do that makes a witness.

How are you doing?

​Surprise    5-23-2002

Surprise! Have you been surprised? Bunny is the type of person that makes it very hard to surprise. We have been able to completely surprise her only twice. The first time was when she was expecting our first child and we were invited to a gathering at a friend's house. Bunny had no clue as to what she was really going there for so she made a small grasshopper pie as a hostess gift. Well, she walked into a room full of women who yelled surprise and promptly began showering her with gifts for the baby. Bunny was surprised (the pie was dropped). We thought she would have the baby then!

The second time we surprised her was when she celebrated her 25th year in the teaching ministry. Friends were spending the night with us (to be on hand for the Sunday celebration) and Bunny put in some potatoes to bake while we were at church. I had to turn the oven on before we went to church (didn't do that).  There were hundreds of people on hand to help Bunny celebrate. Once she recovered from the shock of seeing family and friends, she turned to me and remarked, "I only have four baked potatoes, what will we do?"

This past weekend we surprised her once more. I met Becky in Michigan and she flew home with me. As we were driving from the airport, she called her mama and asked what was happening. Some small talk later we were in the driveway. Bunny had homemade chicken soup and fresh baked bread waiting for supper. Becky said she sure would like some. Bunny invited her over, just as Becky knocked on the back door. Bunny was surprised and joyful to be able to spend time with Becky (and have company for supper).

What a great gift Becky gave to her momma. Bunny had a very hard week last week and was feeling pain and some discouragement. Seeing Becky brightened her day, her mood and lifted the pain. It is my humble opinion that the unexpected gift is the gift most appreciated. It comes out of the blue - and we smile!
I am so blessed to receive many unexpected gifts. Every now and then I will feel life's pressures and my mood is down. Then I open an e-mail from someone and my day is brightened, my mood is happy and I feel great. Someone took the time to write me an e-mail that remarks on a way that I have inspired or helped. I am walking on air. I have been affirmed. I have worth.

We all need a shot in the arm, the pat on the back, the "good job" to feel important. This can be as simple as a compliment on the clothes someone wears, a note of appreciation, or an e-mail. It can be telling someone, "I said a prayer for you today." As we encourage one another, we pass along that unconditional love that God shows to us. We love because He loved first. We become the words, the voice, the hands of Christ as we lift up each other with those unexpected gifts of encouragement.

Thank you for all you do.

​God Provides  5-30-2002

Today I am still feeling last weekend. What a special day last Saturday was. That was the day I had designated as, “Clean up the yard day.” I chose last Saturday because the forecast was for rain. I was looking forward to spending time with the family around the kitchen table playing games or in front of the TV watching something good. God had other plans.

 I started trimming the bushes; the clouds came but no rain. Next I cut the grass, still no rain. Finally it was time to move rocks and build a planter/retaining wall for a flowerbed. Not only didn't it rain, but the sun came out! As I prepared to move rocks, build walls, and haul dirt, humus, and mulch, my body cried out, “Please, I am not the person the brain thinks I am!”

Today the wall is complete, the garden planted and all is finished. Lest you think that I accomplished all of this myself, I did have help. Our oldest son drove down from Chicago for the weekend. He was no sooner out of his car when he began to lift and carry rocks, turn over dirt and in general provide the brawn needed for the day. Just as we were thinking of taking a break, our youngest son pulled up. He has finished his second year at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and wanted to spend some time at home, visiting with his family and (more importantly) stocking up on food. As Rich and I were slowing down, Russell came and provided the extra push needed to complete the task.

This morning I looked out upon the yard to see a neat rock wall built into the side of the hill, planted with beautiful flowers and bushes, and I smiled through the soreness. It does look nice. (It was even finished in time for me to get in a round of golf on Monday.)

I thanked my sons for helping. I thanked my wife for insisting. I thanked God for giving me what I need, when I need it.

That is always remarkable to me. God provides me what I need—just when I need it. He let me trim all of the bushes—I didn't need help. He let me cut the grass—I didn't need help. I got help to do the digging. I got help to do the hauling. Not just enough help, either. I got more than I needed. I needed the physical help, but I received an emotional boost. I was able to share an activity with my sons and hear about their lives, their hopes, and their dreams. I even got some decorating advice as to what to put where.

All my life God has provided not only what I need for this life, but most of what I want. I get more than I could possibly use—each day. I sometimes have trouble recognizing that fact, but God still provides for me when I forget to thank Him, acknowledge Him, or even ask Him.
​
He is indeed a great and awesome God.
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