Author: insightbyseymour

Stickum

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stickumI’ve always enjoyed watching a good game of baseball or football, and the great players who make the game interesting. Frederick Biletnikoff played for the Oakland Raiders from 1965-1978, and he made the game very interesting with his amazing receptions.

Biletnikoff had a skill set that was the envy of many of his football peers, but he also had something else–stickum. He was one of the first players to apply a sticky substance to his hands to improve his ability to catch the ball.

As I was leaving St. Francis hospital yesterday, my thoughts were on two people. Fred Biletnikoff and Catherine Beedles. I know it’s a strange pairing, but there is a distinctive that binds the two of them together–stickum.

Catherine Beedles has stickum. Two of the great blessings in my life have been Dale and Catherine Beedles. My mind is full of memories of Uncle Dale and Aunt Catherine. I remember their house in Eureka, the many family reunions at Sallyards, and the wonderful way Dale and Catherine have loved me.

After my Dad’s untimely death in 1965, Dale and Catherine were a tremendous help to me. I would walk to the corner of Fredrick Drive and Towanda where Dale would pick me up and I’d ride the leases with him checking the wells. He would have his thermos of coffee and I would have my jug of hot chocolate; and Catherine, her love was a constant with her smiles, hugs, and her encouraging, “I love you.”

My aunt has been the matriarch of the Seymour clan for many years, and her stickum has helped to hold the family together. When a life was fragmenting, Catherine was the force who was present to help piece it back together. The presence of Catherine has been a splendid present to me.

I would imagine that you have an Aunt or Uncle Stickum or some friend in your life who has been a real blessing to you. Have you ever taken the time to write them a note to thank them for all they mean to you? I encourage you to do this and to thank God for this wonderful gift He’s given you; and, when you pray, remember Catherine as well.

Attitude and Altitude

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The last couple of days have been too hot too soon, and I’ve found myself sipping more water and tea than I normally do this time of year; and, I’ve even drank a couple of lemonades.
Most of us have heard the old adage that if you’re handed lemons, make lemonade. This is a statement that speaks of managing your attitude.

Attitude is important because it determines your altitude. While there are many things in your life that are beyond your control, your attitude is not one of them.

• You cannot change your past, but you can change the way you think about your past.
• You may not be able to change the way people treat you, but you can change the way you think about people.
• You may not be able to change your circumstance in life, but you can change the way you think about your situation.

It was Dale Carnegie who said: “It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.”

Attitudes usually have at least three things in common:

• An Emotional Response or how you feel about the person, place, or event
• An Intellectual Component or what you believe about the situation
• An Expression of Behavior or how your attitude is manifested
I believe there is some truth to the statement: “Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I respond to it.”
The importance of attitude is discussed several places in the Bible. Ephesians 4, is one of these: “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.” ~The Message

As you move through the day today, notice a couple of things:

• Listen to your self-talk—how are your mental messages influencing you?
• Notice your emotional response when someone enters the room where you are.
• Pay attention to your muscles—when are you relaxed or uptight?
• Be aware of your perception

Finally, think about the words of Abraham Lincoln: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

The Low-Down on Getting High

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balloons head business man as success conceptResearchers at Northwestern University looked into the relationship between casual marijuana use and brain changes. This study found that young adults who used marijuana even once or twice a week showed “significant abnormalities in two important brain structures” that affected a person’s working memory.

The casual use of marijuana can lead to the development of amotivational syndrome. People with this psychological condition can become less oriented towards their goals, lack purpose in life, and be less focused in general.

As I read this research I wondered: Do Christians, for whatever reason, suffer from amotivational syndrome? The work of George Barna may shed some light on this subject. He contrasted different types of Christians and among his work I found his comments on the Casual and the Captive “tribes” interesting.

Casual Christianity was defined as faith in moderation. This moderate form of Christianity allows a person to feel religious without making faith a top priority. According to Barna, “Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves.”

Barna draws a contrast between Casual Christians and Captive Christians, saying: “Casual Christians are driven by a desire for a pleasant and peaceful existence. Captive Christians are focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible.”

Was Jesus addressing one of these groups in Revelation 3? Did He chastise one type and praise the other? As you think about these questions, give particular attention to verses 14-22. Then ask yourself this question; How do I get my “high?” Is it through a substance or a relationship? Cannabis or Christ?

Eye of the Storm

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stormDuring the early service at church this past Sunday, a violent storm just missed El Dorado. It was close enough, however, to rattle the church with the rumbling thunder.

As I think about the power of a storm, it occurs to me that many storms have an “eye” associated with them. When you think about the dynamics of a hurricane, it’s easy to associate the powerful winds with the adversity that surrounds you. Meteorologists will tell you that regardless of the size of the storm, there is always calm at its center or eye.

Remember what Jesus did when His disciples were at sea and they were at the mercy of a storm? Just when they thought their boat would be swamped and they would drown, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm.

To find the calm in the storm, we need to do several things:

• Listen and obey His words: “Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil (Proverbs 1:33).”
• Trust Him for protection: “:How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 36:7).”
• Seek a relationship with Him: “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified! (psalm 40:16).”
• Rely on Him for rest: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matthew 11:28-30).” ~ The Message

Whenever you are about to be swamped with trouble and turmoil, remember to look for the “I” in the storm. Jesus said “I” will never you nor will “I” forsake you. The presence of Jesus will give you a peace that is beyond comprehension (Phil. 4:6-7).

Robust Words and Anemic Chatter

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Information word cloudLast week I went to the VA hospital for my annual checkup. I’ve been there enough to know the routine, so when the nurse called my name I walked down the hall and stepped on the scales. The nurse said, “Weight!” I replied: “Ok.” Then she said, “Weight! Weight!” I replied: “I’m on the scales are you wanting to check my weight or are you wanting me to wait while you check on something?”

This incident was interesting for a couple of reasons. First the nurse made the assumption that the message she sent was the message I received. From my understanding of her instructions, I thought I was being compliant; however, from her perspective I was being obstinate.

When the nurse was speaking to me, she made the all too common mistake of thinking that information and communication are one and the same. We can give a person some information; however, if the information is not understood, there is no communication.

The effectiveness of communication is enhanced when a person’s words are congruent with his actions. I think this is what Stephen Covey meant when he said: “In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.”

Consistent character benefits clear communication, and James speaks of this in connection to faith and works:

“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, ‘Sounds good. You take care of the faith department; I’ll handle the works department.’ Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove” ~The Message James 2:14-18

Do the words of your life and the actions of your life fit together “hand in glove,” or are they as mismatched and pair-less as two left-handed gloves?

If Right is Wrong, What’s Left?

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bootsHis name was Gibson. I’m convinced the G-man knew the difference between right and wrong; however, his right always seemed to be wrong.

When you’re marching in Boot Camp and your right is wrong that means you left is in error and you’re about to experience terror. Drill Sergeants do not like men who cannot distinguish their lefty from their righty!

Something else about Drill Sergeants, they lack comprehension when it comes to the concepts of grace and mercy. While they have little knowledge of these, you’ll quickly discover they are well-schooled in justice and judgment if you step out with the wrong foot.

As you walk through the remaining days of this week, here are some principles to consider. They will help you stay in step with the Lord:

• Psalm 37:23-24: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
• Psalm 119:35: Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
• Proverbs 13:20: He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
• Proverbs 20:24: A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?
• John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
• Romans 8:4: do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
• Ephesians 2:10: We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
• Ephesians 4:1: walk worthy of the calling with which you were called
• 3 John 1:4: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

And, the prophet Isaiah tells us why it is important to be in step with God: “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint (40:31).”

Moon Walks and Mothers

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dep276Times were tough in 1930. The stock market crash in 1929 had knocked the economic wind out of the United States and left it gasping for survival. Some 1,350 banks would fail and close their doors. The newspaper headlines reported on financial failures as well as world leaders like Mussolini, Stalin, and Herbert Hoover.

This was a time in our nation’s history when the price of bread was 9 cents a loaf, gas was 10 cents a gallon, and a movie ticket was 35 cents.

On Friday, June 20th, about half way through 1930, Buzz Aldrin was born. When he was born, the idea of space flight was just science fiction; however, Aldrin would join Neil Armstrong on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969; and, they would be the first two people to walk on the moon.

Buzz Aldrin wasn’t the only person born on June 20, 1930. A baby girl, who would never experience his fame and notoriety, was also born. Her family had little money but a lot of love. Her fragile world was shattered a few years later when her mother died. She quit school in the 8th grade because her dad needed her to help work the fields—the fields of a farm he would be forced to sell.

As a young lady, she married, but heartache found her again. At the age of 35 she became a widow when her husband was killed on the job, and she was left with three young sons. A short time later she married again. Five children came with her new husband. His 5 and her 3 made for an interesting life that could be as harried as it was happy.

Then it happened again—one of their children died an untimely death. Her family would adjust to the loss and she and her husband would lean heavily on each other as they moved forward as a cohesive couple. The two of them retired, traveled, and grew old together.

When her second husband died, the truth was exposed: She was weaker than any of her family knew. Her cognitive skills were becoming cobwebs; Her sense of direction failed her; and, she was often lost.

On Monday of last week, my siblings and I had to stand toe-to-toe with the toughest woman we’ve ever known and break the news: “Mom, you can’t live by yourself any longer—we’re moving you into assisted living.”

Mom’s independent spirit has served her well for most of her life. She kept going and remained positive when she had every right to be negative and quit. It’s that same spirit that keeps saying: “I’m not staying here. I’m going home.” But with the next sentence, it’s very clear that Alzheimer’s has a befuddling grip on her once vibrant mind and spirit.

Buzz Aldrin may have walked on the moon, but he stands in the shadow of my mother, Evelyn Lou Lacy–the girl who was also born June 20, 1930. She’s been a loving and loyal daughter, a faithful wife to two fortunate men, and a sometimes fearsome force who molded the life of her children.

“Mom, we love you and we’re praying for you.”

Are You A Knot Head?

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I can remember my dad referring to someone as a knot head. That was Dad’s way of saying the person in question wasn’t the smartest person around.

God doesn’t want you to be a knot head, but He does want you to be a not- head. Notice Solomon’s principles from the book of Proverbs:

• Proverbs 3:3: Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.
• Proverbs 3:5–6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
• Proverbs 20:13: Love not sleep (Be industrious!)
• Proverbs 23:4: Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.(The love of money and rank consumerism will get you into trouble

Apply these 4 principles to your life, and become a not-head for God.

Top 10 Tidbits for Thursday

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As I was going from room to room in Mom’s house in search of some misplaced item, I noticed her many flashlights. When I noticed them, I was reminded of how comforting and reassuring light can be in the middle of the night or during a storm.

The light of the Lord’s presence is also a great comfort. Light is not something that God has, light is who God is. John wrote that, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”

While God “is light,” He is much more. Think about the following tidbits from the Psalms that help to define God:

• Ps 18:30: As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
• Ps. 33:12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord
• Ps. 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble
• Ps. 46:11: The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress
• Ps. 48:14: God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end
• Ps 54:14: Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me
• Ps. 68:20: Our God is a God who saves
• Ps. 73:26: God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
• Ps. 84:11: God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor
• Ps. 116:15: The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

And, because God is all of this, we should: “Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, and extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him— his name is the Lord (Ps. 68:4).”

The Lord is My Rock

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There are times in life when doing the right thing thing seems so wrong, and choosing to do nothing would be so much easier. When I need the strength to stay the course, I know can find comfort in the Psalms.

Psalm 18 is my rock and fortress for today: “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.”

Due to my schedule this week, this post will be short and posts for the remainder of the week might be sporadic.