Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Several quick observations of this incredible verse are: God commands us to walk in the Spirit. If it is commanded, it must be possible. If commanded and possible, then it is part of the normal Christian life and not the domain of a super class of saints. While walking in the Spirit sinning seems near impossible. Since a possibility of walking in the Spirit exists, the converse is also possible… walking in the flesh, or yielding to the prompting of the sin nature.

This is one of those verses we like reading and memorizing, but understanding and applying it often eludes us. Within its scope is a concept of sanctification so radical some would dare not even dream of it. However, it is a simple notion, visible throughout the writings of Paul, as clearly presented in Romans 6 & 8. It is the notion of the proactive (walking in the Spirit) rather than the reactive (sin and confess). It is preventative verses remedial sanctification. It is more mindful of the indwelling nature of God rather than indwelling sin. It beholds the “glory of the Lord” rather than the stench of the “old man.” Perhaps John was thinking about this when he said, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin” (1John 2:1).

Churchill on Capitalism

Capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessing where as socialism is the equal sharing of the misery.

Winston Churchill

The Child Crises Center

I recently arranged and attended a tour for the Bank of America at the Child Crises Center (CCC). About a dozen attended. Jackie of CCC did an excellent and compassioned tour. The first time I toured CCC deeply impacted me and this time for no different. My first tour brought me face to face with late night abandoned newborns. This time it was two and three year old little boys who desperately wanted / needed male attention. In less than 30 seconds I had one clutching my pants leg and another with arms up stretched. I picked up one little guy who hugged me and stroked my beard. These little guys desperately need and are starved for attention from men. Jackie said it is difficult to get men to volunteer for this area.

WaMu Shu Pork

Recently I presented at a WaMu. Two weeks ago Kris assigned the Mesa group to me. At that time I asked about their business forte. I’ve seen these buildings and their logo around town and assumed they were an Asian restaurant chain similar to Pei Wei. I always meant to go in and peak at their menu. I was surprised to find out from Kris they are trendy banks, known as Washington Mutual. It seems I was the only one who had not seen a TV commercial about WaMu. However I was not the only to think they were an Asian Restaurant, Jackie from Child Crises Center thought the same. Anyway, the presentation went well and one of the managers specifically took a brochure so as to direct needy bank clientele to the Mesa United Way agencies.

Outstanding in My Field

This is me outstanding in my field. I love the game of golf. Most Fridays, between 11:00am – 3:00pm, except during my Mesa United Way tour of duty you will find me at Mesa Golf Center located on East McKellips. It is a fantastic range and there is a great group of guys who operate the facility. Although I don’t play any more, I do practice weekly. I also enjoy teaching the game. Avid golfers struggle with my choice of practicing the game. I explain it this way: Some people like to target practice with guns others like to hunt and a few like to do both.

Golfing with Chavez

This is my friend and teaching pro Greg Smith. Greg has got it right when it comes to his approach in teaching golf, but has a ‘60s mentality in his political leanings. He is politically passionate and ultra left wing ala Castro/Chavez. Recently Greg and I made a deal. I would watch his favorite movie Sicko if he would see a movie of my choice, The Passion of Christ. After Sicko we had plenty of discussion. Recently I email Greg with a 20/20 story and articles digging into the authenticity of Moore’s journalism. Greg was very respectful during and after The Passion. He had lots of questions about who the various individuals were represented in the movie and humbly encouraged my commentary during the movie.

Greg has a sincere love and compassion for the individual, who can sometime get chewed up in our system, but as I constantly remind him he just has the wrong gospel. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can truly set men free.

My Boss

This is Kris Trojan. She is the Campaign Director for the Mesa United Way. When it comes to getting things done, Kris has the tenacity of a bulldog, a thorough knowledge of MUW affiliating agencies and supporting companies, and will move mountains to get thing accomplished. Kris loves her cat, gourmet cooking, wine tasting and her guy, Ray. Kris is fun to tease. After finishing our first week of training I asked her about getting my own secretary, office with a view and covered parking. She chuckled and handed me a number of accounts that need immediate attention.

Brother Adriel

This is Adriel Armstrong. One day we were joking around and he referred to me as his Uncle Tom. We both paused for a few seconds while it dawned on us that we might want to choose another family title! Adriel, with that quick agile grin suggested Uncle Thomas. We settled on Brother Tom.

From that first day I saw him pray over his breakfast, Adriel has been a blessing to me. I came to find out he is an ordained minister in the Apostolic Faith church. They are fulllllllllllllllllllllllllll gospel folks. One day he asked about my prayer needs. I explained I could probably employ his service full time. However an area that has plagued me for years is a sleep disorder, insomnia. He took note and we went back to work duties. That evening I worked over to catch up on my assignments. When I walked outside into the triple digit weather Adriel was waiting there to pray for me. He was serious. So right there in the parking lot Adriel took hold of my hands and began to pray. Now I want to assure you that Adriel is not shy about his Christian faith, or as we would say at my church Sovereign Grace, he has no fear of man. For the next five minutes he prayed. Fervently and audible at a 100 yards, he prayed a prayer of faith. I have slept better since that day.

Brother Anthony

This is Anthony Miller, one of the three other loaned executives. I told him my daughter is married to a Keith Miller. I suggested that maybe they are long lost kin. No way. How foolish of me. Keith is a Seattle Sea Hawk fan and Anthony is a diehard Chicago Bears fan.

The first day of training we were asked to share our background. Anthony sparked my interest when he said he likes talking politics and had made a major shift. Hmmm! I later learned that he is a fiscal conservative Republican. Although he didn’t say directly, his compassion for family, children, the unborn and opposition to gambling looks very socially conservative to me. I helped Anthony get in contact with his district Republicans and his state senator, John Huppenthal. They wasted no time in putting Anthony to work.

Anthony is very hardworking, office savvy, original and multidimensional in his thinking, entrepreneurial and a kind and compassionate person. He will continued to succeed in whatever he does in life.

Anthony just got the golf bug. There is no recovery from this contagion, you just have to practice and master it. We left work early one Friday and headed to the driving range. I worked on his golf game with him. He has got promise. I assured him since he is still in his thirties there is plenty of time to get ready for the senior tour.

The Building Where I Work

This is the building where I work. I’m assigned here from August 13th – November 16th. Over the years I must have passed it hundreds of times and never took notice. I drove here the day before starting so as not to have a problem arriving on time during rush hour traffic.

One of my concerns about working for the Mesa United Way was the possibility they represent an agency that goes contrary to Christ’s teachings. So before volunteering I checked out to make sure there were no connections to agencies that destroy life or are destructive to the fabric of the traditional family. I also checked for what agencies were absent. That can sometimes tell more about the philosophic underpinnings of a group than what they do support. After a rigorous evaluation, I’m able to give my hardy approval of the MUW.

During my initial first week of training I learned the uniqueness of this organization. First, they are solely focused on the Mesa Community and its problems. Second, they are independent. They set their own agenda and their partnering agencies. Third, 100% of the donations go directly to the agencies and programs; none is siphoned off into administrative overhead. That’s because a number of leading companies in the Mesa area believe strongly enough in the MUW to underwrite that expense. Finally, they do comprehensive planning, evaluation and assessments on the health and human services needs of the community. Then under the direction of a group of volunteers from every walk of life in Mesa, the MUW distributes the monies for maximum long-term affect.

My Office

This is the office area I share with three other loaned executives. It becomes very tight quarters when we are all there and begin to fill orders for campaign materials. The hardest thing for me is blocking out all the background conversations when talking on the phone or typing up my notes.

My Labor Day Morning

What an exciting Labor Day for me. My reading has taken me from Colossians, to allergies caused by newsprint and ink, and, finally, to flushing toilets. Mr. Crapper’s claim to the flush toilette is disputed.

This site claims Sir John Harington in 1596 invented the flush toilet and not Mr. Crapper. I don't want to tell the Seattle Underground Tour folks because it will deprive them of a number of great one-liners. Perhaps the rumor of how we got the term john for a toilette should supplement the Mr. Crapper humor. Anyway, I'm sure my son-in-law Mr. Haupt could enjoy the humor. As for me it is 11:00AM and hot enough outside to go to the driving range.

PS. I'm allergic to newsprint. A google of the internet reveals others have the same problem. I experimented today reading my Wall Street with a breathing mask. It was better but trying to drink coffee is the pits. One site suggested putting the paper in a low heat oven for 20 minutes. I don't know how my lovely wife will handle this and what happens if / when I forget to take it out after the prescribe time. There is always the online subscription approach.