Thanks Again, Dean Lamb...and Happy Birthday!

Today would be the birthday of my friend Dean Lamb. He passed away September 13, 2013. To honor his memory I offer the following, taken from the tribute I delivered at his funeral service. 

  I got to know Dean at the Meadowood Free Methodist Church in 1973. We were in the same Sunday school class taught by Vi Elliot. In casual conversation, I discovered that he liked science fiction and progressive rock music. A friendship was immediately created. We exchanged phone numbers. 522-3070 was the only phone number I had reason to memorize. It eventually became a handle for requests for assistance.

    In 1973 I drove a 1965 Chevell Malibu. I was as incompetent then as I am now about automobiles. The car kept stalling at intersections. I called Dean, 522-3070. He not only diagnosed the fuel filter, he changed it for me.

    Dean became my go-to person when I needed answers to practical problems. He also had this magical ability that I always dreamed of, but was too afraid to try on my own. He could swim. And he had a swimming pool! Dean knew enough about the physical properties of water and buoyancy, he knew enough about how I would behave, he knew our “geek” language that we shared, to eventually get me to let go of the side of the pool. And once I did, once I discovered that I would just float there… Once I discovered that it actually took effort and will to submerge, my life was dramatically changed for the better. Not only could I swim, but if I could learn to swim, what else could I learn to do! Dean may not have known it, but he changed the direction of my life, enabling me toward risk-taking and goal setting.

   522-3070 was good for many things. Did I mention that I am incompetent when it comes to automobiles? Flat tires. I get out the jack. What a contraption. I find a place to secure it under the truck. Oh yes, put on the brake. Can’t get the lug-nuts to move…I call 522-3070.

    It wasn’t always automobiles. Since I have known Dean, I have moved at least six times. 522-3070.

    And Dean always valued that telephone number. It had been that home’s number since the house was built in 1955. He wanted to keep the number. Some say it was out of some sentimentality that he kept it. I think it was because he didn’t want me to have to the trouble of learning a new number.

Dean was always there, always dependable.

And these were not mere inconveniences that Dean helped to resolve. Everything has a consequence.  Everything can be life changing. There is a little common proverb that may help to illuminate the point…

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Many called upon Dean for help, and he, in that simple gesture of affirmative response, made lives continue, conditions improve, hope restored.

Dean was kind and helpful.

    The Apostle Paul speaks of kindness…

From Galatians we read…

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

    Dean was an example of those attributes.

Musings on John Hancock and the Declaration of Independence

13 stars from Betsy Ross flag

   As Independence Day approaches I am prompted to consider why it was that our founding fathers, Christian by a very great majority, would establish a decidedly secular form of government. Our Constitution, crafted by Christian lawyers, farmers and others, does not mandate Christian religion, or any other.

   There is this phrase in the Declaration of Independence that reads in part “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind” And while the fuller sentence shows the purpose of the Declaration, that a proper reasoning be given for such revolutionary action, that sentiment can also legitimately be repurposed to show that a “respect for human conscience” is core to the nature of this new American nation.

    By showing a respect for human conscience the creators of our nation imitate God himself when creating man. God was the first to show respect to human conscience by leaving man with free will, the means to choose. God did not impose upon man a particular way that man would relate to God. The choice was left to man that in his choosing, man would be sincere.

   I am convinced that our founding fathers created a secular, non-religious government not that we would be absent the Christian faith, but that we would choose it in sincerity and free will.

I base this conviction in part on a writing by John Hancock in 1775, almost one full year before the Declaration is published.

(from “The Spirit of Seventy-Six” edited by Henry Commager and Richard Morris. Published 1983 by Bonanza Books, page 279)…

“With an humble confidence in the mercies of the Supreme and Impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe…” This description of God must have been popular in the day as a variation of it is used in the Declaration…”Supreme Judge of the world”.

Furthermore I point out, as evidenced by Hancock’s writing, presented below, contrary to popular idea that the colonists were eager to rebel, efforts were made, as also the Declaration states, to reconcile with England.

“We fight not for glory or for conquest. We exhibit to mankind the remarkable spectacle of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies, without any imputation, or even suspicion of offence. They boast of their privileges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder conditions than servitude or death. In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it; for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed,—and not before. With an humble confidence in the mercies of the Supreme and Impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore his divine goodness to conduct us happily through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the Empire from the calamities of civil war. By Order of CONGRESS, JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT. Philadelphia, July 6, 1775.”

Reconciliation, being a Christian impulse, should always be an option toward resolution of conflict, personal, national, partisan, or otherwise.

May you have a reconciled and happy Independence Day.

The Serendipitous Debut of Katie Prendergast

I would like to offer a great “thank you” to all who participated toward making my Celebration for the 50^th Anniversary of the Release of the Sgt Pepper album a success and a fun time.

Wonderful artwork provided by Sue Woznicki( Sue is ultra professional and always contributes to making my events much better than I envision) and Kathy Boyer Zienty who provided not only art but Beatles memories as well, logistics and service by my wife, Sherry Borglum, and my son, Eric, and song comments by Ryan Clay moved to make the event special.

And I appreciate all who showed up to enjoy. Bill and Donna came from Plymouth. Lloyd and Pam from Cassopolis Michigan, many of my parishioners from the Claypool United Methodist Church (you can always count on them to make a joyful presence!). James and Lyssa Foster, Beatles fans, heard about the event and attended.

James and Lyssa Foster

Steve and Donna, Keith Thews and family…”a cast of thousands!”.

Thanks to all attendees…I hope you enjoyed!

Keith Priser

Keith Priser, praise team leader at the Claypool United Methodist Church provided music. Keith is seriously professional, dependable, and you can always count on him to “make it happen”! When I told him about my celebration a few months ago and invited him to participate, he immediately said “yes”. Keith brought music, stage presence, musicianship and fun to this event. Yes Keith, you “made it happen!”.

But also, sometimes events like this provide for unanticipated moments, stories, and successes.

Having taken a break from singing, Keith and song commentator, Ryan, took a walk to check out other action of First Friday in Goshen.

They happened upon one corner where a young woman was singing and playing guitar. Keith and Ryan invited her to come to the celebration and perform.

Katie Prendergast

Katie Prendergast

     Katie Prendergast performed excellently! She had come to First Friday in Goshen merely as it would be an opportunity to perform in some humble way before people. You can always tell a professional, they very much seek opportunity to deliver their art and music whenever and wherever they can.

Katie approached the microphone with confidence and comfort as if she had been doing this for years. This was her first “real” appearance before an audience gathered to hear solo performance. Katie impressed everyone! She sings with vocal control and tone that just compels one to listen more intensely. As you enjoy the quality and sound of her voice it invites you to move toward the next note, the next line, the next strum of the guitar with an anticipation of something wonderful…something inspiring. And Katie did not disappoint that anticipation at any moment. All the more impressive is that the girl is a young 16!

Katie is off to a great career in music. Yes, events like these open doors sometimes. This door opened for Katie and my word did she walk through with a grace and gift unexpected! Thanks Katie. I consider this event to be your “debut” on the stage of success!