One of the truest reasons men work in bars is to meet women. That may seem shallow and it may seem short-sighted, but that's what makes it true!
One night when I was managing Buzzard Beach in Westport, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, one of my doormen came up to me after the bar closed. I was sitting on the back bar with my legs crossed much like a modern day Buddha. He started to apologize. He was sincere but he was also waiting judgement so he might have been a little on edge.
You see, he had begun seeing a waitress from a bar and restaurant across the street so after her shift ended, she would come over and see Scott. She was a cutie too, curly blonde hair, great legs and a so-on that was before its time.
Something you probably don't know but need to for this story is that Buzzard Beach was a saloon, a tavern-we had beer, cocktails, and popcorn. To work in a tavern you had to be 21. Well, she worked in a restaurant that served drinks. You only had to be 18 to work there. Thus my doorman's dilemma, he met her at our bar, but it wasn't until after a couple of weeks that he discovers she isn't 21.
Let me add that minors in a tavern could get you closed and the person who serves a minor could loose their liquor card-a license that allows a bartender to dispense. So you see, as Ricky Ricardo would say, he "had some 'splaining to do."
He walked up and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know she wasn't 21. As soon as I found out I took care of it. She won't be back until she is 21. This won't happen again."
Well, let's just say that I took the high road on this one. I said, "First, I accept your apology. Second, you did find out she wasn't 21, and that's big. Third, as soon as you did find out you fixed it. Fourth, I believe you, this won't happen again. Fifth" and at this point I addressed the assembled staff; the three bartenders, three doormen, and bar back who were also working and asked, "fifth, guys, how many of us met a girl here at the Buzzard and didn't discover until later that she wasn't 21?" Everyone of us raised his hand. The guys who had been there ten years, the owner's brother, and even me, everyone of us raised our hands.
I ended my lesson for the day saying, "Finally, you're in good company." Grace over hypocrisy is a winner every time, and we always carded his paramours in the future.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bored by Politicos
Last night was the State of the Union with the Republican Response.
Last week, the Fellowship of Presbyterians created the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. (This is either their third or forth name in a year.)
I have officially decided that I don't want to be bothered with most of these clowns.
As for the State of the Union , let me guess what was said... We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. I got some ideas, but all I will say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for me to do real work.
As for the Republican Response: We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. We got some ideas, but all we'll say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for us to do real work.
In the Presbyterian Church, it's thinly veiled like this--Those guys aren't biblical! I'm not going to be divisive, but their take on gays is all wrong so we're out of here as long as we can find a way to get out of here with millions in real estate and our pensions.
The other side's take is thinly veiled as--don't let the door which you're leaving with us hit you in the ass on the way out.
Yes, I have made a fatal error in all four of these general statements: Extremes make good sound bytes but actually represent very few people. They're great for headlines and bylines. They're great for getting my name out there, but on the whole they're useless.
That's where I am right now. In the nation we call it politics and in the church we call it polity. Both words come from the Greek word "polis" which means "city." (As in "The Super Bowl will be played in Indiana Polis soon.) In general today the today deals with how the city (or other jurisdiction) operates. Frankly I can live without the garbage the "polis" thinks is important.
It's quit being about people and is more about power more than ever and that has completely bored me to tears. If you agree, sign up for my new "Cry Me a River" party.
Last week, the Fellowship of Presbyterians created the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. (This is either their third or forth name in a year.)
I have officially decided that I don't want to be bothered with most of these clowns.
As for the State of the Union , let me guess what was said... We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. I got some ideas, but all I will say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for me to do real work.
As for the Republican Response: We're a strong nation. There are ways we can be better. We got some ideas, but all we'll say right now are broad brushstrokes that will be parsed for weeks. By the way, those jokers are getting in the way for us to do real work.
In the Presbyterian Church, it's thinly veiled like this--Those guys aren't biblical! I'm not going to be divisive, but their take on gays is all wrong so we're out of here as long as we can find a way to get out of here with millions in real estate and our pensions.
The other side's take is thinly veiled as--don't let the door which you're leaving with us hit you in the ass on the way out.
Yes, I have made a fatal error in all four of these general statements: Extremes make good sound bytes but actually represent very few people. They're great for headlines and bylines. They're great for getting my name out there, but on the whole they're useless.
That's where I am right now. In the nation we call it politics and in the church we call it polity. Both words come from the Greek word "polis" which means "city." (As in "The Super Bowl will be played in Indiana Polis soon.) In general today the today deals with how the city (or other jurisdiction) operates. Frankly I can live without the garbage the "polis" thinks is important.
It's quit being about people and is more about power more than ever and that has completely bored me to tears. If you agree, sign up for my new "Cry Me a River" party.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Adios, Joe Pa
It has been reported that former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno has died from complications due to lung cancer. God bless Joe Pa.
Joe Pa did many wonderful things. He was the King of State College, Pennsylvania. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions football team to many wins and championships. He funded significant advances not to the athletic department that paid him so well but to the Penn State libraries which support all academic endeavors. Joe Pa's world was Penn State and ultimately this was his undoing.
He was undone by age and status. It's hard to tell an icon that a trusted aide is forcing himself sexually on underage boys. It's even harder to say it in a way that makes everything clear to someone old enough to be you great-grandfather while trying to parse words so no one feels uncomfortable. If you think it's easy, say "your trusted aid rapes children" to your grandmother. This is how he was undone.
Ultimately, Penn State decided that while Joe Pa fulfilled his legal requirements to report what happened, he was morally obligated to do more. In a society that tries to follow laws only to the letter and not the spirit--and moral obligations seem to matter less--Joe Pa's vilification is a shame. Maybe this is why no man should be an icon.
We do need to do a better job of protecting those who are in danger, but we need to do a better job of defining "those who need protection" too. Children are obvious. But when we forget the poor and the elderly many get lost in a dream that values the rugged individualism of boot-straps over community efforts to truly lift every boat in the bay.
Yes, Joe Pa did what he was supposed to do. No, he did not do enough--but he trusted that those who he told would do what they were supposed to do. That is why several of those folks are under criminal indictment.
But before anyone says what Paterno did was bad or evil, remember that none of us are truly good enough to cast the first stone, especially at someone whose position, God willing, we will never share.
Adios, Go with God Joe Pa.
Joe Pa did many wonderful things. He was the King of State College, Pennsylvania. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions football team to many wins and championships. He funded significant advances not to the athletic department that paid him so well but to the Penn State libraries which support all academic endeavors. Joe Pa's world was Penn State and ultimately this was his undoing.
He was undone by age and status. It's hard to tell an icon that a trusted aide is forcing himself sexually on underage boys. It's even harder to say it in a way that makes everything clear to someone old enough to be you great-grandfather while trying to parse words so no one feels uncomfortable. If you think it's easy, say "your trusted aid rapes children" to your grandmother. This is how he was undone.
Ultimately, Penn State decided that while Joe Pa fulfilled his legal requirements to report what happened, he was morally obligated to do more. In a society that tries to follow laws only to the letter and not the spirit--and moral obligations seem to matter less--Joe Pa's vilification is a shame. Maybe this is why no man should be an icon.
We do need to do a better job of protecting those who are in danger, but we need to do a better job of defining "those who need protection" too. Children are obvious. But when we forget the poor and the elderly many get lost in a dream that values the rugged individualism of boot-straps over community efforts to truly lift every boat in the bay.
Yes, Joe Pa did what he was supposed to do. No, he did not do enough--but he trusted that those who he told would do what they were supposed to do. That is why several of those folks are under criminal indictment.
But before anyone says what Paterno did was bad or evil, remember that none of us are truly good enough to cast the first stone, especially at someone whose position, God willing, we will never share.
Adios, Go with God Joe Pa.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Repentance and Forgiveness
I just read an interesting question, "Do you believe that those who do not repent can be forgiven?"
For me, the quick answer is No. I don't believe those who do not repent can be forgiven. I believe without acknowledging sin, it is impossible to acknowledge forgiveness.
Now for my follow up question, "Whose shortcoming is that, ours or Gods?"
Friends, that's our shortcoming. God is concerned, but it's our shortcoming.
For me, the quick answer is No. I don't believe those who do not repent can be forgiven. I believe without acknowledging sin, it is impossible to acknowledge forgiveness.
Now for my follow up question, "Whose shortcoming is that, ours or Gods?"
Friends, that's our shortcoming. God is concerned, but it's our shortcoming.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It's About Who We Are
By now you are familiar with the "Urinating Marine Brouhaha." Video and still photos exist showing four United States Marines urinating on corpses in Afghanistan. What you may not be aware of is that according to the Huffington Post Texas Governor and Presidential Hopeful Rick Perry is defending these Marines.
Governor Perry defends the Marines saying on CNN's "State of the Union," "Obviously, 18-19-year-old kids make stupid mistakes all too often. And that's what's occurred here."
I believe Governor Perry is horribly wrong.
Let's start here: Hasn't Mothers Against Drunk Driving taught us "kids do stupid things" is no defense, especially in life and death situations?
Another reason I believe Governor Perry is wrong is that photos like this embolden the enemy and weakens support at home. The effects of the events at Abu Ghraib Prison made this point clear years ago. As the old saying goes, those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, the time between the two events is eight years.
The article points out that desecration of corpses is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. I say we shouldn't need an international treaty to say it's wrong to pee on the dead. When I managed a bar in the Westport district of KC, MO I once had to tell someone they couldn't pee off of the roof of the bar next door. When he said he didn't see a sign that said he couldn't I said, "Ah dang, someone took my sign? I'll have to make a new one. Get down. If you're so dumb you need someone to tell you not to urinate on a dead body you aren't smart enough to be a marine.
Then article says that Arizona Republican Senator John McCain disagrees with the Governor. The former pilot and Vietnam Era Prisoner of War says we don't lower ourselves to the level of our enemy. Doing what "our enemy does" lowers us. You can disagree with me, but Senator McCain has an expertise in this situation that nobody should ever have. McCain's point about the difference between what we do and what the enemy does is the most important.
McCain's point is not about the enemy. It is not about what "others do so we do the same or worse." It's about who we are. Are we a nation that kicks cats and pees on the dead? Are we a country that doesn't hold young men who wear the uniform of our nation accountable for their actions? Are we a people who blame others for looking at the internet and catching us with our pants down (literally) when we post it on the web?
If the answer is yes, we have become a disappointing nation.
If we hold ourselves to be a Christian nation, we need to hold ourselves accountable to what God wants for us and for all creation. These actions show a basic lack of dignity and respect that takes us too far away "loving God and your neighbor as yourself."
Love God, love the Marine Corp, and hold people accountable for what they do. Sorry Governor Perry. I think you're very, very wrong.
Governor Perry defends the Marines saying on CNN's "State of the Union," "Obviously, 18-19-year-old kids make stupid mistakes all too often. And that's what's occurred here."
I believe Governor Perry is horribly wrong.
Let's start here: Hasn't Mothers Against Drunk Driving taught us "kids do stupid things" is no defense, especially in life and death situations?
Another reason I believe Governor Perry is wrong is that photos like this embolden the enemy and weakens support at home. The effects of the events at Abu Ghraib Prison made this point clear years ago. As the old saying goes, those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, the time between the two events is eight years.
The article points out that desecration of corpses is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. I say we shouldn't need an international treaty to say it's wrong to pee on the dead. When I managed a bar in the Westport district of KC, MO I once had to tell someone they couldn't pee off of the roof of the bar next door. When he said he didn't see a sign that said he couldn't I said, "Ah dang, someone took my sign? I'll have to make a new one. Get down. If you're so dumb you need someone to tell you not to urinate on a dead body you aren't smart enough to be a marine.
Then article says that Arizona Republican Senator John McCain disagrees with the Governor. The former pilot and Vietnam Era Prisoner of War says we don't lower ourselves to the level of our enemy. Doing what "our enemy does" lowers us. You can disagree with me, but Senator McCain has an expertise in this situation that nobody should ever have. McCain's point about the difference between what we do and what the enemy does is the most important.
McCain's point is not about the enemy. It is not about what "others do so we do the same or worse." It's about who we are. Are we a nation that kicks cats and pees on the dead? Are we a country that doesn't hold young men who wear the uniform of our nation accountable for their actions? Are we a people who blame others for looking at the internet and catching us with our pants down (literally) when we post it on the web?
If the answer is yes, we have become a disappointing nation.
If we hold ourselves to be a Christian nation, we need to hold ourselves accountable to what God wants for us and for all creation. These actions show a basic lack of dignity and respect that takes us too far away "loving God and your neighbor as yourself."
Love God, love the Marine Corp, and hold people accountable for what they do. Sorry Governor Perry. I think you're very, very wrong.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
America Loves Tim Tebow, Just Ask ESPN
According to the ESPN Sports Poll, Tim Tebow is America's favorite athlete. When asked "Who is your favorite athlete?" 3% answered Tebow. This may not seem like much, but considering the number of sports and athletes Americans follow, this is huge. The next closest athlete, Kobe Bryant, has only half of Tebow's numbers. Statistically speaking, that's a huge difference! Tebow beat out the rest of the current top 5--Bryant, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. He also beat old favorites like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, and LeBron James.
As for me, what do I say about this as a sports fan? His current mechanics cannot maintain his current output. The way he throws the ball will not thwart NFL Defenses for much longer. And so what! Right now what he's doing is amazing, so enjoy the ride everyone.
What do I say as a person who is a Christian, Presbyterian Minister, and purveyor of popular culture? He lives what he believes and lets the rest of the world judge him by his words and his life, which is all any of us will ever be judged upon. Gotta love that.
Timmy T will join the likes of Michael and Tiger soon enough. I just hope he doesn't join them in the scandal their personal lives later displayed. In a society that puts people on pedestals just to throw them down nobody lasts forever. So enjoy the game and if he throws another game winning 80-yarder like he did last Sunday, marvel some more.
How popular is Tim Tebow? Rocky, the mascot of the NBA Denver Nuggets "tebows" in a #15 Jersey. Face it, when your name becomes a verb, you've done something.
As for me, what do I say about this as a sports fan? His current mechanics cannot maintain his current output. The way he throws the ball will not thwart NFL Defenses for much longer. And so what! Right now what he's doing is amazing, so enjoy the ride everyone.
What do I say as a person who is a Christian, Presbyterian Minister, and purveyor of popular culture? He lives what he believes and lets the rest of the world judge him by his words and his life, which is all any of us will ever be judged upon. Gotta love that.
Timmy T will join the likes of Michael and Tiger soon enough. I just hope he doesn't join them in the scandal their personal lives later displayed. In a society that puts people on pedestals just to throw them down nobody lasts forever. So enjoy the game and if he throws another game winning 80-yarder like he did last Sunday, marvel some more.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Pastor Paul's January 2012 Newsletter Article
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hymn #296 in the brown hymnal is “Count Your Blessings.” It’s not a bad idea to count your blessings early and often, and the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what kind of year it has been.
It’s been pretty hectic at our house. Marie was admitted to the hospital a couple of times because her ailments fired up. Then there was our car wreck, that was a joy, but when these things came together, something else happened.
When Marie saw the doctor the doctor noted something kind of funny when looking at the back of her eye. From there the doctor ordered more tests. These tests showed something that looked puzzling, so she (she is our doctor) sent Marie to a neurologist for more tests.
Well, getting the tests done was a comedy of errors. Between the doctors and the insurance setting up her appointments looked like three clowns juggling flaming Indian clubs in the circus. What a mess! Well the appointments were had and the diagnosis was confirmed, Marie has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. But here’s what’s special…
The last tests, the ones that took so long to get arranged, showed that her spine was not involved with the disease. Right now, it’s limited to her brain. Sure, we would have loved to hear the words “miraculous cure,” but that was not to be. So if that’s not available we’ll take “contained” every day of the week.
Here’s the big kicker, we may not have done these tests, and we would not have done these tests this fall, if it were not for a car wreck. I’m not going to say that the Holy Spirit arranged for me to crack up the car so Marie could get diagnosed (others may, I wouldn’t), but I must say that this diagnosis and early treatment are blessings that flowed from a car wreck.
Simeon’s blessing from Luke 2 includes the words that as Jesus is salvation—not just for Israel but also for the Gentiles—he is also destined to cause “falling and rising” in Israel. In the midst of Simeon’s blessing, Mary also hears that “her soul will be pierced by a sword.” What a lousy way to end a blessing. “He is God’s own salvation for the world and there will also be pain, grief and sorrow.” That is where I think about Hymn #296, “Count Your Blessings”:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
I wouldn’t say “C’mon, buck up! Look on the bright side!” to someone in the midst of a crisis, that’s lousy pastoral care, but let me say this, in the heart of the greatest blessings, life is not going to be just peaches and cream. In the blessings of our lives there will be pain and there will be disappointment. Our choice is how we deal with them.
Friends, choose the life of the blessings of Christ. Picking to dwell on the disappointments will only make us more in tune with them. Given a choice, dwelling on the blessings is far better than dwelling on the disappointments; and the choice is ours.
God Bless!
Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!
See you in church!
Pastor Paul
Hymn #296 in the brown hymnal is “Count Your Blessings.” It’s not a bad idea to count your blessings early and often, and the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what kind of year it has been.
It’s been pretty hectic at our house. Marie was admitted to the hospital a couple of times because her ailments fired up. Then there was our car wreck, that was a joy, but when these things came together, something else happened.
When Marie saw the doctor the doctor noted something kind of funny when looking at the back of her eye. From there the doctor ordered more tests. These tests showed something that looked puzzling, so she (she is our doctor) sent Marie to a neurologist for more tests.
Well, getting the tests done was a comedy of errors. Between the doctors and the insurance setting up her appointments looked like three clowns juggling flaming Indian clubs in the circus. What a mess! Well the appointments were had and the diagnosis was confirmed, Marie has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. But here’s what’s special…
The last tests, the ones that took so long to get arranged, showed that her spine was not involved with the disease. Right now, it’s limited to her brain. Sure, we would have loved to hear the words “miraculous cure,” but that was not to be. So if that’s not available we’ll take “contained” every day of the week.
Here’s the big kicker, we may not have done these tests, and we would not have done these tests this fall, if it were not for a car wreck. I’m not going to say that the Holy Spirit arranged for me to crack up the car so Marie could get diagnosed (others may, I wouldn’t), but I must say that this diagnosis and early treatment are blessings that flowed from a car wreck.
Simeon’s blessing from Luke 2 includes the words that as Jesus is salvation—not just for Israel but also for the Gentiles—he is also destined to cause “falling and rising” in Israel. In the midst of Simeon’s blessing, Mary also hears that “her soul will be pierced by a sword.” What a lousy way to end a blessing. “He is God’s own salvation for the world and there will also be pain, grief and sorrow.” That is where I think about Hymn #296, “Count Your Blessings”:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
I wouldn’t say “C’mon, buck up! Look on the bright side!” to someone in the midst of a crisis, that’s lousy pastoral care, but let me say this, in the heart of the greatest blessings, life is not going to be just peaches and cream. In the blessings of our lives there will be pain and there will be disappointment. Our choice is how we deal with them.
Friends, choose the life of the blessings of Christ. Picking to dwell on the disappointments will only make us more in tune with them. Given a choice, dwelling on the blessings is far better than dwelling on the disappointments; and the choice is ours.
God Bless!
Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!
See you in church!
Pastor Paul
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