Lent, Temptation and Turtles

I saw this on CBS News: An Alligator Snapping Turtle that lives to be over one hundred years old, and can weigh up to 150 pounds. Compared to other sea creatures, it isn't the fastest thing in the water. You might wonder how anything this bulky could get enough food to keep it alive. After all, seaweed is only a snack for a 150 lb. turtle. The secret is its deceptively small tongue. Yup. I said tongue. I said deceptively small. Apparently to get food, Sammy or Sally Snapper opens its mouth and sticks out its tongue, which is small compared to the turtle's size, but long and very narrow like a worm. Unsuspecting fish looking for dinner head for the bait, and wham! Turtle food.
The thing about temptation is its deception. You think you're headed for a good nutritious meal and what you get is junk food. Feeling smart and quick, we can turn into sushi faster than you can say snapping turtle.
Nobody gets fooled by evil in a red suit with horns, a tail and a pitchfork. We can see it a mile away and run for cover. As Adam and Eve tried to teach us, evil is more likely to tempt us with flattery and cool talk. The fact that God said "Don't" wasn't enough for our first parents nor is it for us.
So, the lesson in every season (as Lent reminds us) is watch out for the scrumptous-looking worm. Things are not always as they appear.

Do you know the name Jim Wallis, of Sojourner's? He rings my bell with regularity through his Sojomail articles (sojomail.com). His recent article comments on the president's address before a joint sesssion of Congress on Tuesday night. For the record, Wallis (God's Politics) goes head-on with republicans and democrats with equal fervor. But when there is praise to give, he is right to give it. I recommend this piece.
http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/25/obamas-call-to-rebuild/

Of Geezers and Geeks

I just learned that there is a book for people like me - born a generation too early for geekhood, and too young (I contend) to be a geezer. Anyway, it's got a title that has something about Geezers and Geeks. I don't really think of myself as either one, though some of my young friends are certain the former fits. Whatever.

At any rate, until the day I die I vow to believe that old dogs do in fact learn new tricks when the arthritis and unchanging ways don't hinder us. Didn't Grandma Moses paint Whistler's Mother at 80-something? I rest my case.

I'm going to need a lot of help with this, so share the blog if you think it's worth it. I'm counting on my friends to lead me into this century, and those who are not my friends, well, what are you doing in my address book anyway?

Here are some pictures of God's grace in my life. One stands for an early passion that won't let go of me, and the other two pics are the people I won't let go of. I think I'll also post sermons (or maybe summaries) for those interested in seeing what I say from the pulpit to the good people at Wyoming Park United Methodist Church. I hope the messages help, but if not, you will at least gain appreciation for the long-suffering and tolerance of this humble faith community who keep showing up for reasons that have more to do with their faith than the preaching. What can I say? Hope springs eternal at 2244 Porter St. SW, Wyoming. And that's no lie.

I have always enjoyed writing, and ever since Konrad Zuse built the first computer it's gotten so easy that one would be a fool not to give it a whirl. Besides, I wake up in the morning wanting to write and they say that's what matters. Until now I've let schedules and to-do lists order me around, but no more. I am, therefore I blog.

I expect this will take a while to get in the groove. All good things do. But one has to begin somewhere. There's a great line in the film Finding Forrester, when the recluse author William is coaching his young prodigy. Jamal is having trouble getting started, so the impatient mentor shouts at him, "Just pound the keys!" If this is just so much drivel, just remember I'm only pounding keys. Anyway, nobody is forcing you to keep reading, so for heaven's sake move on. You've got a list of blogs and facebook friends to check in on. So I hate to put it this way, but even mild-mannered pseudo-geezers at some point learn to be blunt: It's not about you anyway. I'm writing selfishly for me.

For those who may happen to drop in...your posts will spur me on. And who knows, you may even find that you inspire something for the blog. In the words of a geezer, that would be, well, neat.
bj