An Atlas of the Life and Travels of Howard Merrell

Mental, Historical Cartography:

Posen, Illinois; Huntland. Tennessee;  the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France; Sterlington, Louisianna; Roanoke. Virginia; Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia; Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; Elora, Tennessee; a small part of Kiev Ukraine; (I don't remember the name of the community, but) -a large housing complex in Almaty, Kazakhstan; Weno, Chuuk; Harvey, Illinois; Bradley, West Virginia; Lita, Ecuador; Fredrickburg, Pennsylvania; Neuva Ocatepeque, Honduras; Elkhart, Indiana; Imperial Rome; Charlottesville, Virginia; Crescent Lake Bible Camp, near Rhinelander, Wisconsin; an area in the Black Forest region of Germany; Palau; Lawrence, Michigan; Rock Hill, North Carolina; a bit of College Station, Texas, Guam; the route Southeast to Northwest across Ohio; The area around Moody Bible Institute in Chicago; Florence, Italy; Lake Moomaw; Bryansk, Russia; Chuuk Lagoon; Israel; a bike route from Covington, Virginia to Hershey, Pennsylvania (complete with pictures of a hotel room that used to be 8 x14 but is now only 7 x 13, because of the many coats of paint); and several airports around the world. I am taking a few minutes this morning to page through the atlas in my mind. Maps, pictures, reports of traffic conditions, and notations of where to get good chicken, pizza, or sub-sandwiches are included in my one of a kind guide to getting around in this world. My mental atlas is horribly inaccurate. Some of the designations, like "Half-way Hardees," are meaningless to anybody outside my family. Some of its contents, like the memorial marker, "On this spot a drunk driver in a big Buick ran over Howard Merrell on the first day his parents let him cross the road with his bike." haven't been edited for more than sixty years. The information my book contains is utterly arbitrary. It says little to nothing about most prime tourist destinations in the regions it covers, yet it has a notation about the best hoagie shop in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania--maybe the whole world--Grace's Hoagies. On page xxx you can see a picture of the trailer where Fred wielded his butcher knife and flyswatter making his wonderful sandwiches in a place that was so dirty that I wouldn't let Kathy go in because I knew if she did she would never eat anything from there again. I didn't want to deprive her of that pleasure. "Why do you call the place 'Grace's?" I asked, referring to the sign leaned against the front of the trailer that Fred had never bothered to hang. I was hoping for a deeply Theological response. "Aaagh, it's named after my ex-wife (expletive deleted." Such is the trivia that fills the pages of The Life and Travels of Howard Merrell. The pictures fade, and the data from one location gets confused with another. The compiler of this record makes no guarantee as to accuracy. I had cause to consult my book last night as I rode from the airport to my friends' house in Koror, Palau. Kathy and I lived in Palau for four months. It was the beginning of Act Two of our life, following a very long Act One. I consulted my record because I had the distinct impression that this "feels like home." Only it isn't home. Kathy and I have started referring to "our Virginia home" and "our Guam home." But that doesn't quite cover it either. I could just as easily say, "The place in Virginia, or Guam, that's not my home." Don't get me wrong I'm not looking for sympathy. There is a certain freedom in being "homeless." An old song captures the mood of our Lord's words about laying up treasure in heaven, or the Apostle Paul's words about where to set our affection. I'm content to hang around this world as long as the Lord wants me to. I'm just trying to remember my real address. (Philippians 1:21-15 gives Paul's much more together view of this.) It's Something To Think About.

Been here a while

It's been a while now.

I'm listening to the roosters crow in the early morning light on the day after Christmas.  I can pick and choose what I do today, but I know that soon my schedule will step back into the driver's seat. Some time early in January, when our one year anniversary of living here on Guam will come to pass, I'll likely be too busy to think much about it. So I'm taking time this morning to reflect on that coming marker on my calendar. I'm 67 years old, and  I've lived longer in this lovely little apartment on the campus of Pacific Islands University than any other place I've lived as an adult, except one. That sounds way more impressive if you don't know that Kathy lived in #1 place for more than 42 years. That doesn't leave much time for # 2 & #3. To say we have "put down roots" here would likely be an exaggeration and might belittle those who have invested so much more, though, to carry the image a bit farther, we are comfortable in the planter on the porch. For those four decades when my address was 2106 S. Carpenter Drive . . . (mail sent to that address still gets to us, by the way) I always tried to maintain the spirit of the old song, "This world is not my home. I'm just passing through." Now, in a sense, that homeless for Christ mentality is easier to maintain, but only in a sense. I find in me a kinship with Jonah, who came to regard the plant that shaded him as his in a particular and powerful sense. Usually, I have a pretty clear idea what I'm thinking about when I write "Something to Think About." This morning, not so much. I guess the best I can do, as I consider my anniversary of living in Mangilao Guam, is to share two things to think about, which might seem contradictory, but which I don't think are: Being transplanted is painful, for some more than others, we have a tendency to resist putting down roots--even in the pot on the porch--knowing that the next move is coming. Resist that self-protective urge. Be where you are. Nothing in the world is permanent. Jesus said of Himself, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" (Luke 9:58). Do we think we are better than He? It's STTA (Something To Think About).

Going Home, or Leaving?

Heading the other direction is odd.

In the morning I leave where I've been staying for the past nine months and head home for a brief visit. Only, I'm not sure that's what I am doing. Could it be I'm leaving home to go back to the place where I used to live? Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking for sympathy. Other than the fact that I'll be sitting in airplane seats way too long, and I'll be away from Kathy for three weeks, I don't find what I'm doing distasteful at all. It's just odd. If you came in late, I'll point you to a brief word of explanation. I'm a retired pastor, lived all my adult life in the same place, and in our "retirement," Kathy and I took a temporary assignment 8,000 miles from home. You can find out more here. We have been here in our comfortable little apartment long enough that it doesn't feel temporary. It kinda' feels like home. I'm headed back to the U. S. mainland because of business. It used to be when I'd go away on business that I'd pack enough stuff to last until I got back home. This evening I packed a supply of stuff to last while I'm visiting home. Some of the old Gospel songs talk about this kind of dissonance in a far more profound way.   "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through." "I've got a mansion . . . in that bright land where we'll never grow old." "Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home."   The Psalm writer spoke of that not-at-home-ness when he said,“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25–26) In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul spoke of his desire to be "present with the Lord" (Philippians 1:23), yet he knew there was yet work to be done (24). What I am experiencing as I get ready go away from home and back home at the same time is something like the way God's people should always live. I'm where I am for reason, but this isn't my final address.   It's STTA (Something To Think About).

My Home, My Castle?

Something To Think About, My Home:

"A man's home is his castle." It's a proverb that indicates a person's dominion over their residence--particularly if they are a home owner.  Though often challenged in court and debate, in the United States this concept is a part of our legal system.  Our Bill of Rights prohibits "unreasonable searches and seizures."  Breaking and entering is a crime.   Men--the male of the species--are apt to quote the proverb with bluster.  "I call the shots, here.  I'm master in this house."  Women knowingly smile.  Part of the means by which they run things--in a Proverbs 31 sort of way--is to let we men think we are in control.  If we men really were in control our homes probably would be more castle-like, even resembling fortresses.  The women folk, it appears to me, are less interested in a home being a citadel and more interested in making it a palace.  We guys would build turrets; the fairer sex is more interested in coordinating the color of tower with the rest of the wall. A problem is both men and women are infected by sin.  High on the list of "What's wrong with us:" is selfishness.  Our home is a place where that sin, we condemn in others but excuse in ourselves is likely to flourish.  A desire for security can mutate into isolation, and an attitude of indifference or even hostility to those out there, on the other side of my moat.  Likewise self-expression and aesthetics can become the justification for extravagance and self-indulgence.  He can't be bothered with others, while she doesn't want others bothering her stuff. One of the virtues that the Bible extols is hospitality--"He must enjoy having guests in his home" (1 Timothy 3:2, NLT),  is one of the qualifications for church leadership.  It is likewise a desirable trait among the led (see here).  More important than my door keeping others out is my door being open to those I can help.  Rather than ask, "Does my welcome mat look like the picture in the magazine?"  I need to be concerned about whether Matt and Maddie are welcome.  As I write this I am blessed by being a guest in a lovely home.  It does look nice, but far more important it feels nice. Lord, my home is one of my greatest investments.  Help me to use it for your glory. It's STTA. You can find out our home in heaven and how to get there here.

AMEN!

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT     Congratulations to Mr. Mrs. Steven Crowder.  I wasn't able to attend their wedding, but they look like a lovely couple.  The fact is I had never heard of the folk until this article.   Steven is a comedian and he wrote his article in a somewhat euphoric state, so I'll forgive him some word choices and  his lack of mercy to those on the other side.   Bottom line I say "Amen!" to his article.  In fact, if you are short on time read his article and don't finish mine.   There are many things wrong with the view of morality that prevails in our day.   We try desperately hard in our culture to find/ Vote For Pedro create/invent a "righteous" way to fulfill any desire.  Pedro would definitely win.  The bottom line is not only in regard to sex, but concerning fiscal-policy, buying new furniture, or having another piece of pie, often self-restraint/denial is a very good thing (see here for some Biblical input).  Unfortunately this will surprise some folk.  Morality is not decided by a public opinion poll.  Surveys tell us what is popular, not what is right.   Often what feels very good right now, will make me feel very bad for a very long time.  Note the wise choice this Bible hero made. The Creator of the Universe--including you and me--gaveus a set of instructions for life contained in His Word.  He came to earth to be our Savior.  While here he said, "I came to give you life to the full."  (John 10:10)  Satan, on the other hand has been saying ever since Eden, "Maybe God did say that, but if you do this, you'll be better off."  How's that working out, so far? I look forward to hearing more from the Crowders.  Right now, I hope they are enjoying their honeymoon. It's STTA.