Farewell to Dad ... for Now

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

In other words, none of us just happened. We came into this world, having been put together by God to make a difference in the lives of others and to make a difference for God. It’s amazing the different elements God uses to put us together in our mother’s womb. Put us together for a purpose, to impact those around us. 
My dad was one of the most caring and loving people I have ever known. Not only was he a wonderful father, but he was also a loving, devoted and faithful husband to my mother, Jean Tice.

 He loved my mama, her mama and her sisters. He especially loved Alice's only child, Dawn Renee. And he loved my children.

My first husband drowned when I was 20. Our babies were left father-less. Camille was 27 months old and Wesley a mere 6 months old. My dad made a vow to be their father.  He fulfilled that vow.

He loved the beach, watermelon on hot summer afternoons, animals of all kinds, and creating useful wood projects. And he loved trying to make his tenor voice sound like the rich baritones of George Beverly Shea as he tried to sing “How Great Thou Art!”

His daddy, William Albert Stone, was a farmer and part-time Baptist Minister. His mother, Clara Ethel Watwood was a full-time mother to nine children, 7 girls and 2 boys. And raising such a large family was not an easy task at anytime much less during the years just preceding and following the Great Depression.

Daddy was raised with an undying love for God and a strong respect for women. When born, he already had 6 elder sisters. He married into a family of girls, with only a mother-in-law as their daddy has passed when they were young children, and he had many more nieces than nephews. But male or female, he had true love for others and respect for all. Even during his final days, when his speech became severely inhibited by dementia, he would often still say clearly, “God Bless you,” addressed all as “Ma’am” or “Sir.”

We all have our memories of this man who was named, William Wesley Stone. He answered to Wesley, Bill and Rocky....but later in life confessed that he would answer to “Mud” should someone call him that.   My memories span almost 60 years, though I admit that I recall little from those first couple of years. He had a true servant’s heart. No matter where he worked or what job he did, he possessed a strong work ethic. He was friend to many, striving his best always to be of help to others, whether in the course of earning a paycheck or lending an ever-willing hand to one in need.

He was truly humble and took no pleasure in “putting on the dog” (– an idiom he used to me on rare occasions).

You all have your memories, precious memories of the one God placed in our lives to be a blessing.

When you stop to think about the word NEW, what does it mean? When you get down to it, it really implies something better.

Today we say goodbye, at least for now, to a very special gentleman. And he was a gentleman in every sense of the word.  Today, as we stop to remember my dad and all those things that made him special, we have to add one more word to that list- "NEW". For today Daddy has a lot of "NEW" things, including a perfect, body fashioned in the image and likeness of Jesus himself. A body he can use to enjoy all the splendors of that place called heaven.

I’m always amazed how Scripture is so realistic. It contains words and actions, which express the whole range of human emotions, and in some ways the book of Psalms is a composite of the Bible.

The 150th Psalm is a closing song of Praise. After 149 songs that speak of the human existence, of pain and joy, sorrow and celebration, the psalmist closes with a simple song of praise

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”

And that is what I would say here today. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”

Those who wrote the psalms were very human, and they knew what it was to feel strong emotion, They cry in pain, they shout with Joy, in all of life they see reason to praise God

We too, just like the psalmist of long ago, know emotions. Today, we celebrate the life of one who was loved by many and who loved many.

But also with this celebration are feelings of sadness and loss, and in this we can lean on God, who will be our stronghold during times of trial. It is during seasons of life just like this that we realize that life as we know it, is uncertain 

None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, or even the rest of today for that matter.

The bible often pictures the uncertainty of life, we read in James 4:14

“you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” 

The very uncertainty of life causes us to consider its approaching end, but even with life’s uncertainties God has made victory possible, and what a celebration that is!

Today we can find comfort in the fact that Jesus has power over the grave, power over death!

We read in the gospel of Luke how He raised the widow’s son and Jairus’ daughter…  what a celebration that was!

We read in John 11 how He came upon the tomb of His friend Lazarus, and how he wept at the death of his friend, and how he brought him back to life… oh what a celebration that was!

Jesus even overcame death in His own resurrection… and THAT’s a celebration for us!

Today as we celebrate my dad's life with us, and how he touched our lives, we can look forward to the day when death will finally be destroyed!

In 2nd Corinthians 5:11 we read

"If any person be in Christ, they are a new creation; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."

This is a perfect picture of what happened to my dad, Because this past Sunday morning, about 6:25, the old things passed away and behold, all things indeed became new for him!

And we read in Isaiah 46:4

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am HE, I am HE who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

He sustained my dad. He carried him. And NOW has called him home; PRAISE GOD!! His promise is the same for us.

God’s promises are overwhelming, from the rainbow in the sky, to the salvation He offers, to the promise of His everlasting presence with us.
We remember and celebrate, and praise God for this man who touched our lives in so many different ways.

We Have Gathered Together In This Place, Not Because Daddy has passed away, But Because he Lived....and he lived a Godly life…and He has Graduated!

The Tail of the Whale

I had a dream the other night. Scenes of partial pictures. One I recall was of half a face. Another was of a table that was adorned with table cloth, set with empty plates, silverware, clean napkins, empty glasses. And still another was included -- half of the front of a house. At first glance I didn't realize anything was missing. But my mind did wonder at what I was being shown.

I kept hearing a voice say, "Do you want to see the Complete Picture or are these enough for you?" 

I didn't understand. Was what I was seeing, what I was being shown only part of what I needed to see?

I hadn't been curious before, but suddenly, with the prospect dangled in front of me that there was more, I suddenly wanted to see it.

The curtain was drawn back on each scene. The face was completed. Seemed to be a rugged male face with beard and unkept long hair. I didn't recognize him. Could have been any number of people. Could have been a man at a rock concert from back in the 1970s. Could have been Jesus. I don't know. There wasn't an explanation. Seemed that I gazed at the face for a long time trying to find meaning, familiarity.  

Next was the table. Where only empty plates had been set on a white tablecloth, the scene was expanded to reveal many dishes laden with various foods, scrumptious and inviting. Again, I studied the exhibit, searching for hidden meaning. Some of the platters were hot as there was steam rising. I don't recall what foods there were, but they appeared yummy. However, my appetite was not aroused.

Eventually, the table was replaced by the house. It was a rather small house. Nothing particularly notable. It was just the entire house that was placed on view. Seemed older -- maybe early 1900's, frame-style, wooden foundation with crawl space underneath....though that wasn't specifically revealed. I could tell by the steps up to the front door that it had this kind of construction. I examined it for some time. Like all the other pictures, this house did not look familiar to me. Nothing I had seen in my past that I could recall. Could have been in any town, USA. 

I awoke and was troubled. Troubled because none of it made sense to me.The voice still echoed  "Do you want to see the Complete Picture?" Having seen and studied the complete pictures of each scene, I found nothing remarkable, nothing outstanding. Actually, they were boring. There was nothing curious at all. All that was curious was that I was being shown them and asked the question.

Drifting off to sleep again, I revisited each of the 3 scenes once more as the visions returned. First, the partial pictures and then the completed scenes. And then each expanded. The man was shirtless, bronzed, wearing jeans, barefooted. His body appeared to be turning, as if he was just looking back over his shoulder. He suddenly had purpose. I didn't know his purpose, but being shown this picture caused me to seriously wonder. 

The table lavishly set with foods expanded to reveal guests....and an exceedingly long table. People of all ages were gathering. They were happy, greeting each other with hugs. It seemed to be a large family gathering, a reunion of sorts.Seemed to be much love in this warm and inviting atmosphere.

The house expanded to reveal a lot with lush green grass. Soft grass that had some length to it, though not too high. Reminded me of Kentucky blue grass -- soft and cool to the bare foot. There were beautiful blooming flowers, too, but not so much uniform in the planting -- more naturally spaced. And a very large shade tree in the front. Could have been a ficus, could have been an oak. This scene was suddenly cool, friendly, relaxing, inviting, peaceful.

I woke again. There was a sermon on the radio. It was John D. McArthur. He was teaching on Jesus calming the storm. I'm not sure which storm he was referring to, whether it was when He had fallen asleep in the boat and the storm arose as they crossed the Sea of Galilee, or if the subject was when the storm happened as the disciples were alone at night crossing the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus came walking across the sea towards them. Either way, McArthur referenced Jonah.

This will be the second week that our Sunday morning Bible Study has been on Jonah. To be totally truthful, I hadn't actually looked for anything extra in these Scriptures. Was a story we all know. Looked more at the history of Nineveh, where Jonah was from, where Tarshish was thought to be. Things like that. And yet, after my lengthy dream about seeing the Complete Picture, awakening to a sermon that is referencing Jonah, I decided this was something I needed to hear. 

Right off the bat  McArthur notes all three events have 1 major thing in common -- when the storm was commanded to cease, it ceased right then.  The instant Jonah hit the water, the storm ceased right then. We observe that when a body of water is troubled by high winds, it takes some time for the waves to calm down. But not in these cases. That was what caused seasoned mariners to be awestruck and fearful. We have seen furious winds cease abruptly. But I have never witnessed waves cease abruptly. Science tells us that doesn't happen. The energy continues until it is used up.

In consideration of the Book of Jonah, I needed to return to scripture, to search out the Complete Picture. I may not see it all. It may take a while. But there is more here than just a simple rendition of Jonah and the Whale.

Transcending the Tail

I went to visit my dad today. For those of you who don't know, he is in an Alzheimer's facility. What a horrible, horrible disease.

No, he didn't know me today. He immediately asked me who I was when I woke him from his nap in a living room chair. He began speaking in nonsensical moans and groans. I call this “Daddy-speak” cuz the language is unknown. I have learned not to question or to try to understand him, not to try to get him to repeat himself in words that are intelligible to me. Why? That causes him deep anxiety because apparently he thinks he is speaking in a recognizable manner. Apparently, he understands himself. I have learned to make nothing replies like “Oh. Okay. Really?” and so forth. I watch his face for any sign of alarm and if that is noted, I say, “I'm sorry.” Sometimes I say simply, “I love you, Daddy.” Sometimes he understands that. Other times, he doesn't. I have come to realize that sometimes my words don't mean to him what Mr. Webster defined them as – just like the language he utilizes. This is something none of the books tell you. I have found no blogs that discuss it.

Today, I interrupted his garble by giving him a birthday card from his sister, Thelma. He said lots that I could understand, “Nice. Bless.” I attempted to read it to him, but he closed it. I opened it again and tried to rush thru the rest of what she had hand-written, but he closed the card again and gave it back to me, saying a lot of things including one “Thank you” that was distinguishable.

Next, I gave him his birthday card from his brother, Grady. He doesn't know how to open an envelope any more so I did it for him and handed him his card. He doesn't read. I told him it was funny and started to read it to him, but like before with his sister's card, he opened it to the inside. Before I could finish the joke, much less read what my uncle had written, he closed the card again. I did manage to take a couple of pictures of him with his cards. But then, I realized he had fallen asleep while looking at them. My uncle had included a photo of the 3 of them -- Grady, Thelma and my dad. I took a picture of it with my cell phone. My dad roused pretty soon after that. So I tried to direct his attention towards the picture and explained the people in it and when it was taken – October 2001.

We had flown together, just he and I, out to his home town in Arkansas. Shortly following 9/11, it was a trip I would never forget and not for that reason only, but because my mother had passed April 1 of that year. This was the only trip my dad and I had ever gone on together, just the two of us.

Back in the present, he had fallen asleep again, but he was holding the picture on top of his cards. I was attempting to upload my picture of him with his cards onto Facebook when he awoke and abruptly sprung from his chair and headed for the door to the outside. I bolted after him catching him at the door. I took the cards and the photo from his hands. He didn't seem to like that. Said stuff in his special language, but his face showed concern, maybe distrust, definitely displeasure. I told him I would hold them while he was gone and that I would be right there when he returned. Don't know if what I said was understood, or if his attention was just diverted by the bright light beckoning him outdoors and that instinct, that addiction he seems to have that causes him to walk much of the time.

I placed his cards in the glass wall case outside his bedroom door. His room was neat and clean today. I took the picture Grady had sent and placed in a frame on his dresser. Maybe he will look at it some more? Maybe he will remember? Maybe it will lend him some inner peace? Maybe it will cause the anxiety and turmoil that descends on him in later hours of the day to vanish, if only momentarily? I placed the bag of his favorite candies – the butterscotch and the peppermints -- in his top drawer. I know he will find them. As the day wears on, he becomes very concerned about “his stuff,” churning through drawers continually looking for only he knows what. Today he will find a surprise, a treasure!

I left his room with door open – the way I found it, and proceeded back towards the living room. He is now sitting in the dining room at a table with 2 others. He looks at peace, without his teeth. He glances casually at me and I wave to him, but he looks away. He doesn't know me again. I guess I don't even look familiar to him.

And so I continue on down the hallway that leads to the outside door. I almost want to run, like running could cause the awfulness of my father's condition to suddenly evaporate....like Superman did when Lois Lane died and he flew fast around the globe several times turning back time. But I don't run. I don't look back.     

A Political Rant....?

Yes, time is indeed drawing short.

Was thinking all about this this morning as I was making David’s breakfast. We had our group meeting yesterday. Three were out of town, so it was just one other couple, 4 of us in total. We became involved in a brief political discussion. Granted, we are all 4 of the same mind according to our vote, mind you, but it became heated almost immediately. The other gentleman is very PRO Romney – which is okay. I mean, I plan on voting for Romney only because I intend to vote and am not going to vote for any Democrat, nor their representative, due to their current stated platform which is totally anti-GOD in my opinion. (It should go without stating that I did not and would not cast my vote for BO ever....) But as he talked, it was as if he was/is believing that when elected Romney will solve ALL our problems. He will be OUR SAVIOR. Course, you know my thoughts on the subject but just in case you don’t ... Presidents are just pawns. Romney may or may not be better or worse than Obama. OR his actions may be veiled as he accomplishes hidden agendas, moving us closer to the intended New World Order. This quiet, slow spiral downward seems to be more the way of the Republican party, rather than the in-your-face quickly treacherous actions of the Democrats.

The other gentleman became emotional. Asked me (what he meant to be rhetorical) didn’t I think God wants the United States to be salvaged from destruction? Course, I didn’t answer him directly, but rather pointed out the rest of the world and how they have suffered economically in the last 4 years, that O wasn’t running those countries, but that obviously the same that actually run ours also runs the rest of the world. And has. This is really nothing new. David tuned in that we should put our trust in GOD alone, because no man, no human being is going to save us, individually or corporately....that all this world chaos and confusion is further setting the scene for that one man to step forth that has ALL the answers, who will seem to be able to return order and some type of prosperity. But MAGIC comes at a price – yes??

Course, as you know, we don’t believe we will be here to see the AntiChrist assume power. And this man will not step forth to solve the world’s problems until more devastation takes place – including possibly world WAR, Great Depression, famine, etc, of which events we could definitely experience.

In my reflections this morning, I also revisited Daniel 11, specifically the latter part of the chapter dealing with the end times AntiChrist. Verse 37 says that he won’t “honor the God of his fathers...” Went to Strong’s to see how “God” in this case is defined. According to Strongs, this is 430 in the Hebrew meaning eloheim. Following an investigation into the usage and meaning of that word, I can sum it up as when used with a plural verb, it is plural, and especially in Hebrew usage Elohim refers to “The God.” But then, wasn’t Daniel written in another language other than Hebrew? Actually, yes it was. Reportedly, 1:1 – 2:3 was in Hebrew, then switched to Aramaic (Ahhhhhh---the mystery deepens), but then Daniel switched back to Hebrew again in chapter 8 and continued that language through to the end. Following that rabbit trail brought that line of reasoning to a dead end, but relief as well since the labor of locating and delving into possible Aramaic scripts was eliminated.

As I looked at various English translations, I found the following very interesting:

Daniel 11:37

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

³⁷ He will not show regard for the gods^[a] of his fathers, the god longed for by women, or for any other god,^(A) because he will magnify himself above all. Footnotes: Daniel 11:37 Or God Cross references: Daniel 11:37 : 1Co 8:5-6

Daniel 11:37

English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁷ He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for^(A)he shall magnify himself above all.Cross references: Daniel 11:37 : [See ver. 36 above]; [ch. 7:25; 2 Thess. 2:4]

From this verse (in all translations), we see that “this man” will not follow the religion of his fathers. But even more importantly, what jumped out at me was the following part of the verse; the god longed for by women,(HCSB); to the one beloved by women (ESV) . Does this refer to Christianity or to Judaism? In Judaism, women longed to be the one chosen to bare the LORD’s Messiah? Do they still? In Christianity, women love Jesus. HE set us free. He was the true liberator of women. OK, I admit it, I googled the question. Surprise – got no answer as to what other religion(s) might cause women specifically to love or long for (a different) god or gods. Therefore, I will consider Christianity and/or Judaism as the only possibilities.

With those considerations, it appears that (again) this man will not follow Christianity or Judaism, but that he will have a strong lineage of family worship and involvement in either Christianity or Judaism. Doesn’t mean he will be a homosexual either, as many have interpreted that section of the verse.

Our current president’s “fathers” seemed to be a mix of Muslim, Christian and atheists. He really has not departed from that so-called set of merged beliefs.

The current challenger for president is a Mormon, as were his father and his father’s fathers. Even though the LDS claim to believe that Jesus was the only begotten son of the one true GOD, that He is our Savior, their doctrine and theology are very skewed from that point, making Lucifer and Jesus “spirit brothers” as well as embracing extra-Biblical prophets and scriptures in the form of the Book of Mormon. Angels are very important in Mormonism. It was the Angel Moroni who revealed the golden plates to Joseph Smith from which Smith translated the Book of Mormon. Moroni was one of the ancient Nephites in mortal life and the author of one of the books of the Book of Mormon. The Bible warns of such deviations from the Gospel of Jesus. (Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.) Even though Romney seems to be a follower of the same religion of that as his fathers, and he calls himself Christian, Mormonism is definitely a cult. I see nothing in Mormonism that causes women to especially love or long for their god. If anything, in Mormonism the status of women has been lowered to that of ownership. Women are 2nd class beings. According to Mormonism, an unmarried woman can not enter heaven at all. Only a woman who is a participant of a celestial marriage (a special ceremony performed in a Mormon temple) may enter heaven after death. At that point and for eternity, she will bare spirit children to her husband. This doctrine is a far-cry from what Scripture tells us:

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. and Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage.... No matter what our gender, our race, our class, we are equal. However, according to Mormonism, a woman is not Saved through her personal Faith in Jesus Christ, but only through celestial marriage to a man. This doctrine flies in the face of Christian doctrine.  

For the time being, I think that we can rule out both U.S. Presidential candidates as being THE Antichrist in the making.  

Abba in the Box

Abba in the Box

Was thinking about my newest granddaughter this morning, how she is at that stage of infancy where all things bright and shiney attrack her attention. She is gaining more and more control of her hands, her fingers. Everything she is able to grab hold of must be brought to her mouth, where she tests for taste and texture. Could be the cat's tail as it passes by ... or the finger of one of her family members ... but all toys and items freely given her must receive the taste test. My thoughts evolved to other common toys that have been around for centuries, such as the Jack-in-the Boxes. How those little boxes have delighted kids for ages! One winds the handle, which plays a little tune, and at a moment unknown, Jack pops out to the delight and surprise of all. Sometimes Jack doesn't pop out when he should. I remember trying to force "Jack" to pop out, even to the point of trying to pry open the lid.

 Those who profess belief in God sometimes treat Him like a Jack-In-The Box toy. He is set on a shelf, maybe even hidden away with the rest of our toys somewhere. We busily go about doing "His Work" and on occassion resort to pulling Him out. We wind Him up, by saying whatever incantation we think will invoke Him to appear....and suddenly He pops out! We are delighted, taken by surprise and sometimes awe. Sometimes, we even attempt to pry Him out. Eventually, we put Him away again.

 So many work themselves crazy trying to devise ways to bring others to Him. They spend countless hours devising plans and activities, writing booklets, tracks and praying for a special touch of creativity from Him that will draw others. Does He use these things? Absolutely, when it pleases Him to do so. We see in scripture that the LORD used many, even if they were evil. He used Pharoah....hardened his heart for the purpose of His Glory in redeeming His People. Some have a problem with the concept of the Lord's hardening of Pharoah's heart. They forget that He is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 29:16; 64:8; Romans 9:21). While in college, I took an elective class in Ceramics. We began the class by making the clay. Large garbage cans were prepared with heavy-duty black garbage bags. The recipe comprised sterile reddish soil into which was poured bottles of wine and yeast. In addition, discarded projects from the previous semester of dried out, unusable clay were also added. Once all was combined into the garbage bags, it was mixed just enough to moisten the contents. Then the bags were tied and lids fastened to the garbage cans. There the clay would age over the next several weeks in preparation for the following semester's classes. In the meantime, the clay mixture prepared during the previous semester was now ready to be used by our class.

 Each morning, each student got a portion of clay to be used. It was worked, molded, formed with the hands. Some projects dictated that the clay be rolled into strips, some pounded into flat squares but all were kneeded in order to insure there were no air bubbles that could form pockets that would cause weakness in the object resulting in bursting during the firing processes. Toward the end of the semester, we learned to use the wheel in order to achieve individual results desired.

 This experience brought to mind how God made us. He took the "dust of the ground" to form the first man. The name that God gave him was "Adam," which in the Hebrew (Strongs Concordance 119,120,121) means red, rosey, ruddy in color. So God used His Own created, sterile, red dirt. In John 9, we see how God healed a man of his blindness. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay (9:6). Jesus made a patch for this blind man's eyes. Did He form an eyeball ... or maybe a retina ... or maybe a lens?? This man was born blind. He had a congenital birth defect. The Disciples questioned Jesus about why this grown man had been born blind, if it was due to a sin he or his parents had committed and Jesus said it was so that "the works of God should be revealed in him" (v. 3). Jesus healed many others who were blind by simply stating, "You are healed" or "Receive your sight," but in this particular area, Jesus actually did something to give the man his sight.

 God does according to His Purpose that His Plans may be fulfilled to and for His Glory. We, His Creation, do not mold Him. He molds us. We often forget that He is in charge. Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6.44). We busy ourselves seeking to draw people to Him. We offer all kinds of creative, worldly trinkets to get people's attention, constructing grand buildings with plush furnishings and up-to-date sound and visual systems, scheduling time-consuming and sometimes expensive functions....and yet, Jesus nor any of the Prophets or Apostles had to resort to such to draw crowds. It was the Spirit of the Lord that brought people to where they would hear His Word. No advertisements saying "In the desert today"...or "along the river bank on Sunday morning" ... or "Come get your free 2-piece fish dinner." Yet they came in large numbers, great multitudes. And even of those who came and heard, not all believed and were kept (Luke 8).

 These things, these events, these pleasures and worldly attractions aren't wrong, persay but we wear ourselves out with them. We become exhausted and disappointed because we seek to draw the lost by utilizing fleshly pleasures of the world, forgetting that "the world" fulfills fleshly desires much better. IF we were to simply return to our First Love, preaching the Word in season and out of season, then the Spirit would indeed use us by drawing the lost to Himself. We need to take Abba out of the box.

Tail of the Pen

This morning, I went to visit my dad. For those of you who don’t know, he’s in an Alzheimer’s Facility. Just that fact in and of itself presents many challenges, many of which are comical when recounted.Today’s was one of those especially complex visits, full of many stories worthy of the tell. However, one in particular falls in the exceptional category.

I was in the process of leaving. Even though his legs, which he kept referring to as eyes, had been experiencing muscular cramping, my dad insisted on walking me out. As we exited the building, my cell phone rang. I stopped to retrieve it from my purse. My father continued having a non-conversation with me. The call was from a possible employer. My father continues to speak rather loudly, but that is okay as I live with a man and am quite used to negotiating a telephone call while he suddenly wants to have a detailed, heart-to-heart conversation of the utmost importance. Notepad and pen fished from my purse, I am scribbling down highlights of what this prospective employer is saying to me, and am trying to answer the questions with soundness of mind. Suddenly, one of the other residents, a woman approaches. She gives me the steely eye. Although I’m not sure of why she’s looking at me in such a way, I know exactly what that means. It’s like seeing a kitty approaching, who suddenly stops in its tracks. The ears flattened and sometimes even the back arches. If it is eyeing you, you definitely need to get out of the way very quickly. At the time, removing myself from the vicinity was not quite possible. My father was still yapping. The person on the telephone with me was continuing to explain about the job requirements, asking pertinent questions. So when I perceived that I was getting the look from this lady, I turned my back to her to hopefully achieve better concentration. Yes, I realize now that act wasn’t exactly what was called for in that situation. She became very loud, which caused me to turn back to face it. It was then that the cat pounced. As I’m still writing, well scribbling would be more truthful, the lady tries to snatch my pen. She is screaming it is her pen, that I have stolen it and continues her best attempts to remove it from my grasp.

As a side note, I have to interject here that certain pens, specifically Pilot G2 pens in either black or blue ink, are highly prized possessions of mine. While I may briefly loan a pen to someone in need, I expect it to be treated with gentleness and returned immediately. There is no way I would ever have allowed this woman, this stranger to have my pen. For years, my father expressed desire for my pen, which I didn’t allow. Anyway, my hang up, I know. But the applicable word is MINE.

At that point, while my father is loudly explaining that I will return the pen when I finish using it, I feel the need to explain to the person on the phone where I am, why I am there, what is occurring, and to ask for a telephone number and appropriate time to return the call. All is well and the call ends. And just as suddenly, almost miraculously, as soon as the call is ended, the phone closed, placed back in my purse, my pen is suddenly forgotten by all. The attacking woman is in retreat crying over the loss of her pen and my dad has fallen silent. All is quiet and the birds begin to sing once again.

Fool On The Semantic Hill

Remember the Fool on the hill? The Beatles sang about him. Ironically, the event that inspired the Lennon-McCartney duo to pen the words to this song was the mysterious appearance and disappearance of a stranger that Paul met briefly on a hill. Even more peculiar was the fact that Paul and a friend had just been discussing the existence of God while overlooking the city of London from that hill. Paul McCartney said that his song was about a man who was considered a fool by others, but whose foolish demeanor is actually an indication of wisdom. Could this be?

Merriam-Webster defines "fool" as this:

1: a person lacking in judgment or prudence 2a: a retainer formerly kept in great households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells, and bauble b: one who is victimized or made to appear foolish . Dupe. 3a: a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding b: one with a marked propensity or fondness for something fool. fool for candy = (David? LOL!) 4:a cold dessert of pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream or custard.

The Bible defines fool as one "who misuse(s) true wisdom." This definition seems to be a compilation of scriptures. Thought not all inclusive, here are a few from Psalms and Proverbs. (Note: All Biblical references are from the New King James Version unless otherwise specified.)

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. (to give Thanks to God)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge."

For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.

A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.


Jesus, as well, spoke of the fool. In Matthew 5:22, He said: And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

That's a pretty severe statement! Raca means empty, i.e. a senseless, empty headed man. It was a term of reproach used among the Jews in the time of Christ. Yet, the terms Raca and Fool apparently mean the same thing. However, Jesus seems to say that fool is the most evil of the two. Herein lies a mystery of semantics.

I must admit that the word "fool" has rarely been a part of my vocabulary for various reasons, like my father having told me as a child that I would go to hell if I called someone a fool. More often, other words with similar meanings are employed such as: oaf, dunce, IDIOT, JERK moron, imbecile, jackass, ASS, dope, turkey, nut…..It is interesting to note that fool appears in Scripture 194 times.

It seems remarkable and a bit mocking that Paul McCartney would ascribe the attributes of the wise to a fool.

Was he? Or was he attempting to convey that this man he had seen, who had given him the impression of appearing foolish, was in actuality very wise?

One really doesn't know for sure…other than McCartney, himself. Maybe this "fool" was merely an apparition that surfaced after a night of LSD…. Or maybe, just maybe, this was an angelic visitor who related confirmation of Paul's thought process.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21

References:
http:/www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fool
http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Raca
Bible. New King James Version, Topical Index
Psalm 41:1 Psalm 92:6 Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 1:22 Proverbs 1:32
Proverbs 3:35 Proverbs 10:8 Proverbs 10:18 Proverbs 10:23 Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 14:9 Proverbs 14:16 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 18:7 Proverbs 20:3
Proverbs 23:9 Proverbs 26:11 Proverbs 28:26 Proverbs 29:11
Photo disclaimer: In our society, clowns are usually thought of as "fools"....and these were the cutest clowns I could find...and they DO NOT apply to the definitions in this article! 8cD!