terry.a.lindsey@charter.net

Friend

What is the meaning of a friend? A google definition states “a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection…”. Okay, but do you know the people you call friends on your social media sites? You may know of them, but do you really consider them with a bond of mutual affection? The answer to that question, if we are truly honest, is no. So why do we have this fixation on establishing lots of friends on social media instead of building true friendships? Perhaps, the answer is in our awkwardness to communicate or open ourselves up to another individual. Perhaps, we just want to be part of the media “like” community whether the people like you or not. It is easy to push a few buttons and think you have a great relationship with friends. It is hard to actually talk with another, spend time with that person, learn what you have in common, learn your differences, and establish a bond based on fondness towards each other. A true friend is someone you are willing to talk with and spend quality time doing fun things together. A true friend is someone who may shed a tear or two with you during sad times. Now, I am not insinuating a sexual relation, but mutual affection or interest that binds you. Can you remember those friends maybe in the past, or if lucky, still in your life that means so much to you? That my friend, is a true friend.

In biblical terms the name Theophilus is of Greek origin meaning “friend of God”. Without getting into the theories whether Theophilus was a person or an honorary title meaning friend of God, I like the idea. Luke and Acts refer to Theophilus so I like the message to anyone claiming to be a friend of God. What if, instead of the author(s) of Luke and Acts using the word Theophilus, friend of God, is used. Luke then in its introduction to the gospel in 1:3,4 may read, “Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account to you, most excellent friend of God, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Acts 1:1,2 may read, “In the first book, friend of God, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.” Imagine now speaking to your true friends as if they too were equal friends of God. Do you think you may have a everlasting friendship established that would bind us together into a common goal? Enjoy your true friendships and may He give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him. (Ep 1:17)

Tick-Tock

Tick-Tock is the sound of a large clock ticking or possibly the measure of time running out. I have just released my third book called “A Chime in Time” and can be purchased online. Click onto www.amazon.com/author/terrylindsey and enjoy my journey back in time from WWI, WWII, and the Space Race. What was their purpose and how did time measure their progress achieving that purpose?

My wife and I recently joined two other couples to travel byways of North Louisiana exploring the past. It was very enlightening especially after my recent book on history and why events shape our very existence. Enjoy the glimpse of nearby areas full of history from early part of this past century all the way back to 1800BC.

Our journey started traveling up to Central Louisiana on I 49 to near Alexandria where we turned West through a beautiful drive full of garden nurseries to the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, Louisiana. Long Leaf depot was built about 1906 to connect the railroad systems carrying passengers and raw material, mostly timber, to build our country. We explored the huge saw mill that is now a monument to the past expansion. That mill along with many around the area provided lumber to support housing construction and when needed, War efforts. Some of that lumber went to support the landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) known as the Higgins boat constructed during WWII in New Orleans. The Saw Mill walking and train tour along with the remnants of past wars in the museum make the trip well worth the drive.

We continued up I 49 through Shreveport and the next day drove some of the “Boom or Bust Byway” stopping at the Louisiana State Oil & Gas Museum in Oil City. Unfortunately, the museum was closed for repairs, but we did get a nice look at the outside displays. More about the bust byway later. Next stop was the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum.

Imagine a young man arrested and being transformed from a schoolboy to a rattlesnake. That was the impression of one of Clyde Barrow’s inmate buddies at Eastham Camp 2 in 1930. This so-called camp was more of a hell hole. It was part of the Texas Prison System named as the worse in the nation at the time. Clyde was paroled in 1932 by the Texas Governor. The two years of hard prison time changed him forever. He could not get legitimate work because of his prison time so became increasingly bitter. He told his mother that they would have to kill him before he would ever go back to prison. Eventually, his own prophecy came true on a highway about 8 miles from Gibsland, Louisiana where he and Bonnie were ambushed by six Law Officers on May 23rd, 1934 at 9:15 a.m. Bonnie met Clyde in January 1930 and a deep intense love developed between the two. Two weeks later Clyde was in jail where Bonnie visited him often. While he was at McClelland County jail in Waco, Texas, she smuggled a gun to him. He and two others escaped. The rest of the story has been immortalized in film and pictures that you can see at the museum. Bonnie seemed to be prophetic as well leaving a number of clues in poems of their future demise.

Next stop for us was to view the journey of a German group of 300 immigrates escaping religious persecutions in 1831 led by Count Leon. They first tried to blend in with the Harmony Society in Economy, Pennsylvania, but decided to continue with some of the Harmony Society to form the New Philadelphia Society. That lasted until 1833 until they moved again this time way down South to Grand Ecore, Louisiana establishing the “new Jerusalem” society. The count died of Yellow Fever in 1934. Flood struck their settlement so the Countess Leon led her people to high ground up the Red River to settle in the hills near the modern day town of Minden. Their settlement called “Germantown” can be visited showing some of the buildings including the Countess’ cottage. From Germantown, we drove North of Minden to get back on the “Boom or Bust Byway” . We drove past Blackburn, Shongaloo, Sarepta, before stopping at Plain Dealing. Plain Dealing has a huge antique vendor’s store so we had to stop and shop before resting for the night. The next day was all about antiques and food at Jefferson, Texas. The town is full of history, but we spent most of our day seeing the old, mixed with not-so-old things, in this beautiful Texas town.

Our last stop in our journey of the past reveals an ancient past of a Hunter/Gatherer settlement dating back as far as 1800BC called “Poverty Point”. Apparently, the James Gang visited Poverty Point as well, but were not looking for a historical site rather a good hide out. Poverty Point is located near Epps, Louisiana just off I 20 between Monroe and Vicksburg. You can drive around to see the Indian mounds or hike for a few hours to see it all. Mound A can be walked up and is about 165 foot high and appears to be shaped like a bird in flight. Archeologists do not know for sure what it was. It appears to represent a status symbol to reinforce the social relationships with the community plus demonstrate power and wealth to outsiders. They think it was built after 1400BC and may have taken as little as 91 days to build. Must have been a huge dedicated work force!

This is a little glimpse of a five day trip into history in Louisiana. Imagine what else can be seen. An old clock is a mechanism to measure time one Tick-Tock at a time. A clock is made to last and may last beyond its maker. Unlike a clock, us humans are also made with precision, but cannot out last our maker. Our time is indeed limited on this earth to so many Tick-Tocks. Let us make the most of each precious moment in our lives until we become part of history. Peace to you. T

Jonahish

Lately, like many of us, I have been overloaded with negativity and polarization of the recent presidential election. Whether you were for or against the victor, I believe we can all agree, violence is not the answer. Maybe, we should not be so Jonahish. Two years ago I posted “Change” focusing on the importance of looking at situations with a different mindset. Read more why we should be open to change as “…this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:31)

We can be like Jonah who hated the cruel Assyrians in the huge city of Nineveh and walk away from them. The result is total division like what I see in our society today. We hate one another’s beliefs and therefore consider anyone, not of our opinion, an enemy. Perhaps both sides of today’s conflicts deserve a chance to be heard and both need an open mind to hear. In Matthew 5:44, we are told to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. How can we practice love, if the other side is perceived as wrong and unwilling to compromise or change? We can stop being so Jonahish! When God came to him and said go to that great city, he fled because he did not want to love his enemies. The story could end like this in our current situation, if we remain like Jonah in our attitudes towards one another. What changed Jonah? Being swallowed by a big fish might have something to do with his change in attitude. You think? He prayed while in the belly of the fish for 3 days and nights ending his prayer with “…What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) The Lord answered his prayer and gave him a second chance to fulfill his mission to become a change agent for the good of Nineveh and Israel who both were headed for destruction.

Jonah was asked again to love his enemies and this time with a renewed commitment convinced the big city to believe in change. Even though Jonah was not too happy about being used as a change agent and continued to argue for destruction, he was shown even those you disagree are part of God’s vineyard. All of us need to be nurtured in order to grow.

Perhaps, with a little care and understanding of one another, we too may grow, if we remain open to God’s loving miracles of reconciliation. T

Pharasite

What the heck is a Pharasite? Well, read on my friend and consider the world has not changed much in over 2,000 years. Politics is the constant. A tick is considered an external parasite that feeds off its host. A parasite can live in or on another species feeding off it to survive. The prefix “poly” means “many”. I have heard it said that Politics is full of politicians who are “many blood sucking ticks”. Politics back in biblical times was full of similar creatures. Back then, they might have been called a Pharisee, who were part of a social movement and a school of thought that became the foundation of belief, not to be questioned. They were put on pedestals, because they were so smart and knew the laws, so therefore anyone questioning them were part of the problem, not the solution. Sound familiar?

My biological father taught me the essence of working for a living and being persistent until goal achieved. I took those lessons from an academic degree in Mechanical Engineering into the field. In the field, is where my experience was gained by those with the experience obtained from the school of hard knocks. As I matured, I became the teacher for a younger group. The first thing I had to do many times was to break down the belief systems of “younger academic scholars” that they do not know enough to risk the lives of their fellow workers in the field. Some were not teachable, even though they were invited, they refuse to participate and failed. The parables of the Tennant Farmer and the Wedding Party in Matthew 21 and 22 reveals much. I encourage you to read for yourself. I see even today as I work in the mission fields after devastation from Hurricane “Laura” followed six weeks later by “Delta”, we are still surrounded by extremely knowledgeable folks who think they should be served. They are parasites, in my humble opinion.

My heavenly father taught me, through his son that when invited or called, we should go. We should not think of ourselves worthy of praise like a Pharisee. Neither should we become a parasite living off another. That my friend, is what I call a Pharasite.

Vegetarian

Who are they and are you one of them? A person who does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products, especially for moral, religious, or health reasons. This is right straight out of meanings according to good ole Google. Would you consider a vegetarian as weak in faith? If you read only versus 1 and 2 of Romans 14, then, yes. How many times should you forgive someone? 7 or 77 times? Verse 21 and 22 of Matthew 18 indicates 77 times. Are both of these examples in the scripture a bit misleading? Yes, if you stop and interpret just these short versus. What is the real answers?

First, is that we should not judge and the second is that we should forgive from our hearts. In this day, not really unlike the past, except for instant feedback from the media, we tend to put ourselves into groups of thought. One group will not accept another group. Meat eaters will not accept those who abstain and visa versa. Who is right? Depends on your group and the way they think. Is it any wander we cannot get along in society today as we are so influenced by our social environment? Has our polarization gotten out of control? I believe our modern zest to believe what we see as the truth on TV has misguided us to fall into belief groups where our side is the only side. We tend to judge the other side and we will not forgive them of their perceived iniquities. We are in a sad state when we cannot accept and refuse to forgive.

I have spent several days now working in the mission fields in the midst of destruction due to a natural disaster called Hurricane “Laura”. If there is one thing that will unite you to your neighbor, it is getting yourself in this midst. The light of Christ is revealed more clearly than ever before. Tribal camps fall away and we merge into one group of humans trying to recover. Judging ceases and forgiveness is a natural occurrence. Who are we to judge? We will all stand in front of the judgement seat of God. (Romans 14:4,10) We will be forgiven the same way we forgave others. I hope the forgiveness is from the heart. (Mat: 18:35)

Now, as I write, there is another storm approaching called “Sally”. May God’s grace and mercy protect us all. T