A Visit from Snake

I was in the middle of preparing breakfast over my camp-fire when Snake showed up unexpectedly. He is a friendly sort of guy with a quick smile, smooth words, and likable personality. Because of the time of day, he invited himself to join me by the fire. Not wanting to appear rude, I agreed and added a couple of eggs to the hot pan.

Snake got right to the point of his visit. He was wanting to solve a problem, but hadn't located it yet. You make know the type. They think something is wrong so they set out to prove their hypothesis. Snake was clearly on a 'fishing' expedition and so the questions began. I'm not sure that he even tasted the eggs and bacon as he talked between bits and washed them down with gups of camp-fire coffee.

What did I know and when did I know it? What did I see as the problem and the cause for it? Who might be to blame? Questions that didn't need to be asked and answers or guesses would surely hurt someone and not help any situation.

It is always advisable to listen quietly. If you want to show some interest, be sure to make eye contact. This is the time that a good cup of coffee is really handy. Sip slowly while the other person's thoughts are trying to catch up to his words. Allow silence to slip in. It can work to your advantage. And if you are pressed to give a response, always respond first with a question. It can keep you out of 'hot water'.

Now I have known Snake for years. And the one thing I do know about him is that he is not an original thinker. The thoughts that he shared were clearly not his own. Lots of folks in our part of the country think that he is creative, intelligent, and successful. Snake is one of the 'good old boys' who struggles like the rest of us. He just doesn't show it as much. It was clear that someone else had put him up to questioning me and unfortunately others are on his list. One thing I'm certain about is Snake hardly ever evaluates anything before he acts.

I did my best to remain vague about the areas he questioned. I gave a positive perspective on the issues raised. I challenged him to give consideration to an alternate view of things. But in the end, Snake doesn't really listen to anyone else. Yes, he has a few in his circle and thank God, I'm not one of them. A person with his mind made up is a person who is not open to the glow of truth. Nothing grows in the darkness of a closed mind.

We ended breakfast. He had to visit a friend who was being moved to a very small place on Boot Hill. As he left, he asked me to keep our conversation and time confidential. However, most people know that he wouldn't. He also indicated that would like to talk again. Seems that he thinks that there is a lot he could learn from me. He meant his comment to be flattering to get me to drop any of my defenses. He really thinks that I know much more than I have shared or said. It is amazing how 'wise' people think you are when you don't open your mouth. Only after you speak does everyone know what a fool you really are.

Well, it is time to clean the old coffee pot and pan and put out the fire. Thanks for dropping by.

A Special Someone

Ever since she could remember, she had made choices that positioned her closer to her goal of helping other to keep informed and to make better lives for themselves. It was probably the interesting people that she met and worked with that gave her that special high. That kind of energy that makes you want to work long hours and weekends and through holidays, because your mission is so damn important. She wouldn't trade places with any one in the world. But then again, maybe just one, even if only for a fleeting moment. Soon the word 'fleeting' would take on another meaning for her.

He was a stranger, familiar in many ways and still different - very different. He came into her life quite by accident. She had not met another man like him. He was strong, beautiful really, kind and gentle all at once. And mysterious and reserved, searching for his own place to belong and fit in. It wasn't necessarily the words he said, or exactly what he did that made her stop and pay attention. She supposed that it was the deepness of his blue eyes - so deep that you get lost in them. You don't - you can't think of anything of much else. Or perhaps, it was the danger of the unknown.

And just as he arrived, he left. Gone without so much as a note or word of farwell or an explanation why. Unknown to him and unwilling to admit to herself, there had been something between them. Something that would come to be shared between the two later. She denied it of course. What power did they share? How lasting would it be? Would anyone else know? Would he return? How long should she stare into the sky straining to see? With a heart broken and more responsibilities, she moved on with her life. Slowly at first, lost in her work, which now doesn't seem as rewarding as it once did. Always hoping for yesterday, but yesterday doesn't return. It is today and challenges to face. Then again, there was that fateful day when the challenges turned to danger. And the strong woman was helpless to change her fate.

Geysir Joe

The Condemner Cometh

The Condemner cometh. He has always been. Riding on his white stallion, stained with the heartaches of those in his gaze. His contempt feds on anger even upon the memories those departed. Self-righteousness is a close companion giving justification to his actions and words. Hurt is his goal and he succeeds famously.

Arrows fly, finding their mark; stinging and cutting deep. The fury of his verbal assault shocks everyone. In his path, change is made, but it comes about at a very high price. Retailation is envitable. Blood draws blood in conflict. Words exchanged in a self-righteous fervor make their point heard all the more. Deeper the point drives and anger escalates the tempo with no end in sight.

Finally, one gives in; ending the reprisals at least temporarily. Exhausted. But determined to find a more opportune time to strike again - to win (if possible). So for now a peace. An uneasy peace. At least a lull in the open exchange. Who has won? No one, but the real Instigator of all conflicts. He has watched with glee as brother speaks against brother in an endless sea of accusations. Though the waves of words now appear calm, one only has to look just below the surface, the soul mourns with pain. Forgiveness is currently superficial in the waning hours of the day. Decisions about another assault now weigh heavily on damaged souls.

It is time for one to courageously decide to not retailate with condemnation or with anything, not even to receive it any more. Let all who watch learn the lesson here. There is no price worth the damaged caused by self-righteous or even righteous condemnation of another. Walk gently for the path you are on is full of pitfalls. If you fall, who will reach out to lift you out of the pit you find yourself in?

Hurtful Meddling

Random voices speak in disconnected concert.
Their messages meant to help actually hurt.
From their positions, opinions they give.
Finding others to listen, becoming more talkative.

Soon the pendulum of opinion swings.
There are problems with everything.
The more vocal they become,
Emotions run high, but hearts grow numb.

As leaders get blamed for missed goals,
The question arises, who is really in charge and in control?
Has God spoken to you about his displeasure?
By what yardstick do you use to measure?

How foolish are the big fish in a small bowl.
They think themselves important and in control.
But God sees all and knows their heart.
Some will leave and soon depart.

Geysir Joe (11/28/2006)

Meddlers in the Kingdom

Have you ever heard random voices speaking in disconnected concert? You know the type that express great concern on the state of things that need action and right now. This situation seems to come about when everyone or anyone is given the opportunity to have their say or to press their own agenda; especially, if done in the name of the Kingdom.

Eventually, all kingdom leaders are unable to deliver on all expectations and perceived promises. It will happen to the best of them. Timing is off, changes are made and not communicated, and things appear amiss. Should such a leader be replaced? Is it right for an individual to 'hide' behind a group which asks for that leader's resignation? Would anyone's opinion change if you knew that the leader in question was very moral person and faithful to everyone, but just couldn't lead up to the expectation of others?

How do people come to a point in their lives that they believe (and do so strongly) that a leader's removal is best for the kingdom's work? Are the accusers so large before GOD that He has anointed / appointed them to speak for Him? Are actions or speech soaked in prayer and grace or in acid? It seems to me that GOD is big enough to protect His own kingdom. If He has the power to raise up or exalt, doesn't He likewise have the power to bring low or remove? When did GOD need your help to change things He put in place?

Patience, my friends, patience. In GOD's own timing, righteousness does prevail. If you find that GOD is too slow, then do everyone a favor and leave and find another place of service. Perhaps the pond is too small for big fish such as yourself.

Remember that problems arise through neglect.

Sacrificial Giving

It is the time of the year to be generous. All charities will be asking for financial help. In the mist of this entire clamor, occasionally, one will hear someone say something about sacrificial gifts. In this land of so much plenty, sacrificial giving is hardly understood. Sacrifice is usually associated with an act. The verb meaning is "to make sacred". From Latin, the word “sacrifice” is commonly known as the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. But the term is also used to describe selfless good deeds for others.

The 'needs' seem to grow every year for every one of these organizations. They perform many worthwhile and precious acts of kindness and love. Many of these performances require great amounts of cash. The needs always outweigh the resources. And too many times, the wants outweigh the resources even more.

People will be asked to respond to urgent and desperate pleas of financial help. And that response should be to give out of gratitude and trust. It will be important to know in what or in whom does one give their gratitude and their trust. No one is in a position or a place to say what radical sacrificial giving should look like. There is no one who can tell you. The amount of your sacrifice is between you and God. Isn't it interesting that there will always be some well-meaning person who will not throttle back the urge to tell you specifically what you should do.

There are a few things to consider in this area. First, giving is a decision. Everyone should take as much time and thought as necessary to consider their pledge or vow. One should not be overly emotionally at this time, nor too analytical. The amount of your monetary commitment should be related to what God has given you. Your personal level of giving should be one that makes sense and which really reflects your gratefulness to God for what He has given you.

Some make commitments to give large amounts, and keep those commitments. If someone gives $500,000 from their abundance, is that sacrificial giving? Or is it sacrificial giving if someone gives $1,500 from their substance where lifestyle changes are necessary? It is said that we should not use the term “sacrificial giving” if all is given out of one’s surplus or abundance. A sacrifice should be coming out of one substance. It should change your lifestyle (but who wants to do that?). Your spouse and your children would know that a sacrifice had been made; maybe your closest friends. And yet it is not necessarily something that given until it hurts, but rather until it feels good. Understand that it will be at a great personal cost to the giver. Normal giving does not require the suffering of any loss. One author, Randy Alcorn, calls it “selective disposal” instead of giving.

Thanksgiving

What a great idea! A day set aside to remember the good that surrounds us everyday. It seems that it would be a good idea to be thankful all year long, to not get overly focused on our difficulities, and to give thanks to God for His gracious mercy.

Personally, Thanksgiving Day was a beautiful day with family and friends. Laughter, food, activity, drink, pictures, more food, and a overall good time. I am so blessed to have this family to share life with.

Who I Am

My name is Geysir Joe.
Traveled far, but always resided near.
Seen the moon and experienced the night of a deep hole.
Listen closely those that hear.

My face is disguised with many lines.
Each one represents a traveled path.
Some are course and others fine.
Such is the aftermath.

My eyes have explored for things true;
Escaping my vision at times.
Still my spirit was renewed
From darkness into light did I climb.

I share what I dare,
Where few ever hear
Where delusions appear everywhere
Where little is really as it appears.

Geysir Joe

This is a place where I will post my opinion on a variety of subjects and asked open-ended questions. I welcome some 'push-back' from others.

Geysir Joe