All things being equal, which I guess mostly they aren't, being struck by lightening is more likely a curse than a blessing. Not so in the recent experience of First Lutheran, Shreveport.

It would be hard to say we were blessed with rain this past October. There was more than any other October in recorded history. Much of that rain came in thunderstorms.

One Sunday late in the month on day that was not raining, in the middle of my children's sermon, there came a pop in the balcony accompanied by lights going out. Not to mention the noises made by members of the choir. This followed by some smoke. The organ was "fried" and it wasn't even raining that day.

The present organ is a 1970s version Allen purchased used in the 90's from a Dentist. He helped install it using an amplifier purchased at JC Pennys. There have been attempts to raise funds for a replacement for the past ten years. About $4,500 had existed on paper. However, with tight budgets that money has been spent.

At the time of demise another used organ of similar model, perhaps a generation newer than the current was available for $9,000. A small modern digital would be about $20,000. Our first thought was that we might be stuck with just piano for some time to come.

It seemed a shame since we had been fortunate to find a PHD quality organist to play for us.

A brief investigation into our coverage gave us hope. It seemed to us that the church leaders of years gone by had insured the organ for replacement value? So we began to pray the company would see it our way.

Meanwhile, my secretary had the inspired idea to check with our neighbors to see if perhaps any of them had lost equipment to lightening strikes during the same period. Ureka! The Ear, Nose, and Throat Docs next door lost a computer and a copier the same week.

Who knew there were saved records of lightening strikes just about everywhere in the country. The adjuster was able to find corroborating evidence. They wrote it off as a total loss and granted funds to buy a replacement organ at today's equivalent value.

Allen Organ Company has given a loaner while the new one is being built for $69,000 plus.
The salesman will return to us a gift to cover the $1,500 deductible. God has blessed us with a brand new fantastic organ.

Blessed by lightening.

Things certainly are not always what they seem.

I've known for years that being a "non anxious presence" is the most helpful thing a leader can do, or is that be? See Generation to Generation by Rabbi Friedmann. The trouble is , you can't fake it!

As in "Oh sure I'm a non axious presence, just look at me being non anxious, oh please, please believe I'm not anxious, no really, I really, really, am, look at me, don't worry be happy!"

NOT!

On a scale of 1 to 100 I may finally be approaching passing? Although, somehow, I think writing about it in front of the whole World Wide Web may be decreasing my score. Or come to think of it, keeping score is probably a sign I've still missed the boat altogether.

Anyway, I was thinking, before I started writing, that just maybe things are going a little smoother in my life, especially my professional life because I'm less anxious. Maybe it has to do with turning 60? I have less to prove.

On the other hand I'm as competitive as when I was a teen age Boy Scout earning merit badges. Now I'm earning them on Helium.com for writing. check it out. I've got stars and badges and more on the way!

I'm having lots of fun though. I've been writing songs and poems and Christian Apologetics.

Perhaps there is also some connection between letting go and inspiration.

What do you think?

Last night I watched Back to the Future. It is hard to imagine that 1985 was the present and 1955 was the past to which Marty, the main character travels. At the time I thought, "wow" that is my childhood time period. I was 6 in 1955. 30 years seemed like an eternity. 24 years later and 1985 seems like yesterday and a life time ago, while 1955 seems somewhat like yesterday? Thus the movie and my musings are a perfect topic for a blog about time called Anamnessis. All the old stuff of 1955 doesn't seem too old and all the old stuff from 1985 doesn't look old at all. Yet there are grown ups who were not alive 24 years ago.

I'm partly musing about this because two weeks ago I served as Spiritual Director for a Happening Weekend. Happening is the teen spin off of Cursillo: a renewal movement begun in 1938 by Roman Catholics in Spain. It spread to the states about 1955 and from Texas to the world, morphing into other denominations with names like Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus, and Via De Cristo. 25 plus years ago it became KAIROS (God's special time) in prisons.

I have served on more than 30 Happenings but none since the mid 90s. The memories of the first weekends were stirred and I realized that the other adults on the team were not old enough to have been participants when I went to Happening # 8 in the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island in about 1981.

The program really works and part of the testimony to that fact is that it hasn't changed much in all that time. The music was a little more "hip - hop" and yet some songs were upbeat versions of 1970s Faith Alive songs. The presentations were somewhat less formal. The teens sat on the floor instead of in chairs at tables. However, it is the same Holy Spirit that moves heart, minds and lives while, as the Good Book says, Jesus is the same, "yesterday, today and forever." That's probably a loose translation.

On my birthday Brenda through a big 60th bash for me at church. I got a couple of my KAIROS (prison ministry) buddies to come and the three of us entertained. It was so successfull the church decided to have a dinner fund raiser (sept 26th 6 pm) with us as the entertainment. I decided it was time to give the group a name. Since we are all involved in KAIROS which is Greek for a special time, I thought "It's about time" would be a good name for the group.

I've been rolling that phrase around in my soul and brain for a week or so. I even started to compose at The String Shop yesterday. Then this morning it poured out. Here are the lyrics

It’s About Time
Geoffrey Schmitt © 2009

/: It’s about time. It’s about time. :\
‘bout time to seek the Savior ‘bout time to love your neighbor
‘bout time to find a friend ; be ready for the end.
‘bout time for a new beginning, for repentance and forgiving.
Let the love flow in and through you. Let the Lord begin to use you…
It’s about time.

When your battles self-defeat. Bad choices just repeat
For the negative and worse. Let go of the curse. It’s about time.

Chorus

When your current path is blocked; ev’ry way and door is locked;
Find yourself against a wall; and you’re ready for a fall. It’s about time.

Chorus

When your relatives and friends bring their contacts to an end
And you’re home alone again just the TV for a friend. It’s about time!