The Power of the “V”

In my head I was traveling at full speed.  I needed to handle some banking, stop by the grocery, make a drop off at the church, make a pickup at a business, meet with a client, phone calls, and be home in time for the kids to get off the bus…I need to switch lanes, ‘cuz this guy in front of me is traveling slower than my grandmother, on a Sunday morning, in her wheel chair, I need to change the channel ‘cuz this guy just isn’t cuttin’ the mustard…just a feeling of being overwhelmed, underconfidant, and as if I wasn’t getting anywhere.  I needed some support, encouragement…that I was on the right track and I just needed to keep pressing forward.

Suddenly, the world sort of…stopped.  I saw a flock of Ducks in “V” formation flying overhead and in my head I was immediately zapped to my gym, working out, and listening to a speaker talk about the basics behind the flying “V” (and the Disney movie, “The Mighty Ducks”)  He spoke of them with such elequence.  You see, ducks are fearless.  They fly together.  And when they get into a “V” formation, science proves they fly many times farther, and longer, and faster than when they try to do it on their own.  The duck in the lead at that time heads up the pack.  He’s in front leading the way and at the same time streamlining through the air making way for those behind, while those behind cheer on the leader.  Let me write that again.  The qucking you hear overhead…is them cheering on the duck in front.  They take turns leading the pack, and thus take turns giving and receiving that ever-so-needed amount of encouragement. 

You can do it! 

Your in the lead! 

Take us there! 

We’re right behind you! 

We’re right here with you!”

What an incredibly picturesque model for us as Christians to follow, but I ask myself…how good of a job do I do in the building and encouraging of others…when they absolutely need it.  I ask you the same.  How many words of encouragement fall from your lips as opposed to those which tear others down.  Are you conscious of it?

Can I encourage you to this?  Be like the ducks.  We should be fearless.  With God for us, who is against us?  believe that God is in control.  Place it in his hands.  And rally around others.  Help lift them up!  Be an encourager to others, because there will inevitably come a time when you will be out front needing others behind you to help lift you up.  Of this I am certain in a World Gone Mad.

Gear Up

     Fall is upon us, and we are in the midst of gathering, shopping, and packing school supplies…but how do we gear up for our spiritual battle?

     I have people all day long tell me, “Yea, I need to spend more time in devotions” or “I need to get back into devotions” and I tell them, “Well, when it becomes more of a priority…you will.”  It is the same thing with saving for that one item you must have, losing weight, or whatever is is that we “wish” for which is such a losing proposition.  What genie do we expect to jump out of a bottle and give us three wishes of infinite choice?  What universe do we live in once again?  Who made us?  Gave us what we have?  And can take it away in a flash?  And we spend how much time with him every day?

     Can we not take 30minutes aside to read in his word, be still, and know that He is God?  We spend hours and hours practicing b-ball for the big game, football for the big tournament, and hundreds of dollars on equipment and supplies for our kids to go school so they can learn and hopefully apply it to their lives…well…why not spend a little time getting ready for the spiritual battles we face everyday?  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood” ring any bells?

     C’Mon folks, let’s get serious about what we go through, and the main being who is willing to walk through it with us.  He made himself a meager and mortal man, went through hell on earth while we crucified him, and came back from the dead so that he may make full payment for the crap we do and prep a place for us in Heaven.  Can we spend a few minutes talking with him everyday?  I think we can.

Gotta’ Use Soap

     My folks used to have this great and very powerful blue impala.  When I was a kid, my uncle would take me to the store, in their car, and show me just how powerful it was.  I tend to be a little OCD when it comes to keeping my own vehicle clean, and back then I wanted to help my folks keep theirs clean.  Mom was not so particular about a clean vehicle.  Quite often you could find wrappers, napkins, and sometimes sucker sticks lining the floorboard, seats, and at times, even the dash.

     On this day, I wanted to change that for them.  I broke out the hose and away I went.  I began spraying the front, sides, and the back of their car.  As the water ran down the metal I could see the gleam in the sunshine reflect my own smile in hopes that I was actually helping my parents.  As it dried, I noticed the dirt was not gone.  I would spray again and again, yet the dirt remained.  Icouldn’t understand it.  I had the water on, using the elbow grease, spraying directly at the dirt, but without a clean response.  I just didn’t get it.  And then my father came up and mentioned that perhaps it would be easier if I used soap. 

It dawned on me that cleaning the car is a little like cleansing our soul.  We can scrub as hard as we want with the water directly on it, with little or no actual cleaning taking place.  And then our heavenly Father steps up and asks if we would like a hand.  HE uses his own, specially made soap made of HIS own blood, sweat, and tears.  I don’t know about you, but I certainly see it as a blessing, privilege, and almost like a warm, cozy, security blanket that the king of kings, and my heavenly Father is more than willing to dwindle to my imperfection to clean my soul and create a place in the life-hereafter for a bum like me in nothing less than a World Gone Mad.

Got Service?

          

The boys are back in school, and my wife comes home from work recalling the movie, “You’ve Got Mail” and she pointed out the “bouquet of pencils”.  I can’t say that I have actually seen one in person, and perhaps that is a shame.  So we decided to pull the videocassette out of the moth balls and see if the vcr still worked.  It must have been a surprise to the tiny vcr trolls sleeping inside the vcr to be awaken from a deep multi-year sleep as we slowly pushed the delicately decaying cassette into the 4 year old box…hoe appropriate considering the movie plot surrounds a small New York Children’s book shop who faces a large, impersonal discount book store who pushes deep discounts and deep chairs setting beside lamp stands holding cappucino sold there at the store while “The Shop Around the Corner” emphasizes personal service and knowledgable personnel about the subject matter they are providing to the city.

Of course, both proprieters believe in their store, but gauging this dilemna against reality, I just gotta’ ask…”How true is this in today’s world?”  I can walk into Wal-Mart and ask an associate about a product which they advertise is sold in their stores, which they have no clue how to find, or worse yet how to sell it or work it.  I have recently been exposed to 4 different Wal-Marts in 4 different cities.  None were the same.  And no one had a clue.  My wife and I used to visit Meijer in Southside Ft. Wayne, IN while in college and we did so because we knew, without a doubt, that we would not be approached by any one salesperson.  Last year we checked out the local Meijer once again to see if anything had changed.  Different town. Different Meijer…same experience.  Not one associate greeted us, or asked if we needed help.  A true shame.  I believe our great grandmothers would have turned in their graves to experience such a lack of personal service.  Where has it gone?  Why do people take no pride in their service?  Their store?  Do they not teach that anymore?  I walked into a fast food restaurant, a McDonald’s, placed my order, paid, and received my change…4 one dollar bills, and every last one of them were facing a different direction.  I walked away wondering, “Was she not trained, or does she not care?” 

I can easily recall working years ago as a cashier during college and thought it a supreme tragedy for my cash drawer to be out of order.  Each dollar bill has its place and its order, creased in half to quickly and easily count it back to my customer.  I wanted the people who walked through my line to feel as if it were a good experience.  I wanted to them to return, and wait in my line as opposed to others.  I wanted them to enjoy their experience with me…hokey?  Perhaps, but I don’t see that today, at least not in most places.

Is there anything wrong with having a big superstore in the town?  Nope.  There is something wrong with either the training (lack thereof) of the associates, or maybe it is the employees who could care less about the people and are simply there to get the paycheck, which in turn means that there should have been a better screening during the interview process.

I was turned on to a small shop in Fort Wayne by a friend of mine who said he paid $25 for a pair of socks.  Allow me to reiderate that…it was just one pair of socks for $25.  I am used to paying that for a decent shirt.  Of course, in terms of service, and many would agree with me when I say, “with quality”…you do indeed get what you pay for.  If you go to a discount superstore, I guess you can no longer expect service, but let ne tell you about my experience at Andrew Davis Menswear in Ft Wayne, IN.  I was sent a $50 gift card from them recently (which means I can at least buy 2 pairs of socks…how sweet is that?) It was like, 5 minutes until closing for the day.  I was greeted with a kind and friendly, “Hello, welcome to Andrew Davis, can I help you find anything in particular today?”

“Wow” I thought.  “I am not being met with pitchforks and swords daring me to step closer into the store for they are closing in 3 minutes-type-attitude!”  “Wow”.

I told him that I was looking for another pair of khakis, and that I know they are closing in just a few minutes, so I will be as quickly as possible.  Get this…this gets me to this day…he says…

“Not to worry, sir.  We’re glad you’re here.”  He was actually sincere about it on top of all that.  I thought to myself, “What incredible universe did I just step into?  Did I slip into the Twilight Zone on the way down?”

He showed me their selection of slacks including the ones on discount which amounted to roughly $400…which was the sale price.

     I said thank you and began looking, while he stepped away.  He said she will be right over as soon as she gets off the phone.  He was referrring to the other associate in the store.  The place was clean.  Clothing was in its place and the atmosphere was welcoming.

     Within moments she had crept up behind me and asked if there was an occasion or a certain type of pants for which I was looking.  She took a few moments to point out the difference in the fabric, the slacks, the pricing, the sale, and pointed out a few other corners of the store which also held slacks and, in addition, she also mentioned that they can special order just about anything ai see there on the table…it would simply take a few days.

     I slowly walked towards the shows where a 40″ plasma hung overhead with the gentleman associate sitting nearby watching the b-ball game.  He quickly asked me to excuse him and grabbed his stool and moved out of my way.  He didn’t stay there and continue to watch the game.  He didn’t ask me to move so that he could finish the game as if I was in his way.  I felt of value to them as a custmer, and a returning customer.  He pointed out the differences in leather and the brands of shoes and the sizes as well which they could easily order.

     I was overwhelmed with customer service and the feeling of importance to the extent of that which I have neder felt to an associate as I perused their product and/or service.  It was a great experience and I dreaded walking out of there without making a purchase, which I have never felt while walking out of any store.

     I would highly recommend it.  That’s Andrew Davis Menswear, Ft. Wayne, IN and tell them that the Bakerboy himself sent you…help out a poor, humble, podcaster, huh?  Maybve they’ll give me a discount next time…I could use it in a World Gone Mad.

Submerged in the music

  All my life I have been a music guy.  Growing up I loved flipping the radio on to some good tune-age, kickin’ back, and allow myself to be swept into a world of imagination.  I have carried that tradition with me all my life.

Today I have a few more elements in my home stereo which are significantly better at portraying the true audio in the sound of the tune-age to which I rock and the immersion of my head and soul in the movies I watch.  Technology (and a better paying job) have contributed to the well being of happy ears as they whisper to me constantly…”Turn it up, man, I love this song!”

My kids now do the same thing, and sweet enough…to the same songs!  I like to refer to it as an ingenious blood line which only God himself could have assembled.  He did a fine job if I do say so myself…and I’m not just stating the facts to brag about my sons.  Given the opportunity I’m quite certain they would agree.

One question which popped up recently as I was reaching to pump up the volume, was the question, “Why?”  Why do we find ourselves reaching for the remote, voice command module, or radio knob in our automobile when we come upon a tune or movie we thoroughly enjoy?  Is it just so that we can hear it a little better?  Perhaps we are simply trying to share our music with the rest of the neighborhood at a level which they too can enjoy.  We are simply sharing the gifts which God has endowed to us, right?  It is harmless, officer!  I wasn’t attempting to create a noise disturbance…my faith teaches me to share and share alike.  I am displaying agape love to all within hearing distance of my Bose 4000 series…and the latest KJ52 album.  I do not ask that they return the favor with their music of choice…in fact I am not even charging my neighbors for the privelege of hearing such a fine musical selection on pristine audio equipment.  I offer this as another bonus of my living in the same vicinity of all who are able to hear this blessed music through the walls of my humble abode.

We want to be engolfed, enveloped in the music in which we have fallen in love.  It sweeps us away from the ordinary if only for a few moments.  And sometimes, in a world gone mad…it is all we need before we dash back into the frey with our gloves on, ears pricked, and ready for action.

99 Balloons

I saw this by accident. It was unintended. I hadn’t heard of it before, thought I would give it a try…I had a few moments to sparre…but only a few. This short film touched my heart and reminded me of the love of a father for an imperfect world. May it be as much of encouragement to you as it was to me.

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