Greetings friends! It’s the Sunday Night Check-In! Last week I was anticipating the oncoming snowpocalypse here in North Louisiana. We did get some snow, a little sleet, and sub-freezing temperatures. For us, that means a shut down of all but the necessary services. For two days. Now we are still chilly but back to the everyday stuff. I wouldn’t know how to function in any place that had to deal with snow for months at a time.
For me the snow days were the destruction of my diet (aren’t you supposed to eat endlessly while trapped in your warm comfortable home?). I was a stranger to the gym this week (not that anyone would notice). But other than that, it was a minor disruption. What I noticed most was that the two things I dislike the most - dieting and exercise - were the first victims. That might tell me something.
We did manage to meet Wednesday night, although many didn’t feel it safe enough to drive. On the Third Wednesday of each month it is a long Forsythe Church tradition to have a meal together. So, my friend Vera Owens cooked up some chicken and dumplings and it felt like the perfect meal for a cold night together with the Family.
Saturday we said goodbye to my friend Melvin G. Melvin was a longtime member at the University Church of Christ here in Monroe who came our way when UCOC began its journey of closing. When Melvin came in, he certainly drew our attention. With his long gray braids, his winning smile, and the warmth he generated as he talked and loved on the people around him. Melvin’s family is pretty spread out so we didn’t get to have our memorial service until Saturday. His absence over the past three weeks has been so evident.
I went to Melvin’s Tuesday Night Big Book study one night. I think my jaw was on the floor the entire time. I couldn’t believe what a jewel we had with us as he helped friends in recovery see that the way to sober living was Jesus and only Jesus. He had a room full, who were listening and loving every minute. Including me.
Not long before he passed, a few friends gathered around his bed. We talked to him, not knowing if he could hear us. His advanced cancer demanded pain medications that mercifully allowed him to rest. We all talked to him. We prayed. We observed communion there, remembering the body and blood of Jesus that saved us all. And we knew the Lord was with us in that holy moment.
Everyone misses him terribly. I may have shared this before but everyone tells the same story about Melvin. Most of the time when he walked up to you with his hand extended he would ask, “Has anyone told you that they love you today?” Whatever you replied, he would say, “I love you.” I can’t tell you how much I would love to hear him say that one more time. While he was still conscious, he had a friend make a sign that said, “I Am Healed” to place in his room. I believe today he is healed totally, and more than he could have anticipated! One day I will tell him once again that I love him, in the regeneration of all things. For now, we have a wonderful memory of a beautiful brother.
WATCHING
I don’t know if I’m just too picky or there is just a dearth of interesting programming on. Tonight I watched a few episodes of Mary Tyler Moore if that tells you anything. I’m a little jealous of football fans as they have some exciting and important games to watch. I’ll probably watch the Super Bowl if nothing else to see Reba sing the National Anthem. It’s low entertainment but I am enjoying The Traitors on Peacock. It’s a reality game show with a couple of dozen “celebrities” - and I promise I haven’t heard of a single one of them. Most of them come from shows like Big Brother, The Bachelor, Survivor, Real Housewives of wherever and such. What makes it fun is Alan Cumming hamming it up as the murder mystery host - he is fantastic! As I write this four episodes are available. Other people in my house are watching Jodie Foster in the new True Detective season. I do plan to watch it, but I can’t wait a week between episodes. I thought we were beyond this. I’ll binge it later.
READING
I’m reading The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. My friend Brandon Edwards is leading a study group through the book and that has encouraged me to open a book I’ve heard about for many years. I’m embarrassed I haven’t read this 30 years ago. Brandon hosts a live video each Thursday night. It’s not too late to join in! I finished reading Erik Carter’s novella introducing his character Dale Conely, called Get Down. It starts off with a bomb going off, so ‘get down’ is good advice! For some reason over the Christmas to New Year’s holidays, I signed up for a bunch of free ebooks through different groups and now my Kindle is loaded with who knows what! And I get newsletters from the authors asking me how I liked their book. Do you mean the book I got when 50 other books arrived too? Oh well, it’s fun to sort through them when I’m looking for some fiction to enjoy.
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. - Ecclesiastes 12:12
If Solomon had only owned a Kindle.
I had a few funnies from my Facebook memories to share.
Laughter really is good medicine. Solomon knew that too!
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22
SUBSTACK: I’m recommending these newsletters:
What are some Substacks you look forward to reading?
Oh, and case you missed it - a daily picture, passage and prayer can be found at The Holy Lens. (Shameless self-promotion!)
Thanks for reading. Mondays are for getting back on track with things that have gotten out of hand in life, spirit, and work. Refocus, restart, renew. This week will be what you make it. These are things I tell myself as Monday approaches. I’m not saying they are meaningful or that they change anything but if we don’t cheer ourselves on, who will? Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Melvin sounded like quite a guy. I'm sorry for your loss. My uncle passed on Thursday so perhaps they are chatting it up as we speak.
I'm sorry for your loss of Melvin, John. Clearly he was (is!) really special. Thanks to you, I look forward to meeting him myself in eternity, God willing 🥰
Don't be embarrassed about reading Screwtape now - I almost envy you the experience! So many great titles I've never yet touched, and I was a librarian for decades 😄
If you have AMC+ or Acorn, you might enjoy Monsieur Spade - I love the premise: Sam Spade has retired to a French village years after the events of the Maltese Falcon, and an old enemy resurfaces. Sadly they're only streaming one episode per week - I understand how you feel about that!