When December hits

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My father’s letters continue to intrigue me.  Today I was looking over a December 23rd letter.  Dad’s job had not worked out, he was on the unemployment roll, and living in Stayner, Ontario.

A few days earlier, he and his brother were both in the same building – the library/museum.  Neither saw each other.  But later on they compared notes. 

“We thought it was a corker that we missed each other.”

I love that word “corker.” 

My father used it often.  Some days, when things happen, I’m waiting to hear my dad mention “that’s a corker.”  If we kids did something unusual, our would pop that word!  Perhaps that’s why I love creativity and innovation. 

Now, isn’t that a corker!

Ties are bad

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I’m not sure what you think of men with ties, but I have a whole new perspective today.

In reading my father’s letters from 1937 I ran across a rather unexpected story.  He and his older brother (both just in their late teens/early twenties) were at a church service outside Stayner, Ontario.  The Brethren in Christ were holding a communion service – a sacred sharing together that shows commitment to Jesus and Jesus’ commitment to us.

To show this sacredness the church had bylaws that governed how you come to communion.  One of those bylaws required that men not wear ties, I’m presuming because of the vanity of such apparel.  And so my dad and his brother were told they could not wear their ties.

Now, as fashionable young men, this certainly must have struck them hard.  Both agreed to not wear ties.  They would have worn ties but they chose not to.  Here’s where their personalities differ.  My father was always a peacemaker – he joined in communion.  My uncle, a feisty type, was at the communion service but did not join in.

Now, here is my question.  Should we all (men) be wearing ties nowadays?  Our culture has changed so much that the fashion is to come up with the nicest open necked shirt we can find.  Perhaps we should wear a plain black tie with our shirts to show our rebellion against worldly influences?  Is this legalism to the last degree?  Does it really matter?

I like ties, they keep my neck warm, cover buttons I might have left undone, and look good.  My father liked ties – I always remember he wore a tie to church.  Perhaps we get too tied up in the fashion of the world and forget the heart of the matter? 

The has been Bean of Life

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Well, our Christmas program ran this morning.  145 people out – a good crowd for us!  The band was great and the play went well.  Food was easily the best in town and the round table discussion was enjoyable.  We had invited 8 others who joined us for a good time together.

The message about Jesus being the Bean of Life came across well and the presentation did not hinder the message at all.  I’m glad we had this time together – I’m already thinking ahead to next year!

The bases we touch

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Today began with a regional community group meeting.  Then home to talk to our local newspaper people about upcoming community plans.  Then off to a talk with someone from another local church.  Then set up for our local Christmas program.  As the day wore on, a nominating committee meeting, a prayer meeting and further set up for our Christmas program.

These are the bases I ran around today.  Now I’m home and the final base is a great place to be!