Randy Wray’s Blog

I can hear it now, “What? The moral standing of animals?” You shake your head and say, “He’s gone of the deep end. Time to find a new blog to read!”

I admit the notion of a moral standing for animals is confusing. Yesterday’s events got me thinking (which is always a dangerous thing) more about the place of animals in our life.

Admittedly, the first time I ever heard the words “moral standing” and “animals” together in the same sentence was a few weeks ago when one of our church members asked for advice on the matter.

Since that time, I’ve done a little bit of research, I’ve read a book I absolutely hated and I’m currently reading a book that though disturbing makes some valid points.

For example:

“When did you last hear any Christian minister caution against cruelty to animals?”

Some of the key terms which define this discussion include dominion, pain, cruelty, humane, stewardship and suffering.

Some of the key issues which encompass this discussion include factory farming, hunting, (strangely fishing has been excluded from the material I’ve read so far) and animal ownership.

I know there are serious needs in this world involving people. I know there are many worthy causes which focus on the sanctity of human life. I also know we tend to focus and talk about things we are not in a position to do anything about.

I’ve been working and developing some of my own thoughts on the subject that I plan to share, perhaps tomorrow. I wanted first to get some of your thoughts and ideas on the subject.

What are your thoughts regarding our responsibilities to animals? I’m especially interested in the idea of “silence” on the matter on the part of believers and ministers.

Yesterday, while walking to a meeting at the church building, I found a baby turtle. This was an unexpected find, especially in our neighborhood. The turtle (which was very small) was on the sidewalk and looked parched. Don’t ask me what criteria I used to determine the critter was parched.

I picked the turtle up and took him/her to the office with the intent of showing him to the kids. I got a large plastic bowl, filled it with dirt, grass, and a water bottle capful of water. Cut the requisite air vents in the lid and placed the container in a light muted region.

As you might guess the kids loved looking at the turtle and immediately began to question, “can we keep it?” Kind of reminds me of what Beth said when she first met me: “He’ so cute, can I keep him?” Well, she remembers it one way and I have my own version!

I found the turtle right next to an abandoned lot, the eyesore of the neighborhood. Since we had a huge mid-west style thunderstorm Saturday night, I figured the turtle had been washed down onto the sidewalk and was having difficulty returning to its lush, forest like surroundings.

I explained to the kids that removing this turtle from it’s “natural habitat” meant caring for and providing daily food for him/ her. That the decision to keep the turtle meant the decision to be responsible for the well-being of the turtle not just for the next few days but for the life of the turtle.

Surprisingly, the kids quickly decided that it was better to put the turtle back from whence it came (though they did not use the word whence) that the turtle could remain a wild turtle. Come on sing with me now: “Born Free . . .” I hope they take more time making the decision to care for their aging parents!

How about you? Do you have any fond memories or funny stories of finding animals you’ve wanted to keep?

By the way, no turtles were harmed in the writing of this blog.

What on earth did we ever do before credit cards?

Yesterday while spending a few moments watching television (between my memorization of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin translations of the Bible) Beth and I saw a commercial for a particular brand of credit cards. No, not the “priceless” series which, though they are innovative, are still somewhat bothersome.

This particular commercial depicted the various stages of life and the indispensable role credit cards played in each life stage. That’s right for every life stage they have an appropriate credit card.

Beth and I both had the same negative reaction. Their message, clearly conveyed in this commercial, is without credit cards you are unprepared to face the many stages of life. As my grandpa used to say, “hogwash!”

Don’t get me wrong, I know there are practical uses for credit cards (guitars, fly-rods and other essentials). I know there are times when using a credit card is both expedient and required.

I also know that I have relied too much on the “purchasing power” of the credit card. I know that in so doing I have not learned very well to be content with what I already had.

Take a look at these stats:

The average American household has 13 payment cards, including credit cards, debt cards and store cards.

There are 1.3 billion payment cards in circulation in the United States.

Americans made $1.1 Trillion worth of credit card purchases in 1999.

Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in credit card debt from month to month. If one were to make only the minimum payment on that debt every month, it would take 30 years to pay off - and include an additional $15,000 in interest.

On average the typical credit card purchase is 112% higher than if using cash

We don’t talk much about debt and credit card debt in church circles anymore. I wonder why that is? Oh sure we use Romans 13:8 often, but this is usually when the church leaders are talking about a new building program.

Where and how should this dialog begin?

The Thank You note is one odd, powerful creature. I’m certain there are manuals available listing the correct procedures and protocols for the Thank You note. Unfortunately, I have not seen or read any of the manuals.

Having not read the manuals I often encounter scenarios which lead me to wonder if a Thank You note is in order. For example, if someone sends you a Thank You note for some nice thing you did should you send them a Thank You note for sending you the Thank You note - a nice thing which they did?

I am not a habitual Thank You note writer. I can quit anytime! I go through cycles of writing Thank You notes. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the importance of Thank You notes which is why we make our kids write Thank You notes for every gift they receive!

If you can establish when a Thank You note is in order, I will instruct you on the fine art of writing the perfect Thank You note. Actually, I will let one of Reese’s friends do the instructing.

Reese attended a birthday party for a friend of his named Matthew. Reese gave Matthew a gift-certificate to Toys-R-Us. Matthew wrote and sent a Thank You note to Reese and in so doing has provided a great model for writing the perfect Thank You note.

Step 1: Draw your own picture. Forget that store bought sentimentality. Get out your crayons, colored pens, colored pencils and draw your own picture.

Here’s Matthew’s picture:

Step 2: Write something from the heart that expresses both your appreciation and your faithful stewardship of what you have received.

Here’s what Matthew wrote:

Don’t you just love it! Especially the part about spending it wisely!

Thank You Matthew for sharing with us the fine art of the perfect Thank You note.

Wisdom is often found in unusual places. Take for instance the noble sages of the music entertainment industry.

Normally I do not go searching for wisdom among rock and roll icons. Normally wisdom is not found in these circles.

Though in this case, surprisingly, great wisdom has been found nestled within these lyrics of Bob Dylan:

You may be an ambassador to England or France;
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance;
You may be the heavy-weight campion of the world;
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls;
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Yes indeed you’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Well it may be the devil or it may be the Lord but you’re
gonna have to serve somebody.

He’s right. The thing is we all know he’s right. The other thing is knowledge alone does not seem to help most of us.

If I do not intentionally choose to serve the Lord I accept, by default, all the other choices. To not choose is impossible. It is not a viable option. To not choose means I have rejected the Lord and pledged my allegiance to another master.

Jesus said:

No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches. (Matthew 6:24)

He’s right. I know what you are thinking. “Of course Jesus is right! What kind of preacher boy doesn’t know that Jesus is right!” The thing is we all know he is right. The other thing is knowledge alone does not seem to help most of us.

These words of Jesus, taken in context, relate to our obsession with possessions. Something fresh on my mind as I sort through the contents of my office (see yesterday’s post).

The underlying principle, however, is the same. We choose, that’s right we’ve been trusted to make our own decision, our own master. We have been given the freedom, Lord knows why, to choose what or who we will serve.

And choose we must. For, “. . . it may be the devil or it may be the Lord but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Tuesday is normally the day I sketch out my upcoming Sunday message, plan the weekly assembly and put together the weekly small group lesson. These three things are interrelated and thus I like to work on them together. I like to get an idea of where the text is going so that once the outline is set the message can simmer in my mind.

There will be significant simmering today as my office is in a serious state of disarray. Our offices are located in the basement of the church building and water has been seeping through my exterior wall. It has been happening for some time now, long enough for there to be space sufficient to allow the free entry of mice.

Yes, Bernard and Bianca have been partying in my office. “Evidence” of their activity abounds - some of which extends even into my desk drawers. I have no idea how or why. I’ve got half of my office pulled out into the conference room (which has been cleaned) and the other half is waiting to be rescued.

With all that going on I feel somewhat distracted. That and I’m still on West Coast time which means I’m staying up late and getting up early. There are always these types of distractions. You have the same experiences. We feel the tension between the important and the urgent. The important things and the urgent things, you realize, are not always one and the same.

If you think about it, from now on, pray for me on Tuesday. Pray specifically for my heart, for my ears to be open to the leading and the voice of the Spirit in these, the early stages of the message. Pray that I will hear and prepare the words God intends for us to hear.

Our beloved 1997 Chevy Silverado 4×4 Z71 went to a new home last February. A moment of silence please. I’m just now getting serious about looking for a new ride.

The part I dread most about getting a new car is the process of getting a new car. I’ll be excited about the end result it’s just that whole car dealership, car salesman thing. My other issue is I can’t decide what vehicle to get.

Beth and I are in the process of negotiating:

I say “Hummer,” she says “bummer.”

I say “Corvette,” she says “Chevette.”

I say “Expedition,” she says “I respectfully reject your petition.”

I say “Tahoe,” she says “ah no”

A friend of ours said “Sequoia,” we both said “how much money do you think we make a year?”

So, now I’m open for suggestions. Maybe I’ll just get a horse.

It’s time to go back home and I can’t wait to see my family! It always feels like I’ve been gone a few days too many.

The flight is about the same length on the return trip but the time difference (moving ahead three hours) makes the day fade quickly.

I still think the best part of traveling is going home. Seeing the lovely face of my wife, hearing the excited voices of my children and seeing their grins melts my heart. The kids are always excited to see me and always excited to see if I have brought them a prize. Hopefully in that order!

Perhaps that will be the best part of our journey. Going home. Seing the lovely faces of those we love. Hearing the excited voices of the children of God.

Seeing the face of Jesus. Hearing the voice of God asking Jesus, “What did you bring me?”

Feeling the hand of Jesus, on the small of your back, as he gently pushes you towards God as he says, “Here’s the prize I bought for you.”

Standing there, seeing that huge grin on the face of God, hearing him say your name, hearing him say “welcome home.”

Brady Smith (my brother-in-law and missionary in Switzerland) taught a class yesterday, here at the Pepperdine lectures, focusing on the life of Jacob and Esau. Specifically he was calling us to consider what God was doing through the lives and experiences of these men.

The dialogue with text was refreshing and engaging. Of course no one in the class complained when he began his class by handing out swiss chocolates.

Brady focused on the rather complex dynamics of the relationships between Jacob and Esau and the other major and minor characters which comprised “all in the family.”

Their life was more like a soap opera and less like a flannel board story. The familiar relationships brought out the worst in everyone while God was seeking to bring out the good in everyone. That was a captivating thought.

Why does it seem that those we know best often bring out the worst in us? That those we barely know seem to bring out the best in us? Is that not simply backwards but a distorted reality?

Sometimes the fringe benefits are the best part of a conference or lectureship.

Now I know all you high powered executive types get some cool fringe benefits at your conferences. T-shirts, hats, calculators, tote bags (an NRECA favorite), multi-function pens, and tickets to major golf tournaments are just some of the freebies that many of you have received.

At the Pepperdine lectures, the best fringe benefit involves people. No, they are not giving away people this year. The chance to see friends and relatives, to have a cup of coffee with a piece of pie and catch up with each others is, as the popular commercial suggests, priceless.

I seem to get less and less out of the speakers and more and more out of the talks. The talks which concern our families our friends and the faithful moving of God in our lives.

We share our family pictures. We talk about the exploits of our children on the softball diamond, the soccer pitch, the stage and the classroom.

We share our cares and concerns for our children. We share angst and anguish over the decisions of our kids as they struggle to grow up. We hold hands and pray, asking God to soften hearts, to protect, to lead our children into fulfilling relationships with us as parents and with the Lord as God.

I’ll take that over a tote-bag any day.