Randy Wray’s Blog

I was enjoying our vacation until Oregon lost to Oklahoma last night in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. Whatever happened to the normal bowl names?

That reminds me, I need to get some sponsors for the ‘ol blog. I’d even wear a nike swoosh pin on my lapel during my message on Sunday’s for a sponsorhip fee. All for a good cause! The proceeds would go to the “Send The Wray Children To College” foundation.

Many years ago song book publishers would sell advertising space in the last few pages of the hymnal. This was to offset the cost of publishing the book.

Here’s a few possible revenue generating ideas:

Today’s prayer is brought to you by NEXTEL.

Todays song service is brought to you by MEMOREX!

Today’s message is brought to you by NODOZE!

The Welch’s fruit of the vine and Matzo’s bread is way to obvious.

What other possible sponsorship ideas come to mind?

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I found myself, on many occasions, holding back tears and I wasn’t quite sure why. Was it seeing on screen the images and characters that so long ago penetrated my mind? Was it watching the story unfold in cinematic brilliance as it sprang to life from my childhood memories? Was it the full realization of the spiritual threads weaving their way through the fabric of this story?

During our mini break we decided to make the financial investment and watch The Chronicles of Narnia in the theater. So grateful we did. It was, if you don’t already know, spectacular.

Walking from the theater we asked the children if they knew what the story was really about. They both replied, without hesitation, “it was about Jesus.” We then proceeded to retell our favorite moments in the film.

My moment? When Peter turns to Orieus and says “are you with me?” Orieus replies “to the death sir.” Wouldn’t you like to have someone like that by your side?

Romans 5:6-11 (NCV) When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ’s death. While we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through the death of his Son. Surely, now that we are his friends, he will save us through his Son’s life. And not only that, but now we are also very happy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we are now God’s friends again.

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We visited the National Air & Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center) out in Dulles yesterday. What a great musuem - if you like historic planes and stuff like that. The centerpiece attractions of this museum include the following notable flying craft:

• SR71 Blackbird (It flew from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles on its last flight in 64 minutes)
• Enola Gay
• Concord
• Space Shuttle

They have so many other airplanes and exhibits you could spend hours wandering and looking. My dad used to fly so he particularly enjoyed the smaller planes / jets. We are headed to Baltimore today. Hopefully we will tour the “National” Bass Pro Shops.

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We had more people than I expected at services yesterday. It was an exceptional morning. I truly wish every Sunday was Christmas Sunday. Not for the giving and receiving of gifts but just the way people treated each other. I’m not meaning this to sound like a criticism of our church family. We have a very friendly church family. It’s just that the sentiment of good will and good cheer were kicked up a few notches. It’s the kind of people we need to be each day. It’s the kind of atmosphere we need to cultivate each and every time we gather together.

I spoke yesterday on the wisdom of the wise men and their wise gifts. I contrasted how the story would have been different had wise women been in charge. For example, I joked that if wise women had been the principle characters rather than give an infant Gold, Frankincense and Myrhh they would have given a hat, a blanket, and some diapers.

What are some differences, you can see, if it had been wise women instead of wise men?

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Click here to see the mouse spring the trap and free the food. Don’t worry, the mouse came back later and ate the fudge off of the floor. Yuck! Doesn’t he where that fudge has been?

I’ve made a full-feature presentation (about 7 minutes) with sophisticated editing, cinematic brilliance and an award winning score. I’ll be selling copies for $19.95 to benefit the Fumigate My Office fund (FMOF). Place your orders now to avoid the rush.

My parents are here for Christmas and we will be having a house full of church friends to eat Christmas Eve dinner. I’ve promised the children a short sermon (cheaper than buying an XBOX) and we will open our presents after church.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

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The mouse has been caught . . . . . on video tape with his two friends having a party in my office. I kid you not. I have actual footage of not one mouse but three mice, two of which who appear to be NFL linemen, spring the traps and eat the fudge.

They are running all over my former office having a grand ol’ time. One of them, a modest size rodent, got his leg caught in the trap and just shook it off his foot. I’m telling the truth. If I’m lying then Greg has to send me a certain electric guitar. Better yet, If I’m telling the truth Greg has to send me said guitar.

The gluttonous fudge feast is coming to an end thanks to some serious chemical laden glue traps and DECON. I’ll spare you the rest of the details.

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The word loyalty has disappeared from the vocabulary of the modern day baseball player. It has been replaced with money, money, money. Johnny Damon moves from the Red Sox to the team that must not be named? Next thing you’re going to tell me is that Nomar Garciaparra is going to the Dodgers. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to use such a foul word in my post. I’m just a little cranky this morning.

I’m a little frustrated and distracted this morning as the mice have returned. Two times two traps have been sprung, picked clean. This proves two things: mice are smarter than we give them credit and mice like fudge. I even set up my video camera last night (in super night shot mode) to catch the little rodents in the act. They just waited ninety minutes and had their little party in my desk drawer. Yes, they have managed to find a way into my bottom desk drawer and consumed two packets of Ketchup. Nothing goes on fudge like Ketchup. I’m expecting to see a grocery list in mouse script sometime soon.

To get back on track here are more thoughts from Henri Nouwen, The Return of The Prodigal Son:

The true prodigal. I am touching here the mystery that Jesus himself became the prodigal son for our sake. He left the house of his heavenly Father, came to a foreign country, gave away all that he had, and returned through his cross to his Father’s home. All of this he did, not as a rebellious son, but as the obedient son, sent out to bring home all the lost children of God. Jesus, who told the story to those who criticized him for associating with sinners, himself lived the long and painful journey that he describes.

I’ve been mulling this excerpt over and over in my mind. The stones have been in the tumbler for some time now (no pun intended Steve) waiting to emerge as polished agates.

Jesus suffered the same treatment for his obedience that we experience for our disobedience. Our decision to walk away from the Father, to leave the dwelling place of the Father behind, led us on a journey to become the very people Jesus was hated for sharing with his meals. His decision, to be obedient to the Father, lead Jesus on a journey to woo us back to the safety and security of life with God.

Isaiah 53:3-6 (NCV) He was hated and rejected by people. He had much pain and suffering. People would not even look at him. He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him. But he took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. We saw his suffering and thought God was punishing him. But he was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the LORD has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done.

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If you are looking for a good holiday rental give the film Millions a try. Here’s a synopsis:

Starting anew after the death of their mother, 9-year-old Anthony is ever practical, while his 7-year-old brother Damian uses imagination, fantasy, and faith to make sense of his confusing world. When a suitcase full of money falls out of the sky at Damian’s feet, it sets the boys on the adventure of a lifetime that leads them to realize that true wealth has nothing to do with money.

Two words of advice. First, there is one scene in which the two boys look at woman wearing a bra and make comments as would a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old boy. Now that I think about it so would a 29-year-old and 37-year-old boy.

Turn on the English sub-titles. The movie, set somewhere in England, uses the Queen’s English and you will miss some of the beginning dialogue as your ear is not yet tuned to the dialect.

It’s truly a great story. I look forward to reading your comments regarding the film.

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I won’t go so far as to say I was lied to or deceived. We went to the Kennedy Center last Friday night to see the Messiah. He was not present. They did have a bunch of singers and orchestra people.

It was a great experience on many levels. The music / singing was excellent. Of course, when your frame of reference for the recent past has been middle school musicians it’s a dramatic contrast.

It was fascinating to watch the violin players. The individuals I was watching all played the same parts but all played the same parts differently. The first chair was flamboyant and expressive. The second chair looked like one of the grumpy grandpa’s from the muppets. He sat rigid and stonefaced the entire performance. I guess he was still upset about not being first chair. A couple of rows behind them was a violin player whose posture was that of someone playing the violin in a recliner. On and on, same piece different playing style.

The alto solos were sung by a countertenor (in other words falsetto). He was about 6′2” bald, large, and wore an outfit similar to that of a Star Fleet admiral. Picture Dr. Evil and you’ve got a good idea of one of the soloists.

I was also struck, again, by how you have to know what’s going on. No one tells you. No word when to clap, when not to clap. It’s tradition to stand during the Hallelujah Chorus. No one tells you this. Fortunately Beth told me right before the moment came to stand. I think about people who come into our celebrations of Christ and how lost they must be (literally) in our liturgy.

All that withstanding, it was a great evening. The venue was amazing. The presentation was first class. It truly was one of the top gifts I’ve received.

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A snow / ice storm blew through yesterday and all the schools closed early. Today, however, feels like the first day of spring. Crazy, crazy weather.

We had dinner last night with the family of Madison‚Äôs best friend from school. The dad came from an Amish background. His grandfather was Amish until he decided to buy a tractor. The tractor purchase led to other modern innovations and now the family runs and owns two RV dealerships, right in the heart of Amish country, in Pennsylvania. With all due sensitivity and respect, because I really don’t want to make fun of the culture and ways of the Amish people, I couldn‚Äôt help but chuckle at the thought of the slippery slope.

Tonight it’s dinner with some friends and off to the Kennedy Center for this evenings performance of The Messiah. We’ve never been to the Kennedy Center so it should be a memorable experience.

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