Shine on, Tebow

Tim Tebow is a bright light shining for all the world to see.  While I am not a great tv sports fan,  I watch the news and his name and face keep popping up, and that merits a post on this and, no doubt, many other blogs.

Lots of people are not shy about their faith. They have enough of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to not be ashamed of Him or what He stands for. They read the Bible and try to put into practice its teachings. Many of them can even be seen bowing their heads and thanking God for  the food in . . . a public restaurant, of all places. Unlike Tim Tebow, however, the cameras are not on them and they might get nothing more than mild ridicule from an insensitive anti-believer. Usually, they do not draw attention at all.

I remember the time when I was a volunteer law-enforcement chaplain. A man from our area was charged with a crime in a neighboring state and given a bed in their county jail. I went over to see him, believing if he really wasn’t guilty, he’d need spiritual assistance. If he was guilty, he’d still need spiritual assistance. So at the end of our across-the-thick-window-on-phones visit, he asked me to pray for him before I left. Of course I did. I prayed quietly and respectful of the fact that there were other people also visiting someone. One lady actually stopped her visit with her prisoner friend and tried to get my attention while I was praying. She wanted me to stop such a practice in such a place. Ignoring her demands, I prayed until I was done because this is America, and I can still legally pray when I visit someone in prison. At least I think so.

Well, this IS America. Here religion is tolerated, if not embraced by most people. I find it unsettling that the public praying posture of a sports figure has drawn such rancor and protest from a probable minority of loud and irreverent voices. You go, Tim Tebow. I may or may not get a chance to watch you on TV, but I’m in favor of your bright light shining and of your freedom to express your faith. I hope, though, that some official never gets the bright idea of slapping you with a penalty for excessive supplication. J

www.quietstreambooks.com

70 Years Ago Today...

I can’t imagine what a 23 year-old sailor from a small town Ohio must have thought 70 years ago today. On the battleship USS Tennessee, anchored at Pearl Harbor, he narrowly escaped the bombing, strafing, and conflagration, and eventually got the good news that his brother, also on board, was OK. The experience marked his life for the rest of his days. He later  married a country girl from rural Washington State, raised  5 children, worked hard, and enjoyed the fruits of the sacrifices of his own generation.

     December 7th had always been a solemn day during my growing-up years.  My dad, Richard M. Cary (Sr.) became the subject of increasing awe as awareness grew of what it meant to be at a place like Pearl Harbor at a time like that.

     So, I am taking the time and space to honor him and his brother (Fred) and the thousands who were there. They were part of the “sleeping giant” that an enemy awakened on that day. In time, the forces of oppression gave way to righteous indignation. I salute those brave men and women who served their country during those years, and I honor their sacrifices.

     Once again we find ourselves standing on the shoulders of the accomplishments of our ancestors. They were mostly ordinary people doing ordinary things. Together, they did them well.

     May God help us to be good stewards of the heritage left to us. May we behave ourselves as good and grateful citizens.  May we vote, pay taxes, write to the people in government, and obey the laws designed to make life better. We are free to do what we can because, 70 years ago, a great generation did what it could to preserve that freedom.

     My God bless you who read and remember, and may He bless the United States of America!

My First Blog!

     Hi. I'm Richard M. Cary. My wife, Linda, told me the other day that I am a man of many words. There is within me an intense desire to communicate. It's more than a desire--it's a deep-seated need. It's always been there. "Dickie, please sit down and be quiet," my Kindergarten teacher almost constantly told me. This sort of admonition followed me in one form or another all the way through school. It just seems to be the way I'm wired.
     By now, my pastoral profession gives great outlet toward meeting my communicative needs, as does my second most favorite activity--writing. That's why I'm doing this blog. Sooner or later, it was inevitable that yet another means of sharing words would be placed at my disposition.
     On the other hand, 13 years of studying and practicing writing have taught me to lasso the ranging herd of words that at times stampedes through my mind. I will do my utmost to keep future blogs as succinct as this one. I would welcome your comments and interaction. The only thing I like better than talking is listening.
     If you'd like to know more about me and my writing, feel free to see my website at www.quietstreambooks.com    For even more info, I invite you to follow this blog and eventually even read some of my books.
     Thanks for stopping by.