SCOTT hamilton

Deep Thoughts of Saturday AM

I’m sitting outside on a chilly, overcast Saturday morning.  As I look at the tree we’ve had since we’ve moved in I remember back when it was a 5ft sapling.  It’s bark was baby-butt smooth and soft.   Now its bark from branches down is gnarled, slit, scarred, and jagged. 

It reminds me of life.  As the years passed the soft bark split in order to make way for grow.  From the places I whacked it with the weed-eater when it was young it has grown extra thick, tough bark.  But the whole tree is not old and hardened. 

The branches nearest the leaves still have that baby smooth bark.  This is the place where the leaves stretch out for the warmth of the sun; for the food of light.  It speaks of faith. 

Mark 10:15

“Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

(from THE MESSAGE.)

 And where the bark is most disfigured it is closest to the roots.  And even if you look at the roots themselves they are somewhat grotesque.   They are not a pretty tangle as spaghetti is, but much more an ugly mess of matted hair.  And yet this is what gives it stability, reaches into the depth of nutrients to sustain life especially in the death of winter. 

Rom 5:3-5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

(from New Living Translation) 

There’s the deep thought of Saturday morning.  It sounds like the fan in my computer is dying.  I better take it in soon.

 

Leaving a Legacy

 

2 Tim 1:5

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
NLT

 

Guilty

I got caught.

And since I’ve been busted I might as well confess (Isn’t that the way it usually happens with our public officials).

 

OK.  Here goes . . .

I enjoy going to Bath and Body Works.

“Bath and Body Works?  Isn’t that the girlie store that sells all that frou-frou smelly stuff.”

Yes it is (expletive)!  I had to cuss to retain a certain level of manhood.  Oh how I wish I had a tattoo right now.  And some chewing tobacco.  And a Harley.  And some steel-toed boots.  And a samurai sword . . . wait I DO have one of those.  Only it’s stuck in the wooden holder thingy.  So if I wanted to I could beat you with a shiny stick that has an ornately wrapped handle.

Stand back and behold my manliness. (insert sounds of bass drums or thunder)

So we needed some more soap in the house and off to the aroma palace we went – me and my wife  (BTW she’s the one that got me hooked on these soaps in the first place).  As I’m prancing after my wife through this girlie store carrying six pump-action (yes like a shotgun . . . OK not really) soaps a lady comes up to me and offers me an in-house shopping bag to put them in.

 

Cool.  Until I hear her utter the phrase, “You can tell this story at church tomorrow.”  That cop-car-turning-on-its-light bar-behind-you cold chill went down my spine.  I slowly look up to see Kelly from church.  Busted.

So now I confess that I like going to Bath and Body Works, and I absolutely love those smelly pump soaps.  You know they have the new holiday scents out.  We got Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.  My all-time favorite is Moonlight Path . . .

I’m reaching for my shiny stick with the ornately wrapped handle . . .

Anyway my love for these pleasing aromas reminded me of these verses:

Gen 8:21a

And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice…

 

Phil 4:18b

… It is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God, who accepts that sacrifice and is pleased with it.

 

Eph 5:1-2

 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 

Shattered Faith

Twinkies they just never disappoint.  In fact they last forever.  I read that on the internet.  It’s a fact that these little chunks of spongy heaven will outlast the cellophane they are wrapped in.  And that’s because they are made with a common chemical used in embalming fluid.

 Well if only that were true…

 

But alas the sad fact is Twinkies don’t last forever.  They only have a shelf life of 25 days.  I know this might crush your universe, but there is a possibility that you could open a Twinkie and be disappointed.  That small mound of creamy filled goodness could in fact . . . betray your trust.

And I know that you are asking the question I once asked, “Well if I can’t trust in a Twinkie what CAN I trust in?”  The day I realized this was a very sad day indeed.

 

The fact is everything in this life will disappoint you.

 

Material things.  How long did that new car smell last?

Circumstances.  Ever have something NOT go your way?

Politics.  Ever had a politician you voted for NOT keep a promise?

Relationships.  Ever been hurt by someone you care about?

Yourself.  How long did that New Year’s resolution last?

 

Everything and everyone in this life will betray your trust at some point . . . except one person.

(Hint: It’s the obvious Sunday school answer)

Harmonized Heart-to-Heart

A few years ago I had quite the humorous experience.  It was mid-afternoon at the office and I was making a trip to the restroom.  As I walked down the hall I noticed one of my colleagues following me.  He’s a good guy, great sense of humor –especially in creating awkward moments.  We’re comfortable with each other which played into what transpired next.

 

So I made my way into the last stall and proceeded to go through the oft practiced ritual.  I heard him come in and take position at one of the urinals.  Then he proceeded to strike up a conversation – a slight breach in bathroom etiquette to say the least, but par for the course with this guy.

 

 

Him: “Hey what’s up?”

 

Me: “Not much.  How’s it going?”

 

Him: “Good.  Been busy lately. Know what I mean.”

 

Me: “Yep.”

 

The conversation continued for a few more volleys of small talk, perfect in its call-and-response rhythm, where upon I concluded my business and exited the stall only to realize . . .

 

. . . he’d been on the phone with another person the whole time who was reciting the same lines as me.  With one of those Bluetooth devices attached to his ear he was in this love triangle of conversations – the perfect storm of synchronized dialogue. It was a two-sided chat between three people.  The quirkiness of the whole situation descended on me like a cloud of laughing gas.  I just couldn’t stop.  The more I replayed our perfectly timed exchange the harder I laughed.

 

I wonder how many times I’ve thought I was in sync with God when I was just having a shallow conversation with myself . . .

Update . . . (I lost count)

As many of you have seen at church, Tess is getting around pretty well. Although, her energy level drops off pretty quickly in the afternoon.

We received great news from the Oncologist (people who treat cancer patients). Initially we were given the options of a lumpectomy with chemo/radiation, or mastectomy with hormone therapy. Both paths had their pros and cons and was like comparing apples to oranges. We prayed like crazy that God would guide us in this decision (novel idea...) and were clearly led to a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by 5 years of hormone therapy (fraught with risks itself - stroke, menopause, cervical cancer, etc. . . ).

Friday we went into the oncologist and were told that we were done. Tess needed no further treatment. After questioning the doctor (which he didn't seem to take well) it sunk in that God had healed her completely. Since it was caught early and we were very aggressive in treatment there was no need for the hormone therapy. She is 99.9% breast cancer free.

We had to celebrate

By the way ladies I'm going to get up on my soap box and encourage you to get your mammogram done! The earlier you catch anything the easier it becomes to treat it. I know many ladies are afraid they will find something but that's the point. You owe it to your loved ones.

Tha Bane of the American Church

 

Click picture to zoom
(Image courtesy: http://www.polyp.org.uk/cartoons/consumerism/polyp_cartoon_Rat_Race.jpg)

Update 11

We're Home!!

It's good to be in familiar surroundings. Now we just need to figure out a routine for Tess.

Check out the slippers

Update 10

Well a happy birthday to me indeed. The doc came in, looked everything over, and OK’d us to go home. They have unhooked all the tubes, wires, probes, monitors, battery cables, drip lines, and gas pumps. Tess is feeling like a bird set free. Yesterday she walked the hall three times, she’s on regular foods, and having spurts of orneriness. I can't thank you all enough for your support and especially your prayers. She will spend the next 4-6 weeks regaining her strength and mobility. So, selfishly I beg for your continued prayers.

The best news just came. During surgery they took a few lymph nodes and sent those along with some breast tissue to the pathologist. They checked for any additional cancer. The report came back that she is cancer free,.

Howdy doody and happy birthday to me!

Through this I’ve learned a couple of things:
1. God is good
2. He loves us
3. He has blessed us with incredible community
4. He allowed us the privilege of being used by him to bring glory to his name
5. God is good

OK I knew those before – I just know them a little deeper now

Update 9

Tess is doing OK. She had a coughing attack which spiked her pain. They want to get her walking today and relocated into a different room.

Thank you for your prayers. You mean more to us than you know!