“My Tie Broke!”

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Introduction: I had another Military Funeral Honors today. Nothing new about that. That is one of my duties I most enjoy. It is not that I am morbid or appreciate death. It is, rather, that I understand that death is a tragedy. It is a result of sin. It is a result of the Fall (Genesis 3).

But through the gospel–and through the gospel only–death is defeated for all those who are in Christ. That is a crucial prepositional phrase.

Story: I checked out the GSA vehicle from the motorpool. Our staff does a phenomenal job, and they are invariably helpful each week as I go to sign out a truck to take to the national cemetery.

I signed for my vehicle, drove to the national cemetery, got in my dress uniform, and went to put on my tie after I had put on my slacks, shoes, etc. Then . . . drama. My military clip-on tie broke. Suddenly, there I was. I had a Military Funeral Honors in less than an hour, and my little brown tie’s clasp had broken off in my fingers.

I called my wife. And I called a buddy, but got his voicemail. The message to both was identical: “Real-world issue. Need tie for funeral. Quick, fast, and in a hurry.”

My wife scoured my closet and found an old one. I threw the truck in gear and drove (perhaps over the speed limit) home. She met me on the drive in front of the house, passed the tie through my down-rolled driver’s-side window, and I pressed the accelerator again, and drove back to the national cemetery.

I made the funeral. The tie worked. I met with the family. I served as their chaplain. I honored the fallen.

But it had not happened without some, “Uh-oh! What now?” moments.

Encouragement: This is all kind of silly to some, perhaps, but not to me, and certainly it would have not been silly to my fellow Service Members or to the body of which I am a part, had I been out of uniform (even through no fault of my own). But it all worked out. I had an extra tie in my closet at home. My wife happened to be home. She happened to pick up the phone when I called. She happened to be able to meet me on the drive in front of our home. And the veteran Marine was honored before his family. It is these moments of grace, of comfort, of, how shall I say it, of trying and blessing, that remind me that it takes a team.

Ever Tried “Fleeing”?

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Introduction: This morning I was reading and thinking through the story of Jonah in the Old Testament book that bears his name. The opening passage is spectacular:

1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.” (Jonah 1:1-6)

Context, Context, Context: Jonah, writing and living in the 700s B.C, was a largely disobedient prophet of God. He was often plagued by self-interest, myopia, recalcitrance, and unforgiveness. He wanted grace but he wanted law for others. And often he found himself afraid and resentful.

Yet God was sovereign and Jonah was not. Stubborn, though? Yes and amen. Jonah was assuredly stubborn.

Encouragement: Ever sought to flee God? Ever thought, “Not today, Lord”? Ever sought to hide “down into the inner part of [your] ship? I certainly have. Yet God is sovereign. He knows what He’s doing–with Jonah, with you, and with me. The point of Jonah is that God is sovereign. God’s message is to go out. And He uses us (we who are often recalcitrant, fearful, and self-centered) to proclaim hope, truth, and redemptive grace to even the Ninevehs in our day.

I Understand Why Some Vets ‘Snap’

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So, I had to take off from work to go to a medical appointment at a VA clinic. My appointment had been scheduled for months in advance. I had letters from the VA, as well as emails, telling me I was good to go for the appointment. So, again, I took off work, and drove with my wife to the VA. When I entered, showed my military ID, driver’s license, and paperwork, Ashely, the nervous receptionist at the counter, said, “I’m sorry, sir. But our doctor is not in. We don’t have anyone to see you. Actually, we don’t even have a doctor. We’ve had some recent skakeups. Please have a seat.”

My wife, sitting in the lobby, knew I’d received yet another round of bad news via the VA. Listen, let me say this: I’m a patriot. I adore being a career soldier and officer, but my experiences with the VA have created a less-than-yummy taste in my mouth for the level of ‘care’ given.

I’d received no phone call, no email, no text–absolutely nothing in terms of service to say that I was not to be seen today. So, I’ve missed work, driven around the state to a VA clinic where I received zero service, and now I’ve been given more 1-800 numbers where I get bounced around, then finally disconnected.

No accountability. Zero. The VA employees get paid to do (something?), but we vets get turned away and/or pushed aside because the VA can’t seem to get its act together.

In Jasper, GA there was a shooting at their VA clinic this year. There was another shooting at the Blairsville, GA VA clinic. And don’t even get me started on the Atlanta VA. It could have been a circle in Dante’s epic poem about hell.

I’m not a psychologist or a private investigator, so I won’t presume to know the motives of those who ‘snapped.’ However, I think any reasonable person might understand why Service Members (I’ve been in for over 25 years at this point) might be somewhat less than pleased when this is the pattern with the VA.

The 1-800 numbers should be called, “Thanks for calling the ‘No-One-Cares.’ Thanks for your service. This is about how much we care about it. Have a nice day.” Click.

Solomonic Wisdom

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Introduction: I was discussing land with a peer from work recently. He was telling me about the family farm he grew up on, and of the possibility that some of his relatives may continue selling off the property that he was reared upon, and of his deep desire to retain the property. His memories are tied to that land. He drove his grandpa’s tractor on that land. He tended cattle on that land. He hunted that land and grew crops on that land, etc. He loves it.

I think many of us can relate to his feelings. He values the land and hates to think that some new guy will come in and make a financial offer the family can’t refuse. Or can they? It can get muddy and quite involved rather quickly because values come into conflict. Should temporary financial gain be the overriding factor? Should nostalgia and family memories get involved? If so, to what degree? The questions could, of course, continue.

Context, Context, Context:  In Proverbs 2, Solomon is imparting wisdom to his son. Wisdom is not just information; it is deeper than that. Folks can often get lots of information, but knowing how to sift, sort, and mine wisdom from information is a skill that must be cultivated.

Text: “if you seek it [wisdom] like silver and search for it [wisdom] as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God” (Pr 2:4-5).

Encouragement: In Mt 13:44, Jesus is teaching, and he says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” He’s teaching of the supreme value of this hidden treasure, the kingdom of heaven. In other words, it’s recognizing the distinction between the temporal and the eternal. So often our appetites are for junk when treasure is available. It’d be like settling for plastic-wrapped donuts from the QuikTrip when a fine cut of beef is available. Wisdom is called for, in order to know how to discern kitsch from jewels. (And yes, I hope my peer’s family keeps their property. We don’t need another strip mall.)

“I Have Something for You”

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*This is not an endorsement of any piece of equipment discussed hereafter.

I was so tired when I got home from work. I’d been up since 0500, but I was not tired from physical labor. Actually, I enjoy physical labor, especially working in the yard–anything to do with the soil, trees, plants, etc. I was tired from what I call “administrivia.” I had had to do a lot of that today at work.

My Mondays tend to be like that–paperwork, management of resources and people, looking at demographics, and kind of seeing not the people themselves but rather pieces of data on a spreadsheet.

And I’m a chaplain and pastor. People are what I love–their spirits, and what undergirds their worldviews.

But today had been one of those Mondays where I was spent–just worn out from administrivia.

But when I finally got home at 1900, CJ met me in the garage.

“I have something for you,” she said.

She knows what I like, so I was suddenly in better spirits.

She walked me to the back deck. She’d purchased a Ryobi limb trimmer.

I was ecstatic.

Some might laugh. Really? they might think. Something to work in the yard?

Yes. Exactly. I love this sort of thing–something to get me outside, where my spirits lift; something to keep me in touch with the smell of trees, even if it’s to prune their dead limbs.

So that’s what I did. I went out with her, and got to work. Thirty minutes later, I had felled several dead limbs, burned them in the firepit, and even watered some new trees I had planted.

Small things, I suppose, is what I’m driving at–the small kindnesses that are done for us, things that move us, things that bring us joy. For some of us, it’s trees–pruning them, trimming them, planting and watering them. And saying ‘thank you’ to the ones who love us enough to know when we need a boost so that we flourish.

CDT #487: Leadership Lessons from Hosea (Part 1)

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Question: What is a wise criterion by which to evaluate leadership?

Possible responses:

  • Mission accomplishment
  • Retention of quality workforce
  • Job satisfaction
  • Growth
  • Pride in the organization
  • Sense of self-worth/value experienced by team members
  • Truth
  • Transparency

Context, Context, Context: In the prophetic Book of Hosea, we have the words of Hosea speaking a parable of warning to his culture in the 700s B.C. when the culture has largely fallen into false religion, shepherds for sale, and morally rotten leadership.

Text: “My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore” (Hosea 4:12).

One thing I love about Scripture is that it tells it like it is. The Bible does not sugarcoat things. It uses imagery, metaphors, and analogies, in addition to narratives, poetry, gospels, and apocalyptic literary genres to reveal the truth about God, about us, and about the only means of salvation: Christ.

The context in verse 12 above concerns how idolatrous people fall under false shepherds, shepherds for sale, and lies. Hosea illustrates ways that the people use a “walking staff” that gives them oracles. And what do those oracles do? They lead the people astray. And the people “play the whore.” They allow themselves to be pimped. That’s strong language, you say? Yes, it is. And it comes straight from Scripture. So, don’t shoot the messenger.

Teaching/encouragement: The point from Hosea as God’s prophet is straightforward: a wise criterion by which leadership is to be evaluated is tied to the quality of transparency and truth of its leadership. This is why Jesus is called the Good Shepherd in Scripture. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He leads His sheep to green pastures. He guards against the wolves. He exposes the darkness. He equips His sheep. He exposes the false. He invites investigation. He is transparent. His work is done in the light.

Reflections Upon McMurtry’s Novel, ‘Lonesome Dove’

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Introduction: For years and years, I had heard about this novel. I even had it on a shelf in my library for years. Finally I resolved to read it. It’s not that I didn’t want to. It was that I have so many books on my TBR list that I’d simply not gotten to it. But the time came at last. And to give you an idea of how highly I found the experience of reading it . . . well, I’m blogging about it. It was spectacular. If you are a serious reader, perhaps you will follow me as I share some reflections below.

Published in 1985 by Texan Larry McMurtry, the novel earned the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1986.

The plot is simple but not simplistic. The story hinges upon the spectacular efforts to leave the tiny community of Lonesome Dove, Texas and ride horseback to Montana to herd cattle back to Texas, and become self-sufficient ranchers and leave Texas Ranger life somewhat behind.

The two main characters are Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae and Captain Woodrow Call. But their group of friends and associates and women and drunks and a boy (Newt), and ex-wives, and a black man/friend/scout named Deets, et al, will leave you with characters in your imagination you’ll not quickly forget. There are also Dish and Pea Eye and Lorena and Clara. The cast of characters is large as the landscapes the story covers, but they all grip you. At least they gripped me. Profoundly.

The stories involved in this tome include their heroisms, defeats, arguments, divorces, adulteries, friendships, betrayals, loyalties, love for the land, battles with Indians, a cowardly sheriff, tough-as-nails women, golden-hearted whores, grave diggers, and more.

So, What’s It Really About? It is difficult not to limit the book in answering that question. But among other things, it’s about friendship, about loneliness, about pride, about grit, about sacrifice, about freedom, about the need for others, about pity, about honor, about violence, and that’s just a start.

I have read hundreds of novels over my many years as a reader and teacher. I have never been one for genre fiction–Westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, etc. But this book, though certainly a Western, was not so much a book as a world.

Let me compare it this way: I love reading the great tragedies of Shakespeare. And each time I read Hamlet, e.g., I’m back in Elsinore. Well, in this novel, I wasn’t in Elsinore; I was in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, Fort Smith, Arkansas, and more. I was simply but profoundly there with them. The story was that good.

The Ending: It’s a long novel, by most people’s standards–just short of 900 pages. So, yes, it takes some effort to stick with it. But I can think of few novels where I wept like I did over this one’s endings. I say “endings” because we as readers see the ends of a host of characters. We come to understand Call in his pride, Gus in his courage, Clara and Lorena, and the beautiful boy, Newt. And when you see what becomes of them, McMurtry rips our hearts out–not in cruelty towards us as readers but in our love for these men and women. I cannot get over how much the scenes between Call and Newt eviscerated my soul. And the last conversation between Gus and Call was simply an example of the best of what great literature provides to us–beauty and pathos and a reminder of the power of love, pride, honor, and sacrifice.

If you will, I simply encourage you to pick up this book. Schedule time. Read it. It took me several weeks, but it was so worth it. I know this will reveal even more of my deep love of great literature, but this book does what great literature is meant to do–remind us of what Faulkner called “the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of [man’s] past. The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.”

And like so much that Faulkner wrote in his best novels and stories, McMurtry, too, earned his place among the greats with this novel.

Soul Food (August 2026)

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The sun was setting. I laced up my hiking boots and set out.

I was only to the first hill and two eight-point bucks were watching me. I could feel something watching me. Outoodrsmen will understand. We can sense eyes upon us.

I spotted the first one on the left. I was watching him as he was watching me. But then another, larger buck was to his left (my right).

I tried to capture him with my old iPhone, too, but he flagged me and trotted down the hill up which he had come.