Traveling the Rock Road

I gotta admit, I didn’t care much for Gus; he was loud, a braggart, and everything that came out of his mouth was laced with profanity. The thing that got to me most was when he’d talk about his tour of duty in Viet Nam. I have friends and family that fought in that war that would never tell the stores Gus did, they either described it like nothing anyone could imagine or they just didn’t talk about. But Gus told tales about going AWOL, sleeping on guard duty and all the girls he got to know in Saigon. If he talked about warfare it would be the craziest story he could come up in an effort to draw as much laughter as he could. Not wanting to hear his nonsense, I’d stay as far away from Gus as I could.  Having coffee with a friend at work, who happened to be a Korean War veteran; I told him how I didn’t care much for Gus and his obnoxious mouth, and how I found his comments on what he did in the war offensive to all that served. I was gently but firmly rebuked with, “You don’t understand Gus, and since you never served you mostly like never will. He saw more than his share of combat and death, telling his jokes and making others laugh is his way of dealing with the misery that he doesn’t talk about; it like a protective wall he’s put up so he doesn’t have to remember or talk about the bad stuff. Gus is okay; had you served you would understand.” I don’t think I totally bought my friend’s explanation of Gus but I never brought him up again. My thought was “If Gus wants to build a wall to hide behind that’s up to him, I’ll just stay on the other side so I don’t have to deal with the jerk!”

I thought I had remedied my problem with “Gassin’ Gus” as I called him when he took a job somewhere else and I didn’t have to see or hear him anymore. That would take care of the problem; or would it?

Some twenty years passed and I had all but forgotten about old Gus, that is until I ran into him at a store last Christmas. He was heavier gray and wrinkled but I knew him as he recognized me the moment our eyes met. I couldn’t help but notice the hat he was wearing, a hat that identified him as a Nam Vet. He told me he got that when he went on the Honor Flight that summer to D.C.  Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. “First time you ever been there?” I asked “Yes it was.” “So what did you think?” Something then happened I’d never saw in Gus before; he became eerily quiet and stared off as if he was seeing something no one else could. “I was alright, until I got to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall and saw how large it was will all the names. I found the locations of men’s names I served with who didn’t make it home, and it all came flooding back in my mind.” His voice had drawn quiet and even cracked a little. “So Gus, are you okay after being there?”  A little smile and then “I don’t think I would have been if it hadn’t been for what happened when we got back to the airport. When we all got off the bus and entered the terminal people had lined up on both walls and applauded loudly as we walked down the aisle, many shook our hands and thanked us for our service. I was still doing pretty well until I saw this little girl smiling at me. I smiled back and went to shake her hand; never got the chance! Before I could take another step she ran up and gave me a hug that literally brought me down on my knees where I cried like a baby while I held that child.” Looking through glassy eyes he finished his story by saying, “I had never been more proud of serving my country than I felt that day.”

AND THE WALL CAME TUMBLING DOWN!

I’m glad our time together was finished, because I barely made it to my car before the tears ran down my face. I said a little prayer, “God thank you for a softened heart; that was Gus. And thank you for pointing out a jerk who needs to be less judgmental about others; that would be me!

Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”

I’ve had to wonder since that day what could have happened if I made an attempt to understand and like Gus when I first met him; could I have made a difference in breaking down his wall? I then realized, I had walls of my own that needed to come down.

For my man Gus, it took a memorial wall and a small child with a big hug to tear down the personal wall he hid behind.

For this “Traveler of the Rock Road,” I must remember what it took to break down my walls. For if I leave them up how will anyone see what makes a difference in my life? How can I tell of the child I bow my knee to, the one who can bring me to tears? How can anyone see the love that is in me now because of a “Child in a Manager.”

This season break down your walls.

A Merry and Blessed Christmas, Friends and Family!

See ya next time,

I have a heart for folks who work in stores like department or convenience stores, many of these people work hard for small wages, still I salute their spirit for wanting to work. (Now this isn’t about the debate on minimum wage or anything so stay with me.)  During the Christmas season the load can really get heavy with longer hours on their feet waiting on customers, constantly restocking products and the like. So, I make sure I’m always pleasant to these souls whenever I can. Just the other day I was in one of our local retailers waiting in a long line to get checked out. The gal at the register was working feverishly to get everyone through and out the door. When it was my turn I greeted her with a smile that she acknowledged only for an instant. Then I said, “I just want to say thank you for your diligence and hard work to take care of this mob that comes through here this time of year; you do an awesome job and I really appreciate it.” The girl stopped and now looked me straight in the eye. “You don’t know how much that means to hear those words after all the ones who have yelled or cussed me because they had to wait too long in line or couldn’t find what they were looking for. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas.” Before leaving I stopped in at an in-store café for a cup of coffee; when I came out I looked over at my new friend who was still working just as hard as she could, but was now smiling and making conversation with the customers. And I thought, “Yeah, that’s what I’m talkin’ bout.” Now please don’t think I’m blowing my horn to say what a nice guy I am, trust me I’ve got my faults. But I wanted to pass on to others how just a small kindness, a Christmas gift if you please, that you can give and it won’t cost you a dime.

Leaving the store and driving home I thought about my encounter with this young lady, and the name “Barnabas” came to mind. This man shows up in the Bible first in the book Acts and later on in some of the epistles as he traveled with the apostle Paul. His given name was Joseph, but because of his heart to help others as well as spread the Good News of Jesus, he was given the name Barnabas which means “son of encouragement.” Not only would he seek out ones in need but he sold land and gave it to the apostles to help the poor. I have feeling with a handle like son of encouragement there was more to his charitable ways than just monetary.  I can’t prove it but I have a feeling he was the type that went out of his way to say an encouraging word to as many with whom he crossed paths.  And I also think that as he walked away perhaps he looked back over his shoulder to see a smiling face where there wasn’t one before; “Son of Encouragement.” Awesome!

Now let’s face it, we’ve all been there; sometime or another we’ve felt downtrodden, disillusioned, maybe even a little worthless because of some situation. Then along comes a person with the right attitude speaking gentle and uplifting words; and suddenly your spirit soars as you realize not only do they see you as special, but that you are special.

Charles Spurgeon once wrote; “I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.”

So I’m asking, I’m challenging you, would it not increase your feeling of the Christmas Spirit to perhaps make just one person smile and feel special for a moment. You just might be the spark a fellow “Traveler of the Rock Road” needs to remember the true meaning of the season.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Now for me and my Lady there are some extra little things we do to encourage others this time of year, quietly without anyone else knowing what it is or who it came from. Wanna know what it is?

Hey, I told you, it’s a secret!!!

Besides, if you put your heart into it, keeping it just between you and God, you’ll be amazed what you’ll come up with. Even more you’re going to receive the joy of Christmas perhaps in a way you never experienced before; I know I have.

What da ya say, Friends and Family, can we be sons and daughters of encouragement to others?

I’m betting yes!

See you next time.

I’m not posting one of my usual “Traveling the Rock Road” stories, but rather a short film produced by Sainsbury’s and is actually based on a true historical event. It’s a powerful story on humanity, but also one that comes from the birth of a “Child”

Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, “Prince of Peace.”

To all me Dear Friends and Family, A Very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Recently as I going through some old pictures this one jumped out to give a good laugh. Good gracious, was I ever really that young and that skinny! But I remember well the moment mom took this photo; I was being allowed to talk to my Uncle Clyde who lived in Baltimore MD. In this communication age that we now live in, receiving a call anywhere in the country or even the world is not that uncommon, and for some an everyday occurrence. But back in the late 50s, early 60s a long distance phone call was made or received only on special occasions like birthdays, holidays or if someone had to be urgently reached; it was a luxury my small family just couldn’t afford to do often. So when the phone rang I would hurry to get to it first and see if it was someone special from out state.  Just to hear a familiar voice of an extended family member would send my spirits soaring. Just think, there were people who lived far away that knew and cared for me, and I was talking to them in the dining room of our house. Awesome!

Again I found myself chuckling as my mind compared then to now. Not only to communicate with people across the globe on the regular basis, or if someone needed to get in contact with me there are several phone numbers, emails and other outlets they can use to find me almost instantaneously. Back then you had two methods, snail mail or that black rotary phone that most of the time sat silent. I suppose that’s what made it so special; someone really had to make an effort if they wanted to communicate with another far off. I only know that effort and communication brought great joy to that skinny little guy there.

Flash forward some ten years where in that brief moment of time I went from that boy to a teenager playing drums in a band that performed at clubs and other adult entertainment establishments. To some that might sound pretty exciting for a young man beginning to make his mark in the world and in some ways it was. While on stage, life was great and I enjoyed what I was doing. But the moment the music ended and I stepped away from the drum set the setting became strange, almost unfriendly in the midst of the noise and commotion that comes with being thrust into an adult world too early in life. Depression would set in and all I wanted was to get away from everyone and be alone in quiet solitude. So I’d take walks into the night just to be alone in my misery. I wanted to talk to someone about how I was feeling but there just wasn’t anyone who I felt would understand.

Then there it was standing on a corner; a glass box 3 foot square and 7 foot tall, and it was calling to me. “Operator, I want to make a collect call to 219-332-8866; my name is Johnny Miller.” My Aunt Pearl hardly let the operator say who it was before telling her to put the call through. “Johnny, are you alright?” At first the words wouldn’t come, only a heavy sob, partly in anxiousness and partly in joy that I was hearing a voice that cared and loved me. I don’t know how long I spent on the phone that night talking and listening to my beloved Pearl as she consoled and encouraged me, but it was enough to brighten my spirits when I headed back to the club. The two biggest factors were that I had been with someone who cared for me and the 2^nd; she made me promise I would call again the next night. Life was good because I was reconnected to someone who loved me.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Years ago when I trusted Christ as my Savior I came to understand early that it wasn’t enough to live a happy and victorious life; I had to “present my request,” I had to stay in communication with the One who loved me. No matter what happened, my Lord was always there; I just wasn’t picking up the phone, or in other words, calling out to Him in prayer for strength, support, love. This also I will tell you that when I make that long distance call by stating, “Dear Lord, here I am and I need you,” daily and talk to Him about anything and everything; my world and life are more complete and joyous. I have the knowledge there’s “Someone” out there that loves this “Traveler of the Rock Road.

Once again I’m talking in the realm of faith; after all praying isn’t like talking to another human being, there has to be that belief that God is there to answer when you call.  I think that can best be related as one person put it. “Faith is like WIFI. It’s invisible, but it has the power to connect you to what you need.”

Make that long distance call, there’s a Loving God ready to pickup and listen immediately.  Trust me if I didn’t know it worked I wouldn’t tell you so.

See ya next time.

Listening to the caller on the other end of the line was a little aggravating and more than once I gave thought to hanging up. But the pain and distress in his voice told me he needed someone to talk to, someone to listen to him. “John, I’ve been retired for two years now and as I sat in my chair one night and pondered the years I realized my life has been a complete waste of time and I believe God looks at me like a big joke!” “How can you say that Ben; you’ve worked hard, raised a beautiful family, have many grandchildren and you’re seen by all that know you as a moral and righteous man who wants to live for his Lord.” “That’s the problem! I spent several years studying God’s word and praying He would someday make me a pastor. I’ve taught Sunday School, and preached from the pulpit on numerous occasions, but have never been given the chance to pastor a church; that’s all I ever wanted. It’s like God saying, “You want to serve me, you got to be kidding!” Is anyone getting a picture of why I almost hung up on this guy?  When finished with his venting I gave him my reasons why I felt he was wrong, that he had been used of God more than he was willing to see. He listened to me quietly but I sensed he didn’t agree as we hung up.

Now I was the one sitting back in a chair and pondering my life; was it a waste like Ben felt his was. My heart’s desire was always to play music and when I became a Christian I just knew God was calling me to great things in His name. So, I studied, practiced and worked hard to achieve the goal of being a musician in the service of the King. And where did that get me? Well I spent the next 39 years working in a metallurgical lab in the gray iron industry. Kids came along that had needs and other domestic responsibilities to where my dreams got pushed farther out until finally I realized they were out of reach. Was I disappointed? Yep, truthfully speaking I was. I suppose like Ben that should have been enough to devastate my life. Nah, I don’t think so!

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

I’m sure I have written on this subject before but my friend Ben struck a nerve, one that makes me wonder how many others think the way this man does.

In my case I had a plan and direction I was heading, only it wasn’t the one God had for me. When placed side by side I now see God had the greater of the two. He blessed with an incredible Lady to be my wife, three beautiful children that all love the Lord and has increased the family to 15. He gave me a job that I not only enjoyed, but loved the people I grew old with all those years. I couldn’t even begin to count the ones that I shared my faith or prayed with. As for music, my heart has been so blessed to be part of a local worship band that words cannot begin so describe the joy it gives me, and that’s not counting the times Cathy and I have performed for audiences from 1 to 1,000. So, did God make a mistake or mislead Ben and me? To the contrary, He gave us a better path to “Travel the Rock Road” than we could have imagined.

There’s so much more I could say on this subject but I’m not going to tonight; only that I pray my pal Ben and anyone else who struggles believing they’ve lived a wasted life will take time to really look at the big picture that a Loving God had already prepared for them. If you’re someone who’s never trusted Christ or sought God’s will for your life, there’s no time like the present to get started. I’m willing to wager you’ll find yourself happier with your life than you’ve ever been before.

Lord I know you have a plan for each of our lives. I pray for direction for each to follow it, patience to wait on it, and the knowledge to know when it comes. Amen

See ya next time.

Cathy and I just celebrated our anniversary, 43^rd to be exact. And I’m happy to claim with each year the love I have for the one I call My Lady grows stronger. But also, every year when this moment comes around I remember 3 little words that a few acquaintances and even family members said about our marriage. “It’ll never last.”

You see the two of us started out with more differences than a-likes when we first came together. Cath was raised in a strong Christian family growing up going to church every time they opened the doors. I came to a saving knowledge of the Lord later in life; before that I went to church sporadically and truthfully was quite confused on what I believed. Her life was disciplined with rules on conduct, where she could go, what she could do and who she could see. Mine, well being raised by a single parent gave me lots of time to do whatever I wanted, even moving out on my own when I was 16. Probably the biggest difference was each of our reputations; my Lady was seen as a good girl with high morals and a passion to do right especially to her parents and her Lord. I was seen as having a bad attitude, quick temper, foul mouth, and perhaps not the best to leave your daughter alone with. So when we began dating the skeptics figured it wouldn’t last long, too many differences to stay together. When we married I thought the doubters would now accept our love and commitment for each other; that was not to be the case.

Perhaps the saddest part is how well we proved them right in the beginning; dating was one thing but making a life together in marriage definitely had its quirks. There were fights, there were times of not speaking to each other, simple discussions or decisions would end up in a yelling match.  The thoughts would creep in, were they right about how wrong we were for each other? From the world’s position the answer is yes. But not to God.

There were several things Cathy and I were going to have learn if our marriage ever going to make it. Our marriage was something God wanted to see succeed.

“God created marriage. No government subcommittee envisioned it. No social organization developed it. Marriage was conceived and born in the mind of God.”  ~ Max Lucado 

God not only meant us to be lovers, he meant us to be the best of friends.

“There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.”  ~ Martin Luther

When God said the two shall be as one; He didn’t say it as a good idea for a successful marriage, He meant it as survival of the two together.

“A married person does not live in isolation. He or she has made a promise, a pledge, a vow, to another person. Until that vow is fulfilled and the promise is kept, the individual is in debt to his marriage partner. That is what he owes. “You owe it to yourself” is not a valid excuse for breaking a marriage vow but a creed of selfishness.” ~ R.C. Sproul

When we learned one of the most valuable lessons it strengthened our marriage beyond anything it had ever been before; that is to love God first.

“To encounter Christ is to touch reality and experience transcendence. He gives us a sense of self-worth or personal significance, because He assures us of God’s love for us. He sets us free from guilt because He died for us and from paralyzing fear because He reigns. He gives meaning to marriage and home, work and leisure, personhood and citizenship.” ~ John Robert Walmsley Stott

And then of course, learning the true meaning of love.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” ~ The Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Wow that’s a whole lot huh? So how long did it take us to learn all this? Well so far it’s 43 years and counting! It has to be put into practice constantly; without these lessons I sadly confess 43 would have never made 3. As a matter of fact on our 40^th anniversary we gathered with our family at a nice restaurant in Ft. Wayne where this “Traveler of the Rock Road” got down on one knee, presented my beautiful bride with a new ring, and the promise for her would only grow stronger.

How bout that, we took the three words, “It’ll never last,” and changed to “In love forever.”

Now that’s not to say we don’t fight anymore, that just ain’t a gonna happen with an Irish-Mexican and a Street Kid. The fights just don’t last as long anymore; but the making up is so much better!!

See ya next time.

The young boy tried hard not to cry, but still the tears ran hot down his cheeks as he and his mother left the building and started the long walk home. He had been studying music for nearly 2 months when his instructor summoned the mother to a session and informed both that there was no reason to continue lessons. The child just did not possess the aptitude play music, and to continue would be a waste of his time and the mother’s money. She spoke just 2 words, “That’s fine,” then taking her son by the hand they turned and left.

Sitting alone in his room in silence a small voice seemed to whisper in his ears, “You failed again, just give up and forget about it.” Sadly, he began to agree with the voice; after all learning had always come hard to him so why shouldn’t this? The difference this time was he was being told don’t bother trying to learn music, the one thing he loved more than anything, he just didn’t have what it took.

Later his mom came into his room and announced “Tomorrow we’ll start looking for another music teacher.” “But you heard what this one said, I didn’t have talent to play music.” With a touch of anger in her voice she shot back, “He’s wrong and he doesn’t know you like I do. You can play music and you will as long as you don’t give up on yourself. He may have given up on you but I haven’t. I believe in you!”

Well the boy found a teacher who wouldn’t give up on him and over the next 10 years he became proficient as a drummer. From there he made his way back to his first love in music, the guitar, and became accomplished enough to not only play but to teach others on the instrument he had once been told he’d never learn.

Well if you haven’t figured it out by now that young boy was me and it was my mother who believed in me when it seemed like no one else did. I loved that woman dearly for not giving up on me like others had. But looking past the fact she was my mom what was it that drove her to see more than what was present. After all I could hardly read and always lagged behind other kids my age in learning. Add in that I had never played one note of music, it didn’t make sense that she believed I would someday be called a musician. We can sum it up with one word; Faith. When we search for a definition to faith we find this, “A complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” Three synonyms for faith would be “trust, belief and confidence. Mom didn’t need the proof that others look for in determining my abilities, she knew in her heart what I was capable of; she had complete “faith” that I could and I would someday be a musician.

Over the course of my Christian life I have time and again come across ones who want to challenge my belief, demanding I give them solid evidence that a God really does exist. I can use numerous sources to defend my position and have often; but without one key element it’s all for naught. If a person chooses not to believe, not to have faith then all arguments become fruitless, nothing I say will make a difference.

Corrie ten Boom, author and survivor of a Nazi concentration camp puts it this way, ”Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.”

Going all the way back to Adam and Eve, God has given us the right to decide if we want to believe and follow Him or not. He doesn’t force His ways on us but makes Himself known to each of us in a special way. The deciding factor then is ours of whether we choose to believe Him, to have Faith in Him regardless of the fact that we cannot see Him–yet.

Romans 1:16-17 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, the righteous shall live by faith.”

As this “Traveler of the Rock Road” has aged, he has grown stronger in his appreciation and love of a mother who had “Faith” in him. In turn my “Faith” in a God who loves me has grown stronger and stronger to where I no longer feel I have to prove He’s there, I know He’s there. That’s Faith.

What about you when looking at both subjects; who believed in you, and who do you believe in especially in the realm of eternity? ‘For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.’ My faith is in my Lord, I pray that yours will be there also.

See ya next time.

When my Great Aunt Pearl retired, she chose to move back home to West Virginia instead of living out her days in Ohio. This was a sad time for me; I loved my mother dearly but because of her limitations physically and emotionally Pearl took on the role of 2^nd mother to me. I hated to see her leave but I understood; had it been possible I might have moved with her. So over the following years we would see each other during visits but most of the time would be spent catching up on the phone.

One evening as we were talking I happened to look out the window to see the moon. “Oh Pearl you ought to see the moon, it’s big, full and beautiful tonight.” “Just a moment,” she responded and then there was a pause before she returned to the phone. “You’re right Johnny, it’s so bright it lights up my backyard.” Then with a little chuckle; “Now I couldn’t let you enjoy that all by yourself.” When we hung up I sat there and pondered her words and what we had just experienced, just shared. Even though she was 500 miles away we could see the moon at the same moment. It reminded me of being a kid and how she and I would watch a TV show together; now the show we shared was God’s glorious creation, hung in the sky for all to see, especially Pearly Mae and me. Over the course of time my travels took me farther away from home and Pearl, but wherever I was if I happened to notice a full moon I’d called and ask, “Do you see it?” Often the response would be “Yes, I’m seeing it with you.” Awesome!

The call came in February telling me about the accident and that Pearl was in serious condition. The next day she went to be with her Lord. And I looked into the night and there was no moon; it seemed fitting. It was such a hard time not understanding how she could be gone so suddenly. The answer would come several years later as I stared, alone in my thinking, at a full moon.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

¹     “There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,”

It was like I could hear her voice; “Johnny, you mean to tell me that you are so sad that you can’t remember all the good times we had, including moon gazing.”

It was still hard but I realized there were many wonderful memories of my Pearl that brought a smile, even tears of joy. It was now time to move, she would want that as well as the Lord would. She lived her life well sharing her joyful ways with many, but now she was Home and there’s no way she’d want to come back.  When that reality hit me I was finally able to let her go, to be happy she was with her Lord. I may not have her anymore, but I still had her memory, her ways and laughter and the guidance and love she worked so hard to instill in me. When I look at that the fullness of the moon I now realized, I still had my Pearly Mae.

This “Traveler of the Rock Road” looks at life differently these days; I had said for years I believed in eternal life but it took several more years for me to really know it as truth, a place where many friends, family, Pearl and my beloved Lord dwell.

I so look forward to being reunited with my Pearl one day. I won’t be surprised if she leads me to a place where we can both gaze and then say, “Do you see Him?” and my answer will be, “Yes I do, in all His fullness and glory, I see the Son!”

See ya next time.

He looked so out of place when you took in the field of participants who had come to compete that day. The majority were well seasoned athletes with slim, hardened muscular bodies well prepared for the grueling triathlon that would soon begin. But this gentleman was 80, and looked more fit for a brisk walk than he did a near mile swim, 26-mile bike ride and finally a 10K run. Of course there I was, in my mid 50s and had given up a daily habit of 2 ½ pack of cigarettes just a few years earlier; yep I’m sure I looked just as out of place as this brother did. Still I was curious, as I am with most folks I meet, and wanted to know his story.

“I have an apartment where a portion of the Chicago Marathon route goes past every year. As I watched the thousands that ran past my window each time I would say to myself, someday I’m going to do that. Well, I was able to retire at 58 and the first thing I did was buy some running shoes and got started. I had a lot to learn since I’d never done any physical sports before so the next step was joining a runner’s club where I picked up a lot of helpful advice. I’ll tell ya, even though I trained hard for months I was scared to death the day I put on my bib number and took my place waiting for the start of the race; but this had been my dream and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me. It wasn’t pretty but I never quit running and finished the race, and I’ve been running ever since.” “That’s so awesome” I responded, “I imagine running Chicago is the highlight of your running career.” With a smile he answered, “Yes, it was a highlight, but so was New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Boston.” “Oh my goodness! You’ve done all that plus these triathlons?” “Oh I do these to train for Iron Man competitions; I try to get two in a year.” Now I just stood there and stared wondering if he was pulling my let a little. An Iron Man is approximately 2-mile swim, 113-mile bike and 26-mile run and by his calculations he had done over 30 of those. He summed up our conversation by proclaiming “I’m living the dream!”

When I got home that evening I Googled this man’s name; sure enough he had done all he said, and more. Still the question lingered; what makes a man in his 50s take up such a grueling lifestyle and continue with it over the next 30 years. Well his words came back to me; “I’m living the dream.”

Mark Batterson put like this, “If your dream doesn’t scare you, then it’s too small.”

My friend had a dream, a desire to be a runner even though he was passed the age when most people usually begin such an endeavor. But he believed he could accomplish this feat to a higher level than anyone his age had ever done.

I believe God places inside each of us not only a desire but an ability to reach goals we, and probably others, never imagined. As a boy I never learned to read until I was 12 and was treated by some as being too ignorant to ever accomplish anything, which in turn led me to believe the same; I wasn’t smart enough so why try? But through the encouragement of ones who believed and saw something more, I was able to overcome the reading deficit and as anyone who reads my blog can attest, draw great pleasure from writing. But if I’m going to believe what God says about Himself then I should do the same with what He says about me.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”

When we commit our ways and our wants (our dreams if you please) to God He is more than ready to guide us if we are ready to trust Him. I believe God has called me to be a writer so I commit it all to Him. And what is my dream? Well to someday write a novel or something that will be a million seller. I know it sounds way over the top. But that’s what I’m bringing to the altar, that’s what I’m giving to my Lord; and that’s what I will continue to trust Him for. Once again, “If your dream doesn’t scare you, then it’s too small.”

So what’s your dream, are you still pursuing it or have you given up, beaten down by a world that tells you to stop and get on with a real life? Well, God says bring them to me and let’s see what we can do together on that dream of yours. Just a thought.

My latest “Traveler of the Rock Road” would be in his 90s now and I won’t be surprised if he’s still out there making tracks. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet up again at another tri; and maybe this time I can beat that old cotton picker!! Yeah, I know; probably not!

See ya next time.

I wasn’t much more than a kid when I met Frank who was easily ten years my senior; and I remember the feeling of awe I had talking with him and others after a concert in Columbus. Frank was the lead guitar player and backup singer to a band that had one gold record and were working on their next. He was living the dream that each up and coming musician desired with a heartfelt passion, to have their name on a record label and perform in front of thousands of admiring fans. Frank and the rest of the group had even done a spot on Johnny Carson, so this was like standing before royalty as we chatted and joked about trivial little matters, just like a bunch of old friends would do when they came together. I remember especially how Frank had some fun with me since it was obvious how enamored I was being in his presence, still he just carried on like an average joe who chose not to come off as someone special, and I always appreciated that. “Hey Miler, if you’re not doing anything you want to be my guitar tech tomorrow night? All you have to do is be ready with whatever guitar I want and change a string if I break any; you interested?” Interested?!! I could hardly get a “yes” out, I was so excited!

My role was pretty small the next night; Frank only switched guitars once, but I still stood ready for the call. From where I was backstage I could see the masses pressed up against the stage yelling, dancing and singing every word to each song. I watched Frank and he seemed to draw strength and energy from the crowd as he cranked out hot guitar licks and sang with an enthusiasm beyond any words I could use to describe. “Oh to live Frank’s life would be so incredible,” I thought. What I wouldn’t do to be out there on that stage then and every night, living the dream, just like Frank.

Ask anyone in the industry and they’ll tell you that only 1% of all musicians will make it to the big time; and of that count just 1% of 1% will spend their entire career on top. Frank and the band were no exception to the rule; when their “15 minutes of fame” was over, the only time you ever heard from them was when an oldies radio station would still play the song they were known for best.  The band split up and 3 of the 4 settled into a more domestic lifestyle. One went back to college and is now an engineer for Ford in Detroit, one became a minister while the other bought and ran a car parts store in Louisville. But Frank never pursued what others would call a normal life; he continues playing music in any band that would have him be it rock or country. The venues are much smaller than what he once performed in and seldom did anyone know who he was. Talking to a mutual friend, I once made the comment, “Too bad Frank never settled down and got serious about something for his life.” I was met with a “What are you talking about?” “If you don’t think Frank isn’t doing exactly what he wants to do and enjoying life to the fullest, then you never knew the man.” I learned Frank didn’t need his name in lights and playing arenas, he just needed to play; that was what he was born for, that was his lifetime calling. Be it 10 or 10,000 he performed in front of, as long the people were enjoying what he did he was the happiest man in the room, and no job or treasure would ever replace that.

Often I think of Frank and his love of making music for others in the same light as my talents and using them for the love of my Lord. After all His Word tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

What would Christianity and Christ look like to the rest of the world if each of us who call ourselves Believers lived our lives performing our talents and our tasks with the same type of joy Frank feels that keeps his drive alive to play music. Gives the Gray One a shiver of joy just thinking about it.

So here’s another “Traveler of the Rock Road” that will never know how he touched my life, with his passion and love for the gift he possesses. Frank, whether you’ll ever know it or not, you showed my Jesus. Thank you, and keep rockin!

See ya next time.