Traveling the Rock Road

He was well past his prime when I first met Dick, not brought on by age, but due to a debilitating heart condition that had robbed him of the ability to lead the active life he once did. That’s not to say he couldn’t do anything, even with a cane securely held in one hand Dick busied himself with chores around the house, raising flowers and yard work, helping his beloved Phyllis, or Phyl as many called her who had health issues herself, going to visit and check on others; plus squeezing in trips to the Y several times a week for some lap swims. Yeah one might say Richard was down, but he certainly wasn’t out!

This man became a part of our lives ‘86 when my wife Cathy reunited with Phyl her biological mother, who Dick was married to. On our numerous trips to Ohio to visit, Phyl and Cathy would chat for hours, but Dick would sit content just listening. As I drew conversations out of this quiet individual I came to learn a good deal about him. He had been a business owner where he sold tropical fish, and like me he loved to work with his hands. Besides Phyl, who had physical limitations, he was active in caring for his mother until she passed away. His love for her was evident not only by his actions but how often he spoke of her, and a love that only a mother and son could share.

Married twice Dick laid claim to 10 children total; six from his first marriage (2 passed away) three stepchildren when he was married Phyl, and then along came my Lady who he treated and loved as if she was always one of his. It was no wonder she easily learned to refer to him, as Dad.

Now by this point if you said, “Well Dick sounds nice and all, but really he and his story is no different than a lot of other men,” you’d be right. I’ve met a lot of men similar to Dick and he certainly wouldn’t stand out in the crowd as anything special.

But you see God has taught me to look at individuals in a new light, the way He sees them. In doing that I’ve met some extraordinary people like Dick that otherwise I might not have noticed. I’ve redefined how I classify someone as a hero, and what actually earned them that title. These are the “Travelers of the Rock Road” that have touched my being and taught me much more than they’ll ever know.

Anyway, Dick could be content to sit back and listen as others talked, he was comfortable with that. Ask him how he was and you’d get a slight overview of his health, but not much more. Then ask him how his mother was and he would talk of what they did recently, what moment they shared, and how he was concerned for her. If he got on the subject of siblings you would hear a man speak of them not just as brothers and sisters, but as friends, best friends. Ask him about his kids and he would tell of accomplishments that they had and how proud of them he was. But my favorite moment was watching his face when we talked on the subject of grandchildren. The head would go back a little and a smile would come to his face, as if he was seeing them at that moment. It was there he drew much life, happiness and love from each of them.

But without a doubt his favorite subject, his strongest love and concern was for the person whose voice was generally filling the room when we were together, his beloved Phyllis. She could get loud, have a strong temper, joke with him and referred to him as ‘Romig’ (his last name) and there was nothing that could make him love her any less.

This last year the family suddenly suffered the loss of their beloved Phyl, with this loss I believe a part of Dick faded also. He moved out of the house they shared for 34 years and into a healthcare facility near loved ones, but illness was quickly taking him down and in a few short months he followed his Lady into Heaven. As I related his story to a fellow writer I could see him pondering every word I told him. Then he started; “Your Dick sounds like a man who put others before himself even through his infirmity. His heart was so focused on the love he had to give to Phyl and others, it acted as a combatant toward any and all ills he possessed. When he no longer had his love to watch over, the heart was no longer strong enough to fight for life, or even want to.”

I once heard a quote that said, “If you really want to receive joy and happiness, then serve others with all your heart. Lift their burden, and your own burden will be lighter.” Perhaps my friend was on to something.

On the day of Dick’s funeral, a group of people came together to celebrate his life and how that life had touched theirs in a positive way. At the church, I was privileged to be part of a rather large procession that entered and counted themselves children of Dick Romig. And my thoughts were, ‘Maybe the world wouldn’t recognize a simple man who had his share of hardships for any great achievements, but today the proof of how far reaching his influence over others was evident.’ He gave of himself all that he had to offer, much more than he probably realized, just like any “Hero of the Rock Road.”

“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis

On that day we gathered together as family, I heard someone say, “When he was close to the end he probably heard Phyl yelling to him, ‘Hey Romig, get up here!’”

Perhaps, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he heard a quieter voice calling, “Your work is done Dick, time to come home.”

To finish with words of someone much closer to him than myself, “Love you Pop!”

See ya next time.

40 years ago that I was still pursuing the dream of being a musician, whether it was rock n roll, country or whatever made no difference. I only knew my 15 minutes of fame came too quickly and was gone even faster and I wanted another shot only this time permanent and not a fleeting moment. I also knew that if I had any chance whatsoever of realizing my dream it wouldn’t be done in small-town Ohio. I also knew my talents were going to have to improve greatly if I had any chance at all. So that is how I moved to small-town Indiana, to study under an incredible musician, and then move on to live permanently in L.A., or perhaps Nashville; anyplace where music was the prominent industry.

Before my Lady and I made the moved we needed extra money for all the expenses that would be incurred. And the fastest place to make the kind of money I would need was at the local foundry back in Fremont. I went there not knowing what was in store and brother, did I ever get an education. The work was hard, fast-paced, hot and dirty and I thought after the first day I’d never make it. As a matter of fact the three guys I hired in with all quit within the first week. But I continued on that summer and when it was over I made myself a vow I’d never step foot in a foundry again!!! BTW, how many of you know what my regular occupation is? Okay we’ll get to that in a minute.

For the ones of you who know me, or that have read earlier issues of “Traveling the Rock Road” you already know that my dreams of stardom never materialized, so I really don’t want to get into that subject matter. Rather I’d like to discuss what happened instead. You see, some would conclude my plans and even my life was a failure since I did not reach my goal. In actuality I consider where I am a complete success; not of my plan, but of God’s.

During those early days of plotting out my life direction I was a Christ follower, but that didn’t necessarily mean I always followed His will. Matter of fact I can’t remember even one time I prayed to the Lord about my want and desire to be a musician. And I don’t believe He hindered my progress in pursuing my goal. I think it’s more like Him saying; “So you think you got a plan and you don’t need me to be a part of it, huh? Hey more power to you; but when you’re ready to talk about your future, I’ll be right here for you.”

And so the struggle went, and over the last 40 years there have been times I’ve felt like Moses, thinking I was doing the right thing only to find myself in a proverbial desert at first hiding out, but then later learning God’s will, God’s “better plan” for my life.

Here are a couple of quotes that say it well;

“God’s plan is always the best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard. But don’t forget that when God is silent, He’s doing something for you.”

And

“As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better.”

First let me say it “was” God’s will that I leave my hometown, for I needed to leave the old behind. It “was” God’s will for me to study music, not for my use but for His.

It “was” God’s will that I live in a desert-like attitude for awhile; until I could finally see this is where I was meant to be all along and it’s a beautiful place to be!

“Hey Moses, me and you babe!” Okay, and probably a number of you that are reading this can identify with this also.

Many of us know this passage but let’s say it anyway:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This portion of “Traveling the Rock Road” is not the way I planned, but it’s the way God did, and when it’s all said and done that’s okay with me.

In less than 3 months this 40 year trek takes a turn when I retire from my “tent making” profession as I call it, to pursue, well whatever and wherever God wants me.

As the words of a song one of my best friends wrote, and as Moses probably said in his own way, “Lead on Exodus Road!”

BTW the way, that vow I made in small-town Ohio never to step foot in a foundry again? Well guess where I’m retiring from in small-town Indiana?!!  And I thank my Lord for every minute I’ve spent there, and every person He put me in contact with.  What an incredible journey, and what in incredible plan God had for me.  As I begin whatever He has for me next, I am excited with anticipation to see where He leads.

So once again, “Lead on Exodus Road!”

See you next time.

I thought Kevin was like me, growing up without a father. I was surprised when I found out he had one since he never spoke of one and I never met him. As time went on I learned his dad worked a job that took him away from home for long periods of time, and when he was there no one was allowed over because he needed peace and quiet when he came in off the road. As the years went on, the divide between the two became even broader. He once told me he’d get excited when dad was finally going to be home; but it wouldn’t last long because he’d be so tired from the road all he would do is sleep or watch television. By the time he was a teenager, Kevin didn’t make the effort to home when his dad was there, said he didn’t see any real reason to. You see Kevin and his father weren’t bad people; it just seemed (at least to Kevin) that his dad was just too busy to have a relationship, and since they didn’t have anything in common there was no reason to ever work toward one. No hard feelings, just an acceptance of the facts the way Kevin saw them. This loose relationship would stay that way for nearly 30 years.

Kevin grew, married and had his own family. Unfortunately the marriage didn’t last and he found himself a middle-aged man living alone in a small apartment. That is until he received a phone call one day that totally surprised him; it was his dad. His mother had passed away a few years earlier and his father retired from being a long haul trucker. But the years on the road had caused severe damage to his spine that made it difficult for him to walk even from room to room in his house. I’m calling, son, to see if you’d like to come live here with me. The house is going to be yours someday anyway and I could use a little help if you wouldn’t mind.” His dad’s request caught him so off guard he didn’t know what to say. “How to I talk to a dad in my 40s that I couldn’t talk to as a kid,” he thought.

But something told him he couldn’t say no, so a week later he was packed up and back to the home he knew as a child. There was much work to be done around the place since his dad couldn’t care for it the way that was needed. Besides it would give him something to do since the two of them probably wouldn’t be spending any real time together.

The first couple of weeks Kevin would go out in the evening to visit old friends and haunts from his younger days. Every night when he got home he’d see his dad in the front room watching television. A few quick words and he’d walk past and head to his room. Then one evening he noticed something, as soon as he would get in, his dad would turn off the TV and go to his room. The next evening he asked him if was waiting up for him. “Well sure,” he responded. “You may be grown up, but I just feel better knowing you got in safe. Besides I was hoping one of these evenings when you got home we could talk.”
Talk? Now that took Kevin by surprise. They’d never talked when he was young, what would they have to talk about now. “Okay let’s talk,” Kevin started. “Do you know how much mom and I needed you around here, but you never were?” His dad lowered his head and quietly said “Yeah, I know. When I got home from the war I got the job trucking and really liked it. When I met your mother I thought about quitting, but I was afraid I wouldn’t find anything else I was good at. Your mother encouraged me to keep driving because she knew I loved it. But that’s not to say I didn’t love her or you any less.

Kevin sat motionless for several minutes taking in what his dad had just told him. “He loved me!” he thought. Those words had never been said before that moment. And then Kevin realized something, it wasn’t because his father didn’t care or love him that they weren’t close when he was little; it was because he just never knew how to say or even show it to him like most do. But in that short moment he came to realize it was always there.

“To love someone means to put them ahead of ourselves, just as Christ did for each of us.” J. David Miller

Kevin’s dad knew he wasn’t able to be there and give warmth and security; he left that to his wife who was more suited. His job as he saw it was to provide all that would be needed to have a life and home, by that he showed how much he loved his family.

Kevin once told me that all he ever wanted was to have a dad that cared for him; and because of his stubborn ways he almost missed knowing he had one. Awesome!
For the next several months they talked and carried on like a couple of long lost friends. You’d see them out to dinner or taking in a ball game. But Kevin’s best moments with his dad were when they just sat and talked. “I found this week the old man fought at Guadalcanal during WW2” he told me one day. “Showed me where took a bullet to the leg and shoulder. He’s a tough old bird my dad!”  I wasn’t there when the end came for Kevin’s dad, but he did know the Lord, so another “Traveler of the Rock Road” made it home.

Sometime after, Kevin was going through a large satchel his dad always carried with him on the road. In it were pictures of Kevin, from the time he was born and all through his life. With a smile he would say, “Those pictures told me I was always with my dad after all.

“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.”

Written for a friend

See ya next time.

Back around 1983, I had returned to my adopted hometown of Fremont, Ohio for the annual white bass run. This occurs generally in May when white bass will leave Lake Erie and travel up the Sandusky River to spawn. The fish are so plentiful during the run, anglers from all over converge on Fremont to fill their buckets and stringers with these feisty but tasty bass. Since money was tight for me and Cathy, my purpose was to catch enough that we’d fill the freezer with enough filets to have fish once or twice a week until the next season.

On this occasion I was fishing with my lifelong buddy Lynn and he and brought his youngest son, at that time, Chad who was about 8 and I had my son Jeremy, age 2 with me.

The fishing was slow that day and I was allowing Jeremy to play on the rocks nearby, that is until I caught sight of his new “friend.” Hearing some noise I turned to watch Jer as he was trying to pick something up, but then at the last second would quickly pull his hand away, then try again. Walking over to investigate, my heart nearly stopped when I saw what he was trying to grab. Now most folks from that area will tell you black snakes are harmless; but when you see one some 4 feet long that your child thinks is a plaything, it’ll send you into a panic right quick. Snatching my son up in one arm I moved him back and the snake made a quick retreat across the rocks.

A while later we gave up on fishing for the day so grabbing up our gear we headed up from the river. The only problem was we were in a primitive area that meant we had a good walk over rocks and around trees as we headed back to the car. Several places the rocks were separated enough that we had to stretch across to get from one stone to the next. We came to one point where it was easily a 3 foot span across and the river was 4 feet below. Lynn crossed first and then I handed Jeremy to him before I stepped over with pole in hand. Turning back to Chad who was waiting I reached out my free hand and was about to say “Take hold and step over.” Only Chad had his own ideas before I could speak and with a mighty leap he lunged toward me. There wasn’t even a split second to think, dropping my pole I was able to catch him barely keeping both of us landing in the river or falling on the rocks. Kids! Sheesh!!!

Over the years I’ve occasionally thought about that day and how neither boy showed fear or thought about the possible danger they might have been in. Then one day I realized, that’s the way God wants us to be in trusting Him.

“Let you faith be bigger than your fears.” I don’t know who said this quote but I have to wonder if it came to them while watching a child’s approach to some kind of difficulty without fear or hesitation.

God’s way of saying the same thing is like this, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you–yes, I help you–yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!”

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Psalm 23:3-4 “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Guess this is why Jesus said we need to be like little children, totally trusting in Him.

I won’t lie to you and say it’s been easy to put all my trust in my Lord. Even when I place all my trust in Him and see amazing results I still return to fear and doubts more times than I care to count. The good thing is even when I fall short I know the love of my God doesn’t.

To quote another passage but using Miller’s Free Translation God says, “I made all that you see out of nothing. Trust me I can take care of you.”

For this “Traveler of the Rock Road” I will continue to move forward, and periodically step back. It’s a part of who we are. But God loving us and waiting patiently for us to trust the way a child does; well, it’s the whole of who He is. Awesome!
See ya next time.

Two things could be said for old Sammy; the man could play guitar like he was born with one in his hand and if there wasn’t a party wherever he showed up, there would be 5 minutes after he arrived. Yes everyone loved Sammy because he was a lot a fun to be around, humorous and never knew what a dull moment looked like. As a musician he probably ranks as one of the top guitar players I ever worked with. He not only brought incredible talent to the stage, he also was a high energy performer whose persona was electric to the audience as well as fellow band members. I didn’t work with Sammy long but during the time I did I really liked him, even though he’d kid me often about being a “Christian.”

I can’t say he had a disdain toward Christians, but he always had a joke about them when I was around. Ones like “Hey Miller, I heard when Jesus stays at a hotel he gives 3 nails to the clerk and says, ‘Can you put me up for the night?’” I would just smile and say nothing because I knew later he’d come and say “Now I was kidding with you, don’t take me serious. I think it’s great you believe the way you do.” And I truly believed he meant it, but he was also quick to let you know it was okay for you, but it wasn’t for him.

Sammy’s path and mine didn’t cross long, another band picked him up and within months they were opening for a well known country music act. I wasn’t surprised and figured Sammy was on his way to the top; he was just too talented and too likable not to make it, nothing could stop him was my thought. But we just don’t know what tomorrow brings, do we?

A couple of years passed and I ran into another fellow musician who also happened to be a Christian. “Have you heard about Sammy?” He questioned. “No, why, is something up?” “He’s in the latter stages of liver cancer.” The words were like a spear to the heart. No, not Sammy, he was too full of life to have this happen I thought. But something even more concerned me, and my friend read it on my face. “John I spent over an hour with Sammy letting him know how much God loved him and assuring him from the word that Christ was ready to accept him so that he could be with him in heaven.” “And he made a decision?” I questioned. Sadly he shook his head and said, “All Sammy said over and over was he’s done too many bad things and it’s too late now anyway.” If the first words about the cancer wounded me, these were tearing me apart. Sammy had heard it all before and believed according to one telling me about his condition. Still he could not believe that God would want him after the way he lived his life. That friends and family is what I call the greatest lie in the universe. God’s love for us is so strong He will do all there is to lead, pull or drag someone into heaven.

Hey, don’t take my word, take His: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Once again from my man C.S. Lewis: “God became man to turn creatures into sons; not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of man.”

Okay, I know I’ve preached more than I’ve told a story today. But you see, just like Sammy, each and every one of you “Travelers of the Rock Road” is important to me, as you are to God. So important that the Lord placed it on my heart to start the New Year with this thought–this truth about His love. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to turn to Him. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, what you might think, He won’t turn you away. That’s the love of a Father, through Christ. “As a father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor him” (Psalm 103:13GNT)

I never heard anymore on Sammy, but I do know our mutual friend was heading back to Nashville to give it another go, and another if he had to. The way he sees it (his words, not mine), if Sammy’s good enough for God, he’s good enough for him. Don’t you just love that attitude?!!!

Have a wonderful and blessed 2016, Friends and Family. See ya next time.

I wasn’t going to write this week, but changed my mind because I wanted to share just a couple of thoughts with you, so bare with me for just a few moments. Thanks.

We finished Christmas and the last of our kids have now left leaving Cathy and I back to our empty nest lifestyle. But when the house goes quiet again I like to take time to reflect on all that transpired in the last few days. For the last week we busied ourselves with last minute shopping, meal preparations, candle making and distribution (A little thing I enjoy doing to help put me in the sprit) then of course there’s the reading of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2 and finally the opening of gifts. I love sitting back and watching the grandkids faces as they unwrap their newest treasures. From that point it’s more eating, pleasurable interaction with family and of course some time spent with guitars and singing. (It’s a Miller thing) And I smile.

Now that it’s quiet again my mind enjoys going into replay as I drive around looking at Christmas lights and listening to carols on the radio knowing that all will be gone in just a few more days; until next season. And I smile.

I’ll reminisce about my childhood and our makeshift family of mom, me, a great aunt and great uncle and two widowed ladies who lived on each side of our large home and how we gathered a tree that stood every bit 7 feet tall, then how over the years that group would diminish to where it was just myself and mom in a small apartment. And I smile.

The thought occurs to me that life isn’t perfect, but looking at all my blessings both past and present I truly feel rich. And I smile

Then there are the friends that make my Lady and I feel special by just being apart of our lives. And I smile.

The greatest blessing, Gift that I ponder is the one given by my Lord in the form of a child, a Savior that came and brought life eternal to me and all that believe. And with tears, I smile

In just a few days we’ll all be turning a new page as we ring in 2016. For most it will be no different in our lives, for others perhaps some major changes on the horizon. But the one thing we all share is we do not have any certainty on what tomorrow will actually bring.

One saying I use and some have adopted on how I approach this unknown, “I thank God for today, trust Him for tomorrow, one foot in front of the other and keep moving.”

Here’s also a New Year’s prayer I like:

Lord, You make all things new

You bring hope alive in our hearts

And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year

For all the potential it holds.

Come and kindle in us

A mighty flame

So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God

And live forever to praise Your glorious name. Amen

From one “Traveler of the Rock Road” to all the others,

A Wonderful, Blessed and Happy New Year in 2016!

I pray that you smile often. See ya next year!

Oh, and in case you’ve never seen this here’s a sample of that “Miller Thing” I spoke of. 🙂

This is a story I shared once before and felt it was worth printing once again especially for the new readers. I’ll be taking next week off but look forward to bringing you “Traveling the Rock Road” in 2016.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading “The Love Box.”  Thanks for your part in making 2015 special for my Lady and me.

As a child there were times that I was separated from my mom. Being a single mother during the 50s plus severely hard of hearing made it hard for her to find work that would support her and the needs of a young child. So on occasion I would be sent to stay with extended family members until mom got on her feet and could come get me.

During one of those times I found myself staying with relatives in Eastern Kentucky. This was a family of six, nice but very strict. I had never heard of the term corporal punishment back then, but I learned what it was all about if I stepped out of line; and I sure missed my mom. I would think about how we would sit on the couch and play games or just hug. And yes these folks were good people, but warm emotions were something they didn’t show or share often. If I got hurt there was no compassion, if I cried it was “shake it off, it’ll get better.” And I sure missed my mom.

Often I would ask about her and when she was coming back for me, but my questions would be ignored. I began to wonder; maybe she isn’t coming back for me at all.

One day a large box showed up and inside were toys, games and clothes; and it was all for me. I didn’t understand why I was receiving this and when I thanked the parents of the family for the gifts, but they said it wasn’t from them. I thought a while about it and then asked, “Did my mom get these for me?” Again I received no answer, but this time they both looked at me hard as if to say I hit the nail on the head. From that point on each day I would climb inside of that box with one of my new toys and say to myself, “Mom’s coming for me, mom’s coming for me.”

Then the day came when my Great Aunt Pearl came to visit and spent the better part of a night talking with the parents. The next day for the first time I saw emotion from these people–sadness. Each member of the family gave me a hug and then Pearl and I boarded the bus to leave. “Pearl, where are we going?” I asked. With a smile she answered, “I’m taking you home.” Now I wasn’t sure what that meant or where that was located; by that point in my life I had lived in Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. Where was this place she called home and how would I recognize it? That answer came when the bus finally came to a stop and the door opened. There was mom waiting to greet me with tears and hugs. I can’t tell you if I even understood where I was, but that didn’t matter. The only thing that was important was mom was there waiting on me, that in itself said, I was home.

Later on I learned that the box sent to me wasn’t really a big mystery. Mom had sent it because it was Christmas time and she wanted me to have something to know she was still there and stilled loved me. The people I was living with didn’t celebrate Christmas so they made no mention why it was sent, or from whom. I also learned it had been their plan to keep me and not let me return to mom, but that’s another story for another time. Perhaps they thought over time I would forget about mom and stop asking about her, but maybe they also learned that I could not be separated from my first love.

Some 2,000 years ago a Gift was sent from a Father, letting his children know He had not forgotten them, that His love was still there for them. That Gift was in the form of a Child, a Savior.

“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.”

Another writer puts it like this, “Jesus was God’s gift to the world, not just for Christmas, but for every single day…your whole life through…and even beyond for all eternity.”

These many years later I can’t recall its contents, but I still think about that box, “The Love Box” as I refer to it, sent to let me know I wasn’t forgotten and I would someday be home with the one who loved me most.

Many years prior to that moment, a manager with a baby was the eternal representation of the same thing, the same love. Letting us know that God the Father hadn’t forgotten us, and waits until the jubilant moment when we are with Him, Home!

On behalf of my Lady and myself I like to thank all who have “Traveled the Rock Road” with us this year, and we look forward to more journeys in the coming year.

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas and New Year to you and your loved ones.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!”

During my teen years and early 20s I did my share of thumbing a ride to different places in our beautiful country. So when I got older I’d pick up a hitchhiker from time to time. (True, I know it’s not smart, but neither was I back then and I certainly don’t recommend it in this day and age. Still it’s a good story so work with me here!)                                                     

On this hot summer Sunday I had taken Cathy to visit family in Ohio and I was heading back to Indiana since I had to be at work Monday morning. It was easy to spot this lone figure along the road and it was clear he wasn’t from the area. His clothing was a one piece flowing garment that reached all the way to the ground, another garment like a long vest overtop of the first, a silk like belt worn over one shoulder and carrying a large cloth satchel over the other shoulder. His long flowing gray hair, darkened skin from being in the sun so much and a red dot in the middle of this forehead seem to round out his appearance. When I pulled over to offer him a ride he didn’t even hesitate to open the door and climb in; “Oh thank you so very much,” he began in broken English. “I’ve been in Cleveland visiting friends and now going to Chicago where I will leave from to return to my home in India. As we rode along I leaned more about my new friend; he was a teacher and some sort of Hindu leader, now retired visiting the U.S. for the first time walking everywhere to save money (Also praying someone would be kind enough to give him a ride. Enter the Gray One!) I couldn’t help notice some unusual apparel this eastern sojourner donned–tennis shoes! When I questioned him about his footwear he told how his sandals had broken so he had been walking barefoot. “A nice police officer stopped me a few towns back and when he saw I was barefoot took me to a store and bought these.” He said with a gleam in his eye and smile on his face as he admired his new footwear. Several times he spoke of his prayers and how they had gotten him through some hard moments on his trip. I just listened not saying much but thinking to myself, “Oh mister, you are so blinded.” I took him as far as my hometown and let him out back on the highway. But before he got out of the car I just had to say “Well, I pray to my Lord Jesus Christ and today I pray he gets you to where you want to be and makes Himself real to you.” With a smile and a nod of his head he was back walking along the road again.

When I got home I was feeling pretty proud of myself not only for helping this stranger get down the road, but for telling him how I was a follower of Christ. The strange thing was that feeling good and proud feeling began to fade quickly. There was a heaviness that seemed to bear down on me that I couldn’t shake. For a half hour I tried to busy myself and not think about the man I had left on a hot road with a few “careless” words to be blessed. I couldn’t take it anymore, jumping back into the car with a jug of ice water and my guitar (Don’t ask why on the guitar, just a habit I had of taking it everywhere with me). I swung into the grocery store, picked up a variety of fruit and headed back out on the highway to find him.

He was a few miles down the road when I caught up with him. Getting back in my car his first words were “Is something wrong?” “Yeah, there is,” I told him. “My Jesus I told you about started kicking my butt until I came back to help you with your journey! So, where we going in Chicago?” He pulled a piece of paper out of his bag with a name and phone number of the person he would stay with there. Finding a telephone booth I called and got directions while my new friend feasted on bananas and grapes. Getting back in the car he thanked me over and over for the food and the ride. “No problem, is there anything else I can do?” That’s when he gave a request that about knocked my socks off. “Can you get country music on your radio? I’ve come to enjoy that since being in your county.” Fumbling through, I found a station that came in strong and he was in his height of glory. When a song by Merle Haggard came across the air the newest duet in the country, perhaps the world, a Christian hippie and a retired Hindu educator burst forth in full voice. “We’ll all be drinking that free bubble up and eating that rainbow stew!” For the next 90 minutes the itinerary was filled with laughter and song. I confess I was a little sad when we reached Lake Shore Drive in Chicago and pulled into the parking lot where his friend lived in a beautiful high rise. As he was getting ready to get out I said, “Hey, wait just a minute.” I pulled the guitar from the backseat and said, “One more chorus,” and we broke into Rainbow stew as his friend stood nearby looking at us like we were crazy! We finished, he shook my hand, thanked me once again and then said; “I am glad that your Jesus sent you back to me, so that we could be friends.”

“To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether.” Max Lucado

I’m gonna make this real simple; had I ended this story with my leaving this man, hungry, dehydrated and tired on a long hot road with words and thoughts that expressed, “Well be blessed today by Jesus, ya rotten heathen you!” What kind of example do you think he would have had of Christians and Christ?

That heaviness I felt after leaving him the first time, I believe, was God getting my attention and saying (and please excuse the Miller Free Translation here), “You use my name to someone and then just discard them along the road? That dog don’t hunt! Now get back out there, find him and make things right!”

Or as His Word says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.”

Once again this “Traveler of the Rock Road” learned a hard but valuable lesson!  Thanks God for your patience with me, and forgive if I ever make you look bad. Nuff said!

One last thought, before I left Chicago I noticed they had an event called Chicago Fest going on in one of the parks. I found a place to leave the car and went over to listen to the Chicago Symphony perform. As a beautiful as the music was I couldn’t help wanting to shout out, “Hey you guys know any Haggard?”

Gotta love that bubble up and rainbow stew!
See ya next time.

Here’s a story I heard years ago and again just recently.

It was December 1914 and WW1 had been raging for several months in Europe. With Christmas approaching the leaders on both sides were trying to work out a ceasefire for the holiday but sadly to no avail; the fighting would continue on. But some soldiers had a different idea and decided to take matters into their own hands.

On Christmas morning German troops on one of the fronts set up several Christmas trees, fully adorned with makeshift decorations and candles for lights in front of their trenches so the allied forces just yards away and dug into the mud also could see them. Then as if it was orchestrated the weather changed and a cold front moved in coating everything in a majestic white snow. With no shooting going on, the allied forces could hear something; singing. The Germans were singing Christmas carols and as more joined in up and down the line the melodies of the season echoed all over that battle field and soon the other side was singing back at them setting a scene where it would be hard to believe that just a few hours earlier guns were firing, bombs exploding and blood was being shed.

Then it really began. One German shoulder stood up, climbed out of his fox hole and stood in front of his enemy smiling and waving to them. Then there was another, and another. Soon many had come forth, and the allied forces began to do the same. There were no sounds of what would be associated to the Great War. They were now replaced with greetings, laughter, story telling, souvenir exchanges and more singing. Then there was time for each side to bury their dead without the chaos of the war raging around them. When the end of this jubilee between enemies came, both sides returned to their trenches knowing tomorrow this moment would be all but forgotten and once again the realities of war would reign. As one solder put it years later, “That was a greatest Christmas celebration I had ever experienced only to be followed by heartbreak the next day. For now I was no longer fighting an enemy across from me, I was now shooting at possibly a friend.”

I was just a youngster the first time I heard this story, and it made such an impact on me that I decided to go and make peace with an older boy who always picked on me. And I got my clock cleaned! I couldn’t figure out what went wrong; didn’t he realize it was Christmas, a time to make peace? Well obviously not since he hadn’t been told the story that I just related. And perhaps if he had, he just might have had a “heart change” like I did, like the soldiers did even if it was just for a short magical and wonderful moment.  And that’s really where it all starts, isn’t it?

As we draw closer to Christmas, let us not forget the real meaning of the season.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And my man C.S. Lewis would sum up that night and every Christmas hence with, “Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.  The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”

And Finally “To be a Christian (The true meaning of Christmas) means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

As we “Travel the Rock Road” this Christmas, remember the solder that bravely stood up, faced his enemy with love and for a short moment brought a war to a standstill.

Perhaps in your case it would be a permanent peace leading to something better. We never know unless we try.

A Merry and Blessed Christmas Friends and Family,

See ya next time.

Today I have two stories, one about me and one I recently read.

Here’s the first.

There was a time when I was quite young my mom and I lived in a small upstairs apartment in a town where we hardly knew anyone. One day there was a knock at the door and when mom answered it there stood a well dressed man that she had spoken to on occasion while walking home from work. He was inviting us to join him and his family for Thanksgiving dinner the next evening. Something told me my mother would have preferred to decline the offer but because of the persistence of the man she finally agreed we would come. That day before we went to the man’s home mom made me take a bath and put on my best clothes which I found strange but said nothing. Arriving at the home the man met us at the door and proceeded to escort us through a living room area bigger than our whole apartment. We then found ourselves in the dining room, a very elegant area where some 10 people were already seated around the biggest table I had ever seen in my life. When we took our designated seats the gentleman introduced us to his family and friends, then some small talk was made mostly questioning what mom did for a living. It was now time for dinner and two ladies dressed in black and white uniforms brought out something I had never seen before, I think they called it salad. I ate as well as I could but a small child and salads has never really been a good combination. Next were the entrees and I had never seen such fancy food in my life. Grabbing a spoon I was ready to dig in but a woman who sat next to me applied my first education on proper dining etiquette; wasn’t pretty! I ended up with half my food either on my clothes or on the floor. The man who invited us was doing his best to be nice, but it seemed like everyone else ignored mom and me as best they could. Dessert came in a tall tapered glass filled with cherries and some other things that I took one look at and thought “Am I going to have use a folk on this thing too?!” It wasn’t long before mom who was feeling just as out of place as I was found a reason to get us out of there.

Years later I realized what was going on; this kind gentleman, like others I’ve now met, make a habit if inviting a poor family to come dine with him and his family at Thanksgiving. This is a kind and noble gesture and I’ve thought often if every family in the country who could afford it invited another family to dinner just once a year I believe there would be a lot fewer children going to bed hungry. But as nice a gesture as it was it lacked one important element; there was little if any heart felt friendliness to it. Without sounding unappreciative, we were never really made to feel welcome.

Walking quickly down the sidewalk mom went right past our apartment and into an establishment commonly referred to back then as a “Greasy Spoon,” where I had the most delicious cheeseburger this side of paradise. There was music from a jukebox in the corner, and a couple of people that mom worked with that she shared some laughs and coffee as I ate. What a difference in atmosphere, the main ingredients added to this situation: joy and smiles. When we finally got back to the apartment I said to mom, “That sure was a pretty house we were in.” She pulled me onto her lap, held me close and said “Yes it was. But there’s something we have that they don’t–happiness.”

And here’s story two.

One day the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the county with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from the trip the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great dad!”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” the father asked.

The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they have four.”

“We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have stars at night.”

“Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have a whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on, and they have fields that go beyond our sight.”

“We have servants to serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, but they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are.”

My point today is not to give the impression that the more you have the less happy you are. The main theme of what I’m trying to get across is this:

1: Be thankful for whatever you have, be it much or little. Trust me, there’s always someone with less than you have.

2: Never look down on someone for being poor.

3: Never look down on someone for being well off.

4: Remember, no matter who you are or what you possess we’re all “Travelers of the Rock Road.” The question then becomes how are you traveling it, happily or otherwise, alone or with others, hoarding, or sharing and caring?

5: This is similar to 1. Be thankful for whatever you have; besides it’s all on loan from God anyway.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 107:1 – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

During this holiday season may our Lord deeply enrich you with the important things–Grace, Mercy, but especially true Thankfulness.

See ya next time.