From Yours Truly

 Amy Graville, a 2010 graduate of the S.O.W.E.R.S. program, gladly took McMullan’s challenge and won a trip to the Bahamas!

Rev. Doug McMullan

A few candid admissions from yours truly.

I don’t know how anyone could sit through the recent S.O.W.E.R.S. Graduation in June with a dry eye. I freely admit I am allergic to Graduation. But, we put up a brave front. We hose off the piano, light up a macanudo, and try to sing our way out of it.

To hear these young people talk about the program, you’d think we truly cornered the market. Of course, if you sit in my chair you’re kind of scratching your head thinking “they got all that? They got all of that….HERE???”. But then, the next realization is about the Grace of God and how He works in people. We do our dead level best to help each young person come into a better understanding of the way the Scriptures interpret themselves and how to believe to walk that walk. But close self- examination and review leaves me painfully unconfused about how truly imperfect we are in what we do. Totally imperfect to the call. So small. Yet, God is perfect. There is the knowing and the comfort that God takes our imperfect labor and makes it perfect to His designs by the spirit of God that works in each one of these young people. Sort of magnifies the good and covers us where we fall short. They walk with love and receive us with that perfect love, look at our hearts and wink at our imperfect ways. I challenge any of you to diagram that last sentence. They hold fast the good. So do we. I believe in them. I expect this next year’s class will come with the same heart. Should be fun.

Those of you anticipating this next year’s Extravaganza, we’re working on it. If this last Extravaganza was any indication, we’re going to have to knock out a few walls or get a tent. Or, pull a rabbit out of a hat. We’re working on it. On that, more later. Stay tuned.

No doubt, we’ll open again with John Crouch’s sterling rendition of “His Star” ( John’s presentation of the Biblical and scientific dating of the birth of Jesus Christ). I have seen this thing a number of times.  It’s not the kind of thing where you see it, and then cross it off your list.  You can do that with “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Not this.

As I make my way to the door after John’s presentation and study other people’s faces, there’s the usual “wow” or “holy cow”, and then we just kind of walk on to the campfire. Because I can’t really explain what I just heard. There’s just this wide eyed shock and awe.  With all the science, astronomy etc; well, I kick myself for sleeping through physics class in Military school. In my defense, I was very tired from all the marching and it seemed like a good time to nap. (It was right after lunch too) And, I get in the weeds thinking about how if you turn this cool Aramaic verb at just the right angle and look through it like a prism of sorts you can see lightning bolts and thunderheads. Probably some inside research riff about verb intensity. Please. Is it just me? But squaring up, every time we go through it I see a little more, I get a glimpse further into this majestic truth. I actually think my brain stretches. I now must confess I used to wet my pants when I looked at the stars and tried to make sense out of it. I still don’t even look up unless John Crouch is holding my hand. I know this hand holding business has made John a little nervous but we have remained good friends nonetheless. And, I’m getting better. I think that’s what John really wanted to see. A little progress. This year I’m going to look up while holding the book and see how I do. Fortunately, John is coming back this year so I’ll get another run at the presentation. Did I say “squaring up”? See, this geeky slide rule talk is wearing off on me.

And, Rev. Walter Cummins will be here explaining…see, it’s hard to explain what these guys are explaining. I remember when I was in summer school 40 years ago, Walter was teaching how Jesus, when questioned by the Pharisees, answered their question with a question. Jesus didn’t let them pin him down, corner him, or put him on the defensive with their questions.

I was reminded of that the last time Walter was here. We were backstage and I asked him a question. And he answered my question with a question. I couldn’t help but marvel at how incredibly well trained these guys are. ( I was just trying to find out if anyone was in the bathroom.)

Having these two together is fun for me. It’s like having a WWF tag team match with Randy “the macho man” Savage and Hulk Hogan. Against ALL comers. COMMERCIAL FREE. And, the rumors about the third Blues Brother’s appearance at the half time show is “kal surprise`”. See, I lapse into French trying to describe how absolutely wild things will be around here.

WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR LEAVING, I tell the young people, especially those in three year program arrangement, about a man who did me a huge favor. After I had been studying the martial arts for a number of years and was coming to the black belt level, my Sensei, against his own personal feelings for me and against his own economic interests, kicked me out of the dojo. He told me if I stayed, I was going to begin tailoring my fight game against the other black belts in the dojo since I knew them so well, instead of against all the other fighters out there I didn’t know. The consequence of that would become evident on the street. He told me to pack my bags, start traveling and fight anyone who would climb in the ring with me. He told me to look up the big names and go a few rounds with them too. This, he said, would purify my craft. It was painful leaving, but I recognized the wisdom in his words and did what he said. I had to pick myself up off the mat a few times but I was a better fighter for it. And, every once in a while, I’d check in with him to tell him things I’d learned and review a few things. And thank him. I try to remember that conversation when it comes time to put these young people we have come to love so much on the road at graduation. “Pack your gear, make sure you have your mouth piece, and drop me a line. I’ll be here.”

We seek no advantage. We covet no man’s silver. It is its own reward.

A Smith County sundown sets on an empty home tonight.

But, the gates are open, and we’ll leave the light on for you.