Bittersweet Farm
In this talk I explain the third aspect of Biblical masculinity–Savior from Genesis 3 and I talk about one of the most important things a man can do to resist evil in his life and in his jurisdiction.
Today I stopped at the market to get some apples. A small lady said to me, “Excuse me sir, when you are done there can you help me. I can’t reach the marmalade preserves.”
“No trouble,” I said, happy to be of some use and to make a new friend. I reached for the preserves thinking, “But for the grace of God I could be a short people…”
“That is wonderful stuff,” she said,
“Have you read the Jan Karon novels?”
“Every last one of them.” she said.
I had a hunch. “Are you a church-goer.”
“I am.”
We explored our common experiences and went our ways. She with her Marmalade Preserves in her cart and me walking just a little taller and a little warmer in my heart.
I got to tell her the story of recommending the books to Bea, and then about the time Bea surprised me on my birthday with Esther’s Marmalade Cake from Jan Karon’s books…
Always puts a smile on my face
The five aspects of godly masculinity according to Bill Mouser are: Lord of the Earth, Husbandman, Savior, Sage, and Glory-Bearer. These are Biblical descriptions of what it means to be a man. In this episode I talk about making life flourish in in your jurisdiction.
I went to my barber today, Harvey. Why do I alway wait to long to go to the barber. A fresh hair-cut is such a simple pleasure. We got to talking about walking. I told him I have been walking every day. He said, “O, I walk every morning about 5:30.”
“Where do you live?”
He said, “I live out on Ackerson Lake.”
“Do you carry a flashlight?”
“No. There are street lights so I can see.”
“But how do people see you?” I asked.
He said, “I was walking one morning and a guy pulled over in a pick-up truck and he said, ‘Hey. I see you out here walking every morning. It’s hard to see you in the dark. I’m worried for you. I have a gift. I figured you were about my size. See if this fits.’ He handed me a nice jacket with bright reflective tape sewn on it. I wear that every morning, now.”
“That might have saved your life,” I said and smiled at the human warmth of the gesture. The guy could have cussed him out for doing something dangerous. He could have drove close to give him a scare. Instead he reached into the toolbox of his humanity and pulled out a nice reflective jacket.
If you are not walking you might give it some thought. If you are walking in the dark you might invest in a flashlight and a reflective vest or jacket.
My daughter sent me a light band for my head that makes me look like an electronic angel.
Don’t be a couch potato and don’t be a crabby-britches. Be active, be safe, and be generous and may the wind be at your back.
Bittersweet Farm
March 20, 2023
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