The Edge of the Inside

Friday Photo – Windy (Oklahoma) Gulch

Todd Littleton — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:50:34 +0000

(Quick Note: There will be more photos of Cohen Alan. I need to process a few and take a few, well lots, more. Keep watching. He is growing.)

Yesterday a cold front began pushing through our area. This morning the “feel” in the air had me thinking, “Take Me Back.” That’s right, take me back to Creede. While that is not possible at the moment, the weather on the front porch this morning reminded me of our drive around Creede this past May.

I snapped this shot looking down toward Creede looking toward Windy Gulch. And, it is quite windy here this morning. The only thing missing – the mountains. But, these are the times to flip back through the photos and remember.

Hope you are enjoying the weather “where you are.”

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Useless/Useful – Thoughts from The Edge

Todd Littleton — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:09:06 +0000

Could we ever bring ourselves to really believe some people are useless? There is little doubt you have been in a conversation at one time or another when just such an observation was made. Maybe you agreed. Could be you defended the person in question. I read Doug Pagitt’s reflection on two of the RCL texts for the week over at The Hardest Question. For me, this is the hardest question. How is it that we could ever consider someone useless? Followed quickly by the realization that God makes this assertion by implication in the story of the Potter and the Clay.

Now that you have ratcheted your jaw up to its before the floor drop position, consider the texts. The Songwriter expresses wonder at his human existence. He marvels at the unlikely being real as God created life from two becoming one. Jeremiah does not undermine that wonder does he? Have the “people of God” become useless in the purpose to bear the image of God to/with the nations? It would seem from the image the consequence of failing to embody the way of God in the world results in life that is useless. That is not to say people are useless, but the way of life fails to call attention to a reflective goodness in the world – that is the glory of God.

At this point we witness Jesus contending there is need to set aside all other images of the Jesus way – be they tied to family of origin or one’s own family. For those nervous with exclusivity, we do indeed see Jesus calling attention to the uniqueness with which he lives out the Way of God in the world and calls those who would follow Him to do the same.

The Apostle Paul then shares a letter invoking the image of uselessness and usefulness in his own life story – and that of Onesimus.

What for you is the hardest question? What for you do these texts bring to bear on the manner you express what it means to follow Jesus?

Cohen Alan – Day 28, Finally Home

Todd Littleton — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:15:14 +0000

Four weeks to the day and almost to the hour, Cohen Alan left the NICU at Children’s Hospital and rode his chariot home. What a difference four weeks make. Make no mistake, he is still quite small. But 1 1/2 lbs later and passing all of his required milestones meant “home” would be the new office.

If you had to be in the NICU then we believe we were in the right place. The Nursing Staff all the way down to our favorite cashier in the Cafeteria made our time a very good experience. Dr. Kessinger kept us informed and encouraged. The variety of shift nurses must be commended. How they handle the ups and downs in the NICU offering great care and compassion is a tribute to their sense of vocation – God’s angels for us.

We cannot fail to mention Dr’s Craig and Nightingale who were stars in our great story. But, as you have noticed over the past 28 days I have been quite content to interrupt my normal content to exhibit the nuttiness characteristic of a grandparent.

It is early in the week for a Friday Photo, but in celebration of his arrival at home, I offer a Terrific Tuesday Photo.

Friday Photo(s) – Grammy Looking On … and Good Too

Todd Littleton — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:59:17 +0000

One week ago today, we timed it right. Cohen had escaped the box for a bit and we happened to arrive at the hospital in time. Seventeen days after he was born, we got to hold our little grandson. And, I mean little.

Watching him from outside the isolette you can easily tell he is small. But, it really becomes apparent when it is your turn to hold him.

Yesterday we learned he may get to come home in a couple of weeks. We know that can change from day to day. But for now, we won’t wish our lives away but we will look forward to seeing Cohen Alan in something other than an isolette real soon!

Enjoy. I am.

An extra for this week. Not a few young preachers feel the need to publicly talk about how “hot” their wives are. “Smoking hot” is often a common description. Maybe I am just old. But, that language sure makes it sound like “I bagged a trophy.” There are all kinds of things that communicates. So, for me, here is a photo of the beauty I married 27 1/2 years ago. And, she sure does not look old enough to be “Grammy!” But she is … and happy to be so … can’t you tell?

The Cohen Alan Report – Day 24

Todd Littleton — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:48:53 +0000

Yesterday I received this photo on my phone with the caption, “Hello G-pa Doc.” Needless to say nothing could go wrong after that!

Cohen weighs just under 3 lbs. and 11 oz. He is eating well and growing. We are not sure when he will get out of the “box” but he is holding his temperature on his own. We hope he moves into a new bed when he hits the 4 lb. mark.

I have some thoughts about the “box” and our natural tendency to both want to escape the box and at the same time feel the comfort of the boundaries the box provides. But, this is not a time for the “preacher” to reflect. It is a time for Grandpa Doc to thank you for your thoughts and prayers as Craig’s “mini-me” continues to grow.

Enjoy!

Water, Places, Hospitality – Thoughts from the Edge

Todd Littleton — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:35:05 +0000

Recently Chris Seay described the completion of a water well in Haiti. He just as well heralded a vein of gold had been hit. In a country ravaged by hurricanes and earthquakes in the past couple of years, water is a precious commodity.

The imagery in the Jeremiah passage for this week reminds us the value of running water – living water 0ver against contained water, captured in a cistern. Too often Christian people want a God to possess, to control. We create systems wherein God is required to act or behave in a way we manage. It is an old story. It is a common practice.

People who should be alert to the uncontainable God should also be prepared to let the love given in Jesus flow freely through us to all rather than appoint special days for people to be helped and take seats from those who may deserve them more. You never know when the stranger may be an angel.

What are your thoughts on this week’s Scriptures?

Fire the Pastor – Come to Revival

Todd Littleton — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:00:10 +0000

Celebrate the Liberating King. Come join us in firing our Pastor. Revival Coming.

I receive print and e-newsletters from various churches. Most often they come from friends and the churches they either attend or serve in some capacity. One of these recent print newsletters contained three stories all on the front page.

A group of people celebrated the liberating work of the Spirit of God as they worked through various addictions. Their group meets in a local church. An event was held to affirm, encourage, and cheer on those who experienced the freedom from their personal addictions.

Another group of people in this same local church called for the pastor’s resignation. Calling members to make the action a matter of prayer, the date was set for this impending vote and its consequent actions.

Beneath it all is the printed announcement of the upcoming revival dates for this local church.

I sincerely hope the local church that sent out this newsletter only made this one oversight – sending this newsletter to someone who is not a member of the local church – me. I fear they did not think that far.

If I ever had reservations about attending a local church, this kind of mixed message would give me pause to reconsider. What are we thinking when the outgoing Pastor celebrates the Liberating King, is under fire and threat of termination, and the church calls attention to an impending revival? I am guessing the Pastor will be liberated from such foolishness and in the oddest sort of way the church will hope for revival.

All of this and the Sunday that the Revival is planned to begin is none other than, “Back to Church Sunday.”

Land On Park51 and Why the SBC Is Not Monolithic

Todd Littleton — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:26:49 +0000

Chatting with the Professor this week reminded me that some are able to grasp that the SBC is not monolithic. (A quick note here. My friend Greg affectionately refers to me as Reverend. So in an attempt to find my own affectionate description I chose Professor. And, in an upcoming post I want to explore friendship – specifically the nature of the Professor-Reverend friendship.)

Dr. Richard Land visited “flyover country” this week. The guest of Capital Baptist Association, Dr. Land covered a range of topics according to The Oklahoman,

Land said he enjoys traveling across the country and meeting with Southern Baptists about public policy issues. He said he does not endorse candidates, but encourages Baptists to vote their values and beliefs.

I had hoped to attend one of Dr. Land’s two events while here. The choices were Cohen Alan or Dr. Land. You be the judge.Dr. Land taught a course I took more than 20 years ago on American Religious History. He is well-spoken, confident, and quite smart. My only objection at the time came when he sought to refute one of my college professors assertions about the treatment of Native Americans by the United States. The late Dr. Paul Rutledge was no slouch holding two PhD’s and had taught a Comparative Civilizations course on Native Americans I took while at O.B.U. I have little doubt who to consider the “expert” on the subject and was disappointed in Dr. Land.

Reading the coverage of the event at Southern Hills left me wanting to hear a recording. For when someone like Dr. Land speaks many Southern Baptists either join lock-step with the espoused opinion or they defer to the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to “help” them with their “beliefs” on the topic du jour. And, we would have all been surprised had Dr. Land not said something about Park51. He did.

And it is at this point everyone should understand the SBC is not monolithic. The one does not speak for all.

First, the Cordoba House project now dubbed Park51 is more YMCA than mosque. It is no more a mosque than the chapel at the Pentagon becomes a mosque when Muslims take their prayer times there. Continued use of “mosque” by those purporting to support religious liberty is more political than religious.

Second, suggesting the matter is one of “manners” begs the question of Christian manners and hospitality. And, here we are talking about American Muslims. Reading the Parable of the Wounded Jew (a.k.a. The Good Samaritan) must include the attendant connections. Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day were enemies. Think of the modern Palestinian-Israeli divide. Jesus concluded his conversation with the questioning lawyer by agreeing the Samaritan was the neighbor and commanding hearers to live the same way. Should we want to make of our Muslim neighbors our enemies we stand in defiance of the occasion to embody the ethic of Jesus.

Third, we who live in Oklahoma City should consider this cartoon when thinking about our position. It is too easy for us to conflate politics with our faith in a way that the embodied ethic of Jesus falls under the weight of our eagerness for vindication. Believing in the Kingdom of God and the fulfillment of the “coming Kingdom” sets the matter of my need for vindication aside.

The SBC is not monolithic. When the day comes, and if we fail on this matter it will, when Christians want to build a church building is challenged we will rue the day we only gave lip service to religious liberty and freedom in US America.

Friday Photo – In Grammy’s Arm

Todd Littleton — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:26:35 +0000

Seventeen days later. Patty waited while I finished helping Dad lay tile in a bathroom. Earlier in the day she asked how long I would be. The hidden meaning was, “When will you be ready to go see Cohen?” I thought we might be finished by noon. She then remarked it would be 2:00 p.m. She knows my optimism too well. We did finish before 2:00 p.m. but not by noon. So, we split the difference as to “who was right.”

Once at the hospital there was no question who would head back first. Not long after Craig came out and said, “Patty is holding Cohen.” No time to ask questions. Grab the camera. Get back to the room.

Once there I realized, this is how she gets one up on me. I have taken Kimberly to this hospital twice this week. I refer to this as “Cohen’s Office.” I can work there. Patty cannot get free so easy. But even at that I had not yet had the occasion to hold Cohen. She beat me to it. And, she deserved to.

Little by little, day by day, there is always something new. And yes, I too got to hold the little boy today. And wow, how little he is.

Enjoy … I do.

“Hold Me Momma” – Cohen Alan

Todd Littleton — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:53:30 +0000

“Will he break?” I remember one of the nurses telling us how easy it is to fear preemies might break. She went on to suggest that they are very limber so when putting on that very little diaper one would not break his little leg. I tell you in those very early days, not that we are not still in his very early days, we did wonder just how to “handle” that little boy.

The problem was, we could not “handle” him. We could get into the “isolette” (the more proper word than “box”) through the portholes but that is hardly “handling.” Now we are in day 17 and not only may we touch him through the porthole, Craig and Kimberly can hold him. This week’s weekly video is taken from Tuesday of this week; my day in Cohen’s Office as I like to refer to it.

Cohen Alan has gained back what he had lost in those first days and then some. We are looking forward to the 4 lb. mark when they will take him out of the isolette. He does not have any IV’s at present and they may take the PICC line out tomorrow. As always, thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We are all looking forward to the day when we can “handle” him.

Enjoy.