My New Friend, Fred

That’s what I named him anyway. Let me back up a bit. Last week, one of the workers on our church remodel came into the office. He was a sub contractor whom I had not met before. He spoke quietly, but with a look of urgency in his eyes. “Are you the pastor?” “Yes” “I have something to show you.”

So he and I took a walk to the back of our building. He pointed to a garbage can next to our new remodeled educational wing. I walked up slowly and peeked in. A snake was coiled up in the garbage can, obviously not glad to see me. The workers next words broke into my thoughts, “Is he yours?”

Is he mine? Are you kidding? Do I look like a snake handler? The worker didn’t stick around for me to give me an answer. He was gone and I was left holding the garbage can, or at least, looking into it. Actually, he was a rather attractive snake. He was a copper colored with diamonds on his back. My California heritage kicked in and I looked for rattles. Nope. I guess he was mine for now, so I named him “Fred”—Fred, the snake. Now, for those reading this, if your name is Fred, please don’t take offense. If someone dumps an ugly dog, or a beautiful snake at your place of business, and you want to name him “Bob,” I’m fine with that.

So I’m looking into this garbage can with a snake on the bottom. Fred and I came to an agreement then and there. He would guard the bottom of the garbage can, and I would admire him from afar. Being a manly man, I did what some guys would do—I left him there. I did tear off a piece of “caution” tape from the construction site and draped it over the can. It seemed more appropriate than a sign that said, “Beware of Fred,” or “Danger, Attack Snake!”

Everyone who came by the office got to meet Fred. I was asked the normal questions that all new snake owners must answer.
“What kind is he?” (I have no clue). “Does he bite?” (I’m not sticking MY hand in there to find out.)

They offered several suggestions about what to DO with Fred. Taking him home was not an option—my wife, my daughter and my cat would organize a quick rebellion. Apparently there are a couple of gentlemen in town that keep snakes, one as a hobby and one who gives great presentations to schools about reptiles. I mention this because, the next day, I went out to see how Fred’s day was going and he was gone! He left as mysteriously as he appeared.

I don’ know where Fred went, but according to the scriptures, I will see him again. In Isaiah, we find a word picture of what heaven might be like. In chapter 11, verses 6-7, we see these words, “the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.”

Now comes the part about Fred. In verse 8, we find, “The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.” This is talking about heaven because there was no earthly way I was going to put my hand in that garbage can. I wasn’t touching Fred for all the money on “Deal or No Deal” Heaven is going to be a place where creation will be restored to Eden Days, animals and people will get along. The lion and the lamb, the leopard and the goat, Bill Clinton and Rush Limbaugh will all get along. People we don’t get along with on earth, if they are Christians, will dwell together with us praising God. Enemies will be family, and we will all glorify God together. And you will find me there…

With my new friend, Fred.

That Wonderful Garage Band

I didn’t know it possible to have that much fun in a garage. But I did. If I’m doing my math right, a 10 foot by 15 foot garage provided us with 150 square feet of musical heaven. The name of my brother-in-law’s blue grass band is “One Way Train.” They let me ride along Saturday night and what a fun ride it was. We were the Baby Boomer boys, out for a night of strumming and funning.

The group has quite the variety of styles. They do secular and Christian. They play bluegrass, country, and a little soft rock thrown in for good measure. This night we played John Denver, and the Eagles. We played country gospel hymns with four part harmony. My brother-in-law, Frank, has also written a lot of amazing songs and we sang those as well. I had listened to their demo CD, so I knew a few of the original songs—or at least I thought I did.

Bear in mind these guys play together ever week. I’m sitting in for the first time. They graciously placed a notebook full of words and guitar chords in front of me, so that was no problem. They had amps, microphones and the whole gig. It was a cozy studio, with a few sleeping bags, canned goods, and garbage cans to add to the garage motif.

Frank and I have played together for over 25 years. He and Joni and I would trio all over the place. This night, we did a couple of Frank’s and my favorite songs to get me warmed up. No problem. Then we got down to business and played some of their numbers. I strummed along, and added some bass vocals, but there were a few problems. They all stopped playing during one song for a “dramatic pause.” I kept right on playing. Frank was playing an electric 12 string, which I break the 10th commandment every time I see it. Matt was on bass guitar. Steve was playing lead, and Mike was on the drums. At one point, Matt and Frank dropped out so Steve could do a solo. Dummy me kept right on strumming.

About the fifth time this happened, I glanced around at the other guys, expecting to see scowls, or at least a random dirty look. Nope! They were smiling and enjoying our time together, despite my wrong notes, missed chords, and a few other guitar guffaws.

The climax of the evening came when we sang John Denver’s hit, “Take me home Country Roads.” That was the first song I learned on guitar, and if I do say so myself, we sounded pretty doggone good.

I don’t think the Apostle Paul played in a bluegrass, country rock band, but he knew something about playing together. In Romans 12:5-6, we see these words. “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”

Paul, of course, was talking about the church. It’s my goal and desire that our church, and especially our small groups, take on a garage band mentality. We, as individuals, join in and put our gifts together to make beautiful music that a tone deaf community longs to hear. We welcome the first timers that want to sit in with us. We put up with their mistakes because we haven’t played together as much. It won’t be long, though, before we are making fantastic music together and are having a lot of fun doing it.

Let’s get on The One Way Train and play together!