Cedarville University

I have run into several people in my recent travels who said, “You haven’t updated your blog.” What a way to feel guilty! I have been on the road quite a bit and then we were without power and internet at the house after Hurricane Ike roared through (Ohio!?). Some people in the area are still without power. Former Senator Mike DeWine dropped by the house last night to talk about a few things and as he was leaving mentioned that he had no electricity at his home. I guess you move down the priority list when you lose an election!

The wind that came through was amazing. It reminded me of my youth when real hurricanes hit us in Florida.

Here are some photos of our front yard after Ike visited.

We traveled to Pennsylvania over the weekend and attended an alumni “Fall Festival” in Lancaster County. About 180 or so were there for a barbeque, games, CU update, etc. It was fun.

We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast (actually a guest house) which was really quite nice. It was a beautiful little home in a beautiful area. When I say, “little,” I do mean “little.” I hit my head on numerous parts of the ceiling and furnishings at least a dozen times. I’m not that tall (6’2”) so maybe I’m just in that clumsy, awkward stage of middle life.

In spite of that, we had a lovely time.

At least Lynne says we did. I can’t remember.

This week is a preparation time for the Trustee Meeting next week and Homecoming which immediately follows. That will be a busy but enjoyable week.

I was impressed with our students who took advantage of their day off from classes last Monday and spread out across the area to help people claen up their yards. A group are going to the Galveston area soon, too. I want all of us to think first about the opportunities to serve and provide support whenever there is a tragedy or need.

I read an article not long ago by an atheist who acknowledged that, with few exceptions, all of the groups that worked and still are working in the areas ravaged by Katrina are Christian groups. He didn’t seem bothered by that; just his observation. What a great testimony.

At the University, we invited those in the community still without power to come to the university to eat for free. Thanks to Chuck McKinney and his staff for this extra labor of agape.

Thanks for your love and encouragement!

Cedarville University always celebrates Labor Day. By that, I mean we don’t work. We always had classes at Bryan since it was so early in the semester and missing a day of school meant we had to make it up later. But at Cedarville, the whole town shuts down and we celebrate. The main reason, of course, is that Senator James Kyle, who was born in Cedarville in 1854, is the father of Labor Day. He sponsored the legislation to make it a national holiday. There are a quite a few streets and buildings named Kyle in the Cedarville area in honor of him and his family. He was a pastor before he became a politician and he served as a US Senator representing (not Ohio) South Dakota.

Not to celebrate Labor Day in Cedarville would seem to be sacrilegious. So, Cedarfest is a weekend event that brings the community together for most of the weekend. The Labor Day parade and evening fireworks cap off the celebration.

There is nothing like small town celebrations to help you feel grounded. Lynne and I enjoy marching in the parade (usually with the University volleyball team) waving to the crowds and giving out ice cream to the kids along the parade route. Now, it only takes twenty minutes to walk the parade route but it is still a lot of fun.

Now we dive into the serious part of the semester at Cedarville University.  Before we know it, the holidays will be here!

One of the interesting features of this Labor Day was the drama of Hurricane Gustav. Since I grew up in Florida, we had our share of hurricanes. As a kid, it was always a lot of fun when a hurricane was on its way (no school!). Back then, hurricanes only had female names (this started in 1953 - long before I was around). Evidently, islanders in the Caribbean named storms after the saint honored on the day the hurricane struck. Now, there are six lists with both male and female names that are rotated each year. Names for Atlantic hurricanes are supposed to be English, French or Spanish, since these are the main languages spoken in countries bordering the ocean.

But Gustav? That’s a Swedish name.

I think it would be a great idea to begin to expand the potential name list to include names of famous people (Oprah, Madonna, Carrot Top) and historic figures (Caesar Augustus, Marco Polo, Rasputin).  Or even include African names (Africa borders the Atlantic, doesn’t it?).

The challenge would be for the television weather- and news-casters to properly pronounce the new names. Particularly if one was from one of the African tribal languages that contains numerous clicking sounds:  “We expect Hurricane W,’ef’ber”txv (pronounced “click, click, brrrrpt”) to strike the Florida coast by morning.”

But that I think that would be nothing compared to the name of the recent Olympic Gold Medalist weight lifter from Thailand, Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon.

Fortunately Thailand does not border the Atlantic.

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. God is at work at Cedarville!

Last week was a blur. After the beginning of the semester, I took off Thursday for Dallas where I spoke at First Baptist Church to some of the leadership. When I tried to head home on Saturday from DFW, I found that my flight had been canceled (why do we always call it “my” flight? If it was really mine, I would not have canceled it). Fortunately, I found another flight (someone else’s flight) to get me home later that day. Then, I spoke at Far Hills Community Church on Sunday. After that, I raced home to finish preparing for chapel on Monday. If all I was doing was speaking, this might be a little easier! Unfortunately, I have work to do.

The Olympics appropriately segue into the political gymnastics of the Party Conventions. I am amused at all “drama” (referencing Rob Turner’s message in chapel). Every word, look, tear, and burp is analyzed by the media and takes on a life of its own. Is should be a very interesting two months leading up to the election.

Both campaigns have indicated an interest in having the candidates hold a rally at Cedarville University. Of course, if we let one do it we must allow the other as well (interestingly, the Obama campaign made the first approach). I would really like to get both candidates on campus at the same time – without either one knowing about it. Then we could really see how well they handle themselves. If they refused a town hall Q&A or a debate, we could take them to the Field House and let them compete on our climbing wall and then battle it out in a game of racquetball.

**Best Political Jokes of the Weekend**

(D) Barack Obama chose Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate even though Biden received only 1% of the votes in the Iowa caucuses. But polls show that he would have doubled that number if there had been no other candidates running.

(R) Reporters asked John McCain how many fingers he has on his right hand. He looked confused, paused for a moment and then replied that he would have to ask his staff for the exact number.

Despite the drama and the jokes, the reality that we are choosing a president is a serious one. I don’t agree that we put our 100% endorsement of agreement with whomever we vote for. If I followed that policy, I would not have voted in many elections. Sometimes, we have let a few key issues guide our vote. Not to vote is to vote.

Everyone may have different key issues that influence their vote. I like to boil it down to three. In our world situation as it is, these rise to the top for me:

1. National Defense

2. Supreme Court Justice Selections

3. Support for human dignity and life

That being said, God is not panicking in heaven. In fact, the furtherance of the Gospel is the most important endeavor we can engage. Only when hearts are changed can there be positive significant social change.

So - we keep plugging away at the greatest vocation in the universe. We don’t need opening ceremonies or conventions.

Have a blessed week!