technology.  Soon the tech arrived and went to work.  We went right ahead as if the tech wasn’t there checking connections, exploring the equipment, attempting solutions.  Finally, right in the middle of one of my ‘Zinger’ moments, SOUND…FULL, RICH, QUALITY SOUND!  Unanimous applause broke out all over the room.

We were all curious.  What was the problem?  “The sound cord that was plugged in to the back of the computer was loose.  Did someone move the computer?” the tech asked.  I suddenly felt the bottom drop out.  My inner-child began to moan.  “It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord!  Help!  It wasn’t someone else.  I can’t even blame the Devil.  I did it to myself!”  Ionic, isn’t it?  In solving one dilemma, I unknowingly created another.

That’s often the case in my life.  I solve one issue only to find I’ve created another issue in the process.  (Can I get a witness?)  That’s why I love our theme verse, “But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”   That phrase, ‘once for all,’ is so satisfying, so comforting, so once-for-all conclusive!

When Jesus solved the problem of sin on the Cross, he didn’t create another one in its place.  It is settled, or, as He Himself said, “IT IS FINISHED!”  Forgiveness, salvation, cleansing, and redemption have been bought and paid for…once for all!  And in solving the dilemma of sin for mankind, the sound cord to heaven was not pulled loose!  On the contrary, in Jesus, we’re wired for divine sound like never before in history!  For the child of God, the full production is in place to be enjoyed forever!  Amen!

                                                                    Clay

PS  Yes, I confessed to the class.

 

“But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” –Hebrews 9:26

 

Greetings from Lon Morris College, our host location for the annual Texas Conference School of Mission!  Today is Saturday, July 26, & the second part of my seminar on Disaster Preparedness will take place at 2 PM.  After that, it’s ‘hit the road, Jack!’  Time to get home so I can worship with my ORT family on Sunday!

I sure hope today’s session goes better.  Yesterday was not too good.  I was assigned room 204 in the Peeler building.  The morning hours allowed for plenty of preparation time.  I wanted to be sure everything was set up and ready.  The tables and chairs were neatly in place, and the huge black-board is fantastic.  The room had its own video projector system, including computer, screen, and sound.  Everything was built into an enclosed cabinet designed to keep people from tampering with settings.  This was one fine setup.  (I want one of these!)  So much for the equipment I brought.  Really, this was a welcomed relief.  Setting up a laptop with a projector plus all the other paraphernalia that goes with it can be a headache!

Okay, let’s test this stuff out.  Incredible, everything works!  The two short DVDs, as well as two power-points, all came through.  And that sound system was sweet...so much better than the standard sound that comes with a laptop!  I was one happy camper!

There was just one small, minor issue.  The mouse cord didn’t reach very far,

which required the presenter (me) to stand in a place that impeded screen vision for a good number of people on the right side of the room.  I thought, “This mouse cord is awfully short.  I wonder… is it caught on something inside the cabinet?”  I gently pulled to see if more cord would appear.  It felt as if it were trapped.  I attempted to stick my hand behind the computer hoping to trace the cord’s path.  “I suspect this cord’s trapped under the back corner of the computer.  If I could just slightly tilt this computer forward…”

Walla!  Now the mouse had a foot or two more slack.  Perfect!  The podium could be moved just enough so that everyone could enjoy the full visual effect of the screen.  My thoughts turned to delight, “I am a genius!  Hey, this will also help future presenters who use this system in times to come.  No need to thank me…it’s all in a day’s work!”

At 2 PM on that same Friday, my classroom was full.  Time for the opening, bound-to-be-a-winner, heart-grabbing “Ready Houston” DVD.  “Great,” I thought, “the picture’s fine…wait… where’s the sound?  There’s no sound!  Impossible!  This worked perfectly just a little while ago.  What could possibly be wrong?  Who fooled with my setup?  I bet the Devil’s behind this!”

I quickly checked everything within my reach that could be checked.  Other computer know-it-all’s (every crowd has a few!) offered their help.  Someone went to find campus maintenance.  One lady opened the cabinet doors.  That’s when I got nervous.  She seemed offended when I suggested we wait for the maintenance tech.  Obviously, she knew what she was doing.  Why couldn’t I recognize that!  In the meantime, folks were getting restless.  Time was slipping away.

I quickly adjusted and got the class underway with material that didn’t require

A Word From The Pastor

Old River Terrace UMC

Terrace Talk

August 2008

Volume 2, Issue 8