What to call the Grandparents? A Theory

School is picking up, so blogs are going to be at a minimum the next few weeks, but I’ll do what I can.  Today you get a theory.  As I prepare for fatherhood, we are now in the 2nd trimester!  Also, I am newly an uncle as of April 22nd!  I have had a conversation with some about what to call the grandparents.  I have learned that sometimes grandparents names just happen.  A grandkid in their learning of this vast new world of language try to say something, a name just emerges. 

However, I think that the name from grandparents come for our idea of grandparents.  I never knew my mom’s dad.  He passed away before any of the grandkids were born, but I did know my dad’s dad, Abraham Tiger.  No middle name, just Abraham.  Of course, I didn’t know him as such, to me he was and always will be Papa.  When I think of a grandfather, Papa is forever ingrained in my mind.  Just hearing the name brings joy to my heart.  And when the time comes many moons from now, and if I have the choice, I will choose Papa. 

I had assumed then that my dad would want to be called Papa.  After all that was the name that I associate with being a grandfather, but my dad when he thinks about grandfather does not think about his dad, but about his grandfather who he called Granddad.  Just like in my mind is a grandfather Papa, so in his mind is a grandfather Granddad. 

My conclusion is thus: Grandparents names skips a generation.  So, my grandparent line may be something like Granddad, Papa, Granddad, Papa.  Just a thought.  If you have any leave them below.

My Mocking Voice: Participating in the Crucifixion

Occasionally, God gives me a song. The song varies, but God gives me a verse or a chorus that continually fills my mind and soul. One time the song was “From Sunrise to Sunset.” It’s is a catchy tune, “From sunrise to sunset help me not forget all that you do for me. From sunset to sunrise help me keep my eyes upon your glory.” What a good song to have in your head! God has placed a different song in my head during these final days of Lent: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” The title of the song sounds like a fun song to have in your head, but this is the verse that God has graciously given me, “Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders, ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers.”

Advice for Those Seeking Commissioning in the UM Church

Now that I am a Reverend-Elect, I thought I would give some advice to all those candidates for ministry in the UM church who are going through the process to commissioning.

1. Plan ahead.  It is easy to put your commissioning off.  You are busy with Seminary.  You have a family that needs your attention.  You might be working one or two jobs.  If you plan ahead though you can be disciplined with your time.  Some conferences allow you to be commissioned half-way through, but they require you to have completed certain classes, know those classes and plan your schedule around them.  Also, communicate with your DCOM and let them know your intentions.  I met with them over the phone last Spring with the goal in mind to be commissioned this Spring.  They would not had suggested it had I not initiated the idea.  So, look over the process, put goals in mind and plan ahead.  Same thing with finishing up your candidacy stuff.  It could take a while to get in for the psychological testing.  So plan ahead.