GOD BLESS THE GOATS

I have a T-shirt that has “God Bless the Freaks” emblazoned across the front. I bought it a couple of summers ago in Telluride, Colorado while sharing the love of God daily with the many wonderful freaks, new-agers, street people, tuned in and dropped out woodsies, disillusioned young and old characters that defy boxes and labels.

I now need another T-shirt that says “God Bless the Goats”! Several years ago at a BFMC Easter Service I made reference to the fact that most pastors have been given a flock of sheep to lead while I’ve been given a herd of goats. J.Q. (History) liked that and often repeats it. Not long after that service he acquired two real and very troublesome goats! So last month when I asked J.Q. to sign a copy of THE ORIGINAL WILD ONES, which was being donated to the Roberts Library at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, here is how he signed it; “While you preachers are feeding the sheep, don’t forget about us goats”. Now the largest graduate school for Christian ministers in the world with the largest theological library in the U.S. has what must be one of their most unusual books with the most unusual gift note.

I must regress in order to get the book and me to the Seminary and explain about the absence of September’s “Chaplain’s Corner”, as well as my absence lately. The book and the article entitled “It’s In the Book” on this web page tell that I attended this Seminary for one year in 1979, became discouraged and dropped out. Those of you who know me or follow this ministry are aware that six years ago I experienced amazing grace and was re-encouraged, recommitted, repented and returned to my love for Christ and His ministry. You never know what a recommitment to Christ is going to bring. Often it involves entering back into the purposes that God had for you all along.

I haven’t had a paying job since 1999. About three years ago I began to feel a need to prepare for another and probably last career. I didn’t know what God wanted me to do or what I could do with the heart problems I was experiencing. Occasionally I thought of returning to the Seminary. It is an intense three year program. I scoffed it off with thoughts of how old I would be when graduating even if they would admit an old guy into a masters program. The annual emergency trips to the cardiac unit were no encouragement either. Then a couple of things happened.

The unscheduled March 2005 visit to the Cardiac ICU unit resulted in not only the third restarting and retiming of my heart but also a surgical procedure called catheter heart ablation. This procedure identifies and eliminates defective heart cells which cause rhythm problems. I felt great and was released after three days with more usable oxygen than I had experienced in years. Then I messed up!

A friend came to visit within minutes of my arriving home. Continuing a thirty-six year smoking habit I lit up while we talked. An hour and several smokes later I felt a horrifying familiar hard thump in my chest. Chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness followed. Fearing I had reversed that five hour surgery, and maybe losing life, I prayed for help. I had been praying for deliverance from this habit for years. Now here was the answer but not in the way I anticipated. I was looking for a painless and effortless miracle removal from my addiction. I would quit all right and God would help, but with me not in spite of me. March 10, 2005 I lost that old friend before he killed me!

There was a surprising result! I could now breathe and not cough up lung each morning. That was not the surprise because I had read such in the Cancer Society pamphlets which my family had strategically placed in my path for years. The surprise was the feeling of empowerment that I began to experience a few weeks into quitting. I knew I wasn’t quitting by myself but I was quitting. If with God’s help this mountain could be moved what is impossible. Scary thinking huh?

Thoughts of Seminary began to bug me again. Solution; apply and be turned down for being within one year of eligibility to draw Social Security when I graduate. Seemed like a good guiltless out, can’t be blamed for a turn down. Right?

May 18, 2005 “Dear Mr. Mahan: thank you for your request to continue your studies at Southwestern Seminary. Your request has been approved for the Fall 2005 semester in the Master Arts/ Marriage and Family Counseling (Psychology) program---” the letter read. Oh my, what have I done!

August 18^{th 8a.m. first day, first class I was informed that I was behind in the course because the first assignment was on “Blackboard” online. Thus the old age penalty began. I don’t think there were P.C.s much less internet blackboard neither in ‘79’ nor in ‘76’ when graduating college. I’ve been racing to catch up and to keep up ever since. I am learning a lot, enjoying the work load like a good masochist, and very thankful for another opportunity. This plus three weddings officiated is the reason for no September posting. That gets me to the Seminary, read on for the book making it.}

“J.Q., I need to see if Bill Haynes will donate a couple of books” I said about a month ago. “Why do you need them” History asked. “Want to donate one to the Burleson Public Library and one to the Seminary” I answered. “Why the Seminary” he asked. “To inspire and instruct these young preachers in training that the Lord loves the stray goats as well as the church sheep and everyday is a fresh chance for a new beginning” I think I said. If I didn’t then I’m saying it now. Without a word he went to his truck and returned with two books which we signed and I donated. I received the thank you letter today which you see attached.

The saga goes on. THE ORIGINAL WILD ONES is placed in an unusual place and this blessed goat tender gets more second chances. You can’t go wrong committing yourself to Jesus. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalms 23:6)

If you’ve lost your way, you know you can call me. I’m not too busy for Divine appointments.