A Eulogy: Jimmie Carrigan

On January 3, 1952, James Myron Carrigan made a perfect, three-point landing on schedule, in Salinas. His parents, Eddie and Herrie Lee, were waiting on the tarmac to welcome him. He arrived without luggage.

Jim used to tell people his dad was the milk man . . . his dad was a milk man but not THE milk man.

Jimmie’s middle name, Myron, was his father’s middle name.

Coincidentally, he was the middle child, born between his sisters, Linda and Patti.

I never knew Jim was born in Salinas . . . I always associated Jim with Tulare. When Jim was young his father took a job with Herrie Lee’s father in the farm equipment business and moved the Carrigan family to Tulare.

This morning I want to open the Gospel According to James of Tulare . . .

I want to look at Jim Carrigan’s life from several perspectives or angles. First, there is . . .

A. Jim the Student

As a child, Jim was very curious and constantly asked questions. I’m not sure what kind of grades Jim received in school, but he was a student, and he remained a student for the rest of his life.

He learned welding. He learned carpentry. Then he learned to design and draft house plans. I remember a time when He resisted changing to computer drafting, but he learned.

In recent years, he fulfilled a life-long: Jim attended flight school and earned his pilot’s license.

Jim was a student of the Bible throughout his life. Often, he would study and research in order to answer questions he encountered while sharing Jesus Christ with others. When I had a chance to visit with Jim, he would eagerly initiate a conversation about some biblical or doctrinal truth he was investigating.

Jim the Student . . . there’s another perspective . . .

B. Jim the Builder

Jimmie was a busy, active child, who loved to build. His pastor, Pastor Preddy, gave him some wheels because Jimmie wanted to make go carts. Several years later, Jimmie worked at his grandfather’s business welding farm equipment.

While in Bible College, Jim worked for William Carmichael, who taught Jimmie about construction. After moving to Bakersfield early in 1975, Jim worked in the oil fields as a roustabout. But, he found an opportunity to work as a carpenter and builder.

Jim and Sue began attending Bethel Assembly, where they met the Judkins family. Jim worked for Don, and then for Don’s son, Donavan.

Jim was conscientious and hard-working. Some have joked that Jim had “Adult ADHD”, but he just loved to stay busy, doing something with his hands! Susan said she never heard Jim get up in the morning and say, “Oh no, I’ve got to go to work today!”
He was seldom on time for work because he was usually early.

Jim helped me get the construction started on the first church I served as Pastor . . . Sandra and I have always wanted to live in a house designed and built by Jim Carrigan! I’m afraid we’ll have to move to Bakersfield for that to happen.

Jim the Student, Jim the Builder . . . Now consider . . .

C. Jim the Sportsman

Jim was an athlete. He broke several of his bones in athletic pursuits, including his arm and leg. He played little league baseball.

At Tulare Union High School, he participated in football, track, and basketball. He was the quarterback on a championship team.

Jim’s love for sports and his love for building things came together when he began building race cars. Wayne and Gary Poe raced his cars. More recently, Jeff Smith also was a partner and raced his cars.

Whenever the Purdy Family had a get together, after everyone had chatted and had a big dinner, Jim and the boys would gravitate to the basketball hoop and some kind of game would break out.

Jim was a Student, a Builder, a Sportsman . . . but one of Jim’s highest priorities made him . . .

D. Jim the Family Man

While attending Bethany Bible College, Jim noticed Susan Georgene Purdy in chapel. Their 1st date was in the last week of February, 1971. Jim was very cautious and deliberate in their courtship, so it took him an entire wee to propose . . . they were engaged a week later, March 7th, 1971. Nine months later, December 18, 1971, in Whittier, CA, I had the joy of performing my first wedding, as Sue and Jim pledged to love each other for the rest of their lives.

Their first home was a parsonage at a Christian conference center back in the Santa Cruz mountains. While living there, Samuel James Carrigan was born on December 20, 1973.

In January 1975, Jim and Sue decided to leave Bethany after the Fall semester. They chose Bakersfield because we invited them to stay with us until they decided what to do . . . we escaped from Bakersfield a few months later, but they never did get away.

They chose Bethel Assembly as their home church. They found a place to live. And Jesse Owen Carrigan was born May 22, 1976. Jim and Sue found First Assembly in the early 1980’s, and this has been their home for many years.

Jim was a kind husband and father. He loved his family and over the years, his family grew!

Samuel grew up, fell in love, and married Paula Renee. Sam and Paula and gave Jim two Grandsons: Weston James and Levi David
Jesse’s daughter Star Mertise was Jim’s first grandchild and only granddaughter.

Jim’s sister Linda married John Bergman, and they gave Jim two nieces. His sister Patricia married Gary Capehart, and they added a nephew and a niece to Jims family. There were sisters-in-law and a brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, on the Purdy side also. Speaking for both sides, I believe I can say, “Jim was a beloved, precious, and valued member of our family.”

Jim loved his family, and he especially loved his wife.

Jim was uniquely romantic . . . Susan told me of a time, on a cold night, that Jim cuddled up close in bed and said softly, “You’re warm and toasty . . . like an Egg McMuffin!”

Last Christmas, Jim gave Susan a personal card. I have never thought of giving my wife a Christmas card. I always thought I was doing well to a birthday card and an anniversary card! Gentlemen, Jim raised the bar!

Susan shared the Christmas card with me and I want to read it.

Real love is the way you accept me,
My good points, faults, and all
It’s knowing you support me
And feeling ten feet tall.
It’s the little daily triumphs
I can’t wait to share with you.
It’s all the random rough spots
That we help each other through.
It’s morning in the kitchen
It’s cuddling at night.
This is love, the daily stuff
And we sure got it right!

The Christmas season is
A beautiful time of the year,
But what we have day in and day out
While we’re sharing life together
Is more beautiful still!

And Jim circled these last words . . .

I love our life together, and I love you!

Sue says, “I knew Jim loved God, but I was so happy to realize that I was number two!”

Jim loved his wife and family, but he had one higher priority.

Student, Builder, Sportsman, Family Man . . . I we need to address the most important perspective of Jim’s life, Jim’s highest priority . . .

E. Jim the Evangelist

Jim gave his life to the Lord at age 11 at a Baptist church in Tulare. Thank God for the Baptists!

He memorized the hymn “Trust and Obey” in the 4th grade Sunday School class.

Making Jesus the Lord of his life was the most important decision in Jim’s life, of course, but Jim was forever changed when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit at age 16, while in high school.

Although Jim was a successful athlete, he was not particularly popular at school. He became known as “Preacher Boy” because he boldly shared Christ and challenged sinful behavior.

He could have had athletic scholarships to several colleges, but he chose to attend Bethany Bible College in 1970. At Bethany he met Susan and started his family.

Jim served every church he attended in any way he could.

Jim was not just a religious man . . . he was a spiritual man.

Prayer was a personal priority in Jim’s daily life . . . He looked forward to praying with his pastor every Sunday morning. I remember a an early Sunday morning phone call from Jim in which he shared that he had been praying for me, and God gave him a personal message for me! It was just what I needed to hear that morning!

God’s word was a personal priority in Jim’s life . . . He studied the Bible and he taught the Bible! He loved God’s Word and lived it daily! He taught an adult Sunday School class here at Bakersfield First, but about 4 years ago Jim and Sue were promoted to teach a 2nd grade Sunday School class. That’s what happens if you’re a really good teacher! Whether to adults or children, Jim did not just teach a lesson . . . He taught God’s Word!

Jim had a life-long passion for the things of God. Hours after I learned of Jim’s promotion to Heaven, I thought of a verse in the Gospel According John, chapter 2. When the Apostle John wrote of Jesus cleansing the Temple he quoted a verse from Psalm 69.
In the NIV it reads, “Zeal for your house has consumed me!”

It was zeal and passion for the things of God and the people God loved that motivated Jim to share Christ. That’s why he became “preacher boy” at Taylor Union High. That’s why he challenged the girls at Bethany to dress more modestly! That’s why he talked about the Bible with everyone nearby! That’s why he asked to pray with sick federal prisoners being flown to the Federal Prison Hospital in Springfield. That’s why he often talked about the coming of the Lord! Jim was consumed by passion for the things of God!

Jim went to Bethany Bible College because he felt God had called him to ministry. For several years he planned to become an evangelist. The casual observer might be tempted to think that Jim never became a minister or an evangelist. But ministry is not necessarily what happens behind a pulpit or in a sanctuary . . . Ministry happens out there where people live. Evangelism is not just what happens when you are passing out tracts or preaching in a crusade . . . Evangelism happens whenever you share Jesus Christ wherever you are! Jim was a wonderful minister and an outstanding Evangelist!

Above all else, Jim Carrigan was a man of God.

In closing, I want to tell you about Jim’s “Man Cave.” Wherever Jim lived, he had a “man cave.” I stood in Jim’s man cave on Saturday evening . . . the garage!

There is no big screen TV, no wet bar, no pool table but, it is Jim’s “Man Cave.” Every dimension of Jim’s life is represented there.

Jim the Sportsman was represented by a Basketball on a top shelf . . . and seven pairs of old tennis shoes were hung neatly in a row nearby.

Jim the Family Man wouldn’t let put sue stuff in the garage, except for some brooms, mops, and dusters. But there are four bicycles hanging on a wall and one is a bike he bought and fixed up for his grand nephew, Brayden, my grandson.

Jim the Builder is well represented. There are special shelves of old coffee cans holding screws, nuts, and bolts. Tools are neatly hung from the walls or placed on the shelves. There’s a trailer loaded with supplies, tools, and ladders for the use of those building a house down the street for Jim’s boss. There are tool boxes, boxes of nails, and welding equipment. There are wheels, metal beams, and axles; Jim’s next project was building trailer to carry whatever might need to be moved.

Jim the Student is represented by all the things Jim has learned to do throughout his life

What about Jim the Evangelist? On an old table saw with a huge vise, I found a stack of papers that somehow represented several dimensions of Jim’s life. There were plans for the new trailer, mileage records to turn into his boss, a letter from a CPA, a letter regarding the air charter business, and there I found a printout from the internet . . . it was from a website that answered a doctrinal question. I have no doubt it was a question that someone had asked Jim, and Jim was prepared to share an answer, because, talking about the things of God was Jim’s highest priority!

Jim’s life was reflected in that “man cave” in another sense. Everything has its place in Jim’s garage . . .

And Jim had things of life in order spiritually. He had sorted out his priorities, everything was in place, and Jim was ready to meet His Savior!

If Jim could speak a few words to you this morning, he would say something like, “Get ready! Put your life in order! Get your priorities straightened out . . . heaven is real, and Jesus is coming soon!”

On July 9, Jim took his last flight, a non-stop, one way flight into the presence of His Lord and Savior . . . Jim’s parents and a great cloud of witnesses were there to welcome Him home!

Downtown Update

Tuesday, October 12.

I went to three employment agencies in my effort to find a means of income. I discovered that one of the agencies, A & R Staffing, is located in the "old post office" on 24th and Lincoln in downtown Ogden. (I walked and prayed past that beautiful old building several times last week, never really stopping to see what businesses were inside.) So, I entered the building, found the correct suite, and filled out an application. The young lady asked me to return with my resume.

At dinner, my son announced that his boss asked him to represent the company at the T.U.B.E. (Top of Utah Business Expo) sponsored by the Ogden Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, October 13.

At breakfast I told my son, "I think I'll drop in and see the T.U.B.E. this afternoon!" (I thought this would be a chance to see a little more of my son and visit with business people from around the town, and besides, I also know that this is a great place to get cookies, pens, etc.)

My son went to T.U.B.E. at about 10 AM, while I was at home working on my resume. He called and said, "Hey, there are at least three employment agencies here with booths, you need to come!" So, Sandra dropped me off at about 1 PM . . .

I said hello to my son, met his associates, and then began to walk around. I stopped by the Grand Canyon University booth, had a small piece of pizza, and chatted for a while. I grabbed a cookie at a State Farm Insurance booth and scooted before they tried to talk insurance. Found a bunch of pens here and there. Had a wonderful cookie at the "Ben Lomond Suites" booth, a high class, beautiful old hotel in the tallest building downtown.

Then I found the A & R Staffing booth. I walked up and spoke to the gentleman behind the table. "I filled out an application yesterday!"

"At my office?" he asked.

I said, "Your office . . . are you A or R.?"

"I'm A," he said. "I own the business. What kind of work are you looking for?"

"Well, right now I'm probably best suited for clerical work, so that's what I'm looking for. However, I do have about 39 years of pastoral ministry behind me."

"You do? I may have something for you . . . can you come to my office tomorrow morning?"

"Sure . . ."

"I'm on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army. We need to hire experienced administrators to help us expand your outreach. I'd like to have your resume. Can you come by at 9 AM."

"Absolutely!" We talked for a few more minutes, and then I said, "I'll see you at 9 in the morning!" and wandered off wondering what God is up to. Those of you who have been reading my journals know that I have walked past and prayed for the Salvation Army!

I called Sandra, and she was amazed! We posted a brief note on Facebook asking for prayer.

Thursday, October 14.

I walked into A & R Staffing this morning and went to the reception window. Mr. Arnold jumped up and said, "There's my man!" He led me into his office where we sat down. I handed him my resume. He scanned it quickly and said, "Great! Looks good! I have a meeting over there at 10. They don't know I'm bringing this, but I'm going to try to sell you . . . that's what I do, I sell people!"

We had a great conversation. Early in the conversation, he said, "Growing up, I had about 11 family members who were ministers in the Assemblies of God. They think I've gone over to the dark side."

I said, "You mean you went to your Senior Prom?"

He laughed and said, "Not exactly."

I asked him what kind of help the Salvation Army needs. He said they have closed down the residential Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs for men and women, and now they have to develop new outreach programs. He said, "We need to reach young people! I would rather reach one teenager and keep him off of drugs than try to rehabilitate 10 addicts who will probably go right back on the stuff after they are clean!"

Later he said, "I have an uncle pastoring in Colorado, and two cousins pastoring in Hawaii."

At the end, I thanked him for being willing to meet with me. He said he would get back to me as soon as possible.

I don't want to try to figure out what God is doing, but I know this . . . 1) God led me back to downtown Ogden to apply for employment, 2) He gave me an opportunity to meet a man who has a heart for the people who walk the streets I walked last week, and 3) He may have a ministry position with a great organization, right there in downtown Ogden! Wow!

And on the Sabbath . . .

Saturday, October 9

After attending a men's breakfast at Ogden Christian Fellowship with my son, I returned home and picked up Sandra and my grandson Eldon. I thought they would drop me off, but they volunteered to walk with me. At about 11 AM, we parked on 25th Street, just a inside the historic district. This was Sandra's first walk down 25th, and there really are so many things to see. But, we kept walking and I began praying following the pattern of the "Lord's Prayer."

We walked the north side of 25th to Wall, crossed the street and walked the south side in the opposite direction to Grant. I was relieved that I managed to keep Sandra out of the antique shops. Her comment as we reached Grant: "I can see why you've made so many comments about food . . . there are a lot of places to eat!"

Walking south on Grant, we stopped at the Wonder Bread Thrift Store. We bought a package of small chocolate donuts for Eldon . . . I resisted the cries of the fruit pies. As we walked, I pointed out all the places I have discovered during the previous six days. At the Salvation Army Thrift Shop, I said, "And here's where you can shop for new clothes, Sandra!" She was not impressed.

Passing in front of an old apartment building, we stopped to look at a small "yard sale". Sandra asked about a stack of plastic hangers, saying, "We just moved here and we need hangers." The lady asked where we were from . . . in a great conversation, we discovered that she was born and spent most of her life in El Centro, California. We talked, bought the hangers for $1, and with a "God bless you!" we proceeded on our prayer walk.

At the half way mark, near the car, Sandra and Eldon left me to walk alone.

My goal was to walk my course seven times. From my earlier walks, I knew each 2.5 mile lap would take about an hour. I walked, prayed, worshipped, prayed in tongues, and observed the city. I smiled and spoke to everyone I passed.

I noted that there were many people at the Mormon temple/tabernacle complex. I wondered what brought so many people together on a Saturday . . .

On my second lap, I found myself singing several songs . . . "You're the God of this city . . . there is no one like you, God . . . greater things are yet to come, and greater things are yet to be done in this city!"

And at the moment, I can't remember the other choruses that came to my memory from at least 15 years ago . . . but I enjoyed singing!

During my second lap, I found a baseball by a curb outside the Lindquist Stadium where the Ogden Raptors play . . . I grabbed the ball like a kid and carried it the rest of the day to give to my grandson. Later I realized that some people seemed a bit puzzled by the sight of a guy holding a Bible in one hand and a baseball in the other.

I varied my routes as before, keeping the length of each route the same by applying geometric principles . . . this enabled me to cover a lot of streets within the downtown area.

As my walking progressed, I became increasingly weary . . . and I prayed in tongues more and quoted scripture as it came to me. "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my life . . . Lord, give me strength to finish the course!"

After three laps, I was really tired and sore . . . I couldn't feel my toes, but my toenails were screaming! I sat down near a bronze statue on the corner of Washington and 25th, rested my feet and stretched my legs . . . I read the passage from Acts telling of Paul's ministry in Athens and in Corinth. Somehow, I think ministry in Ogden may be a blend of those experiences. Ogden seems to have some people who place great confidence in their religious philosophy. Yet, there are many who are essentially pagan and profane. I took note of how long Paul ministered faithfully in Corinth.

I started my fourth lap at about 2:30 PM. I fought to keep from resting on a chair outside the Farr Better Ice Cream Parlour . . . I knew I couldn't rest in the chair without an ice cream cone. At the other side of downtown, I altered my course with the intention of buying a Lemon Pie at the Wonder Bread Thrift Store . . . at the last moment, I crossed the street and avoided direct contact with the source of my temptation.

When I finished my fourth lap, I knew I was finished physically. I don't remember ever walking 10 miles . . . I also realized that I will have to return to downtown Ogden as often as possible in the months ahead, not so much to walk, but to find ways to reach out to people with the wonderful message, "The Kingdom of Heaven is right here . . . reconsider your plan for living and believe the Good News!" People need the Lord!

Junction City Journey

Friday, October 8

I began my journey in Junction City at 8:30 AM. What? You thought I was in Ogden?

Earlier this week, I noticed a faded painted sign on a brick building in downtown Ogden . . . it said "JUNCTION CITY". And, I remembered that a newly rejuvenated and still-in-progress section of town is called "The Junction".

Last night, the whole family went to Hastings, a local bookstore with a coffee shop . . . it's a lot like Borders or Barnes & Noble and it's a favorite of Homer III, Alicia, and their kids. Sandra and I went along, of course, because we do not want to miss an opportunity to be with our grand kids. Everyone scattered to find a book or magazine. I found a "local" section and selected a thin book offering a photographic history of Ogden. I learned a lot about the history behind the term "Junction City."

Two beautiful rivers flow out of the Wasatch Mountains above what is now Ogden. The Ogden River and the Weber River merge within two miles of Union Station. In 1846, years before the Mormons arrived, a mountain man/trapper named Miles Goodyear built Fort Buenaventura beside the Weber River, near its junction with the Ogden River. The fort actually marked a site that had been a meeting place, a "rendezvous," for a generation of rugged men like Jim Bridger and Peter Ogden.

The "golden spike" united the first trans-continental railroad only 25 miles from Ogden, which was the staging area for the last section of that railroad. Ogden became a junction for several railroads. Hundreds of thousands of settlers passed through Ogden on their way to the west coast, or back. Today, most passenger trains stop in Salt Lake City, but Ogden still has a railroad yard that is bigger than some of the cities I've lived in!

So, Ogden is known locally as "Junction City."

Today I chose a different route. I parked on Grant Avenue at 21st Street, walked south on Grant to 25th, then turned west on 25th to Wall Avenue. I crossed 25th and walked back to Grant, then turned south again to 27th, where I crossed the street and returned north to 25th. I turned east on 25th to Washington, crossed the street, and turned west on 25th, to Grant. Turning north on Grant, I walked back to my car. Thus, my path marked a large "cross" in the middle of town. I actually walked to the junction of 25th Street and Grant Avenue 4 times.

The weather was cool and damp. The streets were wet from early morning rains. At that early hour and in the wet weather, there were few people on the streets. But, walked and conversed with the triune God.

On my path I passed right in front of the Wonderbread Thrift Store, where I saw Zingers, Ding Dongs, Twinkies, Snowballs, and, of course, bread. I only mention this because my sister Sue Carrigan has been complaining about my frequent references to food! Hey Sue! The store was closed.

I passed the Salvation Army, which seems to have a positive presence in the city. I need to return and make contact with the leadership there.

Walking along Grant, I was inspired to pray, "Lord, grant me the joy of knowing and doing your will. Grant me your wisdom, love, and power, in Jesus' Name! Grant this town a great time of renewal and revival with a great harvest of souls! Grant us seasons of refreshing in the Holy Spirit? Grant us great things, Oh Father!"

Much of my time walking was spent thinking and talking to God about my life. The path of my life has crossed the path of Ogden City. This is a "junction" that is very real to me right now. I'm not certain God has brought me to Ogden to stay. I am open to returning to California, and moving to any other state in the west is not out of the question.

When I resigned my Templeton pastorate in July, I felt a little like Abraham . . . when people asked, "Where are you going?" I often responded with, "Like Abraham, I'm going to a country that God will show me." Today I realized that Abraham pitched his tent and built altars in several locations before he seemed to find a more permanent location.

So, I am at a junction. While I am here, I ask God to teach me and shape me. One thing I am certain of . . . God wants me to remember that there are people on and around the streets of our towns and cities everywhere who need to know about His love, grace, and power! I can never retreat to the safe confines of a church facility and a church family . . . I must go into the streets of whatever town I land in, and do everything I can to make disciples among lost people!

Around Ogden

Thursday, October 7

I'll try to be brief today. I parked my car at the Ogden Safety Center at 1 PM and began my prayer walk.

Today, I prayed the pattern commonly called, "The Lord's Prayer. I particularly enjoyed praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done right here in Ogden. This city needs to experience the Kingdom beyond mere theology, thought, or theory. This city needs to experience the power of God's Sovereign reign. The people of Ogden need to experience the reality of the God who changes lives and confirms His word with signs, wonders, and miracles!

I spoke to everyone who would make eye contact with me . . . a couple of guys seated at a sidewalk table outside a restaurant on 25th Street, a hair stylist sweeping dust out the door of her salon, a jogger, the taco stand vendor who really wanted some paying customers . . .

A lot of people ride their bicycles on the sidewalk, which presents potential problems when they are approaching quietly from behind! I nearly stepped in front of one guy . . . he turned in his seat, grinned brightly, and said, "I tried to figure out which way you were going to weave!" I laughed and said, "I'll try to walk straight, but it's not easy!"

I walked and talked with a young man for about a block. Our paths merged when he came out of parking lot by the Human Services buildings. I asked if he worked at the center, and he said he gets counselling there. We talked about the weather, then he headed south on Washington when I turned north. I enjoyed the opportunity to practice my conversation-with-strangers skills. I want to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit with I have such opportunities.

I used my knowledge of Geometry to zig and zag my route without diminishing the distance I am walking. This enables me to investigate new sidewalks. I put my hands on the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd as I passed . . . I prayed for a dramatic move of God in that strategically placed ministry.

I saw a large sign on a four-story building. The word "Lighthouse" stood out on top, running in the horizontal . . . then I saw the word "Electric" running vertically down the front of the building. On the ground floor was another business named "Lighthouse Lounge" . . . I got a chuckle from all that, because "Lighthouse" is not my favorite name for a local church.

I battled temptation once more while passing "Farr Better Ice Cream Parlour." They really do have great ice cream, shakes, malts, sundaes, fresh fudge . . .

Speaking of ice cream, I saw the most unusual sight yesterday. On one corner of the plaza at Washington and 25th is a small lunch establishment offering buffalo burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream. Yesterday, I noticed a John Deere tractor parked in a small fenced area, near the food vendor. As I approached, I could not make out the purpose of the attachment behind the tractor. When I investigated further, I found two large homemade ice cream makers powered by the tractor! Now that's a truly useful machine!

I finished my walk at 2 PM, climbed in the car, and drove north away from downtown, wondering, "What did I accomplish today?" "What AM I doing?" "Why am I doing this?"

Re-examining my decision to prayer walk around Ogden, I recalled my initial inspiration was Joshua and the Children of Israel marching around Jericho. But, God had not promised me any particular accomplishment or victory. No, going into this week of walking I knew that the real purpose involved what God wants to do in me. I have become comfortable taking my "Pastor's Bible" to the a pulpit and preaching to nice church people . . . now I'm taking my Bible into the streets. Now I'm learning to be available to God, to listen to the Spirit, and to see the needs of a city and it's lost multitudes. I soon concluded that God is working in me, and I have to trust Him!

Tomorrow, I'll pray and walk again. On Saturday, with God's help, I'm going to attempt to complete seven trips around town. And then, I'll trust God to lead me and use me in the weeks beyond.

Wednesday's Walk

Wednesday, October 6

Today I chose to walk at another hour of the day. I parked on 25th Street within sight of the Union Station at about 12:30 PM.

The weather was wonderful! A deep blue sky was sprinkled with rather small, non-threatening white clouds. The air was clean and sweet! No umbrella seemed necessary today!

Since I expected to see more business people at this time of the day, I dressed up a little . . . khaki Dockers and a Hawaiian shirt . . . you know, the way pastors in Southern California dress on Sunday mornings!

One other significant change: I carried my Bible today.

I decided to approach my circuit in a counter clock-wise direction, generally south, east, north, west, and south again. I set out with much praise and thanksgiving, and a quick prayer for a tender heart and an alert mind.

Approaching the first intersection at 25th and Wall, I noticed the difference in traffic at this time of the day . . . more people on the road! At every intersection cars were waiting for me to cross . . . I was keenly aware that people were watching the big guy in a bright shirt carrying a huge black Bible! I smiled and waved to those who waited.

The first segment of my walk was uneventful . . . I just watched and prayed.

Passing the youth center and human services center, I walked by two groups of people sitting or standing on the sidewalk talking. I overheard short parts of the conversations, enough to know that both groups were discussing personal problems and concerns . . . "Then I got pregnant" was heard at one group and "I know you are frustrated" was heard at the second. People with needs, people needing someone to talk to . . . this reality spoke to the pastoral counselor part of me. I thought, "I'd love to find a job which allowed me to offer comfort and counsel to the people I serve."

The path I have been walking is generally rectangular in shape, three city blocks east to west by seven city blocks north to south. Yesterday I began taking turns into that section of town, walking on the other side of a block then returning to the basic path. Thus, the length of my walk remained the same, but I saw other sights within the scope of my prayer focus.

Reaching the vicinity of Washington and 25th, I became aware of the many people standing at the various taco/tamale stands and others walking with Styrofoam food containers. (There were at least four sidewalk food vendors in town today, in addition to numerous restaurants, cafes, and fast food places.) Having skipped lunch, the availability of food appealed to me, but I also realized that a lot of people are hungry. I wondered how many were hungry for truth. Someone in this town must be hungry for God!

I passed a lot of people on the sidewalk . . . some nodded or greeted me, and some seemed to deliberately direct their attention away from me . . . I wondered what affect the sight of my Bible might be having . . .

At the Washington side of the Mormon Temple I prepared to take a closer look at something I noticed about the landscape on Tuesday. I saw a small Hispanic woman walking in my direction pause where I planned to look. She was looking at the plants I wanted to inspect. On Tuesday I saw what looked like pepper plants . . . small bushes covered with orange or yellow or red or green chili peppers! As I approached the lady said, "Are those vegetables?" I said, "I think so! I wonder if they can be eaten?" As she walked away, I suddenly realized the other plants were leafy green and purple cabbages! I wondered what the Mormon authorities would think of me harvesting veggies from their landscape . . .

A little further along, I spied a grocery cart filled with belongings . . . a young woman was sitting in the parkway next to the cart, and ten feet away, a man paced near a bus bench. As I passed the cart and approached the man's position, he took two steps into the street, mumbled something about "a white man's problems" stepped back to the curb and quickly walked away from me. His behavior was odd and eccentric . . . I suspect he was oppressed by demons and became agitated as I approached. "Oh Lord, you can set him free!"

Walking on I thought of the time I spent in prayer this morning, putting on the armor of God.

During the last segment of my walk, I was very aware of the aroma of bread baking somewhere nearby. I tried to figure out what was happening in the nearest building . . . then I saw a sign that said "International Armoring Corporation." I doubted that they were baking bread, but I offered another word of thanks to the One who provided spiritual armor for living!

In the last block of my walk, I passed what must have been the source of the aroma . . . a little "ristorante" and bakery on 25th street. Several people sitting in the windows were eating sandwiches made on what must have been freshly baked french rolls.

Within 100 feet of my car I had a unique experience. Two men were standing beneath a sign that said, "BEER" . . . as I passed, I smiled and said, "Good afternoon!" One man said, "Hi! I always respect a man with a Bible!" I was at a loss for words . . . I turned and smiled, "Do you have a Bible?" He said no . . . I said, "It's a good thing to have! God bless you!" Turning, I walked away, kicking myself on the inside and saying, "Dear God, help me do better than that next time I have an opportunity to speak to someone!"

I have a lot to learn! Maybe that's why God sent me here . . . keep praying for Homer in Ogden!

On the Streets of Ogden, Day Three

Tuesday, October 5

Today, I chose to walk just a little later in the morning. On Monday, many businesses were not yet open. Today, most businesses were open (including the "Farr Better Ice Cream Parlor").

I parked on 25th near Washington, beginning my walk in a different location and the other direction. As I began, I thanked God for the beautiful, cool day and asked Him to walk with me. I expressed gratitude that I had few aches from my fall on the previous day, and I expressed my trust that He would keep me on my feet today!

City employees were entering the Municipal Building, taco/tamale stands were setting up, and a suit with a brief case was trying the door at the Bank of Utah just across 26th Street. I made a mental note to return to the Municipal Building to report the dangerous condition of their sidewalk.

Today I was struck with the amazing variety of people in the city. I passed Hispanics, African Americans, and Anglos. Some were obviously dressed-up for business, others were dressed business casual wearing badges on lanyards, and some were clearly transient, wearing backpacks or pulling luggage. I must remember that God looks on the hearts, not on the skin or the clothes . . .

As I passed the complex identified yesterday as the Archway Youth Service Center, I realized that the facility serves a broader spectrum of human needs. I noted that people with learning and living difficulties (aka disabilities) were arriving in vans and mini-vans. It was as if God was reminding me that Ogden is not populated only by the stereotypical suburban family, that is, Dad, Mom, two kids, and a dog. There are all kinds of people with all kinds of needs, all of them having one real need, to know Jesus as Lord and Life-giver.

I was a block away from the Wonder Bread Bakery and distribution center, but I thought of how important bread is in life. Again this morning I prayed, "Give us today, our daily bread." Technically, bread is not on my diet at this time, but this part of the pattern for prayer reminds us to trust God for our sustenance. Bread . . . Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life!" An old hymn says, "Break Thou the bread of life, Lord, unto me, as thou didst break the bread beside the sea!" Jesus also faced temptation with this truth: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God!" People need this living bread, the bread of life!

Wall Street south of 25th was sparsely populated with people waiting for an opportunity to work. Remember, this portion of the city is within two blocks of the homeless center, St. Anne's, and the Ogden Rescue Mission.

I paused at Wall and 25th and looked eastward through this "historic" area. So much effort and expense has been spent to renew, restore, and resurrect this section of town. There are empty lots and empty buildings waiting for someone . . . "I am the Resurrection and the Life!" Our only hope for real renewal is in the powerful love and grace of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Along Wall Street in the block north of 25th I saw the familiar sign on an old building: "Available." Selah!

I walked past a building that had clearly been renovated and put to use again . . . there were no signs on or around the building identifying it's purpose, but people walking on the sidewalks and standing in the plaza outside the building were wearing those lanyards and identification cards. I quietly and carefully stopped a lady walking in my direction. "Excuse me Ma'am, what is in this building?" I asked. Cautiously she said, "Federal offices."

As I passed the temple/tabernacle complex, I was walking behind a man who was pushing another in a wheel chair. I intended to offer to push his friend for a few minutes, but they turned into the Mormon complex before I could overtake them. Then I noticed that the parking lot was fairly full . . . I wondered what was happening on a Tuesday morning, and I wondered what they might do for a seriously handicapped person.

Nearing my starting place I noticed three men in shirts and ties, with paperwork and rolls of paper, which I assumed to be architectural prints. They waved their hands across a vacant lot next to The Junction, probably discussing plans for development. I asked God, "What kind of plans do you have for this city? What would you like to develop?"

On a car nearby a personalized license plate proclaimed, "IFISH." When Jesus invited the fisherman to follow Him, He said, "From now on, you will catch men!" I thought, "That's what He wants us to do . . . He wants us to fish for men!"