Dads and Their Sons, a Snapshot from 1972

We go through life learning from our parents. In the best of circumstances they teach you how to become a whole human being. In the worst of circumstances, they can also teach you what not to do. - actor Bryan Cranston,

From the TLC show, Who Do You Think You Are, sponsored by Ancestry.com: aired Aug. 2015.

I remember when I was a young boy I had a mixed relationship with my father. (I am speaking of Karl L. Koerner 1918 to 2000.)  I highly respected my dad yet part of me was afraid of him. He most always seemed distant and out of reach, but there were times when he was very supportive and kind and fun to be around. As I look back, the overall memory I have of my dad is a good one.  He was a good example of a man to follow who kept family and professional life balanced and who supported my mother and tried to do the best for us kids. Me being the last of six kids, I think he mellowed somewhat, or he just ran out of energy. Either way I understand how that can be.

My dad had a temper and when he would get angry you did not want to be in the room, but he also had a sense of humor, and could tell a corny joke and laugh at one like the rest of us. That part of me remains from his DNA.

As part of my job at the prison, I have the opportunity to counsel inmates.  Twice this past week, I spoke with incarcerated dads, trying to rekindle relationships with their sons.  After the conversation I thought about my relationship with my dad and sons. I ask myself what did I do right? What could I have done better with?  How can I improve?

Recently I found a notebook in the garage with my Dad's notes from our trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in July of 1972. In this particular slide (left), my dad is commenting on me and Chuck hanging our camp food between trees for the night to keep the bears from getting it.

Some quotes from his notes: July 5, 1972 - Gus and Chuck (Jaecks) putting up a Bear Pack something like this. I imagine if the Bears saw them do these things they would die laughing. I'm sure if they were hungry or they would get it down.

Notes like these from our parents are precious to family history.  I urge all my readers to keep them safe.

So how is this going to make me a better father?  I'm going to keep loving my kids, just how they are and supporting them in the paths their on.  If they want my advice I'll give it to them, otherwise I'll continue to urge them to do their best, stay close to God and honor their spouses and children.  I hope my kids can take my good qualities and emulate them, and my less desirable traits and be careful not to follow them.  Either way, in that way a dad can have a positive influence on his children.

- gus

My Call To Serve

A common thread that has run through my life is the profound love of God and ability to work with people, and organizations that serve our community.

I was raised by loving Christian parents in the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas.

When I was a young man I had no idea what a calling was, not to mention what mine was to be. At the age of 16, I gave my life to Christ, and approached my pastor with the desire to go into the ministry. I felt love and unity from fellow Christians and the blessings of service.

Because of family religious pressure, my passion to become a minister soon became discouragement.

Years later that I realized that no matter what my situation or profession was, I could still be a minister of Christ and family pressures would not impede me.

I can now see I was being called, even from an early age to serve God. It wasn't until I started working with at-risk children, challenged youth and prison inmates that I felt strongly about using my profession to serve God and share His love with others.

I realize my Heavenly Father has woven a tapestry with my life, giving me opportunities to use these gifts for His kingdom, among my brothers and sisters.

Uniting People

A Christian is one who continues to communicate across all boundaries, a sign of hope for a convergence back to a kind of unity. Thomas Merton, from The Springs of Contemplation, pg. 31.

This is the quote I read last night that put several things into perspective for me.  First it immediately and definitively answered my question of whether or not I should send the letter I wrote the other day in my Are we hoarding grace? article.  My thought was "Just leave well enough alone." and not to send the letter. Now I will.  Second, it answers my questions about why I so badly want to bring together different groups to get to know each other and collaborate on events and projects.

I've always been this way.  For the past ten or twelve years it has been my professional calling card and knack to bring groups together who seemingly have not much in common to find and collaborate on projects where both groups benefit.  I'm good at it, and I've always considered it a gift.  On the other hand, it can also cause conflict.  Like the time I wanted to invite less-Christian (in some eyes) religions like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons to mainstream Christian functions.  That did not go over well, and it is more frustrating than angering, because we're all God's children, brothers and sisters - so why don't we try and love each other like we say we do??

I'm not going to get discouraged over this!  On the contrary, I feel more resolve to unite Catholics, Protestants, Mormons and Muslims than ever.  Until we do, let's all just keep praying for unity and realizing that our Father loves us all the same and wants us to come together for His glory.  Now I'm going to contact that nice Mennonite lady I saw last weekend on Home Joys.  Gina has some wonderful stories and home tips there.

Sorry I missed you.

My apologies for being away.  I've been in the hospital with my daughter, who was admitted to the ER last week due to high ketones in her blood stream; a Type 1 Diabetes condition.  I appreciate all the prayers and well wishes you've sent.

She should be out of ICU today or tomorrow and hope to see her home by the end of the week.

The new transition home is progressing, and will have its own webpage.  When underway, I'll post a link here.

April 11 Update - Ember is home now, doing very well but not looking forward to all her make up work at school.  Juvenile Diabetes sucks, especially for a teenager.

My Spiritual Journey - Compass Alignments, Part 8

A compass is a navigational instrument that measures directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth - but you knew that! Just as an explorer needs to check their bearing now and again, so do we. Things in life (other than God) that have kept me pointed in the right direction, with the greatest positive influence include the shared love of my family, music, service to others, children, interaction with people who have a bright, positive outlook on life, the outdoors and well behaved dogs. Conversely things that have caused my metaphorical compass to point me south include over indulgences of any kind, hints of immorality, thoughts of power, illusions of pride, inflated egos, and people who claim to be absolutely right about abstract concepts and matters of faith.

Our Father in Heaven is still shaping each of us, whether we accept it or not. The sooner we realize this; our life will become easier or at least more tolerable. For example, my temper will always flare if someone tells me their Jesus is better than someone else’s Jesus or when someone shows disrespect. In these shaping moments God has just put me in, I need to realign and realize that if I continue to be angry and judge, I will end up becoming like the older brother in the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15:28). I will, and experience has shown I have, meander away from the Lord and things will only become worse. This has been one of my most repeating life lessons.

Other significant alignments have come to me while in quiet time with God. I have frequently found peace in any building or place of worship and sometimes have created my own at a picnic table. When I take a drive in the car or walk down the road with my thoughts directly in prayer; that can help me beyond measure. I am finding more peace and wisdom in the Scriptures than ever before. At important times I have even heard God speak to me while I was praying. These times have been seldom, but none the less significant and real.

Do You Receive God's Grace In Vain?

I've been reading my Bible daily, as per this new plan I started a week ago.  Every day of the year it has a reading, and coincidentally it started me out in Corinthians.  The funny part is, that every day I've read so far, it seemed to have just the right verse for me and the particular situation I happened to be in.  Today was no exception.

Over my lunch hour I got some discouraging news about a particular job I applied for, that I thought was in the bag.  I felt I was the perfect candidate for this one.  In spite of my enlarged ego, I tried to remain humble, putting it in God's hands and actually saying, thinking and believing I wanted God's will to be done.  Then the bad news came via an email and I was so discouraged.

When I read my chapter for the day, I didn't read out of dispair, but because it was time to and this appeared...

2 Corinthians 6: 1-2 - 1. As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (NIV)

What hit me was this: "...not to receive God’s grace in vain."  I have never heard or read that before.  This means to me, that His grace is all abounding and sufficient, and I am experiencing it in every aspect of my life.  Just because this particular thing didn't turn out the way I wanted, does not mean He doesn't have a hand in my life.  I thank the Lord for His Word, and providing me comfort around the clock, and especially in times of need.