I have been rather obsessed with the educational institution that I love.  SIU is something special to me…and it is always new…no matter how many times I walk the beautiful Campus.

Today, President Randy Dunn shared the G. K. Chesterton quote, that has been my talisman, with the Southern Illinois System,  in his Systems Connection Newsletter.

I like President Dunn and Chancellor Colwell.  Both of these leaders speak to me very naturally and sincerely.  I felt empathy for President Dunn at the last Board of Trustees meeting when several members of the Edwardsville Campus spoke very hurtful and disingenuous things regarding the Carbondale Campus.  I believe that President Dunn is doing his best to hold our Carbondale Campus together during the most financially critical time of our history.

We must pull together with these leaders to weather these stormy seas, and come out on the other side with a renewal of our former greatness.

As we  pledged our loyalty and fealty to our leaders…who want our success…we ask that we be kept on board the ship…even in a diminished manner…so that we may be part of the solution…that will surely need our expert…career dedication and support.

One more time…for good measure…” We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.”  G. K. Chesterton

You may have heard the term, ‘Speak Truth to Power,’ and wondered how a person would go about such an endeavor…and more importantly…why would you want to.

Without a doubt the concept of telling a powerful person a ‘truth’ that perhaps they do not want to hear, is daunting.  This fearsome task is compounded if you are employed by the agency that you want to speak the truth to.

According to the scriptures, Moses felt more than a little trepidation when God told him to go to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘To Let My People Go!’

Dr. Martin Luther King, spoke truth to power when he proclaimed, ‘I have a dream.’  He also spoke truth to power when he was in the Birmingham jail.

President Delyte Morris spoke truth to power when he tirelessly proclaimed that there would be a University in Little Egypt.  A poor…hardscrabble land…of farms and coal fields.  Out of Dr. Morris’ determination came Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Illinois.

Now our political leaders, not all of our politicians, have refused to compromise and come to a consensus on a state budget…which has crippled our state and imperiled our great University.

Now is the time to speak truth to power…and let our political leaders know that we cannot continue in this manner!  Soon…we will be consumed…by political expediency!

Former Chancellor Samuel Goldman said of me, that he had never met a person that was so willing to speak truth to power.  I was humbled by his kind remark.

I have experienced on countless occasions, when speaking with Chancellors and Presidents…that they are more than willing to listen to heartfelt concerns…as long as they are presented with a shared respect for our mutual humanity.

One of my favorite quotes is from the author G. K. Chesterton, ‘We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.’

After a rousing three day adventure in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, we found ourselves at the Aquarium.  Now, let me state that I have passed the Aquarium on numerous occasions through the years…and have never stopped in.  This marine museum is worth the visit!

To see the wonder of the amazing sea creatures that are members of our planet…is somewhat breathtaking.

The mystery and variety of the under water world is much like another planet…and the inhabitants…aliens.

There is a serene beauty in observing aquatic life.

It is humbling to come to the realization that many creatures share this blue orb called Earth…with us.

I read an article this morning by Maria Shriver regarding the value of Time.  Time is something that we think little about…until we contemplate that it may be running out.

When I was a child…I could not wait to be grown.  When I became a man…I could not wait to become successful…or at least what society told me was successful.

When I became successful…I anticipated with joy…my retirement.

Now that I am retired…I look with great longing to find identity with life.  What does it mean to be alive…with all of the joys…and all of the sorrows…that life brings?

My recent Gatlinburg visit with my brother Brock and My Sister-law-Marcy and my nephew Jeb and my niece Jamie…helped to teach me the value of our most valuable resource…Time…and how precious it is.

Do you think that God is a Capitalist?  Do you really believe that it matters to the Creator…who really acquired the most wealth?  Will the rich have the best seats in Heaven…and the poor be relegated to the Cheap seats?

The majesty of God’s Creation…and the uniting of Family…is a true miracle…and a key to his character!

A few days ago we had the privilege of spending some time with my brother Brock and his lovely family at Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Although I have been to Gatlinburg probably thirty times in the past forty years…our time with the Brooks family was special.

Brock and Marcy are such wonderful people.  Have you ever met someone and felt like that you have been together for all of your life?  That is how we all feel about Brock and Marcy and Jeb and Jamie!

Do you see the family resemblance?  All of us have noticed the similarities shared between my brother and I.  Especially our affinity of hats!

Mary Jane and Marcy make me think that they are sisters rather than sisters-in-law.

I felt an immediate affection for my nephew Jeb and his sister Jamie.  They are such impressive outstanding people…I am honored to be their uncle!

I must explain at this point that Brock and I are long lost brothers.  My mother and father divorced when I was five years old.  I was not aware of Brock and his siblings…and mine…until 2012 when our sister Tammy contacted me.  I cannot think of a greater gift that I have been given than to have brothers and sisters…as I was raised an only child.

We enjoyed a lovely hike in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

This is a part of our Country that captivates my imagination!  We have considered moving to Gatlinburg on more than one occasion.

The Little Pigeon River holds continuing renewal for me.  I would like to have a cabin next to it.

Just the melodic sound that the Little Pigeon makes… will wash away all of your worries and cares.

We also saw a great waterfall.

We observed some blackened trees from the fire that plagued the area just a few short months ago.

We had the opportunity to participate in a Tasting of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine in Gatlinburg.  It was wonderful!  We thus were compelled to purchase some to take back to the cabin in Pigeon Forge.  We throughly enjoyed this Smoky Mountain Original a week ago last Friday.  All worries…and pain…and suffering…was forgotten over board games and discussions regarding Global Warming.

Needless to say, this was a trip for the Journals and Record Books!  We so enjoyed being with the Brooks of Tennessee…that we want to replicate the experience soon and often!

Morgan is Jeb’s lovely and sweet girlfriend.

Jonathon enjoying a doughnut from the Doughnut Friar in Gatlinburg where he got a free cup of coffee for using their ATM.

I cannot express how meeting Brock and his family has influenced my life.  He and I are much alike and his family is my family.

A wonderful gift for a retired almost 60 year old…only child!

Tomorrow the Board of Trustees for Southern Illinois University will meet to discuss the abysmal budgetary mess that the state of Illinois has handed them by refusing to pass a Sate Budget of almost two years…and the belief that there probably will not be one for two more years due to the Republican Governor and the Democratic Legislature’s refusal to compromise in order to reach an agreement in the middle.

So the SIU Community is frightened.  Discussions and plans are transpiring regarding both lay-offs and outsourcing.  Several units in Plant and Service Operations have been highlighted in the Campus Non-Academic Review Committee Report for possible outsourcing.

I was a member of one of these units for my entire carer.  There has always been the innuendo and easy criticism that the Physical Plant folks waste time.  I recall on more than one occasion receiving complaints regarding my hard working staff that they were seen enjoying a cup of coffee or a sandwich…on their thirty minute lunch hour.  I would ask the concerned person…if they did not think that during an eight hour work block that even the janitor…should be allowed a few minutes to eat a sandwich?

One of the first occurrences of custodial bias that I encountered was in the Engineering and Technology building in the early 1980s when someone had written on the chalkboard, ‘Janitor, return my umbrella that you have stolen.’  The janitor that they were referring to was one of the hardest working people on our staff, who was well into her 60’s at that time, and who subsequently showed me her personal umbrella.

The common thought is that all Civil Service people are represented by a Union.  In fact hundreds are not.

When the massive remodeling project for Morris Library occurred, several years ago, Building Services Staff accomplished life threatening work in removing water from the roof and emptying it from the darkened eight story high edifice in construction conditions.  No one said, ‘not me,’ but rather there was a uniform concern and purpose to save the Libraries’ books and periodicals.

Have you ever watched your Grounds Staff remove snow and ice…in the middle of the night…in freezing…dangerous conditions…in order that their Campus can be open for business the next morning?

I literally have been personally involved in hundreds  of flood and fire restoration projects on our Campus.  The Building Services Staff and PSO Staff that are called out on these onerous jobs work many hours, often without a break, to restore the damaged areas…with an eye on reopening the water or fire damaged building…often the next day…to facilitate the mission of their University…the teaching of our precious students.

My friend Ryan is currently cleaning and in charge of Campus buildings much larger in square feet than Faner…this is an impossible task.  Yet, Ryan does this Herculean Task with a smile on his face…because he is a Saluki.

My friend Jamie is one of the most energetic…engaging…intelligent…appreciative for her SIU Opportunity…and she is deaf.

When Chancellor’s were fired…and fired….And fired…Civil Service Staff were on the job…serving students…being the Glue…that holds the institution together.

When you remove the Bedrock of our beloved University…collapse is to be expected.

The historic mission of Southern Illinois University was planted by former President Delyte Morris when he grew our Campus in the middle of a rural…farm land….And coal country…not unlike Appalachia.

SIU has always been a Beacon of Opportunity in Southern Illinois and in many ways has developed its’ unique personality by doing so.

We should think long and hard before we dismiss the Southern Illinoisans that have given their professional lives to be the…Glue that holds our Campus together.

Mary Jane and I have been visiting St. Louis for 39 years.  Last Friday was our 39th anniversary.  We were pleased to be with Ron and Ira Kaye, who are members of our family….And more importantly our dear friends.

Friday just started off grandly, with Mary Jane receiving great news from her doctor.  This was followed by a celebratory lunch at our favorite restaurant on the Hill…Cunetto House of Pasta.

Friday evening we enjoyed the Broadway production of Motown the Musical at the Fox Theatre.

This expert performance and outstanding music transported me back to my youth…and the turbulent 1960s…and the Vietnam War.

To hear the performer portraying Dianna Ross or the songs of Marvin Gaye… disbelief was simply suspended…we, the audience, were there…in the moment…with the original performers.

When Dianna sang the Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson song, Reach out and touch (Somebody’s Hand), and began to walk through the audience asking for volunteers to sing with her…racial strife…hate…and all malice was dissolved into a complete spirit of unity and love.

As we exited the Theatre to return to our car…we passed an African American man and a white man arguing in a vehement manner.  The African American gentleman appeared to be homeless.  I could not help but think that suddenly I was in a different environment than the one that I had just experienced during the Motown performance.

We spent Saturday night at the Cheshire Inn.  This is a unique boutique hotel that is of a total English Immersion theme.  This includes when driving into the Hotel’s garage you are directed to drive into the facility on the opposite side of the street that we Americans are accustomed to .  The thermostat is in celsius.  Each of the rooms are named after an English author and there is a book by the author in the room named after him or her.

We were greeted by the most friendly and engaging African American women who made our stay so wonderful.  Her ready sense of humor and genuine compassionate spirit enriched our experience.

We enjoyed the most leisurely after breakfast coffee and champagne in the closed English Pub that was adjacent to the front desk.  We found the door unlocked and walked in for an hour and a half of conversation and camaraderie…where I am sure we were not authorized to be.  The Pub reminded Mary Jane and I so much of our recent visit to the United Kingdom and especially Oxford.  When our friend discovered us in the closed Fox and Hound…we asked if it was all right…and she assured us that it was.

As we checked out of the Cheshire, the warmth and affection of our Cheshire Friend….Was palpable.  She told her boss that we were her babies…he smiled.

I think that I will try henceforth to ‘Reach out and Touch Somebody’s Hand and make this world a better place if I can.’

I was privileged to attend a meeting of my church, First Presbyterian, this evening and hear my friend, Dr. Glenn Poshard, speak of his new adventure.

Dr. Poshard has recently been named the President of Morthland College.  Morthland is a Christian College and is located in West Frankfort, Illinois.

Two intriguing things that Dr. Poshard told us was that about 45% of the student body, of 110, is African American.  He spoke glowingly of how these students are welcomed and accepted in the almost totally white southern Illinois town of West Frankfort located in rural Franklin County.

He noted all of the students at Morthland dedication to public service in the community.

Also, my friend, spoke of his vision to create a ‘Christian Political Institute.’  This institute would focus on a carer long vision of his to combine being a politician with christian values.  This is a goal that he began when he first became a member of the United States House of Representatives.  During this time fellow House members and others met in his Congressional Office one morning a week to discuss how their vision of Christian Politicians could be implemented.

I first met Dr. Poshard when he was competing for the Southern Illinois University’s administrative position of Vice Chancellor of Administration.  He secured the job and held it for a few years before retiring.

Not long after Glenn’s retirement he was appointed to SIU’s Board of Trustees and shortly thereafter he became the Chair of the august group.

Dr. Poshard finished his carer at SIU as the President of the University for eight years.

To hear President Poshard’s excitement and vision for Morthland College was inspiring.  Hearing the academic requirements for Morthland, such as several credit hours of both Greek and Latin, was not only impressive but hearkens back to the beginning of the Ivy League Schools on the East coast.

Dr. Poshard noted that the primary requirement of a successful leader…is humility.

Dr. Glenn Poshard, my friend for many years, is donating his service to this new and vibrant Christian College.

‘ Now Naaman, Captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.  And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.  And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!  He would recover him of his leprosy.  And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.  And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.  And he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.’    II Kings 5: 1-5

So, it is apparent that Naaman had a lot going for him in the world.  He was powerful and rich and a man who did not suffer fools gladly…and a leper.

Naaman traveled to the land that the maid had spoken of and he brought plenty of his fine clothes…and plenty of money.  He also came with the introductory letter of the King of Syria.  Surely if there was anything to be done for this rich…powerful…esteemed and feared man…it would be done.

When the king of Israel read the letter from the king of Syria, regarding Naaman, he tore his clothes and exclaimed, ‘Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send me to recover a man of his leprosy?’   II Kings 5: 7   KJV

‘And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes?  Let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.  So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.  And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.  But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.  Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?  May I not wash in them and be clean?  Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.’   II Kings 5: 8-14

How often in our faith life have we encountered the still quiet voice of God asking us to do something that seemed to not be logical or commensurate with our perceived rank and position in society?

When the refugee cries out for relief from starvation…war…genocide…do we say that this type of work is better done by their peers…who understand them…perhaps refugee camps in their own country…that they are attempting to flee from.

When the homeless person comes to our church door…perhaps dirty and emitting an odor…and disabled…not someone that we would take with us to a nice restaurant…or ask to enjoy a holiday meal in our home.  Why, aren’t their trained professionals to care for these challenged individuals…people who understand their needs and how best to provide for them.

When our church solicits volunteers to go on a missionary journey to Africa…do we say that there are others who are uniquely qualified for this type of outreach.

Do we readily agree with our current Presidential Administration that there is no evidence that the Meals on Wheels program is producing the results that it was designed to?

Do we agree that the after school programs and food programs have not demonstrated that they are increasing the educational accomplishments of the poor student that are partaking?  Perhaps these families and students will just ‘pull themselves up by their boot straps’ and ‘get theirs… like we got ours.’

Have you ever been truly hungry?

Do you think that God is a capitalist?

Is it all right…and just…and good… that millions go without health insurance.  Perhaps they decided that they do not want health insurance?  After all…they have access to it.

And, so, our health fails us…way before we thought that it would.

And, so, we are lonely in a crowded room…

And, so, we take pills to make us sleep.  We feel a general malaise and discontent…and illness…and leprosy.

But, then again…our pools are much better than the muddy Jordan!

‘The timeworn streets of the Old Town are about to be transported into a superhero-studded world of action as explosive scenes are filmed for the next installment of the Hollywood blockbuster The Avengers,’ according to Fiona Pringle of the Edinburgh Evening News.

Since visiting Edinburgh last summer, I am intrigued by any event that is transpiring in the historic city.

Edinburgh has such a unique personality and character… it gets into your soul.  We traveled with our dear friends Jeff and Margo and spent five days and nights in a lovely flat that was located within the city and easy walking distance from the Castle, that was just up the hill, and the Royal Mile.

The City emanates its’ colorful, and sometimes, dark history.  The Scottish people are lovely, welcoming, and friendly.

Our ‘Ghost Tour’ was a highlight of our time in Edinburgh and enriched us with the shadowy side of this great City.

I have seldom been in a city that the palpable…spiritual essence of it…stuck with me long after my leaving of it.

Our tour of the hidden vaults under the ancient cobblestone streets of Edinburgh was spooky and undeniably real.

Edinburgh…I think is a lifestyle…and it has the dynamic draw on your heart…to compel you to return.

There is an ethereal component to Edinburgh…it is a haven for writers, J. K.  Rowling wrote much of the Harry Potter series in a local restaurant, the Elephant House, and it is a place for theatre, as the Fringe Festival so aptly illustrated to us, and it is a place for the Arts.

I want to return to this magic place…I hope you do to?