Jeremy LangleyLoving God, Family, and Reba

Kind of a strange headline, huh? Last week was kind of a bad week for me. I’d venture to say it was one of the worst weeks I’ve had in several years. I had even begun to think that the direction I had begun to take in my life was all wrong. It was as if I had missed the turn completely. I didn’t know what to do. Let’s start from the beginning.

Now, I’m not going to use specific details because I don’t want to glorify the actions of the other person, and I don’t want to risk stirring the pot anymore than it already has been by letting you know who I am talking about. I don’t even know if that person knows I blog, so I doubt they ever ready this, but I hope they do. I think the lessons I learned could help that person too.

In the course of my day-to-day life I deal with a lot of people. I deal with people at work, and I deal with people in my personal life. I like people. But last week I came across a person of whom I quickly decided I wasn’t too fond. This person said very, very mean things about me personally, professionally, and every other way you can imagine. He even had the nerve to tell me that I would never be successful in life and that my career was heading nowhere but the sewer. He also told me that he had just finished telling these same things about me to people that I look up to greatly and that I see as my mentors. I was devastated.

After this person said all of these things to me, I was mad. I was upset. I was confused. I was hurt. I didn’t know how to process it. I tried to put it all behind me, but no matter what I tried to do it kept coming back. And it didn’t stop with that one attack on Monday. An attack came again on Tuesday, and even though I don’t know the direct source of the attack, I’m 99.9 percent sure it originated from this same person I had the falling-out with on Monday.

I had just gotten out of class on Tuesday evening when the second attack came. I was distraught. I went straight home, fell on my knees, and prayed. It’s all I knew to do. I needed direction from above. I then resumed my normal nightly rituals while the battle raged on in my mind. I wanted to get back at this person, but I knew I could not do that without causing the situation to deteriorate even further. Finally it came to the point in the evening when I read a book. I like to read before going to bed. It’s just a habit I’ve formed over the years. As long as it’s not a text book, I’ll read it!

I have forgotten what I was reading at the time, and when I reached for the book on my nightstand I read the cover and felt an immediate peace fall over me. You see, the book I was reading was entitled “God is in Control.” What an awesome statement - especially in the troubling moments I had been facing. The book was written by Dr. Charles Stanley (by far my favorite TV preacher - although he has nothing on my pastor - and one of my favorite authors). When I opened to where my bookmark was placed, the headline read “God can use adversity.” Again, I am in awe.

Dr. Stanley asks, “Is God in everything?” He answers by saying, “According to what the Word says, ‘God causes all things to work together for good …’ (Romans 8:28). Just in time God demonstrates His awesome, irresistible power.”

After reading that, I wasn’t near as mad as I had been. I wasn’t near as upset as I had been. I began to understand, and I began to get excited. Because I can’t help but think that when God uses that awesome, irresistible power, it’s going to be to bring that person who hurt me to his knees. I try not to judge people, but as my grandfather - a pastor for over 40 years - always said, “You can always be a fruit inspector.” Well, in my humble opinion, the guy who said those mean, hurtful things to me is covered in rotten fruit. His actions and his personal life show it. I pray that he seeks out the saving grace of Jesus for his life if he doesn’t already have it. And if he has, I hope he finds his way back to the straight and narrow pathway that Jesus has paved for us.

After I was reminded what Romans 8:28 said, and after talking with my pastor, I decided the situation wasn’t worth worrying about. In fact, I was no longer mad at the man who insulted me. You see, through this trial, that man helped me to strengthen my relationship with God. This person didn’t tear me down like they were trying to do, they lifted me up. They told me I’d never be successful, but what they didn’t know is that I have a mansion being built by a king on a street lined with pure gold.  I don’t know how that could ever be topped!

“God causes all things to work together for good …”     He never ceases to amaze me.

It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve lived in Magnolia for a year now. When I started my job at Southern Arkansas University in May 2008, I didn’t know exactly what I was getting myself into, but I must admit that the last year has been one of the best I’ve had yet.

Over the course of the last year, I’ve grown a lot. I understand that the world isn’t as simple as I once thought it was, and I’ve learned that people you’ve only known for a short time can be your most trusted allies. Of course, there are some people I’ve met over the last year that I wouldn’t put in that last category!

My job has taken me to some interesting places and allowed me to do some things that I likely wouldn’t have done otherwise. I traveled to Oklahoma City for a conference and got taken to dinner in a limo while there. On the way home, I apparently barely missed Carrie Underwood’s grandpa at a gas station in Checotah, Oklahoma. I traveled to five states in two days last summer looking at rodeo arenas. That trip not only expanded my horizons about rodeo arenas, but it helped me to sharpen my political debating skills (you had to have been there).  I’ve helped put on an NCAA regional baseball tournament and worked a 100+ hour week in the process. I’ve been to the Governor’s Mansion twice and am going back next month. I’ve been to more political events than I can count, and I’ve gained wisdom by watching some of the brightest minds in higher education do their work.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is the coordination of the University’s Centennial events. I can’t claim much of the successes as my own, but I’ve been honored to chair the steering committee. On April 1 during the event we called “Founders’ Day,” my boss’s wife came up to me during the Tracy Lawrence concert and said, “Jeremy, when you took this job, I bet you thought you were getting some little bitty assistant to the president’s job, didn’t you?”

To be honest, I didn’t know exactly what I was getting myself into when I started my job as Assistant to the President for Special Projects, but I’m glad I did. If this first year is any indication of what the future holds, I’m more blessed than I could ever imagine.

I was just about to write a thought-provoking, insightful blog post about something extremely important, but I was temporarily distracted, and now I can’t remember what that topic was. Oh, well. I’m sure it will come back to me later.

I read a book this weekend. That’s right. I read a book. The whole thing - cover to cover. It was the latest from John Grisham, “The Apprentice.” I absolutely love anything with Grisham’s name on it as author. He is one of the only writers who can keep my attention. I bought this latest book on Thursday night during a quick trip to Walmart, Magnolia’s social Mecca. I started on it as soon as I got home, and thanks to a day off work on Friday, I turned the last page sometime around 2 p.m. Saturday. What an awesome book. My only complaint, and this is my complaint with every Grisham book, is that the ending leaves one hanging. In almost every book, they just ride, boat, or drive off into the sunset. I want to know what happens next. Maybe he’ll write a book one day that does nothing but give the ends of the stories.

This time next week I’ll be at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. I’m attending the CASE conference. For those who don’t know, that’s the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. I’m looking forward to it. I’m glad that my job allows me to travel from time to time. It seems to be getting more frequent here lately - even if some are only day trips. It gets me out from behind my desk and out of the office. I love my job, but I hate sitting behind a desk all day.

Now back to thinking about my last topic. I promise, as soon as I remember what it was, I’ll provoke your thoughts. OH, and add Paraguay and Indonesia to the global phenomenon that is JeremyLangley.com!

Until next time…

So I’m ahead of schedule. I’ve already set my clocks ahead by one hour in hopes that I won’t arrive at church in the morning just in time for the invitation. Actually, I’m planning on going to Sunday school. (For those who might not know - and probably don’t really care - I moved my membership to the First Baptist Church of Magnolia last week, so I haven’t been to Sunday school there yet.)

Back to this “springing forward” of the clocks. I really don’t appreciate it. Does Congress not realize how busy we Americans are these day? Can we really afford to lose an hour? I can’t. I’ve got a lot going on - trips to Little Rock for work, planning the University’s 100th birthday party (the BIGGEST party in a century), leaving for a five-day conference in Oklahoma City only two days after the party - and I don’t think it will ever end. I NEED THAT HOUR!!

I wonder what would happen if, say, you moved from the Central Time Zone to the PacificTime Zone on the night of the springing forward. Would you essentially fool the system and not only gain back your stolen hour but get an extra one, too? Maybe I need to stop thinking about this stuff so much.

While watching the news tonight (KATV, of course), I was reminded why we do this whole Daylight Savings Time thing. Congress thinks we save energy by messing with time. There are still just as many hours of daylight as there are if we didn’t switch. I think it’s all a bunch of bull.

Now on to something more productive - sleep (I hope).

It’s true! Everyone is reading JeremyLangley.com! (So I’m stretching it a bit, forgive me.)

I just looked at the analytics of the site, and since the launch less than a month ago, there have been 66 readers from Arkansas and one each from California, Minnesota, Michigan, and Tennessee. Two have logged on from Georgia, and two have clicked on JeremyLangley.com all the way from the United Kingdom! I have actually had international readers!

So, what is the next step, you might ask? You have to tell all of your friends, family, and every stranger you meet on the street to log on. Be sure and comment while you’re here.

Now, back to the serious news.

I have given up all carbonated beverages for Lent - and I’m Baptist.

Let’s start from the beginning. I’m addicted to Dr. Pepper. Yes, addicted. It’s like a drug. Over the last several years, I’ve tried to quit or even just cut back, but my attempts have been only temporary resulting in a relapse. I’ve even considered contacting that television show “Intervention.” But they’re dealing with real drug addicts.

When I have tried to give them up in the past, I’ve gone cold turkey. I’ve cut out all carbonated drinks and all caffeine. When I did this, I went through caffeine withdrawals. Literally. I had a massive headache that lasted for days on end, and nothing would touch it.

Fast forward to today. I have friends who are Catholic, and I saw on their Facebook pages where they were giving up certain things for Lent. I don’t even know what Lent is nor have I attempted to find out. I just thought it sounded cool, so I announced that I was giving up all carbonated beverages - not just Dr Pepper - for Lent. So far, I’ve made it a week. I am still drinking beverages with caffeine (coffee, tea, etc.), so I haven’t had any of the withdrawal problems. I am determined to make it the full 40 days of Lent without any type of carbonated beverage. (And, yes, I only know that Lent is 40 days because I watched that movie “40 days and 40 nights.”)

So, wish me luck! One week down, six to go!

Well, I don’t figure I’ll have very many opportunities to feature an OBU Tiger here on the blog since I work for a conference rival. Tonight is an exception, and yes, there is a story behind that headline.

I had to make a Saturday evening run to my office earlier to grab some paperwork I meant to take home with me on Friday. While in my office, I needed to run next door to the mail room. Keep in mind that the building is empty because it’s Saturday. I got what I needed from the mail room, and returned to my office. My door was locked. I had forgotten to prop the door open or unlock it. There I was, in the hallway. I had no keys. I had no phone. I thought for a moment that I was up the dreaded creek without a paddle. I couldn’t even get in my vehicle because my keys were on my desk.

Since my phone was also on my desk, I knew I couldn’t very well call anyone, so I started across campus to find a trusty campus police officer. The police department was empty and dark. Something told me to look towards the gym. Sure enough, the game was in progress, and the officer on duty was there. I caught a ride back to my office with him, and he unlocked my door. I’m glad he was close by.

Let’s back up to the gym for a minute. I didn’t know it until I walked in, but the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers were in town! I was glad to get to visit with some folks, but others that I would have liked to seen were not there. I guess I can be happy for both schools tonight. The university that pays my salary (SAU) won in the men’s game, and the university that bestowed upon me my bachelors degree (OBU) won in women’s action.

I guess you can have your cake and eat it too!

Thanks for stopping by JeremyLangley.com! This is my first attempt at having a “real” blog, so just be patient. I’ll get it all figured out sooner or later! At least I do have some experience with WordPress (the program used to manage the site). I also use it to manage www.sau100.net. Check it out, too!

I plan to post regularly about my thoughts on everything from politics, the media, sports, and whatever else pops into my mind. Most posts will focus on the goings on in south Arkansas, but keep an eye out for my correspondent from the northwest corner of the state who plans to pop in from time to time (as soon as I figure out how to give him a username and password to get in).

Thanks to my good friend Lannie Byrd for helping me get all of this set up! I think this is going to be fun.