{"id":912,"date":"2009-10-27T04:01:14","date_gmt":"2009-10-27T04:01:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2009\/10\/wit-and-wisdom-from-bill-swedberg.html"},"modified":"2009-10-27T04:01:14","modified_gmt":"2009-10-27T04:01:14","slug":"wit-and-wisdom-from-bill-swedberg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2009\/10\/wit-and-wisdom-from-bill-swedberg.html","title":{"rendered":"Wit and Wisdom from Bill Swedberg"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you read my blog yesterday, you saw my tribute to my father-in-law, Bill Swedberg. He died a couple of weeks ago. On Saturday I officiated at his memorial service. A few years Bill died, his daughter Debbie gave him a journal to record key aspects of his life. It was called A Father\u2019s Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words<\/em> (J. Countryman\/Nelson, 2000). Bill filled out many of the hundred plus pages, sharing stories of his life and observations on living.
\nI thought I’d pass on several of these with you. As you’ll quickly see, Bill was a man of few words. Yet in these words we find timeless wisdom, occasional humor, and deep faith.
\nTell about a special outing you took with your dad. What makes this a poignant memory for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I loved to fish and hunt. My dad didn\u2019t like either. He did take me deer hunting. He left me at a spot to with for deer. I\u2019m not sure where he went. But I didn\u2019t see him until it was time to go home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What mischievous prank did you pull on someone? How did it affect you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Halloween was the day for pranks. Tipping over outhouses was one I remember. I was in high school and I started to drive at age 14. I helped my folks in the furniture store we had. I used to help deliver furniture and run errands. We had a 37 Plymouth and a trailer. On Halloween with some of my friends we transported an outhouse to our high school and put it on the front lawn. It was quite the talk of the school.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What places in the world would you still like to visit? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m 76. I\u2019ve travelled over most of the U.S. and Europe. I\u2019m content not to travel anymore.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Share some tips for a great vacation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pick places you like to go . . . and go!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Share some of your insights for working well with others.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen, Listen, Listen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is the gutsiest thing you ever did in your life? Why did you do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get married.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Record here your ideas on what it takes for a husband and wife to maintain a healthy marriage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Communications and the love of God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When did you become a Christian? How did your life change?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I became a Christian as a child but I didn\u2019t grow until my experience in the front lines in combat in the army. God brought me home to serve him and I hope I will be at it until he takes me home.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you served in the armed forces, describe how your time in the service affected your life. If you did not serve, how did this affect your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was drafted into the army at age 18. It was in Dec and I was in the army in March. I spent one year training in the States, then I got on the Queen Mary and landed in Scotland. I trained and guarded troops until the invasion in June. I landed in France about two weeks after the invasion. Then after the break through we spearheaded a force in France with Patton. Then kept going until the surrender. Much happened and I was lucky to come home alive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is the most frightening thing that has ever happened to you? How did you handle the experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being in combat in WWII. This experience developed my faith in God that is with me through my whole life. I think when we face death or hard times and look for God for help, it develops our faith.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How have your ideas about God changed from when you were young?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each year I got closer to him. Experiences in the army. Seeing so much death helped me look at life as a day to day growth toward God and heaven.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Recall for me five of the most important lessons you have learned in life:<\/strong><\/p>\n

#1 – Live one day at a time.
\n#2 – Don\u2019t worry about the future.
\n#3 \u2013 Seek God in all important decisions.
\n[You’ll notice that Bill didn’t give five lessons. It was like him to be brief and to the point. Photo: my wife with her dad a few months before he died]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Share some principles from Scripture on which you have chosen to build your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Romans 8:28 \u2013 and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. This is my life\u2019s Scripture.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others? <\/strong><\/p>\n

A man who loved God, who loved to help people from the Lord Jesus Christ through his words and actions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That is<\/em> how Bill will be remembered!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you read my blog yesterday, you saw my tribute to my father-in-law, Bill Swedberg. He died a couple of weeks ago. On Saturday I officiated at his memorial service. A few years Bill died, his daughter Debbie gave him a journal to record key aspects of his life. It was called A Father\u2019s Legacy:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tributes"],"yoast_head":"\nWit and Wisdom from Bill Swedberg - Mark D. 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Roberts","description":"Mark D. Roberts: Thoughtfully Christian Reflections on Jesus, the Church, and the World","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/1ff094a57b7e41f534434b1723df3d73","name":"Mark D. Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=912"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}