I love Thanksgiving dinner
With a turkey brown and plump
I love the mashed potatoes
and gravy without lumps
I love cranberry jelly
and the green bean casserole
I love the muffins, cornbread stuffin',
and Granny's cinnamon rolls.
We pile the food upon our plates
and polish off the pile
We eat and eat each savory treat
like food's going out of style.
And then when it seems over
the battle nearly won
They bring in two desserts to choose
twixt pumpkin or pecan.
Each year it just gets better
but the thing that just astounds:
It seems unfair that just one meal
can add on 15 pounds!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
How to Grow Old
"When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, 'You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.' " -Joshua 13:1
In his new book, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well, the Reverend Billy Graham says "All my life I've been taught how to die, but no one ever taught me how to grow old." Graham, who turns 93 in November, continues to write, even as he deals with symptoms similar to Parkinson's Disease and macular degeneration.
Graham has been a great inspiration for many of us, inspiring us to turn our hearts toward salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. His personable, direct manner of speaking coupled with a genuine humility made him one of the most powerful evangelical voices of the 20th century, inspiring countless Christians and ministers over the decades.
I appreciated Graham's message, and continue to hold him in highest respect. There are certain people who, by their single witness, can transcend the sorrowful stories of those who fell from grace publicly, and cast a shadow against the faith they professed. Last night I was reminded of how much influence a single person can have against an overwhelming world when I read an old African proverb, roughly translated to “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”
A single voice can indeed make an enormous difference in the world, and Graham has provided a steady stream of thoughts to lead us to salvation. We all should be so inspirational.
Lately, I have become increasingly aware of this thing called aging. My mother, who is the same age as Graham, lies in a skilled nursing facility as she tries to recover from a hip injury two weeks ago. Her mental state is deteriorating, suffering not only from dementia, but the debilitating fears and low self-esteem she has held throughout her life. More than once she has expressed to me her fear of death, and I have tried to help her understand that her faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for her to have everlasting life. I fear that her mental state is too far beyond her ability to understand, but I pray that she can somehow find comfort.
My daughter too, jokes that now she is in her thirties, she has noticed a tendency to go to bed at more reasonable hours than the late nights she used to embrace just ten years ago. She pokes fun at herself saying, well, gee, it's getting close to nine o'clock... time to head home so I can get to bed by ten... what is happening to me!?"
And this year, I turned sixty, though many who know me think I continue to act far more immaturely than a person my age should! Still, my life is quieter now, and more concerned with quiet nights with my wife than going out for good times. I adamantly fight against acting old, and perhaps in doing so, appear more foolish than I should.
Yes, growing old gracefully is an art that few people know, and even fewer can teach. As we age, our world has become more complex, with technology quickly outpacing our ability to keep up, and world situations that constantly remind us of our mortality. Gradually we, as a society, are forfeiting our dignity, sovereignty, and self-reliance for a state that provides more intrusion, less reward for accomplishment, and dependent on institutions that have doubtful futures.
We are living longer, but we are unable to sustain our longer life spans. We risk less, and fear more.
Learning how to age is going to be a challenge, and so I got to thinking: why don't we share together ways to survive. I want you to write to me, and tell me ways you are dealing with aging. I will continue to write about it, and give you ideas from my own experience. If it helps you, I am glad. I can tell you now, it will help me. I have a couple of thoughts, and I hope to share them with you over the next few weeks.
For now, I encourage you to enjoy life, and take every opportunity to savor the blessings of today. Revel in them, and examine them in depth. Consider why those things please you, inspire you, and touch your heart. Remember that at whatever age you are, God is not finished with you, neither in this life, or the next. His interest in you is infinite, and wants you to experience life to the fullest.
Hang tough, dear readers, and be content. Even as we age, God had plans for us. We have large lands ahead for us.
In his new book, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well, the Reverend Billy Graham says "All my life I've been taught how to die, but no one ever taught me how to grow old." Graham, who turns 93 in November, continues to write, even as he deals with symptoms similar to Parkinson's Disease and macular degeneration.
Graham has been a great inspiration for many of us, inspiring us to turn our hearts toward salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. His personable, direct manner of speaking coupled with a genuine humility made him one of the most powerful evangelical voices of the 20th century, inspiring countless Christians and ministers over the decades.
I appreciated Graham's message, and continue to hold him in highest respect. There are certain people who, by their single witness, can transcend the sorrowful stories of those who fell from grace publicly, and cast a shadow against the faith they professed. Last night I was reminded of how much influence a single person can have against an overwhelming world when I read an old African proverb, roughly translated to “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”
A single voice can indeed make an enormous difference in the world, and Graham has provided a steady stream of thoughts to lead us to salvation. We all should be so inspirational.
Lately, I have become increasingly aware of this thing called aging. My mother, who is the same age as Graham, lies in a skilled nursing facility as she tries to recover from a hip injury two weeks ago. Her mental state is deteriorating, suffering not only from dementia, but the debilitating fears and low self-esteem she has held throughout her life. More than once she has expressed to me her fear of death, and I have tried to help her understand that her faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for her to have everlasting life. I fear that her mental state is too far beyond her ability to understand, but I pray that she can somehow find comfort.
My daughter too, jokes that now she is in her thirties, she has noticed a tendency to go to bed at more reasonable hours than the late nights she used to embrace just ten years ago. She pokes fun at herself saying, well, gee, it's getting close to nine o'clock... time to head home so I can get to bed by ten... what is happening to me!?"
And this year, I turned sixty, though many who know me think I continue to act far more immaturely than a person my age should! Still, my life is quieter now, and more concerned with quiet nights with my wife than going out for good times. I adamantly fight against acting old, and perhaps in doing so, appear more foolish than I should.
Yes, growing old gracefully is an art that few people know, and even fewer can teach. As we age, our world has become more complex, with technology quickly outpacing our ability to keep up, and world situations that constantly remind us of our mortality. Gradually we, as a society, are forfeiting our dignity, sovereignty, and self-reliance for a state that provides more intrusion, less reward for accomplishment, and dependent on institutions that have doubtful futures.
We are living longer, but we are unable to sustain our longer life spans. We risk less, and fear more.
Learning how to age is going to be a challenge, and so I got to thinking: why don't we share together ways to survive. I want you to write to me, and tell me ways you are dealing with aging. I will continue to write about it, and give you ideas from my own experience. If it helps you, I am glad. I can tell you now, it will help me. I have a couple of thoughts, and I hope to share them with you over the next few weeks.
For now, I encourage you to enjoy life, and take every opportunity to savor the blessings of today. Revel in them, and examine them in depth. Consider why those things please you, inspire you, and touch your heart. Remember that at whatever age you are, God is not finished with you, neither in this life, or the next. His interest in you is infinite, and wants you to experience life to the fullest.
Hang tough, dear readers, and be content. Even as we age, God had plans for us. We have large lands ahead for us.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Max Has Moved On
"For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God." -Job 12:10
Perhaps by now you have heard that my dear boy, Max, died. He was almost 16, which is pretty old for a Yorkshire Terrier. Max had a condition that caused the outside of his brain to put pressure on the rest, and he gradually lost his ability to walk or maintain his balance. He remained sweet, even during the most difficult times, though you could tell he was frustrated. Not being able to stand while eating made him lose his appetite.
Monday, January 31, I awoke to hear him crying with every breath. I went downstairs to find Gwen holding him, tears streaming down her face. We knew his time had come. I sat with him for the next hour and a half as we waited for the Vet's office to open up. The entire office was in tears, knowing the old gentleman with the long tongue was done with life in this world.
Max had a following on Internetspirations. I learned a lot from walking him.
There was something different about him from any other dog I've been blessed to own. Max had a thoughtful outlook. He was never a disciplinary problem. He just seemed... to know things, like when you were hurting, or who needed love.
Max had compassion. He found our parakeet, Chico, abandoned at a mall, and called my attention to him. When Priscilla had an operation, he brought her a chew toy. He knew Gwen had never been close with dogs, so he chose her as his favorite lap. He had a sense of humor and the way things ought to be done. He loved car rides (he could say the word "go"). He was, in short, a wise, silent gentleman, who's only vice was a constant desire for a good butt scratch.
He had a long life, and will live always in our memories. I look forward to seeing him again. Do dogs go to heaven? I am certain of it. The essence of life is in all of God's creation, and I take the Bible at its word when it says that every soul is in God's hand.
Billy Graham once said "I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there."
One thing is certain: if ever a dog deserved to go to heaven, it would be Max.
So I expect to see him first as I leave this life, ambling toward me with his tongue hanging out, his tail wagging vigorously. My own, personal escort into eternity. That boy was an angel on earth. I can't imagine heaven any other way.
Perhaps by now you have heard that my dear boy, Max, died. He was almost 16, which is pretty old for a Yorkshire Terrier. Max had a condition that caused the outside of his brain to put pressure on the rest, and he gradually lost his ability to walk or maintain his balance. He remained sweet, even during the most difficult times, though you could tell he was frustrated. Not being able to stand while eating made him lose his appetite.
Monday, January 31, I awoke to hear him crying with every breath. I went downstairs to find Gwen holding him, tears streaming down her face. We knew his time had come. I sat with him for the next hour and a half as we waited for the Vet's office to open up. The entire office was in tears, knowing the old gentleman with the long tongue was done with life in this world.
Max had a following on Internetspirations. I learned a lot from walking him.
There was something different about him from any other dog I've been blessed to own. Max had a thoughtful outlook. He was never a disciplinary problem. He just seemed... to know things, like when you were hurting, or who needed love.
Max had compassion. He found our parakeet, Chico, abandoned at a mall, and called my attention to him. When Priscilla had an operation, he brought her a chew toy. He knew Gwen had never been close with dogs, so he chose her as his favorite lap. He had a sense of humor and the way things ought to be done. He loved car rides (he could say the word "go"). He was, in short, a wise, silent gentleman, who's only vice was a constant desire for a good butt scratch.
He had a long life, and will live always in our memories. I look forward to seeing him again. Do dogs go to heaven? I am certain of it. The essence of life is in all of God's creation, and I take the Bible at its word when it says that every soul is in God's hand.
Billy Graham once said "I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there."
One thing is certain: if ever a dog deserved to go to heaven, it would be Max.
So I expect to see him first as I leave this life, ambling toward me with his tongue hanging out, his tail wagging vigorously. My own, personal escort into eternity. That boy was an angel on earth. I can't imagine heaven any other way.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What happened to the Crystal Cathedral?
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” -Matthew 10:27
It is sad when you see events unfold just like you knew they would, and you had no power to stop them. Over the last couple of years, events at the Crystal Cathedral have led to an embarrassing scandal, divided family, and bankruptcy.
As a member of the congregation many years ago, it was my honor and joy to be a volunteer to what I considered an important, quality ministry. Though I always felt that Dr. Robert H. Schuller was too much of a showman (and frankly, not a very good listener), I thought he had a unique message that needed to be heard. For too long, people approached their relationship with God in defeat. Schuller's approach was, once upon a time, to put the accent more on the notion that we now can stand forgiven of our shortcomings, and find joy in the knowledge that God's love is ours. With that knowledge, we can be confident, move forward, and find ways around us to (in his words) "put strong wings on weary hearts."
I loved that message, and spent countless hours at what was first Garden Grove Community Church, and then the Crystal Cathedral. Eventually, I even went to work for them.
I was aware that Schuller wanted his son to take the place over when he "retired," and while Robert A. Schuller wasn't quite up to his dad's charismatic abilities, I thought he could improve in time. He seemed to come off more like one of the Beach Boys instead of a minister. Whenever he would lead the congregation in a scripture reading, I half expected him to say "Now let us turn to our Bibles and read from the gospel of Brian Wilson."
But I also began to see the writing on the wall. An elitist core grew around Dr. Bob, especially after an accident in the Netherlands that gave him a severe conk on the head. Staff members with great talents were passed over for promotions or placed in positions below new ones created for other family members. The Consistory, the guiding board of church policy was made up entirely of "yes" men, and no one was allowed to offer valid objections to any of Schuller senior's ideas. A cemetery? No problem. A bell tower? Check. Buy up all the neighboring homes so we can have a parking lot? Bye bye community. One by one, every request was allowed, and the ailing senior pastor continued to expand the property unchecked.
Meanwhile, the children began their reign of terror. Son-in-law Paul Dunn took over the Glories of Christmas and Easter as if he had any idea how to produce a quality stage production. He drove them into the ground, with awful staging, awkward scripts, and Vegas show tricks. My favorite was the firework arrow shot that had some very weak connection that I never quite understood.
Sheila took over the Academy, without any academic experience or qualifications. Jeanne took over publishing for the Hour of Power, and eventually programming. Gretchen went on staff booking music talent. Even Carol, whom I had the most respect for because she and her husband held out from joining in on the nepotism, finally came on board.
I probably wasn't the finest employee. My family fell apart while I was there, and I blamed many at the cathedral for helping it do so. I was also new to communications, and wasn't the best speller in those days before spell checkers. One day, while on vacation with my girls, I got a call from Joyce in my office warning me that inside man Fred Southard was going through my office looking for reasons to cut my budget. When I returned, I found out he had suceeded: I was jobless.
Over the years, hundreds of people who would have been considered an asset to any well managed organization were driven away, or died from the stress. Ole Nordberg, Ken Almeida, Bain Fischer. Great financial guys with great faith. Pianist and Orchestral conductor/arranger Johnnie Carl lost his sanity that ended up driving him to suicide during an argument with one of the Schuller girls.
The saddest for me was the loss of my friend, Don Fontana, who was one of the greatest church choral leaders of all time. The problem? Well, true that Don had a disorder that slowly took away his mind, but I believe the constant barrage of orders he received from family members far less qualified exacerbated his condition. Even after leaving the Cathedral, Don was still able to give years of outstanding service to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. The quality of choral music "under glass" was never quite the same.
"Possibility thinking" was Schuller's hallmark, and it served him well as he built the church. At the time he never took a salary: his only income was from book sales. But as greed, mismanagement, and self-anointed leadership replaced the once dynamic and now ailing senior pastor, improprieties began to abound. First class airfares and even SST tickets were all rationalized as "important for ministry," and housing allowances for everyone became the family norm.
Any objections were met with tantrums and power struggles, and when Robert A. tried to steer the church back to a more bible-centered message, he was thrown to the wolves. To object to anything was considered "negative thinking," and therefore not worth heeding.
At times, I feel a bit like I played a role in a Dickens novel. Amid all the discord, hurt, and obstacles this drama has played, I can say that I came out pretty well. Disappointed in the actions of those who should have led the development of a congregations faith, I walked away hurt, but eventually stronger in faith.
Still, my heart aches for those who were my friends who have gone away hurt, jaded and with diminished faith in God. God had nothing to do with this. It was solely the acts of men and women who put their own wants before those of His.
I am sorry for the family that still remains hardened against their true calling. It is a story that has played thousands and thousands of times throughout history. Good people, who have convinced themselves that they are entitled, and abuse their responsibilities.
Schuller was constantly reminding us that when God is behind an idea, nothing is impossible. Mountains can move. That is so true. But here is a mountain made from the stones of hardened hearts. Overcoming that mountain may well be the most difficult challenge anyone can ever face. "But with God... "
It is sad when you see events unfold just like you knew they would, and you had no power to stop them. Over the last couple of years, events at the Crystal Cathedral have led to an embarrassing scandal, divided family, and bankruptcy.
As a member of the congregation many years ago, it was my honor and joy to be a volunteer to what I considered an important, quality ministry. Though I always felt that Dr. Robert H. Schuller was too much of a showman (and frankly, not a very good listener), I thought he had a unique message that needed to be heard. For too long, people approached their relationship with God in defeat. Schuller's approach was, once upon a time, to put the accent more on the notion that we now can stand forgiven of our shortcomings, and find joy in the knowledge that God's love is ours. With that knowledge, we can be confident, move forward, and find ways around us to (in his words) "put strong wings on weary hearts."
I loved that message, and spent countless hours at what was first Garden Grove Community Church, and then the Crystal Cathedral. Eventually, I even went to work for them.
I was aware that Schuller wanted his son to take the place over when he "retired," and while Robert A. Schuller wasn't quite up to his dad's charismatic abilities, I thought he could improve in time. He seemed to come off more like one of the Beach Boys instead of a minister. Whenever he would lead the congregation in a scripture reading, I half expected him to say "Now let us turn to our Bibles and read from the gospel of Brian Wilson."
But I also began to see the writing on the wall. An elitist core grew around Dr. Bob, especially after an accident in the Netherlands that gave him a severe conk on the head. Staff members with great talents were passed over for promotions or placed in positions below new ones created for other family members. The Consistory, the guiding board of church policy was made up entirely of "yes" men, and no one was allowed to offer valid objections to any of Schuller senior's ideas. A cemetery? No problem. A bell tower? Check. Buy up all the neighboring homes so we can have a parking lot? Bye bye community. One by one, every request was allowed, and the ailing senior pastor continued to expand the property unchecked.
Meanwhile, the children began their reign of terror. Son-in-law Paul Dunn took over the Glories of Christmas and Easter as if he had any idea how to produce a quality stage production. He drove them into the ground, with awful staging, awkward scripts, and Vegas show tricks. My favorite was the firework arrow shot that had some very weak connection that I never quite understood.
Sheila took over the Academy, without any academic experience or qualifications. Jeanne took over publishing for the Hour of Power, and eventually programming. Gretchen went on staff booking music talent. Even Carol, whom I had the most respect for because she and her husband held out from joining in on the nepotism, finally came on board.
I probably wasn't the finest employee. My family fell apart while I was there, and I blamed many at the cathedral for helping it do so. I was also new to communications, and wasn't the best speller in those days before spell checkers. One day, while on vacation with my girls, I got a call from Joyce in my office warning me that inside man Fred Southard was going through my office looking for reasons to cut my budget. When I returned, I found out he had suceeded: I was jobless.
Over the years, hundreds of people who would have been considered an asset to any well managed organization were driven away, or died from the stress. Ole Nordberg, Ken Almeida, Bain Fischer. Great financial guys with great faith. Pianist and Orchestral conductor/arranger Johnnie Carl lost his sanity that ended up driving him to suicide during an argument with one of the Schuller girls.
The saddest for me was the loss of my friend, Don Fontana, who was one of the greatest church choral leaders of all time. The problem? Well, true that Don had a disorder that slowly took away his mind, but I believe the constant barrage of orders he received from family members far less qualified exacerbated his condition. Even after leaving the Cathedral, Don was still able to give years of outstanding service to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. The quality of choral music "under glass" was never quite the same.
"Possibility thinking" was Schuller's hallmark, and it served him well as he built the church. At the time he never took a salary: his only income was from book sales. But as greed, mismanagement, and self-anointed leadership replaced the once dynamic and now ailing senior pastor, improprieties began to abound. First class airfares and even SST tickets were all rationalized as "important for ministry," and housing allowances for everyone became the family norm.
Any objections were met with tantrums and power struggles, and when Robert A. tried to steer the church back to a more bible-centered message, he was thrown to the wolves. To object to anything was considered "negative thinking," and therefore not worth heeding.
At times, I feel a bit like I played a role in a Dickens novel. Amid all the discord, hurt, and obstacles this drama has played, I can say that I came out pretty well. Disappointed in the actions of those who should have led the development of a congregations faith, I walked away hurt, but eventually stronger in faith.
Still, my heart aches for those who were my friends who have gone away hurt, jaded and with diminished faith in God. God had nothing to do with this. It was solely the acts of men and women who put their own wants before those of His.
I am sorry for the family that still remains hardened against their true calling. It is a story that has played thousands and thousands of times throughout history. Good people, who have convinced themselves that they are entitled, and abuse their responsibilities.
Schuller was constantly reminding us that when God is behind an idea, nothing is impossible. Mountains can move. That is so true. But here is a mountain made from the stones of hardened hearts. Overcoming that mountain may well be the most difficult challenge anyone can ever face. "But with God... "
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I wish we could laugh more.
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1: 21
Few things get people riled up like politics and religion. Mix the two, and it is like pouring gasoline on an oil fire. It can certainly be argued that most of the misery we experience on earth can be attributed to some mix of religious zealousness, political infighting, and greed.
I laughed when I read in the newspaper this morning that political fighting in Ukraine's parliament is so bad, they throw eggs at opposition members, and even brawl in the aisle. Those who favor ties with Russia are at odds with those who are trying to bring the country into a more pro-western Europe, and it is serious business, for sure. But the photograph is what made me laugh. It showed one of the politicians being pelted with eggs while another one held an open umbrella to protect himself from a chicken embryo. I mean, they actually bring umbrellas into the chamber for just such emergencies?
There are all kinds of people hating someone: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Africans Americans, Gays, Mexicans, Rich People, Corporations, Film makers, movie stars, and Miley Cyrus. Poor Miley. It sucks to be a nice person who has success.
I tend to look at causes differently, and sometimes, I think it rubs my friends the wrong way. For example, I am perfectly fine with the State of California recognizing gay marriages. Some of my friends though, see that as a conflict with my faith. I do not. I just don't see what business any government has in anyone's marriage.
Marriage certainly isn't exclusively the property of any particular faith. It has been around longer than any of the existing faiths.
Still, I get a little irritated at the people who defend gay marriage rights (Now remember, I am all for it)! The other day I was invited to join a group on Facebook called "I hate Cancer." Well, yeah! Duh! Sign me up! I was pleased to see that in the months it has been in existence, it has over 600,000 members. That's good, right?
Except there is also a group online that is pro gay marriage, and guess what? They have over 2 million supporters... and most people joined that cause in less than a week!
Now, I don't know about you, but I find this incredibly stupid. I mean seriously: which is more important? Getting rid of a multi-faced disease that kills millions annually, or allowing gays to get married? I hope you agree with me that getting rid of cancer really should be a higher priority!
I just wish things were different. I wish we had a smart, strong government that taxed very little, and poked its nose in our business a lot less. I wish everyone could have good health care. I wish I liked to exercise. I wish everyone who wanted to get in your face with some issue would just shut up, and everyone was treated with dignity and respect. I wish we could all laugh more.
Don't you?
and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1: 21
Few things get people riled up like politics and religion. Mix the two, and it is like pouring gasoline on an oil fire. It can certainly be argued that most of the misery we experience on earth can be attributed to some mix of religious zealousness, political infighting, and greed.
I laughed when I read in the newspaper this morning that political fighting in Ukraine's parliament is so bad, they throw eggs at opposition members, and even brawl in the aisle. Those who favor ties with Russia are at odds with those who are trying to bring the country into a more pro-western Europe, and it is serious business, for sure. But the photograph is what made me laugh. It showed one of the politicians being pelted with eggs while another one held an open umbrella to protect himself from a chicken embryo. I mean, they actually bring umbrellas into the chamber for just such emergencies?
There are all kinds of people hating someone: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Africans Americans, Gays, Mexicans, Rich People, Corporations, Film makers, movie stars, and Miley Cyrus. Poor Miley. It sucks to be a nice person who has success.
I tend to look at causes differently, and sometimes, I think it rubs my friends the wrong way. For example, I am perfectly fine with the State of California recognizing gay marriages. Some of my friends though, see that as a conflict with my faith. I do not. I just don't see what business any government has in anyone's marriage.
Marriage certainly isn't exclusively the property of any particular faith. It has been around longer than any of the existing faiths.
Still, I get a little irritated at the people who defend gay marriage rights (Now remember, I am all for it)! The other day I was invited to join a group on Facebook called "I hate Cancer." Well, yeah! Duh! Sign me up! I was pleased to see that in the months it has been in existence, it has over 600,000 members. That's good, right?
Except there is also a group online that is pro gay marriage, and guess what? They have over 2 million supporters... and most people joined that cause in less than a week!
Now, I don't know about you, but I find this incredibly stupid. I mean seriously: which is more important? Getting rid of a multi-faced disease that kills millions annually, or allowing gays to get married? I hope you agree with me that getting rid of cancer really should be a higher priority!
I just wish things were different. I wish we had a smart, strong government that taxed very little, and poked its nose in our business a lot less. I wish everyone could have good health care. I wish I liked to exercise. I wish everyone who wanted to get in your face with some issue would just shut up, and everyone was treated with dignity and respect. I wish we could all laugh more.
Don't you?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Captain BO
My eyes are ever on the LORD,for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
-Psalm 25:15-20
This week brings about a major event for Michael Jackson fans at Disneyland. They are bringing back the old Captain EO 3D film in Tomorrowland. You can find it here:
Captain EO
I hadn't seen it since it left Disneyland about twenty years ago. What I saw just blew me away. No, it wasn't seeing MJ perform in his unique style. It was something maybe just a little surprising...
Captain EO is almost the perfect analogy of the rise of Barack Obama.
Hear me out on this. In the movie, Captain EO is the leader of a bumbling crew, who have been given the assignment of locating a beacon on a dark, mysterious world, a world desperately in need of "The Gift."
EO is young, handsome, energetic, and very well spoken. He is charismatic as he accidentally stumbles on the beacon, and leads his charges into the darkness beyond, intent on bringing "Change."
Once into the fray, he immediately manages to transform the masses into a lockstep dance behind him. He sings a song about "Change." Of course, he is never very specific about what that change should look like, but in this fantasy, even the Republicans are behind him, depicted as the bumbling elephant creature, Hooter, who nearly blows everything, but ends up fixing the machinery at the very last minute.
What really drove it home to me was the design on EO's T-shirt. They even make it glow in the film. It is a rainbow, not too unlike the Obama logo!
The happy little film ends with EO saving the dark world, where everything is lovely, and the "Change" he brought creates a little utopian world.
Captain EO was created long before Barack Obama even dreamed of being president... probably even being a politician. But I love it when little coincidences end up many years after-the-fact.
Yet I am not so sure it is an astounding coincidence. From our youth, all throughout the 20th and 21st century, voters have embraced the ideals of the progressive movement, depicted in countless examples of Pop culture, and have allowed more and more individual freedom to be taken away.
It is no wonder so many bought into the "change" mantra, and voted for Obama. Obama's campaign tapped into territory as comforting as a fond memory, without having to define a single term.
I don't mean to get all "conspiracy theory" on you. But there certainly has been a consistent message from our media over the ages. It is a message that more government is better, the influence of church needs to be reduced, and anyone who disagrees is mean-spirited, evil, and suspect.
It is interesting that now there are those sounding the alarm. And of course, they are being depicted as hateful people, crazy, and awful. But time will tell.
Those of us who trust only in the Lord will be vindicated. If not in this world, then certainly in the next.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
-Psalm 25:15-20
This week brings about a major event for Michael Jackson fans at Disneyland. They are bringing back the old Captain EO 3D film in Tomorrowland. You can find it here:
Captain EO
I hadn't seen it since it left Disneyland about twenty years ago. What I saw just blew me away. No, it wasn't seeing MJ perform in his unique style. It was something maybe just a little surprising...
Captain EO is almost the perfect analogy of the rise of Barack Obama.
Hear me out on this. In the movie, Captain EO is the leader of a bumbling crew, who have been given the assignment of locating a beacon on a dark, mysterious world, a world desperately in need of "The Gift."
EO is young, handsome, energetic, and very well spoken. He is charismatic as he accidentally stumbles on the beacon, and leads his charges into the darkness beyond, intent on bringing "Change."
Once into the fray, he immediately manages to transform the masses into a lockstep dance behind him. He sings a song about "Change." Of course, he is never very specific about what that change should look like, but in this fantasy, even the Republicans are behind him, depicted as the bumbling elephant creature, Hooter, who nearly blows everything, but ends up fixing the machinery at the very last minute.
What really drove it home to me was the design on EO's T-shirt. They even make it glow in the film. It is a rainbow, not too unlike the Obama logo!
The happy little film ends with EO saving the dark world, where everything is lovely, and the "Change" he brought creates a little utopian world.
Captain EO was created long before Barack Obama even dreamed of being president... probably even being a politician. But I love it when little coincidences end up many years after-the-fact.
Yet I am not so sure it is an astounding coincidence. From our youth, all throughout the 20th and 21st century, voters have embraced the ideals of the progressive movement, depicted in countless examples of Pop culture, and have allowed more and more individual freedom to be taken away.
It is no wonder so many bought into the "change" mantra, and voted for Obama. Obama's campaign tapped into territory as comforting as a fond memory, without having to define a single term.
I don't mean to get all "conspiracy theory" on you. But there certainly has been a consistent message from our media over the ages. It is a message that more government is better, the influence of church needs to be reduced, and anyone who disagrees is mean-spirited, evil, and suspect.
It is interesting that now there are those sounding the alarm. And of course, they are being depicted as hateful people, crazy, and awful. But time will tell.
Those of us who trust only in the Lord will be vindicated. If not in this world, then certainly in the next.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Redemption
"Answer me, O Lord, for Thy lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Thy cmpassion, turn to me,And do not hide Thy face from Thy servant, For I am in distress; answer me quickly.Oh draw near to my soull and redeem it; Ransom me because of my enemies." -Psalm 69: 16-18
How effective is it to tell the truth, if people do not understand what you are saying? How can the truth help us, if we are unfamiliar with the concept?
I think one of the words people in this time have difficulty understanding is the word "redeem." It sounds old. It sounds... well, churchy. I can think of very few uses of this word outside of a church atmosphere.
When I was a kid, we'd save our S & H green stamps, and then "redeemed" them at the local S&H store. Or when you take a coupon to the grocery for 50¢ off of dog food, you give it to the checker and "redeem" it. What has any of this got to do with God?
Redemption is the act or process of buying something, especially to buy or win it back. Essentially, when we took green stamps, we traded the value of our cash for a product, say gasoline, and something extra: the stamps. We converted a portion of our cash value to stamps. The same with our coupons. We trade cash for a subscription to the newspaper. The coupons found therein become items of barter, wherein we can regain a portion of the amount we spend on the newspaper. Some folks do it so well, they can buy a subscription to a newspaper several times over with what they save!
Essentially, what we are saying in our clumsy language, is that God has "repurchased" us through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the great Redeemer. That implies that we had value, but somehow lost our connection with God. Sin kept us out of His presence. Jesus then came, and through His sacrifice, redeemed himself, or took His own value, and traded it. The deal was that by his redemption, we are once again able to be in God's presence.
Now, as you look in Webster's you'll see additional definitions for the word "redeem." I find one particularly interesting: To "redeem" is to free from captivity by payment of a ransom, or to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental. How accurate a description of Christ's redemption for us! We are freed from the captivity of sin by His redeeming life! It is an incredible concept!
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