"Just Thinking" by Robert J. Tamasy

The Paralyzing Power of ‘What If . . . ?’

2012-02-09T10:49:00.000-05:00

Two common mental exercises are colossal wastes of energy – worrying and “what if….?” The futility of worry might be a topic for later discussion, but this week I’ve been reminded how pervasive – and pernicious – that phrase “What if…?” can be.

Sunday’s Super Bowl, won by the New York Giants over the New England Patriots, 21-17, had barely ended before experts and armchair authorities began playing the “What if…?” game. “What if Welker had caught that ball?” “What if the Giants scored too soon, letting the Patriots score the winning touchdown in the last second?”

Silly, but that’s how the discussion went. Rather than reviewing how the game unfolded, commentators and fans debated whether Bradshaw should have stopped short of the end zone so New York could kick a last-second field goal to win, denying New England another chance at the ball. Instead than talking about what is, people preferred to discuss what if?

Of course, we do that a lot of everyday life, too. “What if I had grown up in another part of the country?” “What if I had gone to a different college?” “What if I had married someone else?” "What if I had chosen a different career?" “What if I had zigged, instead of zagged?”

Such thinking is at best counter-productive. At worst it can be paralyzing, prohibiting us from moving forward with our lives in a healthy way. The past is cast in concrete, unchangeable, yet we insist of gazing backward, longingly and wishfully.

Do you know what happens if a farmer keeps looking back while he’s plowing? He cuts crooked furrows. And if we spend all our time looking back while driving, look out!

The Bible’s first book gives us a vivid example of the consequences of “what if…?” Lot and his family were instructed to flee the wicked city of Sodom – and not look back. However, his wife, perhaps desiring one last glimpse of her home, wondered, “What if we had stayed there?” The result: “Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). Soon after that, doctors started advising patients, “Too much salt is bad for you!”

The apostle Paul, regretted many things he did before encountering Jesus Christ. But he understood “what if…” could not change anything. He wrote, “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

If we were given a do-over, a “mulligan” as they call it in golf, most of us would change things in our past. But that’s not an option. For one thing, time machines haven’t been invented yet. Besides, at least in my case, life has turned out far better than I could have hoped. Different than expected, but definitely better. So no “what if’s” for me!

Happy Birthday, ‘Chuck’ Dickens!

2012-02-06T12:53:00.000-05:00

Feb. 7 marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of celebrated British author Charles Dickens. If he’d still been alive today, well…he’d really be old!

Charles, or “Chuck” as he might be called by Peppermint Patty (who also uses that nickname for Charlie Brown), is known for literary classics like A Tale of Two Cities, which takes places before and during the French Revolution; Oliver Twist, the basis for the hit musical, “Oliver”; Great Expectations; and A Christmas Carol, which gave us the unforgettable line, “Bah! Humbug!” and from which many holiday films through the years have been based.

Being a writer that happened to grow up in a housing subdivision where the streets were named after legendary authors – (John Greenleaf) Whittier, (James Fenimore) Cooper and (Edgar Allan) Poe avenues, and (Nathaniel) Hawthorne Drive – I’ve embraced the rich heritage passed down from authors like Dickens.

Charles Dickens, 1812-1870

His opening lines to A Tale of Two Cities are among literature’s greatest: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way….”

The only better opening I can think of is, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Those 10 words hold volumes of meaning. But the introductory words of Dickens’ Tale also capture the essence of a wondrous, horrific time with relatively few words.

Today much of writing is reduced to the substance of cotton candy, good to the initial taste but not much to savor after a few moments. Who has time to read, right? But authors like Dickens transport us to times when words were treasured, when they were implemented as tools for transforming society.

One phrase Dickens did not create is, “What the dickens?” That comes from William Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor” (Act III, Scene II), in which character Mrs. Page states, "I cannot tell what the dickens his name is…." In this instance, the term “dickens” is euphemism for “devil.” Those words were uttered more than 200 years before Dickens’s birth to John and Elizabeth Dickens in Landport, England.

The late Paul Harvey used to tell a story called “The Man and the Birds,” about a man who had an amazing spiritual awakening simply by observing the plight of a flock of birds desperately trying to find shelter from the cold. Some have said Charles Dickens’ own spiritual journey served as inspiration for this tale. In telling it, Harvey even uses the name “Scrooge.” (In case you’re interested, here’s a link to that story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_aeYN1CBt4)

Regardless, Dickens’s writings typically did convey a compassion, a rare sensitivity for “the least of these” that might have reflectee his personal convictions. I’d like to think his writings were undergirded not just by good intentions or warm sentiment, but a sincere desire to mirror through narrative the heartbeat of the Creator.

Perhaps his motives echoed the words I’ve adopted as my “career verse”: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the king; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1).

Considering ‘Reliable Sources’

2012-02-03T11:21:00.000-05:00

Often we hear the news media citing “reliable sources” with inside information regarding anything from a celebrity’s addictions, to political strategy shifts and “secret” government maneuverings, to behind-the-scenes dealings in the sports world. The term seems like a contradiction in terms.

If the source is truly “reliable,” then why is he or she divulging privileged knowledge about the individual or organization? If anything, the “friend” or employee doesn’t seem very reliable for the people and entities involved.

Being a journalist, I understand sometimes key information is “leaked” when it’s premature to disclose it through official channels. But often connections on the “inside” are more than willing to communicate confidential information as long as they remain anonymous.

Call the sources “believable” or “credible”; just forget about the “reliable” label. If I were an employer, I’d want to know that in-house information would stay in-house.

Years ago, while reporting sports for Ohio State’s student newspaper, I made what some would consider my first misstep as a journalist: I was interviewing the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator, Lou McCullough, who’d agreed for me to talk with him only because I kept pestering him for a story. He taught me a helpful motto that day: persistence neutralizes resistance.

Toward the end of the interview, McCullough confided he was about to become athletic director at Iowa State University. It would have been my first “scoop” as a reporter, beating even the daily newspapers in Columbus. But then he said the information was “off the record” and asked me to keep it confidential. He’d let me know in a couple of days when I could run the story.

I did as requested, not even telling my sports editor. One day later, the story about McCullough’s departure appeared in the sports section of one of the daily newspapers. I, the “scooper,” had become "scoopee."

Looking back, I could have written the article citing a “reliable source”; McCullough certainly was that. But instead, electing to keep my promise, I held off on the story and ended up reporting on news that had already been broken.

But if I had a “do-over,” I don’t think I’d have done differently. There have been times when for whatever reason I’ve compromised my integrity, but since becoming a follower of Jesus I’ve believed being a person of your word should not be determined by situational ethics. Just as you can’t be “a little bit pregnant,” you’re either a person of integrity or you’re not.

The Old Testament book of Proverbs says much about this: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (Proverbs 11:3). “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19). “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing” (Proverbs 13:17).

If our world placed higher value on honesty and integrity, we'd be much better off today – in every respect.

A Judge That Set an Example

2012-01-30T11:44:00.000-05:00

The Chattanooga area lost a significant figure in the legal community last week with the unexpected passing of General Sessions Judge Bob Moon, who died at age 60 of a heart attack.

I never met him, was never summoned to his court, so I did not know him personally. But based on what I heard from other people and the media, Judge Moon was the type of rare individual we need more of in our local, state and Federal judiciaries.

Individuals that appeared in his court – and received his sentences – attested to his fairness and his compassion. One woman who stood before him on several occasions said he later reached out to offer assistance in getting her life turned around.

Other times Moon reportedly used his bench to speak words of caring admonition and wisdom. With prisons bursting at the seams with overcrowding, and recidivism rates distressingly high, it was encouraging to hear of a judge with a eye toward rehabilitating lawbreakers.

Sometimes his judgments were viewed as unorthodox, but it appears the judge sought a reasonable balance between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, seeking when possible to restore individuals rather than simply meting out prescribed punishment. He also actively participated in Boys and Girls Club activities, recognizing their potential value for young people desperately in need of positive direction.

In the Bible, Micah 6:8 asserts: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Proverbs 21:3 adds, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

Certainly, those guilty of crimes should face appropriate penalties. But whenever possible, if the legal system can succeed in restoring individuals rather than throwing them into environments where they exit worse than when they entered, we all benefit. And this, from what I understand, is what Judge Moon attempted to do. May others like him fill the void.

‘Finding God’

2012-01-27T13:41:00.000-05:00

From time to time we hear of someone declaring, “I found God,” as if He were lost, missing, a needle in a haystack, or even playing hide-and-seek.

Whether it’s a friend, relative, or even a famous person saying it, I understand what’s meant. It’s kind of like saying, “You ought to go to this cute little shop I found,” or “I found such a great deal at the grocery store today!” It was there all the time; we just discovered it. Similarly, those who announce they “found God” mean they have had a life-altering encounter with the Almighty they never imagined.

The Bible speaks about seeking – and finding – God. For instance, Isaiah 55:6 instructs us, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” In 1 Chronicles 28:9 we are assured, “If you seek him, he will be found by you.” And Psalm 105:4 exhorts, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”

But experience has taught me God does most of the finding. We can run from Him – as I did for most of my first 30 years – but when we stop running, we realize He’s been right there all the time.

British poet Francis Thompson captured this idea in his 182-line poem, “The Hound of Heaven,” written in the late 1800s. Thompson explains even though he tried to flee, he could not evade God’s love and pursuit, “those strong feet that followed…with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace….”

The history of God with His people is of being the seeker, demonstrating lavish love, grace and mercy to disobedient and rebellious men, women and children. In Luke 19:10, speaking of Himself, Jesus declared, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

In Luke 15, Jesus told three stories – known as the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost (or prodigal) son – to convey how zealously God seeks His own.

My point isn’t to dive in over my head theologically, but to affirm a sometimes-forgotten aspect of the “Good News.” Even when we don’t want Him around, when we’re set on going our own way, God is there, waiting and watching, much like a parent keeping careful watch over a young, headstrong child.

Long before Thompson conjured the image of the Hound of Heaven, David wrote a psalm along the same lines: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there…” (Psalm 139:7-8).

If we view God as a meddler, intruder, or divine spoilsport, that might not sound like good news. But it is – because no matter how far we stray, no matter how much we veer off course, we can be assured the Lord will always be there, ready to embrace when we return to Him.

‘What Do I Do Now?’

2012-01-23T11:48:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I attended a men’s retreat at a picturesque mountaintop setting. We had an excellent speaker who addressed biblical manhood from different perspectives.

His observations stood in striking contrast to both the distorted views of masculinity that pop culture serves up, as well as condescending, chauvinistic perspectives some supposedly “Bible-believing” churches teach. Many men left the retreat pumped up – encouraged to live out their faith in meaningful ways, challenged to go deeper in their walk with Jesus Christ, convicted about changes they need to make, maybe all of the above.

During the retreat I recalled similar “mountaintop experiences” I’ve had over the years. Many times I departed inspired, determined to become a different person.

But there’s a problem, as I noted in this blog some months back. Mountaintops aren’t designed for permanent residence. In fact, the first thing Sir Edmund Hillary said upon becoming the first person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest was, “Now what?” (Not really – at least I don’t think so. But seriously, once you’ve reached the top of the world, where do you go from there?)

When you leave your mountaintop, the destination is usually the valley below. And there deadlines, job pressures, financial obligations, relational conflicts, persistent bad habits and other problems can derail even great intentions.

In fact, more than once, my “spiritual high” from the mountaintop quickly morphed into discouragement upon returning to reality. “What do I do now?”

The key to hanging onto such spiritual resolve has two parts. First, it’s important to remember we don’t have to go it alone. If we let Him, God is our constant companion. We might have had a fresh encounter with Him on the mountaintop, but He’s waiting for us in the valley as well.

Psalm 138:7-10 assures us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Second, God doesn’t ask us to live our lives isolated from others. As we were reminded at the retreat, our spouses are our helpmates, our completers. His design is for us to team together, as equal partners.

Beyond that, God also sends people our way to serve as friends, counselors, advisers, mentors. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 expands on that: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

So the next time you have a mountaintop experience and then find yourself stuck in the day-to-day doldrums of the valley, don’t try slugging it out on your own. The Lord’s no farther than a whispered prayer. If you’re married, God united you with someone for weathering life’s storms and reveling in its joys together. And He’ll send others your way to catch you when you stumble – so you can do the same for them.

A True Developing Story

2012-01-20T15:53:00.000-05:00

This morning I read with a twinge of sadness the news that Eastman Kodak has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kodak and I go back a long way, to the mid-60s at least, when I was discovering the craft of photography while studying journalism in college. Photojournalism 101 was one of the requirements for my major, and I learned how to develop film and print photographs. In fact, as a graduate student, I taught other students how to do that.

At the time, Kodak was the undisputed leader among film manufacturers. I dabbled with Fuji, Agfa and other films, but Kodak was always my favorite – as it was for most people.

I remember an assignment to take photos that demonstrated mastery of depth of field, in which portions are intentionally in focus and portions are purposely out of focus. That day I went out with my girlfriend, walking around campus and taking pictures I confidently thought would be perfect for the task.

Only one problem: When I developed the film, it was clear. I’d failed to thread the film properly, so it never was exposed. Although the shutter had opened and closed whenever I pressed the button, the film hadn’t been pulled through to capture any images.

From that day on, even after becoming the editor of newspapers and a magazine, when people asked me, “Did you get any good pictures?”, I would respond, “I’ll let you know when I get the film developed.”

Kodak’s announcement was inevitable. And I’m among those indirectly to blame. Several years ago I bought my first digital camera and became an instant convert. I could see immediately whether I’d succeeded in capturing the intended image. No more waiting for film to be developed and photos printed. And the versatility of digital photography was far superior to the limitations of specific film speeds, black and white or color.

So from that day, I never bought another roll of film or shot photos using an “old-fashioned” film camera. Frankly, with the technology where it is today, I’m somewhat surprised anyone shoots with film anymore.

This just proves the truth of Ecclesiastes 3:1, which tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

For instance, in journalism school I learned to write news stories on a manual Remington Rand typewriter; years later I obtained an electric typewriter and thought it was incredible. That is until I received my first computer – my typewriter was discarded days later.

Particularly in the realm of technology, everything has its “season,” and sometimes it’s not very long. We don’t use 8-track tapes or even cassette tapes anymore; TVs don’t have picture tubes. We can even watch films online, bypassing the need for DVDs.

We’re accustomed to things having a given lifespan. Canned and bottled foods show expiration dates. For people who still buy newspapers, the date at the top of the page essentially informs us today it’s just “old news” (compared to broadcast and Internet reports); tomorrow it will become history.

Thankfully, for people of faith, there is one exception to the “time for everything…a season for everything.” Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” He never changes – and will never go out of date. And that’s good news!

Not At a Loss for Words - Unfortunately

2012-01-18T13:54:00.000-05:00

I’m convinced more than ever that our modern society is suffering from a severe affliction, something I would term verbal diarrhea. (Pardon the imagery.) Basically, there’s a flood of words coming out everywhere, and most of them aren’t good.

Last week I considered why Tim Tebow’s such a conversation piece and focal point for the media. Denver lost decisively to New England, but people continue talking Tebow. It seems some are desperately afraid this “Jesus fanatic” will still succeed as an NFL quarterback and continue praising his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so they persist in criticizing him.

Everyone's talking these days,
but do we really have much to say?

On another front, as momentum builds toward November’s Presidential election, Republican candidates are bashing each other relentlessly. And all of them have only vile rhetoric to spew toward President Obama. If we believe what they’re all saying, the only person worth voting for would be, who…Betty White?

If a celebrity sneezes, makes a wrong turn, or says something foolish, gossip mongers pounce like vultures, ready to tell us more than we care to know. And with Facebook, Twitter and other social media, anyone can say whatever about whomever with no repercussions at all.

Everywhere we look and listen, people are venting venomous verbiage. “If you can’t say something bad about someone, don’t say anything at all” has become today’s mantra.

Not pleading innocence, mind you. I confess my own penchant through the years to give people pieces of my mind I couldn’t afford to lose. But time has taught me an important lesson: A closed mouth is healthy for the environment.

I was reminded of this reading Proverbs 17:28 – “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Or as author and social commentator Mark Twain expressed it, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”

We’re brought this problem on ourselves, I suppose. With TV, radio, cell phones (in this context, dare we call them “smart phones”?), the Internet, even blogs like this so pervasive, there’s only so much to think and talk about. But there are so many people – and so much time – to do the thinking and talking. So we spew.

We’ve got quite a problem – and I’m not proposing the solution. Other than to suggest we consider and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

Exercise Your Body?…What About Your Spirit?

2012-01-13T13:57:00.000-05:00

Last week I wrote about the importance of physical exercise, for weight control and fitness. But while we talk about taking care of our bodies, especially in the wake of weeks of holiday gluttony, we rarely consider the need to exercise our spirits.

Each of us is a complex mix: physical, mental, emotional – and spiritual. The first three facets of our identity receive a lot of our attention, but many of us fail to give much recognition to the latter, if any. However, in Ecclesiastes 3:11 we read, “(God) has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” Like it or not, deep down – maybe in the recesses of our human DNA – God has provided an awareness that we, and this life, are not all there is.

So it’s interesting that as we resolve to work our bodies into submission, pursue intellectual stimulation, and strive to improve attitudes and relationships, our spiritual side suffers from neglect – to the point of atrophy.

As 1 Timothy 4:8 points out, "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come" (New Living Translation).

Bibles today come in a variety of translations, styles
and even themes. There's one to fit any need.

That sounds good, but even as professing followers of Jesus we tend to think an hour of institutional church activity suffices for spiritual health. But it’s not about religion – it’s about relationship, getting to know the God of all creation who desires to spend time with us.

I’m not one that believes in ritualistically or legalistically reading the Bible each day. But we know from experience that to strengthen relationships – with our spouse, children, or friends – it takes time. The same is true in cultivating a strong, growing relationship with God. There is no substitute for time, ideally on a daily basis.

How much time? I don’t know – certainly more than a minute. Years ago a friend, Robert Foster, wrote a little booklet called “7 Minutes a Day With God” (it’s still is published by The Navigators). In essence, he suggested, anyone can set aside that much time – a couple of minutes in prayer, a few minutes in the Scriptures, and a few moments in meditation. The kicker, he noted, is if you diligently devote just seven minutes a day to doing that, you’ll soon discover it’s not enough.

Early in my days as a disciple of Christ, I also learned what The Navigators called “the hand illustration” to show how to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible. Each finger on the hand represents a different aspect: Listening; reading; studying; memorizing; and meditating. Through the years, I’ve found all of these useful, not only for understanding what the Bible says, but also for discovering who God really is – and who, as one of His adopted children, I am.

So as you’re thinking about working out to get into better shape physically, reading more widely to grow mentally, and seeking to enhance your life emotionally, don’t let your spiritual side suffer. You owe it to yourself!

This ‘Tebow Thing’

2012-01-10T11:05:00.000-05:00

On another blog I occasionally address sports-related topics, but thought I’d give my two-cents worth about what has become known nationwide as the “Tebow thing.”

For the uninitiated, Tim Tebow helped Florida win two BCS (college football) Championships, won the Heisman Trophy, and now – despite unorthodox and widely criticized passing techniques – starts at quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Tebow also is an unashamed, outspoken follower of Jesus Christ.

The “Tebow thing” concerns his phenomenal last-minute performances leading the Broncos to a series of nail-biting victories late in the season, capped last Sunday by an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers and enable the Broncos to advance in the NFL playoffs.

Tim Tebow has become
a national conversation piece.

On top of that, his total passing yardage for the game was 316; dividing that by the 10 passes he completed during the game, he averaged 31.6 yards per completions. By coincidence – or not, some think – those numbers match the Bible verse Tebow often refers to, John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

So, as one friend asked on Facebook this morning, “who thinks Tim Tebow’s passing yards are a God thing or just a coincidence?”

Nobody knows for sure, but either way, I think God is having great fun with this. As Tebow wrestled victory away from certain defeat week after week, he captured the attention of the American public and the media. For some, his habit of giving credit to “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” before any post-game comments is bothersome. “Let’s leave God out of this,” they respond.

But at least two biblical truths come to bear here: Philippians 4:13 assures every believer that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And it would appear God has done that, enabling Tebow and his team to prevail even though experts insist he lacks the skills to succeed in “the league.”

Also, in the Old Testament, God declared, “Those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). This seems what Tebow has been striving to do, rather than thumping his chest or showboating as NFL prima donnas are inclined to do.

Many other athletes – and coaches – have expressed allegiance to Jesus Christ, but probably none as overtly as Tebow. Whether it’s the preferred “style” or not, from all indications, he’s the real deal. A genuine believer, an incredibly hard-working, determined athlete, and person of integrity.

Today our society seems more polarized on spiritual matters than ever. For decades lawmakers have systematically attempted to exorcise God – and specifically, Jesus Christ – from public discourse. Even as individuals, many of us still use “religion is a personal thing” as a default setting.

But in reality, removing God from the equation effectively tears at the foundations that helped to make the United States what it once was. (I’m not sure that it still is.) Spiritual belief – and non-belief – significantly influence how we each think and live.

As British essayist and novelist C.S. Lewis wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

So if for no other reason, this “Tebow thing” once again brings God to public consciousness. For some, it’s aggravating – or worse.

But if what the Bible says is true, that one day “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11), the sooner we give Him serious consideration the better.

Post-Christmas Pound Consequences

2012-01-06T11:05:00.000-05:00

With the holidays past, we now process proclamations of thebest diets to pay penance for the poundage we accumulated from too muchindulgence on seasonal goodies.

High protein, low protein, low carb, high carb, grapefruitjuice, strawberry-asparagus shakes, kumquat-artichoke smoothies, just aboutanything you can think of (other than maybe cardboard or styrofoam) has beenpromoted as the perfect means for shedding unwanted pounds. Perhaps you’re inthe midst of trying one now.

I know a number of people who eagerly partake in the latestfad, whether it’s pills, a revolutionary waist-wrap, even vibrating devices youstand on. Similar to “get rich quick” schemes, these products promise “get slimquick.”

Even the media get into the act, expounding on the mostrecent gimmicks. But as I’ve learned – the hard way – the secret to weightcontrol and physical well-being isn’t found in a can or a carton. It’s found ina term we all hate to hear: hard work.

Soon after my open-heart surgery five years ago, I resolvedto lose some excess weight and avoid habits that had led to my arterialblockages. So I listened to and read the advice of cardiac experts who talkedabout proper nutrition and exercise.

Cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, who invented theSouth Beach Diet, said as his practice shifted its focus from treatment toprevention, via healthy eating, exercise and appropriate medication, they saw aradical decrease of heart attacks among their patients. It went from five patientsa week having heart episodes to only five in a full year! When I read that, Idecided to try what he was recommending.

I learned what foods were good for me (lean meats, nuts,fresh vegetables and fruits, for example) and which were not. I learned how toread food labels so I would know what ingredients I was ingesting. I learnedthat the sanest way to eat is moderation – occasionally allowing yourself toenjoy favorite, not-recommended foods, but not all the time. And I learned thatwhile watching calories is useful, burning off calories is even better.

So for the past five years I have faithfully (with very fewmisses) participated in cardiac rehab exercise classes three times a week,power-walking 2-3 other days each week. No question, it’s hard work. Everymorning when I go to exercise I tell myself, “I don’t want to do this!” Butlike the mom of years ago that would administer castor oil to an ailing child,I then tell myself, “Do it anyway. It’s good for you!” So I do.

I still wrestle some with controlling my weight. The firstcouple of years I was highly motivated, memories of surgery and recovery stillvivid. But in the succeeding years I’ve just had to “bulldog” my way,determined to stick with the program, persevering even though quitting would bemuch easier and much less demanding. I persist because to do otherwise is torisk severe consequences.

The old saying tells us,“You are what you eat.” So what do you want to be – a cream puff, or a lean,low-fat entrée?

It’s a New Year, Ready or Not!

2012-01-03T12:46:00.000-05:00

Well, the Times Square ball has dropped; Father Time has passed the baton to a younger 2012 version; the holidays are over – and the real world is starting up again, ready or not.

Some say, according to the Mayan calendar, that this is the year the world ends. If that’s the case, let’s hope it’s before the November elections. Maybe what the Mayans meant was this is the year election rhetoric ends. Wouldn’t that be great? No more promises made with no intention to be kept; no relentless opponent bashing; no feeble attempts to convince voters that any of the candidates are really worth voting for.

Call me skeptical, even cynical when it comes to the current political climate. But where is Abraham Lincoln when you need him? If the Martians were to land and demand, “Take us to your leader,” wouldn't we find ourselves hard-pressed to figure out who that would be?

Last week I offered some thoughts about resolutions vs. goal-setting. I hope you have taken at least a few minutes to do one or the other; whatever works for you. But let me ask (you and me) a few questions as we embark on this great adventure we will forever call “2012.” Just some food for thought:

· What is one thing you could do, starting today, that would result in a meaningful change in your life this year?

· Since each day still has only 24 hours, and each week has only seven days, what step might you take to invest more time and waste less of it?

· We all tend to grumble and complain about the state of the world today, so what is one thing you can do personally to contribute toward making the world a better place?

· What difference would it make – if any – if you made a conscious effort to devote specific time to God every day: reading the Bible, praying, meditating, or whatever?

· How could you apply this passage from the Scriptures – and how might it change your attitude toward each day? “Finally…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Happy New Year!

Fresh Starts . . . and New Goals

2011-12-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

Have you recovered from the Christmas commotion? Frantic searches for gifts; festive and sometimes stressful family gatherings; frenetic attempts to finish work projects so you can enjoy time off in peace?

The last gifts are barely unwrapped and we’re already wrestling with some of mankind’s most compelling questions: How to celebrate the arrival of the New Year? How long will it take to get used to writing “2012”? How to pay the “merry Christmas” expenses?

But a greater question is what 2012 will offer: What joys, disappointments, achievements and surprises lurk at the turn of the calendar?

The sun is setting on an old year,
making room for a new one.

The ballyhooed transition from 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2011 to 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2012 is largely a global timeline convenience, but it still spawns hope and anticipation – an opportunity to start fresh, vowing to avoid past mistakes and determining to make corrections in the new year.

Columnist Craig Wilson of USA Today wrote, “The best thing about 2012 is that it is a blank slate – a year when anything can happen.... The future? A wide-open road.”

So what will be written on your “slate”? What course will your “wide-open road” follow?

Some people make resolutions: “I resolve to (fill in the blank).” As I’ve written before, I never make resolutions. They’re easy to break, and once broken, we discard them. Instead, I set goals – tangible, measurable targets, both short-term and long-term. They may include losing a few pounds or learning something new. Or they might be to work on being healthier or more fit, or read some mind-expanding books.

As each new year starts, I maintain an annual tradition of reviewing the year past and setting specific goals for the months ahead. Goals will relate to work, relationships, finances, my physical well-being. Perhaps you’ll do the same.

But have you ever considered setting spiritual goals as well? Granted, we can’t truly gauge spiritual growth. As I see it, God is the only one that can accurately measure that. However, we can set goals that can enhance our spiritual state. Goals like spending time in the Scriptures each day, or reading a challenging, thoughtfully written devotional book. Memorizing some meaningful Bible verses. Setting aside specific time to pray each day.

Everyone’s goals must be their own, but while you’re considering the intellectual, physical and relational aspects of your life, I’d encourage you to also set a goal or two to address the spiritual facet of your life.

In Isaiah 43:18-19, God reminds us to always be looking forward, eager to see what He is going to do: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Living in a world that seems to have more than its share of desert and wasteland, I plan to set a few spiritual goals to make sure I’m open to what God wants to show me – and teach me – during the coming year.

Babies, Change . . . and Christmas!

2011-12-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

We wish everyone a blessed, joyous Christmas!

Little babies have a way of changing things in big ways. We’ve been reminded of this firsthand throughout this year with the addition of two delightful little grandsons. They burst upon the scene in a big way in January and February, and we’ll never be the same!

For our family this Christmas will be unlike any other; once again we get to observe the special day through the eyes of a little one.

More than 2,000 years ago, another little baby initiated some really big changes with his inauspicious appearance in a tiny hamlet known as Bethlehem. Even before his arrival, this baby had a resume unlike any other: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

From that humble beginning, the Bible tells us, the baby – named Jesus – “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). He is also described as “the Word (that) became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

Later in the same chapter, John the Baptist declared Him, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Thankfully, Jesus did not remain a baby, even though at this time of year we focus on his birth. His role as Lamb of God, taking upon himself the sin of the world as he hung from a hideous cross, makes His birth worth celebrating.

As we pause to celebrate another Christmas, I hope you’re embracing the truth of Jesus Christ more tightly than ever.

Merry Christmas – and as Tiny Tim said in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, “God bless us, every one!”

The Incredible Human Machine

2011-12-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

Imagine a machine that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for more than 70 years, without missing a beat. Wouldn’t that be incredible?

We have such a non-stop machine: It’s called the human heart. Consider these facts:

According to the Mayo Clinic, a normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Choosing an average of 72 beats per minute as the norm, this means a person’s heart beats 4,320 times in one hour, 103,680 times in a 24-hour day. That also means in just one year, a healthy individual’s heart beats nearly 38 million times. Extend that over a 70-year life span (and many of us will live much longer than that) and you have a heart beating approximately 2.7 billion times! And that does not include accelerated heartbeats due to exercise, fear, illness or stress.

I mention these statistics because five years ago today, my heart actually was taking a break for 30-40 minutes, replaced by a heart-lung machine as a cardiothoracic surgeon and his team “fixed my heart.” Overall the procedure lasted about six hours. Four arterial bypass grafts and a rebuilt ascending aorta later, I was “good to go.” Not really – several months of recovery and rehab followed. But thanks to the skills of my surgeon and the excellent post-op care I received, I’m sitting here blogging, having just finished another round of strenuous cardio exercises.

When I volunteer at the hospital where I had my surgery, visiting people who’ve just had similar procedures, I often remind them they’ve been given a gift – the gift of a new day, with even better days ahead. Lying in a hospital bed recovering on Christmas Day 2006, I was disappointed not be home. But I was happy to still be around – and to be with my family.

My conclusion, as I also mention to patients I visit, was after coming through such critical surgery, God wasn’t finished with me (or them) yet. So the question becomes, “Okay, Lord, what do you want me to do now?”

In the Old Testament, God makes an interesting statement: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). As another Christmas nears, that truly is a remarkable gift.

Death of a Champion for Atheists

2011-12-16T12:48:00.000-05:00

Christopher Hitchens, noted author, essayist, intellectual and, as some described him, “the public face of atheism,” has died at the age of 62. Cause of death was reported as pneumonia, a complication of esophageal cancer.

Whenever anyone dies, it raises questions both about the life they lived and the life – if any – that comes after. Hitchens, to his dying breath apparently, stridently maintained his conviction that there is no God and that this life is all there is, so “make your last days the best ones.”

I never read any of Hitchens’ books. For the first 30 years of my life I lived as a practical atheist, even though I attended church and had an intellectual belief in God. So I never felt a need to read why someone like Hitchens was so convinced of his disbelief. I had been familiar enough with my own.

But it’s interesting that he wrote, “I’m an unbeliever who believes in skepticism. I’m only sure about being unsure.” In that light, it logically follows that if, as Hitchens believed, the end of life is indeed the end of everything, then he has no conscious knowledge of it. But if he was wrong in his disbelief, now he truly knows.

Commenting on Hitchens’ death, Joel Siegel of ABC News stated, “Critics assumed his cancer diagnosis, in 2010, would lead Hitchens to repent and embrace God. But he remained a proud non-believer to the very end….”

That is a very telling observation, because pride is probably the greatest obstacle to belief. Pride resulted in the original sin, as both Eve and Adam essentially concluded, “Just who does God think He is to tell us we can’t eat the fruit of that tree?” And it’s pride to this day that keeps many people from humbling themselves to acknowledge God, then asking themselves the penetrating question, “If there is a God, what does He expect of me?”

Psalm 14:1 makes this bold declaration: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” If that is true, Mr. Hitchens now knows for certain.

What I know for certain is, as Israelite leader Joshua said thousands of years ago, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)

The Problem of Impossibility

2011-12-14T14:31:00.000-05:00

As we anticipate another Christmas, sometimes it seems we’re pondering the imponderable: A virgin becoming pregnant and having a child. God “becoming flesh,” being born under very ordinary circumstances in an inconspicuous setting. A stable accommodating divinity. This baby growing up, becoming peerless teacher, role model, and ultimately, Savior.

The Christmas story seems so incredible,
no one would have imagined it.

From a human perspective, it would be easy to label all of the above as impossibilities. Certainly agnostics and atheists prefer to relegate the New Testament narrative to “myth” or “fable.” Yet once again, on Dec. 25, countless millions will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many of them can attest to the life-changing, transformational impact of being followers of Jesus.

No other person’s life has influenced mankind to the magnitude of the carpenter from Nazareth, the one called “the good shepherd,” “the way, the truth and the life,” “the true vine,” “the Lamb of God,” “the light of the world.”

Still, God taking on human form? It seems so…impossible. But then, that’s what God is all about – doing the impossible, existing and working beyond the scope of human comprehension. As the angel responded in Luke 1:37 when Mary asked how she, a virgin, could bear a child: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Later in the same book, Jesus made a similar declaration: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

There, in just a handful of words, we find the crux of the dilemma. We are asked, by faith, to believe in the seemingly impossible, trusting in a God unlimited by time, space, or circumstances. Disbelief doesn’t daunt Him; sin doesn’t stalemate Him.

Years ago, “Mission: Impossible” was a popular TV series. More recently, films starring Tom Cruise have carried the same title. But when it comes to carrying out missions impossible, Jesus Christ must rank as the all-time champion.

How Do You Rate on the ‘Cheerful’ Scale?

2011-12-08T12:20:00.000-05:00

Children singing carols communicate Christmas cheer.

The other day we went to our nearby mall to do some shopping. Happy Christmas music filled the air; stores festively displayed the colors of the season; everyone seemed to be having fun.

This, we’re told, is the season of good cheer. And at least from outward appearances, it is. I observed people visiting with friends also out “holiday hunting.” Others went solo, searching for a special gift or unique treasure to give a loved one or friend. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” the popular Christmas song reminds us.

Or is it?

Ornaments and tinsel don't
always make for a cheery season.

Studies have shown at this time of year, many are plagued by depression. Feelings of isolation, despair, even thoughts of suicide, seep through the glaze of gaiety, the façade of frivolity. And no wonder: High unemployment; unresolved financial problems; rampant crime; global unrest; the ever-present threat of terrorism.

I even heard someone say this week that, at least in some areas, the traditional pledge “to be cheerful” has been removed from the Girl Scout pledge. “It’s not realistic for these times” was the explanation. Girl Scouts no longer expected to be cheerful? What’s the world coming to?

But I get it. Stress often intensifies during the Christmas season: Trying to please everyone on the gift list, feeling obligated to attend holiday events, wondering how to pay the “cost of Christmas.” Not to mention being reminded of lingering hurts and strained relationships. Where’s the “cheer” in all that?

The cheer, I’ve discovered, is in focusing on the real what – and who – of Christmas. It’s not about toys, tinsel or treats. It’s about Jesus, and as long as we remember that, we can rely on His cheerful promise: “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Making More By Providing Less?

2011-12-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

You have to give the U.S. Postal Service credit for attempting to “think outside the box.” Only I can’t figure out which box they’re trying to think outside of.

Conventional business wisdom tells us keys to success and prosperity include providing quality products and/or services, along with generous doses of customer service. But it seems the Postal Service isn’t worried about appearing to be “conventional.”

Officials have announced that as bankruptcy looms, by next spring customers can expect less service – including elimination of any assurance that first-class mail will be delivered within one day. And delivery might be reduced from six days to five. But not to worry: Service may be slower and less satisfactory, but at least they plan to charge more for it!

The historic old post office in downtown
Charleston, S.C. is an artist marvel.

Forget about the motto, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Instead, it seems the new postal mantra will be, “Whenever!” (On a side note, Greek historian Herodotus coined the adage more than four centuries before the birth of Christ – and from all accounts, the economy in Greece is in dire straits these days. So I guess that means it’s okay to ditch the motto.)

Years ago I heard a speaker comment on the railroad industry, which for years had been the long-distance travel choice of Americans. However, railroad magnates got confused: Rather than recognizing their job was to provide efficient transportation, they focused on running trains. As a result, railroaders eventually lost their preeminent position to airlines, motorcoach companies and other modes of mass transportation.

I suspect the Postal Service has fallen victim to the same narrow thinking. Rather than recognizing their job was to deliver communications, they concentrated on the transport of written and printed materials and parcels. As a result, the quasi-government entity has steadily lost ground to UPS, FedEx and other delivery services, not to mention e-mail and the Internet.

While in college, I worked at a local post office for a couple of summers, but I’m certainly no expert on how to fix the Postal Service. I do recall, however, that even then there seemed little or no incentive for working hard – or working well. “Why bother, the union’s got your back” was a prevailing attitude I sensed.

Too bad the so-called “separation of church and state” is monitored so vigorously. I think if those who head the U.S. Postal Service were to heed some advice from the Bible, it could help a lot: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) and ”Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).

Cutting service significantly while increasing costs might seem like a good way to eliminate the postal shortfall, but in the process the USPS might ultimately cut off its nose to spite its face. Half-hearted effort wins no customers. That’s no way to do business.

Black Fridays and Blue Christmases

2011-11-28T14:05:00.000-05:00

My wife and I did not get caught up in the “Black Friday” craziness this year. We did get “amongst ‘em” a bit later in the day, just for a glimpse of the aftermath, but didn’t join the jamming of the stores late Thursday evening, or before the crack of dawn on Friday. (I prefer to listen for the “crack” first, and then get out of bed.)

I don’t know who invented this annual hysteria, but whoever it was (he/she/they), what an incredible idea. Feed on American materialism, stir in generous doses of greed, selfishness and covetousness, and you have a recipe to suit any retailer’s taste - and bottom line.

Instead of Santa Claus, shouldn't the symbols
of Christmas be the manger - and the cross?

Seriously, I don’t condemn those who make the “ultimate sacrifice” of forgoing sleep and such, in the quest for incredible bargains. Who doesn’t like saving money? But I wonder: Is this what Jesus had in mind on that first Christmas?

Recently I came across a quote from Roy L. Smith concerning Christmas in which he stated, “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” I’d not heard of Mr. Smith before, but I totally agree.

Over the next several weeks, many of us will be searching for the perfect gift for a loved one or friend, but the truth is, Christmas really isn’t about stuff. I wish the Bible said that, but I can’t find those exact words. The general idea is there, however.

The apostle Paul, for example, wrote, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). He also stated, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). In other words, Paul was determined to “keep the main thing the main thing,” and not become distracted by lesser things.

Elvis Presley, among others, sang, “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.” As the magic day draws near, let’s resolve to keep Christ in Christmas. It will be a blue Christmas without Him.

Thankful for the Good...and the Not-So-Good?

2011-11-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

This Thanksgiving Day, what will you be thankful for?

I’d like to revisit something I’ve written about before. Growing up, Thanksgiving included imagery of Pilgrims and Indians joining for a common meal; the smell of turkey roasting in the kitchen; the sound of holiday parades and football games on TV. When dinner time arrived, we bowed our heads and said a prayer of thanks. The thank-you list usually included family, a warm house, health and, of course, the food.

One thing I can’t remember our ever expressing thanks for, though: Hardships we might have been facing at the time. Yet, in the Bible we are instructed, “In everything give thanks…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

When we hear “blessings,” we think of the “good stuff” – things we like and that make us happy. If our bank accounts have a surplus, we can pay our bills, are free of disease, and have our share of material possessions, we consider ourselves blessed. So we “praise God from whom all blessings flow,” as the old hymn tells us.

How do you give thanks
when you're not feeling festive?

But the admonition above is correct (in another translation, it reads, “give thanks in all circumstances”), does that mean we’re also supposed to be thankful for the not-so-good stuff – financial struggles, unemployment, disease, the loss of loved ones, even family strife?

Years ago, describing his spiritual journey, an African-American friend talked about poverty and racial discrimination he endured. But with a smile he would say, “Thank you, for adversity!” Another friend who endured the horrors of World War II, numerous physical ailments and business challenges, wrote a booklet called, “Saying ‘Thank You’ Even When You Don’t Feel Thankful.”

I think there’s validity to both responses. In my experience, when things go well, I’m tempted to pat myself on the back and take the credit. But when hardships occur, difficulties suddenly spinning out of control, that’s when I’m reminded of how desperately I need to rely on God. I believe the Scripture passage that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), but lest I forget, life’s tough times reaffirm what Jesus said in John 15:5: “…apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Like a tree that grows especially strong and hardy because of adverse weather and environmental conditions, God often uses adversity to mold and refine us into the men and women He desires for us to become.

So this Thursday, as you gather with family and other loved ones, I hope things are going well and you have much for which to be thankful. But if you face nagging challenges that defy immediate resolution – perhaps even seem hopeless – I’d encourage you to give thanks for those as well. God promises to walk with us through our trials. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

As the refrain from the wonderful praise song states, “When you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” For that we can be thankful.

Of Statues, Reputations and Legacies

2011-11-18T10:39:00.000-05:00

Most of us vividly recall news coverage of Saddam Hussein’s statue being knocked down in Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. For decades Saddam had ruled the Middle Eastern nation, and the statue had stood in silent homage to his exalted position. In the end, however, his status was reduced to images of gleeful Iraqi citizens destroying that icon.

In the now-defunct Soviet Union, statues and pictures of Lenin and Stalin were removed in similar rituals. Once dominant leaders disgraced, their most tangible images forever swept from public view.

So it seemed intriguing when a friend recently posted this question on Facebook: “Do you think the Joe Paterno statue in front of Beaver Stadium should come down?”

Not to equate former Penn State coach Paterno’s alleged wrongdoings with those of Saddam, Lenin or Stalin, but I do see some similarities.

In each case, the men were the face of their nation (in the case of “Joe Pa,” the “Nittany Lion Nation”). They all were strong individuals, always in control, deferring to no one. And in each case, they allowed loyal followers to violate one of God’s foremost commandments: “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath…” (Exodus 20:4) It could be argued that in the process, the first commandment was also broken: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

This statue in Charleston, S.C. pays
homage to South Carolina statesman
John C. Calhoun. Since he's been dead
more than 150 years, it's unlikely
his statue is in any danger of having
to be removed.

Humanity loves erecting statues to honor celebrated leaders and achievers. On our recent vacation trip to Charleston, S.C., we saw statues of numerous individuals that played key roles in the city’s history. It’s appropriate to recognize noble contributions of dedicated and gifted leaders, but when it comes to putting up statues in their honor, we tread unstable ground – especially if the honorees are still living.

Statues typically take months, even years, to create. Reputations – and legacies – require a lifetime. But sadly, they all can be destroyed in moments – through bad decisions, unethical or immoral conduct, poor choices, or dark secrets suddenly revealed.

Maybe that’s why we’re advised to “avoid even the appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Our reputations – and legacies – hang in the balance.

Payback By Paying Forward

2011-11-14T14:35:00.000-05:00

Did you read last week about the two women that had a tire blow on their car on an interstate near Menomonie, Wis.? A stranger and his wife stopped to help them replace the tire. About 15 minutes later, they all were heading their merry way. Just a nice little Good Samaritan story, right? – happily ever after?

About a quarter-mile down the road, the women spotted the same pickup truck the man and his wife had been riding in. It was stopped along the side of the roadway, the man’s wife waving frantically for help.

A flat tire turned out to be a double
blessing in disguise.

Turned out the man had gone into cardiac arrest and one of the women, a nursing assistant, was able to administer CPR and revive him until emergency personnel could arrive. Talk about “one good turn deserves another”!

Years ago there was a film called “Pay It Forward,” based on the idea that if someone performs an act of kindness for you, the best way to repay it is by doing a random kind act for someone else. But rarely does the idea of paying it forward have such an immediate, reciprocal effect.

At first the women felt somewhat guilty, thinking perhaps the strain of changing the tire had precipitated the heart episode. But the helpful stranger and his wife understood the reality: the spontaneous exchange had actually saved his life.

It’s likely the man had a heart condition that would have manifested itself in a different way; at another time and place, there might not have been someone to respond with help he needed.

Some might credit this to luck or serendipity, even “good karma.” But as an old hymn by William Cowper states, “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.” Who’s to say He didn’t orchestrate this series of circumstances to help a man that didn’t even realize he had a need?

In the Old Testament, God declares, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Sometimes the Lord provides answers to our prayers even before we’ve had enough sense to pray – and in ways we could never have dreamed.

The Rutted Road to Finishing Well

2011-11-09T14:41:00.000-05:00

This week I wrote about an American icon, Dr. Billy Graham, who marked his 93^rd birthday. Despite the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s Disease, the revered evangelist has remained steadfast in his resolve to live for Christ and proclaim Him to others. By all accounts, he is finishing well.

Also this week, another American icon, legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, has been the focus of much attention. Unfortunately, the spotlight has been not nearly as flattering for “Joe Pa.”

The all-time winningest coach at the big-time college level, the 84-year-old Paterno is now facing harsh scrutiny and criticism. He failed to be more forthright upon learning of his longtime No. 1 assistant and once “heir apparent,” Jerry Sandusky, sexually abusing young boys over many years. New developments in this scandal seem to be unfolding by the hour.

Wednesday Paterno announced he will retire at the end of this season. In a formal statement, he expressed regrets about the sad drama and said, “I wish I had done more.”

“I wish I had done more.” That reminded me of the powerful film, “Schindler’s List.” It’s about Oscar Schindler, a prosperous businessman who undertook a courageous strategy to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazi concentration camps. Despite having intervened to save hundreds of Jews from certain death, in a closing scene he laments, “I wish I had done more.”

Unlike Schindler, who acted at great risk and personal cost (even though not a Jew), it appears Paterno did little more than the bare minimum. With almost mythical status and power in his community, the coach certainly didn’t need to wait for his athletic director or other officials to act. Legally, it seems, Paterno had covered his bases – but morally, he could have done more. Much more.

Now, because he didn’t, numerous young men will carry scars from their encounters with a predatory adult for years, even a lifetime.

But beneath the horror of this specific tale lies a profound truth: It’s relatively easy to start well – it’s finishing well that’s problematic. The road is rutted, filled with potholes, but it’s the course we each must follow. A noble life, characterized by kind and charitable acts, can still become derailed if we’re not careful.

It’s not a matter of being judgmental. Just as poet Robert Frost wrote, I still have “miles to go before I sleep.” And if my life has any meaningful legacy at all, it can’t be tarnished by stupid decisions – or indecision – even late in my life.

That’s probably why, at the close of his life, the apostle Paul wrote – maybe with a sigh of relief – “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Happy Birthday, Dr. Graham!

2011-11-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

Last week we marked the Statue of Liberty’s 125^th anniversary; today we celebrate another American icon – Dr. Billy Graham – who turns 93.

Dr. Graham, according to all accounts, has truly done it right. A firebrand as a young evangelist, his style mellowed somewhat over the succeeding years, but he never lost his focus – or zeal for Jesus Christ and telling others about Him.

He was sometimes criticized for befriending Presidents on all sides of the spectrum, but in reality, politics was never Jesus’ thing either. His boldest political statement was “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17). Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world, and Dr. Graham has devoted a lifetime to pointing people to that kingdom.

I met him years ago at a Christian journalists’ conference. We talked for only about two minutes, but for that brief encounter Dr. Graham’s attention was fully directed at me, not the next person in line.

Having been in parachurch ministry for more than 30 years, sadly I’ve met a number of celebrated leaders who exuded a “what a pleasure it is for you to meet me” attitude. But Dr. Graham was not one of them. Despite his fame and many accolades, this struck me as a man who genuinely reflected the character and humility of his Savior.

Having bid farewell to his beloved wife, Ruth, some years ago, Dr. Graham now anticipates his own homegoing. He addresses that in his newest book, Nearing Home. In it he writes, “We are not meant for this world alone. We are meant for Heaven, our final home.”

That does not mean followers of Jesus should not seek to have a positive influence on lives in this physical, material world, but our priorities should always remind us this life is not the destination – it’s only the first stage of an eternal journey.

There is no telling how many people have been touched through Dr. Graham’s ministry of more than six decades. But if each of us could have just one-tenth of one percent of that impact, this world no doubt would be a far better place.

So, happy birthday, Dr. Graham!

Giving a Reason for His Hope

2011-11-03T15:45:00.000-04:00

As you get older, you start turning to the obituaries each morning to see if anyone’s listed you might know. One comedian used to quip he’d read the obits every day to make certain he wasn’t in them – if not, then he would proceed with his plans for the day.

This morning I read the obituary of a man I hadn’t known until I heard him a couple of weeks ago, telling a lunchtime group the story of how he had committed his life to Jesus Christ. As he spoke, the man – whose first name was Porter – acknowledged his time on earth was short. He’d already reached the most optimistic limit of the doctors’ prognosis after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

But he communicated no sense of fear, despair or anger. Having devoted much of his life to alcohol and self-indulgence, Porter was thankful for years of sobriety, new purpose in life, and most of all, assurance of life after death.

His objective in speaking was not to “earn points” with God in his waning moments. He wished only to share with friends and colleagues the difference Jesus had made in his life – and encourage them to embrace Him as well. Porter had prepared himself, as the Bible exhorts believers, “to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Despite earlier failings, Porter had become reconciled with his family. As he spoke, he resonated “hope,” which the Bible defines as confident assurance, earnest expectation. He wasn’t seeking more time, or a miracle of healing. This man just wanted to share the “good news” he had discovered one more time, urging others to receive it as well.

In sports, an athlete recovering from an injury is often described as “day to day.” In reality, we are all day to day. The question is what will we do with the day we have? And if we knew with certainty we had only weeks, perhaps days left to live, how would we use them?

Porter, having been saved from the shipwreck that had been his life, spent his last moments throwing a life preserver toward anyone that would take it. And now he’s experiencing the full reality of what Jesus meant when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Tattoos…Outside and Inside

2011-11-01T17:16:00.000-04:00

Did you hear about the fellow – a reformed skinhead – who underwent 25 surgeries over 16 months to have elaborate tattoos removed from his face, neck and hands?

Bryon Widner had undergone a change of heart and renounced his racist, white supremacist ideology, but the external trappings of his former life remained etched into his skin, in places he couldn’t possibly conceal. It cost an estimated $35,000 to have the “ink” – swastikas, the word “HATE,” and various other racist symbols and words – removed.

His story was presented as a documentary, “Erasing Hate,” on MSNBC. The expense was one thing; the pain he endured to remove evidence of his self-mutilation was even worse.

Not long ago, flipping through an old high school yearbook, I was reminded of what we once looked like. “What were we thinking?” I chuckled, marveling at the teased hairstyles and kooky clothes back then. At the time, it was “cool.” Decades later, we wouldn’t be caught dead looking that way.

Mr. Widner’s tale is cautionary for us all – and not just because (in my opinion) tattoos adorning someone’s body are like graffiti on the Washington Monument. Markings of what once seemed “cool” can mar us for a lifetime.

“Never do something you’ll regret in the morning, or next week, or next year.” Good advice, but in the moment, whether as impetuous youths or weak-thinking adults, we make dumb decisions. Then one day we regain sanity and wonder, “What was I thinking?”

In reality, we have all carried “tattoos” of one sort or another. Sometimes we have worn them on the inside rather than the outside, not as readily visible but there just the same: tattoos like anger, prejudice, pride, selfishness, self-righteousness, etc.

The fact is, unless we’ve maimed ourselves outwardly, we can conceal our flaws from the external world. But what matters most of all is what’s inside. That’s why God declares in 1 Samuel 16:7, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

You can paint a garbage can in bright, pretty colors, but on the inside it still contains garbage. Our challenge is not only to look presentable on the outside, but also be acceptable to the One that studies the heart. The good news is that we don’t have to do the work; God is willing to perform the renovation project – if we’re willing.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The One who died for our sins will do the transformation: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Happy Birthday, Miss Liberty!

2011-10-24T15:03:00.001-04:00

Have you heard about Friday’s huge birthday celebration? The Statue of Liberty, one of America’s most iconic symbols, will officially be 125 years old. Designed by Frederic Bartholdi, the grand lady was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886.

Growing up in New Jersey about 40 miles from New York City, I had numerous occasions to view the statue, though I’ve never stepped onto Liberty Island. In 2006 my wife and I passed the famed statue twice daily as we traveled by ferry to and from a friend’s home in Jersey City.

“Miss Liberty,” as she’s sometimes called, has always fascinated me. It’s partly because the statue in New York Harbor was one of my grandfathers’ first sights as they came from Hungary to the United States in the early 1900s. The statue stands just south of Ellis Island, where immigrants were processed upon arrival. What a vision she must have been for them as they anticipated forging new lives.

But it’s more than that. Since the founding of the United States, freedom has been foundational to our culture as is declared on the tablet in the statue’s left hand, measuring 23-feet, seven inches by 13-feet, seven inches. The tablet contains words from Emma Lazarus’s sonnet, “New Colossus”:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

We regard the word “liberty” as synonymous to freedom, basic rights, emancipation, the right to choose, independence. Unfortunately, I think another word has been added to this list in recent decades that never was intended: Entitlement.

When my grandfathers as very young men set foot on American shores for the first time, they didn’t regard themselves as “entitled.” No one owed them anything. All they asked for was an opportunity, the privilege of pursuing an honest living in exchange for an honest day’s work.

Both labored in steel mills in McKeesport, Pa., hard, unglamorous work, but provided for their families. Samuel Tamasy had two sons and two daughters; George Katona had three sons and five daughters. All became respectable, productive citizens.

I hope in days to come we can return to the roots of liberty, that people arriving on U.S. shores shall indeed be able to find and pursue opportunities, without expecting anything handed to them or insisting on a certain material lifestyle. In the Bible’s New Testament we find an admonition I believe has undergirded the American notion of personal responsibility and initiative: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

At the same time, let us not impede anyone motivated to work and achieve the satisfaction of building fruitful, meaningful lives. May the torch of liberty light their way.

Happy birthday, Miss Liberty!

Questions to Ask God

2011-10-20T17:36:00.000-04:00

Suppose you were standing before God and had the opportunity to ask Him some questions. What would you ask?

Frankly, when we see the Lord face to face, I suspect we’ll be too dumbstruck to ask questions. After all, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11). If anything, God will be the question-asker.

But let’s just suppose, hypothetically, there were such a Q&A session. I’m sure we’d ask about things like world hunger and poverty. Why the good die young. Why couples wanting children struggle to get pregnant while unfit parents have babies and abuse them. What about devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis? How about life on other planets, or in other galaxies?

But I’d like to ask other, less profound but equally puzzling questions:

“Lord, when you created the mosquito, what was it that you were thinking?”

“Do You know why the chicken crossed the road? Chickens rarely cross the road, but I’ve seen a lot of possums, squirrels, cats and dogs, even armadillos in Texas, that tried – and many of them failed. Why did they try?”

“Why did You make fried chicken taste so good if it’s unhealthy to eat?”

Why don't acorns taste like
almonds or peanuts?

“What did come first – the chicken or the egg?” (Obviously, chickens raise a lot of questions.)

“You confused language after the tower of Babel was built, but why did you let Americans say we drive on parkways and park on driveways?”

“If you had decided to give us the Ten Commandments in the 21^st century, would You still have had someone climb Mount Sinai to receive them on stone tablets, or would You have just sent a text?”

“Why did you decide morning should come so early in the day?”

“There are always so many acorns in the fall. Why aren’t they better for eating – like almonds or peanuts? I know squirrels and chipmunks need to be stock up for the winter, but we don’t sing about roasting acorns on an open fire.”

“Why do babies and children have so much energy they don’t know how to use, while older people lack energy for stuff they really need to do?”

“Why is it we can only go north so far, and then we start heading south, but no matter how far east we travel, it never turns into going west?”

Lastly, on a more serious note, I’d probably ask, “How could You love us so much that You would give Your only Son, so that anyone truly believing in Him would have eternal life? And as much as we have messed up Your world, why didn’t You just scrap the whole project and start over?”

‘Tomorrow We Could Be Yesterday’

2011-10-17T07:18:00.000-04:00

In a recent episode of the TV legal drama, “Harry’s Law,” defense attorney Tommy Jefferson, recognizing the best days of his career will soon be past, makes this observation to a colleague: “Savor the moment…for tomorrow we could be yesterday.”

On Sunday, those words from a fictional character seemed astute in light of the death of Indy Car race driver Dan Wheldon in a horrific crash just 12 laps into a race in Las Vegas.

At age 33, married and the father of two young sons, Wheldon seemed to have everything anyone could want. Already a two-time winner of the famed Indianapolis 500, it appeared a wonderful future awaited him. But screeching tires, grinding metal and fire ended it abruptly.

It served as a grim reminder of the adage that urges us to “stop and smell the roses.” Because those roses – and the special, unique episodes we encounter in life – fade all too quickly, never to be recovered.

Too often, even early in my seventh decade, I still get consumed by tasks and deadlines, failing to pause and appreciate the wonder and beauty of an instant – a grandchild’s giggle, a brilliant sunrise, quiet times with my wife.

That’s probably why the Bible urges us to cherish the majesty of the moment. It says, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). It also talks of “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Or as another translation expresses it, “making the most of every opportunity….”

Wheldon’s death hearkens to that of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt during the Daytona 500 in 2001. Earnhardt was far more famous, but Wheldon’s passing is no less tragic – or any less cautionary for everyone that awoke this morning to take another breath.

Many of us seem in such a great hurry. If we’re honest, we’re not always certain of our destination, but we’re getting there fast! Coursing through life at such a pace, do we ever consider what we might be missing along the way?

Instead of always peering into the future, striving for things just beyond our grasp, maybe we should listen to Tommy Jefferson and “savor the moment…for tomorrow we could be yesterday.”

Government: What Size Fits All?

2011-10-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

I’m confused: We hear talk by Tea Party partisans and other conservatives about “big government,” but I’m not sure what they mean. Or if they really mean what they say.

People that know me understand I’m somewhat conservative politically, but I prefer to describe myself as moderate. The Bible says, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10), and I think that’s especially true in politics, regardless of party affiliation. So I doubt either the Democrats or the Republicans have all the answers to our nation’s problems. Even if they did, they’d probably manipulate them for their political advantage.

I understand gripes about the size and cost of government, but do we really want “smaller” government? For example, when hurricanes or earthquakes or tornadoes hit, one of the first questions asked is, “What’s the government doing to help?” Anxiety about the rise of global terrorism is checked by our confidence that “the government” is closely watching potential threats. (But we don't want them watching us.)

The stately U.S. Custom House in Charleston, S.C.

Driving along an interstate highway, when our tires hit a pothole, we grumble in frustration, “When’s the government going to repair this road?!” Should our community experience a surge in crime, we expect the police – essentially, the government – to do something about it.

If the U.S. Postal Service follows through on its proposal to reduce service, perhaps eliminate Saturday delivery – or even when factors delay normal delivery – many of us will complain about inadequate service by this quasi-government agency. We demand that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ensure our foods and medications are safe for consumption, and that the Drug Enforcement Agency rigorously uphold laws concerning controlled substances.

We want less government intrusion into our private lives, but expect the government to regulate who can get married to who, protect the lives of the unborn (as well as children already born), and safeguard us from hazards of tobacco smoke. We want government to protect the environment, pets and other animals, maintain our national and state parks, and clear our streets of snow.

The list could go on, but here’s the point: We apparently want less government, except when we want more government to protect, preserve or promote our personal interests.

I’m all in favor of increasing government efficiency. There’s an old saying, “Work expands to fit the time allotted,” and I suspect in many government agencies there are 50 workers where 30 could do the work just fine, or where instead of one person doing the work of three, four people are “struggling” to perform the work of one.

But if you had the chance, what governmental agencies and functions would you simply eliminate?

While we’re complaining about governmental intrusions we don’t like, and taxes we don’t want to pay, it might be good to do what God has commanded: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1) Like it or not, we're stuck with government. Unless, that is, you're a fan of chaos and anarchy. So we might as well make the best of it.

Who Do You Think You Are?

2011-10-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

Imagine entering a restaurant, sitting down at someone’s table and proceeding to start nibbling on their French fries. After momentary surprise, one of the more civil questions they might ask is, “Who do you think you are?”

I don’t recommend snatching someone else’s food under any circumstances, but that’s a question worth asking: “Who do you think you are?”

When I was in the fourth grade, my mother attended a parent-teacher conference. When she got home, she said my teacher, Mr. Mazzochi, had stated he felt I was “college material.” Until then, I hadn’t given going to college a thought. No one in my family had ever gone to college, so it wasn’t something I’d been contemplating. But from that day, because of my teacher’s kind words, I saw myself as “college material” and conducted myself accordingly through high school.

Once I arrived at college, my freshman English instructor, Mrs. Looser, began to affirm my writing potential. She even suggested I might want to consider a career in writing. I’d enjoyed writing as a hobby, but until then had never considered it vocationally. But that started me thinking as an aspiring writer. More than 40 years later, that’s what I’ve become – a veteran journalist who has written everything from newspaper articles to books.

I mention this because the Bible asserts, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7), and we do tend to behave in terms of how we perceive ourselves. This is why it’s so damaging for a parent to demean a child, calling him or her “stupid” or “worthless.” If someone we’re supposed to love and respect says such a thing, we’re inclined to believe it and act accordingly.

Similarly, I become annoyed by people claiming to follow Jesus Christ that continually say, “I’m just a sinner, saved by grace.” Although that’s true theologically, and sounds humble and self-effacing, the Bible says we are much more than that.

For instance, 1 Peter 2:9 says we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” Wow! In numerous passages, followers of Jesus are referred to as “saints.” And Romans 9:26 calls us “children of the living God.” Isn’t that cool?

If I wake up in the morning, frown in the mirror and remind myself, “I’m just a sinner…saved by grace,” I’ll appreciate God’s grace but probably act as I think of myself – a sinner. We don’t think it consciously, but it’s almost like saying, “Let’s see what sins I can commit today.”

However, what if I start the day trusting in what the Bible says about me? That God has chosen me, I’m part of His royal priesthood, I belong to Him, I’m a saint (without the need for some denominational governing body to declare me so), and I’m a child of the living God – won’t those realities make a difference in how I approach my everyday responsibilities and challenges?

And this is more than just positive thinking or self-talk. The Scriptures also declare that as followers of Jesus we all are a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) and “Christ lives in me (each of us)” (Galatians 2:20), empowering us to live the life we could never live on our own.

So the question remains: “Who do you think you are?”

Changing the World, One Jobs at a Time

2011-10-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

The Apple logo, under Steve Jobs' leadership, became an American classic.

Here I sit, writing with my iMac desktop computer, a marvel of modern invention. Within arm’s reach rests my first-generation iPad, a slender little device that makes laptop computers seem passé. I think back to the mid-80’s and my first computer, a Macintosh 512k (crude by today’s standards) that instantaneously weaned me from electric typewriters.

I mention these because the man chiefly responsible for each, Steve Jobs, died yesterday at the age of 56.

Although I never met the iconic co-founder of Apple Computers, I did write him a note in 2010. Years before I’d been coerced into switching from a Mac to a PC, so I wanted to tell Jobs how thrilled I was returning “home” to the world of Macintosh.

The iPad has brought "tablet"
computers into the mainstream.

Today his passing is mourned, his many achievements celebrated. Numerous people shared in the work, but much credit for the ever-evolving Macs, iBooks, iPads, iPods, iPhones, iTunes, Apps, and various innovative operating systems has deservedly gone to Jobs.

He was, without a doubt, a world-changer. This architect of cutting-edge technology helped to revolutionize the way we work, communicate – and live.

One of the questions facing Apple today is how the company will fare – particularly long-term – without Jobs’ heart and genius. He resigned from the company in August, but now his departure is final. Who – if anyone – will succeed him as the dreamer, envisioning the next wonders to turn life as we know it upside-down?

Reflecting on this late corporate and societal giant, I can’t help thinking of a world-changer in another realm. About 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ sparked a revolution of his own, a spiritual one. When He left this earth, many also wondered who would carry on His work; who would safeguard and perpetuate His legacy of love, grace and redemption.

Unlike Jobs, Jesus departed with a fail-proof plan in place. He had a small, growing band of followers. But more than that, He left behind a part of Himself. Before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples, “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you…. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:7,13).

The folks at Apple would love it if somehow Jobs’ spirit, vision and zeal could have stayed behind. Now they must hope someone steps into that void. But with Jesus, He didn’t just leave a cadre of admirers, sharers in a noble cause. He left His own Spirit, not only to guide His followers but also to empower them to carry on the work He had begun.

“…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20). In that handful of words lies the secret to the so-called “Christian life,” the key for becoming – in a very different sense than Steve Jobs – world-changers.

Mountaintops . . . and Valleys

2011-10-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

We much prefer "soaring like eagles" to descending into the valley.

Have you ever had a “mountaintop experience,” that moment when you felt so inspired, so energized, so exhilarated you felt you could tackle the world? One that sent you riding waves of emotion and renewed hope?

Such moments present themselves in many ways: At a milestone event, like a wedding or the birth of a child. An encounter with a very special person. During a retreat, conference, or worship service.

I remember returning from Washington, D.C. years ago after interviewing several wonderful individuals for magazine articles. It seemed like I was flying higher than my airplane. I’ve taken part in Christian conferences and conventions with the “best of the best” speakers. After feasting on their biblical wisdom and insight, I thought to myself, “Okay, Lord, I’m ready for anything!”

I even had a “mountaintop experience” years ago viewing the Grand Canyon for the first time, which essentially is a humongous hole in the ground. Witnessing its vastness and grandeur profoundly broadened my appreciation for God’s unlimited creation.

The problem with mountaintops is we can’t remain there. Even climbers that conquer the great peaks of the world eventually must come down. And that’s where the problem lies.

Recently in My Utmost for His Highest, my friend Oswald Chambers – I call him “friend” because he and his timeless devotional have been part of my life for many years – wrote about how we like to revel in “times of exaltation on the mountain.”

Then he noted, “The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain…. We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions of life – those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.”

Frankly, sometimes following a visit to the mountaintop I experienced a severe letdown, even mild depression. “Why can’t I just stay up there?” I’ve wondered.

The ninth chapter of Mark in the New Testament tells about Jesus and his “inner circle of three” – Peter, James and John – having a similar experience. Atop “the mount of transfiguration,” the disciples saw Jesus’ clothes turn dazzling white and they had a brief encounter with biblical patriarchs Elijah and Moses.

What did they do? They wanted to pitch tents right there and soak in the experience. But soon they were alone with Jesus, preparing to descend to the valley below. Talk about a literal “downer”! But there, in the company of the crowds, Jesus’ followers had to begin applying truths and principles they learned from Him.

The same holds true today. We can find ourselves enraptured by a glorious hymn, a rousing choral presentation, or stirring solo. A powerful spiritual message touches our heart, prompting us to declare undying devotion to God. But then comes Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and we’re stuck in mundane stuff of every day – handling irate customers, changing diapers, paying bills – desperately wondering what had us so excited.

We all want to “soar on wings like eagles” as described in Isaiah 40:31, but more often than not, we need to wander around in “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4), trying to make sense of darkness and gloom all around us. It’s at those times, if we listen, that we hear the Lord’s comforting words: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

What? Me, Wait? Why?

2011-09-30T10:34:00.000-04:00

If there is a trait that typifies most Americans, it’s that we hate to wait – for anything.

We hate waiting in line for our first cup of coffee of the day. Fast food’s too slow. Waiting in line at the bank or grocery store aggravates us. If drivers ahead of us hesitate more than two seconds when the light turns green, we honk our horns to wake them up. We even hate waiting for the microwave’s beep that announces our frozen meal is ready.

Our nation’s culture has a “Can-Do” spirit, with emphasis on Do. We want to move on, get things done. We don’t want to have to wait. Where’s the fun in that?

Even as children we quickly learn an aversion for waiting. Babies want their bottles “right now!” Youngsters demand immediate gratification for whatever they’re desiring at the moment. And as days until Christmas start clicking away, anxiety about Santa and what will be under the tree intensifies by the moment.

But there are benefits to waiting: You can’t plant a garden and expect ripe fruit the very next day. The finest wines aren’t produced overnight; they often age for years. A caterpillar transforming into a butterfly must wait until the right moment to leave the cocoon. Having to await the arrival of a long-absent loved one makes their appearance even sweeter.

Another kind of development also requires waiting: Spiritual growth. Repeatedly in the Scriptures, followers of Jesus are advised to wait. One of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible – Psalm 37 – three times instructs us to wait:

- Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7).

- “…those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9).

- “Wait for the Lord and keep his way…” (Psalm 37:34).

Psalm 46:10 uses a different word, but the same meaning: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Another passage encourages those wrestling with physical difficulties or facing circumstances that threaten to overwhelm them: “…they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Why is waiting so important? Parents and grandparents know even if they want to respond to their children or grandkids immediately, sometimes they can’t because things aren’t ready yet – whether it’s freshly baked cookies, a costume they’re sewing, or a much-anticipated trip.

Sometimes God seeks to teach us patience, a virtue increasingly rare in this 21^st century world. “I want what I want – and I want it now!” is an affront to the loving God who gives us far more than we deserve.

And waiting reminds us of our limitations – and of how much we need God. When we easily resolve problems on our own, we might say we trust the Lord, but we’re relying on ourselves. But when difficulties persist no matter how we try to overcome them, God will demonstrate for us what only He can do. In the process, our faith and trust soar.

So whether anxiously waiting to find a new job; agonizing about what the medical report will say about a worrisome illness; awaiting the proverbial “check in the mail,” or fretting because you haven’t heard back from a loved one, remember:

Why wait? Because it’s good for you. Good things DO come to those who wait!

On the Move With Susan G. Komen

2011-09-27T11:13:00.000-04:00

Members of our family had the privilege of joining more than 9,000 men, women and young people in last weekend’s Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” in Chattanooga to fight breast cancer. We did so celebrating the fact my wife, Sally, was among the more than 100 survivors in attendance.

It was heartening to see these courageous women (and a few men) gathered together, adorned in bright pink t-shirts and pink ribbons symbolizing the cause. Special pink beads represented years of survivorship, and it was fun seeing some women with upwards of 20 strands hanging around their necks.

Events like this serve multiple purposes: There’s the fund-raising aspect, raising many thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. There is also the gratification of being involved in a cause bigger than oneself. As it says in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” In other words, there is great strength in numbers.

A third benefit is the encouragement those dealing with such adversity receive in meeting others that have confronted – and conquered – the disease. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 we are reminded of “…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” This is one reason I continue to volunteer at a local hospital, visiting patients who – as I did about five years ago – have just undergone open-heart surgery.

And yet another benefit is gaining the sense that whatever challenge we are facing, we’re not in it alone. That there are others willing to come alongside to offer support, words of hope, and their prayers. This is a responsibility all of us that follow Jesus share: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Life is so much richer when we realize we’re not here just for ourselves, but also for others. It is in the giving that we receive the most.

Stories Our Hands Could Tell

2011-09-23T12:49:00.000-04:00

A meditation I read recently about hands got me thinking: Our hands are so much a part of who we are, what we do. What stories they could tell about us.

An expert observer could instantly surmise important facts about someone simply by looking at their hands: Rough, weathered hands of a farmer or lifetime outdoor laborer. Calloused fingertips of an accomplished guitarist or violinist. The soft, well-manicured, painted-nail hands of a woman of means that hasn’t needed to spend much time doing strenuous housework. Delicate, nurturing hands of a practiced gardener.

But appearances alone don’t tell all of the story. Hands can caress, comfort, and console. They can coddle a helpless infant, providing a sense of security so vital for its first days outside the womb. Hands can scribble notes to inspire or encourage. They can offer strength and support, provide direction, issue warnings. They can direct an orchestra or a choir, change a tire, knit a beautiful scarf, repair a torn garment. They can communicate affection. Or offer silent praise.

Unlike my grandfather, father and favorite uncle, my hands have never excelled in using tools like hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches. Mine have functioned better at a keyboard – my tool of trade – composing words, assembling sentences and paragraphs to convey ideas.

Hands, unfortunately, can also be destructive. They can slap, bruise, squeeze, push, pound, poke and punch. A kindly looking face can belie an abusive personality that reveals itself with angry hands only behind closed doors. Even without contact, hands can point threateningly, or punctuate harsh, demeaning words.

I had a friend, a law enforcement officer in Jamaica, whose hands were severed by a machete-wielding criminal he had been pursuing. But even Ivan’s artificial hands spoke volumes about his life.

As we might expect, the Bible says a lot about hands. My concordance lists more than four full pages of passages containing “hand.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 instructs, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….” Half-hearted is the equivalent of “half-handed.”

Biblical patriarchs such as Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Samson, Elijah, Nehemiah and others all used their hands in unique ways in serving God. Jesus literally changed lives with the touch of a hand. His hands, nailed to a cross, extended forgiveness to broken humanity.

We’ve all seen reproductions of Michelangelo’s iconic painting, displayed on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, of the hand of God extending to give life to Adam.

Believers are exhorted to, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). And colonial pastor Jonathan Edwards in 1741 spoke his classic sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

Hands – exquisite stories captured in fingers and palms.

What, if it were possible, would your hands say about you?

Charleston: Conquering Challenges

2011-09-20T16:32:00.000-04:00

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge of Charleston's Cooper River,
a recent addition to Charleston's scenic vista.

Last week my wife and I spent several days in historic Charleston, S.C. It was our second trip there, and we agreed that if we were to live in another Southern city, Charleston probably would be it.

Rightfully proud of its rich heritage, Charleston is a classic example of a determined community confronting challenges and prevailing against them.

Mansions along the Battery.

During its early years, Charleston was a popular target for marauding pirates. In April 1861, the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, ignited the Civil War. The earthquake of 1886 devastated the city, taking dozens of lives and causing widespread destruction. And Hurricane Hugo in 1989, a category 4 storm, dealt the city another major blow.

Despite these and other calamities, the people of Charleston repeatedly pulled together to repair, rebuild and restart. Today the city and its surrounding islands remain a focal point of Southern tradition and culture. The area boasts excellent educational institutions, like The Citadel and the College of Charleston, along with some of the finest seafood you can eat anywhere.

Statue in garden maze
at Magnolia Plantation.

Visitors strolling the city’s streets and alleys find it one continuous “Kodak Moment,” featuring the stately mansions of the Battery, the renowned Rainbow Row houses, ornately and uniquely designed churches, and picturesque plantations.

One attraction gripped us in particular – the Boone Hall plantation on Sullivan’s Island in nearby Mount Pleasant. Known for its visual grandeur, it serves as a memorial to Southern aristocracy.

At the same time, just a short walk from the hall, “Slave Street” permanently reminds visiting guests of slavery and the hardships endured by African-American men, women and children. The 360-square-foot brick houses, standing in a row like tiny barracks, each accommodated several families.

Tiny houses line "Slave Street" at Boone Hall Plantation.

Today visitors can enter those former residences, catch a glimpse of what life must have been like to be a slave, and appreciate a different kind of pride and perseverance – that of a strong-willed people that overcame obstacles many of us can never fully comprehend.

We live in a “quick fix,” minimize-the-pain world, but in reality, as they say, “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Charleston and its diverse citizenry are living proof of that.

Although it seems paradoxical, Romans 5:3-4 instructs us to “…rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

The apostle James agrees when he writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

‘Where Were You . . . ?’

2011-09-08T15:40:00.000-04:00

Where were you when the horrifying events of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded? This question ranks in importance along with similar questions of another generation:

· Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?

· Where were you when you heard that Elvis had died?

· Where were you when the space shuttle Challenger exploded?

Each of those tragedies has helped to define and shape us as a society, in one respect rocking the foundations of our seemingly placid existence, in another forcing us to re-examine our core convictions, values and beliefs.

When the incredible scenes of 9-11 took place, I was at work, sitting at my desktop computer. I don’t recall what it was I was writing. Within the context of the day’s, whatever it was – no matter how vital – seemed inconsequential.

Who can ever forget the images of the North Tower, officially known as One World Trade Center, smoke billowing out, and then minutes later seeing the second jet slam into the South Tower, casting aside any speculation that the first was just a horrendous accident?

A friend of mine, Jerry, worked on Wall Street and would have been in the North Tower that morning except for oversleeping after staying up late to watch his favorite team play on “Monday Night Football.” It had been his custom to get off the subway, take an elevator to visit friends on the 79^th floor where he used to have an office, then leave for his business that had moved down the street.

Ironically, another tragedy probably spared Jerry’s life on 9-11. His wife, Camy, had died a couple of months earlier of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Only weeks before she had presented Jerry with the high-tech clock radio he failed to set properly to awaken him that fateful September morning. So when the jets slammed into the towers, Jerry was at home in Bayonne, New Jersey, drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning newspaper before heading to work a little late.

Needless to say, he didn’t go to work that day.

Mountains of words have been written about 9-11, its aftermath, the war on terror that has been waged ever since, and the impact still reverberating for individuals and families directly and indirectly affected. Just as occurred following the assassinations of JFK, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy and other heinous events, 9-11 stripped away another layer of our society’s collective “innocence” (and perhaps, ignorance), along with any semblance of a Pollyanna spirit and trust in human purity we ever had.

But if there is a positive to be found, anything beneficial, it’s the necessary reminder that one day we all will die. It might not be in calamity that generates headlines and news reports around the world. But our time here on earth, one way or another, is limited. So we should cherish every moment.

As Ephesians 5:16 tells us, “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” The moments of our lives appear and flee just as quickly, never to be enjoyed again.

Amid the sadness of 9-11, let’s rejoice in today. We won’t see it again. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Taking Advantage of Adversity

2011-09-02T10:35:00.000-04:00

Years ago I had the privilege of interviewing a remarkable woman, Joni Eareckson Tada, for a magazine article. I’ll never forget one particular statement she made.

As a teenager, Joni dove headfirst from a dock into a lake, not realizing how shallow it was. She struck her head and broke her neck, leaving her a quadriplegic. As you might expect, her next weeks and months were extremely difficult, adjusting to the reality of no longer having the use of her limbs. But with determination – and faith – she overcame that adversity to become an accomplished author, artist and singer.

Her statement to me was: “I tremble to think what my life would have been if I had not broken my neck.”

Joni explained that although she believed in God, she had begun drifting from her faith. In fact, just weeks before she had prayed, “Lord, I want to be closer to You.” In retrospect, she quipped, “Maybe I should have been more specific.”

Those of us who are able-bodied cannot imagine what it must be like living with that disability, but Joni stared adversity in the eyes – and adversity blinked. Paralyzed, she perhaps has achieved far more than she would have otherwise.

I also recall interviewing Dr. Gerald Durley, an engaging, charismatic African-American business leader who suffered firsthand the pain of racial prejudice. And yet, years later, he repeatedly said, “Thank you for adversity.” Gerry knew the hardships he endured had strengthened and shaped him for the life of service God had planned for him.

The Bible tells us that adversity – struggles we encounter during our journey through life – is one of God’s primary teaching tools for His children. For instance, in Romans 5:3-4, the apostle Paul observes: “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Despite our “can-do, pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps” society, adversity reveals our limitations. It also forces us to recognize our desperate need for God, His strength, wisdom and grace.

Are you facing a major, even overwhelming, challenge today? If you aren’t, you will – that’s just the way life is. The question is, when adversity appears, how will you respond?

Will you shake your fist at God in anger – or will you trust Him to walk with you, even carry you if necessary, through the challenges so that you too can say, “Thank you for adversity”?

'If You Can’t Say Something Good . . .'

2011-08-29T12:01:00.000-04:00

When I was a boy, my friends and I were encouraged to speak about others with kindness and consideration. When we didn’t, we were disciplined. “If you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything at all” was an oft-heard adage. Such sensibilities, however, have been cast aside by our society.

Hurricane Irene barreled through the East Coast and Northeastern United States over the weekend. Although the impact of the storm was extensive and some lives were lost, it was less severe than originally predicted. Since I have family members in New Jersey, that’s good news to me. But apparently not for everyone.

Rather than expressing gratitude for major disaster being averted, some people are complaining. The storm was “overhyped,” many grumble, and they question decisions by government officials to order the evacuation of vulnerable areas as the storm approached.

Of course, if the storm had proved as devastating as originally projected, and if officials had chosen not to direct residents to leave in a timely manner, those same critical individuals would still be griping, except for different reasons.

I understand the media being upset. They were poised to cover an Armageddon-quality hurricane. I’ll never forget working on a daily newspaper in suburban Philadelphia where I heard the term, “good fire,” for the first time. The editor meant because of the magnitude of the industrial inferno, newsstand sales would spike as readers rushed to digest the gory details.

Because TV news is all about viewers and ratings, network and cable executives were salivating for an extreme event – although they would never admit it.

But for average citizens, why complain instead of counting their blessings?

I suppose they never read the admonition of Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 – “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness – and the fool multiplies words.”

No One Can Make It Alone

2011-08-25T10:05:00.000-04:00

You’ve probably heard the story about the turtle atop the fence post. It’s simple: He didn’t make it there alone.

That illustration underscores an everyday truism – to succeed in whatever you’re trying to achieve, you can’t make it alone. Our country was built on the shoulders of people that exhibited rugged individualism, along with the so-called “can-do spirit.” But even the most accomplished needed help.

Steven Jobs has announced he’s stepping down as CEO of Apple, Inc., due to declining health. Under Jobs’ leadership Apple became one of the world’s most powerful corporations. But he didn’t do it all by himself, and Apple’s likely to continue its successful course because of the contributions of many talented people.

Our lives are living proof that you can’t make it alone. Inspired and encouraged by teachers and college professors, I decided to turn my favorite hobby – writing – into a career. And what small success I’ve had as a journalist over the past four decades is due in part to people that hired me, bosses who mentored me, and others who assisted me in various ways.

I couldn’t begin to list all the people who have participated in my spiritual journey, teaching me in the good times and offering comfort and support during the tough times.

The idea of not being able to make it alone saturates the Scriptures. One of my favorite passages, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, declares, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up…. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Jesus, being the Son of God, certainly didn’t need help to accomplish His mission. Yet He surrounded Himself with eager, often faltering followers. When His time on earth ended, He entrusted the mission to them.

Because we need one another’s support, I’ve diligently invested in other men through mentoring over the years. The regular interchange experienced in a mentoring relationship is unparalleled. It’s mutually beneficial; you never know what you’ll learn from week to week, but you always learn something.

Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” Through the years, God has used dozens of men to sharpen me; hopefully I’ve done the same for others.

At a time when the turbulent stock market puts any financial investment at risk, coming alongside another person wrestling with life’s complex issues is one investment that offers guaranteed dividends. We can’t do it alone, but what a privilege to contribute to someone else’s success!

The Curious Conundrum of Words

2011-08-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

Recently I noticed the mall bookstore had a sign that read, “Giant Book Sale.” “I wondered what that meant. Were they having a special sale on books about giants? Were they offering a special on oversized books? Or were they just having a really big, super-stupendous sale?

Funny thing about words, especially in the English language: They can mean so many things. And create a lot of confusion in the process.

Take “cool,” for example. If I go outside in the morning and say, “It’s really cool” (which hasn’t happened much lately), I’m referring to the temperature. If I meet someone and conclude, “He’s really cool,” I probably mean he’s very interesting. But if I walk in the door and notice my wife is unusually quiet and think, “she’s really cool,” I’m suspecting she’s upset about something. If I’m “cool” to an idea, it means I’m not very enthused about it.

The same applies to “hot.” It also can relate to the weather outside, as well as a pot on the stove; but “hot” can also mean something that’s very popular at the moment. “Hot” can be used to describe someone’s physical appearance, but saying someone’s “hot” might also mean the person’s extremely upset.

I suppose that’s one reason I’m not an advocate of the term “Christian.” In original translations of the Bible, the word is used only three times, twice by nonbelievers trying to label “Christ fanatics.” The sole time a follower of Jesus uses the term is when the apostle Peter writes, “if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).

Not that I’m ashamed of the term. If someone asks me, “Are you a Christian?” I’ll confirm that I am. But I don’t go around announcing I’m a Christian because – like giant, cool and hot – the word has come to have many, often conflicting meanings.

In our society, “Christian” can mean someone that’s not a Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist. I’ve heard people described as “a good Christian man,” meaning the person displays good morals – or at least hasn’t been caught in grievous wrongdoing. Once I asked a “Christian bookstore” what it believed, but it never gave me an answer. I doubt it was a real Christian.

That’s one of the problems with referring to the United States as “a Christian nation.” When we get to heaven, we won’t see the U.S.A. miraculously transported there.

So instead of using the ambiguous term “Christian,” I prefer referencing myself as “a Jesus follower” or “follower of Christ.” Some people might not like those terms either, but at least they’re more specific and less easily confused.

What’s in Your ‘Dash’?

2011-08-15T15:26:00.000-04:00

Have you ever scanned tombstones and grave markers at a cemetery? You probably noticed each had a year or date of birth, along with (in most cases) a year or date of death. The years and dates differed, but they all had one thing in common: the dash in between.

If you research someone’s biography, you will either find dates of birth and death also separated by a dash, or if the person is still living, one date with a dash followed by a blank space. For the deceased, that simple dash represents the span of their lives. For the living, the blank next to the dash means their dash remains “incomplete.”

The dash on a tombstone
can tell the story of a lifetime.

My friend Dick speaks about “living in the dash.” And I’ve recently learned about a book written by Linda Ellis called Live Your Dash, expanding on her 1996 poem. I’ve read the poem, not the book, but for Dick and Ms. Ellis, the concept is the same: Our lives consist of the sum total of moments between birth and death; the impact of our lives is determined by how we use those moments.

Isn’t it humbling to realize that for many of us, all the watching world will ever see of our lives is that tiny dash?

Rather than becoming disheartened, we can look at that reality another way. A single drop of water viewed through a microscope can contain an incredible array of tiny items – cells, germs, a whole world of life hidden to the naked eye.

Inside that little graveyard dash, our lives can be much the same. It can represent many lives we have touched, acts of kindness, words of encouragement, ripples of laughter, tears of sorrow, times of happiness and joy, unseen deeds that changed someone’s life for the better.

That little dash, seemingly inconsequential, can represent a life well-spent – or squandered. Depending on whether we choose to invest it or waste it.

Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is “a time to be born and a time to die.” The question is we will do with the time in between.

You're still defining your dash, as am I. When the time comes, what will yours have to say?

A Non-Techie’s Praises of Technology

2011-08-11T13:57:00.000-04:00

Can you believe where technology has taken us in just the past few decades?

When our family arrived in Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1981, USA Today was still a figment of the Gannett Corporation’s imagination. A computer might fit on your lap – if you were a blue whale. E-mail was a letter sent to racecar driver Dale Earnhardt. Being an editor for magazines and newsletters, when I took photographs people would ask, “Did you get any good pictures?” I’d reply that I’d know when the film was developed.

Virtually no one had yet heard of the Internet. GPS comprised the initials of Chattanooga’s private girls’ school. Some people speculated phones would one day become standard equipment in cars, like air conditioning and radios.

Today, online media are making traditional newspapers obsolete. My iPad, smaller than a legal pad, is more powerful than room-sized computers of years past. I regularly communicate with friends in other countries via email, and my digital camera not only immediately displays images I’ve just captured, but also moves seamlessly from still photos to video.

On a recent trip to Charlotte, N.C., we used my daughter’s SUV (back in 1981, minivans were “in”) to take our grandson back to the motel for naptime, and the GPS (I called it “Gertrude the Personal Spotter”) provided directions. When I misunderstood an instruction and missed a turn, “Gertie” immediately redirected us without so much as a frustrated sigh or angry tone. I’m writing this blog and posting it with little more than the blink of an eye.

Who knows what technology will bring us in the future? Just this week USA Today ran an article stating it might not be long before we’re regularly using smartphones at checkout lines instead of wallets. Travel, communications, commerce and every other aspect of life will continue to revel in the relentless advance of technology.

Certainly there’s been a downside to technology as well, but that’s the way we humans are. Given something good, or even neutral, we’ll try to expose its negative side. But my greatest concern is embracing technology too ardently.

Years ago I attended a liturgical church where we sang the “Doxology”: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow….” I think we should have hearty appreciation for technology, but praise should go to God alone.

After all, He’s given us the creative spark to discover and implement new things. He’s granted us the reasoning capacity to think problems through to their solution. He’s provided the raw material for manufacturing the wonderful tools we use today.

In 2 Peter 1:3 we’re told, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” As we benefit from countless technological advancements, it might be wise never to forget the ultimate Source of those discoveries.

Faith of a Child

2011-08-08T14:51:00.001-04:00

At a small group meeting, the leader read an intriguing quote by Francois Fenelon, a French theologian, poet and writer of the late 17^th and early 18^th centuries. In his book, Let Go, Fenelon observes: “Faith seeks God alone.”

As the discussion continued, I pondered that statement. I’ve read many definitions of faith, but Fenelon’s seemed particularly accurate.

With two infant grandsons in our family, I’ve watched them exhibit a definitive kind of faith. Their faith, however, is centered on parents, particularly their moms who are their primary caregivers.

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus stated, “…unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” At first glance that declaration doesn’t seem particularly “sophisticated,” that is unless you’ve watch babies and little kids for a while. Then it makes sense.

These little boys, Maclane and Bryce, have simple faith. They don’t spend time trying to figure out whether mom and dad have enough money to buy their formula, diapers and seasonal clothing. They don’t worry about whether they will respond to their cries for help – which happens a lot! They simply trust, looking to their parents for love and care, knowing they will do whatever is necessary, whenever it’s necessary.

As we “mature” we make things more complicated. If there is a God, we reason, how can we be certain He’ll come through when needed? How can He possibly resolve a problem as complex as the one we’re facing? With all that’s going on around the world, how can God even keep track of what’s happening in my life? And without clear answers, we sometimes look elsewhere.

Our questions are endless. But that’s probably why Jesus was so emphatic about having the faith of a child. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” For the little fellows in our family, their faith and trust in mom and dad have substance; even though they don’t know what their parents will do, they feel the "evidence" that they’ll be fed and cleaned up, put to bed and picked up and hugged when they need it. They’re not troubled by doubt. They don't seek alternatives.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a spiritual faith like that?

Being Saved By the ‘N’ Word?

2011-08-04T10:44:00.000-04:00

Last week a newspaper article (yes, I still read newspapers) stated men's health is being enhanced by the use of the “N” word.

Not that “N” word! The one the story referred to is: Nagging. It seems when wives are diligent in scheduling physicians’ appointments for their husbands, then reminding – even nagging – them to go, men often avoid catastrophic heart attacks.

A study showed, “among heart attack victims, married men arrive at the hospital soonest…half an hour sooner than those who were not married.” Even without heart attack symptoms, research found, “it is not uncommon for a wife to begin pushing her husband to visit the doctor long before a man thinks he needs to go.”

Nagging wives typically don’t rank atop the popularity ladder. We see parodies in the comic strips: Blondie trying to motivate sleep-prone Dagwood Bumstead; Hagar the Horrible being harangued by Helga; lazy Earl being exhorted by Opal in “Pickles”; Hi being chided by Lois.

But apparently having a nagging wife could be just what the doctor ordered for many men.

It comes down to the motive behind the nagging. If it’s to belittle and demean, it becomes destructive; disheartening at best. In Proverbs 27:15-16, King Solomon (who, having had 1,000 wives and concubines, should know!) wrote, “A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil in the hand.”

However, the Bible also says there’s great value in well-intended rebuke or correction: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Most men don’t need to be nagged to watch football games featuring their favorite team, or to play golf or go fishing, if they enjoy that. But when it comes to household chores or family matters, sometimes loving wives need to apply the “spurs,” much like cowboys do with their horses. The intention is not to harm, but get them moving in the right direction.

If, as Ephesians 4:15 suggests, we go about “speaking the truth in love,” a little nagging won’t hurt. According to research, it might actually help!

Adoption: We’re All Candidates

2011-07-28T14:43:00.000-04:00

Maclane's family "support group"

This weekend we’re holding a special celebration to officially welcome our grandson, Maclane, into the family. He’s been with us for months, but his adoption was finalized last week.

What a delightful, happy little baby he is – and how blessed we are to have him in our extended family. God has wonderful surprises for us as we move through life, and he’s one of them.

Before Maclane’s arrival, I never thought much about adoption. In the ‘80s my wife and I were foster parents to two foster babies while arrangements were being completed for adoptive families. But the idea never hit home, so to speak, before Maclane. Even Bible passages about adoption didn’t seem particularly meaningful. That’s changed, however.

Dad, Mom and Maclane

Romans 8:23 states, “…(we) groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:5 adds, “…we might receive the full rights (adoption) of sons.” And Ephesians 1:4-5 declares, “For he (God) chose us in him before the creation of the world… predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”

There’s deep theology in those verses, but what stands out to me is although Maclane was not born biologically into our family, he was specifically chosen by his mom and dad, Sarah and Alan, to become their son. Maclane had no voice in the matter – but as you can see from the photo, he’s good with their decision.

His DNA is different, but he has full rights of a son – and always will. His biological parents could not keep him, but Maclane has a loving home where he’ll receive the nurture any child needs.

In John 15:16, Jesus told His followers, “You did not choose me, but I chose you….” Maclane didn’t select his parents, but they’ve accepted him, offering a life he couldn’t have imagined.

Those of us that are children of God also share the privilege of being chosen, handpicked by the Lord to become “heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).

The singing group, Third Day, has a video, “Children of God.” In it, adoptive children slowly appear on screen wearing t-shirts that read, “ADOPTED.” By the end of the video, everyone – even their parents – wears the same shirt. Because if you’re a member of God’s eternal family, you’re adopted.

We might not fully “get” what that means right now, but the Bible assures that’s as good as it gets.

The Tragedy of Fame

2011-07-25T13:47:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we learned 27-year-old English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse had died, apparently of a drug overdose. Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan. I couldn’t tell you one song she sang or wrote. I can’t keep up with the often-crazy pop culture.

I’d heard about her history with substance abuse, another celebrity held captive to that curse. But were it not for those occasional reports, I’d have thought Winehouse was a tourist stopover in California’s Napa Valley.

Her death, it seems, wasn’t a total shock. Her family and friends had lamented her life’s downward spiral, feeling helpless to intervene. Now she underscores the high price – and tragedy – of fame.

The long list keeps getting longer: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, among many in the hard rock world; Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Hank Williams, Michael Jackson. You probably remember others.

Sadly, some current “stars” seem headed toward the same fate if they don’t turn their lives around. I hope they do.

But my goal isn’t to mourn those who brought about their own untimely demise. Rather, it’s to remind us all that wealth and celebrity are overrated. Just as Yogi Berra purportedly said, “The future isn’t what it used to be,” it could also be said fame and fortune are not as fun and fulfilling as we might think.

Thousands of years ago, King Solomon wrote, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired, I refused my heart no pleasure…everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind…” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).

Then at the book’s close he wrote, “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We would be wise to heed his advice.

It’s better to be in God’s “Who’s Who” and the world’s “Who’s He?” than in the world’s “Who’s Who” and be unknown to God.

Startling Cases in Contrast

2011-07-21T10:03:00.000-04:00

Recently South Korea – aka the Republic of Korea – was awarded the XXIII Olympics Winter Games in 2018. For many of us, that’s no big deal. But have you any idea how miraculous that achievement is?

The South Koreans prevailed over proposals from Germany and France, no small feat for a land that in the 1950s wallowed in abject poverty, as poor as any Third World nation today. In years when “made in Japan” was a joke, “made in South Korea” was unthinkable.

When North and South Korea were divided by the 38^th Parallel, the atheistic, Communist neighbor to the north actually had an advantage in natural resources. For South Korea, which became sanctuary for about seven million Christian refugees from North Korea, farming was its sole industry. Natural resources were scarce, as were formal education and modern technology. There was no semblance of entrepreneurship.

What changed for the now prospering land of nearly 49 million people, ranked among the world’s top 15 economic powers?

Among many factors, one crucial decision stands out: the resolve to pray. In the ‘50s, then-President Syngman Rhee enlisted Christian leaders to pray fervently for South Korea. Many thousands of citizens rose in pre-dawn hours to call out to God, seeking His mercy and blessing.

To this day, South Koreans visitors are amazed to learn of multitudes that awaken long before sunrise, convening in large sports arenas, churches and other locations, shouting and crying out to the Lord.

South Korea has its flaws. Prosperity has brought corruption; not a surprise. (“The love of money is a root of many kinds of evil” – 1 Timothy 6:10.) Other common drawbacks of materialism have followed. But the nation now has an estimated 50,000 Protestant congregations, including the largest church in the world with more than 1 million members.

Contrast what has happened in South Korea to North Korea, labeled by some “a repressive nightmare,” its economy in disarray. Compare South Korea also with the United States, where a vocal minority actively condemns mottos such as “In God We Trust” on currency and license tags, and “one nation under God” is assailed as violating separation of church and state.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God declares, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Later God warns of dire consequences, “if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you…” (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).

South Korea has reaped benefits of becoming humble and praying and seeking God. Our own nation, I fear, is well on its way to experiencing the downside of turning away and forsaking Him.

The Power of a Closed Mouth

2011-07-15T15:08:00.000-04:00

There’s a fellow I know who apparently gets up every morning determined to figure out how many different ways he can pick an argument and how many people he can aggravate. He’s the kind of guy who, if you observe that the sky is blue, will insist that it’s really pink.

Every once in a while I run into him, and he seems always ready to poke and prod to elicit a response. I’m not the only one he targets, but he seems to have a fondness for me – maybe because my natural tendency is toward bullheadedness. Since I’m inclined to air my own opinions, he and I have crossed words on more than one occasion.

Recently I arrived for a meeting and sure enough, this man made a comment he knew would get my attention. I tried to offer a light-hearted response rather than accept his invitation to spar verbally, but he would have none of it. He made another snide remark. This time, however, I decided to zip my lip and heed the words of Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

I walked away and went about my business. Even though he tossed another zinger my way a few minutes later, I resolved to remain silent rather than fall into the temptation to give him a piece of my mind that I could ill afford to lose.

Elsewhere, the book of wisdom declares, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). I don’t always succeed in following that advice, I’ll admit. But as I grow older and more mellow, I think I’m making steady progress. Hopefully that will continue.