Fifty years ago on this date Mayre Lou and I had our first child, a red headed boy that has brought much joy into our lives. It is hard to believe that all these years have gone by and that we have a child that old.
Several years back, Dwayne and his wife Karen started a private school right outside of Davidson, NC, Beginning with 7 students, the school has grown to over 200 kids in grades K-12. They have already graduated 2 senior classes and are achieving a growing reputation in the Charlotte area. Who would have believed that this couple could have done so much in this short a time? I know they have had a lot of help from a lot of people, but they were the driving force behind the whole project. Mayre Lou and I have watched with pride the way the whole school has grown and prospered.
The one trait that I saw in Dwayne as he grew up, especially through high school while he was still at home. was that of, what I would term, discipline. He was diligent both in his school work and his running. On school nights he would disappear after supper until all his homework was done. On weekends he would run his training routes so as to be the best he could be in that life as well. He just seemed to work very hard at being all he could be. He got a good education and used it to succeed in the working world, leading to where he is today. Of course, as most of us honest men know, he over married and Karen has been an important partner in his life and work. Along with raising two good kids, he has been blessed in many ways. He has also blessed many families and students through this school.
Now Donna and Doug, our other two brilliant children have their own achievements and families that we could brag about, but, after all, this is Dwayne's day, and he is getting old, so I'll leave the others till a day of their own.
Even at this stage of my life, with so many things in the past, I know that doing my best in whatever I undertake is the way to go. It may not always lead to success in the eyes of the world, but it will be success in my mind, because I know I put all of me into it, and there are no regrets to be had when that is the effort.
Dwayne is my example and I am grateful to have it.
Thank you, son. Your mother and I love you very much.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Living in the Light of Easter
When I read the Scripture this morning, my mind immediately took off into several directions. The reading was from Mark 14 and covered the preparation for the Passover by Jesus and His disciples, the Last Supper, and the night of His betrayal by Judas. There is a lot packed into those few verses, and my first thoughts centered on how I need to prepare my heart and life for another Easter celebration. Then I went back through several of the many Easters I have lived through and tried to relive those moments again.
In a few days time, Easter will be upon us one more time. Will that day on this calendar for 2012 be any different from that day on any other year? Am I any different?
On a Sunday, when the whole world participates in the celebration of the resurrection, when the traditions of the Day take over our lives for at least one brief moment of time, how do I respond to the God of the Universe? Easter eggs? Church? A Big Meal, Family and Friends?
As I wonder how God, Himself, would answer my questions, my thoughts turn to the other 364 ( or this year 365) days of the year. Should I live this day of Christian celebration any different from the other days? How should I live out the message of Easter every day?
Micah 6:8 from the Message:
"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously."
Easter is a great day of celebration. Christ has risen, death has been conquered, and we are partakers of the meaning of the Day. Is is good to remember, and we are right to reflect on all its meaning again.
But I want to live life each of the days of the year in the way that God expects, not wait until Easter comes again to put the whole thing in perspective.
In a few days time, Easter will be upon us one more time. Will that day on this calendar for 2012 be any different from that day on any other year? Am I any different?
On a Sunday, when the whole world participates in the celebration of the resurrection, when the traditions of the Day take over our lives for at least one brief moment of time, how do I respond to the God of the Universe? Easter eggs? Church? A Big Meal, Family and Friends?
As I wonder how God, Himself, would answer my questions, my thoughts turn to the other 364 ( or this year 365) days of the year. Should I live this day of Christian celebration any different from the other days? How should I live out the message of Easter every day?
Micah 6:8 from the Message:
"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously."
Easter is a great day of celebration. Christ has risen, death has been conquered, and we are partakers of the meaning of the Day. Is is good to remember, and we are right to reflect on all its meaning again.
But I want to live life each of the days of the year in the way that God expects, not wait until Easter comes again to put the whole thing in perspective.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A Cornerstone
The scripture reading for today was in Mark 12 and talked about Jesus being the cornerstone, the chief cornerstone that the builders rejected.
“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (ESV)
Cornerstones are important items, whether they be actual stones, or maybe words, or even a person. Martin Luther, when talking about what he had written and nailed to the German church door, is reported to have used the words, "Here I Stand", signifying a cornerstone in his life.
When a person, or even a whole church body, stand and repeat the words to the Apostle's Creed, they are confirming that the words contained in the creed are foundational, a cornerstone of their belief.
But, both Luther and the church as a whole, are not saying that it is the words that are the most important. They are but expressions that point to a person. The foundation of the church and of each individual believer is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the chief cornerstone of our faith.
This is the cornerstone on which I stand, and to use Luther's ideas in a slightly different paraphrase, "This is where I stand, I can do no other".
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
My Day (with the emphasis on "My")
So, I set my self up yesterday to have to finish what I started. I will admit that I did think about my motivations as I went through my daily activities, but I did not change them from what I would have done on a normal day. Let's see what happened, and if there is something to be gained from the study.
The first thing that I try to do every morning, either before breakfast or after, or split around this eating time, is to take some time, usually about 2 hours, to look at a Scripture passage, reflect on how it intersects with my life, and then write on my responses. I find that I do this because I want to. I look forward to the quiet time, the study, the meditation on the words, and the journalling. I know that it is profitable for me, and that God honors that private time. Yesterday I did this between 7 and 8, then had breakfast, then studied again from 9 to 10.
Mayre Lou had set aside some shopping time with a friend, so, after she left, I went to ride my bike for an hour or so. The weather is great right now, the outdoors are the best place to be, and I needed the exercise. Why do I ride? Exercise, sure, but I also like the quiet time to think and plan. I do not ride hard, just steady, and, since the roads and bike paths are not crowded, I can let my thoughts go where they will. There is also something in me that says that I can still ride, somewhat like I used to in days gone by. It may hurt more later, but I can still do it. A little pride there?
The other major activity of the day was walking 9 holes, partly alone and partly with a friend who caught up with me as I played. Again there is the exercise, the sense that I can still hit some good shots, combined with the interaction with a kindred soul around a game that we both enjoy. Sounds like another thing that I do because I like to.
Between those major activities, Mayre Lou and I ate our meals, sat on the porch, went to the store and did our household chores. I also checked my email, caught the news on the computer and read on my Kindle. Pretty much I just do what I want to, because I had the time to do it.
So, what does all of that tell me? Except for helping my wife with beds and dishes and food preparation, most everything else was for me. Well, maybe I did help my friend find his ball in the woods and water, but that was incidental. My daily life is filled with "me" and very little "you".
I start my days off with God and try to gain some insight or direction for my life, and that is good, but perhaps I need to let that direction permeate my daily activities in a much more meaningful way. Retirement should not just be about me.
The first thing that I try to do every morning, either before breakfast or after, or split around this eating time, is to take some time, usually about 2 hours, to look at a Scripture passage, reflect on how it intersects with my life, and then write on my responses. I find that I do this because I want to. I look forward to the quiet time, the study, the meditation on the words, and the journalling. I know that it is profitable for me, and that God honors that private time. Yesterday I did this between 7 and 8, then had breakfast, then studied again from 9 to 10.
Mayre Lou had set aside some shopping time with a friend, so, after she left, I went to ride my bike for an hour or so. The weather is great right now, the outdoors are the best place to be, and I needed the exercise. Why do I ride? Exercise, sure, but I also like the quiet time to think and plan. I do not ride hard, just steady, and, since the roads and bike paths are not crowded, I can let my thoughts go where they will. There is also something in me that says that I can still ride, somewhat like I used to in days gone by. It may hurt more later, but I can still do it. A little pride there?
The other major activity of the day was walking 9 holes, partly alone and partly with a friend who caught up with me as I played. Again there is the exercise, the sense that I can still hit some good shots, combined with the interaction with a kindred soul around a game that we both enjoy. Sounds like another thing that I do because I like to.
Between those major activities, Mayre Lou and I ate our meals, sat on the porch, went to the store and did our household chores. I also checked my email, caught the news on the computer and read on my Kindle. Pretty much I just do what I want to, because I had the time to do it.
So, what does all of that tell me? Except for helping my wife with beds and dishes and food preparation, most everything else was for me. Well, maybe I did help my friend find his ball in the woods and water, but that was incidental. My daily life is filled with "me" and very little "you".
I start my days off with God and try to gain some insight or direction for my life, and that is good, but perhaps I need to let that direction permeate my daily activities in a much more meaningful way. Retirement should not just be about me.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Perhaps.....
The mind is a funny thing, especially in the way it makes associations. This morning the Scripture reading was from Mark 11, and it concerned a couple of things that Jesus did. The first was the cursing of the fig tree and the second was the running the money changers out of the temple.
As I looked at these two, I began to think of the motivation of Jesus for these two acts. Since He did not sin, I will have to rule that out, but the "whys" of these can be difficult to take in, especially the fig tree episode.
But, I really found myself not so much worrying about why Jesus did things, but why do I do the things that I do. Habit, duty, or a combination? Have tos or want tos? Necessity or choice? For self or others? What is my motivation for my actions?
So, I resolve to make today an experiment in motivation and living. I will attempt to look behind what I do and see why, and, at the end of the day, or in the morning, to chronicle my attempt at self-examination. I will attempt to be honest and not make myself look better or worse than actual living will show. Perhaps I will learn something. Perhaps I will see myself in the way that God does. Perhaps I can draw closer to His Will for my life as I check the "whys" of my "whats". Perhaps it will not be an exercise in futility, but actually lead somewhere.
Perhaps.....
As I looked at these two, I began to think of the motivation of Jesus for these two acts. Since He did not sin, I will have to rule that out, but the "whys" of these can be difficult to take in, especially the fig tree episode.
But, I really found myself not so much worrying about why Jesus did things, but why do I do the things that I do. Habit, duty, or a combination? Have tos or want tos? Necessity or choice? For self or others? What is my motivation for my actions?
So, I resolve to make today an experiment in motivation and living. I will attempt to look behind what I do and see why, and, at the end of the day, or in the morning, to chronicle my attempt at self-examination. I will attempt to be honest and not make myself look better or worse than actual living will show. Perhaps I will learn something. Perhaps I will see myself in the way that God does. Perhaps I can draw closer to His Will for my life as I check the "whys" of my "whats". Perhaps it will not be an exercise in futility, but actually lead somewhere.
Perhaps.....
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Recognize the Day
In the 19th chapter of Luke's Gospel, Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem and weeping, speaks these words:
""If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you!"
My favorite picture, taken at the Wailing Wall, when we spent a day in Israel several years back is one that shows an orthodox jewish man, standing at the Wall talking on his cell phone, a great contrast between the modern and the ancient. Unless he was using the phone to get a direct line for his prayers, he was conducting routine business in a holy place. The only direct line the people at the Wall were using was to put slips of paper into the cracks.
I think of how I treat the holy sometimes. Sitting in church and thinking of everything else but.
If I would only recognize the day, the day that I am living inside of, I would be more aware of what is going on. But instead I look at the past and then the future, and forget to live in the present. I fail to see what it is all about and to think about where I am and why.
I am trying more to stop and look around, to recognize not only my surroundings, but a possible reason for being there. To see the people around me, my relationships with them, and my possible role in their lives.
When you are living in the same place, seeing the same people, doing the same things, and just doing what you did yesterday and the yesterdays before that, it can become routine, but no day is the same. God give me each day and expects me to live in it.
Since I may not have too many of those days left, maybe I should take my own advice and crank up my awareness, both of the day and what God has for me. There are blessings in each day and opportunities for service.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord"
""If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you!"
My favorite picture, taken at the Wailing Wall, when we spent a day in Israel several years back is one that shows an orthodox jewish man, standing at the Wall talking on his cell phone, a great contrast between the modern and the ancient. Unless he was using the phone to get a direct line for his prayers, he was conducting routine business in a holy place. The only direct line the people at the Wall were using was to put slips of paper into the cracks.
I think of how I treat the holy sometimes. Sitting in church and thinking of everything else but.
If I would only recognize the day, the day that I am living inside of, I would be more aware of what is going on. But instead I look at the past and then the future, and forget to live in the present. I fail to see what it is all about and to think about where I am and why.
I am trying more to stop and look around, to recognize not only my surroundings, but a possible reason for being there. To see the people around me, my relationships with them, and my possible role in their lives.
When you are living in the same place, seeing the same people, doing the same things, and just doing what you did yesterday and the yesterdays before that, it can become routine, but no day is the same. God give me each day and expects me to live in it.
Since I may not have too many of those days left, maybe I should take my own advice and crank up my awareness, both of the day and what God has for me. There are blessings in each day and opportunities for service.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord"
In the 19th chapter of Luke's Gospel, Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem and weeping, speaks these words:
""If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you!"
My favorite picture, taken at the Wailing Wall, when we spent a day in Israel several years back is one that shows an orthodox jewish man, standing at the Wall talking on his cell phone, a great contrast between the modern and the ancient. Unless he was using the phone to get a direct line for his prayers, he was conducting routine business in a holy place. The only direct line the people at the Wall were using was to put slips of paper into the cracks.
I think of how I treat the holy sometimes. Sitting in church and thinking of everything else but.
If I would only recognize the day, the day that I am living inside of, I would be more aware of what is going on. But instead I look at the past and then the future, and forget to live in the present. I fail to see what it is all about and to think about where I am and why.
I am trying more to stop and look around, to recognize not only my surroundings, but a possible reason for being there. To see the people around me, my relationships with them, and my possible role in their lives.
When you are living in the same place, seeing the same people, doing the same things, and just doing what you did yesterday and the yesterdays before that, it can become routine, but no day is the same. God give me each day and expects me to live in it.
Since I may not have too many of those days left, maybe I should take my own advice and crank up my awareness, both of the day and what God has for me. There are blessings in each day and opportunities for service.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord"
""If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you!"
My favorite picture, taken at the Wailing Wall, when we spent a day in Israel several years back is one that shows an orthodox jewish man, standing at the Wall talking on his cell phone, a great contrast between the modern and the ancient. Unless he was using the phone to get a direct line for his prayers, he was conducting routine business in a holy place. The only direct line the people at the Wall were using was to put slips of paper into the cracks.
I think of how I treat the holy sometimes. Sitting in church and thinking of everything else but.
If I would only recognize the day, the day that I am living inside of, I would be more aware of what is going on. But instead I look at the past and then the future, and forget to live in the present. I fail to see what it is all about and to think about where I am and why.
I am trying more to stop and look around, to recognize not only my surroundings, but a possible reason for being there. To see the people around me, my relationships with them, and my possible role in their lives.
When you are living in the same place, seeing the same people, doing the same things, and just doing what you did yesterday and the yesterdays before that, it can become routine, but no day is the same. God give me each day and expects me to live in it.
Since I may not have too many of those days left, maybe I should take my own advice and crank up my awareness, both of the day and what God has for me. There are blessings in each day and opportunities for service.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord"
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A Question of What
In Mark 10, the incident is told of Jesus as He heals the blind beggar Bartimaeus. The blind man hears that Jesus is passing by where he sat and so he calls out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me". Jesus hears the man's plea, and tells those around him, to bring the man to Him. Jesus then asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?", to which he replied, "Lord, let me recover my sight". The story ends with the blind man being able to see again, and he uses that sight to follow after Jesus.
It seems obvious that the blind man would have answered Jesus' question with the request for sight, but Jesus also asks that same question to me this morning. "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Do I really think that I need anything that He has to offer? After I have trusted Him for salvation, for eternal life, for an escape from the fires of Hell, what more can He give me? Does He want to be more than a fire insurance policy for me?
There is that idea that Jesus wants to be my friend, my helper, my guide, the One that makes my days have meaning that is significant, really significant. Would His original question, "What would you have me do for you?" relate to my everyday life? Of course it does, but do I just acknowledge this and go on my way, only calling on Him when I can't handle something on my own? After all, I have pretty good health, some money in the bank, a nice place to live, an eternal destination, what more do I need?
I know what my answer is deep down. I want His presence in my life all the time, not just in emergencies. I want it to be the essence of my being, not just the smile on Sunday morning.
"What do you want Me to do for you?"
It seems obvious that the blind man would have answered Jesus' question with the request for sight, but Jesus also asks that same question to me this morning. "What do you want Me to do for you?"
Do I really think that I need anything that He has to offer? After I have trusted Him for salvation, for eternal life, for an escape from the fires of Hell, what more can He give me? Does He want to be more than a fire insurance policy for me?
There is that idea that Jesus wants to be my friend, my helper, my guide, the One that makes my days have meaning that is significant, really significant. Would His original question, "What would you have me do for you?" relate to my everyday life? Of course it does, but do I just acknowledge this and go on my way, only calling on Him when I can't handle something on my own? After all, I have pretty good health, some money in the bank, a nice place to live, an eternal destination, what more do I need?
I know what my answer is deep down. I want His presence in my life all the time, not just in emergencies. I want it to be the essence of my being, not just the smile on Sunday morning.
"What do you want Me to do for you?"
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Treasure of Significance
The Scripture reading for this morning was from Mark 10:
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
I have always read this looking at the word treasure as money and wealth, because of the emphasis Jesus places on the status of this man who came to ask his question, but isn't my treasure anything that I put ahead of God Himself?
As I woke up this morning, three things came to my mind: a word, a song and a question. As I thought about them and read the Gospel passage, I wondered how I could put these three together.
The word was "significance". Could my own personal significance be my treasure, that which I can put ahead of God, even if it was some sort of service in His kingdom?
The song went like this:
Little is much if God is in it
Labor not for wealth or fame
There is a crown and you can win it
If you go in Jesus' name
Then came the question: Why did I do the things I did yesterday?
The three things that came to my mind, those that comprised a part of my day were:
1. A meeting of the elders at church where we discussed His work in our midst.
2. Writing a blog post on my autistic grandson.
3. Being with a friend who needed a hand.
The first thing could be considered significant because there are only 7 elders on this board, and the things discussed and decided are "important" in God's work. The second can be considered this way because people might read the blog and realize the challenges and successes of a person with this condition. The third was, well, it was.
Little is much if God is in it
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
I have always read this looking at the word treasure as money and wealth, because of the emphasis Jesus places on the status of this man who came to ask his question, but isn't my treasure anything that I put ahead of God Himself?
As I woke up this morning, three things came to my mind: a word, a song and a question. As I thought about them and read the Gospel passage, I wondered how I could put these three together.
The word was "significance". Could my own personal significance be my treasure, that which I can put ahead of God, even if it was some sort of service in His kingdom?
The song went like this:
Little is much if God is in it
Labor not for wealth or fame
There is a crown and you can win it
If you go in Jesus' name
Then came the question: Why did I do the things I did yesterday?
The three things that came to my mind, those that comprised a part of my day were:
1. A meeting of the elders at church where we discussed His work in our midst.
2. Writing a blog post on my autistic grandson.
3. Being with a friend who needed a hand.
The first thing could be considered significant because there are only 7 elders on this board, and the things discussed and decided are "important" in God's work. The second can be considered this way because people might read the blog and realize the challenges and successes of a person with this condition. The third was, well, it was.
Little is much if God is in it
Labor not for wealth or fame
There is a crown, and you can win it
If you go in Jesus' name
I want my "significance treasure" to be in heaven where it belongs, not down here in the eyes of men.
PS: This song sung by Larry Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsXFigFulJs
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A Blessing For Us
Mayre Lou and I watched a movie yesterday afternoon that touched both of us. Temple Gradin is an accomplished woman in the animal husbandry field. She is also autistic, which rings a bell with us since we have a grandson who is. What struck me, when I took the time to go back and think about the film, were the people in her life who saw her for what she could become, and not just what she suffered from. Several of these folks come to mind.
First of all was her mother. A woman who did not know how to handle a child with this diagnosis, but who worked with her, so that she could function in her world. This mother, I am sure, wanted her little girl to grow out of the condition, and so she prodded and pushed to give her the tools she would need to succeed. But the hardest part in being her mother was surely, that Temple could not show any affection or appreciation for any of her efforts. The girl could not even allow anyone to touch her, much less hug her.
Then there was the teacher in the boarding high school who worked with her in her favorite field of science. This man did not coddle her, but led her in such a way that she could discover herself in that area of study. He cared about her as a person and as a student, but also saw her mind as unusual. Temple just saw things differently, and her abilities in this area held a world of potential.
Her roommate turned out to have her own set of unusual circumstances. She was blind, and Temple needed to put some of her own "stuff" aside and be her eyes in the place where they both were being schooled. These two girls learned from each other, especially how each "saw" the world and their place in it.
I probably overlooked several others, but one more lady comes to mind. She was an incidental helper, one that had no formal role in Temple's life, but an important one nevertheless. Temple was afraid of automatic doors and would not go through them. She had entered this grocery store alongside another customer, but when it came time to go back out, she was alone and could not bring herself to make the doors open and go through. This lady, another shopper, simply told her, "I'll go through with you", and that made all the difference.
To realize all that Temple accomplished is amazing and a true success story. Not just the success of an autistic girl, but the success of many caring people that helped along the way.
We have a grandson over in Arkansas, who, like Temple Gradin, is autistic. Like Temple, he has an unusual way of inflection in his speech. He has some mannerisms that are different, like she does. He is very smart, like she is, and he has had the great fortune to have parents who have nurtured him and loved him for what he can be. He has had teachers who have spent the time to see him in his academic role and have cared enough to go the extra mile in this area. He has had classmates that have helped, and has had adults and children alike that have just said, "I'll go through with you".
Does God have a plan for Temple and for Archer? Sure, but one thing that has blessed his grand parents, is watching an 11 year old boy, blossoming in his life, with the support of caring people around him. He has helped us see others in a new way.
We love that boy!
First of all was her mother. A woman who did not know how to handle a child with this diagnosis, but who worked with her, so that she could function in her world. This mother, I am sure, wanted her little girl to grow out of the condition, and so she prodded and pushed to give her the tools she would need to succeed. But the hardest part in being her mother was surely, that Temple could not show any affection or appreciation for any of her efforts. The girl could not even allow anyone to touch her, much less hug her.
Then there was the teacher in the boarding high school who worked with her in her favorite field of science. This man did not coddle her, but led her in such a way that she could discover herself in that area of study. He cared about her as a person and as a student, but also saw her mind as unusual. Temple just saw things differently, and her abilities in this area held a world of potential.
Her roommate turned out to have her own set of unusual circumstances. She was blind, and Temple needed to put some of her own "stuff" aside and be her eyes in the place where they both were being schooled. These two girls learned from each other, especially how each "saw" the world and their place in it.
I probably overlooked several others, but one more lady comes to mind. She was an incidental helper, one that had no formal role in Temple's life, but an important one nevertheless. Temple was afraid of automatic doors and would not go through them. She had entered this grocery store alongside another customer, but when it came time to go back out, she was alone and could not bring herself to make the doors open and go through. This lady, another shopper, simply told her, "I'll go through with you", and that made all the difference.
To realize all that Temple accomplished is amazing and a true success story. Not just the success of an autistic girl, but the success of many caring people that helped along the way.
We have a grandson over in Arkansas, who, like Temple Gradin, is autistic. Like Temple, he has an unusual way of inflection in his speech. He has some mannerisms that are different, like she does. He is very smart, like she is, and he has had the great fortune to have parents who have nurtured him and loved him for what he can be. He has had teachers who have spent the time to see him in his academic role and have cared enough to go the extra mile in this area. He has had classmates that have helped, and has had adults and children alike that have just said, "I'll go through with you".
Does God have a plan for Temple and for Archer? Sure, but one thing that has blessed his grand parents, is watching an 11 year old boy, blossoming in his life, with the support of caring people around him. He has helped us see others in a new way.
We love that boy!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Peace In Our Time
I read two portions of Scripture this morning, and the word that seemed to be at the center of both was "Peace". What is peace? Is it just the absence of conflict or is there a greater dimension to the word and its meaning?
If I pick up the paper this morning or look at the news on the TV or the Internet, the various forms of the media seem to scream "War or Conflict", not peace, by any stretch of the imagination.
What kinds of peace do I look for in my life? What is my personal responsibility for peace?
Peace in the World?
Peace in my home?
Peace in the Church?
Peace in myself?
I find myself thinking of the book I am reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor caught up in the conflict of Nazi Germany in WWII. Here was a man who struggled with his love for his country, his love for his church, his love for his family and his love for God. Trying to balance all of these, he was in conflict in his soul. The only way he could resolve his inner struggles was to wait on God to show him the way to go. Once this was determined, he felt free to act, knowing that ultimately God was in control and there was a right way to proceed, a way that would be in keeping with God's will for his life, His will for his church, His will for the country, and His will for his family. The key was "His Will".
I'm sure that this principle also applies in my life as well. Inner peace is knowing that God is in control, that He knows the end from the beginning, and that His way is the best.
Letting go of the control stick is the hard part.
If I pick up the paper this morning or look at the news on the TV or the Internet, the various forms of the media seem to scream "War or Conflict", not peace, by any stretch of the imagination.
What kinds of peace do I look for in my life? What is my personal responsibility for peace?
Peace in the World?
Peace in my home?
Peace in the Church?
Peace in myself?
I find myself thinking of the book I am reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor caught up in the conflict of Nazi Germany in WWII. Here was a man who struggled with his love for his country, his love for his church, his love for his family and his love for God. Trying to balance all of these, he was in conflict in his soul. The only way he could resolve his inner struggles was to wait on God to show him the way to go. Once this was determined, he felt free to act, knowing that ultimately God was in control and there was a right way to proceed, a way that would be in keeping with God's will for his life, His will for his church, His will for the country, and His will for his family. The key was "His Will".
I'm sure that this principle also applies in my life as well. Inner peace is knowing that God is in control, that He knows the end from the beginning, and that His way is the best.
Letting go of the control stick is the hard part.
Monday, March 19, 2012
"Now" Time
There is only one time period I can actually live in. I can't dwell in the past, no matter how pleasant or how rough, and I can't reside in the future, because I can't even know what it is. I can only live in the present, and, while that sounds simple enough, it is definitely not.
My mind wants to remember those good times in the past, and to revisit them. Part of life is to think along these lines and feel good about what has happened. Even where I can see God working there, I can't just stay there. Present time slips unnoticed into the past as I spend my time in this way. God does tell us to remember, but those are but foundations to build on. I can't dwell there. The house is not complete.
My mind also wants to project itself into the future. What I will do when such and such happens, how I will do this and that, how I will be looked on by others when something happens, how I will be able to serve when God does this or that. When I read the Scripture in Mark 9 this morning, I see Jesus talking to His disciples, trying to prepare them for what was to come, and I understand that. I believe that God brings things into my life, and people into my life, to prepare me for what is to happen. Hopefully, I will take them in for what they are, and not spend all my time in imagining what is to come.
I picture an hourglass, with the sand running down into the bottom section. Not one of us can know how much of that sand is left in the top whether we are 25, 50, 75 or more in age. In my case I can pretty well know that there is much more sand in the bottom than in the top. I can't slow down the sand, I can only live in its moment, as it passes from the top to the bottom.
My prayer this morning is that I will have eyes to see and ears to hear what it is that I am to realize in this particular moment of my life, and, realizing, will use that to live this day, not putting my focus on either pile of sand in the hourglass, but concentrating on the grains moving through from one to the other.
David says in Psalm 31, "My times are in Your hands", and so it is.
My mind wants to remember those good times in the past, and to revisit them. Part of life is to think along these lines and feel good about what has happened. Even where I can see God working there, I can't just stay there. Present time slips unnoticed into the past as I spend my time in this way. God does tell us to remember, but those are but foundations to build on. I can't dwell there. The house is not complete.
My mind also wants to project itself into the future. What I will do when such and such happens, how I will do this and that, how I will be looked on by others when something happens, how I will be able to serve when God does this or that. When I read the Scripture in Mark 9 this morning, I see Jesus talking to His disciples, trying to prepare them for what was to come, and I understand that. I believe that God brings things into my life, and people into my life, to prepare me for what is to happen. Hopefully, I will take them in for what they are, and not spend all my time in imagining what is to come.
I picture an hourglass, with the sand running down into the bottom section. Not one of us can know how much of that sand is left in the top whether we are 25, 50, 75 or more in age. In my case I can pretty well know that there is much more sand in the bottom than in the top. I can't slow down the sand, I can only live in its moment, as it passes from the top to the bottom.
My prayer this morning is that I will have eyes to see and ears to hear what it is that I am to realize in this particular moment of my life, and, realizing, will use that to live this day, not putting my focus on either pile of sand in the hourglass, but concentrating on the grains moving through from one to the other.
David says in Psalm 31, "My times are in Your hands", and so it is.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Easter is Coming
I woke up this morning with a hymn on my mind:
- “Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior! - Here is a version of the song on YouTube:
It was in my mind, but possibly could it be for others today as well.
Praise Be To God
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Preparation Time
One statement by Jesus caught my eye today as I looked at the Scripture reading. From Mark 8, Jesus tells Peter:
“Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
How often do I set my mind on the things of man, and not of God?
Every day I make my plans, for that day and the ones to follow it, in the light of what I think; What I think I need to do, what I think that someone else wants me to do, what looks like the right thing to do. In short, what I think circumstances have dealt to me and how I should respond to them.
When I gave the 'Choices' talk in prison the other day, a lot of it was a consideration of time periods in our lives. From the past, which we can do nothing to alter, to the future which we cannot know, our actions take place in the present, which is the only time period that we can do anything about.
What does God want for me in the present? Those things that would bring glory to Him, those that would prepare me for service for Him and those that would show my reliance on Him. All of the above for Him and not for me.
So, how do I look toward the future with these in mind? I cannot know about tomorrow and those tomorrows that follow it, so what does my mind dwell on? Do I make plans on what I think the future may hold? Do I go through different scenarios and decide how I might handle those? Or do I live life in the present and trust that He will be there and guide me at the time?
I know the answers to the above, and they are easy to acknowledge, but how hard is it to keep my mind in the right gear? How hard to strive for the mind of God and not project my own thoughts into His plans?
Perhaps pondering the answers to those questions above is a good first step on life's road, no matter where it leads.
I pray that it is so.....
“Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
How often do I set my mind on the things of man, and not of God?
Every day I make my plans, for that day and the ones to follow it, in the light of what I think; What I think I need to do, what I think that someone else wants me to do, what looks like the right thing to do. In short, what I think circumstances have dealt to me and how I should respond to them.
When I gave the 'Choices' talk in prison the other day, a lot of it was a consideration of time periods in our lives. From the past, which we can do nothing to alter, to the future which we cannot know, our actions take place in the present, which is the only time period that we can do anything about.
What does God want for me in the present? Those things that would bring glory to Him, those that would prepare me for service for Him and those that would show my reliance on Him. All of the above for Him and not for me.
So, how do I look toward the future with these in mind? I cannot know about tomorrow and those tomorrows that follow it, so what does my mind dwell on? Do I make plans on what I think the future may hold? Do I go through different scenarios and decide how I might handle those? Or do I live life in the present and trust that He will be there and guide me at the time?
I know the answers to the above, and they are easy to acknowledge, but how hard is it to keep my mind in the right gear? How hard to strive for the mind of God and not project my own thoughts into His plans?
Perhaps pondering the answers to those questions above is a good first step on life's road, no matter where it leads.
I pray that it is so.....
One statement by Jesus caught my eye today as I looked at the Scripture reading. From Mark 8, Jesus tells Peter:
“Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
How often do I set my mind on the things of man, and not of God?
Every day I make my plans, for that day and the ones to follow it, in the light of what I think; What I think I need to do, what I think that someone else wants me to do, what looks like the right thing to do. In short, what I think circumstances have dealt to me and how I should respond to them.
When I gave the 'Choices' talk in prison the other day, a lot of it was a consideration of time periods in our lives. From the past, which we can do nothing to alter, to the future which we cannot know, our actions take place in the present, which is the only time period that we can do anything about.
What does God want for me in the present? Those things that would bring glory to Him, those that would prepare me for service for Him and those that would show my reliance on Him. All of the above for Him and not for me.
So, how do I look toward the future with these in mind? I cannot know about tomorrow and those tomorrows that follow it, so what does my mind dwell on? Do I make plans on what I think the future may hold? Do I go through different scenarios and decide how I might handle those? Or do I live life in the present and trust that He will be there and guide me at the time?
I know the answers to the above, and they are easy to acknowledge, but how hard is it to keep my mind in the right gear? How hard to strive for the mind of God and not project my own thoughts into His plans?
Perhaps pondering the answers to those questions above is a good first step on life's road, no matter where it leads.
I pray that it is so.....
“Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
How often do I set my mind on the things of man, and not of God?
Every day I make my plans, for that day and the ones to follow it, in the light of what I think; What I think I need to do, what I think that someone else wants me to do, what looks like the right thing to do. In short, what I think circumstances have dealt to me and how I should respond to them.
When I gave the 'Choices' talk in prison the other day, a lot of it was a consideration of time periods in our lives. From the past, which we can do nothing to alter, to the future which we cannot know, our actions take place in the present, which is the only time period that we can do anything about.
What does God want for me in the present? Those things that would bring glory to Him, those that would prepare me for service for Him and those that would show my reliance on Him. All of the above for Him and not for me.
So, how do I look toward the future with these in mind? I cannot know about tomorrow and those tomorrows that follow it, so what does my mind dwell on? Do I make plans on what I think the future may hold? Do I go through different scenarios and decide how I might handle those? Or do I live life in the present and trust that He will be there and guide me at the time?
I know the answers to the above, and they are easy to acknowledge, but how hard is it to keep my mind in the right gear? How hard to strive for the mind of God and not project my own thoughts into His plans?
Perhaps pondering the answers to those questions above is a good first step on life's road, no matter where it leads.
I pray that it is so.....
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Stepping Stones
Last Sunday evening I was leading a small home group in the video series, The Truth Project. The session was on History and talked a lot about historical revisionism. One section caught my attention, a quote from the Pilgrim leader, William Brewster.
"Lastly, and which was not least, a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make someway thereunto, for the promoting and advancing of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work."
The idea of stepping stones, that those men and women who were our forefathers in this land of freedom, were willing to be as nothing more than a path for future generations, not regarding themselves as the main characters in God's continuing story, but only being the enablers of those in that future that would seek to walk after God. They did not want to put their names on their stones so that people might know them and their contribution, but were satisfied to be unknown helpers to those who came after.
Romans 12 begins with these words: 12:1 "Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service."
A living sacrifice, a way of living that places others ahead of myself, willing to take on a very minor role in the story of God in history for the benefit of those who come later. Not looking for my name to be associated with something great, but to be content to be unknown for His sake.
Stepping stones.
"Lastly, and which was not least, a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make someway thereunto, for the promoting and advancing of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea, though they should be but even as stepping-stones unto others for the performing of so great a work."
The idea of stepping stones, that those men and women who were our forefathers in this land of freedom, were willing to be as nothing more than a path for future generations, not regarding themselves as the main characters in God's continuing story, but only being the enablers of those in that future that would seek to walk after God. They did not want to put their names on their stones so that people might know them and their contribution, but were satisfied to be unknown helpers to those who came after.
Romans 12 begins with these words: 12:1 "Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service."
A living sacrifice, a way of living that places others ahead of myself, willing to take on a very minor role in the story of God in history for the benefit of those who come later. Not looking for my name to be associated with something great, but to be content to be unknown for His sake.
Stepping stones.
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