Just One More Degree...

What would happen in 2010 if each of us decided to "step it up" just one degree? One degree more effort...or one degree more kindness...or one degree more focus...or one degree more compassion...or one degree more understanding...or one degree more forgiveness. Just one degree...It could be the difference between the status quo and changing the world. What do you say...shall we pick an area of our lives and "step it up?" Enjoy the video below. It explains the power of one degree.

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The 10 Most Important Things I've Learned This Christmas

During this Christmas break, my family and I have spent a good deal of time together. We've spent hours playing The Mexican Train Game by Fundex and I've learned important things. We've eaten what seems to be one, long continuous meal and have seriously considered the questions on a deck of Table Topics cards which are designed to be thought provoking conversation starters. I've learned important things. We've spent time in the car together and were fortunate enough to have the monotony of interstate miles broken by Katie's 6,001 Crazy Fun Facts app. I have learned important things.

Here are the top 10.

1. I have learned that Connie and I are pretty good gift givers. Our kids struggled to answer the Table Topics question, "What's the one thing you wanted as a child but never got?" (Or...perhaps I learned that we've been a bit overindulgent.)

2. I have learned that body art may be in our future. The kids had NO trouble answering the Table Topics question, "If you got a tattoo, what would you get and where would you put it?"

3. I have learned that some questions have no apparent answers. None of us have been able to offer a sufficient explanation for WHY it's called The MEXICAN TRAIN Game. (I just know the dots on the dominoes tiles are much harder for me to count these days.)

4. Thanks to Katie's iTouch app, I now know that a full 23% of photocopier repair calls are the result of someone sitting on the machine trying to make a copy of their hind side. (To those of you who have done this...feels good not be alone doesn't it?)

5. Under the category of animal facts, I now know such important things such as elephants can't jump, pigs can't look up, butterflies taste with their feet and horses can't throw up. (I'm not sure how I've made it through life this far without knowing that last one!)

6. The eye of an ostrich is bigger than its brain. Also...just for the record...after observing 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, researchers have not been able to document a single case of one of them sticking its head in the sand.

7. The most common name on the planet is Mohammad.

8. In a lifetime, a person walks a distance 5 times greater than the circumference of the equator. (Seems like I'd be in better shape and have a killer tan!)

9. Over 50% of the people on the planet have neither made nor received a telephone call. (Think about that for awhile.)

10. Down and away..the most important thing I learned while playing The Mexican Train Game, conversing around the dinner table and traveling together this Christmas is that I'd rather be with the 4 people living under my roof than anywhere else in the world.

My resolution for 2010 is to make the time to do it more...and to cherish every second.
Happy New Year

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Hopes, Dreams, and Discoveries

December 18, 1949...60 years ago today. It was an important date. I Googled it because I was curious as to what all went on that day. I learned that it was on this date that the NFL Championship between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams was played in the Los Angeles Coliseum. 27, 980 people attended. The game is mostly remembered for the driving rain that reduced the field to a mud pit. Philadelphia won...14 to 0.

That's not all that happened that day. 2,078 miles away, another significant event took place. Not in a coliseum...it was in a single room. Thousands did not attend...it was more like a half dozen. I don't know if it was raining or not.

It was the day Bobby married Joyce.

As I think about them during the days and weeks leading up to the Wedding Day, I can't help but wonder what they talked about. I wonder what they shared with each other about their hopes and dreams and their life together.

Did they hope and dream about where they might live? Did they share dreams about traveling and seeing the world? Did they giggle when they thought of their upcoming Honeymoon trip to Charleston, South Carolina? Did they dream of vacations and wonderful destinations?

I wonder if they talked about things like vocations and careers. Did Bobby share his hopes and dreams of owning a business or climbing a corporate ladder? Did they plan how they would spend their leisure time or what community events they might like to get involved in? Did they talk about hobbies? Or, did they talk about having children and raising a family?

I wonder if they shared their hopes and dreams about owning a home or driving a new car. Did they hope and dream about accomplishments? Did Bobby hope and promise to provide Joyce with everything she had ever wanted?

I'm left to wonder about those things. After all, they are the private stuff between a husband and wife who inhabit a universe all their own.

I do know this, however. Somewhere along the way they made an important discovery amid all the hopes and dreams. They may have suspected it from the beginning...but somewhere along the way this truth solidified...it came in to razor sharp focus.

It doesn't matter where you go in life...or what you do...or what you have. What matters is who you have beside you.

It is a discovery...a truth...that they have lived out for 60 years. They love each other. They adore each other. They cherish each other. They have taught this truth to their children and grandchildren...just by the way they live.

Connie and I chose each other. Scott, by brother, and Terry chose each other. Gary, my brother, and Kathy chose each other. We chose each other because we believe it too...It really doesn't matter where you go in life...or what you do...or what you have. What matters is who you have beside you.

Bobby and Joyce...Dad and Mom...thank you for the lesson.
Happy Anniversary.
I love you.

David

Photo by "thepostess"

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I Strongly Recommend....

...that you find the time during the holidays to see the movie Blind Side. Here's the trailer.

And God Wept...

It's important for us to pay attention to how we treat each other...how we think about each other...how we interact with each other. I've heard it said that "people will forget what you say...and even forget what you do...but they will never, ever forget how you make them feel."

There were two men who owned neighboring farms. Each of them had to scratch and struggle to merely survive. They helped each other when they could. They mostly struggled alongside each other. While toiling under a relentless sun, one of the farmers found himself staring into the face of a complete stranger. "Who are you?" the farmer asked, "And what do you want with me?" The stranger said, "It doesn't matter who I am. What does matter is that I've come to grant you three wishes." The stranger went on to say, "Not only will I grant you what you wish...but I will give your neighbor twice as much as you ask for yourself."

The farmer said, "I need more land. I wish for 1000 acres." Immediately the farmer was given 1000 acres and...true to the deal...his neighbor was given 2000. The farmer was excited about his new acreage...but he didn't really think his neighbor deserved double. For his next wish, the farmer said, "I need more cattle. I wish for 100 head." Immediately the farmer was given 100 cows and...true to the deal...his neighbor was given 200. The farmer began to complain. "Hey...what's the deal? I don't think it is really fair for my neighbor to be rewarded so greatly. After all, these are MY wishes." In this disgruntled state the farmer had an idea. He said, "For my final wish...I wish to be blind in one eye." Immediately the farmer lost sight in one eye and...true to the deal...his neighbor was struck blind.

And God wept...

There is a Jewish parable about a father and two sons. The father was an ideal mentor. He took his boys to the field as soon as they were big enough to walk and taught them all he knew about farming. When he died, instead of dividing their inheritance, the brothers continued to work together in partnership...each one contributing his very best...and they divided every harvest down the middle. One of the brothers married and had eight children. The other remained a bachelor.

One night...during a particularly bountiful harvest...the bachelor brother thought to himself, "My brother has ten mouths to feed and I have only one. He really needs more of this harvest than I do. However, I know him. He is much too fair to renegotiate our agreement." "I know what I will do. I'll take some of my harvest and slip it over to his barn at night so he can have more for his family."

At the very same time the married brother was thinking to himself, "God has blessed me with this fine family. My children will take care of us when I am old. My brother is not as fortunate. He really needs more of this harvest to provide for his old age. However...I know him. He is much to fair to renegotiate our agreement." "I know what I will do. I'll take some of my harvest and slip it over to his barn at night to build up a nest egg for the future."

As you might expect, one night...when the moon was full...these brothers met each other face to face...each on a mission of love and generosity and devotion.

And God wept...

When the time comes for us to meet God face to face...God may be weeping. The question will be..."why?"

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Stories from the late Dr. John Claypool.

A Veteran's Day Thought

It's about sacrifice.

I can imagine that each of them...at one time or another...may have been tired, or lonely, or homesick, or scared. Perhaps they've been all those things. I can imagine...at one time or another...many of them longed to return to the life they knew before.

But...they made a choice or answered a call and literally put their personal lives on hold for a greater good. They gave unsparingly of themselves...giving all that they had to give. They put their lives on the line.

Sacrifice.

They are our grandfathers and grandmothers. They are our aunts and uncles. They are our cousins, our fathers and mothers and our brothers and sisters. They are our neighbors and friends. They've joined together...over the course of time...risking everything. Sacrificing everything.

Because of it, we are free to say anything we like. I am free to write this blog post without fear. We are free to pursue our dreams. We are free to lie down in bed each night and not be afraid. We are free to worship.

Today...we are humbled by your sacrifice. Today...we applaud your courage.

Today...we thank you.

By the way, I'd like to point out that you're in pretty good company. I can imagine that there were times that He, too, was tired or lonely or homesick or afraid. I can imagine that He, too, may have longed to be somewhere else. But, He answered a call. He gave of himself unsparingly. He put everything on the line. He not only risked His life...He gave it.

Sacrifice. Because of it...we are truly free.

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To All of Humanity...

Earlier this week, it dawned on Connie and me that for the first time in 16 years we have not been called upon to help construct a shoebox mailbox for Valentine's Day by some combination of our children. It made us a bit wistful...an era has passed.

I remember doing it as a school boy myself. Valentine's Day season was one of the handful of times during the school year that we would be issued a larger than normal piece of paper. Not just any paper...but the special paper...the manila paper (or "vanilla paper" as we called it). We would fold the paper about three quarters of the way up and staple the edges to make a "folder" for others to deposit various and sundry Valentine's wishes into. We decorated them elaborately.

20 years later, when our kids started being old enough to get into the act, it was shoe boxes instead of paper. In the beginning, we would paint the boxes some base color and then the kids would decorate it. Later, when the shoebox material became slick and glossy and would no longer hold a coat of paint...we would help them meticulously cover the shoebox with construction paper which would then be colored and painted with Valentine's Day themed art. The past few years...with increasing time restraints and a general lack of enthusiasm for such things...we'd just cover the whole box with tin foil and cut out a few red hearts. I wish I had just one more shot at it...

The class list...which was carefully guarded because we wanted to spell everybody's name correctly and not leave anyone out...would come home a few days in advance. It usually had 21 or 22 names on it which is significant because those little Valentine's cards came in packs of 20. It must be a conspiracy of some sort.

There would be one or two especially designed for the teacher and then one or two that were somehow distinguishable from all the rest...maybe a little larger...maybe a little more ornate...but distinguishable nonetheless. They were for special friends.

Usually on February 13th...sometime past bedtime...the task of addressing those little cards would begin. To...Be Mine...From Katie. To...Be Mine...From Katie. To...Be Mine...From Katie (or Austin or Zack...you get the picture.) Always To...Be Mine...From. To...Be Mine...From.

There would be that one card (most years anyway) that would be different. It would break the mold...the tedium...the norm. It would go - To...Be Mine...LOVE Katie. Not "From" but "Love." That was the signal...that was the shot over the bow...that was the declaration of a deep and profound fondness that would last for all eternity. Or, in actuality, it was the subtle announcement of a little crush. How cute.

It would happen on the receiving end to. Somewhere...from someone...in the middle of all those "To Katie...Be Mine...From Whomever's" would be the one that said, "Love, Whomever." Smiles and giggles usually followed along with a playful promise from Dad to load his shotgun.

Sometimes it was a surprise. Zack or Austin or Katie would look at the card with strange wonderment and muse, "Love? Really? Me?...I had no idea."

I get that same sense of wonderment when I read that ultimate love note from God found in the 3rd chapter of John's gospel...the 16th verse. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. Whoever believes in him will never die." For God so loved you and me that he promises that everything will ultimately be alright for all of us who choose to go to him.

Really? Even me?

"But God...you don't know where I've been. You don't know all the things I've done. I've got a dark side...there are things I'm not proud of.

I know...God says...Be Mine.

"But God...I've lied. I've been unkind. I've been selfish. I've mistreated others to get what I want.

I know...God says...Be Mine.

"But God...you don't understand. You don't realize that there have been so many times that I've chosen to do things...to be things...that I know you don't approve of. I knew it...but I chose them anyway."

I know...God says...Be Mine anyway.

"But God..I've made such a mess of things that I'm no good to you...I'm an embarrassment."

To which God says, "I know everything you have ever done and I know everything that has ever been done to you. Give it all to me. Give me the lies and the selfishness and the unkindness. Give me the fears and failures and faults and frailties. Give me the mess." "And I will create in you marvelous wonders...you are beautifully and wonderfully made...give me everything and I will make you new."

To All of Humanity...Be Mine...Love, God.

Peace everyone.

Video Version - The Story Behind the Story

For the YouTube video version of The Story Behind the Story...click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCphFdZn8Fw. Or, view it from the blog site. God's peace everybody.

The Story Behind the Story

I know that this isn't a new idea. It is not revolutionary. It is not a sudden discovery. It is something that we all know...almost intrinsically. It is certainly something that we know by experience. I do think, however, that it deserves a little of our attention. So...here goes.

Unless we ourselves are the primary players of a particular drama...we are always on the outside looking in. Unless we are directly involved in a "thing," all we see is what others choose for us to see.

There is always a story behind the story. Or, perhaps more accurately, there is always an image behind the words.

I think it is important for us to remember that as we encounter the world..or rather..as we encounter the people in it. I was reminded of it last week. The words I heard...and the image behind them...have been haunting me...or humbling me...ever since.

I spend time with her when she wants to. She's been battling cancer for quite some time now. It's a roller coaster...as some of you know first hand. Understandably, lots of questions arise...lots of thoughts and emotions surface. We deal with those as best we can. We talk things through trying to come up with some grain of wisdom and insight...something to grab hold to until the next wave. We ride. Mostly, we just pray. I'm often left wondering just who is ministering to whom. Our roles seem to reverse or, at least, alternate during our times together.

Last week, we were together...we were riding the roller coaster and were trying to discern just exactly what to pray for when she said,

"You know when you hear me talking about treatments and chemo and options and white counts and liver enzymes that I don't see those things in my head. What I see...even as I say those words..talk about those things...is my 13 year old son."

The story behind the story. The image behind the words.

What does he see in his mind's eye when he shares, "Hey...I've got two job interviews lined up this week." Does he see an application or a resume or an interviewer? Does he see a conference room or office where the meeting will take place? Does he see opportunity? Or...does he see the image of himself potentially having to tell his wife and family that the job went to someone else...

When she tries to muster the courage (not to mention the faith) to say, "I know he's in a better place. At least he isn't suffering anymore. He wouldn't have wanted to live that way,"...what does she see? Does she see "heavenly realms" and a far better existence that her husband of decades has been birthed into? Or...does she see a vacant place at the table...his empty chair...his...

There is always a story behind the story. There is always an image behind the words.

To be sure...there is hope...all is not lost. The truth remains that God has promised to be faithful to us...to not forsake us. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that with all my heart.

In the meantime, however....I'm going to understand a little better...feel a little deeper...care a little wider...and love a little bigger.

Join me?

Painting by Kelly Angard - The Crafty-Girl

Video Version - One...A Perspective

Below is the video version of yesterday's post. Again, nothing fancy...just me and a camera and a cute little camera operator named Katie (our daughter.) To those of you who subscribe, you may get this twice.



Also attached is a song by Casting Crowns named "Does Anybody Hear Her." It reminds us that sometimes the "ONE" is right at our front door...right in our daily path. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvI3YEyydMc

One...A Perspective

He is ONE of the 1.2 billion children in this world living in poverty. He is ONE of the 184 million of them who are orphans. He is only ONE of the children at Ithemba in Jeffery's Bay South Africa. He is only ONE of the children there who have just finished creating a painting. His signature on the painting is his hand print. He is only ONE of the children that is hoping that...well...just hoping.

He is only ONE. But, he is important.

The kids in our church are going to buy his painting. Purchasing the painting will provide nutrition, medical care, education, and biblical teaching for him for ONE full year. They are going to do it ONE penny at a time. They are committing themselves to looking "Down and Around." Down and around in the parking lots they walk across...down and around the checkout lines...down and around the floorboards of their parents' cars...down and around the sofa cushions. They will pick up the pennies...the discarded, seemingly insignificant spare change...put them with the pennies their friends find...and together will change ONE life for ONE year.

Oscar Romo knew the significance of ONE. I attended a memorial service for him recently. I heard about his dogged determination to making sure that his faith community be not only aware of...but inclusive of...the many ethnic groups that inhabit this country...not to mention the world. His vision was that the worldwide community of faith be a "mosaic." He held high positions and was a leader of men and women. His circle included important and esteemed people. Indeed, I saw pictures of him in meetings with Presidents Reagan and Carter...I saw a picture of him shaking the hand of the Pope. He was lauded and celebrated.

The image that stuck out most to me however, was the image of him returning home from his constant, worldwide travels with an empty suitcase.

As he made his way to some airport to catch some flight to return home from some meeting with some important person...he stopped for the ONE. The ONE person without a home, without means, without provisions...and Oscar emptied his suitcase...giving the contents to the ONE person he encountered who needed his stuff more than himself.

The sheer volume of human need is overwhelming. It is more than we can wrap our minds around...not to mention our arms. ONE penny...ONE child for ONE year...ONE recipient of the contents of ONE man's suitcase doesn't seem like much...doesn't seem significant.

Unless, of course, you are the ONE.

Just In Case You'd Rather...

Personally...I love to write. I also love to read. To be truthful, however, there are times I don't want to do either one. There are times that I just want to watch.
Below is the video version of "Re-calculating". Nothing fancy...just me and a camera...just in case you'd rather.

Re-calculating

Not to brag...but I am the proud owner of a new Garmin nuvi 205W GPS device. It was my Christmas present from Connie. I realize, that for many of you, global positioning systems are nothing new...no big deal. I, however, am excited about it, fascinated by it, and intrigued with it all at once. I am developing an interesting (at least to me) relationship with my Garmin.

I can depend on it to always know exactly where I am. I press a button on the touch screen that reads, "Where Am I?" and instantly I can see my position on the display. Latitude, longitude, nearest address, nearest intersection...even elevation. I don't know why I would ever really need to know just how far above sea level I am at any given point...unless I want to do an experiment to determine just when my ears start "popping" as I drive up a mountain...but, the fact remains, I can know it. There is something both assuring and disconcerting about my Garmin knowing exactly where I am.

I can depend on it to know what is around me. I just have to touch a button on the screen to find the nearest hospital, police station, shopping mall...you name it and my GPS knows where it is in relation to me. It can tell me what restaurants are nearest to me...broken down by types of cuisine. (For the record...I already know where the nearest barbecue place is...no matter where I am! I have an internal GPS when it comes to good barbecue.)

More practically..and the reason Connie bought it for me..I can count on my Garmin to direct me precisely to a destination when I have no idea how to get there on my own. Due to the nature of my job, there are often times I'll get a phone call alerting me to something that needs my immediate attention. I need to get to a home, a hospice, a hospital...somewhere....and I'll have no idea how to proceed. A frantic (and usually unsafe) exercise to determine and write down directions has now been replaced with a couple of touches. I have already learned that I can trust my Garmin to deliver me...precisely...to my destination.

The thing I love the most, however, is that my Garmin never gives up on me...it never loses sight of me. There are times when I'm trying to follow the directions on the screen but I encounter a detour. You know...due to roadwork or an accident...both of which are oh so common in this neck of the woods. I am forced by circumstances beyond my control to travel a different direction. Sometimes, it is I who choose not to follow the directions on my GPS. I see what it is telling me to do...but I think I know better. I am smarter. I choose to make a turn...I choose to travel a different way. When that happens...my Garmin starts to speak to me.

What I do NOT hear is, "Uh oh...a detour. I didn't anticipate this. I don't know what to tell you now." Neither do I hear, "OK...so you think you are smarter than me? You think you know a better way? Go ahead big boy...you are on your own. I quit."

What I hear instead...whether a detour beyond my control or my own choices take me in a different direction...is a rather pleasant female voice with a British accent saying...

"Re-calculating."

My Garmin is telling me, "OK...I still see you. I've still got you. I'm still at work here. We'll get through this together. Don't worry about it. You can count on me."

I can't help but think how closely my GPS life resembles my faith life.

I serve a God who always knows exactly where I am. This is His promise to me. I can depend on it. To be honest...that is both comforting and disconcerting. There are times, quite humanly, I'd rather not be seen.

I serve a God who always knows what is around me...behind me...in front of me. I can depend on it.

I serve a God who wants to direct my path...who will direct my path. I serve a God who will deliver me precisely...and safely...to the destination. I can depend on it.

The thing I love the most, however, is that my God never gives up on me and never loses sight of me. There are times when I am hit with unanticipated life circumstances...with detours...that require that I change direction...go a different way. There are times that I simply choose to go my own way...to determine my own path. I am so grateful, during those times, that I don't sense God saying, "Uh oh...a detour. I didn't anticipate this. I don't know what to tell you." I am so grateful that never once have I sensed God saying, "OK...so you think you are smarter than me? You think you know a better way? Go ahead big boy...you are on your own. I quit."

What I sense instead...whether a detour beyond my control or my own foolish choices lead me in a different direction...is that steady, unwavering presence of God saying, "OK...I still see you. I've still got you. I'm still at work here. We'll get through this together. Don't worry about it. You can count on me."

Re-calculating...