It's not my fault . . .

Oh for goodness sake! Our family has come under attack again. This is getting old! Some days and evenings go smoothly--without conflict, without stress, without worries. This is NOT one of them. I just received a text from one daughter that she was so tired of keeping quiet and having to do the right thing. Earlier, other family members had said the same words, about different situations. Unfortunately, each of us is in a position in which we cannot give explanations for events or actions around us.

Everyone understands that doctors cannot discuss patient information and that lawyers may not chat about what clients have told them, but there are others of us who do not have those credentials yet still cannot discuss situations involving other people. Nevertheless, there are those who think they have a right to demand confidential information; and, if they don’t get it, they will fill in the blanks with their own opinions.

Then, they will take those filled-in blanks to the opinion column of the local newspaper or a Facebook posting or an online sports network. I am amazed that persons who have such little knowledge refuse to allow such a lack of understanding to stand in their way of posting accusatory indictments against others (in this case us).

We want to stand on a mountaintop in the center of town and scream out our “side” of the story. We want to write our own opinion column, and write scathing posts on Facebook and the sports network. We want to name names and give details. We want to stand up for ourselves and make our positions known. We want those who have accused us to look foolish and, well, look wrong.

Then, I remember. The One we follow went through much worse. Jesus was falsely accused, lied about, denied by His best friend, and deserted by just about everyone including His close companions. Did He, the Lion of Judah, stand on the mountaintop and roar? No, like a lamb led to slaughter, He silently and undeservedly climbed a hill to die for us. He even prayed for forgiveness for those who hurt Him.

Is His humility an example for us to follow? Though difficult, I believe it is. “Father, forgive them (even if I pray through clenched teeth).

Lessons from the Weekend

What a fun weekend—went to the Fox Theater in St. Louis to see “Stomp.” Wow, what a 90-minute long demonstration of pure energy and rhythm! Oh, yes, and without a word being spoken. I’m amazed at what people can physically accomplish with practice, determination, and (of course) natural ability. For one thing, try clapping your hands briskly for 10 minutes without stopping. Or, for that matter, try doing it for 5 minutes. Well, try 1 or 2 minutes. I did it for 1 minute and barely made it.

There is enormous training as well as conditioning and practicing needed for even one routine, let alone 20 or so all the while incorporating dancing feet. There were ten young men and two young women that danced, stomped, pounded, and played some form of percussion in solos, small groups, and often with the entire ensemble.

As I think about it, I saw some others at the Fox who have obviously trained, conditioned, and practiced for a certain outcome. They were young women who were dressed very nicely and wore 5-inch stiletto heels. Now realize, theater goers generally have to park several blocks away, make their way through a large crowded theater lobby, and stand for some extended time waiting for the interior doors to open.

Each of those young ladies walked effortlessly and seemed to maneuver without difficulty through the crowd of approximately 5,000. The rest of us, in FLAT sensible shoes, were content to find our seats with as little jostling as possible. When over, we trudged back to our vehicle. I’m sure the high-heeled ladies pranced back to their rides with no thought for their feet. Impressive!

So, how did those young ladies saunter in those shoes? My answer is the same way as the spirited dancers on stage danced—they trained, conditioned, and practiced. Maybe a better question is why? Again, I’m thinking for the same reason as the performers—the outcome (looking gorgeous) was worth the physical cost of the preparation.

Isn’t that why people exercise? Isn’t that the reason sports competitors do what they do, like runners who run multiple practice miles every day, like football players who thrive on getting mugged repeatedly, and like Iditarod racers who face temperatures far below zero, winds hazards, long hours of darkness, and treacherous paths?

Those watching such training may well question the wisdom at best or the sanity at worst of all those preparing for such events. Yet, we cannot at all question their commitment, their determination, or their resolve. We must, at the very least, admire their willingness to push on toward their goal, regardless of the price, the pain, and the sacrifice.

Oh that those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ would display a modicum of such commitment to preparation and intensity of resolve to walk in His ways. Instead, we (me included) often seek padded pews, furnace/air conditioners, and an easy path.

This whole topic sounds like the famous axiom, “No pain, no gain.” Those first things I mentioned all require painful preparation. And, I just remembered—we also watched “Karate Kid 2” over the weekend. While I did not love the movie, it screamed the same message--the need for concerted preparation at a level of painful learning if one wanted badly enough to reach the goal.

Are we willing to study, to train, to condition in order to reach the goal of being an effective disciple of Jesus? How important is it to us?

Change (unlike)

Perhaps it’s because I’m getting along in years; perhaps it’s my genetic make-up; perhaps in my formative years I learned. For whatever excuse, the truth is I do not like “change.”

I’m much more settled when things stay the same, even when change is supposedly “for the better.” You may already have sat through my ranting about Microsoft and their “progress” in developing Windows Vista and especially Office 2007.

Let me back up. Years ago, we purchased an inexpensive graphics program to make greeting cards, invitations, or decorated papers. It was user-friendly, uncomplicated, point-and-click. A few years later, an “improved” version came out with more clip art. We purchased the new improved(?) one—one with security product key and passwords to remember, and, I might add, not at all user-friendly. A change I did not like!

Now, I’m not one to hold a grudge, but you can tell I never have quite got over it. I just wanted to decorate a card.

However, that example pales in comparison to what THEY did with Office 2007. THEY hid the applications I needed and instead included a “ribbon.” They let me have a tiny Quick Access Toolbar to customize; and it has been my lifeline. I know, you're thinking get over it; learn the more new way. I suppose I can change.

However, today, at the office, I got a new trackball mouse and new "Natural Ergonomic Keyboard." Now don’t get me wrong, they were my idea—not something forced upon me (like Office 2007 grumble, grumble).

My assistant Elaine and I both were having issues with sore wrists and thumbs from extended computer usage, and these two “upgrades” were an inexpensive way to alleviate repetitive motion problems--a plan to head off carpal tunnel difficulties.

However, I became immediately aware that their use required that ugly “c” word—“change.” You cannot imagine how often I had to backspace and correct my typing. (I’m an ex-typing teacher--proficient at one time; today, not so much). Home row is not easy to find. And that mouse! It does not move side-to-side or up-and-back. It never moves. Only the big red ball moves with two large buttons on each side to click. My arms and hand are tired from new muscle memory exercises. But, I made a commitment and intend to learn both pieces. I can change!

This reminds me about old habits formed over years of living. Certain ways of thinking, acting, responding become natural responses, and changing them is more difficult than learning new motions for the keyboard and mouse. Check out the new muscle memory exercises in Ephesians 4.

PUT OFF your old self with its deceitful desires; PUT ON the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore…”
• Put off falsehood; speak truthfully
• Work for your needs; do not steal
• Speak no unwholesome words; only beneficial ones
• Get rid of bitterness, rage, slander, & all malice
• Be kind & compassionate
• Forgive as God forgave you

Well, it is obviously time for some more changes. We may well have to hit our backspace many times and try again, but we will change. Stephen Curtis Chapman sings:

♫ “Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe
I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID
I got the necklace and the key chain
And almost everything a good Christian needs, yeah
I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door
And a welcome mat to bless you
Before you walk across my floor
I got a Jesus bumper sticker
And the outline of a fish stuck on my car
And even though this stuff's all well and good, yeah
I cannot help but ask myself ...

What about the change
What about the difference
What about the grace
What about forgiveness
What about a life that's showing
I'm undergoing the change, yeah
I'm undergoing the change

Well I've got this way of thinking that comes so naturally
Where I believe the whole world is revolving around me
And I got this way of living that I
have to die to every single day
'Cause if God's Spirit lives inside of me, yeah
I'm gonna’ live life differently.” ♫

Remember When

Last Saturday, Leon and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Last month Jenny and Tim celebrated their 10th. In a few days, our youngest son and his wife will celebrate, and a week or so later our other son and his wife will be celebrating. A friend had posted the following song on Facebook as she too was celebrating. I guess spring is a popular time for weddings. Anyway, I liked the lyrics even though they are a bit sappy and make me feel like crying. The song was written and sung by Alan Jackson in 2003 and are also on his Greatest Hits album.

♫ "Remember when I was young and so were you
and time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookn' back it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when." ♫

Smiles

In the sixties, back in the days of the Viet Nam war, college campus riots, and the Beatles, two college students who were barely 21-years-old walked down an aisle in a small country church and promised to love each other, for better or worse. It never occurred to us that time would pass quickly, and decades later we would live in a far different world and find ourselves old---er.

You would think we would have accumulated vast amounts of wisdom in those years. We have accumulated vast amounts of experiences, but wisdom? Well, I guess that’s a matter of opinion. Sometimes I feel wise, but often I realize that human wisdom is far too limited to solve the complicated problems we face. That’s why I am so glad to be a Christian and serve a God who gives His children the privilege of prayer.

I am also glad that the past decades have allowed those two young college students to be together to seek the Lord and His ways. Oh, the path has had some rough terrain, but it has also had fabulous blessings in those who have joined us on our journey—wonderful children, darling grandchildren, family members, and dear friends.

I said all that to say, “Happy Anniversary, Leon!” May we have many more!

du n du du ♫

Wow, this is a beautiful day. I suppose the old adage that it takes, uh well, I can’t remember what it exactly is; but something along the lines of ‘it takes something less desirable to make us appreciate the desirable.’ I’d rather that not be true, but today does look especially fabulous when contrasted with the long, long, long cold grey snowy icy winter. The tiny spring flowers are more colorful compared to the black and white season just past.

I think of Psalm 30:5 which reminds me that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Today’s sunshine and warmth is for me the joy of that morning after a night of winter.

When the first “great” spring day comes, I immediately think of resurrection. Every year, at least in southeastern Illinois, God demonstrates resurrection as Easter approaches. The beauty that was autumn gave way to stark, death-looking winter. The ice came and caused the dead twigs to cover the colorless ground. But then, usually in March, touches of green begin to emerge.

I think it’s the wheat fields that first display the promise of the resurgence of green abundance. Oh, I know they aren’t going to stay green all summer, but they do look pretty early. Then, little jonquils, daffodils, and crocuses miraculously push through the hard ground. Little by little, the grass lawns begin to show increasing patches of green.

The thermometer displays temps that begin with 6’s or 7’s and that big orange ball in the sky is again visible. Welcome back sunshine!

I wish there were a record button in life (and a rewind button occasionally) and I would record this weather today. I even agree with George Harrison, the Beatle, who wrote:

♫ “Here comes the sun, du n du du
Here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, du n du du
Here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, du n du du
Here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, du n du du
Here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right” ♫

No Looting

Yesterday I wrote about the terrible earthquake in Japan last Friday. The Tsunami that followed was disastrous. Now the news, in increasing panic, is about the nuclear plant crisis. No one knows when or how that will end and how many people will be affected. “Nuclear snow” and “acid rain” are terms being thrown around to express present conditions as well as fears for the future.

In the midst of the bad news and the worse news, I read a couple of articles about Japan that I found, well, fascinating, I guess. I can’t say that I’m completely surprised, but definitely intrigued. It is about what does not seem to be happening there—looting. Here is part of the article from “The Telegraph” blog from Monday, March 14, 2011.

The landscape of parts of Japan looks like the aftermath of World War Two; no industrialized country since then has suffered such a death toll. The one tiny, tiny consolation is the extent to which it shows how humanity can rally round in times of adversity…Perhaps even more impressive than Japan’s technological power is its social strength, with supermarkets cutting prices and vending machine owners giving out free drinks as people work together to survive. Most noticeably of all, there has been no looting.
This is quite unusual among human cultures. There was looting in Chile after the earthquake last year—so much so that troops were sent in; in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina saw looting on a shocking scale.

Why do some cultures react to disaster by reverting to everyone for himself, but others display altruism even in adversity?

In an article by Thomas Lifson on the “American Thinker” blog, I read more about this phenomenon.

Foreign observers are noting with curiosity and wonder that the Japanese people in disaster-plagued areas are not looting for desperately-needed supplies like bottled water. This behavior contrasts sharply with what has so often happened in the wake of catastrophes elsewhere, such as Haiti, New Orleans, and Chile to name only a few…Many years ago, an insightful Japanese business executive offered an analogy. Japanese people are like passengers on a cruise ship. They know that they are stuck with the same people around them for the foreseeable future, so they are polite, and behave in ways that don't make enemies, and keep everything on a friendly and gracious basis.

"Americans are like ferryboat passengers. They know that at the end of a short voyage they will get off and may never see each other again. So if they push ahead of others to get off first, there are no real consequences to face. It is every man for himself."

It would seem that we have become a selfish, anti-social society, looking out for Number One. In watching my grandchildren grow from toddlers, I notice that they must be taught to be kind, to be caring, to be generous and sharing. These are not naturally occurring habits. They are learned responses and must be cultivated.

Speaking of cultivated, I’m thinking altruism or unselfishness is like a beautiful flower that grows from a tiny tender plant. It must be cared for, cultivated, weeded, and watered. That “weeded” part strikes me that it could easily be lost and smothered if grown amid strong, aggressive weeds. I have long believed that weeds are the result of a fallen planet. Genesis 3:17-19 says that “the ground will produce thorns and thistles.” Weeds need almost nothing to grow. Last summer, when our lawn was so dry, the crab grass flourished. I see selfishness being like crabgrass. It grows without help. Crabgrass habits and weed-like people also flourish for a while.

I’m fascinated by the cruise ship theory. Realizing we may spend eternity with certain people, may lead us to treat them better rather than acting like the ferryboat people who'll never have to see them again. I wonder if ferryboaters are looters.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

♫ Have faith, hope, and charity
That’s the way to live successfully
How do I know?
The bible tells me so. ♫

Earthquakes

The news, the pictures, the pain, the panic coming out of Japan rival nothing I have ever experienced. A 9.0 earthquake that shook part of Japan on Friday is one of the largest in my memory. I researched the historical record and learned:

May 22, 1960 Valdivia, Chile 9.5
March 27, 1964 Alaska, USA 9.3
December 26, 2004 Sumatra, Indonesia 9.2
November 4, 1952 Kamchatka, Russia 9.0
March 11, 2011 Sendai, Japan 9.0
February 27, 2010 Maule, Chile 8.8
(and a smaller one we remember)
January 12, 2010 Haiti 7.0

After researching those, I turned to what God’s had to say about earthquakes. As massive and frightening as they are, they could not go unnoticed by God. They’re not; some of what I found are:

1 Kings 19:11-12 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” … After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the EARTHQUAKE.

Isaiah 29:6 Suddenly, in an instant, the LORD Almighty will come with thunder and EARTHQUAKE and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire.

Zechariah 14:5 You will flee as you fled from the EARTHQUAKE in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

Matthew 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and EARTHQUAKES in various places.

Matthew 27:54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the EARTHQUAKE and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Luke 21:11 There will be great EARTHQUAKES, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was such a violent EARTHQUAKE that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Revelation 6:12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great EARTHQUAKE …

Revelation 8:5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an EARTHQUAKE.

Revelation 11:13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the EARTHQUAKE, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 11:19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an EARTHQUAKE and a severe hailstorm.

You see, God does have quite a bit to say about earthquakes; and, as several of the quotes came from Revelation or from Jesus’ description of the end times, I find myself thinking maybe they are indication of what is approaching. Is God causing devastation or does He simply know what is coming?

Well, I notice in the I Kings verse, “the Lord was NOT in the earthquake.”

I notice in the Acts verse, in the midst of the earthquake Paul and Silas’ (as well as other prisoners’) chains were loosened.

I notice in the first three instances from Revelation, earthquakes accompanied God’s dealing with a sinful planet.

I notice also in 11:19, the immense power from the temple in heaven produces colossal effects on earth.

Look again at Revelation 11:13. A tenth of the city collapsed, 7,000 people were killed, and the survivors were terrified. That reads like today’s news from Japan or recent reports from Chile or Haiti. I have to wonder if the rest of that scripture is fulfilled—“the survivors gave glory to the God of heaven.” I haven’t seen the news media reporting that response.

Japan’s earthquake and following tsunami have been minutely reported with photos, videos and second-by-second twitter posts like no other occurrence before. Truly, the whole world can follow happenings on the other side of the globe in a matter of seconds. Each one of us with cable, internet access to youtube, or cell phone can watch world events happen in real time. We waited and watched for the tsunami to hit the west coast of the USA as it approached, just as we hold our breath to see what will happen with the damaged nuclear power plants.

Given the enormity of what we have already seen following quakes in Haiti, Chile, and Japan, the last earthquake in Revelation is supremely sobering.

Revelation 16:18-19 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No EARTHQUAKE like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed.

I said before but it’s still true—I am so often reminded of the last three lines of a short snippet from Jesus Christ Superstar:

Jesus sings
♫ “Neither you Simon,
nor the fifty thousand...
Understand what power is
Understand what glory is
Understand at all, understand at all.”♫

I just have to agree—I don’t understand what power is or glory is, understand at all, understand at all. This much I do know: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen

Midnight or a Thousand Years

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” This is Peter (2 Peter 3:8) quoting what Moses, the man of God, said in Psalm 90:4. I’ve mentioned before that when God took the time to say something twice, it is noteworthy!

I have used these two scriptures to “explain” why God’s timetable and Carol’s timetable are so different. If I have to wait for an answer to one of my prayers, I just sigh (still with faith, of course) and think, “well, you know with God a day is like a thousand years.”

Just when I get comfortable with that explanation, He throws me a curve. Let me tell you about last summer. (I may have told it before, but that’s what “old” people do—more about that later) I was relatively comfortable letting God be God and attempting patience in answers to most of my prayers. Then, I was chosen to be the story lady at summer bible school. Okay, I love to tell kids bible stories.

Then, I learned the stories were parables. Still all right; I love parables. What would be your five favorites? Good Samaritan? Talents? Prodigal Son? Lost Sheep? Four Soils? Good Son? Those are all terrific. These and several others I would very much enjoy telling to the small people. Sure enough, four of these parables were the ones assigned by the curriculum chosen for the bible school.

There was one, however, I was shocked to discover—the midnight knocker.

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

So, I had to tell 100 little lambs what God said in verses 9 and 10: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” You pray and God will answer, period.

Now, not only did I have to study and teach that parable, I had to listen to bible teachers in two different media teach on the midnight knocker. As I’ve said often, when God gives me the same message two or three times, I come to attention.

I still have a difficult time reconciling these two components of answered prayer; God will answer by midnight and a day is as a thousand years. What a conundrum—a question I cannot answer. And yet, I pray and believe that God answers—sometimes quickly, sometimes over the thousand years.

Scott Kippayne sings a song that says “sometimes he calms the storms…and other times he calms his child.

♫ "All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place." ♫

Back to that “old people” repeating the same story, remember when he was old, Moses spoke all of Deuteronomy shortly before his death. It pretty much repeats Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Not bad for a man who was slow of speech (Exodus 4:10).

Letting Go

The last day or so I’ve been thinking about Molly, our family member that closely resembled a sheltie dog. During her life, she was a great addition to our household and brought us much joy. Oh, there were challenges inherent in that breed—she had the thickest hair I ever saw. And, in the hot weather, her body understandably tried to rid itself of that heavy coat. Needless to say, we vacuumed almost daily and lint removers were a way of life for any of the Redmans wearing dark clothing.

Still, she was fabulous. In her younger years, she loved to go for walks and never ever needed a leash. When a car would approach, we would say, “Molly, get up on the grass” and she did. Our back lawn adjoins a school yard that has a one-half mile asphalt walking trail. People from the town come there to exercise without the worry of passing cars getting too close, plus they know how far they have walked. Molly would lie out in the backyard and either socialize with the walkers or make the circle a couple of times with them and come back home.

She was kind and well trained. However, she had one trait that could not be broken—when anyone left, she barked passionately for them to come back. For fun, she herded squirrels in the back yard by running figure eights around them. They laughed; but Molly was a herding dog to her very core. And, for her, losing even one of her charges was most disturbing.

I find that in many ways, I am a lot like Molly. I am sociable; I am kind; I am well trained (sort of); and I don’t like to lose even one of those in my world. As I prepare to go to the funeral home to honor a good friend who left, I want to shout or cry passionately for her to come back. But I wouldn’t do that, even if I could. I am certain she is in a far happier place than planet earth. However, as Molly never got over that instinct of wanting people to stay close to her, so I, too, do not let go easily.

Letting go is a difficult concept to accept, but one each of us has to learn. Letting go is not, however, forgetting the good times. The more we feel an absence, the more of our hearts they held.

Still, I wish I weren’t so much like Molly.

Martin and Richard and . . .

Some days I sit down to write, thinking about life and the things I see around me. Often, my blogging is a result of feelings that are stirring inside. Occasionally, I write from a vague sense of joy or sadness or worry or gratitude. In all these, I seek to maintain an attitude of praise to God Almighty (not because my feelings aren’t real, but because I know Him and He is worthy).

More times than not, I fail to understand God’s hand or His plan and silently ask, “Why?” And yet, when there is no apparent answer, I reaffirm my decision to trust Him. I am committed to believing that He said and meant Matthew 28:20 “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” even when I can’t see Him.

I remind myself of that today, as early this morning another close friend moved to her new home in heaven. The news of her unexpected hospitalization yesterday came as a shock. A day or so earlier, she appeared in perfect health, smiling and helping those around her. Then early this morning, even more unexpectedly, came word of her death. Those who knew her are left in disbelief at the terrible news.

Oh, our sadness is not for her as she loved the Lord and had lived a good life right up until the day she left. She has a darling husband that was literally her other half; we always thought of them as one. They had two children and three grandbabies they loved dearly.

She had been a high school business teacher (like me) for many years until her retirement not too long ago; and when I had substituted at her school some years back, she was the one who befriended me. She touched a lot of lives, young and not-so-young. Greatly respected as a bright, energetic, and giving person, she was active in our church, in the Good News Sunday School Class, in our social sorority, in quilting, and many other activities, I'm sure.

There are many of us who today want to shout at heaven, arguing that we still need her here.

The Good News Class has lost so much in the last couple of years. So much strength, so much talent, so much love has been lost. Yet, we were blessed to have enjoyed our years with those who have graduated to the next level of serving God, and certainly God has not left us but gives us His strength, His abilities, and His love.

We so much miss Martin and Richard. Today, I have to add Joyce’s name to the list. Today I miss Joyce. I loved her!

I am reminded of a song written by Dick Holler in 1968 about the deaths of well-known persons. I took the liberty of changing the words a bit.

♫ “Anybody here seen my good friend Joyce?
Can you tell me where she's gone?
I thought I saw her walkin' up over the hill,
With Martin, and Richard, and God.” ♫

Holy and True

We finally made it to Revelation 3, to the church in Philadelphia.

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true…”
We have an entire bible that indeed declares He is holy and true. That’s just the opposite of what we often find in the world around us today—unholy and untrue. Yet, we sometimes choose to focus on the latter.

As a little girl growing up in a tiny town in the Midwest, I went to the only church in town. It wasn’t that we were doctrinally closed, but rather in a village of 80 or so people (with half of them being kids), there was only one church there. There was a church of different denomination a couple of miles away in a nearby town and a few others here and there out in the rural areas, and we kids went to all of them occasionally.

Still, as that little girl, I believed that the people around me were genuinely seeking to be holy and true, whatever that meant in my young mind. I believed that everyone was doing their best to be good, honest, hard-working people that cared about God and one another. That was life in rural America in the 50’s as I saw it. It appeared to me that everyone in town went to church on Sunday morning (well, except for one man where I delivered newspapers).

I can’t guarantee you that their hearts were totally sold out to Jesus Christ, but I do believe that they were walking in the light that they had. Their lives reflected it. Little kids have radar about adults; they are wrong sometimes, but usually they are drawn to adults who exhibit godliness. Children must have loved being close to Jesus, as He instructed adults to let them come to Him.

What are the children seeing around them today? Has TV skewed their view of what life should be? Who are the role models? Will they remember most adults as people seeking to be “holy and true”? My guess is not.

It feels like the dark is getting darker; and I pray that the light reflected in God’s people is getting brighter like Proverbs 4:18. “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.”

May the one who is “holy and true” find us seeking to follow His lead; may we model for those following us lives that encourage them to want to know Him. As Chris Tomlin sings:

“Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory.”

Generational Differences

The following is an article I wrote for a newsletter to parents in our program.

The older I get, the more circumspect I become, like noticing the difference between a young, just-starting-out farmer and one who has had many years of experience in growing crops. The young one is wide-eyed, very optimistic, and self-confident. These are good and admirable qualities.

The older one’s eyes may be a bit dimmer, deep wrinkles on his forehead reflect years watching for desperately needed rains, and the strong assurance of his expertise in agriculture is tempered with the understanding that no one by his own devices can make a plant grow. The older farmer has garnered wisdom in his years of experience; and while he is optimistic as he plants, he is reluctant to sell his grain before the harvest, even when like this year the price is so tempting. These qualities, too, are good and admirable.

An interesting situation arises, however, when these two join together in business. Although both have admirable qualities and both equally desire to have success, they may well have far different views in reaching that success. They see their world of agriculture from far different vantage points.

The young one may be confident that the best path is through the latest, biggest, shiniest equipment in order to get fields planted quickly and the grain harvested speedily and easily in the comfort of air-conditioned luxury. The older one may just as strongly believe that working longer hours for extra days with the current equipment provides a safer cushion for questionable conditions of inclement weather or pest infestation. The result: conflict, strife, discord.

I said all that to paint you a picture of the understandable generational differences between parents and teenagers. Often teens are wide-eyed, optimistic, and self-confident, almost to a fault. It is difficult, if not impossible, for them to know what they do not know. They may look at their parents’ generation as too old-fashioned, too cautious, too demanding, too uptight, and, if the truth be told, too dumb.

At the same time, parents, who’ve weathered some storms of life, may perceive this youthful, lackadaisical view as too reckless, too lazy, or too imprudent. Then, “When I was your age…” may become the opening line of many conversations, which, if I were to guess, never bring the hoped-for results.

I wish so much that I had the answer for both sides. I would write a best-selling book and be on Dr. Phil. Still, as a member of the generation prior to the parent generation, I will seek to be a “mediator.” I have been watching a new series on USA network about a mediator where this gorgeous young woman works for “win-win” solutions for everyone. I would love that ability. I think I’ll try.

Here goes. Parents, you are the adults and as such must take the lead in responsible behavior and respectful conversations. If you want your kids to follow rules, you must model it even if it means driving slower and not walking on the grass. Realize that teens are not growing up in the same world you did—they live in a technological world. They don’t need you to be their friend until they’re older; they need you to be caring, yet in authority. They need you to love them but still be in charge. Major on major principles, not on minor, nitpicky ones. Nurture and encourage their journey into independence as they develop and demonstrate accountability.

Kids, always, always, always remember the Golden Rule—the one with the gold makes the rules. The time will come when your responsibility and ability to pay your own way will equal your desire for autonomy and independence. Even then, demonstrating a grateful attitude toward all those who have helped you in life will go a long way in exhibiting maturity. This will be true at home and on the job, too. It is very important to remember: Attitude (is greater than) aptitude.

If both sides will try this, I’m thinking “WIN-WIN”

♫“You who are on the road
Must have a code
that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past
is just a good bye.

Teach your children well,
Their father's hell
did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked,
the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why,
if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh
and know they love you.

And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears
that your elders grew by,
And so please help
them with your youth,
They seek the truth
before they can die.

Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell
will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked,
the one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why,
if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh
and know they love you.” ♫
Crosby, Sills, Nash, and Young
Written by Graham Nash