December 31st, 2008
In this ‘season of calm weather,’ when the past has receded so far that he can behold it as in a picture, and his share in it as the history of a man who had lived and would soon die; when he can confess his faults without the bitterness of shame, both because he is humble, and because the faults themselves have dropped from him; when his good deeds look poverty-stricken in his eyes, and he would no more claim consideration for them than expect knighthood because he is no thief; when he cares little for his reputation, but much for his character — little for what has gone beyond his control, but endlessly much for what yet remains in his will to determine; then I think, a man may do well to write his own life.
George MacDonald, from Wilfrid Cumbermede
How many of us ever take the time to reflect on our lives and give serious thought as to its purpose? Even those who are regular churchgoers confirm to themselves each Sunday that they are to “do God’s work,” only to slip back into the same routine throughout the week — eat, sleep, go to the job, pay the bills, raise the kids, do the laundry, mow the grass and fill the voids with some form of entertainment (TV, movies, sports, etc.).
You might be surprised to find that doing those very things is God’s work.
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December 29th, 2008
Vain would be the fancy to persuade a man to forget himself. He cannot if he would. Sooner will he forget the presence of a raging tooth. There is no forgetting of ourselves but in the finding of our deeper, our true self — God’s idea of us when he devised us — the Christ in us. Nothing but that self can displace the false, greedy, whining self, of which, most of us are so fond and proud. And that self no man can find for himself, seeing of himself he does not even know what to search for.
George MacDonald
The psalmist writes that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” We are certainly unique in our appearance, DNA and fingerprints. We are also unique in how we regard ourselves. Our life is that precarious balance of who we are and who we want to be. We learn from our mistakes — or not. We try to fit in with others by following fashion trends, eating similar foods, enjoying popular entertainment and emulating the characteristics of those we look up to.
All of this is a cat-and-mouse game with self. Self can be puffed up or brought low. We preen our self esteem to build our confidence and find acceptance. Visual and audio materials urge us toward self improvement, bettering ourselves with our own efforts and initiative. We develop self awareness, focusing on our individuality, to include our strengths and weaknesses.
You begin to see yourself in relation to other selves, seeking to find out what makes you YOU.
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December 21st, 2008
I’m using my imagination here. So if you expect me to prove my points with scriptural references or quotes from respected Bible scholars, you will be disappointed. If, however, you will join me in speculating on what might happen after death, you may be surprised how much God will use your own imagination as you focus on his love and your sanctification.
Rather than asking what happens after death, what if we considered what should happen after death. I know, we must be careful not to act like little gods. One ground rule should be that we are ever conscious of the fact that God is always present; therefore, we are imagining how He would orchestrate this journey that we’re on, especially that portion of the journey following our last breath in this mortal existence.
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December 21st, 2008
I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly — my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
Life is what happens between the bookends of birth and death. Infants constantly seek attention because they are limited in ways in which to communicate their needs; they are also absorbed in the concept of focusing — on anything.
We regard the activities of children as “playing”, when they are actually mimicking life. Everything they say or do stems from their years of observation. This gives serious consideration as to how we should behave in front of them.
The elderly spend a great amount of time reflecting on their past. They will either dwell on it, with many regrets, or smile over it, with fond memories. They also tend to give more attention to the possibility of an afterlife.
What we all seem to have difficulty with is focusing on the present. We brood over the past, due to our own mistakes, or hang onto feelings of how we were misunderstood or mistreated.
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December 21st, 2008
When I arrived at a local business the other day, I greeted a friend of mine who works there with “Happy Holidays!” Another employee walking up, having heard me, looked straight at my friend and said, “That’s just a fancy way of saying, ‘Merry Christmas.’” I was in a hurry, so I didn’t engage in what could have been an interesting conversation. But I felt that I had been gently rebuked by someone who probably thought that I wasn’t a Christian.
While I’m not certain of the underlying reason for his response, I’m well aware of the Christian Christmas politicking that we’ve come to expect this time of the year. Down with Santa. Up with the Baby Jesus. Be openly offended by Merry Xmas, because the decadent commercialists have purposely taken Christ out of Christmas (even though there seem to be plenty of presents under that tree). Like the sudden increase in police patrols seeking holiday drunks, churchgoers also beef up their yuletide protocol patrols.
How do I know this is happening? Just count the number of coroplast yard signs that shout We Still Say Merry Christmas.
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December 17th, 2008
We are at the end of Autumn in our region, a season of beauty that too quickly fades into the chilly deadness of winter. Each season has its highlights of splendor, but Autumn has a special attraction in that it displays a final burst of glory preceding a long sleep, only to awaken into the new morning of spring.
I am blessed to live in a mountainous area with so many varieties of trees, each having a leaf that turns a unique, brilliant color that blends so well with that of its neighbor. Before this seasonal show begins, the hills and mountains are carpeted with various shades of green, looking luxurious against the blue sky.
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December 16th, 2008
Most people would agree that we seem to be on a journey in this life. The old gospel song, Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad, gives the image of our trip “from the cradle to the grave.” Being conscious of the concept of time, we see the world around us changing, ourselves and our families aging, and have encountered numerous births and funerals over our lifetime. We who are seniors look back and wonder where the time went, wishing, at times, for some do-overs.
In various religious circles a perfecting process is recognized. Through our encounter with God we see where we have failed and where we need to improve. Some often can see a clear progression in themselves and others. But we also can see those who seem to be moving backwards; their bodies are aging, but their minds are deteriorating, as evidenced by their behavior. What should be obvious, however, is that a great many exit this life as “unfinished business.”
I believe that we were all created by God, and that there is no one accurate, true religion.
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December 15th, 2008
If I should be quite honest here, I must put forth my reasons
For viewing money and it’s woes, it surely has it’s seasons
To buy or sell
I cannot tell
Denying would be treason
I know what having much feels like, I was an only child
Extra gifts, and food, and snacks — my life was far from mild
My Mom, my Dad
Gave all they had
My world they had defiled
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December 14th, 2008
Have you ever considered the absolute necessity of questions? We ask for many reasons — to get instructions, to get clarification on a statement, to make conversation, to conduct an interview, to expose a lie and get at the truth, to confirm intentions — and much more.
Some people don’t ask questions because they think that they will be regarded as stupid, that they should already know the answer. Others will often not ask, if they consider it to be prying or none of their business. Questions are not only a great source of information-gathering, but are required to start a conversation, or to keep it going.
To be sure there are times when silence is golden, when presence is more powerful than words, but asking questions is our way of showing that we care, that we are taking an active role in relating to those around us.
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December 11th, 2008
[The following is an excerpt from a novel by Scottish author George MacDonald, regarding the nature of one of his characters.]
In his inmost being he knew the mission of man is to help his neighbors. But in as much as he was ready to help, he recoiled from meddling. To meddle is to destroy the holy chance. Meddlesomeness is the very opposite of helpfulness, for it consists of forcing yourself into another self, instead of opening yourself as a refuge to the other. They are opposite extremes, and, like all extremes, touch.
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