180 degrees.

REPENT - to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; to turn around and move in the oppisite direction.

Reverse [HQ]

The heavens declare...

Went into the office this morning; still dark. Stepped out to retireve something from my truck; so focused I almost missed a truly beautiful sunrise...so breathtaking it startled me. World is a chaos...I was reminded in this quiet moment that God is still in control.

March 15, 2011

In retrospect...

I'll be 58 on March 14.  I don't consider myself to be a "senior citizen" but I'm guessing some younger folks are thinkin' that way about me...in much the same way I thought about "50 Something's" back in 1978.  While I don't "see" myself that way now, truth is, I can certainly see "that place" from here.

Life is so much shorter than I ever imagned it would be, and so much more than I ever dreamed it could be.  My cup isn't half-full, it overflows..

• In High School a guy named Mark Zier walked into my life and lovingly led me to a life-changing decesion to trust Christ; then he introduced me to a girl who eventually became my for-life companion.
• I have been blessed by that girl, Laura Cherrie, who became my wife (we were both 19), help-mate, mother of and for our children, my best friend and companion, for 38 years and counting!
• Neither of my parents were college grads and when the time came for me to enroll, my father died; there was no money for higher education.  God provided, first at Duke were I received my BA and then at Talbot Seminary where I earned an M.Div. all without student loans.
• God blessed us with two children.  Erin and Jospeh have made me so proud because of the people they have become; honest, engageing, generous, interesting good-hearted young adults...and two of my closest friends.
• We have two grandsons.  Braden and Kellen make us laugh, give us hope for the future, love us in a special way unique to our role in their lives...and enjoy hanging-out with us.
• I have enjoyed two modestly successful careers centered around helping people; for 25 years as their Pastor and, now, for the last 10, as guy that takes the "scarey" out of risk as their State Farm Agent.
• Over the years I've witnessed lives change in long-term and very profound ways; I have played a part in that process as a tool in the Master's Hand; what a privilege those moments of been.
• While I have experienced disappointment and betrayal in and from friends, my life has been rich beyond measure because of folks who've come alongside and embraced me (changed me) with their friendship.
• I have traveled with people through the most difficult intersections of their lives, prayed with them and waited; then watched God do what only He can do..."exceeding, abundantly beyond anything we could ask or imagine."
• Laura has loved me and patiently waited for me to become the man she needed and so richly deserves.
• The roles (the work of my hands) I have chosen to invest my energy in, have been challenging and rewarding.  Not once have I felt trapped in doing what has been my life's work.  It's been and continues to be too much fun.
• My girlfriend's dad, (my future father-in-law) stepped into my life as the man I needed when at age 17, my father died--he continues to be a rock for me.
• Mentors have invested their lives in me.  They've taught me, listened to me, cried with me and believed in me. 
• Life has softened me.  Tenderness comes easy today.

I enjoy a rich tapestry of memories, some good and not.  These memories confirm what most people eventually come to realize: there are a few regrets, there are scores upon scores of very special people and wonderful events, whose images remain clear to the smallest detail.  I smile me each time I think about these people and replay those special moments.  There has been failure, good fortune and difficulty; pain, lost dreams, heartbreak and victory.  But through it all runs a story, my story, of God's grace transforming me, using me, teaching me and most amazingly, loving me with an everlasting love.

When I die, I pray my legacy will be people I've touched saying, "I love Jesus more."

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Today.

Today empty nest, too quiet.
Today strength remains, ravaged by age.
Today confidence, morphs to doubt.
Today weakness, a familiar face.
Today profile weathered with time, hair a pensive memory

Today independence is community.
Today knowledge is wisdom.
Today love is tenderness.
Today time is precious.

Today HELP stopped being a four-letter word.

We hold these truths...

Super Bowl pre-game reminded us again; America is unique.  It's amazing what people can do when given the freedom to succeed AND to fail.  

This game has become a metaphor...

Back in July, each team started at the same place, 0-0, as every other franchise in the NFL.  Now, 106 young men, two teams remain standing; black, white, brown...not all born equally, privleged start and not.  All shapes, sizes...some more talented than others.  All making the most of what they've been given, working hard and sacrificing for a dream.  Working together to create synergy.  All competing on a level playing field, and yet, a few with a clear advantage over others, not all endowed equally--size, strength, speed?

That said, each strives to overcome, to elevate their game and maximize their opportunity, against all odds. The underdog can prevail, because "heart" can't be measured.  Mistakes will be made, injuries will occur that force a change to the gameplan and the unexpected will be the norm.  Bad calls?  No doubt; someone is going to feel like it wasn't fair.  Most will perform up to standard, a few will be disappointed--and not play well at all.  The ball will be dropped and it will take some bad bounces.  But there won't be any do-overs.  One performance will be judged most outstanding of all...and propel that player to a new level of achievement and noteriety.

At the end of the day, some will win, others will lose.  And tomorrow morning?  Each will crawl out of bed, and begin again, in an attempt to make the ascent to the top of their profession; each sore, tired, some beaten...all driven by conviction; it's a new day, it's a new opportunity; "I believe 'it' can happen...if I work hard, stay focused and apply myself."  This hope compels them to bear down, start over and try again.  They will take what they learned (the good, the bad and the ugly), winners and losers, and use that as leverage to get better; and they will.

I believe this is why this night, this event, is more celebrated, anticipated and watched than any other event on the calendar in America.  It represents our hopes and dreams, our core values as a nation, at so many levels.  We watch these young men compete and we are reminded, dreams come true here; hard work pays here, the hope of success far outweighs the risk of failure.  Bottom line: "It" can happen, it does happen.  If it doesn't?   "Loss" isn't the end of the world, it's the begining of a new cycle.

Everyone has to play by the rules, but the rules aren't designed to produce pre-determined outcomes.  So, many compete; some win, some lose...some never win or lose, because they never try, that's ok too.  America is a place where dreaming is a part of our culture, where we set the bar; where people can "do better" and to no one's surprise, we do.  

America, we hold these truths...

  

Where can I run?

Can swift water outrun its flow,
Can darkness swallow the sun?

Where can I run…
His lovingkindness not transform?
His watchcare not attend?
His provision not sustain?
His strength not carry?

Can swift water outrun its flow,
Can darkness swallow the sun?

It could be worse.

It's cold outside, but that's okay, summer's comin'.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy a hot cup of good coffee, the NFC/AFC Champs, Super Bowl, Daytona 500, Down Hill Raceing, March Madness, Opening Day, Spring, and not having to mow the lawn.

Winter just helps me catch my breath.

Carpe Diem

Today a gift; time, breath, life.  Now what?

Today horzion indigo-blue dawn.

Today sweet slumber, my retreat.

Today moments with God, my hope.

Today wished away?

Today sundance East.

Today love's gentle touch, my confidence. 

Today grandson smiles, my delight.

Today mine to squander, make great?

Today sun blazes zenith, Noon.

Today disapointment, my challenge.

Today sweet fragance, my respite.

Today spent, invested?

Today  moon reflects suns glory, sublime beauty.

Today kind word, my comfort.

Today quiet reflection, my strength.

Today, something of significance to last?

Today, here, gone.

Today, all I have, all I need.

Today, I will rejoice and be glad.

Paradise found

Summer.
Deck brittle with age, surrounded by color, a wall.
Satin petals: Red, Pink, Ivory, Maize.
Thorns a reminder: look, don't touch.

Water droplets perfectly formed, wait to escape.
Bees busy, a harvest of nectar.
Woman sits, watches, filled with joy at the sight.

She labors with tender care.
Scarred by thorns, undaunted.
She plants, she feeds, she waters.

The full bloom of her effort,
a feast for the eyes
Delicious to smell.

Autum.
Sun's path plunges
colors blaze then fade.
Not an end; pause, to rest.

Winter.
In time she prepares for the deep white sleep of winter.
Well covered. Glory there still, but not.
They wait.

Spring.
She prepares the soil, a feast.
They awake from slumber, race to come out.
Canes the channel of life, carry lovely crowns through voyage to summer.

Summer.
In full bloom they linger.
Celebrated, loved; a reminder,
In the begining God...

Well done.

Sincerely appreciated the comments of our president this evening.  He led the way in calling us to a long-lost and desperately needed civility.  He reminded us that we are in this together, not Republicans v. Democarts, but Americans.  He refused to demagouge the moment; he put the country on his shoulders and carried us to a higher place.  Thank you Mr. President, may God bless your best efforts and may God bless America.