Truth is...

Truth is to living what physics is to life.

We can't "see, smell or hear" the laws of physics, but without them, nothing works; that which we do see, smell and hear is the result of these laws being applied with purpose or spontaneously.

In the same way truth is the rail living rides on. Ethics, the rule of law, cultural norms, relationships, parenting, good government, freedom--to name but a few aspects of living--all work based on a set of core values, derived from the common grace of God, who wired humankind with an intrinsic sense of what truth is and an understanding of what's "right."

Truth, like physics, does not function in a deterministic way. I can ingore Newton's Law of Gravity and embrace a belief that I can float, then step of top of a tall building. Newton's Law does not override my choice. But my choice to embrace and believe I can float will not prevent a very bad outcome.

I can believe that truth is relative, subject to change, given to multiple definitions or simply an outdated cultural moray. People, and cultures, can choose to ignore the truth, or worse, be deceived and believe a lie--at great peril. The result/reality of these choices is sobering. Living spirals out of control. Chaos trumps the rule of law, justice becomes a myth, bondage becomes the norm and brokeness the face of a nation.

Life does not work without physics.  Living does not work without truth.   

My cyber "paper trail..."

Someone asked me recently "why do you blog?"  Nobody reads it, what's the point? It's not the "reading" that's the magic.  For now...it's the writing; great therapy, keeps me engaged, demands rigorous thought and teaches me a great deal as I work through the process.

For later...I'm leaving a cyber "paper trail" that my friends, family...especially my kids and grandkids...can log onto and "hear" me, remember me; who I was, what my passions in life were, how I thought and what I valued.  I pray it just might make a difference in their lives someday...can you spell l-e-g-a-c-y?

Grateful to live in an era that has empowered me "go on the record" and leave something of what makes me unique behind.

History turns on small hinges...

President Barack Obama.
Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Governor Mitt Romney. 
 

All men with a record that they must run on.  

This we know from history: it turns on very small hinges.  That said, the view you take about "history" will have a profound impact on the results of the next Presidential election.  Will that view be...

"If the past sits in judgement of the present, the future is lost." 

So said Sir Winston Churchill.

Or...

"The past is prologue..." 

So said William Shakespeare.

So... What view will you take?  How will you apply your perspective (your "spin") to the 3 most likely choices we will have, first in the Republican primary, then in the general election in November 2012?  We have eleven months to figure it out, and we need to get it right--cause' there won't be any "do overs."

Indeed, history DOES turn on small hinges.

My Christmas wish list...

The 7 modern sins...

• Wealth without work
• Industry without morality
• Worship without sacrifice
• Politics without principles
• Science without humanity
• Knowledge without character
• Pleasures without conscience

Work, morality, sacrifice, principles, humanity, character and conscience.  This is my Christmas wish list for America in 2011; my prayer for my nation in 2012 and beyond...

"Father create in us a hunger for what is right and just.  Help us to understand...that a love for money, is the root of all evil; that work is an honorable endeavor that shapes our character and gives us meaning and purpose; that industry must in the end produce social justice and opportunity for all; that politics is the business of the people, by the people and for the people and is the most noble and self-sacrificing life call a citizen can pursue; that we celebrate what science discovers in the context of enriching our appreciation for our uniqueness as humankind and creating in us a deeper spiritual hunger; that we seek knowledge as a path to humility; that pleasure be the by-product of good character, honest work and noble intention, and not an end in itself; that we understand that living a values-centered life does by definition require sacrifice...and may all this lead us declare that 'You, are the awesome God.'"

The reason for this season?

An anthem for this season of joy, hope and expectation...

"Chains be broken, lives be healed, eyes be opened...Christ, is revealed." 

The truth is...WE are the reason for the season, sinners in need of a Savior.

A city set on a hill...

December 1, 1862 Abraham Linclon reminded the nation: America is  "the last best hope of the earth."   Though often reviled around the world, I believe that President Lincoln's premise has been demonstrated time after time over the past 149 years...May God contine to bless America; may He empower us to be people of character and good will; with generous hearts, brilliant minds and dynamic vision...for making tHis world a better place.  

A city set on a hill, cannot be hidden.

"...times that try men's souls..."

"These are the times that try men's souls" wrote Thomas Paine in his pamphlet "The American Crisis" published Dec 23, 1776; the Colonies faced the almost certain prospect of defeat in their war for indpendence. Paine implored Americans "don't give up the fight."

As the curtain begins to drop on 2011: our economy is misfiring on 7 cylinders, the world is a more dangerous place than ever before, we face the prospect of a nuclear Iran, an ascendant China...but the fact is that virtually every generation of Americans were forced to face down a crisis...and they survived, thrived and grew strong on the idea of the American Dream.

We must remember to "keep the main thing," the main thing. The "idea of America" has been the fuel driving our resolve to be "one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all;" an idea those who traveled this way before us thought to be worth sacrificing, fighting and dying for. Indifference to this "big idea" is the real, the urgent threat to our liberty.

Resolve to do your part; work hard, make informed decisions, be a person of strong character, celebrate interdependence and respect people who disagree with you--but press them to think outside their "box" and you, think outside yours. Don't give in to fear or indifference--be strong and of good courage. Let's leave a legacy that will inspire a new generation.

We had a "grand" time..

Enjoyed hosting our two grandsons for supper and a "sleep over" Friday. Love those boys! Such joy.

From 1 to 10...it's a 10!

Thankful today for our two kids and their life-mates: Erin & Matthew; Joseph & Miranda... immensely talented people with great character; gripped by passion for life and their life's work, committed to making a difference. Guys...blessed by your friendship, humbled by your love. You have enriched us, thanks so much.

Coach K, best ever...

Just prior to the start of the 2010 NCAA tournament, a radio sports analyst was hating on Duke because, he said, "the dukies are an elitist program; they just have too many white faces."  The analyst just didn't get it; you see, skin color isn't the issue, education and development are.  Duke basketball is an example of what college athletics should be about.  Talented young men (in this case), black and white, who leverage their skills to earn a world class education and prepare for life as an adult.

The real genius of Coach K is that he's managed to "keep the main thing, the main thing."  The results of his unrivaled ability as a coach, mentor, teacher and motivator have enriched the lives of hundreds of players, thousands of students and tens of thousands of fans.  Just what is the main thing?  Helping his players become college graduates and good citizens...and in some cases, professional athletes.  He has built a dynastic program on this foundation.

These days we hear more and more voices decrying the exploitation of student athletes.  These commentators reason that it's time we begin to pay college athletes.  We do that now; we call them FULL scholarships.  Short term, they are worth thousands of dollars.  Long term, hundreds of thousands of dollars and more.  

That said, exploitation is an issue in college sports today. But it's not about financial justice for athletes.  It's about institutions, programs and coaches who build their endowments, reputations and careers on the skills of young athletes and fail to deliver on their commitment to educate and equip their athletes for the long road of life.  There is an exchange that must take place over the careers of student athletes; athletic skills are exchanged for life skills.

It's here that Coach K's genius shines through.  He understands that his mission is much bigger than building winning a program; it's about shaping young men to become husbands, fathers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, bankers, business professionals, social workers, pastors; LEADERS and contributors.  Men who will advance Coach K's legacy by leaving their world's a better place for them having been here.

Coach K has set the bar for his success very high.  The by-product of that standard, the most successful basketball program of this or perhaps any generation.  The measure of that success is not the wins v. loses.  It's lives changed; that, friends, is real genius.