Have you ever watched "Extreme Home Makeover"? Basically, a family who has suffered some kind of calamity and shown extreme courage throughout it is chosen each week. A team of builders and friends come together and build their dream house. The designers take time to know each person and create rooms - especially the bedrooms - to what they think they would be best for each person. Last night, an Iraq war veteran who lost his leg and has come home to care for his four children was featured. The cameras pick up each one as they enter the bedrooms designed expressly for each family member. The look of wonder, speechlessness, surprise, feeling of being honored and just their trying to comprehend that this is now their own room is seen on each of their faces.
John 14:2-3
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Imagine it. At the end of our courageous, winning struggle to live trusting God here on earth, we are shown the rooms He has prepared for us. I would think that He has designed them exactly with what He knows would be extra special for us. Can you see our faces? The wonder, the awe, the feeling that we are so loved, the anticipation that this is where we will spend eternity! Can you hear all the people in heaven, the cloud of witnesses, cheering us on?
And yet, that room in the heavenly mansion, will be miniscule in light of the fact that we will see God face to face. That we will live with Him, in His presence, forever. I have no words for that moment.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Apologies and Forgiveness
The big news in Detroit right now is the "Sex, Lies and Text Messaging" scandal of the city's mayor. Basically he denied he had an affair with his Chief of Staff during a lawsuit brought against him by two police officers whom he fired because they tried to investigate his use of the security force to hide his affair. Now they have uncovered records of his text messages to his Chief of Staff which prove that there was an affair going on. He lost the lawsuit, costing the already desperate city of Detroit $9 million dollars. The mayor broke his week of silence last night with an emotional speech with his wife, apologizing for the pain he caused his family and the people of Detroit. Of course, he couldn't specify the details, because doing that would be an admission of guilt which would end him in jail. He insisted that he will change and he is refusing to resign as mayor.
This has made me reflect on what is apologizing and asking for forgiveness. What is an apology and what is needed for forgiveness to happen? Very simply, the only thing that is the right thing to do, is to say "Yes I did it. I resign. I will now pay the consequences." That is when there can be true change. I believe, then, the people wronged can give forgiveness. It so goes against our human nature. It involves humility. It means that there will be pain. It means there might be rejection and ostracism. It means a total change in one's life. It takes great courage to follow this route. And, in the long run, that person will gain back the respect and others will remember them for that courage.
This has been a bit of a lesson for me. Though I have not committed any "big" sins, I am guilty of trying to put the blame for my mistakes on some other reason than my error or make excuses that it wasn't possible to do the right thing. I have been learning to claim responsibility. To without explanation, say "Yes. I did it and I apologize." It is not always easy and yes, I face the consequences. But in the end, I believe I am a stronger person for it. And after I do it a few times, it becomes easier and feels more the right thing to do.
This has made me reflect on what is apologizing and asking for forgiveness. What is an apology and what is needed for forgiveness to happen? Very simply, the only thing that is the right thing to do, is to say "Yes I did it. I resign. I will now pay the consequences." That is when there can be true change. I believe, then, the people wronged can give forgiveness. It so goes against our human nature. It involves humility. It means that there will be pain. It means there might be rejection and ostracism. It means a total change in one's life. It takes great courage to follow this route. And, in the long run, that person will gain back the respect and others will remember them for that courage.
This has been a bit of a lesson for me. Though I have not committed any "big" sins, I am guilty of trying to put the blame for my mistakes on some other reason than my error or make excuses that it wasn't possible to do the right thing. I have been learning to claim responsibility. To without explanation, say "Yes. I did it and I apologize." It is not always easy and yes, I face the consequences. But in the end, I believe I am a stronger person for it. And after I do it a few times, it becomes easier and feels more the right thing to do.
Monday, January 21, 2008
A story of survival in North America
Recently, I had the privilege to travel to the south coast of Texas, drawn by the promised sighting of the tallest and one of the rarest bird in North America. There I met and learned about an amazing story of God's creativity and one of survival. The bird of interest is the WHOOPING CRANE.
The young cranes have the cinnamon colored heads. The above family actually consisted of the parents and twins.
In 1941, there were only 21 whooping cranes in the world. As of April 2007, there were about 340 whooping cranes living in the wild mostly due to aggressive conservation efforts. The whooping cranes breed in Alberta in the summers and migrate to the gulf coast of Texas in the winters. They feed mostly on blue crabs which are found in marshes where there is the perfect concentration of fresh water meeting with the salt water of the ocean.
Some cool facts:
- the average whooping crane lives 24 yrs.
- they mate for life and stay together unless they fail to conceive, a divorce may occur!
- they are very territorial in their living areas - parents and the current year's chicks stay together in the same area.
- the young whooping cranes will reside in the area adjacent to their parents when they leave them.
- they never migrate in large flocks - only by families - thought to be their own inborn sense of preservation.
- the scientists don't band them, but record their whooping sounds to identify the birds as each has a different sound.
I don't know why, but I just marvel at God's creation of the whooping crane - its uniqueness compared to other birds. I am impressed by its efforts to survive and despite perhaps needing help from humans, the species have kept on. I am impressed that they stay together for life. And they are beautiful birds!
The young cranes have the cinnamon colored heads. The above family actually consisted of the parents and twins.
Don't we have an awesome creative God?
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Faces for Reflection
Here is a poem that I just wrote as I have encountered the US military in the last week.
Faces
The loose wrinkled skin of the World War II vet
Each line betraying the years
The remnants of a handsome chiseled face lurking below
He commands great dignity and respect.
The scraggly big beard of the Vietnam War vet
Greasy looking hair pulled back by a bandanna
Deep creases showing an age older than reality
He has learned to survive.
The smoothly shaven skin of the young soldier
Hair buzzed short and neat
Each feature remarkably clear
He is eager to fight and full of pride.
Each face brings the question:
What is his story hidden behind?
Each face brings the question:
What has been his sacrifice?
Each face brings the question:
Was it worth it - to fight for peace?
Each face, with its story and sacrifice
Demands one to reflect.
- LM, January 2008-
Faces
The loose wrinkled skin of the World War II vet
Each line betraying the years
The remnants of a handsome chiseled face lurking below
He commands great dignity and respect.
The scraggly big beard of the Vietnam War vet
Greasy looking hair pulled back by a bandanna
Deep creases showing an age older than reality
He has learned to survive.
The smoothly shaven skin of the young soldier
Hair buzzed short and neat
Each feature remarkably clear
He is eager to fight and full of pride.
Each face brings the question:
What is his story hidden behind?
Each face brings the question:
What has been his sacrifice?
Each face brings the question:
Was it worth it - to fight for peace?
Each face, with its story and sacrifice
Demands one to reflect.
- LM, January 2008-
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
To Honor Him
"Our finest gifts to bring.... so to honor Him....I am a poor boy too.... I played my best for Him."
The words from the Christmas song "The Little Drummer Boy" have had a lot of significance for me this Christmas season. I have heard many versions over the years but it was listening to Josh Groban's version this year which made these words really stand out. Most versions start quietly as we catch a glimpse of the drummer boy coming before the baby Jesus with nothing to "offer the newborn king." The music begins to build in volume as he realizes he can play his drum and asks Mary if he can play for Him. And as Mary nods, the music climaxes as the spotlight focuses on the boy playing his drum and baby Jesus smiling at him. A gift well received.
Josh Groban's version is perhaps a unique interpretation and thus gives a different perspective. (Or maybe it's just where I am at this year.) He begins quietly but the music begins to swell as the drummer boy realizes he has the gift of his drum playing to give. Voices echo "to honor Him" several times. Then the music goes back to the quiet tones as he plays for the baby Jesus. And while one may think the emphasis is in the wrong place, I beg to differ.
When I was in grade school, for several Christmas assemblies, we were shown the cartoon version of this song. It is the story of a little drummer boy whose family was killed by robbers and he managed to run away with his pet lamb and drum. The three kings found him on their way following the star and took him with them. He was going to give the baby his pet lamb. As they reached Bethlehem, the Roman soldiers rushed through the street and the lamb was trampled under the feet of their horses. The drummer boy was devastated because now he had no gift. Yet still he came to baby Jesus and played his drum which ended up to be a great gift. Even some 35 years later, I still see these images clearly when I hear the song played.
So this year, thanks to Josh Groban, I am struck by the fact that while I may not have any "fine gifts" to bring - whatever I may think they have to be - the most important thing is that what I do bring, will be an honor to Him. And perhaps the greatest gift which honors Him is to be who I am, who He created me to be, who He has made me now. So I just have to be, to play the instrument of my life, and I will honor Him. And He smiles at me. The gift well received.
The words from the Christmas song "The Little Drummer Boy" have had a lot of significance for me this Christmas season. I have heard many versions over the years but it was listening to Josh Groban's version this year which made these words really stand out. Most versions start quietly as we catch a glimpse of the drummer boy coming before the baby Jesus with nothing to "offer the newborn king." The music begins to build in volume as he realizes he can play his drum and asks Mary if he can play for Him. And as Mary nods, the music climaxes as the spotlight focuses on the boy playing his drum and baby Jesus smiling at him. A gift well received.
Josh Groban's version is perhaps a unique interpretation and thus gives a different perspective. (Or maybe it's just where I am at this year.) He begins quietly but the music begins to swell as the drummer boy realizes he has the gift of his drum playing to give. Voices echo "to honor Him" several times. Then the music goes back to the quiet tones as he plays for the baby Jesus. And while one may think the emphasis is in the wrong place, I beg to differ.
When I was in grade school, for several Christmas assemblies, we were shown the cartoon version of this song. It is the story of a little drummer boy whose family was killed by robbers and he managed to run away with his pet lamb and drum. The three kings found him on their way following the star and took him with them. He was going to give the baby his pet lamb. As they reached Bethlehem, the Roman soldiers rushed through the street and the lamb was trampled under the feet of their horses. The drummer boy was devastated because now he had no gift. Yet still he came to baby Jesus and played his drum which ended up to be a great gift. Even some 35 years later, I still see these images clearly when I hear the song played.
So this year, thanks to Josh Groban, I am struck by the fact that while I may not have any "fine gifts" to bring - whatever I may think they have to be - the most important thing is that what I do bring, will be an honor to Him. And perhaps the greatest gift which honors Him is to be who I am, who He created me to be, who He has made me now. So I just have to be, to play the instrument of my life, and I will honor Him. And He smiles at me. The gift well received.
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