Meandering Thoughts

In our rush to get from one thing to the next, I often simply drive by those folks who are walking around in the downtown area of our city.  No need to stare, as I am sure they get enough grief for looking a bit different than the rest of us.  Their clothes aren’t as clean, their smell not as fresh, and simply the fact that they spend most of their day on a bench near the courthouse seems to set them apart of us.  We tend to put these people in another category and dismiss much thought.  Yet, today as I drove by I wondered if this is what this little boy or little girl dreamed of being when they were young?  What were their dreams?  Did they long to be a teacher and life dealt them a series of misfortunate events and now they teach the birds during the day, and talk to whoever will talk with them?  What about those who are parents?  Are they someone’s’ daddy or mommy and simply are unable to care for that child?  Do they wonder and long for their child?  Most convicting, though, is the fact that this person who I easily dismiss is loved by God, created by God for a purpose and is loved by his creator as much as I am.  Who am I, then, to dismiss that person?  Who am I to think I am better in any way?  Sure, there are circumstances and choices and consequences, but none of that excludes anyone from being loved, respected, and simply being treated as a fellow human being, created by a Creator and loved by a Creator.

 

Kabul 24

Kabul 24, a book by Henry Arnold and Ben Pearson, was an intense look at the days of captivity in 2001 of the 8 hostages from Shelter International (SNI) in Afghanistan. The team of 8 was working in Afghanistan on a humanitarian effort, not proselytizing unless someone asked why they believed in Jesus. It was encouraged to speak of religious things in Afghan society, so they were not seen as odd when they spoke of Jesus. As the tensions boiled toward 9-11-01, however, the Taliban began to see the SNI as a threat and captured the 8 workers, putting them in prison and interrogating them to confess to forcing the Muslims to convert to Christianity. After 9-11-01, there seemed to be very little hope for the workers in captivity, as Americans were taken out of Afghanistan and the threat of war with the US was imminent.

Throughout their time of captivity, the 8 continually look to God for their strength, for only He at times was their hope. This book documents time after time the perfect timing of God, and the ultimate truth that our only hope is in God. It also gives an inside look into the Afghan society before and after the Taliban were in power. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking to see beyond the headlines of this story and to see how powerful our God is even when it seems there is no hope left.

The Call

Each time my ipod sings me this song, I am always struck by the words. Such meaning. Such depth. You can take the words at face value, or take them deeper into the inner thoughts and struggles of life. We were all created with a purpose....what started as a feeling, grew into a hope, turned into a quiet thought, turned into a quiet word and continued to grow louder until it became your battle cry?

Songwriters: Spektor, Regina

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before

All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye

Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye

"His Name Is Jesus" by Max Lucado - A review

I recently read Max Lucado’s book “His Name is Jesus.” Bound in a hard cover, and presented in a beautiful case, this book appeals to the reader from first glance. Once the pages are opened, the reader begins to discover a well- written account of the life of Jesus. Lucado presents the New Testament life of Jesus through simple, yet profound language, as well as beautiful graphics that further illustrate the powerful words. For someone reading the life and story of Jesus for the first time, or for someone who has been reading Scripture for years, Lucado writes “His Name is Jesus” in such a way that gives you a fresh insight into the words of Christ.

Sprinkled throughout the book are also powerful thoughts by Lucado that cause the reader to pause and truly reflect on what the Scripture said. For example, Lucado writes, “The world has never known a heart so pure, a character so flawless. His spiritual hearing was so keen He never missed a heavenly whisper. His mercy so abundant He never missed a chance to forgive. No lie left his lips, no distraction marred His vision. He touched when others recoiled. He endured when others quit." Overall, this is an excellent book to keep as a “coffee table” book, or a book to give away to those wanting to know more about this man named Jesus.

Slacker

So, here it is the middle of August and I finally am writing. It seems my life keeps spinning in directions that I didn't expect, and then I spend my time racing to figure out how to 'handle' the spinning, only to have it change again! Three things have suffered as a result of this spinning - my writing, my blogging, and my reading.

I've had many thoughts and at least once per day I have thought -"oh, that would be a great blog post...." but alas, I never took the time to sit and write it.

Today, however, is a new day.

Schedules will begin soon in our house with the coming of the school year. It is always a 'fresh' time for me as I know I have a certain amount of hours per day where my children are at school and I can schedule life around these hours. Of course 100+ things are scheduled in this time, but that is another story.

This morning I awoke thinking of the responsibility that seems to ever increase as my children grow older. It is quite a fallacy that "when you children go to school, you can work full time and don't really have to 'take care' of them anymore as you did when they were not self sufficient." It is impressed upon me daily, it seems, that my actions and my availability when they are home is so so important. Yes, the hours are freer during the day so that I can work, but when I am home, I must be 'home' - mentally, physically, emotionally - and be 125% ready to hear about their day - their trials, their struggles, be their friend, be their encourager, be that unconditional love, and be the one that directs them to the One who will never leave them - their Heavenly Father.

"The Hole in the Gospel" by Richard Stearns

“What I have discovered in my travels to more than forty countries with World Vision is that almost all poverty is fundamentally the result of a lack of options. It is not that the poor are lazier, less intelligent, or unwilling to make efforts to change their condition. Rather, it is that they are trapped by circumstances beyond their power to change.” A Hole in the Gospel by Richard Stearns takes the reader through a compelling journey – from the calling of Stearns to head World Vision to the adventures he has taken throughout the world as he brings the Gospel to life.

Stearns’ calling to head World Vision is a fascinating look at how God works out His details in our lives, regardless of our initial reaction to the calling. Stearns then takes the reader through the many words of Jesus telling His followers to help the poor, clothe those who are naked, and being the voice of justice for those who cannot defend themselves. Stearns recounts story after story of how the smallest assistance can have such a huge impact on third world countries and that we are not living out the Gospel if we neglect those who are not within the limited sphere of our daily lives.

Stearns’ book leaves the reader eager to put into action the words of Jesus Christ. He not only informs, but inspires the reader in the realization that the smallest type of assistance on our part can have the greatest impact for the Kingdom of God.

A Review of "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews latest book, The Noticer, tells the story of a man named Jones and the people he helps. He teaches them about perspective and also teaches the reader how important it is to notice the little things of life.

Andrews takes the reader on an interesting journey through the stages of life. We meet a young man struggling with life and the unmet expectations he has experienced. We meet a couple on the brink of divorce. We meet an older lady who feels that she has lived past her usefulness. We meet a gentleman in the throes of depression. We meet some young folks who are contemplating marriage and want to know how to avoid the inevitable divorce it seems everyone reaches. We meet a young workaholic who cuts corners to make a profit and has begun to realize the ramifications of a bad reputation. Jones appears in each of their lives at a pivotal point and helps direct their path toward a better and fresh perspective on the circumstances of their life.

The story is entertaining and certainly teaches the value of having the right perspective on things, as well as paying attention to the little details in everyday life. The reader walks away with a greater appreciation of the ‘small stuff’ of life and how getting it right in the small stuff can have a great impact on our perspective of the bigger picture.