Are You Ready?

Today the largest earthquake in recorded history hit off the coast of Japan, spawning a massive tsunami that has been felt all over the Pacific Rim.  Losses will be difficult to estimate, but it certainly looks tremendous.  I am struck by a feeling you don't often see in catastrophic news reports: relative calm.  Few would doubt the resolve of the Japanese people, and their engineering is among the best in the world, but I think the underlying reason for such calm is simply preparedness.  To the extent it was possible, the Japanese were prepared.  Buildings held, bridges stayed steady amid a deluge of water and debris, and the Prime Minister reinforced this sense with a call to remain calm.  Not much can be done to stop a tsunami, but even then the people immediately went into action with emergency plans that have been in place and rehearsed for years.  Many people have lost their lives, but with nothing that could have been done differently, it seems easier to put it in God's hands.

In reality we control very little in our lives.  Sometimes we need to see skyscrapers swaying or 23 foot waves to remind us of this!  Nevertheless, we do have a responsibility to be prepared.  Are you ready for a fire?  A flood?  Do you have life insurance?  What about spiritual matters?  Are you ready to respond if someone asks you a question or challenges your faith?  Think about these things ahead of time.  When you've done all you could beforehand, it is much easier to place the rest in God's hands.  Ultimately, he has the final say anyway.

Farwell

This week our family lost a matriarch, but heaven is certainly rejoicing.  "Nana" went home to be with the Lord On February 4th, 2011.  She was the epitome of selflessness, faith, and courage.

When I start complaining about not having a babysitter, I remember she was left raising six kids on her own.  When I think I'm not treated fairly, I remember she was beaten by her husband.  When I am afraid, I remember she left her abusive husband with nowhere else to go.  When I worry, I remember she had faith that the Lord would take care of her.  When I fret about money, I remember she went to the food bank on a regular basis.  When I pine for something new and shiny, I remember she gave sacrificially so her children could have a memorable Christmas, no matter how tight the money was.  When I worry how my kids will turn out, I remember in her poverty she raised the first college graduates in her family.  When I get frustrated at life's little bumps in the road, she makes me remember what is truly important.

Everyone who knew her were blessed.  I am doubly blessed; I married her beautiful daughter, and am the father of two of her amazing grandchildren.  She will be sorely missed here on Earth, but I'm sure she is rejoicing in heaven now as she is finally reunited with her brother and sister.  We love you nana!

Tough News

Ever had a bad week?  This one is up there for me.  Three amazing women are facing the end of their lives, and a fourth is beginning her battle with cancer.  I feel helpless.  I am either too far away, or not of much use, or both.  Why can't I be any help?  Well, like much of life, it is really in God's hands, not ours.

We tend to live life thinking we are more in control than we really are.  Yes we worked hard, yes we earned our paycheck, and yes we made good decisions, but ultimately it is the Lord  who gives- and takes away.  We have everything we do because of him.  Take a minute and thank the Lord for every blessing he has given you, and let him handle the stress you take on.  Chances are, there isn't much you can do to change people's mind or your circumstances anyhow.

Who Are You?

As we close 2010, take some time to remember who you are.  The world changes fast, and new discoveries, technologies, and philosophies are a daily occurrence.  Who are you?  What do you believe?  Does the fast pace of change in society affect your own worldview and identity?  Hopefully we are all open to new people and new ideas.  If we weren't we would still be pulling carts with square wheels, using hay for roofing materials, and living to a ripe old age of 40.

Not every idea, however, is a good idea.  Just because someone intelligent proposes a new theory, doesn't mean we need to throw out what we know to be true.  Just because  a new gadget gets all the buzz, doesn't mean it is useful.  Just because someone else says "there is no God" doesn't mean it is true.  God has heard that one a million times.  Check it out!

This year I plan to celebrate diversity, take advantage of technology, but never lose my identity.
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I love the holidays.  I also hate the holidays.

I love getting our kids into their jammies, loading up the car, cranking the heat and Christmas tunes, sipping hot chocolate, and looking at Christmas lights.  I love decorated churches and Christmas concerts.  I can't wait to see my kids tear into their presents, watch people open ones they gave, and then have them call all the aunties and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and cousins to say thank you.  I can't wait for them to come running in at 6 am on Christmas morning and bounce on the bed in excitement.  I love our Christmas morning tradition of opening presents, eating monkey bread, and just enjoying ourselves all day.  I love eating a lovely Christmas dinner Christmas Eve, and opening one present.  I love that a stocking not overflowing is not yet full, and I love that my wife never fails to make Christmas special no matter what.

I hate traffic, crowded stores, and the commercialization of Christmas.  I hate Walmart at Christmas (no offense to Walmart, there is not much they can do).  I hate being 3000 miles form much of my family.  I hate that travel is nearly impossible this season.

I have discovered a Christmas secret: relax!  How?  Try these ideas:
1) Shop online- lots of free shipping this time of year.
2) Travel earlier, later, or not at all.  We make our big visits in the summer.
3) Keep traditions, embellish them, and enjoy them.
4) Make sure you kiss someone under a mistletoe and at 12:00 New Years.
5) Make sure Christ is the center of Christmas.  It's about GIVING: money, time, help.  Make sure the kids are part of this.

Relax, enjoy, love and give.  Happy Holidays!

God is in Control

Have you ever told anyone, "God is in control?"  It is supposed to be comforting, but sometimes it is just something we say to make someone feel better.  There is nothing wrong with being empathetic, but we also need to take those words seriously.  Life can take a quick turn with one phone call: cancer, car accident, or killed in action.  Find peace in the truth of those words: "God is in control."  When you realize you cannot change the circumstances, and you have nothing else to do but lean on God, then you can have the emotional strength to hold others up when all hell breaks lose.  The enemy may hammer us relentlessly, but as one author once said, "The anvil outlasts the hammer."  God will shape us on the anvil, and it may hurt, but he is creating us to be all he meant for us to be, and no matter how much it hurts, he always knows what he is doing.

The Supernatural and Gasoline

The day before my birthday, I had to take my truck into the shop because it was running very sluggish.  I was upset.  It is Christmastime, it was my birthday, and of course my truck has to break down.  Just to make it memorable, the bill came to just under $1000.  That is about $999 more than I have to spend on repairs, especially this time of year.  What a drag.  Thanks a lot, Lord.

Can you see the blessing in this situation?  Neither could I- until I talked to the mechanic.  My O2 sensor went out, causing the truck to pour fuel into the engine.  This filled up the catalytic converter with unburned fuel residue.  My spark plugs were not only coated with residue, but some were even damaged because they were the wrong size.  The miracle was that my truck kept limping along for nearly a month with all these things wrong, and finally got me to the shop.  I suspected there might have been some supernatural intervention that kept me going.  Also, the starter went bad and had to be replaced.  I almost laughed.  This summer, the starter gave me trouble, and in particular nearly stranded me with my kids on a blistering day.  We all sat in the parking lot and prayed for a miracle, and then turned the key again, and the truck fired up like a dream.  It never gave me any more trouble until it was at the mechanic.  Now I'm convinced I was running on the supernatural and gasoline for several months.  Praise the Lord!

I'm not happy about paying $1000, but there again the Lord gave us assistance in the form of a timely loan from a good and generous friend.  We live in a sinful world with disease, crime, and cars that break down.  I'm so glad I have the Lord to call on when everything else seems to fail me.  Can you imagine handling life alone?  Sometimes we should look past our circumstances, and see the hand of God working on our behalf, especially in the middle of chaotic, stressful, or even tragic situations.  It is usually through these situations God works to bring blessings into our lives.  I know I will enjoy my blessing every time I turn my key and listen to the purring sound of my faithful truck.