Monthly Archives: February 2014

Beyond fear

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As a kid I was afraid of the dark, spiders, and heights. The first two don’t much bother me anymore. When Marcia and I first started dating (I was 15 or 16) I took her to the State Fair. Most fair rides make me dizzy but no young teen is going to admit this to his girl. So when she said she wanted to ride the double ferris wheel, I said sure, even though I was hoping more for the carousel…or the park bench. Now, in my mind the double ferris wheel, is a pure invention of evil. There is no practical reason a body should be thrust from three feet off the ground to, oh I think about a mile or two at what seems like 80 MPH. It might be a bit less than that but it is a high-speed, jerky ride no one should go on. But being in love, I was cool, calmly and through clenched teeth asking my dear to not shake the car while maintaining an iron clad grip on the one inch steel bar (you can probably still find my hand imprint today), you know, to make sure she didn’t fall through.

In my mind, I think I do a lot better now, but fears do have a way of grabbing us and not letting go, don’t they? Some fears are rational and others have no basis for existence. They are False Evidence Appearing Real; like when you thought there was a monster in the closet or spooks under your bed.

What do you fear? What False Evidence Appears Real to you? Evidently the fear of speaking in public still ranks high amongst top fears. Some people fear success so they never step up to a challenge. I’ve known some who feared talking with God because they couldn’t see him or wasn’t sure he would listen. (He will.) Some folk fear the future, imprisoned by teachings in their past.

Freedom in faith might be the opposite of slavery to doubt and fear. Faith isn’t just the absence of doubt and fear; faith is doing what you fear, trusting in the outcome. It is courage in the face of fear. I don’t know how this leukemia journey will end, any more than you know what unexpected turns you will face. But I believe in a good ending and this helps me break through fear.

Maybe it would be helpful to make a list of your fears, crossing out the ones based on false evidence. With the others, consider what God said to Joshua:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

You don’t have to live in the shadow of fear. Faith brings Light that casts out shadows. Be strong and courageous.
Put on faith and let your fears remain in the closet.

From despair to hope

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Are you in a dark place in your life? Does it feel like your world is crashing down on you? Or do you find much of your life going well and yet there is this one area that is so disappointing to you, maybe even painful? It is easy to feel alone, like no one else has ever been in this same place. Maybe you feel alone because you are sure no one else really wants to know the real answer to, “How are you?” This isolation from others contributes to your despair. And it seems like the troubles will never end. As Sarah Young reminds us, “It’s easy to project that darkness into the future…and to give up and let the darkness become your companion.”

Wherever you are in your journey, whatever difficult turns in the path that you encounter, there is a truth we need to remember: there is Light to guide us. All we need to do to dispel darkness is to embrace the Light and let it shine brightly within you. Says Young, “For (God’s) children, aloneness is really just an illusion. The world is alive with the (God’s) vibrant presence. The more aware of (God) you are, the more alive you will feel.”

Are you looking for a way out of despair and loneliness and a way to finding real hope today? Cultivate a mind and heart that shuts out the noise and chaos, and leads you into God’s presence. Let his love for you soak in and experience real peace and hope.

Keys to happiness

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To the degree that human prose complements scripture, let us drink in that which refreshes. To the degree that it conflicts with scripture, let it go. Read slowly and reflect on the points from the Desiderata that most genuinely speak to your heart today. Meditate on those that bring you closer to the one true God and at peace with him and his plans for you:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
“”
Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata”, 1927

Your life plan vs reality

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Isn’t there quite a bit of truth in this illustration? We tend to expect things will go a certain way, a matter of steady progress toward whatever goals we have. But in reality, life seldom seems to go that way. In fact, I don’t think I know anyone whose life does flow quite easily from point A to point B. Do you? Certainly there are those who seem to have everything going their way. But I suspect if we were to walk in their shoes, we might see a different picture.

And if we expect that life will be quite predictable, are we not setting ourselves up for disappointment? After all, when life takes a sudden turn toward difficult paths, we have then both the difficulty and the surprise grief over the turn of events.

Another thing that occurs to me is the irony that we seldom if ever know precisely where we are on the path. Is this current difficulty that you face actually a high spot compared to the next chapter of your journey? If so, wouldn’t we have special cause for celebration of this day’s blessings? And if we are at the bottom spot of a dark valley, don’t we have opportunity to celebrate the hope for better days yet ahead?

I don’t suppose many would voluntarily sign up for suffering or difficulty, but we are not put in this world to avoid difficulty either. (As if we could.) In the words of Charles Spurgeon: “Oh for the grace to love the rough paths, because we see (God’s) footprints on them.” God’s Word in the book of Joshua says, “I will show you the way because you have not been this way before.” Don’t we all want – and need – an experienced guide to lead us through the rough spots, those same spots that refine us and prepare us to draw closer to him and to those around us?

But we have more than two choices. We are not limited to just a fairy tale illusion of a perfect life or a pessimistic view of waiting for the next catastrophe to arrive. We have a third wonderful choice. And that is to accept each new day as a gift, complete with joys and difficulties (challenges). I admit, I’ve done better some days in this journey with Leukemia than others. But the day is much better when I contemplate how well I am doing now compared to certain past treacherous days; and how much better I expect to be in the future.

That is the beauty of this. Each day offers a new opportunity to refine our perspective. It’s one choice we have control over: how we will receive each new day.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

A Most Wonderful Day!

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One morning a woman said to her husband, “I bet you don’t know what day this is today.”
“Of course I do!” the husband indignantly replied as he went out the door.
At 11:00 that day the doorbell rang and when the woman answered it she was handed a box full of long-stemmed red roses with a card that said: ” From your loving husband.”
At 1:00 again the doorbell rang and she was handed a foil wrapped box of her favorite chocolates with another card stating ” May this be the sweetest day of your life” from your loving husband.
Later that afternoon, a boutique delivered a designer dress to her.
The woman was so ecstatic she could hardly wait for her husband to come home.
When he walked in the door she ran up to him and said ” Oh honey! First the flowers, then the candy and then the beautiful dress! Thank you so much! I have never had a more wonderful Groundhog Day in my whole life!”

One of the beautiful aspects of life is that we don’t have to wait for one of those “Hallmark” holidays to express love, appreciation, and respect. And the expression needn’t always be expensive gifts. (Fortunately for me, that isn’t my wife’s primary love language anyway.) I’ve found that a hand-made card, a note on the mirror, a surprise day trip, or a thoughtful email is generally received with appreciation.

I remember appreciating phone calls and visits from those special friends who stayed with us through the first difficult year with our battle with leukemia. One person called and said they were stopping by McDonalds and wondered if they could stop by with a couple malts. Another brought subs for lunch. Others watched our cats so we could get away for some needed R&R. It doesn’t take an act of congress to make someone’s day a little a little more special.

How about you? What ideas do you have for making this a wonderful day? Maybe there is someone in your address book you haven’ heard from for awhile. I rather expect that the joy you share by sending a note or email will often return to you in some special way. And if they don’t reply, enjoy the satisfaction of opening doors of opportunity to people.

Today is waiting for something wonderful. Why not see what you can do to make that happen in someone’s life?

Oh, and happy Ground Hog Day. 🙂

The harmony of life

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I had forgotten how much I enjoyed and how much I miss playing in the symphony. It has been oh so very many years. Watching the foreign film, LĂŠ Concert, brought it all back. More than fifty people of different backgrounds, different interests, and different ambitions, all came together with one purpose, to make beautiful music together. Some had more prominent parts to play than others. But all contributed equally, for to miss one part would be to miss the symphony. And then to share the culmination of all the private practicing and all the rehearsals with a anticipating public… Making and enjoying beautiful harmony together, yes, this was life.

We, you and I, are like that you know. People from different backgrounds, different interests, different ambitions, and even different beliefs or interpretations about those beliefs; we are called to live in harmony with each other, enjoying the ‘music’ that we create together as our paths unite in life.

Think about the people in your life, especially those that don’t agree with you or have the same insight as you. Just as there is much honest discussion and feedback in symphony rehearsals, so should we also be honest with one another about our passions. But in the end, if there is no coming together, where is the harmony in life?

Where in your life can you bring more peace and more harmony to your relationships with others?

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18