What a great summer it has been! First, the Olympics, next the Democratic National Convention, shortly the Republican Convention. Although political conventions and sports events don’t seem to have a lot in common, perhaps because of them occurring back-to-back, or maybe because of the venue of the Olympics being in China, I found a common thread that you might not typically consider – false promises.
The Chinese government, not known for its honesty and fair treatment of the average citizen, out did itself in the Olympics. In a future blog I will use more of that detail, but today I want to highlight one particular incident.
The August 21 issue of the New York Times ran an article titled “Too Old and Frail to Re-educate? Not in China” about two seventy-year-old women sentenced to “re-education through labor” for applying to hold a legal protest in a government-designated area. Note: their crime was for APPLYING for government approval to protest. They did not protest. The Chinese government told its citizens that they could protest during the Olympics, but only in a particular area and only after written approval from the government. Then they arrested two feeble old women for applying for approval to protest.
I wish I could say that a government that does just the opposite of what it promises was a unique thing. I wish I could say, “Well, you’d never find this type of ‘bait and switch’ tactic in the USA.” While it is true that American’s have an unparalleled right and ability to protest when, where and how we want, the connection here is that even the US government cannot be trusted to always keep its word or honor its promises either.
Who can you believe? Who can you trust as a leader?
As I watched the Democratic Convention and listened to the speeches, I was very much impressed. The words and delivery showed that among the group were some great orators. The crowd was rallied, encouraged, uplifted, stirred to action, etc. I was impressed with their words. I’m looking forward to more great speeches and inspiring words from the Republicans.
With the nomination of a black man as Democratic presidential candidate and the nomination of a woman as the Republican vice presidential candidate, it is going to be an exciting election process if nothing else. Should be good, clean fun to watch; but I don’t intend to get suckered in by what they actually say.
I’m not judging the intent of the candidates or the politicians that support them. I’m certainly not judging the intent of the delegates. I’m just saying, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” There is only one leader who can be trusted to do 100% of what He says He will do. There is only one leader who CAN follow through with all intents and promises, and that leader is God.
Jesus Christ, when He walked on this earth in human flesh, was the only human being whose words and actions always perfectly aligned. More importantly, He is the only one who will ever bring about the kind of world-changing government, the world-wide peace, the universal prosperity and the return to a Garden-of-Eden environment that He promised. It is in Jesus Christ and God the Father that we must put our trust. It is in them that we can put our faith. They are the leaders to believe and follow.
A new world order. Real change. Peace. Freedom. Prosperity. None of these things will be achieved, no matter what government leaders and leader-wanna-be’s promise, until Jesus Christ returns to the earth and establishes God-rule, God’s government and Himself as King of kings and Lord of Lords. There is no debating that!
Thankfully, we have the Fall Holy Day season right around the corner – with the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day – to remind us that the only true government “for the people” will not be a government “by the people” but will be the government of God established on this earth. God speed that day!
With love,
Nancy
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Leading from the Shield
I caught a small part of a History Channel program on Vikings the other day. What I heard, however, really made me start thinking.
One fierce Viking leader, called Ivar, had the nickname “Boneless.” No one was sure why, but they know that Ivar was unable to walk and had to be carried everywhere on a shield. Whether this was a disease or injury, it impresses me that Ivar continued to be a man that could rally troops and lead battles from this position and with this disability.
If I picture well-decorated generals in history – whatever the country – and the image is always of a man standing straight and tall, marching or riding into battle, wielding a spear, gun or sword – not of a man being carried into battle.
Obviously, something in the character of Ivar drew others to follow his leadership.
It goes without saying that we should all follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and both the teachings and example of Jesus. But what about the people who come into your life and influence you? Do you look to the rich, the good-looking, the powerful, the successful or the famous in this world to find your guidance and examples in decisions for your life?
When Israel sought a king and God offered them Saul, it seemed like a good thing. Saul looked the part – head and shoulders above the rest of the men of the country. Originally, Saul had the right heart, but he lost that along the way. All his kingly stature could not make up for his poor character.
When God choose David even his own father could not believe the boy would be considered for the next king of Israel. God explained that HE looks upon the heart – not the outward appearance.
Since we don’t have that luxury – of truly knowing another person’s heart the way God does – all we can do is judge by whether or not their actions follow God’s word.
Follow those who have proven themselves by weathering storms and trials in life without losing their character or convictions. Follow those who, when they do make mistakes, have the strength to admit they are wrong, the courage to seek to correct that wrong and conviction to strive to change.
Sometimes these people are easy to find, they live under public scrutiny because they are in a visible leadership role. Other times, you will have to seek them out and get to know the ones that quietly live their convictions and maybe feel too insignificant to lead from the front of the line.
These are the ones who are leading from a shield – maybe too feeble, or too poor, or too humble to promote their own lives. You will have to go to them – seeking out the quiet widow who served as the support for a more gregarious or honored, but now-dead mate. Maybe it is an old man in a wheel chair, who served before you were ever converted, but now is too weak to even lead songs or give a closing prayer.
These leaders are still worthy of following and maybe more worthy that the obvious leaders. What they have to offer in the history of their battles can’t be found anywhere else except in the sharing of their scars – their triumphs and their tragedies and the lessons gleaned in each.
Maybe you are at that point in your own life. You have a lot to share, but no one to carry you into battle. Please reach out to those of us who need you. We need you to help us in our current roles, and we will need to follow your examples when we too can only lead from the shield.
Those who lead from the shield still have the heart for battle. They still have the wisdom to lead the fight, even if they have to be carried into battle.
With love,
Nancy
One fierce Viking leader, called Ivar, had the nickname “Boneless.” No one was sure why, but they know that Ivar was unable to walk and had to be carried everywhere on a shield. Whether this was a disease or injury, it impresses me that Ivar continued to be a man that could rally troops and lead battles from this position and with this disability.
If I picture well-decorated generals in history – whatever the country – and the image is always of a man standing straight and tall, marching or riding into battle, wielding a spear, gun or sword – not of a man being carried into battle.
Obviously, something in the character of Ivar drew others to follow his leadership.
It goes without saying that we should all follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and both the teachings and example of Jesus. But what about the people who come into your life and influence you? Do you look to the rich, the good-looking, the powerful, the successful or the famous in this world to find your guidance and examples in decisions for your life?
When Israel sought a king and God offered them Saul, it seemed like a good thing. Saul looked the part – head and shoulders above the rest of the men of the country. Originally, Saul had the right heart, but he lost that along the way. All his kingly stature could not make up for his poor character.
When God choose David even his own father could not believe the boy would be considered for the next king of Israel. God explained that HE looks upon the heart – not the outward appearance.
Since we don’t have that luxury – of truly knowing another person’s heart the way God does – all we can do is judge by whether or not their actions follow God’s word.
Follow those who have proven themselves by weathering storms and trials in life without losing their character or convictions. Follow those who, when they do make mistakes, have the strength to admit they are wrong, the courage to seek to correct that wrong and conviction to strive to change.
Sometimes these people are easy to find, they live under public scrutiny because they are in a visible leadership role. Other times, you will have to seek them out and get to know the ones that quietly live their convictions and maybe feel too insignificant to lead from the front of the line.
These are the ones who are leading from a shield – maybe too feeble, or too poor, or too humble to promote their own lives. You will have to go to them – seeking out the quiet widow who served as the support for a more gregarious or honored, but now-dead mate. Maybe it is an old man in a wheel chair, who served before you were ever converted, but now is too weak to even lead songs or give a closing prayer.
These leaders are still worthy of following and maybe more worthy that the obvious leaders. What they have to offer in the history of their battles can’t be found anywhere else except in the sharing of their scars – their triumphs and their tragedies and the lessons gleaned in each.
Maybe you are at that point in your own life. You have a lot to share, but no one to carry you into battle. Please reach out to those of us who need you. We need you to help us in our current roles, and we will need to follow your examples when we too can only lead from the shield.
Those who lead from the shield still have the heart for battle. They still have the wisdom to lead the fight, even if they have to be carried into battle.
With love,
Nancy
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Olympic Dreams and Annoying Realities
The world is all about the Olympics right now. And why not? Thousands of athletes from the world over have worked and sacrificed for years just for the chance to compete. For those who make it, it must be surreal just to be there. For those who win a medal…. I doubt I could imagine, let along express, how it must feel.
Competing among your peers , doing your personal best, pushing yourself, setting and achieving goals, using discipline and sacrifice to reach your dreams – this is commendable behavior.
While the USA cheers the American swimmer Michael Phelps, who (as of August 13) has already achieved five gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, I am fascinated by Eric Shanteau who put his life on the line by postponing cancer surgery in order to have the chance to compete. He made the cut to be on the US team. He did not succeed in the pre-trials in Beijing. No chance for a medal. He will go home now to receive his treatment.
It makes me wonder: is he happy with his decision now? He may be just fine after a successful surgery or he may find that he made the wrong choice. Either way the cancer goes, would he have been vindicated in making that decision if he had won a gold medal?
What drives a person to risk his life for a dream?
Each Olympian may have a different motivation. They each have unique skill sets and practice schedules. They will certainly have different results from their Olympic competitions. But they will have in common the fact that each and every one made it to the Olympics where, in one way or another, they had the opportunity to be among, to compete along side, those who are arguably the best in the world, and maybe, if luck and effort align, to achieve the designation as the best in the world.
Whatever these men and women achieve this year, except for a select few like Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz before him, the annoying reality is that all too soon the glory of this competition and set of achievements will be forgotten or replaced by other news of the day.
For those who follow Jesus, we have a better crown awaiting us – an eternal crown that will not be erased or forgotten when the next Olympics competition comes around, nor even in tens of thousands of years.
I saw an awesome synchronized diving competition where the Chinese team won gold. I have no idea who those girls were – don’t know their names, can’t remember their faces or their scores. Perhaps they will remain famous in their home towns for years to come, but ultimately that will fade too.
For those of us who follow Jesus, we do well to remember his admonition to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where months don’t eat it, rust doesn’t ruin it and it can never be stolen by a thief or even the next deserving athlete.
Unlike Shanteau, we will never risk more than we can get in return. Jesus laid everything on the line for us. He expects the same from us, but no more than that. Our investment in Christian living will never fail to result in the ultimate crown of righteousness – eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Our reward is sure and it will never tarnish or be forgotten or be replaced by the next contender. There is room for EVERYONE on the gold medal stand in the Christian race and Jesus will welcome us ALL to the ultimate winner’s circle.
With love,
Nancy
Competing among your peers , doing your personal best, pushing yourself, setting and achieving goals, using discipline and sacrifice to reach your dreams – this is commendable behavior.
While the USA cheers the American swimmer Michael Phelps, who (as of August 13) has already achieved five gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, I am fascinated by Eric Shanteau who put his life on the line by postponing cancer surgery in order to have the chance to compete. He made the cut to be on the US team. He did not succeed in the pre-trials in Beijing. No chance for a medal. He will go home now to receive his treatment.
It makes me wonder: is he happy with his decision now? He may be just fine after a successful surgery or he may find that he made the wrong choice. Either way the cancer goes, would he have been vindicated in making that decision if he had won a gold medal?
What drives a person to risk his life for a dream?
Each Olympian may have a different motivation. They each have unique skill sets and practice schedules. They will certainly have different results from their Olympic competitions. But they will have in common the fact that each and every one made it to the Olympics where, in one way or another, they had the opportunity to be among, to compete along side, those who are arguably the best in the world, and maybe, if luck and effort align, to achieve the designation as the best in the world.
Whatever these men and women achieve this year, except for a select few like Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz before him, the annoying reality is that all too soon the glory of this competition and set of achievements will be forgotten or replaced by other news of the day.
For those who follow Jesus, we have a better crown awaiting us – an eternal crown that will not be erased or forgotten when the next Olympics competition comes around, nor even in tens of thousands of years.
I saw an awesome synchronized diving competition where the Chinese team won gold. I have no idea who those girls were – don’t know their names, can’t remember their faces or their scores. Perhaps they will remain famous in their home towns for years to come, but ultimately that will fade too.
For those of us who follow Jesus, we do well to remember his admonition to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where months don’t eat it, rust doesn’t ruin it and it can never be stolen by a thief or even the next deserving athlete.
Unlike Shanteau, we will never risk more than we can get in return. Jesus laid everything on the line for us. He expects the same from us, but no more than that. Our investment in Christian living will never fail to result in the ultimate crown of righteousness – eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Our reward is sure and it will never tarnish or be forgotten or be replaced by the next contender. There is room for EVERYONE on the gold medal stand in the Christian race and Jesus will welcome us ALL to the ultimate winner’s circle.
With love,
Nancy
Saturday, August 9, 2008
MAKING SILK PURSES OUT OF SOW’S EARS – PART 2
The thing about making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear is that the two have absolutely nothing in common with each other. The reason for the saying being popular among my grandmother’s generation must have been that it so adequately expresses the fact that it cannot be done. At least, it cannot be done by mere mortals.
In the business section of the August 2 Dallas Morning News, there was an article about the changes made to the McDonald’s European division restaurants. In addition to sleek, new decor, the European group features menus that are varied by region, including some regional favorites along with the standard burger and fries. The menu for French McDonald’s restaurants includes wine (McMerot maybe?) and the tables include iPod stations. In Britain you can order porridge at breakfast instead of an egg McMuffin. In Italy, there is pasta on the menu – although surely they don’t say “do you want fries with that pasta?”
While these innovations have the European division seeing huge McProfits, does this really represent change? Yes and no. McDonalds is still, at its heart, a burger place – although, arguably, a more hip and healthier burger place. But no American could walk into a McDonald’s in France and fail to notice that it is significantly different than what you experience in Dallas, Texas.
As Christians, we have to change. Left alone, we are able to make changes. But no matter what each of us alone is able to accomplish, it is not within our power to become silk purses. God, and God alone, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can do that.
Make no mistake about it, that is exactly what He does – He takes flesh and bone, mortal beings, and makes us into eternal, spirit beings. At creation, He took mud and made it flesh. At a wedding, Jesus turned water into wine. God is not bound by the laws of physics that He created. He is not constrained to working in the physical realm. God CAN make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
While we are in the flesh, there will always remain in us a portion of what we are at the core: sinners. But, sinners who are in the process of change. Linked to God by the Holy Spirit, we are able to make real, lasting changes even now. We are able to build right character by choosing right behavior. That is what we are to do each and every day of our Christian walk. Those around us should notice the change.
Alcoholic’s Anonymous teaches it’s members to always consider themselves to be alcoholics – recovering alcoholics. We are all recovering sinners throughout the course of our mortal lives.
Then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the return of Jesus, we will be completely changed –TRANFORMED – from what we are now, to something that is entirely different. We will become what we have been destined to become from creation: eternal, spiritual beings in the image of our Father. Right now, the changes we make can seem small. Right now, the work to make those changes can seem huge. A single, desired change can be a life-long struggle. But each change builds upon the other and works together in us to become part of the final and complete transformation.
God makes silk purses out of sow’s ears – only He can.
With love, Nancy
In the business section of the August 2 Dallas Morning News, there was an article about the changes made to the McDonald’s European division restaurants. In addition to sleek, new decor, the European group features menus that are varied by region, including some regional favorites along with the standard burger and fries. The menu for French McDonald’s restaurants includes wine (McMerot maybe?) and the tables include iPod stations. In Britain you can order porridge at breakfast instead of an egg McMuffin. In Italy, there is pasta on the menu – although surely they don’t say “do you want fries with that pasta?”
While these innovations have the European division seeing huge McProfits, does this really represent change? Yes and no. McDonalds is still, at its heart, a burger place – although, arguably, a more hip and healthier burger place. But no American could walk into a McDonald’s in France and fail to notice that it is significantly different than what you experience in Dallas, Texas.
As Christians, we have to change. Left alone, we are able to make changes. But no matter what each of us alone is able to accomplish, it is not within our power to become silk purses. God, and God alone, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can do that.
Make no mistake about it, that is exactly what He does – He takes flesh and bone, mortal beings, and makes us into eternal, spirit beings. At creation, He took mud and made it flesh. At a wedding, Jesus turned water into wine. God is not bound by the laws of physics that He created. He is not constrained to working in the physical realm. God CAN make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
While we are in the flesh, there will always remain in us a portion of what we are at the core: sinners. But, sinners who are in the process of change. Linked to God by the Holy Spirit, we are able to make real, lasting changes even now. We are able to build right character by choosing right behavior. That is what we are to do each and every day of our Christian walk. Those around us should notice the change.
Alcoholic’s Anonymous teaches it’s members to always consider themselves to be alcoholics – recovering alcoholics. We are all recovering sinners throughout the course of our mortal lives.
Then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the return of Jesus, we will be completely changed –TRANFORMED – from what we are now, to something that is entirely different. We will become what we have been destined to become from creation: eternal, spiritual beings in the image of our Father. Right now, the changes we make can seem small. Right now, the work to make those changes can seem huge. A single, desired change can be a life-long struggle. But each change builds upon the other and works together in us to become part of the final and complete transformation.
God makes silk purses out of sow’s ears – only He can.
With love, Nancy
Friday, August 1, 2008
MAKING SILK PURSES OUT OF SOW’S EARS, Part One
Dr. Phil is famous for saying “the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.” Unfortunately, it is very sadly often true. But CAN people change? DO people ever change? If so, what motivates the change?
The number one rule of dealing with your fellow man or womankind and the first point I have to make today is that you cannot change someone else. No matter how hard you try. Plead, console, cajole, beg, manipulate, withhold love, give unconditional love – none of it will change another person.
And, yes, if it sounds like I have tried, I confess that I have tried. I don’t mind saying that I failed. But I learned from it. It bears repeating: you cannot change another person. Didn’t work for me. Won’t work for you either. You can only change yourself and even that isn’t easy.
Paul had a life-changing event – a literal “come to Jesus” moment when he was struck down and blinded by God on the road to Damascus. Paul saw his need to change during his time of being blind. He could have chosen to ignore God once he got his sight back – could have gone back to killing Christian. The early New Testament church was blessed that he didn’t.
Saul got uppity when he became King of Israel. He changed for the worse and Old Testament Israel shared the penalty.
We’ve all seen TV shows where the protagonist has some life-changing epiphany – gives up smoking overnight, stops drinking, stops cheating, quits gambling, turns from drugs, walks away from prostitution, leaves a gang, etc. Sometimes it because of a single, external event (death of a loved one or their own brush with death for example); sometimes because they hit bottom and just can’t stand to continue living that life.
The thing about meaningful, lasting change is that while the commitment to change may come upon you suddenly, the process is rarely what you can fit into a 60-minute TV program.
Ultimately, the whole world will change at Jesus’ return – people and animals too. Those humans who refuse to change will at least be brought to their knees before the Lord. For us today, we don’t have to let it come to that. God is willing to work with us now and His changes can be gentle, consistent alterations if we have willing hearts.
Mary Kay Ash used to say “you will only change when the pain of staying the same exceeds the pain of change.” Changing is tough. Sometimes in life staying the same is tougher. When that is true, you will change. I believe it is a survival instinct built into our nature. Or you can wait for God to strike you blind along the way to where you think you are going.
I encourage you to choose to ask God to help you change. In the long run, the pain of change is more than overcome by the joy of remaining in Him for all eternity.
More about the transition from sow’s ear to silk purse in my next blog… For now: love to all!
Nancy
The number one rule of dealing with your fellow man or womankind and the first point I have to make today is that you cannot change someone else. No matter how hard you try. Plead, console, cajole, beg, manipulate, withhold love, give unconditional love – none of it will change another person.
And, yes, if it sounds like I have tried, I confess that I have tried. I don’t mind saying that I failed. But I learned from it. It bears repeating: you cannot change another person. Didn’t work for me. Won’t work for you either. You can only change yourself and even that isn’t easy.
Paul had a life-changing event – a literal “come to Jesus” moment when he was struck down and blinded by God on the road to Damascus. Paul saw his need to change during his time of being blind. He could have chosen to ignore God once he got his sight back – could have gone back to killing Christian. The early New Testament church was blessed that he didn’t.
Saul got uppity when he became King of Israel. He changed for the worse and Old Testament Israel shared the penalty.
We’ve all seen TV shows where the protagonist has some life-changing epiphany – gives up smoking overnight, stops drinking, stops cheating, quits gambling, turns from drugs, walks away from prostitution, leaves a gang, etc. Sometimes it because of a single, external event (death of a loved one or their own brush with death for example); sometimes because they hit bottom and just can’t stand to continue living that life.
The thing about meaningful, lasting change is that while the commitment to change may come upon you suddenly, the process is rarely what you can fit into a 60-minute TV program.
Ultimately, the whole world will change at Jesus’ return – people and animals too. Those humans who refuse to change will at least be brought to their knees before the Lord. For us today, we don’t have to let it come to that. God is willing to work with us now and His changes can be gentle, consistent alterations if we have willing hearts.
Mary Kay Ash used to say “you will only change when the pain of staying the same exceeds the pain of change.” Changing is tough. Sometimes in life staying the same is tougher. When that is true, you will change. I believe it is a survival instinct built into our nature. Or you can wait for God to strike you blind along the way to where you think you are going.
I encourage you to choose to ask God to help you change. In the long run, the pain of change is more than overcome by the joy of remaining in Him for all eternity.
More about the transition from sow’s ear to silk purse in my next blog… For now: love to all!
Nancy
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