It's July Fourth! A time of fireworks, and music, and picnics, and grilling, and swimming pools, and oh yes, that little piece of paper giving birth to a daring new republic, the Declaration of Independence. Some studies have revealed that many of the themes in this letter to King George III had been "borrowed" from other works, but the collection of these together, along with the signatures of 56 men, shook the foundation of the British Empire, and set the foundation for thirteen separate, sovereign states to become united as one, the United States of America.
In all of this, debates and tempers were heated, even as the Philadelphia heat of summer beat down on their meeting hall. But there was a force, a vision, that was above and beyond those differences of opinion. And it was to this purpose that these very different men affixed their names, and became, as one, Americans.
For this Fourth, let us resolve to go beyond our differences, put party lines aside, and as these brave men, cherish the fact that we are all, as one, Americans.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
My First Day of Baseball
For as long as I can remember, I’ve never
been able to outdo my brother. He’s always been able to “one up” me in anything
I’ve attempted. Don’t get me wrong, I love my big brother. It’s just that I wanted
to be as good as he was, and never quite seemed to get there.
He was born first. (Older by 11 years.) He
made better grades in High School. (Without ever bringing home a book.) He
played in the High School band, and was STILL popular. (My popularity extended
only to playing for others in talent shows, then dissolving into the forgotten,
faceless crowd.)
But most of all, my brother excelled at
sports. Any sport. Any time. Always ready. And his favorite was BASEBALL. He could hit, he could catch, he could throw
better than anyone else I knew. Sandlot, High School, Church Team, College, it
didn’t matter. This was his “best of the best” sport. And I wanted to be just
like him.
So when a chance came to try out for a
youth league BASEBALL team, I knew I had to do it. I went over all the reasons
with my mom and dad, over and over, to get them to let me try. I was old
enough, I said. I got good enough grades, I said. I could still do my chores
around the house, I said. And my crowning argument? You let Gary, I said.
Finally succumbing to my near flawless
debating technique (Gary was a little better.), it was agreed that I would
attend the tryouts. And best of all, Gary would take me there. I don’t even
remember the ride down, I was so excited. Not only was I going to play BASEBALL
(I knew the tryouts were in the bag.) but I was going to show Gary I could do
something that he could do and he would be so proud of me never mind 11 years
we would be close just like brothers should be never mind he started college
when I started first grade we were brothers and he could finally be proud!
When we got there, Gary pulled his car
into a dirt parking spot facing the field, near home plate. Awesome, I thought,
he’ll be able to see me. He’ll see me make the team. I jumped out, glove in
hand, and ran to the dugout to the nearest adult I could find, and told him I
wanted to try out for the team.
As it happens, we had gotten there after
the tryouts had started, and they had already done some fielding, so he sent me
to grab a bat, and try my hitting. That was fine with me; my fielding wasn’t my
best ability. I had this unfortunate habit of reacting just a bit slow, so I
caught about an equal number of balls with my face as my glove. But I was much better with
hitting. This was my time, I would show them right here. I’d hit that ball so
far, they’d have to take me. And it would all happen right in front of Gary.
I had always been a scrawny kid, so they
must have felt they needed to take it easy on me. For whatever reason, that
first pitch was the most beautiful pitch my young years had ever seen. (Or have
seen since.) I still picture that moment in my head in slow motion, my form
reaching a level of perfection it had never risen to before, feeling the power
of connection, then seeing the ball fly from the bat. I had a hit! To my mind
it was the greatest hit in the history of youth league BASEBALL tryouts.
Soaring out, making it almost all the way to the outfield. And Gary had seen
it.
After a second’s hesitation, to bask in my
history making moment, I began to run for all I was worth. As I rounded third,
I saw that my soon-to-be team mate’s joy was equal to my own. Even though I put
my all into running, I could still see from the corner of my eyes them laughing
and cheering me on. I was not only going to be on the team, I would be its
star. Oh, life was good!
As I rounded second, it seemed the joyous
enthusiasm of my team continued to increase. Some were so happy with my talent;
they were even rolling in the grass, unable to speak, for the joy of obtaining
their new team leader. I would be a gracious leader as well, always offering to
help those not as capable as myself. I looked towards the car for Gary, but I
couldn’t see him. Could he have walked off, without seeing my greatest triumph?
No matter, over my years in school, college, then the pros, he would have
plenty of opportunity to see me shine.
As I rounded first, it began to strike me
as odd that no one had made an attempt to get the ball, now resting comfortably
in the grass next to the nearly comatose shortstop. Had I so overwhelmed them, they
had given up even trying? No, no, this was too much. I would have to remember
to hold back my considerable talent, so that no one would feel they didn’t
measure up. And where was Gary? I can’t believe he didn’t see this adulation
for his little brother.
As my feet finally reached that sacred
diamond of whitened rubber, several realizations hit me at once. First, that
the joy around me seemed excessive, even for such a glorious hit. Second, that
I could see Gary, or at least his head, actually just the top of his head, from
behind his steering wheel. Third, as the coach was approaching me, I was
suddenly less confident if the order of bases was supposed to be 3rd,
2nd, 1st, home…or 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
home. The coach, catching his breath between words, confirmed the correct
order.
I went over to the dugout, picked up my
glove, and walked with the gait of a man being led to his execution to my
brother’s car. I opened the passenger door, slunk inside and, very quietly, we
went home. I went in my room, put away my glove, and didn’t pick it up again.
Well, that’s not actually right. There’s
something about BASEBALL that keeps drawing a person in. Maybe it’s the fact
that anyone can play, yet no one ever completely masters it. It is a game where
the entire team becomes a band of brothers, fighting together for the win, yet
can be determined by one bat, one pitch, one catch. Ruthlessly fair, it is 9
innings of true competition, to which you give your all, you have no other
choice, and would have it no other way. You see, my brother was right about
something else too. BASEBALL is the best.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
A Love Poem
I searched for you.
everywhere I looked I would see you,
but you were not there.
In the gray stillness of the morning,
the peacefulness of those last moments
the moon and stars still rule the sky,
You were not there in the peace,
yet your peace was all around.
In the exuberance of the dawn
The joyful moment the sun overcomes the night
and rises, at first just peeking over the horizon.
Then rising high, blinding all those who doubted
it could ever overcome the darkness again.
You were not there in the joy.
Yet your joy was all around.
In the warmth of the day.
The sun giving life to all it touches.
Sustaining it, caressing it, the earth and
all in it reborn. And hope, knowing that even when it wasn't there, it still
gave life.
You were not there in the hope.
Yet your hope was all around.
Lying in bed at night.
Hungering for your peace, your joy, your hope, your love.
Yet filled completely, for all that is here, all around.
And I have found you, where you were all along.
In my heart.
everywhere I looked I would see you,
but you were not there.
In the gray stillness of the morning,
the peacefulness of those last moments
the moon and stars still rule the sky,
You were not there in the peace,
yet your peace was all around.
In the exuberance of the dawn
The joyful moment the sun overcomes the night
and rises, at first just peeking over the horizon.
Then rising high, blinding all those who doubted
it could ever overcome the darkness again.
You were not there in the joy.
Yet your joy was all around.
In the warmth of the day.
The sun giving life to all it touches.
Sustaining it, caressing it, the earth and
all in it reborn. And hope, knowing that even when it wasn't there, it still
gave life.
You were not there in the hope.
Yet your hope was all around.
Lying in bed at night.
Hungering for your peace, your joy, your hope, your love.
Yet filled completely, for all that is here, all around.
And I have found you, where you were all along.
In my heart.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Never Give A Cancer An Even Break
We are all different. Even under that battered, wind torn umbrella called "Cancer", each of us prefixes it with a different organ. And even those cancers that share specific locales are played out in different stages.
That being said, we have some things in common as well. We all have battle scars. We all remember the moment we found out. And we all, as long as there is life within us, are survivors. Each day of life, whether proclaimed cancer free, or in the midst of the battle, is another day we win, we survive. I think there are several ways we can optimize that survival, and these are a few I have found. Some may be helpful, some not, or may toss the whole list entirely. that is entirely up to you, and you won't hurt my feelings in the least. Even I don't always adhere to the list, so much as aspire!
How To Be A Cancer Survivor
1.) Be Strong - To paraphrase W C Fields, "Never give a cancer an even break"! Always know that you are stronger than this thing inside you, and nothing it may take can change that. And while it may change your life, don't let it define your life.
2.) Be Helpless, not Hopeless - There will be times when we all simply need a hand, and it is not weakness to accept it. When you do accept that help, it allows those who offer the ability to journey with us. Remember that when we divide the weakness, we multiply the strength.
3.) Be Understanding - There will be friends who will seem to drift and fade into old memories of "I wonder what happened to...", all because of cancer. Don't be upset by their departure, but pity their fear. Cancer reminds people of their own mortality. Even though Jim Morrison said "No one here gets out alive", nobody likes to be reminded of their departure ticket! Don't be worried by their going, there are others who will stay. To them, give love with all your heart.
4.) Be Multi-Purposed - Work, home, kids, church, school, doctors appointments, sports, meetings, cook, clean and "don't forget to take time for yourself"! At the End of the Day? Wash the cares out of your hair...rinse, repeat the next day!
5.) Be Self-Humored - Always be ready to laugh at your cancer. Laughter is the most fierce weapon in defeating any enemy, because to laugh at something we take away its control over us. As absurd as life is with cancer, humor is never far away! (As an example: Just during the writing of this post, I've been to the bathroom 4 times. Not sure if that's a statement about the quality of my writing or not!)
6.) Be Vocal - Don't be afraid to speak out or speak up for yourself. But don't speak just to add to the noise, speak to add your voice to the conversation. The more people are heard, the more the complexities of cancer (and life) can be understood.
7.) Be Faithful - As a Christian, my faith has been the strongest thing (along with my wife) to keep me going, even when the only thing I could do was look up and say "Why me?". But cancer is no respecter of any religion, or deference of religion. That is its greatest weakness. Hold on at the very least to the faith that there is something bigger than ourselves, something bigger than the cancer. Follow that light inside, and rest in knowing you are not alone, and cancer is not over all else in you.
So remember...Be Strong, Be Helpless, Be Understanding, Be Multi-Purposed, Be Self-Humored, Be Vocal, Be Faithful, and most of all, be Yourself. There is none better.
That being said, we have some things in common as well. We all have battle scars. We all remember the moment we found out. And we all, as long as there is life within us, are survivors. Each day of life, whether proclaimed cancer free, or in the midst of the battle, is another day we win, we survive. I think there are several ways we can optimize that survival, and these are a few I have found. Some may be helpful, some not, or may toss the whole list entirely. that is entirely up to you, and you won't hurt my feelings in the least. Even I don't always adhere to the list, so much as aspire!
How To Be A Cancer Survivor
1.) Be Strong - To paraphrase W C Fields, "Never give a cancer an even break"! Always know that you are stronger than this thing inside you, and nothing it may take can change that. And while it may change your life, don't let it define your life.
2.) Be Helpless, not Hopeless - There will be times when we all simply need a hand, and it is not weakness to accept it. When you do accept that help, it allows those who offer the ability to journey with us. Remember that when we divide the weakness, we multiply the strength.
3.) Be Understanding - There will be friends who will seem to drift and fade into old memories of "I wonder what happened to...", all because of cancer. Don't be upset by their departure, but pity their fear. Cancer reminds people of their own mortality. Even though Jim Morrison said "No one here gets out alive", nobody likes to be reminded of their departure ticket! Don't be worried by their going, there are others who will stay. To them, give love with all your heart.
4.) Be Multi-Purposed - Work, home, kids, church, school, doctors appointments, sports, meetings, cook, clean and "don't forget to take time for yourself"! At the End of the Day? Wash the cares out of your hair...rinse, repeat the next day!
5.) Be Self-Humored - Always be ready to laugh at your cancer. Laughter is the most fierce weapon in defeating any enemy, because to laugh at something we take away its control over us. As absurd as life is with cancer, humor is never far away! (As an example: Just during the writing of this post, I've been to the bathroom 4 times. Not sure if that's a statement about the quality of my writing or not!)
6.) Be Vocal - Don't be afraid to speak out or speak up for yourself. But don't speak just to add to the noise, speak to add your voice to the conversation. The more people are heard, the more the complexities of cancer (and life) can be understood.
7.) Be Faithful - As a Christian, my faith has been the strongest thing (along with my wife) to keep me going, even when the only thing I could do was look up and say "Why me?". But cancer is no respecter of any religion, or deference of religion. That is its greatest weakness. Hold on at the very least to the faith that there is something bigger than ourselves, something bigger than the cancer. Follow that light inside, and rest in knowing you are not alone, and cancer is not over all else in you.
So remember...Be Strong, Be Helpless, Be Understanding, Be Multi-Purposed, Be Self-Humored, Be Vocal, Be Faithful, and most of all, be Yourself. There is none better.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Christmas Every Day!
Hello. My name is Mark (Hi, Mark), and I'm a Christmas Junkie. I enjoy Christmas music all times of the year, and I keep a 365 day countdown calendar at my desk. I love everything about Christmas (except maybe fruitcakes).
I realize that many would claim Easter to be the more important holiday in the Christian year. I wouldn't disagree with that point. Without Jesus death and resurrection, Christmas would have no meaning, just another long winter day that causes the addition of at least 5 extra pounds of weight. But for me, the distinction is this...When Christ died and rose again, it was once for all our sin. When we give of ourselves for Him, Jesus Christ is born again!
Every time you show love to another, you show him Christ. Jesus is presented new and fresh and, just like Christmas, is born again to someone on Earth. every time you purposely show kindness to another, show love, not hate or judgement, He is born again. New and fresh and surprising, not just to those who don't know Him, but even to those that do.
And this love should be given to all people, not just those to whom it is easy to show love, but to those who make it difficult to love. Especially to those who are difficult to love, because they need to see the love of God the most. And just like the advertisements for a certain gym, that love must be given in a "No Judgement" zone. It is not ours to judge others for what they do, that's between them and God, not us. But if we don't show them God's unconditional love, then that's back on us, not others! Other people can't be blamed for not wanting something they've never seen nor felt, and we've never shown or given.
Back to my point. (I do tend to wander :) )Christmas is something that can come everyday, because every time we love, react, act with kindness, or otherwise treat others as He would treat them, Christ is come into the Earth again. Let's have Christmas Every Day! (minus the fruitcake for me though.)
And now, I have a little poem for you to send you on your way, hope you enjoy it!
Jesus Christ is Born
We celebrate this special day.
Jesus Christ is born.
To all the world we gladly say
Jesus Christ is born.
With friends and family so dear
All our loved ones gathered near
let's not forget just why we're here
Jesus Christ is born.
When we give love to fellow man
Jesus Christ is born.
And offer them a helping hand
Jesus Christ is born.
When Jesus died and rose again
It was just once for all our sin.
But whenever we give ourselves for Him
Jesus Christ is born!
I realize that many would claim Easter to be the more important holiday in the Christian year. I wouldn't disagree with that point. Without Jesus death and resurrection, Christmas would have no meaning, just another long winter day that causes the addition of at least 5 extra pounds of weight. But for me, the distinction is this...When Christ died and rose again, it was once for all our sin. When we give of ourselves for Him, Jesus Christ is born again!
Every time you show love to another, you show him Christ. Jesus is presented new and fresh and, just like Christmas, is born again to someone on Earth. every time you purposely show kindness to another, show love, not hate or judgement, He is born again. New and fresh and surprising, not just to those who don't know Him, but even to those that do.
And this love should be given to all people, not just those to whom it is easy to show love, but to those who make it difficult to love. Especially to those who are difficult to love, because they need to see the love of God the most. And just like the advertisements for a certain gym, that love must be given in a "No Judgement" zone. It is not ours to judge others for what they do, that's between them and God, not us. But if we don't show them God's unconditional love, then that's back on us, not others! Other people can't be blamed for not wanting something they've never seen nor felt, and we've never shown or given.
Back to my point. (I do tend to wander :) )Christmas is something that can come everyday, because every time we love, react, act with kindness, or otherwise treat others as He would treat them, Christ is come into the Earth again. Let's have Christmas Every Day! (minus the fruitcake for me though.)
And now, I have a little poem for you to send you on your way, hope you enjoy it!
Jesus Christ is Born
We celebrate this special day.
Jesus Christ is born.
To all the world we gladly say
Jesus Christ is born.
With friends and family so dear
All our loved ones gathered near
let's not forget just why we're here
Jesus Christ is born.
When we give love to fellow man
Jesus Christ is born.
And offer them a helping hand
Jesus Christ is born.
When Jesus died and rose again
It was just once for all our sin.
But whenever we give ourselves for Him
Jesus Christ is born
Monday, December 9, 2013
The Last Night Before Christmas
A Christmas offering for all...Merry Christmas!
The Last Night Before Christmas
On a night in the future, time still unknown
All of Earth seems in ruin, humanity gone.
Rumors of Wars have covered the globe
The simplest of food worth its weight in gold.
Tornadoes and earthquakes, fires and floods,
The sun barely light, the moon like blood.
The fish have been boiled by the heat of the sea.
The trees and the gardens as dry as can be.
The rivers are bitter, no water to drink.
All of creation is perched on the brink.
Still brother hates brother, and blames for his woes,
all but himself, and doesn't suppose
His own self the culprit, the reason for ruin.
And so he continues to seal his own doom.
When out of the east, in the clouds should appear
a rider on horseback, a Savior so dear.
His Sceptre in hand, and crown on His head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
With a thundering voice, He calls up His own,
both living and past, to join at His throne.
Then angelic armies, the warriors of God
Soon blot out the sky with their glorious throng.
A charge is then called, final war is begun
And Lucifer's children battle God's Holy Son.
But unlike First Christmas, a baby alone,
This time as a King, reclaiming His own.
When all the dust settles, and fighting is done,
He shall be triumphant, and we shall be one.
New heaven and Earth will be ours on that day.
And all of our tears and our pain washed away.
As once the world waited for Him to appear,
Again it is Advent, His coming is near.
First Christmas has come, we hallow the night.
Last Christmas is coming, when all is made right.
Like First Christmas was, it shall be again,
For God will come down and make His home with man
The Last Night Before Christmas
On a night in the future, time still unknown
All of Earth seems in ruin, humanity gone.
Rumors of Wars have covered the globe
The simplest of food worth its weight in gold.
Tornadoes and earthquakes, fires and floods,
The sun barely light, the moon like blood.
The fish have been boiled by the heat of the sea.
The trees and the gardens as dry as can be.
The rivers are bitter, no water to drink.
All of creation is perched on the brink.
Still brother hates brother, and blames for his woes,
all but himself, and doesn't suppose
His own self the culprit, the reason for ruin.
And so he continues to seal his own doom.
When out of the east, in the clouds should appear
a rider on horseback, a Savior so dear.
His Sceptre in hand, and crown on His head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
With a thundering voice, He calls up His own,
both living and past, to join at His throne.
Then angelic armies, the warriors of God
Soon blot out the sky with their glorious throng.
A charge is then called, final war is begun
And Lucifer's children battle God's Holy Son.
But unlike First Christmas, a baby alone,
This time as a King, reclaiming His own.
When all the dust settles, and fighting is done,
He shall be triumphant, and we shall be one.
New heaven and Earth will be ours on that day.
And all of our tears and our pain washed away.
As once the world waited for Him to appear,
Again it is Advent, His coming is near.
First Christmas has come, we hallow the night.
Last Christmas is coming, when all is made right.
Like First Christmas was, it shall be again,
For God will come down and make His home with man
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Catfish
I love catfish. Especially the catfish my brother-in-law, Mike Jones, used to make. My mouth starts to drool just thinking about it. But apparently, this word has taken on a new meaning. Now, catfish also refers to an online relationship on facebook, but one party is not really who they say they are.The most recent example of this is the Notre Dame football player, Manti Te'o, who had a long term relationship with a girl he never saw, then thought had died, then thought was alive, then found out never was! (Wow, and I thought it was tough back when I was dating!) MTV even has a new reality show, "Catfish", that has two guys exposing these fake profiles.
This phenomenon is nothing new. We've seen it in online dating services, phone date lines, even web chat rooms (BTW, ESPECIALLY if you're under 18, be very careful what you say in a web chat room. You NEVER know for sure who you're talking to!) The question that always arises from this form of relationship, at least by everyone else, is "How can you be in a long term, loving relationship with someone you've never seen?!".
Well, I have a confession to make...I am in a catfish relationship. I know their love is deeper than any sea, higher than any mountain, wider than any river (insert Motown song here). Their love is kind, forgiving and patient, and even though I've never laid eyes on my love, I could not exist without it. My catfish is named "Jesus".
And He even saw this problem coming, some 2000 years ago, when talking to His disciples (John 20:28-29). He's got a pretty full bio published - What He looked like (Is 53:2-3), What He looks like to those who KNOW Him (Luke 9:28-36), His personality (I Corinthians 13: 4-8, and so much more!). And even with all MY faults, His love continues to be faithful. (check out the book of Hosea - This guy had a wife with the unfortunate name of "Gomer". She left and came back so many times you could call her "Yo-Yo!).
The great thing about this relationship is that its not exclusive! Anybody can get in on this good thing (John 3:16-17) and the more, the merrier! (2 Peter 3:9) I know how difficult it can be to love Someone you've never seen. Even St. Augustine said "Unless you believe, you will not be understood". But this love, like ANY love, requires faith and hope to survive. (Hmmm... I Corinthians again...) And half the battle is done because He loved us, each of us, from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-5).
Stepping out in faith into any relationship can feel a little scary, and it seems much easier to stay status quo. But look at it logically. If the love of Jesus is false, but you believe in it, at the end of your life you leave the world no worse off, and maybe a little better. BUT, if the love of Jesus is TRUE (and I believe it is), and yet you refused to let yourself enjoy and partake in that love, how much you are missing!
Bottom line, my "Catfish" is an open relationship, based on my faith in Him (and more than a little bit of His faith in me!). I am to love my brothers and sisters, even the ones that don't like me, and His love is to all the world. Want in??
This phenomenon is nothing new. We've seen it in online dating services, phone date lines, even web chat rooms (BTW, ESPECIALLY if you're under 18, be very careful what you say in a web chat room. You NEVER know for sure who you're talking to!) The question that always arises from this form of relationship, at least by everyone else, is "How can you be in a long term, loving relationship with someone you've never seen?!".
Well, I have a confession to make...I am in a catfish relationship. I know their love is deeper than any sea, higher than any mountain, wider than any river (insert Motown song here). Their love is kind, forgiving and patient, and even though I've never laid eyes on my love, I could not exist without it. My catfish is named "Jesus".
And He even saw this problem coming, some 2000 years ago, when talking to His disciples (John 20:28-29). He's got a pretty full bio published - What He looked like (Is 53:2-3), What He looks like to those who KNOW Him (Luke 9:28-36), His personality (I Corinthians 13: 4-8, and so much more!). And even with all MY faults, His love continues to be faithful. (check out the book of Hosea - This guy had a wife with the unfortunate name of "Gomer". She left and came back so many times you could call her "Yo-Yo!).
The great thing about this relationship is that its not exclusive! Anybody can get in on this good thing (John 3:16-17) and the more, the merrier! (2 Peter 3:9) I know how difficult it can be to love Someone you've never seen. Even St. Augustine said "Unless you believe, you will not be understood". But this love, like ANY love, requires faith and hope to survive. (Hmmm... I Corinthians again...) And half the battle is done because He loved us, each of us, from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-5).
Stepping out in faith into any relationship can feel a little scary, and it seems much easier to stay status quo. But look at it logically. If the love of Jesus is false, but you believe in it, at the end of your life you leave the world no worse off, and maybe a little better. BUT, if the love of Jesus is TRUE (and I believe it is), and yet you refused to let yourself enjoy and partake in that love, how much you are missing!
Bottom line, my "Catfish" is an open relationship, based on my faith in Him (and more than a little bit of His faith in me!). I am to love my brothers and sisters, even the ones that don't like me, and His love is to all the world. Want in??
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