CROSSCURRENTS - Larry Whittlesey

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN PERSPECTIVE

Sometimes there's a lesson where you least expect it. At least that's the way it usually works with me. This past weekend I had the privilege of traveling to Florida, Texas and Tennesse to assist some friends who were promoting a 3 date concert tour with some well known Christian musical artists. It was a very busy 4 days, setting up for these events in 3 different cities in 3 different states. The concerts were incredible, blessing all those in attendance.

     When the final concert closed we were all tired but happy with the results. God had visited those venues and people left encouraged. It was on our attempt to travel home that the lessons came. American Airlilnes called late Sunday night to inform us that my flight scheduled for early the next morning had been cancelled due to the violent thunderstorms and tornadoes in the Midwest. We didn't appreciate the gravity of those issues until we saw the pictures of Joplin early the next morning.

      That phone call from American Airlines started a string of events that could have only been orchestrated by God. We were in Chattanooga at the time so getting out of town was going to be a problem. The earliest they could get me on a flight out of Chattanooga was late Wednesday night, so we tried larger cities within reasonable driving distance (Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville). I was finally able to book the last seat on Tuesday afternoon out of Nashville. It meant renting a car and driving the 150 miles, finding a hotel, and a delay of almost 36 hours. Under the circumstances it was the best option.

       Monday, therefore, became a "waste" day. I had to check out of the hotel in Chattanooga before noon, so I grabbed a cab and went to the airport to rent a car. Picking up another young man in our traveling party, whose flight had also been cancelled, we proceeded to find a way to fill the day. Our first stop was Tennessee Temple University, a small Baptist school located in Chattanooga. This young man's father and aunt had attended this school years before. The school has fallen on hard times, but he was still able to see the chapel where his aunt was married and the auditorium where his dad's quartet had sung during college. Though he had never been there before, he felt very connected to the things we saw there, taking photos and retelling stories he had heard since h is early childhood.

      From there we headed toward downtown Chattanooga. Along the way we came across the famous Chattanooga Choo-Choo. A quick detour through the hotel and grounds there was like a walk through time for me. I grew up hearing the Glenn Miller orchestra playing the song that made the "Choo Choo" famous. My dad was a HUGE train buff, so walking through the old train station turned into a hotel lobby, and seeing the historic trains displayed on the grouunds, was incredibly nostalic for me. Somehow I couldn't help but think my dad was taking in the sights with me!

     As we headed out of town on our way to Nashville we saw a sign for "Lookout Mountain". I had always heard the stories of "Lookout Mountain" and "Signal Mountain", so we couldn't resist a quick sidetrip to the summit. Evidently the Native American indians that originally inhabited this area used to camp guards on one side of the valley on top of Signal Mountain, and others across the valley on top of Lookout Mountain. From their vantage points they could see the entire valley below. They would send smoke signals to their compatriots on the other mountain if they spotted intruders. It was a pretty spectacular view so I would imagine more than one indian guard got distracted by sights when he should have been focusing on his duty.

     Having led 3 Promise Keeper conferences in Nashville since 2003, I made arrangements to meet a very special friend for dinner that night when we got into town. Though we haven't seen each other in almost 3 years, it was as if we hadn't missed a heartbeat. We laughed, we shared stories, and we enjoyed the fellowship around the table. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

      I headed to the airport the next morning at 4 AM....just in time to see God put on a spectacular display in the form of a lightning storm. There were 7-8 bolts of lighting crackling all around the area at the same time for at least an hour. It was an amazing sight. Though it jeopardized my flight later that day, it was something to behold.

      Fortunately, I finally did get home Tuesday night, but not without a few more delays in Dallas. It had been quite the adventure and one that I almost ran right past before I got to thinking. I had been disappointed that I couldn't come home Monday AM as planned. My plans got dramatically changed by circumstances I had no control over. While I didn't get angry, I had things to do and needed to get home. But God had other plans in mind! He allowed both my traveling partner and myself to connect with a very personal place right there in Chattanooga......a place we would have never seen if we kept our original plans. He took us to the top of the mountain to gain a whole new perspective of the valley where Chattanooga sits, and gave us view that became the backdrop for some unforgettable pictures. He allowed me to unexpectedly spend some quality time with a friend that is as close to me as a brother. And to top all that off, He put on quite the show for me on Tuesday morning, and still got me home where I belong! All in all, my "wasted day" became a "day to remember".

      Isn't that how God often works? He takes us down side-streets, detours, and unforeseen circumstances to allow us to experience more of what He has to offer us. We certainly don't always like the change in our plans, but as we look back, we usually find out that it was all for the best. And often we realize when He gives us that view from on top of the mountain we wouldn't have had any other way, things look a lot different.

      While I'm not suggesting you drop all your plans to follow some whim, I am saying that you shouldn't be that surprised when God changes your plans. He usually has something much better in mind than you have....you just have to figuratively "get in the car and drive". I don't know where He's taking you, but I guarantee you He will lead the way. And when you get the chance to sit back and consider all that has happened I can't help but think you'll find a whole new perspective. I think God likes doing stuff like that!

Enjoy the view,

Larry

MODERN DAY MIRACLES

 
      I looked at the picture on the screen in utter amazement.  We live in a world filled with such technological advancements that it makes the heads of those just a generation or two behind us spin.   No one can possible keep up with the fast-changing world of scientific discovery,  or the commerical development of those newly found technologies.  A process developed for one purpose can quickly be adapted for a host of other uses in a wide variety of fields.  The things thought impossible just a few years earlier are now commonplace.
 

    On the particular day I  mentioned above I was staring at a computer screen watching an ultrasound image of my new "grandson" being formed in my daughter's womb.  He was being anything but modest, so there was no doubt that he was "all boy".  Though only slightly bigger than an avacado,  there he was --- 10 little toes, sucking his thumb, heart beating strong, and moving frequently to make sure we all knew he was alive and kicking!   As the technicians took the various measurements, she pronounced that despite some of the risks of my daughter's pregnancy,  little Lukas was growing right on schedule. 

 
   The fact that a little scope can see inside our bodies is both rermarkable and a bit disturbing. When my own kids were born we got the  predecessors  to the modern day ultrasounds, but it was honestly hard to tell that those little "blobs" on film were really one day going to be our children.  And while they thought they could tell what the babies were going to be (boy or girl),  we really didn't want to know  (and they got one wrong anyway!!).   Now you can even get a 3-D color photograph of your baby in utereo.  Next thing you know babies will  be coming out in diapers and already dressed in pink or blue.

    I was talking with some of the guys at my Bible Study last Monday about how technology has changed just in the last 30-40 years.  When I was in the Air Force I worked on the second most powerful computer in the world, second only to the mainframe that was in the Pentagon at the time. It was the size of a small house, featured banks and banks of tape reel drives and flashing lights, and had to be kept at a crisp 55-60 degrees at all times.  Now my laptop can process as much or more information....and you don't have to wear a sweater to work on it!  Amazing!  

 
    We've gone from silent films to IPODs,  woodstoves to microwaves, and horse & buggies to personal space craft.  The knowledge base is multiplying at staggering rates.  No one can truly keep up with all that happens!    Well, that is, except one person you probably know......GOD! 

 
    Sometimes I think we've become overly enamored with our own accomplishments.  Mankind truly has achieved a great deal and will continue to do so.  But let's face the facts --- our best efforts pale in comparison to what God has already done. While technology can give us sharper images on our TV screens, God created the views we're trying to project.  Though we've developed powerful weapons that stagger the imagination with their power,  a close-up look at a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, or earthquake will put our meager efforts in perspective.  While we've created some amazing things using the resources at our disposal, God made the resources we are using out of scratch.....FROM NOTHING!  If that doesn't make you stop and think, perhaps you should go take a long walk and look around at the world God created. 

 
     I'm not opposed to technology in the least. As a matter of fact, I'm a bit of a "geek" myself I guess.  I like smaller phones, faster computers, better MPG's in my car, internet research capabilities, and SKYPE!   But all the technology in the world doesn't compare to a personal relationship with the one who truly can be called "The Creator".   I'd rather know that I "know Him" and am "KNOWN" by Him than all the techno-wizardly trinkets money can by.  I marvel at what we, as humans, have been able to do.....but really, it just doesn't compare to what God has already done and continues to do all around us.  Count me as one of those who is throughly impressed with His workmanship.......including the way He's putting together my new little grandson inside his mother's womb.   If you truly want to see something impressive, take a look at one of those new ultrasounds and tell me you aren't totally amazed at this miracle we call life!   Watching little  Lukas develop is truly a technological marvel.....and I don't mean the machine that is taking the pictures!! 

 
From One "Geek" to Another,

PLANNINGTO "RETIRE" OR "RETREAD

It's hard to admit, but I think I'm getting "old".  I may still think and act like a kid sometimes, but my body is telling me it is far past its prime  (not that it was ever so "prime" in the first place!).   If the aches and pains that accompany my life journey were not enough evidence to that fact, there seems to be a commercial on the TV about every 10 minutes about my fellow members of the "baby boomer" generation reaching retirement age.  What's frustrating is that all the "boomers" they show on the commercials don't seem to have a care in the world and have established a financial nest egg that will let them golf, fish, and travel without a thought.  Somewhere I must have taken the wrong turn!
 
     I have to admit, I haven't thought much about "retirement".  In fact, I don't really plan to retire if the old body will hold out.  I actually can't see much purpose in the whole concept.  I've heard one too many stories about those who have "retired" soon getting bored, losing their sense of purpose, and sitting around the house longing for the days when they had something more productive to do.  The whole concept of "retiring" seems to run contrary to how God made us.  The men in the Bible didn't seem to retire, and I think I know why!  They had something worthwhile to do!! 

   Don't get me wrong......I know sooner or later I will have to slow down.  I imagine some of you have a hard time believing that will ever happen, but I'm enough of a realist to face the fact that my seemingly endless supply of energy and enthusiasm will someday reach predictable limits. I doubt if I will ever become a quiet, reserved wallflower type, but I know sooner or later getting from here to there is going to take longer than it used to!   At 55 I'm already aware that I can't do the things I did at 30 without paying for it later!  What a bummer that is!  My mind still remembers the moves, and my heart can be just as enthused, but the body says, "you've got to be kidding me!"
 
     The point is, while I may have to slow down to the inevitable reality of age,  I don't want to "retire".  I'd rather be "retreaded".  My purpose and responsibilities may change, but I still want t focus on being a productive member of society, and more importantly a productive member of God's Kingdom in a place of genuine service.  I'm impressed when I see examples of those who have passed their peak physically, but are reaching new heights in productivity in one realm or another.  It's the author who produces more books after 60 than they did before going over the hill; the preacher who has more fire in his belly and knowledge in his head than he did when he came right out of seminary like a firebrand;  it's the businessman who takes his experience to mentor the next generation of leaders;  or perhaps the elderly Christian who has found new purpose in going on short term mission trips around the world or financing others in such endeavors.  These people have "retired" from their former life and responsibilities, but they have been "retreaded"  for brand new adventures.
 
   I have to admit, I get tired of the same old routines at times.  I'm one of those guys who would always like to start something new rather than maintain something that is already established.  I can't help but think that in my impending "golden years" God will still give me some opportunities to take some of the things I've learned along my life journey and put them to use somewhere else to make a difference.
 
      Perhaps we all need to worry a little less about "retirement" and focus our thoughts and energy on what it would mean to be "retreaded".   We may wear out doing the "old things", but God can enlarge our vision and give us a renewed sense of purpose in another area. While I would certainly love to travel and have complete financial freedom,  that's less important to me as I think ahead than having a meaningful opportunity to invest my time, talent and energy in something I can believe in.  I don't think I need  to build a "nest egg" more than anything as I approach my 60's ----- I think I just need the  assurance that I will be able to keep "building" something that truly makes a difference in the lives of those around me. That would truly make my future something worth being called "golden". 
 
Available to be Retreaded

WHAT'S SO "GOOD" ABOUT FRIDAY?

      For many people Friday's are the  favorite day of their week.  If you're one of those folks who has a regular Monday-Friday job,  it marks the end of the work week and the start of the weekend. Even though who work "odd shifts" often say the last day of their work week is their "Friday".  Though we often cram our weekends full with more activities than we can possibly do,  which  leaves us exhausted when Monday morning rolls around, we still begin the new week looking forward to Friday when we can do it all  over again.  It's all kind of crazy when you stop to think about it.
 
    While Fridays, in general,  are a pretty "good thing",  there is only one that is called :"Good Friday".  Today just happens to be that day!  It's called that because it marks the day that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, along with two thieves,  on a lonely hill just outside of Jerusalem called Golgatha.  When you truly consider this incredibly cruel means of execution favored by the Roman government,  you wonder  how anyone could describe the events that transpired that day as being  "good".  You would be hard pressed to find a more excruciating way to die than crucifixion. If you were one of those folks who could stand by and watch a someone dying on a cross without getting squeamish or wanting the soldiers to put the poor victim out of their misery,  you would be an ideal candidate to become a horror film producer.
 
    "Good Friday" is not good just  because of what happened on that cross.......because the cross without the empty tomb is a symbol of defeat and the loss of hope.  Jesus' death on the cross would  basically be meaningless if He had not risen from the dead on Easter Sunday.  The resurrection of Christ brings meaning and purpose to His willingness to endure the physical torture of the cross and the rejection of His Father.  Jesus took on the sins of the world,  which resulted in His complete separation from everything that He had known before that day.   He paid the horrible price for our sin on the cross that Friday and gave us hope for eternity by His resurrection on the following Sunday.
 
     That all sounds pretty theological.....I mean, we really do believe all that stuff....but it sounds so "churchy".  Perhaps that's because too often our head knowledge doesn't really seem to sink into our hearts and daily routines.  I think as Christians we need to slow down and realize what is "so good" about Good Friday.  The God who created the universe loved us so much that He couldn't stand the thought of us not being able to enjoy His heaven.  The wall of sin was a huge obstacle to His plans for us because  "God is holy and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).  From the time of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden,  God has been in the business of restoring things to "normal".   In the Old Testament He gave us His law and provided a systems of sacrifices to illustrate the seriousness of sin and the method to restore the breech in our relationship with Him.  The price had to be paid to satisfy the justice and holiness of God, enabling Him to once again have fellowship with His creation.  Jesus came as the final and ultimate sacrifice under that system  -- the "lamb of God slain for the sins of the world".  Upon His death, the curtain in the temple that separated us from direct releationship with God on a one-to-one basis was torn in two, from top to the bottom.  The price had been paid once and for all for the sins of mankind;  now we could approach God's throne in a personal way, asking for His forgiveness because of what Jesus did for us on that cross, and proven by His power over  death on Easter morning.
 
     When I stop to think about all that this really means,  I'm astounded!  Why would Jesus willingly go through all that He went through on that day for me?   What possible motivation was so profound that He would endure the nails being pounded into His hands and feet?  What type of man would trade places with me for sins that I committed?  There's only one possible explanation.....because He loved me that much!   I'm the one that deserved to be punished for what I have done!  I am not  worthy to walk in His footsteps,  to enter into His heaven, or to be the recipient of His gracious gift of mercy and forgiveness........BUT I AM THE ONE WHO GETS TO DO SO.......AND SO ARE YOU!   That Friday was truly a "good day" for me.....and for all mankind; ......a day we should never forget!
 
    May I challenge you to not let this Good Friday go "unnoticed" in your busy routine.   Take some time to thank the One who gave His life for you.  It's a sobering thought to think about all the events that took place on this day some 2000 years ago.....but don’t forget,  it was only Friday.......Sunday was coming!
 
Putting the "Good" back in Good Friday, 

ENDLESS RAIN

I love living in the Northwest.  Having traveled around the country for several years, I came to the conclusion that you would be hard-pressed to find a nicer place to live.  Not only are we surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the country, but we have easy access to the ocean beaches, majestic mountains,  and desert vistas.  Our economy is fairly diverse, folks here tend to have a laid back attitude, there is very little racial tension, and we're close enough to the major metro areas of Seattle and San Francisco without having to live in them!  We've really got the best of all worlds.
 
    Incredibly, one of the things I actually like about living in the Northwest is our weather.  While not as pronounced as it is in some areas of the country,  we get a taste of all four seasons.  Granted, if we get snow in the Portland area more than 2-3 times a year we're surprised, but we get a full blast fall and most of the time a good dose of summer heat.  If there's one season that's a bit too long for me it's the spring. Oregon has a reputation for "rain", which is somewhat deserved,  but I usually tell folks it's not nearly as bad as they think.  However, there are times in the spring when I begin to question that myself. 
 
   Last month we set a record for rainfall. That's pretty hard to do considering how much it usually rains here in March. In fact, we had set the record by the middle of the month.....and we were just starting.  It seemed like it rained constantly over the past few weeks, dampening our spirits as much as anything else.  It was virtually endless!  Even though I actually like the rain....it was even too much for me.  A rain shower can be refreshing.....a deluge is annoying. 
 
    I'm probably the only guy you'll ever meet that didn't like the weather in San Diego when I lived there. It was 73 and sunny virtually every day of the year!  BORING!  I longed for a thundershower, a nip in the air, or a brisk breeze that made you bundle up.  Snow was unheard of, and a sprinkle brought outdoor activities to a complete halt.  A few rainy days really make you appreciate it when you get on of those "Chamber of Commerce" San Diego type days.   But a constant diet of "perfect" weather becomes routine and somewhat dull.
 
    Our lives are much more like the weather in Oregon than the weather in San Diego.  I don't know too many people who just get to cruise through life in perfect conditions most of the time. My life certainly hasn't played out that way, and I don't think I would like it if it did.  I've experienced my share of storms in the circumstances of my life. There have been times when I've needed to huddle up in the security of my home against the cold blast of a broken relationship.  A thunderstorm of an unexpected challenge or criticism has often crashed against the quiet of my routine. I've gone through many dry seasons where God seems toi be a million miles away, leaving me to navigate the heat of the moment in faith.  And I've experienced the refreshing times of new growth, new hope, and new starts that remind me so much of spring.
But the most difficult season in my life are those times when the rain just never seems to stop!  Financial pressures are added to relationship problems, which are compounded by work pressures, and made worse by physical frailities.  Just about the time I think I get one area under control, another storm of challenges comes rolling in, all but overwhelming my ability to cope. The "rains" are all a part of life.....but there are times when I've had about enough of "life" and just want to catch my breath.  Do you understand? 
 
    If I've learned anything about the Oregon rain in spring......and hopefully that's true this spring......is that it will eventually stop and summer will come.  When the rain stops and we venture to  look around we can see and enjoy the incredible blessings God has given those of us privileged to live here. You won't find greener hills, more beautiful flowers, or incredible forests than right here in the Pacific Northwest.  Butif we hadn't endured the spring rain, none of those things would seem as spectacular.   The rain may seem endless at times,  but it will stop,  and it sure is amazing to look around here when it does!
 
    Maybe that's the lesson I need to take from the "rain" in my life.  Sometimes it comes as a shower, but other times it seems like I'm living in a torrential downpour.  In either case, I can take assurance in knowing that it will eventually stop. And when it does, perhaps I should take a little more time to look around and see the wonders God has been doing all around me.  God's blessings often come on the other side of "shower".   My hope is that when I'm in a season of seemingly "endless rain" that I will remember that there is a rainbow at the end of the storm filled with the new things God has in store for me.   My prayer is that you'll find that hope in the rainy seasons of your life too.
 
Dancin' in the Puddles,

FACES IN THE CROWD

      A Roman crucifixion was a public spectacle.  Unlike a modern day execution held behind closed doors with only a handful of witnesses,  the Romans choose to enforce capital punishment sentences as publicly as possible.   Scourgings were often held in the view of a gawking  crowd and death sentences were carried out in a way to serve as an extremely visual deterrent to crime. 

         While there were a variety of ways to enforce the death penalty in this era, the Roman’s preferred method of execution was death by crucifixion.  Not only did this method provide an effective means to the desired end of death for the convicted criminal, it also provided a compelling object lesson on Roman authority for all those who witnessed the gruesome scene. 
   

       A death by crucifixion often took 18-24 hours, and would eventually result only when the unfortunate victim suffocated as their lungs slowly filled with fluid.  The knees of the victim were bent when they were nailed to the cross so that they would involuntarily push up on their feet, despite the incredible pain, to grasp another breath. If the cruel suffering of the condemned was taking too long, the soldiers would just use a sledge hammer to break the legs of the one on the cross to keep them from pushing up to get another breath.
   

      As Jesus took on the sins of the world,  God the Father had to turn away and ignore the agony of the scene. He could have no fellowship with sin, therefore He could not respond to the cries of His Son when He screamed, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”
  

      Sports Illustrated has long had a feature in their magazine called “FACES IN THE CROWD”.  This feature doesn’t highlight the famous athletes  or the movers and shakers in the world of sports. Rather, it gives us a glimpse of some of the “regular” people like you and I who are participating in one way or another in a sport.   They are just a few of the “faces in the crowd” that make up overall scene of sports by the non-professional athlete.
   

       On a hill called Golgatha on the day the Jesus Christ was crucified there were a lot of other “faces in the crowd” watching Jesus die on that cross.  Each of these individuals or groups saw the events that were transpiring in a different way.  For some it was routine; for others it was retribution; for still others it was a nightmare.  Their point of reference determined how they viewed the events surrounding this crucifixion.
  

     The Roman soldiers looked on with the face of APATHY.  They were just doing their job, moving prisoners back and forth,  keeping control of the spectacle.  Their task was to carry out the execution – it was tough duty.  For the most part it didn’t matter to them what the prisoner had done  - they just wanted to get it over with so they could go home.
  

     The family and the disciples gathered around the cross, taking in the scene with a face of SORROW.   The watched the events unfold in shocked disbelief.  Less than a week earlier Jesus had come into the city to the shouts of  “Hosanna in the highest”.  How could the situation have deteriorated so quickly? 
   

     It was the face of SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS that dominated the crowd of Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders. They had gotten their way, convincing the Roman Governor to  sentence Jesus to death. Their smug expressions and snide remarks were intended to add insult to injury.
   

      The faces of the two thieves that shared Jesus’ fate on the cross were ones of DESPERATION.  Though they were rightfully being punished for what they had done,  the horrible reality of death by crucifixion was worse than even they had anticipated.  Both were in agony.   One hurled insults at Jesus, but the other sought hope in the act of repentance.
  

       Standing nearby there was a Roman Centurion.  His was a face of COMPREHENSION.   Though he may not have known what this day would hold for him,  as he witnessed the events he came to the stark conclusion that “this man was the son of God.”  Though his moment of insight didn’t change the outcome of the events,  he went home that day a changed man! 
    

      I wonder, what would’ve shown on my face if I had been one of those standing on that lonely Jerusalem hillside that Friday afternoon? What would my perspective have been? What is it now?  Perhaps we should all take some time  to further examine some of those “faces in the crowd”. What we see in them may help us reconsider how we view the cross and the One who willingly gave His life for our salvation.

TURTLE TRUTHS

At our recent "Book Fair":I was asked to serve as one of the "Celebrity Readers".  I don't know how far down the barrel they had to go to consider me a "celebrity", but that's a whole different story.  We were instructed to choose one of our favorite children's books and read it out loud to the a group of anxious kids with their toothless smiles.  Certainly they would be impressed by our ability to pronounce multi-syllabic words without having to look at the pictures.  It was a true test of my ability to prove I was a "grown up".   Therefore, of course, I choose a Dr. Seuss book! 
 
    You can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss!  His "Cat in the Hat" stories are classics.  But my favorite Dr. Seuss book has always been "Yertle the Turtle".   I like that little guy because he reminds me so much of myself sometimes.  Like those around him, he is stuck in the normal routine of "turtle life".  The scenery is all pretty bland from his viewpoint, and nothing much every changes.  It's not all that exciting, but it's all he knows. 
 
   The King of the Turtles enjoyed a much better view of the world around him.  To get that view he has step on and sit on top of an entire stack of other turtles. Like the old cliche says,  "If you see a turtle sitting on top of a fencepost, you know he didn't get there by himself."   Obviously it's not so great to be one of the turtles in the stack, but they were always told to accept their lot in life so that their King could tell them what he saw.  It was nice to be the King.
 
     Yertle refused to accept his role as a member of the turtle stack  -- he longed to be King. Unfortunately, to do so he had to start stepping on other turtles to climb higher in the stack.   He wasn't exactly proud of what he had to do, but it was getting him where he wanted to go.  He could justify his actions because he was making progress......and progress is all that mattered to him.  With each new level came a better view of the world around him......as long as he didn't look back down the stack and see all the turtles he had stepped on to get there.
 
     Inevitably, Yertle does make it to the top of the turtle stack and proclaims himself the "King of All He Sees".....the trees, the birds, the butterflies, the air!  But, of course, he wasn't!  And when little Mack the turtle sneezed on the bottom of the turtle stack, Yertle and all his turtle friends came tumbling back down to earth.   Yertle was no longer "King of All He Sees" because he was covered in mud and couldn't see anything.   He had come crashing back to reality. 
 
      In the world we live in there are plenty of of opportunities to "climb the stack", stepping on others as we go. Getting ahead and making something out of yourself is almost an American mantra.  And I guess down deep I can't believe there's anything wrong with the idea of bettering yourself.  God gave us brains and abilities, and I actually think he wants us to use them.   In fact, our lack of effort sometimes speaks volumes about the type of people we really are! 
 
      But I can't help but wonder if we're not just alittle too much like Yertle sometimes, somewhat oblivious to the others we are stepping on as we climb the ladder.  Certainly we are all on this journey together, and everyone is striving to be the best they can be.   It's inevitable that we will advance at different rates, meaning one person's good fortune is often at the expense of someone else. We can't control a lot of that so we just accept that as the reality of living in our own "turtle stack". There are the "haves" and "have nots", and a whole bunch of turtles in-between.  We can't take care of all of them....we have to keep climbing to get the best view possible of the world around us.  We believe they can climb too, if they really want to,......or at least that's what we tell ourselves to justify leaving them behind.
 
    As Christians we are not insulated from the realities of life. We, too, are climbing to make the most of our lives for ourselves and our families.  But we are called to live by a higher standard than the rest of the turtles in our stack.  1 John 4 says we are called to live a life reflecting the love of THE KING.  It is not our supreme desire to become the king of our stack, but to demonstrate the love of the KING OF KINGS wherever we find ourselves in the pile.  That may mean slowing down and helping others take the next step or re-evaluating our priorities and climbing strategies.   It certainly means noticing those who are all around us and being aware of how our actions are affecting them.  I can't help but believe that we are called to climb higher, but with one hand reaching up and the other reaching down to help another "turtle".
 
     Perhaps there's a little Yertle in all of us that needs a priority adjustment.  I'm sure the view is cool on the top of the pile, but wouldn't it be more fun to share it with some of those you brought along with you?  That would be enough to make any turtle proud! 
 
Sitting on a Fence Post......and knowing how I got there!

THE FERTILE SOIL OF A GRATEFUL HEART

 
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,  that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”
-2 Corinthians  8:9  

  The legend is told of a man who found the barn where Satan kept seeds to be sown in the human heart.  It quickly became obvious that most numerous seed in his arsenal were the seeds of “discouragement”.  When he inquired as to why this was so, his guide told him it was because the seeds of “discouragement” could grow almost anywhere.  The word “almost” intrigued the man.  When he pressed for a further explanation the guide reluctantly told him there was one place were the seeds of discouragement would never grow. “And where is that?’ asked the man.  The guide sadly replied, “In the heart of a grateful man.”

  Discouragement is one of Satan’s most powerful tools in the life of a Christian.  A church filled with discouraged Christians soon loses its’ sense of vision and ministry in the larger community.  Without vision nothing of significance is ever accomplished for the Kingdom of God.  Maintaining an attitude of gratitude is essential to our effectiveness, both as individuals and as a congregation. 

We may be living in tough economic times, but we still have an abundance of things for which to be grateful.  Our commitment to ministry, the expansion of our church facilities, or our vision for the future should never be based on what we “don’t have”, but rather in gratitude for what we already enjoy! 

  If we really stop to think about it, we are an incredibly blessed people.  God has already given us far more than we need or deserve.  Like the old hymn suggests,  we would all be amazed  if we would “count our blessings.”The natural response of anyone taking such an inventory is to want to give something back. 

Effective ministries are always financed by gratitude.  Coercion, guilt, obligation and pressure never really work.  Effective ministry grows out of the fertile soil of a grateful heart.  Satan’s seeds of discouragement can’t take root there, but God’s seeds of  generosity and sacrifice always do.  That’s why money is never a problem in the church that is filled with grateful people!  I wonder, what’s the soil condition of our hearts telling us?

PAPERWEIGHT MEMORIES

It sits on my desk as a constant reminder of who I am and what is really important in life. While it's only purpose is to hold things down and keep some of my loose papers organized,  its' value is not measured by its' utilitarian effectiveness.   Rather,  the value of this particular item can only be measured by subjective analysis of what it actually means to me personally! 
 
    What is it?  It's a paperweight!  I know,  this may be the first time ever that someone has written a feature article about a paperweight.  But this paperweight is special.....at least it is to me!  Taped carefully on the bottom on this clear glass half spherre is a photo of my family....my wife, my daughter,  my two sons....and the big guy with the beard!  It doesn't include my two daughter-in-laws or my son-in-law,  or any of my six grandkds.....just the folks who grew up in the family that Chris and I formed when we got married. 
 
    The photo was taken on a day not too dissimilar to today....a cold, wet autumn day in November. It was taken in one of our favorite places,  Autzen Stadium in Eugene,  after an Oregon Duck victory in the Civil War.  The 5 of us, all decked out in our green and yellow,  conned someone into taking a picture of us mugging for the camera. It's become one of my favorite pictures of all time! 
 
  When I looked at my paperweight this morning,  I was reminded once again that life is too short to get so stressed about things that ultimately don't matter.  Our relationships with those we love are far more important that problems over passing issues,  bills that need to be paid,  minor aches & pains,  and misguided folks who root for other teams like the Beavers or Huskies!   The memories created by times like football games, Thanksgiving dinners,  Christmas,  birthday parties,  grandpa dates, and silly emails should be cherished.  Those little maniacs that grew up in my home are now grown adults with kids of their own. It's hard to believe how fast the time has gone. 
 
 When falls rolls around  I'll leave the office a bit earlier than normal on a Friday afternoon to once again drive down I-5 and head to Eugene.  There I will meet up with a posse of little ones anxious to spend a night with Grandma and Grandpa.  Sometime that Saturday Chris and I will  head to Autzen Stadium,  as we have for the past 15 years,  knowing that our daughter Marci will be sitting beside us, and our two boys will be just  behind us one section over......all decked out in green and yellow. At halftime we'll all gather together outside of section 35 to eat our hotdogs and talk about the first half.  Then we'll briefly connect after the game,  hug them all, and head home with another family memory worthy of being on a paperweight of it's own. 

    I'd encourage you to make a few of those special memories of your own.  And if you need some ideas for a paperweight, just let me know....even if you are a Beaver or a Husky fan! 
 
Touched by the Memories,

Larry

The Stars Are Still There!

   It was a bit late in the season for a camping trip, but last October I spent the night sitting around the campfire at Detroit Lake.  The lake is so low at that time of the year that all the docks are laying on the mud and it's a bit of a hike just to get to the lake shore.  It was more like "Detroit Puddle" than the way I was used to seeing the lake, but nevertheless,  it was nice to be away! 
 
After sacrificing the proverbial  hot dog over the campfire, along with a few flaming marshmellows,  we settled around the fire to stay warm and just "relax".  What is it about staring into a crackling fire that is so mesmerizing?  Like most men I can get into my "nothing box" pretty easy and just veg out, but it's never easier than it is when I'm sitting around the campfire! 
 
  It was a clear, cold night so no one was particularly interested in leaving the cozy confines of the fire.  Still, we drove all the way up to the lake to "get away" from the hustle and bustle of the city, so the least we could do is take a walk down to the lake to see the stars!   Bundled up we headed for what had been the boat dock last summer and walked toward the new shoreline. 
 
  I wasn't ready for what I saw!  I've been on a lot of camping trips, and I've always enjoyed seeing how many stars there were once you got away from the city lights,  but this night was exceptional.  The night sky was absolutely incredible.  Not only were there more stars visible than I had ever seen, but you could actually see the "cloud" of the Milky Way galaxy running from east to west across the horizon.   I had seen pictures of that in my science textbooks, but I had never been able to see that before in real life......and I'm 54 years old!   It was an awesome experience! 
 
When I went back to my campsite and settled back in around the fire,  I couldn't help but think about what I had just seen.  That sky is there every single night.....whether I can see it or not.  God created it and is maintaining it, along with the rest of the universe!  Yet that same God actually takes the time out of His busy schedule to care about me.  It boggles my little mind to think about that!  If someone hadn't already done so,  I think I could have written the song "How Great Thou Art" right there in my campsite!
 
I want to remind you today that God loves you!  The God who created the universe is interested in your life.  In the midst of the hustle and bustle of your daily routine,  take some time to get away, look to the skies, and remember!   We serve a great and mighty God.....sometimes we just get too comfortable sitting around the campfire to notice!  
 
Warmed by His Love,
Larry