thoughts on the news of the day: tsunami

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            First the earthquake, then the tsunami. You are probably living under a rock if you haven’t heard or read about the devastation of the last day or so in Japan.  There’s not much we can do about it.  We can’t be there to help with recovery efforts.  We can send money, etc. but it won’t get there for a few days.  About the only thing we can do immediately is pray:

            “Dear God, our hearts go out to the people of Japan.  They have been struck by devastation we can only imagine.  Give them the strength and the courage to cope with the wreckage and even more, dear God, give them the power to go on from here.  All of us who just sit and watch are awestruck by the power of movement and water and it reminds us of your strength and your power.  We know that you did not bring this destruction upon their land, but we do know that by your Holy Spirit you will be with them through this horrible tragedy.  We pray for all of those who have lost loved ones in the earthquake or the tsunami that followed.  Comfort them in their grief and give them hope for tomorrow when their world seems like it is coming to an end.  For those still lost in the rubble, give them courage to last until rescuers reach them and help them to be patient in the meantime.   We ask that you do all this in the name of love.  Amen.

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thoughts on the news of the day: prophesies

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            It’s hard to ignore the earthquakes that have hit our planet over the last few weeks: one in New Zealand, one in our Natural State, Arkansas, and one today in Japan. And the question to ask is, “what does it mean?”

            You can find out lots of fun facts about earthquakes and this is what I learned: A sudden slip by a fault causes an earthquake.  The sides of the fault get pushed together, then pressure builds up, the rocks slip suddenly which causes energy to be released in waves that travel through the rock.  The waves cause the shaking that takes place during an earthquake.  Interestingly enough, it is estimated that there are several million earthquakes in a year.  Most go undetected because they are small in size or are located in remote areas.  The largest earthquake ever recorded occurred in Chile in 1960; it had a magnitude of 9.5.

            It’s easy to jump to conclusions about our spiritual condition when we hear about multiple earthquakes.  Doomsday prophets like to quote Revelations and prophesy the coming of the end of the world: “And I saw when it opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as hair sackcloth, and the whole moon became as blood …”  But when you take into account that earthquakes are recorded several times in the Old Testament even as early as King Uzziah of Judah, the power of prophecy loses its luster.

            No one knows for sure when the world will end.  But for some folks today in Japan, it did.  And probably to their families, it doesn’t matter that the earthquake that hit Japan today was one of millions.  It matters only that someone they loved is gone.  And that might be the end of their world.

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thoughts on the news of the day: idols

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            Last night on American Idol, the contestants were invited to choose songs by their personal idols.  Some chose obvious and logical singing idols who were clearly the inspiration for their singing style.  Others chose singers who were well known artists and might be crowd pleasers.  My hunch is that none of them chose their idols based on their character; but then that’s not really what the contest was about.

            Who is your idol?  One of the definitions for “idol” is: one that is adored, often blindly or excessively.  Who do you adore?  Many would say their idol is their current sweetheart, some might say a rock star or a sports hero.  We are tempted to blindly revere a celebrity for no other reason than because the media tells us that we should.

            Idols are different that heroes.  Heroes are usually people who have accomplished incredible feats or goals with persistence and dedication. Heroes inspire us to try harder – to become better people.

            Even Jesus was asked about his idol.  He was tempted in the desert for a long period of time.  Jesus was asked by Satan to bow down and adore him and he would be given everything.  But Jesus refused. Perhaps our adoration should fall into that category. 

            I don’t think it is wise to blindly adore another human being. Humans are, well, human.  We make mistakes, we fall down.  But there is One who is perfection – One we can always count on, One who unconditionally loves us, One who is worthy of adoration.  And that One is God.

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thoughts on the news of the day: gas prices

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            I filled up my gas tank and was shocked to see the amount it cost.   Since I depend on my car for my work, higher gas prices affect my ability to serve my congregation.  Last Monday morning, my car took us to deliver communion to our members who are no longer able to attend services.  We drove through city streets, subdivisions and out to the country around our beautiful lakes to offer the bread of heaven to those who couldn’t be in church last Sunday morning. 

            The most impressive visit was to a retired doctor and his charming wife.  Two of our Elders and I took communion to them at their lovely lakeside home complete with a magnificent view of the water below.  Their passions in life seem to be music and travel.  The first was apparent by the stunning music room with floor to ceiling windows that held an array of musical instruments including a grand piano.  Then there was the incredible art work that graced the walls.  Pieces from Asia were in abundance because both of them had been raised in China and had visited it many times.  The art was prolific and eclectic and even included a Picasso pastel drawing.

            Gas prices will limit our travel.  They will make us think twice about our extra trips around town.  But I am grateful that I have a vehicle that takes me where I need to go.  I would like to think that offering communion and fellowship to our church family who can’t be with us regularly will give them the sense that we do still think of them, pray for them and care for them – because we do.

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thoughts on the news of the day: youth

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            How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Marin McNess, a teenager from Atlantic, Iowa made a resolution at the first of the year to do a good deed for someone every day.  And 67 days into the commitment, she is still going strong. “I wake up everyday and ask myself, ‘What am I going to do today?’”

            Her projects are everything from helping in soup kitchens to cleaning out attics for the elderly to folding sheets.  She does this with grace and humility.  “It’s not about me,” she says, “it has nothing to do with me.”

            That kind of humility belies her age.  Or, maybe not.  While Marin is exceptional in her commitment, it is easy to generalize about teenagers today.  Most of the time, the ones who get in trouble are the focus of our attention.  But if you look around you, you will find a whole army of good kids who are going to school, playing sports and helping others.

            I am fortunate to have had some one on one time with a young man who is receiving instruction to be baptized.  He is remarkable only in that he is polite, thoughtful, intelligent and outgoing – not the characteristics we stereotypically expect in teenagers today.

            It’s easy to generalize.  It’s easy to lump all teens in a category of despondent, rebellious, self-centered children.  But it’s not fair.  There are some great kids out there just waiting to get to know you and they want to help. 

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thoughts on the news of the day: longevity

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            “Five Ways to Cheat Death” is the headline on my internet site today.  It is the title of an article which lists 5 ways to live longer.  Among the five listed is living high. Studies have shown that living at a high altitude seemed to increase life span.  It’s something about being closer to the sun and getting more vitamin D.

            I can count at least 7 ninety-year-olds that belong to our congregation. There are things that they have in common that are evident that might have something to do with their long lives.

            First of all, they are all in happy, committed relationships or were until their spouse died.  Second, they are for the most part still active members of the community.  One couple volunteers at the Chamber of Commerce regularly.  Others are active volunteers for the church.  One still helps “old people” at the hospital! 

            What is also so evident in their lives is their commitment to their faith. Each one of them has a deep and rich connection with our church community and more importantly, they have a bond with their Creator.   They are in attendance in worship every Sunday morning.

            This Wednesday begins Lent.  So it’s a good time to remember the importance of a strong spiritual life. Take some time these next 40 days to re-connect with your Creator.   It will be enriching. And, hey!  It might even help you live longer!

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thoughts on the news of the day: numbers

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            Dr. Oz says that there are 3 numbers we should know in order to maintain good health.  First, our waist size; it should be half the inches of our height.  Second is blood pressure; it should be less than 120/80. And third is blood sugar; it should be below 100.  We should also know some other numbers: like our weight, our height and maybe the number of steps we take in a day (which should be around 10,000).

            Numbers keep us honest because they don’t lie. It’s easy to kid ourselves into thinking that our blood pressure isn’t that high.  We don’t get on the scale because we don’t want to know how much weight we have really gained.  And how much do we exercise?  We pretend we walk a lot, when really we don’t.

            These are lies that seem to be harmless to other people.  They don’t hurt our friends or family.  But they do hurt us.  When we don’t take care of ourselves, we are the biggest loser – and I don’t mean that in a television reality show kind of way. 

            But wait; maybe we do hurt other people.  If our health is not at our maximum best, we don’t have the energy to enjoy our family and friends.  And what about the enormous cost of health care?  Keeping good numbers ensures less time at doctor’s offices and hospitals.

            Let’s get into the numbers game.  Having a blood pressure cuff, a scale and a pedometer is a good thing.  Using them is even better!

            hmmm…..