An Oscar Winner

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

I love Colin Firth as an actor.  I have been a fan of his ever since I first saw the movie, Pride and Prejudice produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, and his portrayal of the quintessential “Darcy.”  In one of my favorite films, Love Actually, he portrays Jamie, a lonely writer who falls in love with his Portuguese housekeeper who speaks only her native tongue.  Firth studies Portuguese in order to propose; she studies English in order to win him.

Firth’s latest film is The King’s Speech, the story of King Edward VI, who had a terrible stutter.  His portrayal of a monarch struggling to overcome a speech impediment so that he can speak confidently to his people during a time of war is astounding.  I can’t even imagine the hours-days-months of preparation that he gave to this role.  His enormous talent and dedication to his craft was finally recognized last night when he won the Oscar for Best Actor. 

Beyond his gift, I admire Mr. Firth for the fact that life is not all about him.  He appears to have no swagger, no braggadocio, and no delusions that he is the center of his own universe.  He is a somewhat self-deprecating man who can make a joke at his own expense and laugh at his own foibles. 

Perhaps Firth is so grounded because he comes from a long line of pastors, priests, missionaries and teachers.  He is certainly a believer in the Golden Rule.  He recently said, "To me it's just basic civilization to help people. I find it incredibly painful to see how we dismiss the most desperate people in our society.”  He works for the welfare of indigenous tribes and against the deportation of those people who might suffer recrimination on return to their native land.  He is a man that uses his wealth, his talent and his influence for the good of others.  As a caring human being, he certainly has my vote.

Cleansing Fire

36-year-old Bonsai, Phipps Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh

I am come to send fire on the earth.

Luke 12:49 [NIV]

If I were relying on my own power of memory, and you were to ask me if I had ever seen a fire up close, I would answer truthfully, “No, I haven’t.”  However, this is not the truth.  I was told by my parents that when I was a very small child, my paternal Grandmother’s house burned to the ground, and our family was there when it happened.  The sight of the fire’s destruction of everything I associated with my grandmother was such a shock to me, I began to stutter, and continued to do so for many months.

Fire is our fourth symbol in scripture of the Holy Spirit’s glory, presence and power.  During the wilderness journey to the promised land, Moses and God’s people were covered with “…a pillar of fire by day…”  This incredible miracle brought light to the camp, warmth from the desert cold, a constant reminder of God’s presence, and a potent protection.  When John the Baptist spoke about Jesus, he said that Jesus would baptize with fire [Matthew 3:11].  Jesus Himself said that He came to send fire on the earth [Luke 12:49].  Paul proclaimed that Every man’s work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is [1 Corinthians 3:13].  Hebrews states that …our God is a consuming fire [Hebrews 12:29].  When the disciples and other followers of Christ were gathered in the upper room after His ascension to heaven, the Holy Spirit came upon them in the form of flames of fire: cleansing, filling, preparing.

Fire opens up a structure and reveals everything that is on the inside.  In the same way, the Holy Spirit reveals a person as they really are—showing us ourselves as God sees us.  The prophet Malachi wrote, He is like a refiner’s fire…, and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness [Malachi 3:2-3].  This fire is not a destructive force, but a cleansing one. We are to be baptized by divine fire now, to save us from destruction by all-consuming fire later. 

Fire of God, Thou sacred flame,

Spirit who in splendor came,

Let Thy heat my soul refine

Till it glows with love divine.

The Wind of Change

30-year-old bonsai tree, Phipps Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.  So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

John 3:8

Just as I ended writing my blog yesterday morning, the heavens opened up and the rain came thundering down.  The deluge lasted only a short time, then the droplets slowed to a pitter-patter, and finally ceased.  The sparkling earth was newly washed, and the cloud-covered sky brightened with the first hint of sunlight. When I stepped out of the house less than an hour later, however, I was astounded to find a brilliant, neon blue sky totally devoid of even a wisp of cloud.  What had worked this transformation?  A strong, gusting wind that had arisen out of nowhere.

The wind is our third symbol of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot see, smell, taste or touch the wind.  Sometimes we can hear it, other times we cannot.  What we do see is the change that the wind produces.  The Bible uses wind, air and breath to represent the work of the Spirit.  His movements are unknown, unseen.  The only evidence of the Spirit’s working is the change that is wrought in the individual.

One of the most fascinating stories in the Old Testament is found in Ezekiel 37:1-10.  The prophet Ezekiel is given a vision of a valley filled with bleached bones.  As far as the eye could see, there were bones.  God turned to Ezekiel and asked, “Can these bones live?”  I’m sure Ezekiel was taken back by the question, but he wisely answered, “You know the answer to that, Lord.”  God replies, “Ok.  Prophesy to the bones, and tell them that by the Lord’s word, they will come together, bone to bone; sinew and flesh will be added, and you will receive breath, that you may live.”

Ezekiel prophesied as commanded.  Suddenly there was a great shaking, and the bones came together to form skeletons, and sinew and flesh appeared on them.  But they were still dead.  Then God said, “Prophesy to the wind and say, ‘Come from the four winds and breathe upon the dead, that they may live.”  Ezekiel did as commanded; the wind arose and blew over the valley.  The bodies instantly came back to life and formed a huge army.

Our spiritual lives are destitute without the daily presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  God is willing and waiting to bestow the breath of His power.  All we have to do is ask.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Rain, Rain

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.  He that believes on Me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.”  This spoke He of the Spirit, which they that believed on Him were to receive.

~John 7:37-39 [ARV]

It is raining this morning.  The sky is filled with various shades of gray clouds, with the rain falling softly on the welcoming ground.  It must have rained much harder during the night – my glass storm door is a panoply of scattered droplets and everything on the porch is soaked.  It isn’t cold, however: the Internet weather proclaims it to be 64◦ outside – wonderful walking weather if it wasn’t so wet. 

Water, in the form of rivers, streams, or rain, is another Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus called out the invitation of our scripture during the Feast of Tabernacles – the last of the three annual feasts of the Jews.  This festival was 8 days in length and celebrated God’s protective care during their days of wandering in the wilderness.  The people of Jerusalem built little booths of branches to commemorate the tents of their sojourn, and lived outdoors for the first seven days of the festivities.  On the eighth day, they returned to their homes, symbolizing their entrance into the Promised Land.

Each day at dawn, the priests would lead a vast procession to the Valley of Kidron, where they filled a ceremonial pitcher with water from the living springs of the Pool of Siloam. The High Priest then led the way back up to the Temple, where the water was poured out before the altar.  On the eighth day of the feast, however, no water was offered.  Instead, the priest lifted up an empty vessel, expressing the unfulfilled promises and longings of the Jewish nation.  It was at this emotional high point in the ceremony that Jesus proclaimed, “You are thirsty?  Come to me, believe on me, and I will give you living water.”

It was the same offer that was He extended to the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me drink,’ you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”   The power of the Holy Spirit is available to each of us.  All we have to do is ask.

There shall be showers of blessing, precious reviving again;

Over the hills and the valleys, sound of abundance of rain.

Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need;

Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead.

The Mission

Peabody Library, John Hopkins University

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of 
the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

Wednesday evenings I teach children’s choir in a program called Music and Missions.  After 35 minutes of choir rehearsal, the kids and I gather around a table to talk about a new area of missions.  We have studied missionaries in Ecuador, Peru, China, Russia, Alaska, and many other locations.  We have talked about translating the Bible and the difficulties of learning a new language.  We have discussed what it must be like to live as a missionary in some of these locations.

Last night, our mission area was India, and the missionary we studied was Mother Teresa.  As I was preparing the materials, my research sparked several conversations with fellow workers and volunteers.  The overwhelming consensus was – “I’m glad it was her and not me.”  That idea stayed with me through the evening, providing food for thought even after I arrived home.

The extent of filth, squalor and abject poverty in Calcutta, India is beyond anything I might ascertain from stories or pictures.  The thought of being trapped in that life of loneliness, illness, starvation and death is frightening.  That someone would volunteer to share their lot in order to care for them is almost incomprehensible.  Mother Teresa’s tiny body held the soul of a giant of faith – a daughter held close to the heart of her beloved Savior.

Here I am Lord.  Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

The Frost of Unkindness

Ceiling of Fine Arts Building, Carnegie-Mellon University

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:11

This last weekend was a time of travel and auditions with the young man who is my vocal student.  The first was VCU right here in Richmond, then JMU up in Harrisonburg, and finally Peabody Conservatory at John Hopkins University in Baltimore.  Each school was unique in their presentation of what they have to offer, and the audition process itself. 

Two of the school – Carnegie-Mellon back in January, and Peabody yesterday, dazzle the sights and the senses with the physical surroundings before you have a chance to meet a soul.  Both richly endowed schools, these conservatories are housed in buildings that take your breath away: grand staircases, works of art, chandeliers and velvet drapery abound.  It is the people, however, that make the difference in choosing a college, and in that respect, Carnegie and Peabody could not be less alike.

I have written in a previous blog regarding the warmth and friendliness of Carnegie-Mellon.  Peabody, on the other hand, was freezing cold – inside and out.  From the young woman sitting by a spread of coffee and donuts who informed us that her refreshments were for auditioning harpists [definitely not for us], to the woman from admissions who rudely retorted that I should already have the answer to the question I asked, to the abrupt, cold audition process where each singer sang two songs and then was dismissed without questions or concern regarding who each young person was.

The entire question of where Joel attends college is now in the Lord’s hands.  Do I have my preferences?  Oh, you bet I do, and they do not include Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.  I would hate to see my young friend submersed in that cold, uncaring environment, coming out after four years with the same self-absorbed haughtiness we experienced yesterday.  All that counts in this sojourn through life is not what we have, but who we are.

The Least of These

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink

Good morning/afternoon/evening.  My name is Laci Yeattes, and I am the daughter of the lovely lady who so faithfully shares her daily thoughts.  Unfortunately, my mother is traveling and is unable to access the internet, so I am filling in for her today. 

In Matthew 25, starting with verse 35, Jesus talks about those who are worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  He states specific things that they have done for Him, like feed and clothe Him.  When asked when this occurred, He utters those famous words: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

In today's world, this is a standard that the majority of us ignore.  It is difficult to find a person who has not been "harrassed" outside of a convenience store or gas station by some stranger asking for change.  We take in their disheveled appearance, glazed eyes, and mumbled requests with a certain judgemental distaste.  Then comes "the thought."  We assume that the stranger will simply take the money for drugs and alcohol, neither of which being a habit we are comfortable enabling.  We look away, mutter something like "Sorry, all out of cash," and then hurry off.  How easy it is to be on the outside looking in.  Would it be so if we spent a day in their shoes?

I will be the first one to admit that I made some bad choices during my life.  These culminated during my college career with a one-sided (my side) estrangement from my family and a string of unfortunate events that left me homeless in the DC area at age 21.  I slept in the math department at my school when the security guards didn't do a thorough sweep.  Other nights I slept in my car.  I was too proud and ashamed to tell my family.  I had treated them quite poorly and did not feel worthy to ask their assistance.  When I wasn't attending class, I would sit outside coffee shops, smelling the coffee and cigarrettes, wondering where my next meal was going to come from.  One day, an elderly gentleman approached me.  He had seen me there regularly and had drawn correct conclusions about my situation.  He didn't say anything, he just handed me a coffee and nodded as he walked away.

Such a small gesture meant so much.  It reminded me that there is some good in the world.  That there are people who help others just because there is a need.  There were others who gave without being asked, but that gentleman was the first.  Now that I am a successful educator and no longer in the same situation, I cannot help but think of him when I am approached by someone asking for a few dollars for a coffee or some gas to get home.  Is it really that big of a sacrifice?  The answer for me has always been "no." 

Me First

If any man (woman) desires to be first, the same shall be last of all…

Mark 9:35

The parking lot at my local Post Office works like an oval race track.  There are two rows of parking spaces in the middle, and an open drive going completely around, with a third row of parking spaces above the top oval, right next to the building.  If you want to go to the mailboxes, you travel clockwise along the top of the oval until you reach the other end where the boxes are located.   If the lot is full and you need to use a parking space on the second row of the middle, you turn right into the lower drive and park.  The only entrance is on the left side of the oval, and the only exit is on the right side of the oval.

The other day, I had a stack of mail to put in the boxes, and waited patiently on the street until the traffic was clear and I could turn into the entrance.  Waiting behind me was a young lady in a white Impala.  Finally the coast was clear, and I was able to make the turn and follow the upper track of the oval to the boxes.  I was not looking behind me, and did not see the Impala come in and turn abruptly on the lower track.  If I had noticed, I would have assumed she was going to park. 

Au contraire.  She gunned her engine, shot through an open slot in the parked vehicles, and would have t-boned me if the Lord had not enabled me see her out of the corner of my eye and abruptly slam on my brakes.  Was she heading for one of the parking spaces right in front of the building?  No.  She was going to the mailboxes, just as I was.  She, however, did not want to wait her turn – she wanted to go in front of me.  Her callous disregard for the people around her was stunning.

When she skidded to a stop in front of the mailboxes, she dropped in her letter and sped away, right?  Nope.  The young lady put the car in park, reached down to get her letter (off the passenger floorboard?), fold it, put it in an envelope, address it, stamp it, and finally put it in the box, all the while laughing and talking on her cell phone.

It was scary to realize that she had absolutely no concern for my truck or my life. In fact, I’m quite sure she never gave me a thought at all.  She wanted what she wanted, and everyone else had better get out of her way.  It was not that she was in a hurry.  I ended up behind her in the turn lane to go home, and I missed two lights while she put on her makeup.  Life was simply all about her.

No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets

I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, 
I have kept the faith.

2^nd Timothy 4:7a 

William Borden, heir to the Borden fortune, graduated from high school in Chicago in the early 1900’s.  Spending a year traveling, he attended some meetings in London, where the minister delivered a sermon on the assurance of salvation.  William was only 17 years old, but he felt the call of God upon his heart, and dedicated his life to serving others.

Returning home, he made the decision to go to China as a missionary to the Muslim population.  Holding nothing back, he spent time distributing his wealth, preparing for mission service, and strengthening his relationship with Christ.  Finally he was prepared to venture forth on the long journey to China. 

His dream came to an abrupt end, however, when he contracted meningitis in Egypt and passed away.  He was only 25 years old.  He died just as he lived – a vibrant example of his own motto – no reserve, no retreat, no regrets. 

For I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.

The Warmth of Spring

…for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, 

and sends rain on the righteousness and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:45b

Yesterday was a gorgeous day.  It was 70◦ outside when I opened the front door at 7:00am.  Compared with the deep freeze we have been living in the last few months, it felt like summer had arrived!  As I walked around the neighborhood in the afternoon, I saw my neighbors washing their car, another neighbor hauling holly shrubs to the curb after digging them out of his garden, and still another running his lawnmower over the leaves left over from fall.  Children were riding bikes, walking their dogs, and playing ball in the street.  I felt so sorry for those who were trapped indoors because of work, family care, or some other circumstance.  I felt so glad to be alive!

How wonderful it is that God spreads the blessings of His universe to everyone – the good, the bad and the in between.  We do not have to “do” anything to merit a sunny day or a cleansing rain.  God created us for companionship, not robots or slaves.  His joy is to spread blessings like diamonds across the wind. Our joy is to receive.  My joy is to be thankful.

This is my Father’s world – the birds their carols raise,

The morning bright, the lily white declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world – He shines in all that’s fair.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

The Oil

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.

Zechariah 4:6 [KJV]

From ancient times, oil placed upon a person anointed at God’s direction was symbolic of the giving of the Holy Spirit [1^st Samuel 10:1,6].  Zechariah saw an amazing vision of a tall candlestick, with a bowl for oil at the top, and seven lamps served by seven pipes constantly supplying oil from living olive trees.  When Zechariah says, “What in the world?” the words above are given in explanation:  the oil is the power of the Spirit producing the light within.

All 10 girls had the oil that came inside their lamps. Five felt that this was ample preparation.  Five felt the need of bringing more oil.  If the oil is, indeed, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, how can you have the Spirit, but still need more? I have pondered that question for several years.

The Holy Spirit is with every man, woman and child on this planet.  He is constantly calling, wooing, endeavoring to bring each of us to Christ.  The Spirit surrounds each of us every day of our lives.  But Jesus contended that there is more to the Spirit’s influence than that.  In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples:  I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever.  This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.  But you know Him, because he abides with you, and shall be in you.”

There is a difference between with and in:  Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit was with them, but then told them to tarry in Jerusalem and wait for the Spirit to come upon them.  The day of Pentecost came, and the disciples and believers were filled with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, anointed to do their work of carrying forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How do we receive this “extra” gift - the additional precious oil?  Jesus gives us the answer in Luke 11:9-13:  All we have to do is ask.

If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?  If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?  As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of doing such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children.  So don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask Him?

The Wedding - Part II

At midnight, there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom!  
Come out to meet him.”

Matthew 25:6

A parable is a story of common things used to teach great truth.  In the case of Jesus’ parables, the stories were of ordinary everyday happenings used to teach spiritual values.  As we look at the parable of the 10 virgins, I would like to divide our thoughts into two sections:  how the 10 women were alike, and how they were different.

How they were alike

• All of the girls were virgins.  Virginity is a sign of purity – in this case spiritual purity.  All of these women were God’s children. They were all believers.
• All of the girls had lamps.  Jesus is the Light of the World [John 8:12].  God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path [Psalm 119:105].  All of these women had the light of God with them in their journey.
• All of the girls fell asleep.  The meaning of this parable is not about watchfulness, because all of the bridesmaids fell asleep while waiting for their Lord. 

How they were different

• Five were deemed wise and five were deemed foolish
• The foolish ones came with filled lamps only.  The wise ones came with filled lamps and extra oil.

If the entire group of women were believers, had the light of God and His Word in their lives, and were all weary of waiting for the coming of their Lord, then the only thing that separated them—into wise and foolish—was the presence [or absence] of extra oil.                      

The Wedding - Part I

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Matthew 25:1-2

Picture the story in your mind:  Ten lovely girls, all of them friends of the bride, are part of an ancient wedding party.  Beautifully dressed, they are the bridesmaids that are to meet the groom and escort him to the church.  This was an evening wedding, and they each had an oil lamp to light the way.  When they arrived at the groom’s home, however, there was an unexpected delay.  The bridegroom had been detained, and was not even there yet.

The girls made themselves comfortable, utilizing the surrounding garden furniture to be able to kick off those uncomfortable high heels. Speculating as to what in the world happened to Mr. Right, they chatted and dozed, then eventually fell asleep.  Suddenly, at midnight, a harassed groomsman shouted the news that the groom was finally ready, his arrival was imminent, and it was time to go – NOW!  It was clear that there was no time to check their hair and refresh their makeup.  Each girl reached for her lamp.  All of them discovered that their light had gone out.    

Five girls stared at their lamps, hardly believing it possible that they were empty.  Five girls calmly reached into their evening bags and pulled out a little bottle of extra oil.  The girls who didn’t make this extra preparation cried, “Wait!  If you each just use half of your oil, you can give the other half to us, and we will all have light.” 

“Not on your life!” replied the other five maids.  “This joker obviously has no regard for time.  He has delayed the start of the wedding till past midnight!  The guests must be furious, not to mention the bride!  Who knows what he will do on the way over there?  He might stop off at that 7-11 on the way to get a snack or a Coke.  If he doesn’t go straight to the church at a good clip, all of our lamps will go out!  Nope, it’s not our problem that you didn’t bring any extra oil.  Why don’t you run to Walmart and get a big bottle to fill all your lamps?”

Furious at their friends, the five girls rushed off in search of more oil. A few moments later, the groom sauntered up, the wedding party assembled, and they all left for the church.  When they arrived, the aggrieved bride--and her mother--had their say on the matter, the church doors were shut, the music poured forth, and the five bridesmaids began their slow walk up the aisle.

The other young ladies, after purchasing their oil, filling their lamps, fixing their hair and adjusting their makeup, frantically tried to hail a taxi camel to take them to the festivities.  Unfortunately, there were none available at that time of the night.  They were forced to walk the entire way, arriving at the church only to find that the wedding was over, and everyone had left for the reception.

By the time they finally arrived, their dresses were stained and wrinkled, their hair was a mess, and their lamps were barely flickering.  The groom himself came to the door, took one look at them and said, “Who are you?”   All five began to speak at once, but the groom had little time for long and convoluted excuses – he needed to get back to his bride.  Holding up a hand to cut short the clatter, he said, “Look.  I don’t know you, you all look a mess, and I haven’t got time for this. You are not welcome here.” 

Shutting the door in their faces, the bridegroom returned to the party.  The five bedraggled bridesmaids were left outside in the darkness.   

Places of Prayer

We will give ourselves continually to prayer…

Acts 6:4 [KJV]

A few blogs back, I asked if you had a special time, place, or discipline that worked well for you in your prayer experience that you would be willing to share.  I have had my first response from Faye, a wonderful artist and friend from Beulah UMC:

“As to the where of prayer, I find I have different places for the type of prayer. My upstairs recliner is for quiet times. My kitchen table is for Bible study and

 Sunday School preparations. My Bible Study classroom is for

praying with and for my little group of ladies.”

Ah, how wonderful that upstairs recliner sounds!  I would love to have a cushy chair in a quiet corner where little four-footed furry creatures would not come seeking a lap and a back rub – totally disturbing my thought process.  I am definitely acquainted with the kitchen table spot:  throughout my childhood my mother could always be found studying and praying there.

My prayer places are as noisy and/or cluttered as my life is.  My office is a glorious eruption of paper and stacks of “stuff” everywhere.  I spend a great deal of time on my computer here, researching and writing.  There are little perches on either side of my chair for the aforementioned furry beings.  They nap, I click and clack away, and I pray.

My favorite time/place for prayer, however, is when I walk in the mornings.  There is something about being outdoors in the fresh air that immediately lifts my thoughts to God.  I love being able to look up into blue sky and imagine that my x-ray vision can penetrate to the very throne of the Almighty.  There is no doubt that my best prayer times happen while walking.  I feel free to walk and talk without the trappings of formalism.  When I am not talking to the sky, I talk to the Person on my left – the One who I cannot see, but feel His presence none-the-less. 

It is my hope for you today that you have a special place of communication with heaven.  Take a look around.  You just might find a cozy nook, a comfortable chair, or the wide-open heavens! 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

Unuttered or expressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,

When none but God is near.

~James Montgomery

Unconditional Love

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies.

~1^st Corinthians 13:4-8a [The Message]

Valentine’s Day is another of the world’s über-commercial holidays – lining the coffers of flower sellers and chocolatiers everywhere. That’s pretty cynical, you say?  Yes, it probably is.  I adore flowers, and have been known to eat my way through a great deal of chocolate.  However, Valentine’s Day should not be about either beautiful blooms or candy in red-shaped boxes, although both are very nice. On this sunny February morning, you and I have another 24 hours of precious life which allows us to pour out our love and devotion on those we love.

How many of us have received the requisite candy and/or flowers in the morning, only to have their meaning obliterated by the evening’s thoughtless acts and harsh words.  I would far rather have a long hug, kind words softly spoken, and daily small acts of affection and respect than any pink & red holiday.

Paul’s famous description of love in 1^st Corinthians 13 is a thought-provoking study in what love is – and what it isn’t.  It is also a very tall order for human relationships.  Various phrases always pull me up short, usually ending in the thought, “How in the world is that possible?”   Down in the trenches of human connection, not flying off the handle and always looking for the best in the other person are far easier said than done.  I have been told that this passage is a model that we should strive to emulate.  I don’t know about you, but I can strive till the cows come home, and I will still come up short.  Very short.

The above passage is a perfect description, however, of God’s love – unchanging, unconditional, and eternal.  His heart is the wellspring from which this love flows out over the entire universe, covering every man, woman and child.  Our challenge on this Valentine’s Day is to open our hearts to Him, today and every day, so that His love will not only cover us, but flow through us to those who need our unconditional love.

Portrait of Love

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14 [NIV] 

God paints the picture of my life
Who I am, created by His hand
It seems years have come to pass
And every stroke was surely planned.

But still, I wonder who I am 
The portrait unfinished, maybe so
Colors bright will make me smile
Dark and faded colors bring me low.

God paints the picture of my life
Every day an unexpected change
Only He knows who I am
His brush will always rearrange.

When will He add the final touch?
Time is flying faster and faster
A Holy hand holds the brush
The Artist is my faithful Master.

Now at last, the work complete
The portrait done for all to see
His hand created who I am
With unfailing love, He painted me.

~Kathleen Higham

You'll Be In My Heart

“Love is as strong as death.”

~Song of Solomon 8:6a [NASB]

As a child, I was terrified by the thought of eternity.  Not that I thought about it all the time, mind you.  I tried very hard not to think about it.  But when my mind had a mind of its own, the thought of eternity scared me.  How can there be no end to something?  In human life, there is always an end to almost everything.  The thought of time stretching on, and on, and on, and on… was somehow far more frightening than the “end” that is death.

When I think of eternity now, there is mystery, certainly, but there is no fear.  Of course not, you would say – you are an adult and have “put away childish things.”   That is true, but that is not the reason I so look forward to the unending stretch of forever.  I have someone I want to talk to – a conversation that will take at least an eternity, if not longer: my precious father.

My dad died on February 27, 2006.  So many things have happened in my life and the lives of his granddaughters – it would take forever to tell him everything: graduations, a wedding, cancer, a grand piano, new jobs, the purchase of a home [his greatest wish for me], and so much more.  If your particular theology includes the idea that Dad has been watching me ever since 2006, that would not make a bit of difference.  I have a longing—a need, to talk to him about everything.  Those of you who have ever heard me tell a story know my penchant for infinite detail.  Dad would be listening for a long, long time.

Recently, I [again] played musical cars with one of my girls, and I am now driving my father’s truck.  I think of him every time I take it for a spin. I think of him when Arizona is front page news.  I think of him when partisan politics rise to wipe out common sense.  I often laugh out loud, because I know exactly what he would say.  King Solomon understood that the bonds of affection remain strong even in the valley of the shadow of death.  Love never dies.

You’ll be in my heart; yes, you’ll be in my heart

From this day on, now and forevermore.

You’ll be in my heart, no matter what they say,

You’ll be here in my heart always.

   ~Phil Collins

Love Changes Everything

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t have love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing His mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump!” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, 
I am bankrupt without love.

~ 1^st Corinthians 13:1-3 [The Message]

The late adolescent and teenage years are a difficult time for everyone: the teen, their parents, their friends, and the world around them.  All of a sudden your darling, loving child has turned into a sad, surly creature that can’t possibly smile (when you are around) because their face might break. The youngster who clung to your hand and lavishly handed out hugs is long gone.  If the young person in question is female, you can multiply these reactions about a thousand-fold.  As the parent, you have suddenly become a pariah who has lost 98% of their brains—you’re lucky if they concede you the 2%!

I have three daughters, born two years or less apart.  Consequently, having a teen queen in the house was an ongoing [never-ending] process.  One child in particular waged a constant battle against my presence, my parenting, my utter and total lack of understanding of the fragile state of her being.  Animosity became her shield and buttress, and as any mother with a teenage daughter can attest, after awhile it really gets to you.  Feeling battered, bruised, ignorant and unloved eventually takes a toll. 

When she turned 14, I urged my daughter to participate in a mission trip as both of her sisters did at that age.  She jumped at the chance – immediately throwing herself into the process of that year’s trip to Costa Rica.  For a few precious weeks we had a common goal and a blessed ceasefire.  Then I made the mistake of opening my mouth at the airport in Indianapolis, and she stalked onto the plane leaving behind a frosty trail of brittle silence. My journey back home was awash with many tears.

That evening, I went in the kitchen to make a cup of tea.  Pulling out the silverware drawer, I found a torn piece of notebook paper hastily folded into a note, with “Mom” scribbled in my daughter’s pre-physician handwriting.  Inside it simply said, “I love you.”  There was another one underneath my pillow on the bed, saying “I will miss you so much.”  The next morning I found one in my underwear drawer – same style, similar message.  When I checked my email, there was a message from my precious child, apologizing for her angst and attitudes, and proclaiming her undying, ever present love.

I placed those notes in my Bible, and they are there to this day.  It has been over a decade since they were written, but when she and I have the occasional tiff or whenever my heart is heavy, I pull them out and rejoice in the truth that love changes everything.

Love,
Love changes everything:
Hands and faces, earth and sky.
Love,
Love changes everything:
How you live and how you die.
Love
Will turn your world around,
And that world will last for ever.
Love,
Love changes everything,
Brings you glory, brings you shame,
Nothing in the world will ever be the same.

Growth in Grace

Our growth in grace is never instantaneous.

~ Author unknown

I love this quote.  It is written in the margin of my Bible, next to the verse in 2^nd Peter 3:18:  But grow in grace and knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.  It is a source of comfort to me when my spiritual life is rocked by the potholes of life.

My mother was a very concrete, black and white individual.  If the Bible says to grow in grace, then get with it and grow!  Combine that with my perfectionist personality, and the two did not mix very well.  I (supposedly) knew what I was supposed to do: i.e., grow.  I had not the faintest idea how to do it.  The subject of Peter’s statement above is understood:  [You] Grow in grace.  [You] Grow in knowledge.  Again – sounds wonderful.  The kicker is in trying to figure out how to fulfill the command.

As a child, I had no physical or mental control over the development of my body.  I could “wish” to mature until the cows came home, and it would make absolutely no difference in reality.  My part was to provide the building blocks:  good food, water, exercise, sleep. My growth rate lay in the hands of the One who created me.  Each stage unfolded on His timetable—and nothing happened instantaneously.

Our spiritual growth involves a similar process.  Our part is to provide the building blocks:  study of God’s Word, meditation, thoughtful prayer, times of fellowship with His people.  God Himself is the Master Potter, working with our fragile clay, slowly fashioning a beautiful vessel – complete in Him.   

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.  An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have 
a thing on hand."  The friend answers from his bed, "Don't bother me.  The door's locked; my children are all down for the night; I can't getup to give you anything."  But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he is a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.

Here's what I'm saying:

Ask and you'll get;

Seek and you'll find;

Knock and the door will open.

Don't bargain with God.  Be direct.  Ask for what you need.  This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.  If you little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?  If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?  As bad as you are, you would think of such a thing - you're at least decent to your own children.  And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit if you ask Him?

~Luke 11:5-13 [The Message]

Patience

A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.

-Dutch Proverb

We are, quite literally, an instantaneous society.  Everything must happen RIGHT NOW:  Instant coffee, instant soup in the microwave, instant takeout at the drive-through, instant communication on the cell phone, through texting, or on the Internet. The prevailing attitude is: I don’t have time to wait, I should not have to wait, and I will not tolerate having to wait.   

I had an appointment today with my oncologist – an every-six-month checkup from my cancer surgery in 2007.  My doctor is a lovely, caring, very knowledgeable person who, as a physician, has one amazing trait:  she takes time with her patients – however much time she feels is needed.  Consequently, she is often running late.  When I checked in today, the receptionist informed me [without looking directly at me--a portent of things to come!] that the doctor was running an hour and fifteen minutes late.  I laughed and said, “I don’t doubt that!”  I returned to my seat and grabbed a handful of magazines.

A short time later, an older woman with a pale, swollen face and a very bad wig [an obvious cancer patient] walked to the registration desk.  She was given the same message that I received – a long wait to see the doctor.  The lady was incensed.  She marched over to two younger relatives [her transportation, apparently], and in a very loud voice, began to berate the oncologist, the facility, MCV, all doctors, all nurses – anyone, it seemed, who had the audacity to make her wait.  One of the younger women tried to reason with her – to no avail.  The other one buried her head in a magazine.  This made her relative (Aunt? Grandma?) even angrier, and she demanded, “Did you hear what I said?”  Without taking her eyes from the magazine, the young woman quietly responded, “I and every other person in this waiting room heard you.”  The retort was fast and furious, not to mention at the top of her lungs:  “Good!  I want everyone to hear me.  This office needs to realize that they cannot treat me like this! This is absolutely absurd!”

Patience has never been my strong suit, and I have had my moments of being a Class-A jerk.  Today, however, my eyes were opened to the ones who have to put up with the impatient jerks of the world.  My heart went out to those two girls who obviously had endured this behavior before.  On the other hand, it was clear from this woman’s physical appearance that her cancer was not responding well to treatment.  It is difficult to know what level of fear and pain caused the woman to act as she did, but the depth of the girls’ patience with their irate older relative was an amazing thing to see. 

In your patience, possess ye your soul.

Luke 21:19 [KJV]

The Prayer

St. Paul - Carnegie-Mellon University Fine Arts Department

…be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, 
hymns, and spiritual songs: singing and making melody 
with your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:18b-19 [NASB]

My vocation is in music: as a church music director and a vocal coach.  My avocation is also music.  It is both what I love, and what I do for a living.  As a church music director, my primary responsibility is for the adult choir.  I do lots of other duties, but the adult choir is the bread and butter of my position.  At Beulah UMC, the sanctuary choir is a source of great joy and great music.

Although my choir membership is older in age, they are wonderful musicians who give their all.  What they may occasionally lack in ability is more than made up for in heart and soul.  Yesterday we celebrated the communion service.  On communion Sundays, the choir sings at both services – 8:30am and 11:00am.  Many in the group hate to sing at 8:30am, and often our group is conspicuously smaller at that hour.  Not so yesterday.  All available souls were present and accounted for.  Was it out of loyalty to me?  Loyalty to the musical needs of the 8:30 congregation?  Lovers of early-rising?  None of the above!  It was the music – the anthem that we were singing – that drew them there.

I have always loved the music and the words of The Prayer by Davis Foster and Carole Bayer Sager.  When I discovered it as a choral arrangement by Tom Fettke, beautifully combined with the words of the hymn, Lead Us, Lord, I did not hesitate to buy it.  It did not disappoint!  As they sang yesterday, the music poured forth, moving with higher and greater praise, lifting the congregation as only a great anthem can.  It was a moment of perfection. 

I pray you'll be our eyes,
and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise,
in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer,
when we lose our way
Lead us to the place,
guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
La luce che tu dai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore resterà
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternità

La forza che ci dia
We ask that life be kind
È il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sè
Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Need to find a place,
guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salverà

I pray You'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise, in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with Your grace

To a place where we'll be safe
I pray we'll find Your light and hold it in our hearts
Let this be our prayer when shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place, guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Lead us, Lord, lead us in Your righteousness,

Make Thy way plain for us to see.
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child needs to find a place
Guide us with Your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe