Monday, April 25, 2011

Symbols

Friends,

When Michelangelo visited several big art galleries in Europe, he was deeply impressed by the great number of paintings depicting Jesus Christ on the cross. He asked the question, “Why are these galleries filled with so many pictures of Christ on the cross…dying? Why do artists concentrate on that passing episode, as if it were the last word and final scene? Christ’s dying on the cross lasted for a few hours, but to the end of unending eternity, Christ is alive! He rules and reigns triumphant!”

Michelangelo was right. We are certainly impressed by the passion of the cross, and justifiably so, but…it would have no meaning were it not for the resurrection! People wear crosses as a symbol of their Christian faith…and for a long time, I wondered why not a grave stone(?) Why would this not be the symbol (not that we really need a symbol at all)? Yet, a few years ago, some friends purchased a clothing company – Empty Tomb Gear. I am thankful that someone is blessing people with a symbol that recognizes the full power of God at work.

Still, the true symbol of the Christian faith and life is the presence of God's Holy Spirit in the life of a believer (Romans 8:9)...that results in a changed heart, one that is dedicated to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Some might say -- why do you not say baptism? It is necessary, but many who are baptized, do not necessarily believe or give their lives to Christ, i.e...do not recognize or live according to the Word of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). We come to this time of year where the world recognizes the empty tomb…that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Our heavenly Father raised up His Son eternally so that we too might one day be raised eternally. We are to experience what Jesus experienced...death, burial and resurrection!

Blessings,
Don

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

50th Anniversary of Space Flight

Friends,

This past week, April 12th, saw the 50th anniversary of the first flight by a man into space aboard the Vostok 1. Soviet Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin's, journey is now the stuff of legend. This event, following the launch of Sputnik a few years before, was a starting point for what would become a space race between the Soviets and United States for decades. It is remarkable that now, 50 years later, we are working together in our space programs to build an international space station and cooperating in other ways...


Blessings,

Don



Thursday, April 14, 2011

Responding to Struggles

Friends,

We think of joy as being something that takes place in pleasant times...that joy accompanies good times, not difficult times. We have a narrow view of joy. Paul introduces us to a joy in his life that is deeper than anything we have conceived with our minds. It is a joy that is independent of circumstances. Yes, it is present in the delightful and good times, but it is also present in the difficult and painful times.

Dr. Paul Tournier says -- Good and evil, in the moral sense, do not reside in things, but always in persons. Things and events, whether fortunate or unfortunate, are simply what they are, morally neutral. What matters is the way we react to them. Only rarely are we the masters of events, but (along with those who help us) we are responsible for our reactions. . Events give us pain or joy, but our growth is determined by our personal response to both [YANCEY, Searching for the Invisible p. 281]

People may disappoint us, but God never will. He proved it at Calvary and if you give Him a chance, He will prove it in your life. And if we remember this, and trust God, we will have joy…even in the difficult times. And we will find joy as we learn from circumstance and mistakes…all for God's glory.

Blessings,
Don

Saturday, April 9, 2011

A Bird's Eye View

Friends,

Here is a unique view of the space shuttle Endeavour by Ben Cooper of Launch Photography as it sits on its fuel tank and rocket boosters being readied for launch . Endeavour is the youngest of the three operational shuttles (the others being Discovery and Atlantis). It will make its twenty-fifth and final voyage later this month.

Blessings,
Don

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

MLB Week One

Friends,

I am thankful that we are back to baseball...although I am still trying to get over the Giants beating the Rangers in the World Series last year. :-) Still, the Rangers are off to such a terrific start, they may very well end up back there again this year...which would be just fine with me. Nelson Cruz has hit four home runs in his first four games to tie a major league record. And it's not like he is the only Ranger hitting the cover off the ball...the Rangers had 9 home runs, feasting on Red Sox starters this past weekend. Meanwhile, the Red Sox started the season, 0-3, for the first time in 15 years. Their once-prized pitching staff struggled mightily last year. Aside from Jon Lester and Clay Bucholtz having good years, former World Series winners Josh Beckett and John Lackey struggled.

The Orioles finished 2010 strong under new manager Buck Showalter, which is not surprising in one sense -- Showalter has had significant success as a manager in the past. If there is something surprising about their start, it is that the Orioles have been so bad for so long...their last winning season was 1997. Yet, they have picked up some good pieces in the off season in Derrek Lee and Vladimir Guerrero to go along with Matt Wieters, Brian Roberts, Luke Scott, and others. They also have a good young pitching staff, Matusz, Guthrie, Bergeson, Arrieta, etc., reminiscent of the Rays a few years ago. Those Rays, who have been so good in recent years...minus Matt Garza, Carl Crawford and others...are winless. It's almost as if the Rays and Orioles have swapped teams...such is life in the MLB fast lane.

In the NL, the Phillies, Braves and Reds are off to good starts, predicatably. Yet, the defending champion Giants...who are 1-4...are having a hard time finding their chemistry just yet. The Milwaukee Brewers, who many predicted would win the Central, have been bit by the injury bug and have started the season 0-4. It is still very early, so no one should be writing off teams like the Brewers, Red Sox, Rays and Giants just yet. And I will say this for Bud Black, manager of the Padres -- I don't know how he does it, but he has San Diego at the top of their division early on. They led the NL West most of the way last year, much to nearly everyone's surprise. Before this season started, though, he lost his best player, Adrain Gonzalez, to the Red Sox and his best pitcher, Mat Latos, has been on the DL. So, I don't know if it's Black magic or a bud-ding genius...whatever it is...it is working for him. Stay tuned...

Blessings,
Don

Saturday, April 2, 2011

A Joyful Heart (Is Good Medicine)

Friends,

Faith…or at least what people believe…makes all the difference in the world in the way they act, in the values they hold dear, and in the standards which guide the way they live. Perhaps King Solomon said it best when he wrote these words, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Our emotions have a profound effect upon the way we feel...and they really can affect us physically. Some people see things from a negative point of view...convinced that everything is going to fall apart (think, Chicken Little). However, we tend to be attracted to the person who has a smile on his face and joy in his heart.

You and I have only a limited control over the circumstances that come our way. We are not sure what the next few months or years will bring to our homes, our families, and to our lives. Those who sit around and wonder what bad things they fear are going to come to pass…often find that they do! For others, there is that trust…that sacred bond which brings strength to our life…and there is the voice of Jesus saying, "Cheer up, because a joyful heart is the very best medicine that you can take." We are going to go a lot further by offering sugar to people than vinegar. Life is all about choices. We can choose to be happy, sad, angry…and it will make all of the difference in our relationships.

Blessings,
Don