Love's Cover

Friends,

Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau was the first born of the two, yet his brother, Jacob, tricked him out of rights as first born and out of his blessing, as well. Jacob, then, had the greater share of the inheritance and the place of preeminence among his people. Esau was gullible and foolish for allowing himself to be deceived, and yet…he swore vengeance upon his brother for deceiving him. Jacob fled from the land of his family and was on his own for many years…but, God was with him. God worked on his heart and he would grow to become a leader of God’s people, as Israel.

In Genesis 33:1-17, Jacob has emerged from wrestling with God a better person with a mission from God, but to him, it may not matter as Esau and 400 men are coming to meet him. Jacob goes out first to meet him and arranges his family so that the best loved ones are in the rear for protection. Jacob, who had taken Esau’s birthright and blessing twenty years before did not know what to expect, but he prepared for the worst. Jacob approaches his brother with several tokens of submission and humility. He bows before him several times, refers to himself as Esau’s servant and to Esau as lord and master, and says that to see his face is like seeing God’s! Esau’s response is not altogether expected…like the father of the prodigal son, he “runs to meet” Jacob and “embraces him.” Esau lovingly addresses him as “my brother” and accepts his gifts only under protest. This meeting is a wonderful reconciliation.

All of the gifts and grace on Jacob’s part reveal the load that has been on Jacob’s conscience, as well as the sheer grace of Esau’s reply. For all of the difficulties and lost opportunities that Esau faced in his life, at least at this point in his life, his heart is made of gold. His love for Jacob is true evidence of God working in and through him. Esau suggests that he and his men escort Jacob and his household to Esau’s homeland of Seir. Even though he is unable to follow Esau back to his land, he is gracious in his refusal and in his need to strike out on his own. Like a bone that has been broken and then reset well, their relationship is able to be stronger than ever. Jacob is careful to cultivate the friendship so that in parting there would be no fear of mistrust. Even though Jacob struggles with his inner self, he has learned from his experience with his brother. He is father not only of his family, but over all the people of God. Esau leaves for Seir…Jacob brings his family to Succoth, to a place where he believes he needs to rest for some time, and he ends up staying there for a few years.

During the Revolutionary War, there lived in Pennsylvania a preacher named Peter Miller. Although Miller was greatly loved by everyone in the community, there was one man who lived near the church who persecuted him continually. This man was not only a hater of the church, but it also turned out that he was a traitor to his country. He was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. The trial was conducted in Philadelphia and no sooner did Peter Miller hear of it, then he set out on foot to visit General Washington and interceded for the man’s life. But Washington told him, “I’m sorry that I cannot grant your request for your friend.” “Friend?” said Miller “That man is the worst enemy I have.” “What?” said the General, “You have walked 60 miles to save the life of an enemy?” This puts the matter in a different light in my judgment…I will grant him a pardon for your sake.” The pardon was made out and signed by Washington and Miller proceeded at once on foot to a place 15 miles distant where the execution was scheduled to take place that afternoon. He arrived just as the man was being carried to the scaffold in order to be hanged. When he saw Peter Miller hurrying toward the place, he remarked, “There is old Peter Miller, come all the way here to have his revenge gratified.” Scarcely had he spoken the words when Miller pushed his way through to the condemned man and handed him the pardon that saved his life.

We all need reconciliation and forgiveness…with God and with one another. As the Word says, “How can a believer say he loves God and hate his brother?” It is not possible. Some people have the attitude that, “I will forgive them if they come apologize and ask for forgiveness.” This is to miss the point of forgiveness. Sometimes these elements just are not going to be there…some may not be as gracious as Jacob in seeking reconciliation, while others certainly not be as gracious as Esau in offering it! It is so often the little things -- like resentments -- that finally divide people. And the solution, of course, is to let them go. There is really nothing particularly profound about it. But for fulfilling and lasting relationships, letting them go is a must. If we refuse to carry around bitterness, we may be surprised at how much energy we have left for building bonds with those we love. If our speech and actions can approach the grace and love that Esau had to share and which Esau and Jacob shared with each other, then opportunity for restoration and growth is possible. If we humbly seek what is right in our relationships, they will be stronger and better than ever. This is love’s cover…the life of forgiveness.

Blessings,
Don

Football Plays Hard Ball

Friends,

I am happy that baseball is just around the corner...hopefully it will help ease the pain of what is happening in the world of football. This message is a lament...or perhaps a rant (or both). Last Friday, the NFL Players Association decided that the NFL owners weren't doing enough to "build trust" between the groups by not opening up all of their financial books, so they chose to decertify as a union, thereby allowing the players leverage to sue the owners individually. The owners promptly "locked out" the players from being able to work as teams...no free agents can move, etc...not much can happen until all of this gets resolved. Oh...the draft will get to take place, but even this may be tarnished, as "the players" who are "no longer a union" are, nonetheless, encouraging the potential top draft picks to avoid (boycott) the draft. This all seems unseemly and spiteful...and is not going to help get the situation resolved.

I understand why "the system" is what it is, even though such labor disputes have been taking place for decades, but it could certainly use some tweaking. I don't know of many folks who are pleased that the millionaire players are feuding with billionaire owners over how to handle their business...but, as usual, it is us, "the fans," who are going to suffer. I am certain that many fans will walk away, as have those who once supported hockey and baseball. And, I am also equally certain that many of those same fans will be back when the NFL gets its business in order. We have come to expect it, I believe...and this is why people will come back and continue to pay huge sums of money to support the great American sporting pasttimes. Here is to hoping that a better way to solve and resolve such business issues can be found.

Blessings,
Don

Devastating Impact

Friends,

Below is a telling image of the size of the waves that were generated by the earthquake just off the northeast coast of Japan. As can be discerned by the scale in the lower right hand corner, the darker the color, the higher the waves and possibility for damage. It is amazing just how far reaching the impact is from this earthquake...it practically stretches around the world!

Blessings, Don

One On One

Friends,

I remember that when I was younger, that I enjoyed playing basketball. It is a good team sport that requires productive teamwork in order to be successful. What I did not enjoy were the tryouts, because they often involved playing "one on one." I was pretty good at being a point guard on a team of five, but put me in a “one on one” situation? The results were usually not so good. Some of the great basketball television commercials have involved “one on one,” such as Jordan and Bird’s famous McDonalds commercial.

Contrary to my basketball experiences, when it comes to life, “one on one” is a great way to play. It is practical and responsible. We need to be able to share with one another – the joys, the sorrows, the frustrations, the surprises. Jesus encourages us to deal with struggles with one another “one on one.” There is tremendous wisdom behind this encouragement. It heads off all types of relationship difficulties, and allows for reconciliation, which is such an important spiritual principle! Another great value for spending time “one on one” is discipleship. This is a grand Biblical principle where stronger, more mature Christians mentor younger Christians and help them to grow in their Christian walk. It is important to encourage people to spend time “one on one.” I have shared over and over that I have no illusion to having all the answers to the Bible. Yet, if anyone would have questions for me following a sermon or a class -- come see me “one on one.” I have always been open to discussion and I always will be so.

One of my favorite people that I have known in my life is Bud Haynes. He would occasionally come to talk with me after a class with questions in order to clarify a point that I may not have made particularly clear. This would always lead to a welcome and excellent discussion that would help both of us to be better students and people. One of my favorite Bible passages is “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). This has proven to be true on countless occasions in my life, and for this, I am very thankful. It is great to have a good discussion. The Lord understood how important it is that we humans build relationships and that it needs to happen on an elementary level first – “one on one.”

Blessings,
Don

Super (And Not So Super) Teams

Friends,

It has been a several days since I have done a sports message...not that there hasn't been a lot going on -- the NFL is working to avoid a labor stoppage...Nascar ended week three today...the conference finals for NCAA basketball are taking place...MLB spring training is well underway right now...golf is irrelevant without Tiger Woods playing well and...the haves and the have not are becoming more distinct in the NBA. It is this last point that troubles me, especially since the NFL seems to have a more relevant parity system where any of the the 32 teams have a chance to be good (or bad) in any given year. In the NBA, the Knicks are relevant once again thanks to trades for Amar'e Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups in the past year. The Oklahoma City Thunder also are gaining strength, but...it going to be pretty hard to get excited about basketball in Cleveland, Sacramento, Washington or Charlotte anytime in the future, if ever, which is unfortunate. The NBA has allowed itself to be a personality driven league, rather than team or competition driven. Therefore, when superstars become free agents, they can go to any team that they want and build a little super power as the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Bulls and now the Knicks have done. I understand that some people like the "super team system," but I believe it is ultimately going to lead to the demise of some of the weaker teams. Why will fans in some of the aforementioned places and other cities continue to shell out for teams that are never going to be above .500? MLB has a similar issue, but it is not pronounced. There are fewer cities who struggles, because baseball's revenue sharing and good management helps keep teams in smaller markets like Minneapolis, Oakland and Tampa relevant. So, all this to say -- come on NFL...pull it together! I don't think that I or any other die hard football fan is going to survive the Fall if there is a work stoppage. :-)

Blessings,
Don

Windows to the Soul

Friends,

Mike Collins shares this -- It's true: beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and as the adage goes, "The eyes are the window to the soul." Even Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6:22-23 (Living Bible translation): "If your eye is pure, there will be sunshine in your soul. But if your eye is clouded with evil thoughts and desires, you are in deep spiritual darkness. And oh, how deep that darkness can be!" Spiritual vision is our capacity to see clearly what God wants to do in our lives. But this spiritual insight can be easily clouded by our thoughts and desires. Self-serving desires, interests, and goals block that vision and cause us to see things in a negative light. It hinders us from looking past the handicaps in order to see the beauty.

I think author Ed Rehbein said it best: "A 'clear' eye is healthy, whole, pure and unspotted. A person with a clear eye has a wholesome outlook…he sets his focus on that which is good. Consequently, he fills himself with light. 'Light' is a figure of speech describing things that are good in life such as truth, righteousness and purity -- even God and Jesus are called light (1 John 1:5 & John 1:4). So a clear eye opens the window of your soul to the sweet Light of Life."

Blessings,
Don

Discovery and Old Glory

Friends,

This great photo captures old glory in the forefront on the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery, launched two days ago. Discovery is the first in the fleet to be retired this year. Endeavour and then Atlantis will close out the 30-year shuttle program by midsummer. Discovery is the oldest of the three and the most traveled, with 143 million miles logged over 39 flights and 26 years. It had a rendezvous with the International Space Station this afternoon.

Blessings, Don

The Road Less Traveled

Friends,

It’s Sunday, 8:15 PM, and a junior at the University of Miami walks into the dingy third floor office of “Universal International Term Papers Limited, Inc.” He scribbles out his order and hands it to the clerk. “I’m sorry,” she says, “We don’t have that paper in stock…we’ll have to order it.” The clerk dials the firm’s main office in Boston and...a few minutes later, page after page of an impressively researched paper, transmitted from Boston rolls in. It sounds like something from Alice in Wonderland meets the Matrix doesn’t it? Actually it is a very real practice…and now it is just a few mouse clicks away on the internet.

What’s wrong with this picture? It’s indicative of everything the world stands for – take the easy way out...lie, cheat, steal if necessary. For the world, the bottom line is – take care of good old #1, as fast and as easily as possible. In the pragmatic world we live in, this message not only preaches, it sells. Yet, it is self-serving and ultimately self-deceiving. I am certain that some, if not most of us, have taken the easy way at some point in our lives, but there is a better way to go about taking care of our business. Jesus says that if anyone is going to serve the Father, it is going to have to be from an honest heart and genuine commitment. Anything less? It is going to be lacking. Jesus says Matthew 7:13ff that the ways of the world are a broad way that lead to destruction. There are a lot of people in this world, including believers, who give lip service to Jesus, but where are their hearts? These are the things that Jesus is discussing as He concludes His Sermon on the Mount. The religious leaders of His day have chosen the way of the world…the broad way that is of no benefit. But, for those of us who have every opportunity to exercise integrity in living for the truth, there is certainly a better way. It may not be the greater or more popular way, but it is the way that matters. I think poet Robert Frost has a good handle on it in his poem The Road Not Taken -- "I took the one (road) less traveled, and this has made all of the difference."

Blessings,
Don

Twenty Won

Friends,

Young Trevor Bayne certainly had an ace up his sleeve when it came to holding off the veterans to win the Daytona 500 yesterday. The 20 year old rookie, driving the iconic Wood Brothers #21 made famous by hall of famer David Pearson, was strong all of speed week. Yet, I don't think that many experts or casual observers gave him a chance to win Nascar's equivalent of the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, Bayne became the youngest winner of the big race. Jeff Gordon had been the driver to hold that title -- he was 25 years of age when he won in 1997.

It may not have been Trevor's day had it not been a race filled with wrecks. There were a record fifteen caution flags yesterday, much of it due to the newly resurfaced track, but some due to the new two car draft racing. About a third of the way throught the race, veteran Michael Waltrip wrecked his teammate David Reutimann, setting off a chain reaction that took out Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson and many others. While many of those wrecked cars were able to be repaired and get back on the track, they were so far down that it set it up for the relative unknown to sneak in and claim the win. I must say "hats off" to a very pleasant, personable young man, who also gave glory to God following the win. I know a lot of experts may not have liked it that the 20 year old won the race, but what a great story...winning in the #21 that had not won in ten years and that had not won the Daytona 500 in 35 years, since Pearson won it. So, although Bayne did not collect any point totals for the race, since he chose to compete in the junior league Nationwide Series for points, he will have something to hang his hat on for the rest of his life -- Daytona 500 winner. Way to go, Trevor...I hope he wins many more races!

Blessings, Don