Archive December 2007
The Writing Is on the Wall
OK, I’m in a weird mood tonight. But, like they say, for everything there is a season. I guess I’d rather feel a bit weird than to be at my wits end. All things must pass, though, and maybe I’m just sowing what I’ve reaped. Well, I don’t want to have sour grapes over this, so let’s just get to the root of the matter.
Thanks to those of you who have asked about my back. I am glad to report that my back is much, much better. I guess that is just my thorn in the flesh. I’d say it was just old age, but I’ve had back problems since I was in my 20′s. I am NOT as old as the hills and not yet ready to give up the ghost. I fully plan to live out my threescore and ten and many more. Instead, I am going to fight the good fight and move from strength to strength. My back pains are just a drop in the bucket compared to the problems of many others. So, I won’t complain. I don’t want to fall from grace by taking of the forbidden fruit!
Tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, the office is closed. I am going to stay home and study because there is no rest for the wicked. Don’t feel sorry for me, though. We have plenty of goodies to eat that generous people have given to us during the holidays. In fact, I could say that my cup is running over! I know that man does not live by bread alone, but I fully plan to eat drink and be merry through New Year’s Day. I can’t resist good food. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
I’ll probably stay home for New Year’s Eve, but you be careful if you are out and about. If you get into trouble, don’t call me. Am I my brother’s keeper? No, I’m not going to cast the first stone, but only wanting to be all things to all men. Woe is me if I don’t try to be the salt of the earth by warning you about the dangers of New Year’s Eve. I don’t want you to be like a lamb led off to the slaughter. So, I’m just doing this as a Good Samaritan and to love my neighbor as myself, although some may think this is just a case of the blind leading the blind.
OK, enough already! Those previous four paragraphs will never be accused of literary greatness, but they purposefully contain 30 expressions (including the title) that we still hear every day, and all are taken from the King James Bible. Can you spot all 30 of them above?
I am continually amazed at the influence of the King James Bible on our language and culture. I was thinking about this just today after coming across this web page listing a number of such phrases that are part of our everyday speech after all
these many years. You might check it out just for fun.
If you are interested in the pure cultural history of the King James Bible and its impact upon the English-speaking world, some excellent books have been published in the past few years. You might begin with Alister McGrath’s In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language and a Culture.
For a different perspective giving the excellence of the King James Bible’s translation, the biblical language manuscripts from which it was translated and why we still chose to use this particular English translation as the standard for English teaching and preaching in our church, Alan Shelby will be teaching a module on this topic during the Spring Semester of Shepherd School. Information will be available in the bulletin and on our web site.
Enjoy your holiday!
The Power of Your Written Word
In this age of digital communication and teens who rack up literally tens of thousands of text messages a month, it seems almost heretical to suggest that anything can be gained by writing words on real paper. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what I am going to do. Take this as a suggestion for your careful consideration at this end of the year when many of us are pondering improvements for the future.
Those who hear me preach know that I regularly mention the benefits of journaling. There is something both powerful and therapeutic about the daily discipline of expressing yourself with pen and paper. When PDA’s were new, I went through a phase of trying to keep an electronic journal. Sorry. That didn’t work for me, although I gave it a run for two or three years. In the end it seemed somewhat sterile and I found myself becoming inconsistent.
Several years ago I switched back to pen and paper and did so with a retro vengeance. I even got myself a nice fountain pen. When I discovered that a nice pen did nothing to improve my handwriting, I bought a book to learn how to write legibly. I still don’t spend the bucks for a nice leather covered journal. I use a spiral back, ruled notebook that fits into a vinyl cover with a loop to hold my pen and a ribbon to mark my place. Since I went back to paper I have not missed a single day of journaling. Not one.
I was amused today to discover an article from Australia reporting that academic research confirms the advantage of journaling. A quarter of a century ago, Dr. James Pennebaker of the University of Texas did a landmark study into the benefits of journaling with people who had experienced trauma, He found that, “Writing about their deepest thoughts and feelings about traumas resulted in improved moods, more positive outlook, and greater physical health.”
The article goes on to say, “Subsequent experiments have shown that writing boosts health in myriad other ways, including strengthened immune function, a decreased reliance upon pain medication, improved lung function in asthma patients, and reduced symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some studies have further demonstrated reduced blood pressure and improved performance at work and school.”
If you are interested you can read the whole article here.
This blog is almost a year old and I have truly enjoyed this daily mental striptease. But, my risqué metaphor is precisely the point. A blog (web lob) is written to be read by others. I expose my life and thoughts to others with whom I might not have the advantage of daily contact. I do so in the hope of expanding my circle of friends and influence and to be enriched by the interaction of those who post comments in response to my thoughts. I’ve written about blogging a couple of times, here and here.
I write a journal to be read by no one but me.
My system is intentionally simple. I read my Bible according to whatever plan I am following. At the moment, I am using the plan devised by the late Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Check it out here. Then, I read a daily devotional book (an early printed version of a blog). Currently, I am reading through one by F.B. Meyer that I have installed on my PDA. Then, I open my journal. I write the date, and then I write out the verse or passage that most spoke to me in my reading today — either my Bible reading, or one mentioned in the devotional guide. I may or may not write some basic comments in interaction with that passage. Finally, I write down any specific prayer requests that I have for this day. Each morning I look back and put dates by those requests that have been answered. (I do both my reading and writing in Spanish, by the way).
If you decide to try journaling, I strongly suggest that you keep it simple and basic. You’ll have a much greater chance of becoming consistent. You can embellish and tweak your system as you go along.
If you already journal, maybe you’d like to share your thoughts.
Breaking Through the Clouds
Here I sit waiting for another snow event. We have yet to have a major snow storm, but several nice little December snows made things white to remind us that winter is here. This is the time of year when we can go for days on end without seeing the sun.
I was thinking about winter dreariness this morning as I read this passage from Psalms.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Psalm 97:1-6
Here, and several times in scripture, we see the figure of God’s glory hidden by clouds. This motif is prominent in the Exodus account as Moses ascends cloud-draped Mount Sinai to meet with God. I think especially of Job’s words.
He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. Job 26:9
I find such biblical language intriguing. Even in ancient times astronomers observed the cloud-like groupings of stars against the black backdrop of the greater cosmos. For example, to this day scientists speak of the two Magellanic Clouds to refer to a couple of irregular dwarf galaxies near our own Milky Way.
No one can measure the greatness of God. No one has ever seen the fullness of God’s glory. Whatever that glory may be, it lies beyond our comprehension on the other side of those clouds, both cosmic and conceptual.
Earlier this month, just as the first significant snow of the year began, I was at the airport sitting in a plane on the tarmac waiting to take off. It was shortly before noon, but the low ceiling of clouds and the blowing snow cast an appreciable darkness. I heard a distinctive roar I had not heard since last winter. Looking out the porthole window I could see the deicing fluid streaming down the side of the plane’s fuselage. Rumbling down the runway, the big silver nose finally lifted upward. With such steady snow, the plane’s wheels had barely left the ground when the earth simply dissolved into the grayish-white, soupy sky.
Suddenly, we entered another world, a different existence. Leaving the dreariness behind, we had pierced the cloudy barrier and entered that place where the sun is always shinning.
I want to remember this experience the next time life clouds up. Sometimes, I feel suspended in the midst of perpetual dreariness, or simply lost and can’t see the ground beneath me. What I want to remember is that no matter how dark the day, God in all his glory is just on the other side of the ominous clouds where the Sun always shines.
Time to Change Clothes
The approaching New Year calls for mental, emotional and spiritual housecleaning. Some things need to be tossed and replaced — habits, attitudes, fears, worries and a host of soulish goblins.
The Apostle Paul calls us to such internal inventory by using the metaphor of changing clothes as he instructs us to put off our old sinful nature and put on the new Christ-like nature (Ephesians 4:22-24). He gives a similar command in Colossians 3:8-10.
Last week I thought of those familiar passages while wading through a not so familiar passage in the prophet Zechariah. In one of his remarkable visions, Zechariah saw the high priest Joshua standing before the Lord, and Satan was there to resist him. The Lord rebuked Satan and commanded that Joshua be adorned in a complete change of garments to symbolize holiness and purity of forgiven sin (Zechariah 3:1-5). Joshua must have felt really good in his new clothes.
I resist tossing out old clothes. I wear them until the fibers turn brittle and begin to disintegrate. Then, I use them for rags. Cheryl knew I was wearing some rags for tee shirts and gave me a three-pack for Christmas. Inspired, I decided to clean out the tee shirt underwear drawer and replace the lot of the them. I made a decision and it felt good. There was a two-for-one sale today, but I would have to brave the onslaught of crazed masses returning and exchanging gifts and taking advantage of the sales.
Strangely, as I approached the store with the two-for-one undies sale, there were no crowds. It was as though the Lord had rebuked Satan on my behalf and held back the flood of demon-possessed shoppers (a bit of an exaggeration, but they can sure seem that way at times). The experience was as smooth as last weeks’ eggnog. I was beginning to feel good about replacing those old tees. In fact, all day long it was as though the Lord had parted the Red Sea of humanity everywhere we went. The crowds always seemed to be at the other store.
Keeping with Zechariah’s vision, I wondered if my post-Christmas shopping experience would be a similar to how it ought to feel to toss out those old habits, thoughts and attitudes. There is a price to pay, but God makes the way and the result is fresh and invigorating.
I was really beginning to get into the spirit of Paul’s illustration of changing clothes. What’s good enough for tee shirts is good enough for other items. I remembered another two-for-one sale at my favorite clothing store — the type of place I can only afford to shop during sales every year or two. But, I have been an infrequent customer for enough years that the husband and wife who own the store know me. There on the rack were two nice sports coasts that fit me perfectly. Cool.
Yes, sir! This tossing out the old and putting on the new is agreeing with me! I have to really be in the mood to go shopping for myself, but today it hit.
Isn’t it true that in terms of biblical analogies we often get more caught up in the physical illustration than the truth it represents? Leave it to me to read Ephesians, Colossians and Zechariah as an excuse to buy some new clothes! What about all this New Year reflection stuff, internal inventory stuff? How could I live the truth, not the trimmings?
I should be no less concerned to toss out some old attitudes or habits and replace them than I am about clothing. How about you? Do you think that this week you could toss an old clothing item you have held on to for too long and replace it? Then, do you think you could also find a thought, attitude or habit to toss and replace with something positive and biblical? Can you live the whole analogy?
I was engaged in small talk with the store owner’s wife when it hit me. The store had been filled since she arrived at 8:00am, she said. Traffic had been steady, and she had not even had a chance to get her morning coffee. It was 3:00pm and she was still craving that coffee.
Casual conversation, nothing more. But why does it just have to be casual conversation? This was my opportunity to toss out my normal superficial conversation mode and begin trying on for size the habit of seeking every opportunity to reflect God’s love.
I understand coffee! I would be talking about missing my morning coffee, too, if I were in her place. So, after signing the credit card slip (Sorry, Dave Ramsey, but I do pay them off each and every month), I asked her, “So, how do you like your coffee?”
She looked at me in unbelief.
“No, really.”
“Mild coffee, one third milk and a packet of the blue sweetener.”
I knew there was a good coffee shop a block down the street. My own selfish self had already been tugging at me to stop there on the walk back to the car. Cheryl waited for my latte while I quickly doctored the coffee and ran it back to the store.
The look on her face was priceless. She was thrilled. I was a bright spot in her day. What she didn’t know is that she was a brighter spot in mine — a divinely-ordained opportunity to focus selfish thoughts outward in benefit of others.
The snow was falling more heavily now as I walked back to the coffee shop. I looked down at my navy blue pea coat that was wet and covered with white flakes. I thought of Isaiah’s comments about sins becoming white as snow. I thought of Joshua’s new clothes.
Don’t Get Strung Out!
Some things have just never occurred to me. Take, for example, what would happen if a big tea company unexpectedly ran
out of string to put on their tea bags. Do you ever think about stuff like that? You do? You’re sick!
Seriously, this almost happened to the famous Bigelow Tea company. A friend sent me a link to their blog. (I never even imagined a tea company having a blog, much less actually reading it). Anyway, in an act of pure transparency, the post dated December 14th, 2007 told how the company suddenly discovered they were almost out of string the other day during this busy season of the year. Their longtime supplier went the extra mile to cover for them and ensure that people would find their tea bags in their Christmas stockings — complete with string! I thought it was a great story on an interesting blog and I came away with new respect for Bigelow Tea.
The point made in the blog was that they have systems, records, people and checks in place to avoid this ever happening. Somewhere along the way someone or something broke down. Now, they have to go back through their processes and see what they need to do to avoid getting into this situation again. If you want to read their version of the story, go here and scroll down to December 14th.
I can imagine a tea company crisis due to running low on tea, but string for the tea bags? Who would have ever thought?
Maybe this is a point to ponder. How many of the crises in our lives are due to lack of attention to the seemingly insignificant details ahead of time? How often does our own procrastination and carelessness bring on unnecessary crisis?
From tea bags to tigers
Let me connect this to something we have seen in the news this week. A young man was tragically killed by a tiger in the San Francisco zoo. There is now serious speculation that he and his friends had been taunting the beast. While it is not a
good idea to taunt any animal, there is no way that big cat should have been able to get to these guys.
Do you remember how the news story played out? First we heard how it was physically impossible for the tiger to get out of his habitat. We heard of a 20-foot moat and a 20-foot high wall. All the TV experts pontificated how a tiger getting out of such an environment was physically impossible. Then, the truth began to leak out. The 20-foot moat was really 33 foot. But, there was no water in the moat. There never had been. No one seemed to have thought that to be important. After all, there was that 20-foot high wall.
Finally, we heard that the 20-foot high wall was actually 12 1/2 foot high. The zoo director was not aware of that, but some people were. They just didn’t think it was important enough to mention. That 12 1/2-foot high wall was probably good enough. After all, no tiger had even gotten out of there before.
Yeah, and we’ve never run out of string before either.
Back to you
Can you see any possible applications for our lives here? Just be careful not to get strung out.