A Thought: Through a Child’s Eyes

I don’t like sports. I don’t mind playing them but really, I don’t like sports. If a game is on when I go over to someones house I don’t mind and I might watch a bit but I am more of a news guy. I am sure some are thinking, “Yeah baseball is boring”, or “Football is just too violent”, or more likely someone this thinking, “What is your problem?”. I can chuckle at that but the answer is simple its because of my childhood. When I young my father loved sports and still does to this day. I can remember sitting in the living room with him while he watched some event. We only had one T.V. and it was where the family hung out so I was probably in there trying to watch or playing with some toys. All of a sudden and eruption of anger would come out of my father. “What ARE YOU THINKING”, he would rage, “THAT WAS THE WORST CALL IN THE BOOK”. Many a time I can recall him getting upset or excited when his team rode to victory and being so young (I am guessing 3 or so) it startled me and scared me a bit to the point I related sports on TV as something to steer clear of. 

Its amazing how children process things that we take for granted everyday. My children hate the news cause its a bunch of old people talking about boring stuff that they know nothing about. God understands that children are the foundation of a culture, a nation, a world. Children see things so simply and love so honestly. Not clouded by “grey areas” they can find simple solutions to complex answers sometimes. Jesus has taught that he wishes we would love and think like children.

Matthew 18:2-4

…2And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.… 

It has been said that before by many a wise person that much can be learned from a child. I learn from mine on a weekly basis. I find true joy in how they digest the world and the things that they say. God just wants us to love him. Loving God is the most important thing. For if we love God then we can accept what teaches and put it into practice. We should love God because he gave us the gift of this world that we live in. We are because of him. Sure there may be discontent and pain in this world but that is because of man’s inability to love freely and pursuing his own desires. What does God want us to do? He wants us to love. That’s it, that’s what it all boils down to. That is what he wants to build the world on, innocent, pure love. 

When you are a child you have to be rather humble. You wait to do much of anything when you are a baby. You eat when fed. You play when let go. Learn as you are taught. As we get older and more independent we loose that humility. We depend more on ourselves and get frustrated when others don’t do what we want. We get mad when we miss that green light at the intersection. How dare it turn red? Doesn’t it know who we are and that we are going somewhere important. I can laugh cause I can recall thinking this many a time. 

If you have children I encourage you to love them with all your might. Forgive them when they do the stupidest things and go back to loving them until it hurts again. We are all God’s children who he loves. He sent his son Jesus to give us the lessons of a lifetime to love God and how to love each other. God is sadden when we make bad decisions and hopes for our quick return to right ways. He is happy for us in our triumphs and cries with us in our sorrows. But no matter what, through it all, he is always waiting at the door waiting for us to return home with arms wide open to give us a big hug. 

Matthew 19:13-15

13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.

A Thought: Sacrifice

Thank you Mom, I know it wasn’t easy and I know I didn’t make it any easier but you shepherded me through the tough times and the good. You let me grow inside of you. You could have thrown me away but you didn’t. You had faith, you believed in me before you even met me. After my arrival you kept me out of harms way and taught me about the world. You taught me manners and introduced me to God. Even through the years when I was lost you never gave up. You encouraged me to move forward and not give up. You encouraged me to pray in my darkest hours and when I scoffed at the notion you still never gave up. When I finally came around you were there waiting as always with open arms waiting for me to tell you about my days. Rarely do you ask for anything but you are always ready to serve. Now with my own children you show special love and care and protect them whenever you can. You teach them whenever you can. You always do all you can. 

Sometimes I wonder what it is like to do pure sacrifice. Moms seem to do it everyday. I sacrifice my time and interests, sure I would love to work on some music or writing but I put it away to take care of my children, but to let another living thing grow inside and feed off you is a real sacrifice. The bigger a baby in the womb gets the less a mother can do. A child completely takes over your life and though parents may not understand its for the better. 

Sacrifice is love and it’s exactly the type of love that God wants. If you see someone hungry he wants us to feed them. Don’t think about why that person is homeless or what they did to get there. He calls us to take care of them. That screaming child in the store that drives us nuts, he wants us to have compassion and patience rather than judging a child or parental skills. That car that is driving slowly down a road that is hard to pass on, you just want to cuss them out and fly by waving a solitary finger, but it’s a reminder that you shouldn’t be so rushed. You should be careful because your life is precious, take care of it. Sacrificing what we want for something else is humbling but uplifting to the ones we humble ourselves for. Sometimes I wonder if I do enough, and I will tell you I don’t, but I have opportunities to make good or do good everyday. When I learn to sacrifice I learn bit by bit what is really important in this world. Love is important, people are important, the earth and all that inhabits is important and it all comes from God. He made a beautiful world and we get the privilege as humans to live in it and take care of it but that requires sacrifice. When walking I see trash on the ground I pick it up. In my yard I plant trees and plants to give back to me but also others. When I see someone in need I help. When I see someone frustrated behind me on the road I make it easy to pass and pray that they get to their destination safely. Jesus was a pretty cool guy. He didn’t ask me to buy anything. He didn’t try and pawn anything off on me. Jesus taught me that love makes the world a better place, that I am important, that I should forgive as much as possible cause I never know when I will be the one needing forgiveness. Jesus taught me to love God for he has given me the gift of life and this world. Jesus taught me that if I love everyone I meet like myself and that if I can get that to catch hold and get everyone else on board doing the same thing with God that we truly can see a glimpse of heaven on earth. God doesn’t expect perfection, but he does want us to sacrifice what we want sometimes what our “flesh” desires and love each other.  

Luke 1:39-56

39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; 49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, 52he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; 53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever." 56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

A Thought: Is Your Brain Burning?

I can recall a moment when I was considering becoming a full on hardcore christian. I had been raised in the church but because of my bull-headedness and free will I decided to go it my own way. I was okay for a while but trying to do my own “God thing” didn’t work out so well. I made bad choices and over time slowly wandered off the path to the point that I was so far out into the tall weeds that I had no idea where I was or where I was going. Coming back I wanted to remain low key but the more I studied the more I realized that wasn’t for me. Heading back to a formal Church was overwhelming. Words from my past snapped in front of my face. Rules, rules, rules, its not that I didn’t want to follow them but it was that I didn’t know if I could keep them all in check. Then one day I was reading my Bible and it came to me actually in a verse. 

Mark 12:30

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 12:31

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

That pretty much summed it up as I still read today I can hear these words in every lesson that I learn from Jesus. Its my goto in case of doubt in my day. When at a crossroads I think of these words. And like a good leader Jesus led by example. He came and found wonderful men ready to love and spread the word of love. As we read they were not perfect men. There isn’t such a thing but he chose them anyway and taught them, loved them and served them. Eventually Jesus died for us. He came to teach and love to serve us so that we could learn a better way and when the people of the day refused him, they killed him. He could have run away, he could have ascended into heaven but instead he decided to do the most loving thing. He took the blame for all of us, even the ones not born yet and let man kill him. It wasn’t a quick death either he was beaten, spit on, mocked and then he had to lug his own cross across town (which he did eventually get some help) where he was then nailed to his cross and then stabbed in the side. I don’t remember the exact day but when I put together that God just wants us to love him and each other and then he died over it my brain completely fried for a second. I hear people say all the time “God is all about rules and doesn’t want you to have any fun”, no thats not true. God loves you like a parent. Being a parent I can now understand so much. I don’t want my children to get hurt so I make rules to keep them safe. If the break the rules I punish them to let them know that I am serious. I don’t want them to get hurt so I don’t let them jump on the couch. I want them to be happy so I teach them to not do drugs. God gave us free will. He is basically saying, “This is what I want you to do, you can do whatever you want, but if you don’t follow my rules you can’t live in my house.” I have tried living on both sides of the line. I even spent time walking it dipping my toe into either side for a while. I will tell you that all that I gave up to live on God’s side was well worth it. I am full and happy. Do I miss anything? No, but my body does still crave some of that stuff from time to time. Am I perfect? No, I still make some pretty stupid mistakes but God loves me and all I have to do is go to him honestly and say that I am sorry. I ask for forgiveness and he does forgive because he loves. And so thats how I try and walk through the world every day. I try my best to love each and everyone I meet as I love myself. 

John 15:12-17

12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17This I command you, to love one another.

A Thought: Confrontation

I went to work one day and got a strange look from someone. I thought nothing of it. Most of the time I think my perceptions are hypersensitive. As I proceeded through my day though I everyone kept looking at me weird. No words just strange words all day. When I did have conversations they seemed truncated, under pause and down rite off. Turns out I had done something in my new tasks that was causing alarm to some people because no one in my position had ever done that before. 

I was grateful that someone finally took the time to speak with me so that I knew what was going on. I was beginning to feel like I was going crazy or at the least was back in 4th grade and someone had stuck a “kick me” sign on my back. In an era where we have all this technology and have several ways to reach out to others no one seems to talk about “sensitive” things anymore. It seems as though we live in a time where no one wants to be wrong, called wrong or speak to others if they see someone in the wrong. Its good that we don’t want to hurt each others feelings but we also at the same time run the risk of letting peers, friends and family of making big mistakes if we don’t show our concerns early. 

No one should be afraid to speak to anyone. I have always thought that if you speak with respect then you should have no problem. Its the rash, brash and even down right rude comments that usually boil over into negative feelings. God wants us to love each other and part of loving is looking out for each others interests. If I lecture in a condescending tone to someone I care about then they are not likely to take my concern seriously. It will be discarded and ignored altogether. If I speak with love and respect then it is more likely to be absorbed, considered and acted upon. If I happen to be wrong in my assessment approaching my loved one with respect will open a dialogue and I will learn the background and possibly overcome my concerns. 

In serious instances sometimes we need backup. If someone won’t listen to you when you caution them lovingly then bring someone with you. I might be stubborn enough to ignore someone if they approach me and tell me I am doing something out of line but if two people approach me later I will definitely pause and listen. If someone refuses to ignore living morally then it is best to just step aside. We eventually become the company we keep so be careful who you surround yourself with.

Speaking with love is as important as listening with love. Some I have met seem to be on perpetual defense. They never want to be wrong and will defend anything to the death it seems. I have a 5yr old and he talks like an unending gushing waterfall. I have to try hard to really listen to everything he says because through the talk of, bad guys, video games and art ideas he occasionally talks of things that are important morally. If I just let everything slide by dismissing it all as verbal nonsense I would miss many a teachable moment with him. God loves us all and he knows that the easiest way for us to be happy is that we should all take care of each other. He sent Jesus with lessons on how to love to guide us. God is planning a great party in the end and he would hate if some missed out because we didn’t take the time to take care of each other. 

Matthew 18:15-20

15"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

A Thought: Falling On My Face

I remember one time I went to work and I was having a really great day. I was on top of the world and very confident in what I was doing. I thought that I could do no wrong and any troubles that came my way would be no sweat. Then, reality struck, I like being grounded in life. It seems like every time I think I have the world by the tail and I start becoming proud is when I am most likely to fail. I have come to the point where I flex my humility muscle as much as possible. I try and make myself take a step back several times a day. Humility works well for me in so many circumstances. 

When someone asks me for help I act humble and do whatever I can to help. I find it puts them at ease. When they may have been feeling ashamed asking for help they now feel secure that they are not alone.

When I receive praise remaining humble helps me from getting a big head. Its easy to think that you are everything when receiving praise, but basking in the praise to long can alienate you from others. 

I find that humility is the cornerstone of love. Love is putting others before yourself. I find its hard to love well when I am proud of myself because I can get caught in an endless cycle of loving myself instead of others. I also find that them more I love others the more I receive. 

I feel that when I am ashamed I am most easily humbled and I can understand what is truly important. Rather than hiding from my failures I can examine them and learn from them. 

Being humble around others that have made mistakes makes them less defensive. They are more apt to move forward because they don’t have to play in a contest of “defending actions” and can find peace and learn themselves. 

I find being humble in front of my children makes them feel secure when they realize they don’t know everything and are not afraid of admitting when they need help. They learn that a family is not several individuals but a team of people that love each other and put each other before each other.

And most importantly when I humble myself I am open to learn more about the world, the people in it and the sheer magnificence of the world. As I sit back and look at the world and how everything and everyone interplays I find true art. I find true purpose. I find peace because it is designed so well. No matter how man tries to mess it up it still works rather well. There is where I find my belief in God and with the teachings of Jesus I learn how to love. 

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; 10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

A Thought: Does Your Love Blossom or Wither?

I will have to admit that I am terrible at water skiing. The last time I tried to water ski I couldn’t stay on my feet for longer than 3 seconds. Once I did get going crouched down but as soon as I stood up I fell over. I try and try but to no avail I am terrible at water skiing. Its very frustrating, I work on it everyday and I don’t know what the problem is. Some suggest that it is that I don’t own a pair of ski let alone have a boat or ever get out in the water. 

You can laugh it is meant to be funny, but that’s how I see so many people anymore. They are so frustrated that their lives are as full as they like. Try as they do the relationships that they try and maintain grow harsh and unfulfilling. Its like trying to grow a plant without dirt, let alone water and fertilizer. My first and foremost relationship that I work on is the one I have with God. Why? Because he teaches me how to love. Through loving God, listening to Jesus’s teaching on love and following his commandments I find my other relationships blossom beautifully. Loving is an easy thing to do but not always our first instinct. Loving the way that God wants us too is not always fair, and that can be difficult especially in this day and age. Forgiveness is love, it is rooted out of love. We are all human, we all make mistakes, some of which are very silly or stupid. I have never been forgiven and felt unloved. If you love someone and they make a mistake forgive them. If you don’t that pain will rest inside your heart and it will grow and take over. Before long the list of resentments will slowly overtake love in the garden of your heart and it will be rife with weeds of anger, resentment will start to blossom deceit. In and time when we are told things should be “even” and “fair” God wants us to forgive. Love and wash away the pain that someone brought you. You may feel shortchanged in the short-term  but it if you can truly forgive then you will be healthier in the long run. Let God’s love and ways be your center and you will see your life grow in ways you could have never imagined or you can hold on to anger and keep things fair. God loves you and wants you to be happy and he knows that will blossom out of love. My parents always told me that life is not fair and it is so true. You have to learn to let go though of the unfairness and love otherwise the weight of the resentment will hold you back. You will not grow. You will not be happy and if left unchecked  the root of your life, your heart, will die and wither like a plant taken from the soil of God, the sun of Jesus and the water of the Holy Spirit. God gives us free will. He lets you choose what you want. I ask you, what do you want?

John 15:4-10

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

A Thought: Wasted Talent

As this school year approaches I have a great deal of hope in my heart. I have a wonderful son who is now 12 going on the dreaded teens. He is very talented and smart but he hasn’t found the drive to put it into action. He is at that awkward stage between boyhood and manhood and it is my job to usher him through it safely. I feel very lucky to get to do so. Last year we had issues with him because on his tests he would do very well but he was getting D’s and F’s because he was failing to do any of his homework. He knew the material but just didn’t want to take time out of his day from playing video games to do his homework. 

I find that I meet a lot of people like that. I meet people with extraordinary talents but because they are caught up in their own lives of what they want to do they do not make the best of them. God gives us talents not for us but for others. He wants us to take care of each other and gives us each complimentary talents to help each other. Its like the old story about two rooms full of people with extra long spoons. In the one room everyone is starving cause they can’t feed themselves. The other room everyone is happily getting along because they have learned to feed each other.  

God knows that his creation works best when we love each other and get along. Loving means helping and that means casting aside what we want for ourselves sometimes. I have had some tell me that to be a Christian you don’t have to do good works. That by faith alone you can get into heaven, but I think something major is lost there. I can understand why some are afraid to help others. It takes you out of your comfort zone. But if Jesus came to earth and taught us to take care of each other and to love one another than how can we be “good” Christians if we are casting a blind eye on those in need? When you look at the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes it basically boils down to this. Love the Lord your God with all your body, mind and soul and love each other as you would want others to love you. What good are my talents if I don’t use them? It seems like I would just be throwing away perfectly good food when there are so many hungry and alone in this world. 

Matthew 5:13-16

13"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. 14"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.