Dad’s Thoughts...

Life and Death

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:19:44 +0800

I'm feeling emotionally spent today. Malia and I both feel the void left by Beckie while she is in the US. At the same time it's exciting for all of us that she can be there to help David and Leah welcome a new life, our first grandson, into the world.

This morning we watched a video message from Mars Hill Church that was a first hand report on the Church in Haiti after the earthquake. The stories, video and pictures are beyond our ability to absorb. What is happening there is tragic beyond words. Grief upon grief... We will being actively looking for ways to help.

Then this afternoon, Morrison had a memorial service for Aimee Powell. Dan Robinson commented in the service that Aimee is the next one in a list of several of our best and most treasured young people that have died early over the years. Finding a more joyful or more loved girl and family would be difficult. Aimee was a remarkable young lady from a wonderful family.

So today between looking forward to Seth's arrival, the massive death toll in Haiti and then the home going of one of our community, it’s been an emotional day with life and death occupying my thoughts.

Two thoughts came to mind. The first was something I read in a book I read my first year of teaching. Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot was a key element God used to draw me to missions. In it Jim Elliot wrote in his journal, "I must not think it strange if God takes in youth those whom I would have kept on earth till they were older. God is peopling Eternity, and I must not restrict Him to old men and women." Eternity is the real, real. Though we will miss terribly those that go ahead of us, they are the ones that are home. It is only a matter of time and we will be joining them for eternity!

The second thought was from a book Ron Willett gave me years ago called A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life by William Law.

In it he tells the story of Penitens, who was a busy, notable tradesman, and very prosperous in his dealings, but died in the thirty-fifth year of his age. The main lesson in the story is to live life here so you are prepared for eternity. One other point in the story is that once a person crosses through the curtain of death into eternity there will be no sadness for missing out on anything this world offers.

The Butterfly Circus

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:31:28 +0800

Leah found this 20 minute movie and told us about it. There is a great “money” quote that I used in my class: “The greater the challenge the more glorious the triumph!”

It stars an Australian Christian, Nick Vujicic, who speaks all over the world on faith and over coming adversity. He isn’t an actor but I think he did well in this film. You can visit his ministry site : Life without Limbs .

The facts about having a family

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:04:25 +0800

A number of the men on Morrison’s staff meet on Tuesday mornings to go through Robert Lewis’ Authentic Manhood video series. This morning Lewis put up some stats:
• 97% of all parents have no regrets in having children.
• 75% of all parents assert that having children strengthened their marriage.
• 89% of all parents say that having children increased their enjoyment of life.
• 81% of all parents say watching children grow up is life’s greatest pleasure.
Beckie and I would heartily agree with all of these statements! We owe a lot to our kids!

Secondhand Lions Clip

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 16:05:57 +0800

This weekend we watched the movie Secondhand Lions and one idea stood out to me, the “What every boy needs to know about being a man” speech. (see clip)

It got me thinking. What would be included in this speech and what would be its tone? Something worth thinking about and giving to as many young men as possible.

Big Government - Small Citizen

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:04:06 +0800

This morning I was reading in the book of James how trials are a gift from God to develop our character and it reminded me of an article I read by Dennis Prager. The title was The bigger the Government, the smaller the Citizen.

Here are his main points:
1. People who are able to take care of themselves and do so are generally better than people who are able to take care of themselves but rely on others.
2. The more people come to rely on government, the more they develop a sense of entitlement -- an attitude characterized by the belief that one is owed (whatever the state provides and more).
3. People develop disdain for work.
4. People become preoccupied with vacation time.
5. People are rendered more selfish.

You can read the explanation in the full article. I do see it play out in the lives of people. Life is an interesting balance. On the one hand we need to give generously and show mercy and charity. On the other hand we need to learn to care for ourselves and teach others to do the same. There’s a good summary of this paradox in Galatians 6:

1. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
3. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself,  without comparing himself to somebody else,
4. for each one should carry his own load.