Life is Long

Last weekend, I was introduced to a new phrase (at least it was new to me). After hearing it spoken several times in a few hours, I asked about it. What was the meaning of the phrase "life is long?" All this week I have been pondering that phrase and giving its meaning a lot of thought. Here's my two takes on the phrase "life is long."

It was our son, Andy, and his beautiful girlfriend, Maddie, both from New York City, who introduced me to this phrase. They were our house guests for a quick 30 hours last weekend. We sure did pack a lot into that amount of time! It was our first time to meet Maddie in person and we had a wonderful time with both of them while they were here!

Anyway, after hearing each of them use this phrase at different moments in our conversations, I asked about it. They told me that it had to do with the blessing of life giving you second chances, opportunities for do-overs and improvements when you need them based on what is now behind you. What was done in the past, whether it be yesterday, last week, last year or even several years ago, doesn't necessarily have to define your future. Isn't that a great idea to have the perspective that "life is long?" Even though the phrase was new to me, I have certainly experienced the benefits of this concept in my life.

Because thus far my life has been long, I have been able to learn from my mistakes and attempt to do things different the next time based on my experiences. This has been true in my life both personally and professionally. Imagine if you didn't have the perspective of "life is long." If what you did yesterday, last week, last year or even several years ago trapped you. That would be a terrible way to live! I am convinced that with God's help, we each have opportunities every day to start fresh, to blaze new trails, to learn from what happened in the past and to write new stories. Hallelujah!

So, life is long. Except when it isn't.

Juxtaposed to Andy and Maddie's visit last weekend, I was mourning the loss of a very dear friend. He died last Saturday from heart failure. He was only 63. For my friend, Al Bryant, life wasn't long. It would seem that his life was cut way too short and I am really, really going to miss him.

However, after attending Al's funeral service yesterday, his life was in fact very long, and very full, and very productive, and one of tremendous impact! You see, Al's primary purpose in life was to love people. And love people he did! He not only loved just about everyone he ever met, he also purposefully pointed them to the One who could provide a greater love for all eternity, for the salvation of our souls - that is, Jesus Christ. It was remarkable to me to hear all the stories about all the lives that Al touched in his short time here on earth. As I was lamenting not reaching out to him more and spending more time with him these last several years, I began to realize, "When would he have had time for me anyway?" He was busy loving people, and loving more people, and loving even more people every day of his life! 

Al is an inspiration to me! His life was cut short (humanly speaking), but he made every effort possible to honor, love, serve and tell people about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while he still had breath in his lungs. Even though his days on this earth were shorter than mine, what he accomplished for eternity was truly remarkable and incredibly inspirational.

I still like this new phrase "life is long." I especially like how it has been revealed to me to have multiple meanings. Thank God for second chances and opportunities for do-overs. Thank God for strength to persevere when given more time to make improvements based on what I've learned from my past. Similarly, "life is long" for opportunities to share it with others, loving them well. But, what am I accomplishing for eternity with the days/years I am given? Will what I am doing count?

In closing, I am reminded of some lines that may be familiar to you from the poem "Only One Life" by C. T. Studd:

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, 'Thy will be done';
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say 'twas worth it all';
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Life is long. Think about it. 
         

My Six Months of Irresponsibility is Over Today

It may not be until this stage of life that you can even offer words of wisdom. Let's face it, earlier in life you really haven't lived long enough to truly know and understand much. But, since I am soon approaching my 65th birthday, maybe I have lived long enough to actually impart some wisdom? You be the judge after reading this blog post.

Today marks six months since my official "retirement" from working life. In some ways it's hard to believe that it's already been that long. In other ways it seems like I've always been retired. Suffice it to say, I am still loving retirement! No question about that!

In contemplating writing something for today, it occurred to me that I might be having my own "Ecclesiastes" moment. What I mean by that is that I felt a need to call an assembly to hear my thoughts on retirement thus far, similar to how King Solomon did something like that in his book in the Bible. Solomon looked back, noticed life as a breath or a vapor, pondered his life's purpose, asked whether what he strove for was worth it, and questioned whether he'd lived life as he should have to that point. Not sure if all of that will come out in this post, but I'll give it a try.

Solomon started his book by saying: "...words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem." Well, I haven't ever been a full-time "teacher" in my life, and I'm certainly not the son of a king. But, I am amazed at the profound influence my Dad (a "king" to me) has had on my life (especially in the past year as we mourned his loss). I literally think about him and miss him every day. I wouldn't say that ours was an inseparable father/son relationship. But, I would say that his life has totally affected mine in ways innumerable. His life, well-lived, guides much of what I do and say and think every day. I am so very grateful for that.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon spoke of a variety of miscellaneous topics about his life. I'll use several of those same topics as my framework for thoughts in what follows.

Pleasures - Solomon warned his readers that life can be a lot about gathering and accumulating - houses, gardens, treasures, etc. We are so fortunate to have a house that we love, a small yard that we enjoy and more than enough resources to live on comfortably. I am so grateful for that. But, there is an emptiness if enjoying pleasures like those is all you have. If all you are living for is the next pleasure you can experience, that won't be nearly enough and you'll never be satisfied.

The Mystery of Time - Our lives go by so very quickly. Reflecting back on the good life I've enjoyed thus far is a blessing, for sure. My life has been very full and for that I am extremely grateful. However, no one knows for certain the exact number of days you are given in this life. Only God knows that. So, these days I'm trying to live life with eternity in mind. I'm trying to enjoy the time I'm given, remembering that each minute, hour, day, and year is a precious gift from God.

Loneliness - Since I am not in the working world any more (with numerous friends and colleagues to interact with), my life could be somewhat lonely if I let it be. Therefore, I've discovered the vital importance of getting out of the house and interacting with other people more often. Not for the purpose of earning a living (as in my past), but rather to foster and deepen key relationships with the people God has placed in my life at this time. I've already discovered that it can be so easy to isolate from others at this stage of life. Therefore, I constantly need to make a concerted effort to call or e-mail people I know and love and/or schedule specific times with family, friends and neighbors so that the potential of loneliness is minimized. I need other people in my life.

Caution in God's Presence - As with my previous working days, obedience to God's calling and being careful with the words I say is still an important principle to live by in retirement. I really don't want to be one of those old guys who keeps talking even when those around me have stopped listening! Yikes. Hearing what other people have to say is important. Vows that have been made need to be fulfilled. Promises offered to others need to be kept. I must remember that all the riches and health/wealth I now enjoy are immeasurable gifts from God. I experience great happiness and maximum fulfillment when I do!

Wise Sayings/Avoid Extremes/Friendships Important - I am discovering that it is really important to share what I've learned in life with others. It's also important to avoid daily temptation extremes (in eating, spending, entertainment, etc.). The pent up demands for "doing what I want to do" (now that I can!) must be avoided constantly. In addition, proactively cultivating dear friendships while looking out for the needs of others around me (when I now have the time and resources to do so) is vital. I really need to continually be reminded to not waste the relationship opportunities I'm given each day.

Enjoying Life - Time spent with my wife, Ellen, each and every day is becoming more and more precious to me. It has been a big adjustment for both of us, for sure! But, as we do the hard work of getting to know each other more deeply (and completely) in these early days of retirement, I'm more and more convinced the rewards and payoff for doing so will be so worth it (for all the years to come).

The Burden of Folly - I am amazed at how tempting it is every day to want to just waste time or let time drift and not be useful or productive. Not that every minute of every day has to be totally useful or productive. But, there are golden opportunities every day to accomplish tasks and/or make a difference in other people's lives (if I am looking for them). Why waste those? Settling for silly stuff or letting my mind be occupied with stuff that just doesn't matter for eternity seems like such a folly.

Invest in Life - It has become painfully obvious to me as of late how important it will be to nurture and protect the great health I currently have going forward. And, I don't just mean physical health (although that is very important). Emotional, psychological and spiritual health is every bit as important. For the number of days I am given in this life, I want to live them in the best health possible, with gladness and joy to the max. But, that requires daily investments!

Solomon's conclusion at the end of his book was: "...fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity." He also said: "For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." My conclusion thus far is very similar. I want to remember that each day is a gift from God. I also want to remember to glorify God with everything I do. All things matter, even in my retirement years. I want to always be useful, always be heavenly-minded, always love people, always invest in other's lives, always serve those who I come in contact with, and always enjoy knowing that all blessings I enjoy come from God. He is the reason I even have the opportunity to be retired.

I'm still learning a lot about life, and still looking forward to the next milestones that come my way in retirement. I am very grateful for the privilege of even crafting these words and sharing them openly with all who read them. I don't have any more "cover" now for being completely irresponsible. I hope the next six months will be focused on acquiring and exuding additional wisdom for the rest of my retirement years, however many that may be.

It is fitting to note that at the end of this six months period of being completely irresponsible, I grew a beard for the very first time in my life. We'll see if it lasts...

Crumbling Pots

It was probably about 36 years ago. I was a young and very inexperienced design professional (landscape architect-in-training), working a job I really loved (and thought I was pretty good at, too).

That was when I had to learn some valuable lessons on life from crumbling pots.

I had designed what I thought was a really cool project - a "roof garden" at a hospital's expansion in Decatur, Illinois. It was definitely unique, innovative, and not a standard approach. Essentially, my design was the placement of various-sized geometric wooden pallets in decorative patterns all over an otherwise normal (and ugly) conventional roof, primarily to be viewed from the hospital expansion's new patient rooms. The pallets would be where hundreds of various-sized clay pots would be placed. They would then be filled with potting soil and planted with shrubs/flowers to provide the "garden" part of the design.

Conventional thinking at the time for roof garden design required placement of considerable depths of soil over roof areas, then installing landscape plant materials in same (like a typical garden). That was not possible for this project due to restricted structural loading (weight concerns) for the building's roof, as well as for a lot of other relatively complex and difficult construction/maintenance and drainage realities. As a wide-eyed, novice designer, I wasn't going to let restrictions keep me from coming up with some way to make that roof a garden. There just had to be a way, and I was convinced that I could avoid that restriction.

As the design was being finalized, I was receiving all sorts of accolades from my peers for creating such a unique and unusual design. However, some of my co-workers were skeptical. They were surprised that I had been able to convince the hospital's administration to spend a significant amount of money on such a folly. But, in my headlong pursuit of "greatness," I was confident that it would all work in the end somehow. I pressed on with completion of documents for construction, at times ignoring concerns brought to my attention by other more experienced design professionals. I wasn't interested in hearing what these "naysayer" colleagues had to say. Rather, I was preoccupied with dreams about how it would all turn out. How great it would be to photograph the results when complete. How proud I would be of my accomplishment.

About two years or so later when construction and installation for the roof garden was finished, Voila! My design was in fact cool! Everyone seemed to love how it all looked. I received numerous congratulatory comments on the design and adulation for coming up with the idea and seemingly progressive uses of common materials, in ways that were unique for roof gardens at that time. All was good.

Fast forward another two years. I received an unsolicited and rather excited phone call from my client. "Hey, Mr. Architect. What are YOU going to do about all these crumbling pots on our roof?"

Over the course of two winters, the realities of the elements (freezing and thawing) had ravaged my design. Almost all of the clay pots had crumbled in place. What was once considered a great triumph for me became a huge embarrassment and costly mistake. I had not done my homework. I had not researched the givens and realities of my design. Something that I thought would be a path to greatness (and cool) was now putting me (and my company) in a terrible position. We had a very unhappy client. I was ultimately responsible for creating something that didn't work. I was to blame and I had to own it.

So, what are some of the lessons I learned from this story of crumbling pots? Here's a few:

1. If young and inexperienced, use caution before proceeding with unique, innovative ideas. The "standard approach" may be there for a reason. Perhaps it has been tried/tested and proven it works. That's why it's now the standard approach.

2. It's great to have a desire for doing something really cool. Steps away from conventional thinking are appropriate on occasion. However, some realities and truths are just unchangeable and not to be trifled with. They need to be acknowledged and studied before proceeding.

3. If you are confronted with restrictions that seem to limit you, don't dismiss them outright. Ask questions about why they are there. Find out why they were created. Ask if the restriction applies to your situation before proceeding. Think more long-term.

4. If you are receiving accolades from your peers, be careful. Sometimes they can cause you to ignore advice from the more experienced/wiser people around you. Listen to concerns of others and criticisms of your work. They might be much more helpful to you than all the accolades in the long run.

5. Dreams are great. They really are. But, the realities of life must be evaluated along with your dreams. Dreams can oftentimes turn into nightmares if you don't consider realities.

The good news is that I did not lose my job and our company was not sued. However, I never forgot the lessons I learned about life from these crumbling pots. 

Wanna Get Away?

This post is something I wrote for our church's daily devotional - Vertical. Seemed like I should share it with others by way of this blog also. The passage I am writing about is Revelation 21:1-7. Enjoy!


You’ve all heard it. By now it's a very familiar sound and phrase.


“Ding. Wanna get away?”




Southwest Airlines’ brilliant ad campaign appeals to all of us who desperately want to escape the hopeless situations we sometimes find ourselves in. I don’t know about you, but I’ve really been longing for some sort of getaway lately. I mean, can this world and the politics in the United States get any crazier?




But, before we think we are in the worst situation ever, let’s take a minute to put things in proper historical context. What was the world really like when the apostle John wrote these words in the Book of Revelation anyway?




Well, he was in exile because of his witness for Christ; it was a time of severe persecution for Christians. The Jerusalem temple had already been destroyed. People were being punished for not worshiping the emperor. Cruel, paranoid tyrants were in power; they sought to control public and private morals. Wars and chaos were abundant; heavy taxation dominated people's lives. Anarchy and lawlessness was everywhere: marriages of convenience and for political expediency, untold questionable activities by the political elite, power-hungry leaders oftentimes exercised absolute political power.




What do you think? Sound familiar?




“Ding. Wanna get away?”


Yes, John was in a terrible place. The world around him was a mess; so many things he valued were gone: his Lord Jesus, his friends, his hope? But God gave him a vision and told him He had everything under control. God showed John that if he focused on the Lord’s return, not the circumstances around him, he could survive and even thrive. He became more concerned with the second coming of Jesus than with the political situation of his times.


We should not expect everything to be right here on this earth because of the inescapable presence of sin; this world will always be marred by sin and disobedience. But one day, sin will be gone and God will make everything new.




Next time you want to escape, remember this:




“Ding. Jesus is coming back. It may be soon!”




When things don't seem right in this world, remember God has a plan; He'll make everything right in His time. You can count on that! The ultimate issue of our day is Jesus' victory over sin and death and His soon and coming return.


Maranatha!

Resolutions

I'm normally not one for making New Year's resolutions...

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for setting achievable goals and striving for improvement in my life.

As a matter of fact, I've already tried to eat better/more healthy since the first of the year. I've already tried to do more reading and reflection to begin and end my days. And, I've already been to the local recreation center to work out/exercise three times in 2011 (which is probably two more times than I did all of last year!). Ugh!

But, really? Do resolutions work?

During a time of reading and reflection one morning this week, I rediscovered a terrific example of some resolutions, and decided to make them mine for 2011. Here they are:

One - Remember every day of 2011 that there is only one God. As a follower of Christ, there just aren't any others. Only one.

Two - Avoid making anything else (man-made or natural) competition for God in my life. Remember every day of 2011 that God wants/deserves my devotion and worship. Don't give what belongs to Him to anything/anyone else.

Three - Resist using God's name in an inappropriate way. Remember throughout 2011 that God's name is holy. That speaking curses (and/or coarse words) is just plain wrong for a follower of Christ.

Four - Dedicate at least one day every week completely to God. Keep that day really special, just for Him! Remember throughout all of 2011 that there will always be more work, important errands and an endless list of tasks to do. As a Christ follower, I need to give one day a week over to God and rest.

Five - Look for ways to respect/love my parents more in 2011. They are not to be more highly regarded than God; no family member deserves more respect/love than God. But, God is pleased when I honor my father and my mother with simple acts of kindness and special favor.

Six - Refrain from killing in 2011. That includes killing with words, killing with looks/glances, and killing with hands, etc. Love other people and speak well of them. Denegrading or bad-mouthing or hurting others is just plain wrong for followers of Christ.

Seven - Go overboard in love for my spouse so that I won't even be tempted to cheat with anyone else. Remember throughout 2011 that God is the one who created marriage, that wonderful relationship between one man and one woman. He expects me to be faithful to the incredible gift of "oneness" He's given to me.

Eight - Resist all temptations to take from others. This includes big and small things. As a follower of Christ, there should not even be a hint or a suggestion of dishonesty when it comes to other people's money or possessions.

Nine - At all times, speak truth about my family, friends and everyone else. If you really don't know all the facts about a situation (and you never will), keep your mouth shut. Don't say unkind things about others. Ever. Words hurt and careless, not well thought out phrases are deadly. All truth in 2011!

Ten - Be content with what I have and refrain from desiring more and more of what someone else has. As a Christ follower, thank God everyday in 2011 for how He's abundantly blessed me and marvel at His goodness in all the things He's allowed me to possess.

Well, those are my resolutions for 2011.

By now, some of you are probably saying, "Wait a minute! Haven't I heard those ten somewhere before?" Yup. You have.

See Exodus 20:2-17 for the original version.

Even though I know I'm not going to be able to keep all of these resolutions in 2011 (because by myself, I just can't), I am asking God to work in me and allow me to make some headway towards these lofty goals and needed improvements in my life.

How about you? What are your resolutions for 2011?

Thanksgiving All Year Long!

Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays! I absolutely love spending extra time away from work with my family and friends, as well as enjoying all the delicious foods of this magnificent time of the year! Yum-yum!

But, why do we sometimes relegate thanksgiving to just one day a year? I know that the American version of Thanksgiving originates from the feasts enjoyed by the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, around 1621 or so. They had a bountiful harvest and wanted to celebrate God's goodness to them for it. But, they were simply expressing their gratitude spontaneously and following a pattern of thanksgiving demonstrated by our ancestors down through the ages. There have probably been large thanksgiving feasts around since the beginning of time.

After having such a rich and meaningful Thanksgiving Day yesterday, I believe that we should celebrate thanksgiving all year long! So, in the interest of trying to help all of us do this, I've chosen a "who, what, where, when, why and how" format for your consideration.

Who
First and foremost, God is the One who should be thanked. He is the One who is to be praised, not only for who He is, but also for all He's done (Psalm 100:4). Let your thanksgiving be an intentional act of worship to God all year long!

What
Our thanksgiving should be a constant celebration. It should be an all-out dedication on our part to continual gratefulness. We can express our thanksgiving to God with words (prayers), with songs/singing (praise and worship tunes or hymns), and with a truly authentic gladness of heart for all that God has done all year long!

Where
The great thing about thanksgiving is that you can be grateful to God anywhere and everywhere! You can express your gratitude by yourself, or in a group, or in your church, or in your office, in your car, inside your home or outside your home, too. There are no limitations to where you have to be in order to give thanks to God. All year long you can tell Him how grateful you are no matter where you are at the time.

When
We can experience thanksgiving all the time. Every day of the year. And when we express our thanksgiving, frequently it will be completely involuntary. We won't even know when it is coming. It will be an immediate response to an event/experience in our life (if we let it). Our thanksgiving can and will be contagious and spontaneous, causing others to also give thanks all year long, too!

Why
Thanksgiving usually brings an abundance of peace to us personally, and furthermore contributes to peace for those around us as well (Jeremiah 30:19, II Corinthians 4:15 & 9:11, Ephesians 5:4). We should not be holding back when we are grateful. We should give it all to God because He is so worthy and deserves all of our praise and thanksgiving all year long!

How
Through prayer (I Timothy 2:1). By voicing our gratefulness to others. Through physical acts and dances for joy. By singing and making joyful noises unto the Lord (Psalm 69:30 & 95:2). Through demonstrating to others ways to be grateful. By involuntary expressions of thanksgiving in all circumstances, no matter what they may be (Philippians 4:6, I Timothy 4:4). And through setting an example of thankfulness in our own lives all year long.

So, while you are still enjoying the afterglow of yesterday's glorious Thanksgiving Day celebration with family/friends and great food, why not make a bold commitment to truly celebrate thanksgiving all year long this upcoming year? Or maybe even for the rest of your life?

It is not good for the man to be alone...

I'm alone in our house right now. My wife and youngest son are in Oregon visiting family/friends. I stayed home alone.

Truth be told, I was really looking forward to doing this alone thing. I always do. I always say to myself when I know that I will be alone and have the house to myself, "You can do this, you can do that. You can get all those things done that you're always wanting to do." I fool myself into thinking that I will be able to read books/magazines uninterrupted. That I will be able to set my own schedule for everything I do. That I will not have to worry about the schedule/activities of anyone else. Who am I kidding?

It is not good for the man to be alone.

God had it right when He spoke these words recorded in Genesis 2. Even though we are basically selfish creatures, frequently more self-focused/self-centered than we should be, we really do need each other. We need other people.

When I am alone (like my current situation), it seems my self-focus/self-centeredness increases. Not only that, I begin to almost resent other people who innocently invade my aloneness. When we are alone, generally not a lot of good happens. When we allow our self-focus/self-centeredness to increase, we can forget the value of other people in our lives and how much we really need them.

This past week, a friend of mine, Herrick, a friend I've known for over thirty years, lost his sweet wife, Mary. She finally succumbed to the ravages of a terrible disease that complicated and compromised her life the past several years. I ache for Herrick right now. He is alone in the home he shared with Mary for almost 50 years. Now, of course, for the time being, he does have people in his house - his children and their families, his friends, his neighbors, people from his church, etc. But, someday soon, he will have to face the fact that he is now all alone in that house. And, I am certain that when that happens, he will agree with God that, "It is not good for the man to be alone."

I don't think it is a coincidence that my circumstances of being alone are juxtaposed with my friend Herrick's being alone. I believe that God allowed this to teach me some very important lessons. It's not a mistake that I am seeing this being alone experience in fresh, new ways right now. My perspective on being alone is changing.

Am I saying that you should ALWAYS be around other people and never have a moment to yourself? No. I'm just saying that we all need to be careful when we are in the circumstance of being alone. Careful that we don't allow the self-focus/self-centeredness we all struggle with to deepen/grow. Rather, we need to turn this alone time into opportunities to bless other people. Here's a few things I might try to do the next several days while I am alone:

- I can pray for my wife and son, that they will have a wonderful time with family/friends.
- I can pray for my friend, Herrick, and his family; that God will comfort them as they mourn.
- I can write to my friend, Herrick, encouraging him in his time of need by telling him how much I loved his Mary, and remind him of all the wonderful ways the two of them lived life to the fullest.
- I can ask some neighbors out for lunch (as I did today), telling them with both my words and actions how much they mean to us as neighbors and how blessed we are to be living next to them.
- I can call some people I don't normally take the time to call and surprise them with that.

Well, I think you get the idea.

It is not good for the man to be alone. Seize the opportunity when you are alone the next time to think about the needs of someone else, not just your own. And then act on those thoughts. You probably won't regret it.

Now, off to that book I was going to read...

Giving an Acceptance Speech

Today is Father's Day. And, since I have the happy, joyful, wonderful privilege of being a Dad, I've been thinking a lot about that the past few days...

What kept coming to mind as Father's Day approached was giving an acceptance speech. You know, kind of like they do at the Oscars and/or any other annual awards program? When the person who gets the award gets up there and says: "I'd like to thank..."

Well, here's what I'd say today in giving an acceptance speech for being a father.

First, I'd like to thank my God (heavenly Father) for giving me life and breath, and for providing His grace and salvation (eternal life) through Jesus Christ, my Lord. He gave me the most important gift I'll ever receive in this life! He saved me when I was lost. Thank you!

Next, I'd like to thank my Dad (earthly father) for marrying my Mom, and for bringing me into this world so many years ago. He loved me through so many tough times, and still loves me very much even to this day. I'm his only son and he has always been proud of me. He taught me to work and work hard, and always to do my best. Thank you, Dad!

I'd like to thank my loving and faithful wife, Ellen, who has always stood by me, supporting me in countless and incredible ways. She loved me enough (and still does!) to carry all four of our children to birth, thus giving me the fantastic privilege of being a Dad! She has stood by me - day in, day out - for almost thirty years, working very hard to make sure our house is a "home," and faithfully teach our children alongside me. Thank you, sweetie!

I'd like to thank my son, Andy, who always challenges me to consider "dreaming bigger, " reaching for whatever opportunities/goals are next. He's advised me with an unusual boldness when I really needed it, and called me up to places I still feel like I don't belong (largely due to periodic, misguided feelings of inadequacy/unworthiness, as well as times of very low self esteem). Thanks, Andy!

I'd like to thank my daughter, Katie, who always makes me feel so special, as though she's really glad to see me/be with me! She's helped me understand (just as her Mom has attempted to do for many years) that this life should be fun and lived to the fullest. She's also encouraged me to not take myself so seriously (which I need to be reminded of a lot!). She is an incredibly talented, resourceful and beautiful young lady! Brave, too. Thanks, Katie!

I'd like to thank my son, Peter, who so confidently accepts every stage of his life, and then makes it look so easy to be who he is (and do all that he does). He always calls me up to even higher levels of integrity, discipline and faithfulness, probably without even knowing that he is doing that. He's continually demonstrated extreme loyalty to his immediate family, as well as uncommon selflessness to long-time friends. Thanks, Peter!

I'd like to thank my son, Nathan, who always makes me smile, and causes me to laugh at so many things that are funny in life. He's proved himself to be a valuable friend to many, including his siblings! He provides his mother and me the delight of offering a place for his teenage friends to hangout and have fun. He has an uncanny sense for distinguishing right from wrong. He's brought a lot of joy to me over the years. Thanks, Nathan!

I'd like to thank Annie and Kristen, two chosen women who have truly captivated the hearts of my older sons, Andy and Peter. Thank you for being faithful to them, and for providing the companionship that they will need for this life. Thank you for allowing me, at times, to be another "father" to each of you. Thanks, Annie and Kristen!

Finally, I'd like to thank all those who have played strategic parts in helping me learn more about being a godly father, and then calling me up to that challenging task. I'm talking about the pastors, teachers, friends, family members and other acquaintenances/authors who have offered advice and loving instruction when I needed it most. Thank you all for caring enough to make yourselves available to me (and to my children) when "just me" alone would not have been enough. The responsibility of being a father is not something to be taken lightly, not for the faint of heart and not to be accomplished all on your own. No one is completely adequate for the task in and of themselves alone. It takes the wisdom and assistance of many to do it well.

So, if I were giving an acceptance speech for "fatherhood," that is what I'd say. I am a very blessed man today...

A Song In My Head

Sometimes I can feel a bit overwhelmed by life. I seem to be in one of those places right now. Just a bit overwhelmed. While I am not really very fond of times like these, God does speak to me in them. That is, if I am listening...

A couple events happened this weekend that God used to get my attention. Let me explain.

As a family, we played The Game of Things together on Friday night. (If you haven't had a chance to experience this game yet, you should. It's really a lot of fun to play, especially with your family!) Anyway, during the game, one of the cards that we were to provide an answer for said, "Things that don't stop." Someone in our family answered, "The song in my heart." I thought to myself as we were playing, do I have a song in my heart? And frankly, I had to admit that I didn't. There hadn't been too many songs in my heart lately. When you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, the ability to have songs in your heart kind of goes away.

Then on Saturday when I was out and about running errands (trying to catch up on all the things that I had not had time to do lately because of feeling a bit overwhelmed!), I heard a great song on the radio. I particularly noticed the chorus, and that chorus kept playing over and over again in my head. Not much time passed before I heard the same song again on the radio, twice in a short amount of time! I guess God wanted me to hear it.

So, while I might not have had a song in my heart for awhile due to feeling a bit overwhelmed by life, I do have a song in my head. And that song is Matthew West's "The Motions." The lyrics are quite sobering. They seem to be the words of someone else who was also feeling a bit overwhelmed by life. Read them below and then reflect on what they are saying.


This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?"

Take me all the way (take me all the way)
Take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
Take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
Take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
Instead of going through the motions?

I don't wanna go through the motions


Listening to this song really made me think. Am I just going through the motions in life right now? If so, what a terrible thing to admit to. Honest, but terrible.

Then I had to remind myself that sometimes when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, that is all I am able to do - just go through the motions. Sometimes I need to make changes to simplify my life in order to get out from under the feelings of being overwhelmed. Then, if I keep things simple for awhile and wait, the rest of me has a chance to catch up, allowing me to once again experience life more fully again.

Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

An abundant life isn't one that overwhelms you.

It is easy for me to get out of balance in life. Sometimes I just need a song in my head to remind me that overwhelmed with life is not where I want to be.

I agree with Solomon - Part 2

The following wisdom from Solomon is contained in the Bible's book of Proverbs - Chapter 22, verse 1:

"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold."

I don't know about you, but I sometimes dream about what it might be like to have great wealth. Truth is, I'm already blessed beyond imagination and very well-off by the world's standards. All of my family's needs are more than taken care of and they have been for a very long time (thanks to the Lord blessing us abundantly!). But, living where we do in the north Dallas/Plano area (and/or anywhere else in the United States?), it is sometimes hard for us to remember that. There's always someone (or lots of people?) who appear to have more "wealth" than we do.

I am oftentimes curious about those people who appear to have great wealth. What's that like on a day-to-day basis? What do they do with it? How do they manage it? What's does it feel like to have considerable material and monetary excess beyond what you really need? I wonder? Or, is this idea of great wealth only just a modern day fairy tale - an illusion based on tricks and debt? Is great wealth something that people dream about, but never really ever achieve? Hmmmm... I wonder.

Back to Solomon's words, they say that a good name was to be more desired than great wealth. And that favor is better than silver or gold.

May I remind you that Solomon did in fact have great wealth. He may have been one of the richest men who ever lived on planet earth! So, if he said something about great wealth, he was speaking from first-hand knowledge and experience. He actually had great wealth and knew what he was talking about.

But a good name? That's really better than great wealth? Seems way too simple, doesn't it?

A lot of us might be saying to ourselves about now: "Just let me try great wealth first and then I'll let you know if this guy Solomon knew what he was talking about. Let me experience great wealth for awhile and then I'll tell you if he was telling the truth."

Sometimes we can think we are so smart. Sometimes we can distort our very short lives here on earth, completely magnifying them way beyond their actual importance, to levels that are totally out of proportion. Sometimes we can think that what we are doing right now is somehow more significant than what has happened in all of history. Get serious. While your life is important to many people, and while what you are doing is somewhat significant for right now, very few of us will be remembered in history books 50 years after we are gone. Most of what we are doing and/or experiencing in our individual lives has been experienced before. Maybe numerous times. Don't kid yourself. You and I aren't the smartest people who ever lived. As a matter of fact, Solomon had a corner on that market, too. He was considered the smartest man who ever lived.

But, how much do you value having a good name? Is your name in fact "good?" What does that even mean? Good according to who? And what about favor? Whose favor is better than silver and gold?

I'll have to admit, I am a people-pleaser. I probably fuss more about what other people think about me than I should. Truth is, there is only one person that really matters when it comes to yours and my name being good. If we are going to fuss about anything, it should be about whether we are honoring the Lord of the Universe with our lives, and if others are giving Him the glory and honor He deserves based on our lives and actions. That would be our good name, if you please. Nothing else really matters much at all.

Do you believe that? If you do, what are you going to do to make sure that your name is good with the one who really counts? Whose favor are you going after? In the grand scheme of things there probably isn't anything more important than this. Think about it...

I agree with Solomon (again) - A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, and favor is better than silver or gold.

Taking Credit

A good friend challenged me this week for not taking credit for something she felt I deserved recognition for. Then this morning, we discussed the whole issue even further. Consequently, this post...

How do you respond when someone else takes credit for something you feel you deserve credit for? How do you react when someone takes credit for something you are pretty sure they really didn't have much involvement in?

Falsely taking credit seems to happen in a lot of places these days, doesn't it? The most prevalent might be in politics and our workplaces. But, this same problem occurs in several other places as well. For example, it happens in our homes, and in our friendships, and sadly, even in our churches.

Where's the balance? Are we banned then from taking credit for something? Is there an appropriate time and place for taking credit, almost fighting for the rights to that credit? Sure.

For example, my son Andy is in sales. A portion of his income is determined by the actual sales that he gets credit for. He should take credit for the sales that he is primarily responsible for bringing in to his company. Also, if you have genuinely written or composed something, you should be recognized and take credit for what you have uniquely developed.

Those are the easy ones.

But, what about when you are part of a much larger team, and the whole team accomplishes something noteworthy? How much credit do you deserve then? What happens when the whole team gets recognition and you are specifically left off of the list of contributors? Kind of makes you mad, doesn't it? But, should it?

I am reminded of a saying that's been around awhile. I have quoted this phrase many times over the years. It goes something like this: "If you have to ask for respect, you really don't deserve it." In other words, if you have done something noteworthy, and have given it your best effort, try to let that be enough. Don't worry about taking credit (or getting respect) for what you've done. If you really deserve it, at some point in time it will be yours. Just wait.

In our human condition, that is so hard to do, however. We want the credit we deserve, and we want it now!

This weekend, if you are like me you are trying to focus your time, attention and "spirit" on the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He came so that we might know how to live. He died so that our sins would be forgiven. He rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He lives to guide us in what we need to do to honor and serve Him. He deserves all the credit.

Read the following verses from an old hymn written by Lowell Mason back in 1824:

"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all."


After that, fussing about taking credit seems pretty unimportant, doesn't it?

Ctrl - Alt - Delete

I am guessing that most of you reading this post are doing so on a personal computer of some sort. Therefore, you know at least the basics of how they work. As a matter of fact, with most personal computers, you can't even "log-in" without doing a "Ctrl - Alt - Delete." It's a curious procedure really, isn't it? Like, why were those three keys (in that exact succession) selected? Why not "Insert - End - Tab" for example? But I digress...

The point is that whoever invented and perfected the operation of personal computers knew that there needed to be some sort of "system" by which a user could command their personal computer to start (that is if they had the appropriate password), and they chose "Ctrl - Alt - Delete" for doing that. In their wisdom, they also knew that there would be times when a user had a need for "escaping" a program or some other procedure when completely bogged down, or when encountering a huge problem, or even for when you are in the middle of something and your computer freezes up and you just need to go back a bit to discover why things aren't working as well as they did at one point in time.

Have you ever hit "Ctrl - Alt - Delete" in your life? I don't mean literally. I mean in a figurative sense. I know I have.

For example, there was a time in my life a year or so after I graduated from college when I just needed to start something new/fresh. The life pattern I was developing was taking me in a terribly wrong direction. I needed to just start over. It took me totally stopping what I was doing long enough to get my whole life system turned in a completely new direction. If I hadn't done that, I couldn't have moved forward. "Ctrl - Alt - Delete."

Then there was that time in my life when I really needed to escape the career/job I found myself in because it was completely bogging me down. I was going nowhere. I needed to take a few steps back and try again. Not throw everything away, just back up a bit to get back to the place where I got off track and try again. This time with the bad experience behind me as a guide to keep me from going there again. "Ctrl - Alt - Delete."

There have also been other times (more frequent than I probably realized until I started writing this) when I've encountered huge problems, things way bigger than what I could ever get through by myself. In those times, I've needed to figuratively hit "Ctrl - Alt - Delete" just to get perspective. Without proper perspective I really couldn't move forward. When life froze up on me, for those times when I just wasn't moving forward at all because of my own bad choices and/or the immense problems I was facing, I sometimes had to just go back a few steps and try to discover why things weren't working very well. What was the cause? What were the reasons? How did I get so far off-track? And then, once I discovered what the problem was, where I had left the track, I sometimes had to take some pretty drastic measures to recalibrate my life just so that I could in fact move forward again. Not easy to do, but definitely necessary. "Ctrl - Alt - Delete."

I believe in a God that designed us and also knew that we would at times mess up our lives. That is why He gave us a "Ctrl - Alt - Delete" to use when we need to start something new, when we need to escape something that just isn't working, and/or when we need to get HIS perspective on things and take some drastic measures to get back on track with our lives. His "Ctrl - Alt - Delete" is achieved through confession (I John 1:9). I'm so glad He created that for us because I've needed it many, many times in my life.

Praise God for His "Ctrl - Alt - Delete."

The Value of "Connection"

Truth is, I am a real loner at heart; I really prefer being alone more than I want to admit. But even I understand the extreme value of being in close connection with others - especially fellow believers in Jesus Christ. We really NEED each other. We were created for "connection."

This life concept has really been driven home to me in several powerful ways during the recent Christmas/New Year holiday celebrations. Let me explain.

First, on Christmas Eve, my wife and I had the happy occasion of seeing some of our really dear Christian friends (and you know who you are!) at church. These friends used to live near us and attend church with us, but have since moved a couple of times and are now about to move yet again! As we spoke, you could tell that there was still a strong desire for "connection" between us. We all felt it. It is something really, really special. And of great value, too. We are still connected, but in a much different way. We long for the day-to-day connection we once enjoyed.

Second, on January 1st we celebrated the new year by inviting many of our family and friends (plus neighbors, co-workers, people from our church, our children's friends, etc.) into our home for a pancakes and sausage breakfast. We've been doing this for 30 years now, and it has become a huge part of our family's holiday tradition. This year a most amazing thing happened. A friend of ours who we had somewhat lost contact with over 15 years ago showed up at our front door. She and her family moved away from the area and experienced way too many trials and life changes. But, unbeknownst to us, she recently moved back to the area by herself. We did not know that she had. So, when she showed up at our annual pancake breakfast gathering, we knew that she also desired connection again.

I'm sure that I could go on and on with other examples of how we have experienced valuable "connection" and just how much we personally value it. But suffice it to say again, we were created for connection and we all need it.

So, who are you connected to these days? Are you even "connected" at all? And if you are connected, are you connected to the right people? Where are the people you're connected to taking you? Closer to the Lord, or farther away from Him?

Since it is the beginning of a new year, I resolve to value "connection" even more so in 2009. I want to make sure that I enjoy all the various benefits that connection with others brings. I want to reach out to those who are not now connected in community and try to help them get connected in some beneficial way. Because without connection, we can become unhappy loners - selfish, self-centered and disconnected.

Who in their right mind would choose that? Get connected!

And then there is Someone who will never change...

In my Bible, the heading for Hebrews 13 says The Changeless Christ. As a matter of fact, in verse 8 it says this:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

What a comfort to know that my Savior does not change! In a world that almost worships change and considers all change to be good-better-best, I am so glad that Christ does not need to change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever, and that's really O.K. What would He even need to change? He's perfect. He paid it all. He's at the right hand of God. He's all we'll ever need, just as He is right now. Praise God for that!

Now "us" on the other hand, not so much. We need to change. Not to try and win favor, or to clean ourselves up to be acceptable. For those of you who are followers of Christ, we need to change because we are continuously in the process of sanctification until we see our Savior face-to-face. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay the same.

What is Jesus asking you to change today? What is Jesus asking ME to change today?

Hebrews 13. It's good reading.

The Assassin of Character Creep

Back in late September of this year, I heard a man by the name of Mike Foster speak at a men's conference our church sponsored. He and his buddy Jud Wilhite have written a book called Deadly Viper Character Assassins. Good book. I am studying it with some men on Friday mornings, and I plan to give at least one copy to someone very special to me this Christmas.

Anyway, Mike's message on "Character Creep" was really good. I took some notes from his talk and that is what I'll share in this post.

His first point was that slip ups in the small things are what happen first as our character begins to creep. He said that we all need to make good decisions in the small things. Apparently it was discovered after the fact that the Titanic sank not because it hit an iceberg, but because of faulty rivets. The manufacturer of the Titanic cut corners big time with the rivets that held the steel in place on that large ship. When it hit the iceberg, the imperfections of those faulty rivets exposed themselves. Mike said that we can not cut corners; we should not take short cuts. He cited the story of Enron. The executives of that failed organization did not determine several years before it failed to put plans into place for failure. No, they were slowly cooked; they slowly faded into poor decision-making that eventually caused the failure. Mike told us that we need to manage our rivets. The strength of our character is cumulative.

His second point was that we all need to work hard for complete transparency. We need to avoid "image-management." Don't hide things from others; don't fool people. Don't even try. Someone is going to find out the truth. Don't pretend that everything is O.K. - especially if it really isn't. Be transparent at all times. Avoid managing your "image."

His third point was a really good one. He said that we need to refrain from doing anything today that we wouldn't want to read in the headlines (or see on a You Tube video) tomorrow. Wow. Think about that. What if what you did yesterday (or the day before) was in the headlines tomorrow. Would you be O.K. with that? Be diligent about your character. Be strategic knowing that everything you do and say reflects the current status of your character - both good and bad.

Finally, since Mike is a Christian and understands this value especially for believers, he said that we need to "do it in community." We all need other people in our lives speaking truth to us. Don't be blind to your compromises. True friends stab you in the front. If your Christian friends aren't saying anything to you right now, then you are in big trouble. Just like in athletics, if the coach isn't riding you hard, he may have already given up on you. There is a lot of talk about accountability in Christian circles these days. Mike says that people can fake accountability. Rather, we all need to be "advocates" for each other. Challenge one another to stronger character and more Christ-like actions! We also need to be willing to stand by someone we love through the good and the bad. But, that doesn't mean that we just accept their character creeps and fail to challenge them. No, we need to get right in the middle of our wounded and hurt soldiers' lives. We need them to know that nothing they would ever do would keep us from loving them. We might be really disappointed, but we will not abandon them. We will stand by them anyway, even when the times get tough.

Character creep. It can happen so easily to all of us. Thank God for Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite who authored a really great book. Thank God for calling each of us to take stock of our character. Character matters.

Everyone has their Top Ten

We are far enough along in the college football season now to start seeing the BCS Top Ten listing each week. I don't know about you, but I am always curious by Sunday afternoon/Monday morning to see who landed on their Top Ten. And then, all throughout the week, people around me (and possibly around you, too?) debate the merits of the Top Ten teams selected. We all wonder why certain teams are even there, or why certain teams are not. Being in the BCS Top Ten is a pretty big deal!

You probably have some sort of Top Ten list yourself. Like the Top Ten places I want to visit in my lifetime. Or, the Top Ten things I would buy if money were no object. Or, the Top Ten names I'd want to name my children. What kind of Top Ten list do you have? If you are older, you might have a list of the Top Ten things I want to do before I die. Since it is November and we are soon going to be thinking about Christmas (if you haven't started doing so already), maybe your Top Ten list is for gifts you'd like to receive from family and friends.

David Letterman has his Top Ten, too. As a matter of fact, he has become somewhat legendary for his Top Ten lists during the past 15+ years. His lists are usually funny and/or cynical things, usually at the expense of some poor soul (or some group of unfortunate people). It's kind of like you really don't ever want to be on his Top Ten lists!

So, just about everyone has a Top Ten list. Even God has His Top Ten.

God's Top Ten have been around for a long, long time - possibly 5,000 years? And, His list of Top Ten hasn't changed in that time. The same Ten are on it year after year after year. They must have been the right Ten since they've stood the test of time, don't you think?

Unlike David Letterman's Top Ten lists, God put the most important one first, and then the other nine fall neatly into place after that with some degree of diminishing importance. Just in case you haven't looked at God's Top Ten lately, I thought I'd remind you of them here (compliments of Eugene H. Peterson's writings in The Message - Exodus 20):

1. No other gods, only Me.

2. No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.

3. No using the name of God, your god, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of His name.

4. Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don't do any work - not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everyting in them; He rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; He set it apart as a holy day.

5. Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

6. No murder.

7. No adultery.

8. No stealing.

9. No lies about your neighbor.

10. No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.

It is amazing to me how these Top Ten, quite simple and written so long ago, still apply to us, even today. Oh, and by the way, they can be found in a book that has sold more copies than any other book ever in existence - the Bible. Good reading!

The toughest job I've ever had...

In these current economic times, I am so grateful to have a job. A job that I like, a job that pays me well, and a job that I am still jazzed about (even after 30 years with the same company!). It's great to have a job and I work very hard at being successful at it. What a blessing!

However, that's not my only job. I also have the "job" of being a husband, an elder at Chase Oaks Church, and the leader of a Life Group (together with my wonderful wife, Ellen) at our church. I'm sure that there are more jobs I could list, but by far the toughest job I've ever had is that of being a Dad.

I love my children so much and want nothing but the best for each and every one of them. I care about them so much and have a constant interest in where they are, what they are doing and who they are becoming. I am so blessed to be their Dad and count it an immense privilege to be a part of their lives, even as they become adults and advance into making all decisions on their own completely.

The really difficult part of the job of being a Dad is knowing when to speak into their lives and when not to. I'm sure that parents have struggled with this for years and I'm not the first one to experience this. But, it is really, really hard to know what to do. When you care so much, when you want nothing but the best for them, where is the balance in "letting go completely" and still wanting them to hear your voice?

You see, for many years that was your job - to train them, to teach them, to discipline them, to challenge them, to feed them, to provide for them, etc. Then all of a sudden, most of that becomes less of what you need to be doing. If you really love and care for them, you need to let go and let them be completely on their own. But, that part doesn't happen instantly. It happens more gradually. And all the while you are continually struggling with "Was that the right thing to do?" - "Was that enough - too much?". It's really hard to know.

My biggest consolation is this. These children that were given to me by God really belong to Him. He cares for them even more than I do. He loves them even more than I do. Even if I mess up as their Dad, God can make it right. I still have a part to play in their lives (Praise God for that!), but the results are not up to me. God has a plan for each of their lives and He will accomplish it in His time.

If you are not a Dad (a parent) yet, you may not be able to understand what I am saying here completely. But, hopefully some day you'll have that privilege, and then maybe you'll know a little bit more about what I am talking about...

Nothing is Black & White?

All of us have a world view. All of us gravitate towards people who appear to have a similar world view. We may even want to think we are "open-minded." But, the reality is (if we are honest with ourselves) that each one of us is constantly on the lookout for people who support and confirm our particular world view (and our presuppositions). When we find someone who agrees with us (and supports our already determined point of view), we are all the more convinced that our world view is correct.

Politics and elections do funny things to people. During most election seasons, people's true colors really begin to show. What has been thought about in the privacy of our own minds, and perhaps in the company of a few close friends, comes out in who we choose to support and/or vote for.

Unfortunately, moral relativism is alive and well in our country, especially during this election season. Well-meaning people are whole-heartedly submitting to this dangerous philosophy, maybe without even realizing they are doing so. What is moral relativism? It can be described as "a view that ethical standards, morality and positions of right and wrong are culturally based, and therefore subject to a person's individual choice." In other words, moral relativism says that we can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what is right for you, and I'll decide what is right for me. Moral relativism says, "It's true for me if I believe it."

In today's society, it is not the politically correct thing to say that some things are right and other things are wrong. But, it's true. According to the Bible, some things ARE right, and other things are just plain WRONG! Morals and ethics are not altered from one situation, person or circumstance to the next. Truth is truth. It always has been.

For example, abortion is murder. Homosexuality is wrong. Marriage is only between one man and one woman. Sex before marriage is wrong. Lying is wrong. Cheating is wrong. Period.

These absolutes do not change or get altered depending on the situation, or based on who is involved (and their motives), or because of the circumstances you find yourself in. Wrong is wrong. Truth is truth.

I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I believe that the Bible is God's Word, and that it is truth. This is unapologetically my world view. So, at the risk of alienating people I know and love, I am telling you in this post that the idea that "nothing is black & white" is just plain wrong. It's moral relativism.

I agree with Solomon - Part 1

If you could learn something (anything!) from the richest man who ever lived, would you? If you could benefit from the wisdom of the smartest man who ever lived, would you do that? Seems like a slam-dunk, doesn't it? We'd be foolish not to take advantage of this rich man, smart man's experience and knowledge.

Well, I have good news for you! I'm about to tell you something that this rich man, smart man said. It is recorded in the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and King Solomon is the one who wrote it. Here's what he said in Chapter 1, verse 9: "That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun."

I am both amused and frustrated these days with people who think that they are so clever, so intelligent, so creative and so revolutionary. There are so many people who seriously think that they are doing things today that have never been done or never been discovered before. That somehow they are "improving" our world, and that what they are doing is so much better than what has been done in the past. How foolish. How thoughtless. How naive.

Solomon got it. He achieved great wealth. I mean, wealth beyond description! He also achieved great wisdom. People actually traveled really long distances to hear what he had to say. He did more than any of us could ever dream of doing. He built things. He experienced things. He tried it all. And yet, he pretty much discounted everything he built, experienced and/or tried in the end. It became tiresome, futile to him. Every new thing he thought could bring him that next great pleasure, that next amazing achievement, that next incredible experience, just disappointed him again. He called it vanity. Vanity of vanities.

There is nothing new under the sun. If someone is trying to tell you different, they're lying. Or they're trying to sell you something. Or they're not as smart as you think they are. Don't be fooled. Don't be duped. Be wise. Understand what Solomon had to say.

So, what are we to do then with this truism that Solomon gave us? Why don't we look at what he said at the end of his life for some clues. Let's look at the Book of Ecclesiastes again, Chapter 12, verses 13 and 14: "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil."