Advent 2015

Zechariah 2:3
"Then I said, 'where are you going?' and he said to me, 'to measure Jerusalem to see what is it width and what is its length.' And behold the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord and I will be the glory in her midst."

Such glorious promise. The heavenly city shall not be one of feet and inches. It's not about how big a city God builds, or how tall its building. "Jerusalem shall be inhabited by villages without walls"  The primary element of a village is it's villages. Not it's commerce, not it's university, not it's military capability, just it's people. We are privileged to serve a God who values us as more then our utility. To Him we are creations destined to live in His company, not slaves destined to serve His whims.

What shall the Almighty be to us in that day. Shall He be a vindictive ruler? by no means. Will he be a heavenly cuddle buddy like some modern churchmen would have us believe? Not if we believe the scriptures who proclaim Him as one to be feared and loved, not used for personal pleasure. In wisdom and in truth He will protect us. He will be, indeed He is, a living, wall of flame. The function of flame is three. To provide light, to provide warmth, to provide protection. What better defense could be ours then the Living God. With Him as our God, we can rest easy. Under the shadow His wings is perfect peace. Let us not give in to fear but have courage.

Pax Vobiscum until later. 

Advent 2015

Jeremiah 3:2
Lift up your eyes to the bare heights and see! Where have you not been ravished? By the waysides you have sat awaiting lovers like an Arab in the wilderness. You have polluted the land with your vile whoredom.

How insightful is the Word of God. How the plight of Israel and Judah so perfectly foreshadow the personal and collective problems of Christianity today. Where have we not wandered astray? Where have we not floundered in self-indulgence or pride. Lift up your eyes to the heights and see where have we not been ravished? What have we not polluted? With our eyes we have looked with lust and greed.  Our hands hold stolen goods. With our feet we pursue the way of the wicked.  With our mind's we plan evil. We have lent out our bodies to sin, as the Israelite lent theirs to idol worship.
Our sin is not just our own. We have polluted the land. The consequences and effects of sin spread far from their source into the people, places and ideas that surround them.

Forgive us Lord for we have sinned. Our waywardness has caused hurt to your world and disorder among your creation. In mercy and grace refine us. Equip us to clean up our mess. Teach us to take responsibility for our past mistakes and prepare for the future.

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow

Advent 2015 To Do Nothing

In art exists balance and rhythm. It's eternal power is a result of its ability to resonate with the harmony that inhabits the universe. A necessary component of this harmony is silence. Silence is a powerful tool of music. the power before the base drop is a calm that gives meaning to the storm. The white space in the canvas that accents the color only makes the painting more satisfying. In quiet much can be said that words fail express.

From the artists we can be taught some wisdom. We must learn from the musician who will intentionally not play and the painter who will leave some canvas empty. To a people who attempt to  carve our names in the foundations of the universe, be wary. We also must let the hammer and chisel fall with which we shape our future and learn to watch our destinies be shaped for us. Find the balance between what we can do to shape our futures and what is not our concern. As much as we strive for total control it lives just beyond our grasp.  The art of nothing is the cultivation of a peace that will accept what happens without needing to govern the outcomes. Meditation, quiet, silence, contemplation and self control all remedies for the same need. The need to control, which we covet, often at the expense of the need to do our best and never give up.

I do not write here of simple rest and relaxation for these are intentional activities which equip us for other intentional activities. Even these must sometimes be put aside. To do nothing is to watch to listen, to observe the world as it passes by. Realize that the world does not need us and be humbled. God does not need us for His kingdom to come. Find your place in the universe for there is peace.

The Prince of Peace whose birth we celebrate built for us a place in His universe. There He is and there He calls us to be with Him. It's not in position, accomplishment, control or power in which we shall find our fulfillment. Only in the company of our Maker shall our potential be realized and our perfection accomplished. To Him let us go, in this season let us bow before His throne and allow Him to live and move and empower us for His good purposes that the world would be made right and our futures made certain. 

Advent 2015 Jesus' Christmas List

It's an exciting time of year. More then any other time of year we can look forward to seeing people we've missed, getting off of school and receiving gifts. It's a time of festivities and care free fun. It's helpful to imagine Jesus at our celebrations. What sort of gifts would we buy Him? Surely He would not be interested in the trinkets and cash gifts that are too common in American households.

Obviously conjecture is not really helpful at this point. We can look to scripture though and find some answers to these questions. 

In John 17 we find some of Jesus' requests.

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (us) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one- I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

Father, I want those you have given me, to be with me where I am and to see my glory the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 

First Christ desires unity among believers. 

Second, Christ desires unity between believers and Himself. 

Third, Christ desires that the world know that He was sent by the Father and that it is loved. 

Fourth, Christ wants the glory of the Father to be known. 

This is not an exhaustive list by any means. What is important to remember is not to give God a gift He doesn't want. I think we all have experienced that. We've received a gift that the giver thought was the best thing ever, which really was not a good gift at all, they just happened to really like it so they bought it for you thinking you would be really grateful, and you have to pretend you're happy to receive a lousy gift. Let's not make the same mistake with Jesus. Let's not give Him a gift, that He doesn't want. Let's not think we're doing Him a favor by giving Him something He doesn't' need and has never asked for. Honor Him with a present He'd actually like. 

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 Preparing the Way

A voice cries:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; 

make straight in the desert a highway 

for our God. 

Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made 

low;

the uneven ground shall become level, 

and the rough places a plain. 

And the glory of the Lord shall be 

revealed, 

and all flesh shall see it together, 

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." 

Isaiah 40:3-5

The Lord's first advent was celebrated by few. It was a small company that were ready. A few astronomers, some shepherds, two holy souls in the temple, his parents, his aunt, uncle and cousin were all that made up that first Christmas party.  The astronomers brought him tribute. The shepherds sang the first carols. The saints in the temple blessed His future. His parents prayed for help. His uncle and aunt were scared. It was His cousin who fulfilled the prophecy above. The blessed John the Baptist. He is a martyr, a prophet, the baptizer of the Lord. He is rivaled by none. The Lord speaks of His friend John after he was martyred, "I tell you, among those born of women, none is greater than John." (Luke 7:28) John was privileged to live the life He did, to make the sacrifices He did and He dwells now amidst the rewards for His life. 

Today the second Advent of the Lord draws near. Who shall be ready? Who shall prepare the way? In the desert of ignorance that plagues our societies who shall mark out the highway? The valleys of depression and greed must be raised. The mountains of pride need be torn down. The circling chaos causing such uncertainty in the lives of His creation shall be calm. The rough places, the pain, the suffering, the despair will be made smooth as glass. Where are the workmen who shall accomplish such engineering? Where are the architects that shall outline the plan? 

In the days of old, Isaiah stood before the throne of God and heard the heavenly call. "Whom shall we send? Who shall go and be our messenger?" Today that divine summons sounds forth through the earth.  Today the legacy of John the Baptist is being carried on by the disciples of Christ around the world. It is our part, to join them. The celebration of advent is not to be pleased with oneself. If we would truly honor Christ, truly celebrate what He came to do, it is not enough to gather family and friends and have a good time. Jesus asked for specific presents. Let's honor Him this Christmas season by giving him a present He has actually requested. 

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow 

Advent 2015 To Be An Adult

The memories of childhood are powerful. Innocence,  excitement, wonder; such marvelous adjectives that adults often use to describe their remembrance of a childhood lost. It's common to look back with regret and in hindsight see a childhood as a heaven now out of reach. The realities of work, school, bills, relationships weigh us down. Our outlook on the world is skewed by harsh realities. Pain, suffering, abuse, corruption, greed, foolishness; the black holes in humanity that devour the futile humans attempts at virtuous existence. So we can find ourselves a few years out of college, entirely disenchanted with the world, with it's future, with our future. In this state it's common for people to find meaning, by investing themselves heart and soul into a person, a pet, a job, a lifestyle, an ideology, anything to hide from them the realities that the world is much more scary.

Is that it than? Are we simply doomed to abandon our excitement about life when confronted with realities darker realities.? Is there perhaps a more excellent way?

1 Corinthians 13:11. "When I was a child I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me" .The point is about replacement. We aren't stripped of our childhood optimism to rot in anxious depression at the state of our world. God didn't design us to hide from reality. However we are designed to grow up. Maturing is a process that happens both in body and in soul. As we age, the dreams must change. As kids we dream based on misunderstandings of the universe. We dream bright and glorious things that will never happen. In adulthood our excitement must itself mature and transition into an optimism based the future promised by God.

The reality of God purposes for the universe are worth being excited about. We don't have to cling to vestiges of a highly glamorized childhood. As Christians we have a far more glorious future awaiting us then any childhood any human was blessed to have. Let's not cling to the past but step forward with boldness, anticipating the coming of our Lord and preparing ourselves that we might not be ashamed at his coming.  

Advent 2015 Power To Forgive

Today we have much to remember. Many American's remember today as the day that will live in infamy. However, because horrible history teachers/curriculum/students/parents a surprising amount of children don't know that December 7th is the anniversary of one of the United States worst military defeats in history. A surprise attack by the empire of Japan left a dozen naval vessels unfit for service and several thousand servicemen out of commission. We entered World War II shortly after and proceeded to out produce, out gun and outwit the Japanese for the next three years resulting in bomb craters from Hokkaido to Kyushu and pain on so many levels. The story of WWII is a lesson for today. From Japan we learn how destructive a powerful nation can become when it ignores the education of its youth and prioritize progress over virtue. From the United States we can learn how a divided people can be motivated by a common cause to accomplish unprecedented feats of self-sacrifice and technological ingenuity.

What most people don't remember about today is the event that took place in 1965. At about 239 years old the United States is not exactly an antique civilization.  We aren't familiar with many historical events that happened before the birth of our own nation. The year 1054 was a sad year for Christendom. In the summer of that year, formal declarations of excommunication were declared between the Latin church in the west (Catholic) and the Ecumenical Churches of the east, (Orthodox). Over the ensuing nine decades, misunderstandings happened, hatred was vented, love was shown,  violence occurred, basically everything that happens between two competing nations that don't understand and are filled with sinful humans, happened. Religious terminology was used to justify atrocious acts of violence. Cities were burned and churches were desecrated.  The name of Christ was dragged through the mud of religious power grabs. The days were dark and the end of the world was often predicted. 

Nine centuries of rivalry usually reveal a winner and a loser. The Church of Christ breaks the rules though and does not lose, ever. After the human elements of both churches were spent in ceaseless warfare the Christian elements of the Church were able to gain control. To our shame it is often only after we have tried every other option that we will turn to Christ and trust in His power to work things out. Nine centuries after a formal war was declared the war was ended. It didn’t require an awful massacre that broke the enemy’s military. It didn’t require an atomic bomb that broke the will of the enemy. On December 7, 1965 an apology was issued that turned the enemy into a friend. Pope John Paul II (Catholic) and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I (Orthodox) ended the greatest schism in church history by annulling the documents of excommunication issued nearly a thousand years before. Never underestimate what a honest, humble apology can do to a relationship on the brink of demise.

The calm voice of Christ whispers in the storms of life that call for our attention, "be at peace, this too shall pass."  We who belong to Christ belong to something far older, far wiser, far more powerful than all the collected wisdom and power embodied in the ideas and military that make the United States what it is, the good and the bad. So we may rest easy, not cultivating ignorance that leads to death but having confidence in the weapons of heavenly warfare that never become obsolete. 

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow 

Advent 2015 To Be A Martyr

"Religious platitudes are worthless" said my pastor this morning. He was referencing the quote "Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of (insert unfortunate event)" How many thousands of people tweet, post, update this message, or something similar with the childish idea that their thirty seconds of well intentioned thought will do any good whatsoever towards fixing the problem or bringing healing to the suffering. No one with who has seriously considered the issues believes that good intentions fix anything. Such foolishness is for postmodernists and relativists. 

Christianity has come too far and accomplished too much for us too participate in this kind of intellectual suicide. Of course it's easier. It's easy to sit on my couch, to here the heartbrekaing news of drone strikes gone wrong, governments politicizing mass shootings, big business's sacrificing people for profit ect.. and shoot off a prayer like another text message. What is sad is that by doing this we believe we've actually done something admirable. Group think is very powerful. *sigh* 

Let's turn now to the men and women who weren't content to do nothing. They saw through the facade and realized that Jesus didn't call us to casually observe suffering with a heart full of pity. These disciples were followers of Christ and not of popularity. What words can describe these holy martyrs. Men and women who had already scarified their lives while still breathing. Not counting equality with God a thing to be grasped they humbled themselves, becoming obedient, even to death. So God raised them up. For in His kingdom the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Few examples better bear testimony to this truth then the life of Mother Teresa. Humbling herself and serving the poorest of the poor, even on this earth she was raised up and was honored by kings, presidents and the powers that be. To what extent she has been honored in heaven I know not but I look forward to seeing upon arrival there myself. 

Her daily prayer is one of wisdom for all who would be like her. 

Dear Jesus, Help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen 

Such is the prayer of a living martyr. One whose life is already lost to them. The fields are so ripe, the laborers are so few, the world is in such need, the heart of humanity has grown cold, people despair and are beaten down under depression and anxiety. In this season we celebrate good news of great joy that will be fore all people. First let's make sure we understand that good news ourselves. Second, let's share that good news around. 

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 Eyes That See

"To look is not to see, to consider is not to understand, to pray is not to communicate," is a phrase I just made up but has been meant by other, wiser people who said similar things before. We can participate in something like advent and entirely miss it's meaning.

Famed astronomer William Herschel responds to criticism from his colleagues with some relevant wisdom.

"Seeing is in some respects an art, which must be learnt. To make a person see with such a power (as his own) is nearly the same if I were to asked to make him play one of Handel's fugues upon the organ. Many a night have I been practicing to see, and it would be strange if one did not acquire a certain dexterity by such constant practice."

We who desire to see God must not neglect such diligent practice. If men and women can be so motivated by the stars so as to spend hours in constant study. Who are we to deny the Creator of said stars equal study? The sun, the moon, all the stars of heaven, in all their glorious splendor do not compare to their heavenly Maker. Indeed, they are but symbols of, a representation of Him whom we shall meet face to face in the fullness of time. (I Corinthians 13:12).

So we wait, and we remind ourselves of His impending arrival by observing seasons like Advent. We must not forget His parting instructions in our excitement at His imminent return. As wait for the joy set before us, let us be faithful to carry the cross He has called each of us to bear. Feeding the hungry, offering drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and the imprisoned are not tasks for those few rare Christians who happen to enjoy doing such work. Anyone who says Jesus' sole response to a problem was prayer, has not read the Gospels. This advent season lets not just celebrate with food, family and fun. Maybe instead we can experience more of what Christ intended this season to be by celebrating with charity, kindness and compassion. Maybe we could take the stress our of the holiday season by making it less about us and more about the people who have no food, or family or fun to celebrate. I am aware that such thoughts are hard to think about and even harder to act on, but I submit to you that despite the difficulty, the return is worth the investment.

Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 Premeditated Love

Premeditated: to consider or plan an action beforehand. Love is a confusing term which has lots of emotional baggage and implications. Fortunately God is a God of clarity so when it comes to important things like love, he doesn't hide in meaningless platitudes.

John 4:19 We love because He first loved us. 

The blessed Apostle does not speak of how we happen to be feeling. he doesn't mention what a jerk the other guy has been to us. See, the Love of the Christian is the overflow of a the fountain of Love that is Jesus Christ. We do not love someone because they happen to be very kind or they really deserve it. Such love is of the earth and will perish with it.  The disciple's love is a lifestyle not based on the people around us. Loving is hard. Sacrificing for the people who don't want it. trying to be kind to that awkward coworker who doesn't fit in. We were never trained for this. Despite thousands of pages there's little good instruction in the art of Christian charity, and even fewer relevant examples. The only example that is really always applicable is the author of Love himself, Him whose birth we celebrate during these weeks at the close of the year. . From His love we learn to; I. Sacrifice for others. II. Look to the Father for approval, not humans. III. To love for the long haul. IV. The results are not under our jurisdiction. VI. Love always costs your life, sometimes you happen to also die in the process. 

John 4:20-21 If anyone says, "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who can not love his brother whom he has seen can not love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must love his brother.  

Here we find the love test. The logic is flawless, the consequences inescapable. Humans are really good at worming out of awkward confrontations. We don't like to be held up to the light and be told, "you're doing it wrong, utterly and completely." In the love test we are given in no unclear terms the litmus test of love. Do we hate our brothers? Do we desire the ill, destruction of our fellow human beings? Maybe not, but do we consistently put our own wants above the needs of our fellow humans? This is not to make us unnecessarily guilty. As humans we are limited in our capacity to care for and love other people. We are called to be godly, that is god like not God himself. God loves everybody and has already sacrificed Himself for everybody. As little Jesus' all around the world we are called to follow in His steps. Not letting prejudice, hurt feelings, past wrongs or anything else get in the way of making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all that is necessary for life and godliness. 

Do not let your heart be troubled, go now and rest for you are weary with hardship and life's toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace. 

Pax vobiscum until tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 The Unfinished Thought

A few days ago a brother was pondering some wisdom aloud. More to himself than the rest of us he spoke of the many different genres of music he has appreciated over the years. He mentioned how when all else fails and when the other genres have grown stale, that he can always come back to the Songs From A Secret Garden.

Obviously his choice of music is not universally applicable but it is important to understand what we trust in. What do we resort to when we're uncertain? When the day to day existence grows stale what sort of activities, people, experiences do we trust in. A few weeks ago, I was unwell. Lying in bed with a fever of 106 I realized that alot of my friends were not people who I would want around when I'm really not feeling well. A few though,  stood out to me as the sort of friends whose company would have been very comforting in a time when I was useless and vulnerable.Funny how some people we rarely think about are the people we want most when life get's difficult.

This blogpost is over because it's two in the morning.

Pax Vobiscum till tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 A Ring of Hope

1 I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

I thought how as the day had come

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

3. And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song 

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,

'God is not dead, nor does He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right previal,

With peace on earth, good will to men." 

5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way,

The world revovled from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime.

Of peace on earth good will to men.

Pax Vobiscum 

Advent 2015 Salted Babies

Who cares why Jesus was born? He wasn't terribly important in his own time. Virtually no one outside of His own ethnic group even bothered about His existence until after He died. Several Chaldean magicians seemed to have predicted his birth through astrology. The Roman governor knew about Him only because the Religious authorities didn't like Him. Besides these two, Jesus had very limited contact with anyone outside Judaism, He was certainly not a worldwide phenomenon. Yet we spend four whole weeks celebrating His birth and future return. What makes Jesus worth all the effort?

The answer is found in the almost untapped gold mine that is the Biblical book of Ezekiel, in Chapter 16.

"The Word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, confront Jerusalem....On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. Then I passed by and say you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!"

Today this passage helps us understand God's mentality towards humanity. We are lost, alone, incapable of helping ourselves. He sees us kicking in our own blood. He called us from the filth of our own depravity and says, "live" To those who are still bound by their cord, tied to the past, unwilling to forgive and let go, He says "live!" Those who were not washed, covered in the dirt of poor decisions. He says, "live!" Those who are vulnerable, who were not rubbed with the salt that purifies and preserves He says, "live!" Those who live with the rain and the sun and wind beating down on their bare skin, He will wrap you in the protective garments, He bids us "live!"

What are the means by which we shall live?
John 1:1, 4-5 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God,...In Him as life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

The life that is from the beginning that is Jesus Christ  is the light of men which equips us to live in the midst of this present darkness. What is the darkness in your world? There is no void so black that it can consume the light of life. Invite Him in, in repentance and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in trust we shall have strength, Strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Jesus is worth the effort because in Him and in Him alone is life to be found and freedom from the darkness that would consume us.


Pax Vobiscum, until tomorrow 

Advent 2015 The Other Half of the Coin

 Advent is a powerful time in which the categories of time fold and layer on each other. In the present, we remember the past, in anticipation of the future. Such a season should not be spent simply existing. In this post we'll try and explain how these three elements of time are combined in the season of advent to create the "magic" of Christmas.

Leo Tolstoy's wise hermit tells us, "That the most important time is now, for it is the only time when we have any power." It is not for naught that the present is called a present. It is indeed a gift that we must be thankful for if we are to understand it properly. We exist in the present, in it we have the power to both remember and to plan, to learn from and to anticipate. Such is one of the many blessings gifted to the human creation. In this present season of advent this gift ought to be utilized so that the season is not wasted and so that we don't begin the New Year with little worth remembering and nothing new to be excited about.

In this moment we have hope for the future by remembering the past. Alone the future is unknown and can be daunting. However, with the context provided by history we are confident that the future is not spinning out of control. The celebration of advent is about the anticipation of Christ's second coming.  His first coming which we celebrate with praise is only the precursor to the triumph that the future will bring. Consider how alive the spirit of Christmas is despite all the modern commercialization and secular fluff that has attempted to suck dry the mystery and glory of the Christmas season. What these leeches have discovered is what they have attempted to destroy is an ocean that does not run dry. The New Covenant of grace which was inaugurated with the coming of Christ on that first Christmas has not faltered or failed.  The celebration has not ceased, because we are not simply remembering a past event which was significant before. Rather we are currently rejoicing in a living savior who was born a human two thousand years ago and continues to live, equipping His saints for godliness and calling the sinners to turn from their wicked ways and live, lest they die.

Advent is defined by the arrival of a notable person. Who is arriving? Jesus Christ. How do we know? He already came. He told us to prepare for His imminent return, and He has never failed to keep His promises. When do we celebrate with praise and thanksgiving, with parties and presents, with families and friends, these two realities? Right...., now. I don't want to miss out on any of the experience of this advent season which is why I am trying to make an extra effort to remember that everything we celebrate, all the carols and gifts, the trees and the lights, the angels singing on high and the star in the heavens. None of these make sense outside of the context of Jesus coming back again. Because this isn't just about what happened, but about what is happening currently and what will happen to come.

By way of example I share with you a photo from a Lagan vacation.

This is me with my niece . I represent the present, she represents the future and our biography of Francis of Assisi represents the past. Together we symbolize this advent season. In the present we look to the past to prepare for the future. I don't know exactly what destiny has in store for my niece but I do know that the wisdom of St Francis will be applicable to her wherever she finds herself. So I make sure to share it with her whenever I get the chance. 

Pax Vobiscum, until tomorrow. 

Advent 2015 Gathering Dark

The darkness has been gathering. This year I've been working outside everyday and I've noticed more than ever changes in season. Over the past few months, nature has been preparing. As the days have grown darker and the nights colder, plants have dropped their seeds and braced for impending danger. The smells of spring, summer and fall are replaced by a strange emptiness. The voices that filled the forest are now silent. As the cold deepens the motivation to simply curl up and sleep is hard to resist. 

In the gathering dark, there is a temptation to despair. The unknown is at the doorstep, and much of nature runs away towards the promise of warmth. Nature has entered survival mode and the hustle and bustle of spring and summer has gone to the fringes of memory. The motivation to be productive, to build, to clean, to produce which came so easily earlier in the year is now gone. Getting out of bed is more of a challenge than ever. Two cups of coffee are needed instead of one. Loneliness, depression, anxiety, self-consciousness are at their height. Where is hope now, when even the birds have ceased to sing? 

In the face of winter's icy grasp comes the fulfillment of a prophecy as old as time. Beginning today, just weeks before the year's darkest day (December 21st) is a month long party celebrating the Light of Life, the Prince of Peace, the God who is with us. So we have hope in the midst of uncertainty. We have a reason to rejoice in the midst of real problems. And I end today's post with that encouragement. 

Comment with a topic or theme relevant to Advent and I'll find time to write about it. It's a glorious time of year to be alive in New England. The contrast of the cold outside with the warmth inside people's hearts both growing at the same time is beautiful to behold. 

Pax Vobiscum, 

Soft Words, Powerful Message

Here's a neat video of a man who we all respect. The part of particular interest to me starts at 7.00 http://www.petzoid.com/mr-rogers-message/ The power of television should never be misunderstood. However, simply being powerful is not a negative by itself. Let's learn from the contrast that Mr Rogers highlights in his speech.

Comment with some tv shows and movies that you think are worth watching for kids. I can think of a couple like Liberty's Kids, Avatar The Last Airbender, Mulan, or Karate Kid.





The Lights in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. 

Time

Time is relative. We all know this. The past flew, the future is an eternity away. Work drags. Vacation sprints. It is only in mathematics that time is constant. The progression of the universe towards it's ultimate end is hardly a regular beat. Somethings cycle seemingly endlessly. Others fade and are lost. Much wisdom of the past is lost forever to the detriment of modern man. The universe goes in a cycle yes but not in a circle as some would have us think. Much that has been will come again but not again in the same. The world flows in spirals sometimes up sometimes down sometimes spreading out or drawing inwards. 

I think a good question to ask ourselves and others. In addition to asking "how are you" it might help us to ask, "how fast is your time going?" What parts of life go quickly and what parts will just never end? Do you remember anything as having taken along time? Or do all memories flash and seem as if they happened in a moment? With some people you wish time would slow down, with others that it would speed up. A best friend you can spend forever with? Maybe you will spend forever with them. What about time with God? Obviously God is always with us and He doesn't seem to mind our company too much. When we spend time with Him though some respond differently then others. Alot of people can't seem to enjoy prayer at all, it's a struggle and a constant fight just to finish without letting thoughts wander or the eyelids fall. The trouble is, alot of us who seem to have such a hard time with prayer will in actuality be spending eternity with God.

Another good question to ask is "what is heaven supposed to be like?" Alot of people are excited about heaven but not excited at all about time with God or with God's people. This seems a little strange to me, but I don't know for other people. I know I have a hard time getting through to God. Once I'm there though I am never dissatisfied. This sorta makes me think that the people who don't like to pray are probably not actually praying at all. They are perhaps knocking on the wrong door, or dialing the wrong number. Getting the connection to God can be hard work. First the person must be intentional. Deciding to silence your feelings and enter into a non sensory conversation is very unconventional and many are told to do it but few are trained how. Practice is essential here. Stop listening to your body, ignore that itch, let the bug crawl across your knee, don't fall asleep. This is phase one. Phase two is organizing your thoughts. A person will find that once they can quiet their body and settle into a position without falling asleep that their thought life becomes very interesting.This is very good, because your mental muscles are finally free to work in a way they aren't when your constantly focused on feelings. However this is still not prayer. everyone like Winnie the Pooh ought to have a thinking spot where they are intentional about thinking. Howver beyond this lies a realm of greater things.Through the buzzing of thought lies God the almighty, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob willing to interact with you about life.  There He sits, lord of time never impatient, always ready.

I find that in that space time becomes irrelevant. I converse with God mentally. Often mouthing the words with my lips saying the words in my head. Do not talk to God as if he's reading your thoughts. I need to talk to God as a person to a Being. Framing sentences, constructing ideas and implementing proper grammar. Backtracking when I make a mistake and restating what I meant more clearly, not because He doesn't understand but so that I can better understand my own intentions.

Those are some thoughts on prayer and time. I hope that my thoughts will prompt thoughts of your own and maybe a comment or a share....or my favorite, a question. 

Exodus Readings I

Moses and Aaron,Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. Exodus 24:9-10

Consider the epicness of the moment. Few humans have seen God in such a physical way. Despite the special nature of this time with God all of the 74 men mentioned except Moses were executed by God. Nadab and Abihu particularly stand out. They are the sons of Aron, pastor kids of the highest degree. They've known all the answers to all the questions and never have been too humble to hide it. Because of their father (Aaron) and uncle (Moses) Nadab and Abihu are awarded a prestigious place in the emergence of Israel as a nation. The eldest sons of the high priests they hold positions of both spiritual and temporal authority. Ordained as priests just after Aaron himself, Nadab and Abihu have been witnesses to powerful displays of God's power and judgment. Rather than becoming godly pillars in the community as we might expect, Nadab and Abihu are executed by God. In Leviticus 10 these sons of Aaron have let their position go tot heir head and in childish brashness they bring before God "unauthorized fire". In simpler words they spat on God's instructions and profaned His alter, their priesthood and the Jewish nation by believing themselves to be above the law and interacting with God in immaturity and pride.  

I am often tempted by the desire for God to be physically present. Stories like these teach me how powerful experiences with God do not necessarily process out into lives of godliness and charity. Faith is more powerful than sight. The promises of God are true not because an Angel in heavenly splendor shows up to teach them to me, as cool as that would be. The promises of God are true because God said them and by faith we live and breath and move and have our being. It is faith in His forgiveness that keeps us from despair and faith in His goodness that gives us hope for the future. Now we see God through a glass darkly and until the grey curtain of this world is rolled away we can go forth in confidence, not relying on human experience but resting in the eternal truths that have never failed those who will trust in them. 

***as a side I do make a distinction between blind faith and reasonable faith*** Blind faith is giving my bank account information to an online millionaire so he can deposit his inheritance in my account. Reasonable faith is trusting that when my mom says she'll bring home milk that she actually will bring home milk. I can't prove either one but one scenario is much more reasonable. God does not require blind faith., More on that later though. 

A Brush With The Law

Driving along, cruising the radio, making a pick up and I see the flashing lights. In the past those flashing lights were always for someone else, this time they stopped when I stopped, this time, it was dark, I was alone, this time, I hadn't brushed my hair. This time I'd forgotten my license....oh bother. 

The media's full of the injustice done in the name of justice by the boys in blue. My peers are full of stories about the unfair, extreme extents coppers will go to get an "innocent" kid in trouble. All these stories rush through my mind as I sit already having realized that I've left my license at home and have no good excuse. 

Fortunately my brother is a police officer and he's explained what they do, why they do what they do and how they do what they do. In combat to the stories of the media arises the experience and advice of my brother. First, the officer lets you sit in your car for a little. Second, he shines his flashlight right in your eyeballs. Third, he asks you random, non-important questions to see if you're coherent and act guilty.  Fourth he asks for relevant information, license? (which I don't have) registration? why I have a backseat full of trashbags? (it's bread from Panera I promise) Fifth he lets you sit in your car awhile longer while he goes back and either processes your information or just has a few sips of coffee while you marinate in your own anxiety. Sixth he comes back and gives you the greatest news in your life or totally ruins your day. It's funny how just being given permission to do what you were going to do anyway can make your day a thousand times better.

To be fair, objectively profiled I fit some of the criteria for a drug user. My car objectively profiled fits all the criteria for something illegal. I can't blame him for pulling me over. To be fair to me, I saw his car parked a good ways away and was obediently driving within the lines at an appropriate speed, giving him a difficult time coming up with something to pull me over for.  I've learned that several laws exist just for the sole purpose of giving officers an excuse to pull cars over who are suspicious. I was made aware of such a law last night. After the non-relevant questions the officer proceeded to inform me that he pulled me over because my rear license plate was not adequately illuminated. I was a little disappointed, I was hoping to be accused of something a bit more exciting. 

As it stands I enjoyed my brief brush with the law. I had my police radar on and perceived him before he saw me. He was just checking to make sure a suspicious looking car wasn't doing anything nefarious on a Friday night and he used great creativity and zero force to do so. I respect his creativity and appreciate his lack of aggression, I would have a much harder time respecting a police officer who sues force as opposed to wit to do his job.

Above is all my opinion on a police officer pulling me over at about 10:30pm, October 9th, 2015 I hope the officers reflections on it agree with mine. He might have just been bored and checking if his lights worked. No harm, no foul either way. 

****The past two months have been very busy with work and family but now the farming season is slowing down and I have more time on my hands and will be blogging more often. ***

ps, please comment or email me with grammatical errors which you'd like me to fix. I appreciate your careful reading. 

Read If You Can, Speak If You Must, Love No Matter What.

The patterns of the world are wonderful. To observe the tendencies of the universe is one of the most fulfilling exercises of the human person. Why do fans so love the details? Why are we not content to simply participate in the universe as it is presented to us and enjoy it? Possibly humans have been born with an insatiable curiosity, the impassioned belief that knows that nothing is just as it seems. Hidden beneath the surface of the complex interplay of physical, material and spiritual experiences are meridians of truth that are not defined by the substance of their make up but by their ability to connect reality in all it's spheres. 

Today I'm blogging again for the first time in some time and am happy to be here. Yesterday I was reading three books. It's a fun exercise to lay all the books you're reading out in front of you and divide them into equal parts reading them one after the other. Yesterday, for me, included the Bible, The Imitation of Christ and The Abolition of Man. Practically this worked out to mean, first a chapter of the Abolition of Man, then, ten chapters of the Imitation of Christ, then five chapters from the Bible. (Historical, poetical, prophetic, gospel, epistle, 1 chapter from each section.) My thoughts from such readings are many. Mostly I'm just jealous of C.S. Lewis whose book I was reading. I heard a story from his colleague who begin reading a book from Lewis's shelf and, having finished the passage was amazed to find Lewis continuing the passage verbatim from memory.  One day maybe, I will be able to perform such a feat but for now I'm left with very scattered recollections of the time spent reading. I do remember reading Proverbs 30 which has a neat way of summarizing information. I've practiced the format below. 

Three things are valuable for the human, four make a man complete. 

1. Watching the sun put the darkness to flight. 

2. Vocalizing one's thoughts to a group.

3. Writing one's internal meditations 

4. Accepting your destiny. 

Three things will hurt a child four will keep him a child forever

1. Praise without merit

2. Food without work

3. Freedom without discipline 

4. A life without quiet.  

Daniel 1:1-9

Section I.

Passage: Daniel 1:1-7

Application: Life is full of change.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family[a] and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

Now, a lot just happened in these seven verses. We got introduced to a few kings and a couple of important events. In seven verse we’re told that one nation, named Babylon ruled by a man named Nebuchadnezzar has conquered a land named Judah which was ruled by a man named Jehoiakim. We’re told that a young man named Daniel is taken with many other young men to be trained to become servants in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. He’s given a new name, a new place to live and new food to eat. On the surface that doesn’t sound too bad. But think for a moment about what these verses are describing. What just happened is an entire country was destroyed. Imagine aliens coming to earth and destroying all the things that were important to you. Your house, your school, your church, your family, your friends, your iphone are all of a sudden gone. Try and think of yourself as Daniel and think about how you’d be reacting right now. I know we all go through some rough times but I don’t think anyone here has had to deal with anything like what Daniel is going through at this time. To make it even worse, Daniel didn’t even do anything wrong. Look at the description of Daniel in verse 4. “ 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.”  He didn’t ask for this. He wasn’t out causing trouble. He was a kind, smart, respectable young man and his life literally burns to ashes around him. Think about the tough stuff in your life compared to the tough stuff in his life. I know I can get mad about the silliest things. A few nights ago I was lying in bed, falling asleep and I hear this buzz, buzz buzz noise. So I spend the next ten minutes trying to kill this house fly that just wanted to hang out with me. The little bugger just wouldn’t die. God was teaching me patience or something. I never even got him. I ended up turning on a light in the other room and when the fly left I closed the door. I went back to bed angry, at this fly, at myself, at the whole situation. Stupid stuff, but we do let the silly things destroy our peace and make us grumpy. I just imagine myself in Daniel’s shoes. I know I’d be having a really hard time being thankful if I were him.

The point here is that life happens and it’s hard. It’s not always our fault. You’ll get flat tires, your feelings will be hurt by people you love, teachers won't always be fair.  These things happen, they are hard, and that’s ok. So your application  for these seven verses is just this. “life is a big mystery, a lot happens that we don’t understand or like which is why we can be glad that God is in charge and we are not.” We can waste our energy thinking about a lot of things that really don’t matter. God is big enough to handle all the situations life has. Whether it’s as small as a fly buzzing in my bedroom or as huge as a nation conquering another nation Each of us are in the middle of some transitions. Probably none are as drastic as what Daniel is going through but we each have our own difficult things we’re dealing with. I was reminded of this scripture from I Peter when I was writing this. Peter says, “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” God knows when we are suffering. He also knows the fastest way out of suffering is to keep doing good and trust the things we don’t understand to him.  

Daniel is certainly suffering and we’ll see how in the next verse he entrusts himself to God and continues to do good.

Section II.

Passage: Daniel 1:8

Application: Obey God especially in the small things.

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank.

You have Daniel in the middle of an unfair really hard situation. He’s living in a new place, having to learn a new language, he’s grieving the death or loss of all his family and friends. Now a new challenge is added. He’s told to do something against God’s law. The Old Testament commanded Jews not to eat certain types of meat. You learn who a person really is when they are told to do something they know is wrong. Daniel is in a really rough place and he has to decide am I going to do what I know God wants me to do or am I going to skip and let God forgive me later. It’s not even that big of a deal. It’s just an issue of food. God has told his people in the Old Testament don’t eat certain foods. And now Daniel is being offered these foods. Can you imagine all the excuses Daniel can come up with so that He can eat the food? “I’m not in Israel anymore, so I don’t have to follow Israeli law.” “These cooks aren’t jews, how am I supposed to expect them to cook jewish food?” “It’s just a piece of meat, God created all meat so it must be ok?” “I don’t want to be judgmental of the people eating the meat so I’ll just eat it with them to make them comfortable.” It’s easy to come up with excuses to do what we know is wrong.

Daniel doesn’t listen though to any of the excuses that are there. He just does what He knows is the right thing. The scripture says he resolved to not defile himself with the king's food. He resolved even though he didn’t know what would happen. He just knew what the right thing was. Even though he was tired because life had become so hard I’m sure he was confused by all the new things he had to deal with. In the middle of all this sin came up to him and said, just have a little, you’ll feel better. I know sin does that to me alot. It comes up all quiet and unassuming saying things like, “just relax,” “it’s not a big deal,” “you deserve a break” Sin is not very bossy, it’s usually just sneaky. It convinces us to ignore God in the little things. This is the toughest and simplest lessons from Daniel’s life. Obey God in the small things. It’s not a complex idea, it’s just really hard. It’s not as difficult to say no to the really big sins. If someone walks by that you don’t like, you’re not going to just go and slap them. That would be ridiculous and we all know that. It’s harder though when we start talking about the little things. Like the things we do when nobody is watching. The thoughts we think that no one will ever see. I want you to know it’s these small battles that can create heroes or destroy people. It’s important for you and for me to eat well, to sleep right, to be clean and organized, to work hard, to discipline our thoughts and emotions so that they are tools for us to use instead of slave masters telling us what to think and what to feel Your feelings are one of the most amazing gifts God has given you. They are powerful and beautiful and motivate us to do great things. Most people, though spend their lives being controlled by emotions instead of being in control themselves. They feel like staying in bed so they stay in bed, the don’t feel like praying so they don’t pray. Do you think Jesus felt like dieing for us on the cross? Did He enjoy the pain of suffering for our sin? Absolutely not but in Hebrews 12 we’re told “for the joy set before him, He endured the cross.” He didn’t feel like suffering but He knew that it was worth it. He knew that you and me were worth it. So He suffered for me and He suffered for you and He set an example that we might follow in His steps. Do you follow in His steps or do you just thank Him for forgiving you and go right on doing all those things you know He despises? Alot of people are always waiting to do something really big and important and forget about all the small and medium size stuff that happens everyday. They want to be a hero, they want to save the galaxy or kill the bad guy. They forget though about all the training that goes into being a hero. God made you, he gave you a life to live. He didn’t make you for one day, to do something really great. He made everyday of your life, and everyday is an opportunity for you to do great things for the one who made you. Would God be proud of your life as it is? Or if you gave someone a life and they lived it the way you live yours, would you be glad you gave it to them?. When God looks in your room, is He happy that He gave you all the stuff you have? Or does He see things piled all over the place, not being used. When God looks at your internet history, does he see you working hard to become a better person or does he see hours and hours of mindless youtube videos and pornography and intellect draining garbage? When God looks at your friendships, does He see you investing in people and building them up, encouraging them and loving them. Or does he see a bunch of social vampires, boy and girls just feeding off each other to make themselves feel better?

Daniel is someone who God is proud of. Daniel makes the right decision and let’s see how God responds.

Section III

Passage: Daniel 1:9

Application: Look for God to manifest himself as a result of your obedience

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,

God, gave Daniel favor and compassion. This is God we’re talking about, the creator of the universe. He comes down, He gets involved in Daniel’s little life and says, “you obeyed me so I’m going to help you out.” It’s amazing. It’s absolutely wonderful. Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you seen God show up in your life and do things? He says that He will. He says in John 14:21. Whoever has my commands and keeps them, he it is who loves me and he loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him. In this passage and in many others like it, God is promising that He will be involved in our lives if we obey him. He wants to be apart of things with us. He wants us to talk to Him about our concerns, or worries our doubts. He says in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything but in all things by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving bring your requests to God” He doesn’t say, bring your requests when someone is sick or just when their is a war. He says, “all things” You’re work, your school, your family, your friends, your feelings. The God who is in heaven really does love you, He really does care and he really does know how life is meant to be lived. He created life, He wants to show you how to live. So he says obey me and I will help you.

One quick example of this. I was working at an eventing stable a few months ago. I got to live with this great english girl, super smart, very hard-working, and really kind but she wasn’t a Christian. From the first day I had been praying, God give me ways I can minister to her, give me ways to show her how awesome You are. Before work one day we were having our cup of tea and she said how nice it would be if it rained that day, so we could end work early. We had been working a couple twelve hour days in a row and she was just so tired. And in the moment, it just seemed like a good idea so I said, “look I know the weather says zero percent chance of rain but I’ll ask the man upstairs about it and we’ll see if He’ll let it rain for us.” She laughed and was like “sure sure you do that.” So we started our day and as I’m cleaning stalls and grooming horses I’m just talking to God. “Hey God, it’s me, I know I’m not the best person around, I definitely don’t deserve you doing anything special for me but I have this friend and she’d like it to rain. If you don’t mind, I know you can make it rain, I’d really like for you to do that. I know you’ll do what is best but I figured I’d ask and just let you decide. Thanks for listening, I’ll talk to you again later.” So a few hours go by and nothing is happening. Then I’m working out by the pony barns and I start to hear a pit patter and a pat pitter on the roof. Drip, drip, drip slowly the rain starts to pick up and it rains for the rest of the afternoon until we finish work. So we got to finish work a little early and it was nice. She didn’t become a Christian, nothing amazing happened it was just me and God talking, God did something really cool for me, I got to do something nice for this girl and who knows maybe later on she’ll think back to it and realize, “wow, that God that Caleb prayed to really does answer prayers, maybe I should try talking to Him sometime.”

The point is, God is here, He is not silent and He does reward those who earnestly seek Him. This is about you. You all are growing up, life is happening to you and God is asking you, “come to my school of life and let me teach how you thrive.” As I’ve gotten older and traveled a little most people I’ve met are just surviving. They live life just trying to be happy, not really understanding what’s going on, they are rarely really satisfied. God created us to thrive. Jesus says in John 10  that He came so that we might have life and have it abundantly.

The rest of the book of Daniel has several other stories which tell how Daniel continued to obey and God continued to provide. The books tells the story of over fifty years of abundant life Daniel was able to live because He obeyed God, even in the small things. Everyday God calls us to Him, everyday He says, come and drink of the water of life. Come follow me. Come and live the abundant life I have created for you. On the surface it will look different for each of us. For you obedience  may mean fasting a meal once a week. For you it may mean apologizing to your parents for complaining so much. For you it may mean buying your sibling a gallon of ice cream. Obedience to God takes many forms but inside, in the heart it always looks the same. It begins with humility, we must come to God everyday and confess our sins and then listen for Him to tell us the things He wants us to do that day.

A great old hymn was written about Daniel. The refrain is,

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

God has given us each a great life to live and power to change our world. When the old Christians used to come into cities the people would say,“watch out, here come the men who turned the world upside down. God used Daniel to turn his world upside down because of Daniel’s faithfulness and obedience. If you and I are faithful and will obey God will use us to bring His Kingdom, here to earth as it already is in heaven. If we will dare to be like Daniel God will provide you with everything you need to thrive, to live with peace and love in the middle of any and every transition life can throw your way. .

I so love you guys.  Let’s pray.

Inspiration

Today I added to my list of inspiring people. In our world of "super heroes", it's tough to find inspiring role models. Most of the great heroes of our day are made that way through some radiation accident or medical experiment. I can't hope to be a superman because I can't fly. I can't hope to be a Batman because I don't have a butler like Alfred. One reason I like history so much is because it teaches it's students about real people, who lived real lives, and overcame real challenges. These people had the same twenty-four hour days that we did. They had the same weaknesses, the same struggles, the same desires. They wanted to stay in bed and take it easy just like we do. Most people in history are like most people today. They are an average, boring, "good" person just trying to be happy and survive. However, every so often an individual arises from the masses and shines like a star amidst the deep dark of humanities past. Gloriously they send forth their motivating messages, proclaiming to the future generations that greatness is something for everyone.

One such person who calls from the past is Joan of Arc. A thirteen year old french peasant who was called of God to go against everything society told her was normal and correct. She defied the whimsical trends of her culture. She ignored what was "cool" so that she could follow God's will. As a result God raised her up. In her was fulfilled the words of Jesus, her Lord and ours that, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first, anyone who humbles himself shall be exalted but he who exalt himself shall be humbled." So it was with her. From a humble peasant, from a no name family in a no name town, in the midst of a war, eighty years old this girl emerged as a beacon of hope to a dying nation and gave breath to a people who had gotten the wind shot out of them by English longbows.  

When I watch a modern Super Hero movie I'm excited to see the bad guys lose and the good guys win. I don't believe that's wrong and I'm not trying to criticize those sorts of movies. However, when I read about a Joan of Arc I'm motivated to go to work, to smile more, to jump out of bed with the morning light. Why? Because she was a real person who waged the war of life and by God's grace, she won. She learned to love God in the small things. She was faithful with little so God gave her much. People who are actually great in real life are great because they learned the small things well. They master the basics. That's what history continues to teach me. Regardless of time, culture or ethnicity great people of the past knew how to work hard, handle disappointment, hold on to hope, recover from defeat and never give up. 

The life of greatness is chosen, it's done mostly in solitude and it's hard. It's not about fame or fortune, wealth or honor. It's the roud less traveled, the higher road from which most people shrink away in fear. It's a road though that has been walked before and we can read the stories of those that have struggled up it's winding way and found peace and satisfaction at it's summit. 

Onward then, to the books and the libraries. Those relics of the past that people have forgotten. We must brush the dust from the covers and smooth out the pages of these stories. We must free them fro the confines of the bookends to wander in our imaginations as they have done in generations past. Stories like Hector of Troy, Cicero of Rome, Pericles of Athens, Paphnutius of Thebes, Joan of Arc of France, these men and women with all their human vices can inspire us to live lives worthy of the men and women God created us to be, not the animals our society is turning us into.