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This morning I noticed something that I have too easily overlooked in the past. It was cool when I stepped out of the lodge. Walking down the road on my way to the Redwoods, I pulled down my cap and thrust my hands into my pockets just to keep them warm until I had burned a few calories.
That’s when it struck me. Very few people were up and about. There were no vehicles on the road this early in the morning. The sun was just starting to make its presence known.
In an otherwise silent environment the one sound that I noticed was from another world. It is a very different world. There is life there like we don’t know in our human world. That world intersects ours so often, but so frequently without notice.
This is the world of birds. In the realm of feathered friends, the number of times that our experiences intersect are countless, yet often without notice. This morning I was so curious about them that I was determined to pay attention to their presence throughout my entire morning walk.
Mostly it is their sound. On my entire journey there was not a moment when I did not hear a bird calling. The variety of their calling is as amazing as its constant presence.
Most of the bird calls were not familiar enough for me to identify them accurately. Then, I had a little help. A bird flew across my path. It was cruising about five feet above the ground.
The size of the bird was like a common house sparrow. It had the coloring of a house sparrow. In fact is was a common sparrow.
It flitted on its flight in spurts. Quickly it would beat its wings, almost glide, then beat its wings some more. Its flight path was like an easy undulating roller coaster.
That’s when it helped me identify one of the common sounds of the morning. It chirped when it flew past me. Now, I sort of know one of the common sounds of the birds of the woods, the common chirping of the common house sparrow.
There’s another sound that I hear. It is like a chirping sound. No, it’s really just my computer. The sound is not chirping but tweeting. My Twitter account has a tweet from Newt. I had better go and hear what he has to say.
photo credit: Google image
Brian and Kathy picked me up at my in-laws home. We packed luggage, loaded two more guests into the SUV, and arrived at our pristine conference center in the hills outside Santa Cruz. Even though I was a visitor, I felt at home.
I had been to this conference center many times. Great memories, wonderful friendships and splendid spiritual awakenings have occurred here. It has been a treat to be a part of them.
This was a special week for me. The Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS) was marking their 60th anniversary at this conference center. It was my privilege to serve as one of the keynote speakers.
The notion of honor among us Asians is one of the major social mores of our culture. We never request it. That would be inappropriate. It is a privilege that is bestowed and initiated by others.
JEMS has invited me to be a part of this Family Camp for the third time. I am thrilled whenever I am invited any where once. Then, I am tickled when I’m invited back for a second time. But, I am especially flabbergasted when I’m asked back a third time.
This was a unique once-in-a-lifetime 60 year celebration. Original founders of the conference made a special appearance. They were appropriately honored for their faith and service that began this longstanding ministry.
As the history was recounted, many lives had been eternally changed through the conference ministry. Hundreds of lives had surrendered to the love of Jesus Christ, accepted His free gift of eternal life, and forever changed to honor Him.
Now, once again I have been given the responsibility to bring His Word to His people. They have worked diligently to organize one of the best week-long conferences that I have ever seen. People and volunteers serve with efficiency and cheer.
Hospitality is top-drawer. Activities are first-rate. Logistics are flawless. Every age has a custom program from the children to the Senior adults. There are no lack of options to fill an entire week with activity.
Then, at the end of every five fast paced days and sumptuous meals, I take the platform and deliver a word that must keep 700 attendees riveted for 40 minutes. Now, the days and hours of intense preparation and decades of ministry experience converged to serve me well. God showed up at this hidden JEMS!
photo credit: Bruce Fong Photography
Like most people who lived in the 70’s I remember the sizzle that Farrah Fawcett brought to the TV screen. I was broke in those early college days so I couldn’t buy one of her world famous posters. But, I was connected as a groupee so that any friends who had one invited the rest of us over to see it.
Farrah’s stunning hair matched her sparkling eyes, ivory white smile, and glistening countenance. The plot of Charlie’s Angels was silly. But, we all watched setting aside the cares of the day and cheer on the Angels fight crime and solve mysteries.
Then, the role of a battered wife came along. In the movie The Burning Bed Farrah portrayed the lonely life of a battered wife. It was a platform for expression. Suddenly the world found a cause and expressed a new-found compassion.
We were all surrounded by such silent victims. The cultural privacy of the closed-doors of a private home, received new attention. Signs of a victim in our own neighborhood became a new awareness.
This time Farrah’s film presence wasn’t about glamor but quality acting. She portrayed a role and won a following for her artistry. A cause for defenseless victims was blessed with a fresh wind.
During one of my travel ventures I was able to get another perspective of Farrah Fawcett. Beyond her natural beauty and acquired acting talent, I was given a glimpse of her personal courage.
I watched a special report on her fight against cancer. The pain, ugliness, loneliness, dispair were all of a part of her journey to fight this disease. There were times of hope, risk, brave attempts, and the enjoyment of true love and friendship that were all a part of her fight against the mortal challenge of the fatal growth inside of the human body.
Today I read the news that Farrah was gone. Her battle against cancer was over. She was now in eternity.
This ravishing beauty will be missed. An amazing talent in the world of thesbians is now gone. The courage, love, devotion, optimism of a very fine human being will be missed by family and true friends.
Farewell Farrah. You have been an icon for so many of us. May all who discover hope for eternity through the sacrifice of One who loves us all bring us all to one very grand reunion in heaven.
photo credit: Google image
My brisk walk through the California Redwoods was a welcome immersion into the soft sounds of silence. The old growth Redwoods have showered the forest floor with coushioned foilage for years. It takes away any noise from clomping shoes.
It was early by Pacific Coast standards but well into the day by Eastern Time. My body is still three hours ahead of the locals here on the Left Coast. When the sunlight gave enough illumination to see where I was walking, I donned my New Balance shoes, slipped on my sweat shirt, grabbed my keys and I was off to let God’s refreshing creation have me for the next hour.
I had to traverse man-made asphalt-covered streets, dodge cars speeding along the highway, and hop over railroad tracks to enter the Redwood forest. But, the middle mile of a four mile journey was well worth the effort.
Towering old growth Redwoods was my arena for a quick stroll. Giant trees with their characteristic red color bark and arrow-straight trunks shot skyward. Over 200 feet high these spires branch out to form their own unique eco-system high above the forest floor.
I padded along the trail yard after yard. There was nothing that filled the air but a fresh breeze and chirping birds. It was still early and no other human beings were sharing the park with me. That’s why it was odd to hear the distinct sound of crunching branches, rustling leaves and pulling twigs.
I looked behind me to see if someone was following. There was nothing but an empty trail in my view. My curiosity grew because I knew that I was hearing something walking in the woods with me.
Before I could mentally answer the riddle forming in my mind, I swiftly came to a stop. Freezing in a motionless form, I smiled and gazed at the graceful form of a blacktail doe feeding on the tender leaves of a bush just 30 yards off of the walking trail. She was oblivious to any threat from me, because there was none to be had.
Moving only my eyes I scanned the woods for what I was certain to also be there. It took a few moments but my certainty was confirmed when a spotted fawn stepped out from behind a collection of fallen logs. It pranced after mom without even a glance toward me, a stranger in his woods.
photo credit: Bruce Fong Photography
I took my family on a special adventure. We all piled into my pick-up truck and headed north. One hour later my pensive family bundled up and stepped out into the snow.
My family was humoring me. For the first time they were all entering into my world of outdoor sports. They were all rookies to this new sport.
Our instructor was energetic and highly skilled. She knew her craft well. On top of that she made it fun for us. We were in the snow-filled field ready for our first lesson on trap shooting.
We had shotguns and we were ready to shoot down clay pigeons that were launched into the air. Yet, our instructor’s enthusiasm kept us optimistic. Even when the girls did so much better, we guys hopefully nibbled on our humble pie.
When it was my turn, I was determined to hit the clay targets. But, I missed every time. Her instructions were easy to understand but I couldn’t engage them.
All of my rifle training was the opposite of shotgun shooting. It was confusing for me. Eventually, I began to break some of the flying clay targets. Sometimes it takes time to unlearn something before something new can be learned.
James writes something similar in his epistle. He tells us that there are three important habits for us believers to put into practice. We are to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry. These instructions are the exact opposite of what we learn in our interaction with others.
It is frustrating at first and at second and at third. Yet, there ought to be a driving force to keep us committed to achieving these goals, namely, God has told us to live this way. Clearly in His Word James tells us that our objective should be to aim toward living a righteous life. These three new ways of living are a clear means to reach this kind of life.
It’s not easy. In fact it is very difficult. Since we have been living our lives with a habit that is slow to listen, quick to speak and often quick to become angry, it will be difficult. But, if we make progress, we will be achieving the righteous life that He desires for us. His way is not always the easiest way but it will be the best way.
photo credit: Google image
There are two facts that are indelibly imprinted on my psyche. One is that I do not like Raspberries. The other is that I am not easily pursuaded to spend money on myself.
I’m on a retreat as a conference speaker. As a speaker I am constantly monitoring my hydration. A well lubricated body gives me the best endurance as a speaker.
So, I will spend money to make sure that I have a bottle of water on hand. When I spied a water bottle dispensing machine I took a mental note of where it was located. After the evening activities I veered off course and made a stop at the machine.
Glancing down the menu I saw several pictures of bottled water. Just for a moment I wondered why the pictures were different. Afterall, water is water, so I thought.
I deposited my $1.50, overruling my objection that it was highway robbery to pay such exorbitant prices. It was all packaging and distribution. Man was capitalizing on God’s free gift of creation.
The machine hungrily ate my currency and spit out my bottle of water. I reached into the mouth of the dispenser and grabbed hold of a cold bottle of water. Then I made a disgusting discovery!
My very expensive bottle of water was flavored. Yes, you very insightful readers, it was Raspberry flavored! Yech!
Now, I was annoyed. What was I going to do? There was no one around for a refund. I double-checked the buttons on the machine. Sure enough the reason that the pictures were different was to indicate the flavored water was in fact Raspberry, albeit in fairly fine print!
My cheap, rather, thrifty side would not let me buy a second bottle of water. I stomped back to my room with a less than Christian attitude. Now, which side would win?
Would my dislike for the taste of Raspberry win? Or would my penchant for miserly living win? Would I then drink the water that I purchased? Or would I dump the least favorite flavor-of-the-month down the drain?
I was surprised when I popped the bottle and took a swig. My hope was that a quick drink would not be so bad. If my thirst was quenched maybe I could ignore my palate preferences. Wrong!
Yeech! Argh! I spit it out and dumped it where it deserved. It all went down the drain! Dumb machine!
photo credit: Google image
The moniker of “Father” is one of the most honored privileges in my life. Each new child that God graced into my life are priceless treasures. The memories of growing up together are the essence of the best of life.
Like most dads I remember the progress of the children. Helping them grow, advance, and achieve are very special moments. God’s grace through close calls and through deep waters are a part of the total picture.
Who would have ever thought that I would gaze at pictures, reminisce with my wife, or look forward to catching up with what my adult children are doing these days? Yet, I love doing it. Pictures, email, texting, cyberspace social networking are all a blast for a Father’s heart.
The challenge every year on Father’s Day is the anticipation. My children struggle to figure out what to give as a gift. Erroneously, some think that we fathers are afraid of a hideous tie. That’s not even close.
We father’s struggle because we don’t want the attention. By in large we are not good receivers. When it is forced on us we tend to deflect it.
Our whole being is absorbed with giving. Desperately, we work hard to earn and find great delight in giving. We are cheap on ourselves, but very openly give to our family.
The spirit of giving by a father is naturally generous to his children. This is appropriate. But, it makes it difficult to be a receiver when we are so focused on giving.
Honestly it is not what we receive. Rather it is the uncertainty that we have done enough to deserve the attention. Most of us as fathers just need to learn to receive because our children want to give.
When I step back what I want my children to know is what every father wants his offspring to know. Just because they give it to us, makes the gift super special, no matter what it is . Don’t misunderstand me, however,
A sportscar would be nice. Or a new motorcycle would be tight. A fishing trip or hunting trip would be out of this world.
Just kidding! Picture of my kids have been my favorite gifts. Letters of admiration are tops. These will be a gifts that grow in value with each passing year.
My Father’s Day was fabulous. Text messages, emails, and telephone calls filled with words of affirmation were intoxicating. Thanks, kids!
photo credit: Bruce Fong Photography
The back roads to a popular box store gave my day a sense of routine. It was a usual route to avoid a few extra traffic lights, skirt around several busy intersections, and to trim a little distance off of my travels for the day. That’s what it was. It was a routine drive for a simple errand.
Thoughts of the day, the nation, and the world captivated my attention. There were no other drivers around me during this backwater short-cut. So, I was startled with a scene out of Nature’s World.
There on the side of the road was a very large snapping turtle. The pointed snout and jagged shell were tell tale signs. It’s head was held up high as it scanned the road with obvious intent to cross the asphalt to the pond across the way.
I roared past the amphibian. It had the look of total detachment from the dangerous world of automobiles. That was a scene that I wanted to capture a little more closely.
So, I turned around and headed back to the terrapin encounter. My big regret was not having a camera at hand in case I got a good shot or two. Again the traffic was light so I made my way around the winding road with slower than posted speeds.
I estimated that the turtle would still be in its same spot or perhaps made it part way across the three lanes of traffic. He was faster than I estimated. It had travelled half way across the road.
But danger was fast approaching. Cars in unusual numbers were approaching the turtle’s location as it lumbered across the road. If someone wasn’t paying attention or engrossed on a cell phone conversation, this hard shelled slow-moving creature of land and water would be a pancake in short order.
Then the minivan in front of me pulled to a stop. The woman driver leaped out of her car and waved down traffic. Without hesitation she grabbed the snapping turtle from behind and picked it up. Even when the amphibian snapped violently at her, she did not shrink back but delightedly jogged across the road delivered the astonished creature safely to the other side. She loped back to her vehicle with a wave of thanks to the traffic that had stopped to give her safe passage. What a kind deed to witness in a routine day.
photo credit: Google image
Our for-sale-home has another house showing today. That means that I have to make myself scarce. We are getting used to the hectic schedule of vacating our home during its showing. OK, you NEVER get used to this disruption of your schedule.
But, we try to make the best of a difficult situation. There’s really nothing to be gained by complaining about something that is necessary. Our friends are encouraged when we exemplify a cheerful attitude in tough times. For those of us who have a few not-so-friendly people around us, it annoys them that we are keeping up such a joy in spite of the trials that we are facing.
I close up my portable office and I drive off in my faithful pick-up truck with a lose plan in mind. Today’s house shoppers will take up four hours of my time so I need to have a longer list than usual to occupy my time and be productive. My first stop is AAA.
Next week I’m on a road trip. It will be a three point journey and sitting behind the wheel of a car makes more sense than flying. The people at my automobile club are very efficient and help me plan my long drive.
Next, I need to make it to the Post Office and then the Library for more errands on my list. Originally, I was going to go to the two Post Office and Library that I have frequented in the past. On a whim, however, I decided to put my GPS unit to practice.
I tapped the icon for Points of Interest. Then, when that menu came up I tapped Community. Next, I scrolled down the menu until I found ”Library”.
A list came up identifying a number of Public Libraries. They were organized in order of proximity to my current location. After ten years of living in my neighborhood, I finally discovered that there is a Public Library a half of a mile closer to my home than the two that I have visted in the past. I find that amazing!
For ten years I thought that I knew my neighborhood. But, my GPS unit gave me a whole new view of what’s around my home. On my way to the Library, I also discovered a chicken restaurant and my favorite burger joint. The spirit of the American adventure still lives!
photo credit: Google image
It is the 2009. So far the best part of this New Year is that 2008 ended. Last year had so many bad memories for Michiganians.
The economic climate has been on a steady decline in our wonderful state since 1998. There have been a few bounces back in the right direction, but all in all it has been a slow motion movie toward a state depression.
First, it was business that felt the golden days of commerce slipping away. Then, the massive automotive industry faded quickly. Next, the real estate market both in residential and commercial crashed with a loud bang.
All of us involved in Not-for-Profit organizations suffered in this economy. When those who are normally very generous have their resources severely diminished, then, we in the NFP sector feel the pinch as well. Very few of my colleagues are doing well in their fundraising endeavors.
When any of us have gathered together over the last decade, it was always a temptation to lose our natural optimistic spirit and become jaded. Conversation easily turns sour. Once anyone said anything pessimistic it was getting easier and easier to jump on the bandwagon of doom and gloom.
But rather than blame the “other” political party or “diss” the governor or whine about the President maybe it’s time to look a lot higher. A lot longer than a mere decade ago God gave us a word that will hold true no matter what condition the economy happens to be in. That word is of great comfort not only for fundraisers in a tight economy but for all in the family of God who depend on Him for our daily bread.
God is only into giving good and perfect gifts from above. That’s His thing. We’re the ones who mess up with our sin, selfishness, and worry. He has given us life and acts through truth. We have every reason, as long as we trust Him, to be very optimistic.
Yes, we are jaded people. But, God adds a word of cheer for our suspicious nature. He declares that He will never change. That kind of stability is where we should put our trust. Such faithfulness will never be matched by Wall Street or our mattress safe.
Ok, followers of Christ. It is time to smile, trust His Word, and be busy about Kingdom work. Care to join me?
James 1.16-18
photo credit: Bruce Fong Photography
