Think About It

This week is a special time for our nation … or let me say that this time can be a special time for our nation.   I think back to 1976 – the bicentennial – and remember a great sense of excitement and patriotism.   It seems like as soon as the calendar turned over on January 1, we were focused on July 4.   Maybe it is me, but I am not getting the same feeling for our nation’s 250 th .   Am I missing something?   I realize that we are dealing with some political and social issues today – but when we think back to 1976 we were just a few months out of Viet Nam and the resignation of a president.   I don’t know that the differences are as much historic as much as they are emotional.   While I am not saying that celebrating our nation is a “spiritual” obligation, I do find some wisdom from the Old Testament.   After noting that there is an appointed time for everything, the wise king Solomon added, “A time to weep and a time to laugh; a ti...

Several years ago we switched our primary television provider to YouTube TV.   Now, other services might provide something similar, but one thing I have noticed about YouTube TV is what they call “Now for a Moment of Zen”.   Basically, it is a break from all the other stuff on TV.   There are several of them – from puppies frolicking to insects buzzing to fires crackling.   They are only a few seconds long, but for that moment it provides an escape. As I thought about these moments, I realized that they are only showing close-ups of what they want us to see.   I don’t know the complete context for their videos, but they have done a good job of capturing that moment at that time.   Wouldn’t it be great if real life could be that way?   Imagine how much bliss we could find if we could narrow our focus to remove all the noise around us.   Come to think of it, why do we have to imagine it – why don’t we just do it?   Centuries ago, Christians w...

One of my favorite statements of the Bible comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:10).   There are several reasons I like this verse, but I have to admit that anything that will align me with our Heavenly Father is a pretty noble pursuit.   I think that, inherently, most of us understand the value of making peace, but as I pondered   this a few days ago, I thought of a couple specific examples.   Maybe the most important way God made peace was when He completed the process of forgiveness.   When we sin, we are at odds with Him, but through His mercy and His Son’s sacrifice we can be restored to a peaceful relationship with Them.   Additionally, the Lord has established a way that all kinds of diverse people can enjoy a peaceful co-existence.   We don’t have to look alike nor do we have to agree on everything to be able to live in peace.   When we embrace God’s worldv...

When I was working out at the gym the other day I happened to look up and see an interesting story about being a sports “fan”.  The essence of the story is that we feel good when our team(s) win and we feel bad when they lose.  Now, for me, that was a no-brainer; but what got my attention was the fact that there was science behind my ups and downs.  Prompted by the blip I saw on the TV, I went back to my office and found there actually was an article in Psychology Today written by Dr. Patrick McElwaine (a self proclaimed lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan) entitled "The Psychology of Sports Fandom:  Balancing Wins and Losses”.  I will not attempt to summarize his work here, but if you are more than a casual sports fan, I would encourage you to read it.  However, what I will say is that his research prompted me to wonder if we are taking casual things too seriously?  Whether it is our sports, entertainment, politics … or whatever else we follow passionate...

I realize that yesterday’s post discussed work ethic and productivity, but something happened shortly after I finished it that made an impression on me, so I thought I would follow-up with Part 2.  After writing about “why” we work, I took on the task of finishing up some laundry.  Now, let me be blunt – I do not like doing laundry … period … but, really don’t like doing laundry that involves copious amounts of wash cloths and hand towels.  I think something happens inside the washer and dryer and what starts out with a few items turns into a whole bunch of little bitty pieces.  Now, here is where the lesson came to me.  As I was folding all that stuff I thought about all the other people in my life who had done my laundry (including dish towels and washcloths) for me.  Everyone from my Mom to Jeane to the housekeepers at my most memorable hotels to the wait staff at my favorite restaurants … and a bunch of others … have done my wash so that I could enjoy m...

Most of us are aware of the value of work.  Those of us who are somewhat older may have had a different “work ethic” than our younger co-workers, but I think that we would all agree that we have a responsibility to have a job and do it well.  Interestingly, the other day as I was researching a spiritual view of work, I came across something eye-opening, “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” (Ephesians 4:28).  The first part of the verse probably doesn’t need much explaining – most of us are familiar with the evil of stealing, but it was the rationale that interested me.  We are told that we should get a job – not just to take care of ourselves, but also to help our neighbor who is in need.  I am well aware of the noble concept of helping others, but I don’t know that I had ever thought just how much of a core value it was.  We...