Passages

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. " (Proverbs 20.29) I find myself inbetween two stages of life. I "feel" as strong as ever, work out regularly and have no physical limitations. At the same time, my hair is graying from the temples upward and my 58th birthday approaches in May.

I have heard the laments of the elderly and have read the preacher's chilling account of the "evil days" (Ecclesiastes 12), but up to now they have always applied to others than myself. I have yet to acknowledge that strength is the glory of young men and to embrace the splendor of age. As I continue the transition from one to another, I am comforted to know that I am a work in progress and that my truest glory will only be realized in the presence of God. Until that time I celebrate every passage in time that leads me closer.

"Whatever is true..." (Philippians 4.8 Reflections)

There are many reasons I chose this verse to help me back to the Place of Peace. It was written from prison by a person who knew what it was to keep the peace. It is in a larger context that includes prayer and obedience. I have often used it to encourage and challenge others. Now it's "Physician, heal thyself."

The idea in this verse is to intentionally focus on spiritual thinking. In my case this means to substitute spiritual thoughts for the destructive patterns that run through my mind and are peace-stealers: critical thoughts, worst-case scenarios, rehearsed tongue-lashings, outright panic.

The writer begins, "whatever is true..." - What a world of things are here and yet somehow missed by those who are stressed out, over anxious (like me). Chief among these are the growing catalog of blessings which God has shown in the past which should be the foundation for trust in the future; things like safe travel, health, food, shelter, family, church and friends. Add to these general blessings, those situational blessings given as needed - when mom broke her hip or when we needed to move to the "perfect" house. These things are true, evidence of the true and living God quickly forgotten if not intentionally remembered.

This month I will begin remembering and continue to reflect on those things that are true.

Holocaust

Holocaust. The word is from the Greek meaning "burnt offering." How sad that the word ever came to be used of humans. Our first stop on our Washington DC vacation was to the Holocaust Memorial near the National Mall. Suzanne wanted to see the "David's House" exhibit, a fictitious narrative in pictures, voices and artifacts, of a Jewish boy's experience in Nazi Germany. Daniel's family was separated. He and his father went to a concentration camp but escaped. His mother and sister were not so fortunate and died there.

Throughout Daniel reads the words of his diary describing the frightening change of life he experienced under Nazi terror. The familiar places of childhood - school, store, park and home - became restricted space where Jews were not welcomed or closely monitored. He was forced to wear a yellow Star of David marking him as one of them. Truly Daniel's story is a story that needs to be told and is sadly being relived every day in Sudan, Darfur and lesser known places where Christians are persecuted and killed for their faith.

Bad Traveler

I don't get out much, and I'm OK with that. I've always been a "homebody," and I'm OK with that... comfortable in my own skin. But when I do travel, it can result in awkward moments. Suzanne and I are spending a few days in Washington DC. The first day I just had to see the White House, so I set out after dinner with my red backpack. Once in front of the iron gates, I set down the backpack, took out a video camera and walked away. A few steps later a policeman barked, "Sir, please take the backpack with you." - Oops! They're thinking, "Bomb!" I'm not thinking.

Then there's the subway, or Metro. They have these little tickets you purchase from a machine called "farecards." I just pushed buttons until the thing issued a card. I still don't know how much is on it. When we finally reached our hotel, The Willard (incidentally, more US presidents have stayed there than anywhere in DC), it was the ultimate clash of cultures, mine and theirs. I have packed three things: shorts, undies and T's. Un-presidential for sure, but comfortable.

Let It Snow!

As we await another Nor'easter to blanket our little cape in Washington, I renew my vows as a New Englander. Growing up in New Hampshire it's all I've ever known and loved - ironic because I don't ski or snowmobile or snowboard. My chosen winter sport is shoveling and roof raking, not too glamorous but my winter way of exercising dominion over creation.

Among my fondest childhood memories are playing football in the road outside our house after a snowstorm. The snowbanks taller than me, my brother would aim his pass for them and I would leap into their waiting arms to mimic the great catches I'd seen in the NFL. The banks are smaller now but the spirit still lives in me. Let it snow!

Shiloh - R.I.P.

Shiloh, a cuddly little Corgi-Chihuahua mix, came into our lives some twelve years ago. Today we said goodbye. He sat on my lap all the way to the vets in Henniker. And all the way I worked to convince myself this was the best decision for him and us. A growth on his belly had taken over his life, leaving him uncomfortable and in pain.

I thought it would be hard to leave him with the doctor. It was. But the hardest part was walking out of the clinic holding his collar. I made it a mile or so to Dunkin' Donuts and pulled into a parking lot to weep and for the first time I wondered about the soul of a pet and Shiloh's place in God's universe. I stumbled on these verses in Job: "You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you. The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being!" (Job 12.7-10).

Shiloh taught us much about love, loyalty and commitment. I believe he is in God's hands now. Rest in peace, Buddy.

Happy Thirtieth!

This is our Diamond Wedding Anniversary, and I can scarcely afford a diamond with two kids in college, so you settle for a tribute book that traces our 30-year journey in words and pictures. It's a retrospective, but I am looking forward to our future together.

Suzanne, I was recently asked what I love most about you. I replied, "Her absolute faithfulness." I have never once in thirty years questioned - nor was given any reason to question - your love for me. Absolute faithfulness breeds absolute trust. All the fun is just a bonus.

Going the Distance

Running is a kind of therapy for me. It's a great stress reliever and helps to clear my head. I try to run three miles a day but I have a couple of rules: I don't do hills and I don't run with anyone - not a team sport, running.

For a runner, nothing can compare to the feeling of being stretched, spent, drenched with sweat and running on empty. It's not the work I enjoy so much as the sense of accomplishment I have at the end when I've gone the distance. Maybe that's why running is such a great metaphor for life. Paul testifies, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith... one thing I do, I press on toward the goal to win the prize..."

Finishing is a virtue in itself, its own prize. It carries you through to the next start and helps you press on to the end. Not a bad lesson for those of us working in ministry, or marriage or parenting.

Ode to Coffee

I can't remember exactly when I tried my first cup of coffee. I seem to remember putting coins in a vending machine outside a lecture hall in college, caving into peer pressure.

Over the years I have turned into something of a coffee snob. I'm not proud of it, but like most character traits, it developed slowly over a period of time, following the usual path: Chock Full o' Nuts.... Maxwell House... Dunkin' Donuts... Starbucks (where I am now, the pinnacle). Along the way I flirted with flavored coffees.

But the truth is, coffee for me has always been more of a relationship tool than a vice. I have done my best thinking with a steaming cup beside me; my wife and I sit morning and evening, talking "over coffee." Maybe you've heard the story of Michael Gates Gill (How Starbucks Saved My Life). Once a wealthy ad executive, he lost his job, his wife and his health. In desperation he took a job at Starbucks and entered into "a divine grace" that shaped his life and rescued him.

I won't go that far, but I can relate to the sentiment. And what about the storied Cup of Joe which was a source of warmth and comfort to battle-wearied troops in WW2? Who can say how many lovers sealed their vows sipping espresso on the Thames?

I'll stop here as the cup beside me is now empty.