Brave Boston Bounces Back!

4:44 Minutes. The Fenway Congregation sings out!

These are solely my views and given gratefully to a city that forever changed me.

One week ago tonight our former home town was grieving the loss of three persons and over one hundred injured after a senseless double-bombing took place at the 4:09 hour mark, just yards away from the finish line at the historic Boston Marathon.

My husband is from the Boston area. I lived there 13 years. Tough and tender, the home of patriot descendents, compassionate people to a fault and expressive ad infinitum. It is not a town that will go quietly into that good night, it will stand up and fight-it's got bite! These are just the facts, and not my opinion.

Ask anyone whose ever lived in Boston. It's a dynamic town filled with every sport, universities, culture, scientific discovery and medical progress, not to mention the quaint towns, conversant populous, beautiful beaches and an hour's drive away from some mountain ranges caressed with the fresh air that can only come from living that far north. It is also the home to the first European settlers, church planters and seminary starters. This is not a commentary on the current spiritual state of Boston, but a tribute to a city that has taught the world something important this week. Graceful resilience.

4:30 Minutes. I saw Neil Diamond in the 1980s - One of the best concerts I ever saw

One of my favorite times of the year was the Boston Marathon. I believe I got to stand on the sidelines at least five, if not six times. At one point, if I'm not mistaken, we stood near where the first bomb went off. Our hearts hurt for our former home townies. We didn't let it keep us from our day's work, but John and I caught the news every morning to stay informed. Until Friday, that is, when we sat glued to the manhunt in Watertown almost all day. A beloved MIT cop was gunned down by the two suspects. Suspect 1 lost his life that night.

A side bar-For anyone not familiar with the running culture, it is a peace-loving, hard working and fun culture. But it is a strong culture, one dedicated to bettering one's health and using running as therapy and personal character building. Who knows, but that those two suspects, had they given themselves to running rather than hatred, what a different story it would have been for them and the city of Boston.

I think the video says it all. Though, spiritually speaking, Bostonians are miles away from the ideas that the missionaries and seminaries established four hundred years ago, the flower still has some bloom. People don't just overnight become persons of true resilience; they become that way because somewhere they were taught and it was passed down through generations. I believe this is so because the Bible once had preeminence in that great city. It's effects still linger though it is slowly being pushed out of New England's consciousness.

Who knows, but that the Bible will make its way back into the Boston psyche one day. God indeed sure loves them according to His Word.

Boston, thanks for all you taught me in my years up there. I am so so thankful to have been a Yankee for thirteen years.

May you sleep well this night after a week of nightmare and heartache, fear and courage, cooperation with authorities and the capture of a well-documented suspect that no more damage be done. You're wide awake now. Thank God. He's there.

P.S.-As if that wasn't news enough, I believe last week was a record-breaker for news. The Boston Marathon Bombing happened on April 15th, not only Patriot's day (the 3rd Monday of each April), but it was also tax day. On Wednesday, April 17th, there was another fatal explosion in West, Texas, outside of Waco. A fertilizer plant exploded in a small community killing at least 14 at last count, and injuring hundreds. Then there were record lows, including here in San Antonio where we should have been pushing 90 since February, yet we've enjoyed 70s with lows into the 40s. There has been severe weather all over the country, and an earthquake in China. The gun control issue, and illegal immigration issues have heated up and taken different turns because of last week's events. And yet, in it all...

May God continue to bless America, and all other countries who put Him first!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." -Psalm 33:12

24 Minutes, but well worth the watch. (FYI-Applause is muted)

This post is dedicated to my husband John, who is my best friend, a marathon runner and one who never gives up in the face of adversity, having one of the most handsome smiles I've ever seen! For my family who supported me when I lived up north and my new family I married into, not to mention the Ketchen-Lipson family whom I lived with for four years (hugs to Sarah and Andy, who works at Fenway!), my church family and my co-workers at Folktree, Healthworks, HQ and EG&G (Now PerkinElmer, Corp).

Knowing Where I Am Going

The Eastern European Missions (EEM) dinner was last night. They know where they are going. They want to take others with them. They are like Abraham.

Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. -Hebrews 11:10 (ESV)

I too want to view that Holy City one of these days.

There is a song from my youth that goes:

I want to view that Holy City
Oh I want to view that Holy City one of these days, Halleluiah
I want to view that Holy City
I want to view that Holy City one of these days
Oh yeah.

I want to sit at the welcome table...
I want to feast on milk and honey...
I want to sing and never get tired...
I want to meet my lovely Jesus...

How many immigrants sacrificed to make it to the country called the United States of America to find hope, a better life and a future for their families? They were pilgrims, some who died along the way facing the new land. But they died facing the new land. Were they angry, frustrated, grumblers? I don't know. I know that when I hear their stories in documentaries they mention difficulties without those difficulties defining the outcome. Once they reached the promised land, the troubles were gone. Were there troubles in the new land? Yes. But what they went through to get to the new land prepared most of them better for the troubles they encountered in the land of hope.

Those of us seeking God will find ourselves in His new land one day. We are encountering troubles along the way, but when we reach that land, we will have no trouble. While we don't have the details of what our life will be, just like the immigrants coming to America, we still press on because we know it will be better than the best we find in this temporary land we must leave some day. In fact, there will be no trouble in the new land. God has promised it to be so. I can't claim to fully understand how this will be so, but I have faith that God's word is truth.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, 
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: 
for the former things are passed away.
-Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

The hymn "Higher Ground" comes to mind:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I found a video when looking up the lyrics for Higher Ground. I don't know these precious people, but hope to meet them someday.

Let's find others to take with us on this magnificent journey.

In each word, each thought, each trial and success may I never forget I must be knowing where I am going.

Food, Family & Fun

 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 

For they [will be] a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.  

- Proverbs 1:8-9 

Two Words: Duck Dynasty.

I am putting myself on the line as someone who loves words, loves conversation and likes to think things through [maybe more than they should be] when I say the following: It's refreshing to see a TV show about a real family well grounded in God and family values, saying what they mean and meaning what they say with no false humility. I can learn a lot from the Robertson family about making words and actions count.

TV came to them. They didn't go looking for TV. I heard Miss Kay say recently on an interview that she understands fame is fleeting, and if all of this went away tomorrow, they would still be fine. I believe they would. They're family. They live life and learn together. They honor the older generation. They guide the younger generation. Peace and reconciliation live in this family. It's evident in the last scene of each episode when the family gets together for a meal learning from their recent events and reconciling any differences over food, with family having fun.

While the world and its problems has been spinning on its axis, one family -- among many of the same spirit who will never be famous -- has stayed on the straight and narrow. They don't strive for eloquence, but strive to get the job done. What one sees for sure is the peace in their souls -- It rings loud and clear though they don't say a word about it -- unless asked.

Years ago my brother and his wife moved their children out to an acreage to ground them more in what is important. It wasn't easy. A lot of hard work and love went into growing their family as they managed the acreage and raised animals. They did many chores and had plenty of play time. Their hands were kept busy so that their imaginations didn't have time to run away with them and lead them places they shouldn't be. Did they challenge their parents sometimes? Of course. What child doesn't. But there was room for natural child growth without too much worldly interference.

Their oldest son is a master hunter as far as I'm concerned, along with his brother. Two of the kindest young men I know. Their youngest sister raised a few dogs and cats and several different kinds of birds. She's a joy to converse with.

One story comes to mind. At one time my niece had some unidentifiable type of bird that she named "Chickie." One day her mother called me and said that my niece had something to tell me.

"I killed my Chickie."

I asked what happened, and she confessed, "I didn't do what my mother asked and I hugged her too hard."

I believe she was five or six at the time. One thing my brother and his wife instilled in their children is a sense of honesty and responsibility. What we see in my nephews and niece is what we get, even to this day.

Are they perfect? No. Who is? When you learn where family, food and fun really come from, you're more apt to appreciate it and use it well. Will they have further challenges? Yes. But I believe that my brother and his wife input valuable lessons into our nephews and niece that will bless them in times to come.

My brother passed away ten years ago this year. I don't say this to get pity or make people sad. I only say this because he knew his time was short, as his wife once told me. They made the time count by instilling in their children what they needed while they were younger, and while there was no doubt about what they were teaching them and why.

Education and wealth are great tools for sure, but they can be gods running our lives if we aren't grounded in the real, and that's God who gives life, family, food and fun.

It's a simple take, but it has to be for people to understand it unmistakeably. The Gospel of Jesus is not an intellectual exercise. It's life. And when Christ captures us as He unmistakeably has captured the Robertson's and my brother's family, the rest of life can be sorted out given time, inner grit and patience all bathed in love.

My sister and her family are doing some similar things to keep their children grounded in what's real and true. Are they perfect? No. But the children are being given the best experience their parents can give them now, that they may have firmer feet to stand on later in life.

And somehow I believe they will succeed.

Andreia, here's to you, sis, for the wonderful work you have done mothering your own "duck dynasty." And to you Kim for keeping Richard's legacy alive in the great job you do with your children. I love you all very much!

The Novellas That Bring Us Together

John and I have been following Downton Abbey, a well-written and acted novella. It is taking me back to a wonderful memory from my childhood.

 

I like to say "I was along for the ride" when people ask me about what it was like growing up as a missionary kid with my brother and sister in São Paulo, Brazil. It is to my parent's credit they chose to go to Brazil and I was blessed to have that experience as their daughter. South of the equator finds one celebrating Christmas in the summer and enjoying the cool weather during school vacation. Spring comes during our fall and vice versa. My father's main work was building a youth camp, and in it all, we were part of a wonderful team of missionaries who were our family. I believe there were up to 17 families at one time in our mission effort.

During the 1970s there were several novellas that our missionary group gravited to. In between conversations about the advancement of church work and service to the Brazilian people, we were a family. We celebrated holidays together, having our usual Christmas talent show at the Vinzant house. During World Cup Soccer season, the TVs were hot, the flags were flying and emotions were always very high or very low depending on how our beloved Brazilian team did. We gathered at the Norton house a few times to enjoy the sports drama and discuss missed strategies and applaud the brilliant ones.

In all of that work and life together with the team, joy ran rampant even on days where there were great challenges. Because we were family, we were together in mind, spirit and when possible, in body.

Yet the event that had us all captured were the novellas, the teleplays replete with familial bonds, intrigue, unrequited love, all wrapped in the warm emotion that the Brazilian people are known for. These stories were masterfully written, lasting a few months with a beginning, middle and end.

During one such story, the main character, a professor, played by one of the country's favorite actors died in the middle of the production. The country stopped to mourn the loss of this much loved personality. The story picked up with a new actor and moved on, though you could see in the actors faces the loss they suffered from their colleague's passing. This teleplay was called "O Primeiro Amor," or "The First Love."

       

Another novella, "Selva de Pedra," or "Jungle of Rock," (a.k.a. "Concrete Jungle") had us glued. The main characters were in love but life kept them apart no matter how close they were to getting together. After a most dramatic separation, they are finally united and the country cheered! Much like Matthew Crawley and Mary Crawley when they got together -- and Mary didn't even have to change her last name!

     

Don't get me wrong, we didn't live for these TV shows, but nonetheless, in an age where there was little choice for TV programming, people pretty much watched the same thing and had a lot in common to talk about, even on the bus or supermarket line or wherever.

Downton Abbey has had the same effect. Many of my friends watch it and it is fun to discuss. For the record, no, I don't like part of the story line involving Thomas, but with that disclaimer, I move on. The rest of the story is fascinating and speaks of family connections, survival together and falling together out of loyalty.

Family. Successes. Failures. Celebrations. Losses. Life. It is all inescapable. We all participate in it all, even when we don't chose it. We're related to someone and they us, each with our own good and immaturities to work through together. We sometimes succeed without explanation and sometimes after purposeful planning. We fail due to our decisions and sometimes bad timing. We celebrate good news and have to say goodbye all to soon to certain loved ones. It's all a part of life.

And now, how shall I end? I am not sure at this point. So I will go with my first inclination. What strikes me is how blessed I've been in receiving the gift of my family. How patient and loving they've been with me during difficulties, and how kind to celebrate the joyous moments! Some may read this post and may wish you had this type of affectionate recollection about your past. I will bet you have such a past if you frame it reflectively covered in gratitude for the good -- this exercise does wonders to ease the difficulties and injustices of the past and creates a peaceful soul. But even if you don't have anything you feel worth celebrating for unspeakable injustices in your life, it's never too late. You can always start a legacy if you didn't have a good one growing up. Why? Because it's a joy to celebrate life together and to hold tight in difficulty and the next generation is learning from us that they may pass it on to their families. 

Spiritually speaking, the church performs the same functions. For better or worse, they are there, and will be there for eternity.

I dedicate this post to Carol Vinzant, a woman who keeps our Brazil family together until this day with emails about birthdays with mini bios and noteworthy news from our group. We love you Yenta!

At Your Service

 

Who doesn't like good customer service? Those who service well solve problems.

Easier said than done.

I digress to return to my point later: Something that is hard is not necessarily impossible. Christ tells the disciples that "...'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' (Matthew 19:26).

Digressing further: Jesus had just told his disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.

Linchpin thought: I'm not a scholar, which is why I study. I also know I can study so much that I don't have the time, inclination or the courage to serve others. I can get more preoccupied with doctrine which ironically nullifies what I just studied if I "stay in my brain," so to speak, and don't get out the door to be the hands and feet of Jesus today.

Finding Balance between knowledge and action: Ecclesiastes 1:18 says, "For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." I have learned that even nutritious food can be fattening if too much is eaten and not worked off .

Winding my way back to my point: Today my understanding is that the impossible act of a camel going through the eye of a needle is easier (this implies possibility to me) than for a rich man to get into heaven. I don't believe this says the rich can't get into Heaven. I believe it means that if one is materially wealthy the warning is to not let those riches blind one from fully entering the Kingdom of God.

Almost there: If the rich, for whom it is nearly impossible to get into Heaven, can get into Heaven when obeying God through Christ, then I too can serve others around me every day, though it be near impossible.

Point: God is looking to solve someone's problem through us today. While we cannot solve other's problems in full and vice versa, we can encourage someone on their life's journey. Who of us has ever been in a pinch, a bit or a lot down, received a smile from someone then felt those sorrows drown for a period? What a great gift to give another in the name of Jesus, though the words never come out.

Warning: Pinches have a tendency to either bring out the grinch in us or the grateful in us. Happiness is not guaranteed us when others lift us up, joy is dependent on the state of our hearts.

Neither do we have control over whether others will be a grinch or grateful towards our serving them in the name of Jesus. But we can give...a smile, money when appropriate, an extra hand, a little time, material goods, and above all, The Gospel when the door is open.

It shall not be so among you. 
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, 
and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Matthew 20:26

This post is dedicated to those who serve Jesus, publicly or privately and may His name always be glorified!

Psalm for March 12, 2012

  
A Psalm for a season of change to the God who never changes.

I praise Your Name to the Heavens.

You are my Rock and Strength.

Your adopted family will reign forever,

Your counsel never fails.

Guard the backdoor of my heart,

and let none enter it without Your blessing.

Search my soul and cleanse it.

May I stand before You with clean hands.

Your silence is strength.

Your guidance is sure.

When my feet fail to find firm ground,

Your light keeps me from stumbling.

 Though men forget Your Name,

You don't ever forget Your own.

Even the faithful fail one another.

When they seek You, both are reconciled.

Your silence strengthens the hearts 

of those who believe Your written Word.

Your Love is not silent; it shines in all who believe You.

It serves, conquers jealousy, restores honor.

Your peace confounds men;

It burns slowly, waters constantly blessing all who know it.

We praise and thank You for your unending love

that saves us from eternal loss.

Pause.

It is by Your Grace Alone

We can say that we know You Are God.