In a nutshell, this is why we feel called to adopt.
'For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ~Matthew 25:36-40
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Matter of Trust
God can. I can’t. God’s willing. I’m hesitant.
The above statement was a self-assessment I made about a month ago, not one I'm proud of, but I believe can have a happy ending .
Allow me to elaborate on the word, trust, which happens to be synonomous with the words rest assured, full confidence, and rely completely. So, here is the way God works with trust, if we don’t trust in Him 100% then we don’t trust him at all because he who hesitates is lost. With that thought in mind, there was a time when I was under the false impression that I completely trusted in God.
On April 29th, 2000, that guise disappeared when I received the news that my entire family had been in a car accident and that all 3 members of my family were being taken to 3 separate hospitals. .
As I was riding to my wife’s hospital, I started quoting Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” It was always so easy to quote before, but now it had become difficult to live. Later that night at my daughter’s bedside where she lay in a coma, God and I had it out. I told God to take me instead of my daughter or if he had to take her I needed a purpose for all this. All I heard in response was, “Do you trust me, Aaron? Do you trust me?’’
You see God has never changed, just my perception of Him. Throughout history many who followed God suffered, were persecuted, and some were martyred. My perception was if I did want God wanted, things would always work out for me. So when I got frustrated with God, it was my problem not God’s. He never hid the fact that there would be times when things would not go my way and there would be no explanation, just God asking me to trust Him.
Lately, I have been talking with God and this is what I have heard, “I will not fully invest in you, until you fully invest me.” God does what He wants, well He’s God. If I want to be aboard furthering His Kingdom, it’s His way or the highway. What I’m trying to do now is to get involved in what God wants me to do and then I can rest assured that I can trust Him. Anything else is just an epic failure waiting to happen.
I don’t have to trust Him, He doesn’t force me, but if I don’t it’s my loss because complete trust in God is a prerequisite. I agree with C. S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia when he spoke of the God type character, Aslan, the Lion, “He's not safe, but He's good.”
So, as a matter of trust, I would like to alter my thought of a month ago. God can. I can't. God's willing. I'm with Him.
Swavel
The above statement was a self-assessment I made about a month ago, not one I'm proud of, but I believe can have a happy ending .
Allow me to elaborate on the word, trust, which happens to be synonomous with the words rest assured, full confidence, and rely completely. So, here is the way God works with trust, if we don’t trust in Him 100% then we don’t trust him at all because he who hesitates is lost. With that thought in mind, there was a time when I was under the false impression that I completely trusted in God.
On April 29th, 2000, that guise disappeared when I received the news that my entire family had been in a car accident and that all 3 members of my family were being taken to 3 separate hospitals. .
As I was riding to my wife’s hospital, I started quoting Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” It was always so easy to quote before, but now it had become difficult to live. Later that night at my daughter’s bedside where she lay in a coma, God and I had it out. I told God to take me instead of my daughter or if he had to take her I needed a purpose for all this. All I heard in response was, “Do you trust me, Aaron? Do you trust me?’’
You see God has never changed, just my perception of Him. Throughout history many who followed God suffered, were persecuted, and some were martyred. My perception was if I did want God wanted, things would always work out for me. So when I got frustrated with God, it was my problem not God’s. He never hid the fact that there would be times when things would not go my way and there would be no explanation, just God asking me to trust Him.
Lately, I have been talking with God and this is what I have heard, “I will not fully invest in you, until you fully invest me.” God does what He wants, well He’s God. If I want to be aboard furthering His Kingdom, it’s His way or the highway. What I’m trying to do now is to get involved in what God wants me to do and then I can rest assured that I can trust Him. Anything else is just an epic failure waiting to happen.
I don’t have to trust Him, He doesn’t force me, but if I don’t it’s my loss because complete trust in God is a prerequisite. I agree with C. S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia when he spoke of the God type character, Aslan, the Lion, “He's not safe, but He's good.”
So, as a matter of trust, I would like to alter my thought of a month ago. God can. I can't. God's willing. I'm with Him.
Swavel
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Every Fan
This is a lark I know, but I entered a contest sponsored by Major League Baseball called “Dream Job” where the winner gets to report on baseball every single day for the entire season. Don’t laugh too hard, here it is:
Hi, my name is Swavel and welcome to Major League Baseball’s first edition of Every Fan.
Baseball is a game of redemption. I know what it’s like to lose because in my first 2 seasons of Little League my team lost every single game. Then in my third year, I caught a fly ball in right field that won the game. As I watched the All Star game that same evening, I can remember feeling like a million bucks with the game ball still in my hand. For one night, I felt like an all star too.
Baseball is a game that brings families together. My first date, with my wife, was to Baltimore to watch Cal Ripken and the Orioles play the Detroit Tigers. I, also, fondly remember my dad taking the time to play catch with me and come to my games and now, I in turn, have taken every chance to do the same with my kids. If I am to win this dream job, it would go a long way in helping my family and I bring our third daughter home through adoption. I firmly believe that everyone and I mean everyone should have a family.
Baseball is full of stories: from the past, present and future. Who can forget Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest man Alive” speech or Carlton Fisk waving his home run fair or George Brett going ballistic over the pine tar incident or my favorite moment form the past, Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game mark.
Baseball is full of current stories as well. Since I work and live in the Philadelphia area, my “Plead the Fifth” segment will chronicle every pitch the 2011 Phillies rotation makes. Then, there will be a piece called “Getting it Right” that will focus on a different player every day. And of course, there will be the daily highlights and scores from around the league, called “Need to Know.”
Baseball is full of stories waiting to unfold before our eyes. Who knows what could happen this year? Will Zach Greinke be unhittable again now that he is with the Brewers? Will the Giants defend their title? Will A-Rod regain his old form? Will the Phillies play the Red Sox in the Series? Will Miguel Cabrera be able to succeed despite himself? I don’t know, but I would love to find out all this and more, together with you every single night.
So, here at Every Fan I promise you this, a season you will not soon forget.
Hi, my name is Swavel and welcome to Major League Baseball’s first edition of Every Fan.
Baseball is a game of redemption. I know what it’s like to lose because in my first 2 seasons of Little League my team lost every single game. Then in my third year, I caught a fly ball in right field that won the game. As I watched the All Star game that same evening, I can remember feeling like a million bucks with the game ball still in my hand. For one night, I felt like an all star too.
Baseball is a game that brings families together. My first date, with my wife, was to Baltimore to watch Cal Ripken and the Orioles play the Detroit Tigers. I, also, fondly remember my dad taking the time to play catch with me and come to my games and now, I in turn, have taken every chance to do the same with my kids. If I am to win this dream job, it would go a long way in helping my family and I bring our third daughter home through adoption. I firmly believe that everyone and I mean everyone should have a family.
Baseball is full of stories: from the past, present and future. Who can forget Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest man Alive” speech or Carlton Fisk waving his home run fair or George Brett going ballistic over the pine tar incident or my favorite moment form the past, Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game mark.
Baseball is full of current stories as well. Since I work and live in the Philadelphia area, my “Plead the Fifth” segment will chronicle every pitch the 2011 Phillies rotation makes. Then, there will be a piece called “Getting it Right” that will focus on a different player every day. And of course, there will be the daily highlights and scores from around the league, called “Need to Know.”
Baseball is full of stories waiting to unfold before our eyes. Who knows what could happen this year? Will Zach Greinke be unhittable again now that he is with the Brewers? Will the Giants defend their title? Will A-Rod regain his old form? Will the Phillies play the Red Sox in the Series? Will Miguel Cabrera be able to succeed despite himself? I don’t know, but I would love to find out all this and more, together with you every single night.
So, here at Every Fan I promise you this, a season you will not soon forget.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Plead the Fifth
The electricity is so thick in the city of brotherly love these days that if Ben Franklin were to fly his kite he would likely be struck dead within seconds. This 2011 MLB season, we have the privilege to witness something exceptional; a Phillies’ starting rotation that gives them a legitimate chance to win every single night.
What Reuben Amaro, Jr. has assembled in Philadelphia this year may be unparallel to what any fan has ever seen. In my forty-three years, I have never laid eyes on a starting rotation with so much fire power and ability to dominate. Take your pick, any one of the top four pitchers could win the Cy Young and their fifth starter could easily win comeback player of the year. The only staff assembled in recent memory even comparable was the Atlanta Braves of the early 1990’s comprised of Maddux, Glavine, Avery, and Smoltz.
In a city renowned for the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels, and cheese steaks, Philadelphia now can lay claim to the “Philthy” Five, gunslingers come to town with a quiet resolve, unwilling to leave until business is settled.
Let’s start with two-time and reigning Cy Young award winner Roy “Doc” Halladay, who won 21 games last year, while becoming only the second man to throw a perfect game and no hitter in the same season. In his thirteen year career, he has 169 wins, 3.32 ERA and 1714 K’s which suggest we can expect more of the same this year. Then there is the 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who in his nine year career, has compiled 102 career wins and won 12 games last year with 185 K’s while only walking 18. Not to mention has been dominating in the playoffs the last two years. If that wasn’t enough there is Roy Oswalt who has compiled a solid ten year career with 150 career wins, a 3.18 ERA, 1666 K’s, and was 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 13 appearances after the Phillies acquired him on July 29th last year. To make it even more mind numbing, take Phils’ former #1 starter and 2008 World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, who won 12 games and struck out 211 batters last year and in his five year career has 60 wins, 3.53 ERA, and 897 K’s. Rounding out the staff is 2008 World Series Game 4 hero and dark horse, Joe Blanton, who just two years ago won 12 games and in his seven year career has won 72 games with 777 K’s and a 4.30 ERA.
It is not too far fetched to believe, barring injuries, that the top four pitchers could all win 15 games and Blanton could easily win 10.
If the gaudy numbers are not enough take this intangible into consideration: loyalty. In a day and age where athletes seldom share the stage, during their first interview together the Phillies' pitchers required it. With an all for one, one for all mentality, the four ballyhooed aces insisted the nearly forgotten Joe Blanton be included in the interview or else.
So, my suggestion for the 2011 MLB season is to simply plead the fifth and watch history unfold before our eyes as we watch a staff that prefers to let their arms do the talking.
“Good pitching will beat good hitting any time.” ~Bob Veale, 1966
Sincerely yours, Swavel
What Reuben Amaro, Jr. has assembled in Philadelphia this year may be unparallel to what any fan has ever seen. In my forty-three years, I have never laid eyes on a starting rotation with so much fire power and ability to dominate. Take your pick, any one of the top four pitchers could win the Cy Young and their fifth starter could easily win comeback player of the year. The only staff assembled in recent memory even comparable was the Atlanta Braves of the early 1990’s comprised of Maddux, Glavine, Avery, and Smoltz.
In a city renowned for the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels, and cheese steaks, Philadelphia now can lay claim to the “Philthy” Five, gunslingers come to town with a quiet resolve, unwilling to leave until business is settled.
Let’s start with two-time and reigning Cy Young award winner Roy “Doc” Halladay, who won 21 games last year, while becoming only the second man to throw a perfect game and no hitter in the same season. In his thirteen year career, he has 169 wins, 3.32 ERA and 1714 K’s which suggest we can expect more of the same this year. Then there is the 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who in his nine year career, has compiled 102 career wins and won 12 games last year with 185 K’s while only walking 18. Not to mention has been dominating in the playoffs the last two years. If that wasn’t enough there is Roy Oswalt who has compiled a solid ten year career with 150 career wins, a 3.18 ERA, 1666 K’s, and was 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 13 appearances after the Phillies acquired him on July 29th last year. To make it even more mind numbing, take Phils’ former #1 starter and 2008 World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, who won 12 games and struck out 211 batters last year and in his five year career has 60 wins, 3.53 ERA, and 897 K’s. Rounding out the staff is 2008 World Series Game 4 hero and dark horse, Joe Blanton, who just two years ago won 12 games and in his seven year career has won 72 games with 777 K’s and a 4.30 ERA.
It is not too far fetched to believe, barring injuries, that the top four pitchers could all win 15 games and Blanton could easily win 10.
If the gaudy numbers are not enough take this intangible into consideration: loyalty. In a day and age where athletes seldom share the stage, during their first interview together the Phillies' pitchers required it. With an all for one, one for all mentality, the four ballyhooed aces insisted the nearly forgotten Joe Blanton be included in the interview or else.
So, my suggestion for the 2011 MLB season is to simply plead the fifth and watch history unfold before our eyes as we watch a staff that prefers to let their arms do the talking.
“Good pitching will beat good hitting any time.” ~Bob Veale, 1966
Sincerely yours, Swavel
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Dream Wisely
Everyone wants to be the next Bill Gates or, in my case, the next Stephen King. Yet, no one wants to take credit for turning ketchup green or inventing New Coke.
This reminds me of a man named Charles Ponzi, who has become notorious for one of histories biggest “get rich quick” scandals.
Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882 and at the age of 21 left to find his fortune in North America. He first landed in Boston and then moved to Canada, but because of fraudulent behavior spent a few sordid years in jail. Always on the move, he developed tremendous survival skills. Eventually, he left Canada for the United States and as was his tendency, got caught up in an elaborate scheme to bring illegal aliens into the country resulting in more prison time. However, though difficult to fathom, there was another side to Ponzi, the swindler, who would lend aid to those in need. For example, in Canada he helped a poor family get back on their feet and on another occasion, gave 50 inches of his own skin for a burn victim.
By late 1919, Ponzi, ever clever and charismatic, had now constructed a legal scheme of buying and selling International Reply Coupons that could earn him 230% profit, before expenses, on every $1. He soon began to entice thousands of investors with the promise of 50% return on their investment in 45 days. Over the next seven months, Ponzi collected roughly $8 million which is approximately $100 million today.
His success was fleeting and by August 1920, the government had caught up to him as they proved that Ponzi had been repaying investors with money from more recent investors and was arrested. The move had long been called "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," but would henceforth be known as a “Ponzi Scheme”. Convicted, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, spending the rest of his life in and out of jail. At one point in his later life, he returned to Italy to swindle Mussolini’s government and was forced to flee to South America. Ultimately, he died penniless in a Brazilian charity hospital, a dreamer without a good exit strategy and a penchant for taking other people’s money.
He once said of himself, "I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me." So let us make no pretenses about Ponzi, he was a notorious con man and someone who took horrible advantage of others. But, I believe, he is someone we all can learn a great deal.
For instance:
-Success gained improperly is failure
-Don’t take shortcuts.
-Make right choices every day
-Always remain honest
-Never lend your name to a scandal
-Dream wisely
“What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient” - Bodie Thoene
Swavel
This reminds me of a man named Charles Ponzi, who has become notorious for one of histories biggest “get rich quick” scandals.
Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882 and at the age of 21 left to find his fortune in North America. He first landed in Boston and then moved to Canada, but because of fraudulent behavior spent a few sordid years in jail. Always on the move, he developed tremendous survival skills. Eventually, he left Canada for the United States and as was his tendency, got caught up in an elaborate scheme to bring illegal aliens into the country resulting in more prison time. However, though difficult to fathom, there was another side to Ponzi, the swindler, who would lend aid to those in need. For example, in Canada he helped a poor family get back on their feet and on another occasion, gave 50 inches of his own skin for a burn victim.
By late 1919, Ponzi, ever clever and charismatic, had now constructed a legal scheme of buying and selling International Reply Coupons that could earn him 230% profit, before expenses, on every $1. He soon began to entice thousands of investors with the promise of 50% return on their investment in 45 days. Over the next seven months, Ponzi collected roughly $8 million which is approximately $100 million today.
His success was fleeting and by August 1920, the government had caught up to him as they proved that Ponzi had been repaying investors with money from more recent investors and was arrested. The move had long been called "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," but would henceforth be known as a “Ponzi Scheme”. Convicted, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, spending the rest of his life in and out of jail. At one point in his later life, he returned to Italy to swindle Mussolini’s government and was forced to flee to South America. Ultimately, he died penniless in a Brazilian charity hospital, a dreamer without a good exit strategy and a penchant for taking other people’s money.
He once said of himself, "I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me." So let us make no pretenses about Ponzi, he was a notorious con man and someone who took horrible advantage of others. But, I believe, he is someone we all can learn a great deal.
For instance:
-Success gained improperly is failure
-Don’t take shortcuts.
-Make right choices every day
-Always remain honest
-Never lend your name to a scandal
-Dream wisely
“What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient” - Bodie Thoene
Swavel
Monday, February 21, 2011
Do Diligence
A few months ago, someone shared something very intriguing with me and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The word is DILIGENCE. It’s interesting how it not only applies to my present situation, but also currently sums me up as an individual.
My friend discovered this fascinating word while he was reading in Proverbs 12:27 in the New King James Version of the Bible. “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” Intrigued by the verse, he looked it up on-line and found this definition: “constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.”
So, here is my take after the research. The Creator of the Universe has given me something exquisite (diligence) and I better put all my heart and soul into using this precious possesion in whatever tasks He gives me. At this time in my life, it is especially important to stay the course as my family and I pursue another adoption. Often in my life, my efforts have been wishy- washy or persistent for a while until the going got tough and then eventually give in. But now, it's time to demand better. My belief is there is a girl out there that needs our family and as head of that family I must be willing to pay due diligence till we bring her home.
The act of diligence is not usually something I would consider to be a great gift like faith, hope or love, but maybe I just had it wrong. In my present experience, diligence is what makes the other three possible.
"No action, no change. Limited action, limited change. Lots of action - Change occurs." - Catherine Pulsifer
Sincerely Yours, Swavel
My friend discovered this fascinating word while he was reading in Proverbs 12:27 in the New King James Version of the Bible. “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” Intrigued by the verse, he looked it up on-line and found this definition: “constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.”
So, here is my take after the research. The Creator of the Universe has given me something exquisite (diligence) and I better put all my heart and soul into using this precious possesion in whatever tasks He gives me. At this time in my life, it is especially important to stay the course as my family and I pursue another adoption. Often in my life, my efforts have been wishy- washy or persistent for a while until the going got tough and then eventually give in. But now, it's time to demand better. My belief is there is a girl out there that needs our family and as head of that family I must be willing to pay due diligence till we bring her home.
The act of diligence is not usually something I would consider to be a great gift like faith, hope or love, but maybe I just had it wrong. In my present experience, diligence is what makes the other three possible.
"No action, no change. Limited action, limited change. Lots of action - Change occurs." - Catherine Pulsifer
Sincerely Yours, Swavel
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Undeniable Bond
There is an undeniable bond that exists between a father and his son. When the son really needs his father to do something, he simply does it. So when my son sent me a text asking me when I was going to update my blog, I felt obligated to start again.
History backs me up on the fact that when a son needs his dad, he’s there for him.
For example, during the 1992 Summer Olympics a son and his father accomplished something far better than winning a gold medal. Derek Redmond came into the games representing the USA favored to win the 400 meters until fate intervened halfway through the event. As he attempted to turn the corner, he tore his hamstring and fell to the track in agony. Refusing to give up, he got back up and began to valiantly hop toward the finish line. His dad then appeared putting his arm around his son holding his weight while they walked together. His father only released him so he could then finish the final few meters for himself. Derek and his father reminded me of that undeniable bond and how a dad knows what he must do.
Who can forget the time in the 1980 Winter Olympics as the USA Men’s Hockey Team stunned the favored Russians in what we now refer to as, “The Miracle on Ice”. But bigger than the upset, I remember the goalie, Jim Craig, being draped in the American flag after the team won the gold medal, mouthing the words, “Where is my father?” The significance being, Craig had depended on his father for the previous three years after his mom had died and now in his greatest moment as an athlete, he needed to share it with his dad. Even in victory, a son desires his dad’s shoulder to lean on, to be accepted by the person he respects most.
Lastly, in my own personal life, although I was never an Olympian, star athlete, or a celebrity, my dad was there for me when I needed him. Whether he was supporting me by coming to my ballgames with my mom, offering to take my place when I was seriously ill, or telling me he was proud of me when I needed to hear it most. My dad has proved to be someone I can rely on when I need him most.
So, this is for you, Jordan, I will do my best to be a shoulder to lean on and a writer who can offer support, even when I don’t know exactly what you might need.
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”
My son’s dad, Swavel
History backs me up on the fact that when a son needs his dad, he’s there for him.
For example, during the 1992 Summer Olympics a son and his father accomplished something far better than winning a gold medal. Derek Redmond came into the games representing the USA favored to win the 400 meters until fate intervened halfway through the event. As he attempted to turn the corner, he tore his hamstring and fell to the track in agony. Refusing to give up, he got back up and began to valiantly hop toward the finish line. His dad then appeared putting his arm around his son holding his weight while they walked together. His father only released him so he could then finish the final few meters for himself. Derek and his father reminded me of that undeniable bond and how a dad knows what he must do.
Who can forget the time in the 1980 Winter Olympics as the USA Men’s Hockey Team stunned the favored Russians in what we now refer to as, “The Miracle on Ice”. But bigger than the upset, I remember the goalie, Jim Craig, being draped in the American flag after the team won the gold medal, mouthing the words, “Where is my father?” The significance being, Craig had depended on his father for the previous three years after his mom had died and now in his greatest moment as an athlete, he needed to share it with his dad. Even in victory, a son desires his dad’s shoulder to lean on, to be accepted by the person he respects most.
Lastly, in my own personal life, although I was never an Olympian, star athlete, or a celebrity, my dad was there for me when I needed him. Whether he was supporting me by coming to my ballgames with my mom, offering to take my place when I was seriously ill, or telling me he was proud of me when I needed to hear it most. My dad has proved to be someone I can rely on when I need him most.
So, this is for you, Jordan, I will do my best to be a shoulder to lean on and a writer who can offer support, even when I don’t know exactly what you might need.
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”
My son’s dad, Swavel
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Slow Burn
One of my favorite after Christmas activities is to burn the trash. It is a quiet moment I can enjoy as the wrapping paper slowly burns. The burning paper, as it emits differnet colors like a kalediscope, reminds me of how fleeting and temporal things are. Yet at the same time encourages me how I need to stay bright. This process also reminds me of one of my favorite movies, A Christmas Carol.
I made some observations from the 1951 movie, A Christmas Carol, which I believe relate. One of the scenes is when Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present. The scene begins as Scrooge enters a room and the ghost, who appears to be a king on his throne, is seated next to a fireplace surrounded by a feast.
Scrooge responds negatively to the ghost after he has been shown the positive aspects of Christmas, “I am too old, I am beyond hope, go and redeem some younger, more promising creature and leave me to keep Christmas in my own way.”
The Christmas spirit replies, “Mortal, we spirits of Christmas do not live but only one day of the year, we live the whole three hundred and sixty five. So is it true of the child born in Bethlehem, he does not live in men’s hearts only one day a year, but in all the days of the year. But you have chosen not to seek him in your heart. Therefore you shall come with me and seek him in the hearts of men of goodwill.”
Of course at the end of the movie, Scrooge decides to change his life for the better and set fire, so to speak, his old way of doing things. A line that exemplifies this is when Scrooge apologizes to his nephew, Fred, admitting the error of his ways, “Can you forgive a pig headed old fool for having no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with, for all these years?”
But my favorite part is at the very end, when the narrator states….
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; ………….and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!”
Just imagine, if we all lived life with such enthusiasm, it would be like a slow burn no one could refute.
Swavel
I made some observations from the 1951 movie, A Christmas Carol, which I believe relate. One of the scenes is when Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present. The scene begins as Scrooge enters a room and the ghost, who appears to be a king on his throne, is seated next to a fireplace surrounded by a feast.
Scrooge responds negatively to the ghost after he has been shown the positive aspects of Christmas, “I am too old, I am beyond hope, go and redeem some younger, more promising creature and leave me to keep Christmas in my own way.”
The Christmas spirit replies, “Mortal, we spirits of Christmas do not live but only one day of the year, we live the whole three hundred and sixty five. So is it true of the child born in Bethlehem, he does not live in men’s hearts only one day a year, but in all the days of the year. But you have chosen not to seek him in your heart. Therefore you shall come with me and seek him in the hearts of men of goodwill.”
Of course at the end of the movie, Scrooge decides to change his life for the better and set fire, so to speak, his old way of doing things. A line that exemplifies this is when Scrooge apologizes to his nephew, Fred, admitting the error of his ways, “Can you forgive a pig headed old fool for having no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with, for all these years?”
But my favorite part is at the very end, when the narrator states….
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; ………….and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!”
Just imagine, if we all lived life with such enthusiasm, it would be like a slow burn no one could refute.
Swavel
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Crooked Logic
Ever find yourself going back in time? It happens to me every year when I get the Christmas decorations out of the shed. The whole experience always makes me get all nostalgic. It seems to me we all have our favorite decorations that make Christmas, well Christmas for us and until we find said items the festivities cannot truly begin.
In our family my youngest daughter has her Hallmark China Christmas ball, my son has various Chicago Bears ornaments, and I have a homemade snowman from a childhood friend. But, my wife has a special candy cane we always must locate before anything can really begin. Allow me to explain.
Several years ago, I came home one December day to find my six-year-old, eldest daughter had been out Christmas shopping and had selected a unique gift for her mom. Alisha was so proud of the lawn ornament sized candy cane she had purchased that despite the persistence of her brother and I refused to exchange it for a more suitable gift.
When Christmas arrived my wife opened her gift from our daughter as I snickered and smugly opened a can of chips Alisha had given to me. At the time, I appeared to have the more appropriate gift. As it turned out six months later, our daughter, Alisha, at the age of seven would change her address to Heaven.
Each year I am reminded as I look at the candy cane, that hangs in our house in a place of prominence, that the most unlikely gifts truly hold the most eternal significance. God, like the shepherd's cane, seems to use crooked logic to remind us what is most important during the Christmas season, His son, Jesus. It truly is the best gift that we could ever give or receive; yet so often to our discredit we would rather receive a can of chips.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Swavel
In our family my youngest daughter has her Hallmark China Christmas ball, my son has various Chicago Bears ornaments, and I have a homemade snowman from a childhood friend. But, my wife has a special candy cane we always must locate before anything can really begin. Allow me to explain.
Several years ago, I came home one December day to find my six-year-old, eldest daughter had been out Christmas shopping and had selected a unique gift for her mom. Alisha was so proud of the lawn ornament sized candy cane she had purchased that despite the persistence of her brother and I refused to exchange it for a more suitable gift.
When Christmas arrived my wife opened her gift from our daughter as I snickered and smugly opened a can of chips Alisha had given to me. At the time, I appeared to have the more appropriate gift. As it turned out six months later, our daughter, Alisha, at the age of seven would change her address to Heaven.
Each year I am reminded as I look at the candy cane, that hangs in our house in a place of prominence, that the most unlikely gifts truly hold the most eternal significance. God, like the shepherd's cane, seems to use crooked logic to remind us what is most important during the Christmas season, His son, Jesus. It truly is the best gift that we could ever give or receive; yet so often to our discredit we would rather receive a can of chips.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Swavel
Monday, November 29, 2010
It Still Rings True
When it comes to being thankful, I need look no farther than my left hand when I catch a familiar glimpse of my wedding ring. I have worn a gold band proudly for twenty-one years and can never recall a day I have not worn it. To me, it is a reminder of a commitment to my wife that I will remain true.
Several years ago a car commercial by Hyundai was asking, why commitment doesn’t play a larger role in our lives? They flashed a picture of a bride onto the screen and said, “If you don’t like your spouse, get a new one.” Quite frankly, I don’t know why our culture places such a low priority on commitment. Perhaps it stems from the fact that we tend to be a microwave society and want everything immediately.
Here is my synopsis on marriage. The stats, from what I can gather, tell me one in two marriages will end in divorce. That is a flip of the coin. Marriage is a risk, like playing the stock market. So in my case, I am going to fully invest in my marriage. My wife and I have buried a child together and buried the hatchet on several other occasions. We have survived the worst and have grown through it.
One of the best moments of my life, was when my wife came down the aisle. Over time I have realized every day I am given a gift from God to love my wife a new, just like He loves me. How can I show her mercy, grace, love and listen to what she is really trying to tell me. Huge task I know, but that is what I agreed to when I put on my gold ring and that is why it takes a lifetime to complete.
During this Thanksgiving season, I will give thanks for the one woman who slipped a special ring on my finger, some twenty years ago. It will take death to remove it and in my case, weight loss.
“What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
Swavel
Several years ago a car commercial by Hyundai was asking, why commitment doesn’t play a larger role in our lives? They flashed a picture of a bride onto the screen and said, “If you don’t like your spouse, get a new one.” Quite frankly, I don’t know why our culture places such a low priority on commitment. Perhaps it stems from the fact that we tend to be a microwave society and want everything immediately.
Here is my synopsis on marriage. The stats, from what I can gather, tell me one in two marriages will end in divorce. That is a flip of the coin. Marriage is a risk, like playing the stock market. So in my case, I am going to fully invest in my marriage. My wife and I have buried a child together and buried the hatchet on several other occasions. We have survived the worst and have grown through it.
One of the best moments of my life, was when my wife came down the aisle. Over time I have realized every day I am given a gift from God to love my wife a new, just like He loves me. How can I show her mercy, grace, love and listen to what she is really trying to tell me. Huge task I know, but that is what I agreed to when I put on my gold ring and that is why it takes a lifetime to complete.
During this Thanksgiving season, I will give thanks for the one woman who slipped a special ring on my finger, some twenty years ago. It will take death to remove it and in my case, weight loss.
“What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
Swavel
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