Locate the fastball

In life we should apply grace, just like a major league pitcher locates his fastball, early and often.

Over a week ago, I had the privilege of hearing and learning from ex major league pitcher, Dave Dravecky.  He was speaking at a men’s breakfast where over 1500 were in attendance and what he had to share was quite inspiring. Allow me to give you my take from the balcony, the lobby, and as a passenger in a car. These are the four tips I learned that day in baseball speak:

1- Get coached up

Dave Dravecky, a natural born southpaw, was born in Ohio on Valentines’ Day in 1956 with an inherent love for the game of baseball. As I stood in the balcony, he spoke of how this love was nurtured by his father as he grew up when the two would throw catch in the backyard. Dave went on to say as he got older that he played both baseball and basketball in high school. Then, in the mid nineteen seventies, when college beckoned he chose to attend Youngstown St. where he made the baseball team as a walk on player. He also spoke of a very valuable experience of when he started a playoff game only to get drubbed by twenty some runs by rival team Wright State. This seemed helped him to learn he had not yet arrived and needed to keep working on his craft.

After his college career, Dave had the honor of being taken in the 21^st round of the baseball draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1978. It was during the next few years in the minors and being traded to the San Diego Padres that Dave’s pitching career and life began to change.

It was then that he made mention of two men who were instrumental in helping him change and grow. One was a pitching coach, one was a fellow minor leaguer.

The first man was Eddie Watt, an ex- Baltimore Orioles pitcher from the nineteen sixties, who was his pitching coach and taught him how to better hone his craft and develop his pitches. It was then through trial and error that Dave began to improve his repertoire and eventually became major league ready.

The second man who made an impact on Dave’s life was a fellow ball player and friend, Byron Ballard, who began challenging Dave spiritually. This man’s persistence eventually led Dave and his wife, Jan, into a relationship with Jesus who changed their perspective forever.

In layman’s terms, Dave’s early life taught me it is of major importance to take instruction to heart and then apply it to your life.

2- Be ambidextrous

If you were to Google the name Dave Dravecky on your computer, you would see many significant accomplishments in his career. You would notice that he had a career ERA of 3.13 and never had a year over 4.0. in his eight year career. He also went to the World Series, was voted to an All Star game, and was the starter on opening day; all noteworthy statistics by today’s standards.

But, the biggest challenge of Dave’s career happened to him in 1988, his second year with the San Francisco Giants. It was then that Dave’s life was about to hit a speed bump. It was during this time that doctors diagnosed a lump in Dave’s left arm, his pitching arm. When they examined it closely they discovered that it was cancerous and had to be removed immediately. He and his wife faced this setback with their faith in God fully intact, ready to fight.

So, ten months later on August 10^th, 1989, after the cancerous lump had been successfully removed the resilient, left hander found himself back on the mound. . He returned with a resounding triumph as the Giants beat the Reds. However, in his next start five days later in Montreal, Canada, instead of a speed bump Dave’s life was about to hit a wall. In the sixth inning as he delivered a pitch he heard a deafening noise in his ear and felt a tremendous pain in his arm. He had broken his arm and soon discovered that the cancer had come back. The news get even worse when the doctors told him that his left arm, his pitching arm, would need to be amputated to keep the cancer from spreading.

Although the news was devastating Dave had no choice but to learn to live differently. He would have to be ambidextrous and learn to use his off hand. He could no longer play the game he loved and he went through some very tough times. Nevertheless, he stated during this difficult transition he was learning that Jesus plus nothing equals everything. His life was now speaking, not just his pitching

In layman’s terms, Dave’s struggles in his life taught me that sometimes, whether you like it or not, you must make the necessary adjustment,.

3-Appreciate your fans

Everyone wants and needs to be appreciated. This was never more apparent to me, then when before Dave began to speak that he did something rather unique to encourage himself. As I looked on from the balcony, he took out his phone and pulled up a picture of his grandson, one of his biggest little fans, with his tongue sticking out. Immediately, as he placed it on the podium, you could just see the levity it granted him.

Anyone can be nice when everything is going his or her way. Then it is easy to be pleasant and affable to fans and those who request our time or attention. However, I believe Dave’s life has spoken loudest when things were not going according to what he had hoped.

It was apparent from my view that Dravecky appreciated his fans as they stood in line for over an hour and a half to get his autograph. As I was standing in the lobby after the meeting was over, I was sitting near where Dave was signing autographs and I could overhear most of the questions. For instance, I overheard a man ask him about depression, a subject some men would have brushed off; however, Dave was very candid and honest in his personal reply holding nothing back. Having personally suffered from depression as well, his compassionate response spoke volumes to me as well.

Another way Dave showed his appreciation was by doing what Jesus had taught us to do a long time ago- love the little children.

Since, I was to be riding in the car that was transporting our guest of honor back to the Philadelphia Airport; I felt it appropriate to go along with my friend backstage to fetch Dave’s bag. When I noticed the carry-on, with a San Francisco Giant logo attached to it, I was surprised to see a baseball sitting on top of it. I discovered from my friend that this was a prized possession bestowed upon Dave from several local special needs kids in which they had signed it just for him. This was not lost on him, as he put it in a special compartment so it would not be misplaced.

In layman’s terms, he taught me that you can never be too young or too old to give or receive an encouraging word.

d- Locate the fastball

If I had to use one word to sum up Dave Dravecky’s life it would be grace-full.

The best advice often comes when you are not looking for it. As I approached Dave with his suitcase and autographed baseball, I overheard him speaking grace to a father who was last in line and wanted some advice for his lanky teenage son, who was aspiring to be a big league pitcher. What I overheard Dave say was that the boy needed to focus on locating the fastball before he could even think of being successful on any level. Dave went on to say other pitches are nice, but the ability to throw a fastball for strikes is the main secret to successful pitching.

Grace, like that aforementioned fastball, was something the ex-big leaguer had been exhibiting all day. He was really living it out when during a ten minute question and answer session in front of the group a well-meaning gentleman asked him a tricky theological question about whether we are predestined or whether we have a free will. The question left me dumbfounded, but not Dave.  He paused for a moment and then with no remorse said that grace was the best way to handle the situation and moved to the next question.

He also showed tremendous grace as he interacted with people putting his arm around young and old alike as he smiled over and over again for pictures. Then on the way down to the airport, after he must have been exhausted, I witnessed him continue to show grace to all of us who were in the car. He listened to our stories and even apologized about a situation that wasn’t his fault, when he could have been agitated.

All this from a man who was once asked by a baseball reporter after he broke his arm and knew he would probably never pitch again, “where is your God now?’ As exhibited by his life, God never left him and still is with him, as Dave continues to shows grace just like he used to locate his fastball back in the day.

In laymen's terms, Dave taught me that when it comes to life grace is more than just being nice, it's a necesity

Swavel

Somewhat Trivial

Welcome to my 2013 version of Super Bowl trivia, about last night’s big game. You know the type, the slightly off, somewhat trivial kind of questions you won’t just find just anywhere. Before we start, congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for winning a real turn out the lights kind of game. Let’s begin:

 

1- What inspired Lamar Hunt, founder and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, to come up with the nameSuper Bowl?   (a) A grocery store flyer gave him the idea   (b) His daughter was playing with a super ball    (c) A conversation he had with then commissioner, Pete Rozelle   (d) Hit him out of the blue while was he was getting a haircut at the local barber shop

 

2- Before Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory last night, who was the other quarterback who led Baltimore to victory in Super Bowl XXXV (35) ?   (a) Steve McNair   (b) Bo Jackson   (c) Justin Bieber   (d) Trent Dilfer

 

3- Speaking of Joes who won Super Bowl MVP’s, what product was Joe Namath famous for endorsing?  (a) Miller Lite Beer   (b) Nutri System   (c) Hanes Pantyhose   (d) Cadillac Sevilles

 

4- Jim Harbaugh, coach of the San Francisco Forty Niners, once appeared on what TV show?   (a) Saved By The Bell   (b) Magnum P.I.  (c) The A-Team   (d) The Cosby Show

 

5- Which of the following is the only true statement about ex- Washington Redskin player, Timmy Smith, in regard to him and the Super Bowl?   (a) He was the first black quarterback to win the Super Bowl   (b) He played against his brother Emmitt Smith in the big game   (c) He holds the single game record for most yards rushed in the Super Bowl   (d) He was the first and only player ever to be ejected from the Super Bowl

 

6- Thurman Thomas is famous for doing what during the Super Bowl?   (a) He misplaced his helmet during the game and couldn’t find it   (b) Lost his job because of the part he played in the Janet Jackson halftime wardrobe malfunction   (c) Was the singer who forgot the words to the National anthem and was shamefully booed   (d) Missed the game winning kick in the big game and cost his team the win

 

 

7- Name the San Francisco Forty Niners’ mascot?   (a) Earthquake Earl   (b) Sourdough Sam   (c) Prospector Pete   (d) The Pillsbury Dough Boy

 

8- Name the reason Ray Lewis does his highly energetic pre-game celebration dance before every Ravens’ game as he enters the field?   (a) Too much Icy Hot in his athletic supporter   (b) He’s Ray Lewis and he can do whatever he wants to psyche himself up   (c) He always wanted to be a ballet dancer and this is a good forum for it   (d) He’s trying out for Soul Train

 

9-Which one of the following entertainers has never performed during the Super halftime show and in my opinion should next year?   (a) Phil Collins   (b) Bruce Springsteen   (c) Shania Twain   (d) Prince

 

10- Which one thing has never happened in the Super Bowl:   a) Up with People performed at halftime   (b) A man died of a heart attack in the crowd just before kickoff   (c) The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl in which they played against the Cleveland Browns   (d) The lights went out in the third quarter one year causing a half hour delay

 

11- Jack Harbaugh, father of the two brothers who faced off last night in the Super Bowl, used to repeat what famous phrase to his boys when they were growing up?   a)Win one for the Gipper   b) Always preheat the oven when making brownies   c)Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing   d) Who has it better than us?- NOBODY

 

Here are the answers 1-b 2-d 3-c 4- a 5-c 6-a 7-b 8-b 9-a 10-c 11-d

The point of these somewhat trivia questions is that although I hope you found them entertaining they are of no lasting significance. Do something big today and the next year it is forgotten or relegated to a memory of a select few. However, when you do something big or little for God, He never forgets. May we remember to do the important, meaningful things God asks of us whether anyone notices or not. Then truly we can say like Jack Harbaugh used to say to his boys,Who has it better than us? - NOBODY.

Swavel

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To Withstand

Unlike Catherine Hepburn, if I could be a tree, I would not be an oak; I would be a Joshua tree, renowned for its sheer ability to withstand.

 

The phrase what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger seems to best sum up a Joshua tree, at least for me. It is perfect mixture of persistence and endurance mixed in with the innate ability to flourish where difficulty is present.

Distinctively American, this tree only grows in the southwestern United States, where it thrives in the arid soil of the Mojave Desert. In the scientific community it is referred to as yucca brevifola and has been recorded to grow from anywhere to sixteen to forty nine feet high. The Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California about 150 miles east of Los Angeles.

This tree known for its resilience looks like something you might see in an old episode of Bonanza as Hoss Cartwright rides over the Ponderosa. The Joshua tree is known for its long, straight dagger shaped leaves that tapper off to a sharp point at the end. It is an unusual looking tree with leaves that grow in a spiraling pattern, not to mention the rather unpleasant odor that the off-white blossoms give off.

The trunk of a Joshua tree is made of thousands of small fibers and lacks annual growth rings, making it difficult to determine the tree’s age. This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a “deep and extensive’ root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 36 feet away. If it survives the rigors of the desert, it can live for hundreds of years with some specimens surviving up to a thousand years.

Its unique name, the Joshua tree, was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19^th century. The tree’s unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands upward in prayer. The Joshua tree and its ability to flower in the desert represent a pioneering and persistent spirit that is well suited for its home in the American west.

Quite frankly, if it wasn’t for the band U2 in the 1980’s, I believe the poor Joshua tree could still be living in meager anonymity. However, when a band as famous as U2 uses your image to represent them on a record cover you tend to get noticed, even if it is just for peculiarity.

Albeit the tree itself is not much to look at, however, its characteristics are quite something to marvel over. Anyone can succeed given the right environment, support, upbringing, and financial stability. Thrive amidst adversity and then you have something, at least in my eyes. God never gives us more in life than HE can handle.

So, why should anyone what to be like a Joshua tree? At least for me, the answer is simple: to withstand is the thing.

Swavel

 

Dig Deep

“Some hillsides speak directly into our souls, without ever saying a word.”

The old adage, dig to China, came to mind the other day as I was shoveling out my neighbor’s burn pit. It was a difficult kind of digging that never seemed to end with one wheel barrow full of soot after the other. It also was a great reminder of the importance of a good shovel and how often we learn best from the past.

In light of the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and also a personal tragedy my family and I suffered some twelve years ago when my wife and I buried a child of our own, I wanted to weigh in on grief. The elephant in the room at times like these is where do we go from here with all this heartache? Though no one is an expert when it comes to these things because each person’s experience during tragedy is unique to them, I would like to offer some hope on the subject. If grief is not handled correctly it can overtake you and consume you whole. Ultimately, making you a living victim of the tragedy you are trying to outrun.

In my own hometown I have learned from tragedy. On January 13^th, 1908 the little homespun community of Boyertown, Pennsylvania was devastated when the Rhoads Opera House caught on fire and 170 souls perished in the blaze. This past Sunday marked the 105^thanniversary of this catastrophe. More than half of those victims are buried at Fairview Cemetery, the very same resting place of my grandfather. The bodies of many who died were burned so badly that it took over five days for the families to identify their dead. Even then over twenty bodies were left unidentified and buried together as such in Fairview.

Today, when I stand on this hillside, even now I can still feel the remnants of pain left over from the mourners who grieved on that very same hillside so many years before. Somehow, I feel obligated to give some perspective to something that was so utterly devastating.
As I read about the Opera House Fire in books written by Mary Jane Schneider entitled “A Town in Tragedy” and a“Midwinter Mourning” I was struck by the crushing pain that this indescribable disaster had brought to my hometown so many years ago. There just seemed to be no answers.

The following is taken from “Midwinter Mourning” and best sums up the mind-set of those who survived. “Helpless to change the disaster, thankful to be among the living, they did not allow themselves to talk about it. Many did not mention the fire again in their lifetime. They did not want to feel the sadness or the horror of relieving those days”

In my opinion, I have learned that in order to survive such a travesty, one must dig deep and be resilient. The key factor with resilience is that it does not try to make sense of the pain, but rather is motivated to keep moving forward and not try to make sense out of the senseless. Just like the fire was bright during its devastation, so must our resilience be bright to overcome it.

Nevertheless, amidst all this devastation there is a story shared by Mary Jane Schneider in “Midwinter Mourning” about a little boy and his father’s shovel which seems to sum up resilience so beautifully. In my own words, the story goes like this….

With the sheer amount of graves needed to be dug to bury the town’s dead the volunteers were outweighed by the need. Not to mention that the physical task had begun to weigh heavy on the bodies and psyches of those who had the unenviable task of digging.

On one such morning the workers at Fairview cemetery, who initially thought they would be laying trolley track, were instructed to dig graves instead. Overwhelmed by the task they refused and an argument ensued between the workers and their foreman, Milton Brobst. Eventually the foreman, a powerfully built man, convinced the workers but they conceded grudgingly. They however had not counted on a seven year old boy to assist them.

Seven year old, Freddie Hertzog had overheard the news the night before at his father’s hotel. And since several of his classmates had died in the fire he decided to do something with his grief. This young boy needed no irate employer to motivate him to dig deep. So, armed with his father’s big shovel and a strong will he took up the rear of the long line of overworked and weary men who marched from the center of town to the cemetery on that dreary day. Weighted down by the heaviness of his father’s shovel, Freddie bravely announced to the distraught foreman, “I want to help dig”. With tears running down his cheeks Brobst hoisted the boy onto his shoulders, as he took the boy back to his mother. The book does not reveal whether Freddie ever got to dig or not, however the story goes on to say that “during the trying day, the story of little Freddie and his shovel touched many a weary heart.”

We must, not unlike little Freddie, refuse to allow a moment that didn’t go our way to define us and in turn ruin us and those we love. When faced with tragedy we need be resilient and move forward, despite the pain. A poster I read once regarding the tragedy of 9-11 best sums this thought up, “We are not defined by tragedy, but by how we carry on.”

Life in the aftermath of tragedy is like picking up your shovel and digging when everyone else believes you are just wasting your time. In the end, all we can do is the work as best we can, expect nothing in return, and then live our lives every day in an effort to honor those we are grieving.

Remember, every day is a gift, so pick up your shovel and DIG DEEP.

Swavel

Ten Cents Worth

“Whereas the ordinary resolve to change, the noble succeed at it.”

A resolution as defined by Webster is the power of holding firmly to a purpose.  However, in our society, resolutions tend to be flimsy promises we make to ourselves without a serious commitment. They often vary from losing weight, to making more money or quitting a bad habit, just to name a few. Often, when we don’t see the required results we give up on our resolutions and just go back to doing what we always did before.

Seeing it is a new year I thought I would share my ten cents worth of changes for 2013 with you, two cents at a time. Here’s hoping I buck the trend and stick with them.

 

First two cents- COMPLAIN LESS

Not to my credit, I tend to complain far too often. For example, at my favorite convenience store sometimes the cashier accidently charges me ten cents more because my coffee mug looks larger than it is. Often I do not realize it till after I get the receipt and then I grow frustrated. So, sometimes in an attempt to avert this injustice, I will sternly tell the attendant at the counter, “No it’s a 12 ounce, not a 16 ounce”. What an idiot I am. Fortunately, that mug recently broke and hopefully now I have learned to be less petty.

Second two cents- SPEAK WISER

Unfortunately, I have a history of speaking before thinking. Many years ago when I was in my early twenties I was at a high school football game and I started making fun of the opposing school’s marching band. If my memory serves me correctly the band decided to perform a theatrical presentation where they danced around with a giant blue ball supposedly representing the world. As I started making fun of their effort a woman from that school’s band, deservingly so, turned around and let me have it.

You would think that I would have learned from that, but about six months ago I made a similar disparaging remark. . While I was talking to a fellow employee I made a flippant remark about something he was wearing. The offended person, fueled by the emotion of the moment, let me have it, as the comment overshadowed the rest of our time together and ruined the conversation. I simply should have kept it to myself, because once you offend someone over an opinion, good luck ever winning them back.

Third two cents- TRY HARDER

“ Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” This quote by Samuel Beckett is one of my favorites because it inspires me, not to be perfect, but to keep making the effort. This thought pattern tends to go along with complaining less. Instead of talking about the problem, when you try harder you can do something about it to improve your situation, more times than not. Especially with the way the economy is right now, there is no better time than to be hard at work, rather than whining woe is me.

Fourth two cents- PRAY MORE

In my opinion, God does not need me to pray because He needs my advice. He asks me to so I can be on the same page He is on. Prayer is something I need to make a bigger priority because I find that when I do God answers some prayers before I even pray them. Like He was just waiting for me to humble myself and ask Him what he wanted to do. And why shouldn’t I be doing that every minute of the day. I believe God created the world in six days, so I very well need his help and guidance, not the other way around.

Fifth two cents - BE ENERGETIC

Whatever you do, don’t be like Eyeore. People are drawn to people who have enthusiasm, not people who are always complaining and are tired all the time. To be honest this is a big struggle for me since by nature I am someone who is not a morning person or a late night person. So to get through the day I depend on coffee, adrenaline and a daily walk that gets the blood flowing. Regardless of the fact I struggle with being tired, when I am awake I want to be alert and positive and make the most of everyday, like it might be my last.

So, as we begin this year, I don’t know about you, but I am resolving to improve on last year’s version of myself. Well, at least that’s my ten cents worth on the subject.

Swavel

 

My Christmas Playlist Part 2 (Continued with a New Year's twist)

To every quandary there is a solution. On Christmas Day, I promised my next blog would be the remainder of my Christmas playlist, yet since today is the last day of 2012 I wanted to share some thoughts on the New Year. So, I thought I would make this article a joint venture. Here are the last five things I want to leave with you in 2012: Celebrate, reflect, belong, love, be glad…

Here we go with the final four of my Christmas playlist….


Song #4- I CELEBRATE THE DAY by Reliant K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPFNY4Z5t0&feature=player_detailpage

Here is a song from my son’s generation that really is a definitely make you think kind of song. Reliant K released this song in 2007, written by lead singer, Matt Thiessen, who discusses how he finds himself on New Year’s wondering why he hasn’t really changed that much from the previous year. Then he looks back at what Jesus must have been thinking when He was born and realizes all that Jesus did to give him real life, giving him reason to celebrate.

Favorite line-“And the first time that you opened your eyes did you realize that you would be my Savior”

 

Song # 3-STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD as performed by 4HIM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEN3wNWM1eE&feature=player_detailpage

This is a unique song that I fell in love with soon after it came out in 1993. It was written by Mark Harris, who is a member of the Christian Contemporary group, 4HIM. This is a favorite because the song is a father’s take on the wondrous event of Jesus being born. So often Joseph is overlooked when we talk about the Christmas story, but since he was the head of the family it is important to get his perspective as well. The song is about contemplation and how it couldn’t have made any sense to Joseph, when He looks at Mary, the babe lying in a manger and the message the angel delivered to him. Yet, he goes along with God’s plan, anyway. Like Joseph, we should all reflect on God’s ability to do the impossible.

Favorite line-“But Joseph knew the reason; love had to reach so far”

 

Song # 2-MERRY CHRISTMAS as performed by Third Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dy8RW6aHXWQ

The thought of having a family is not lost on me. I don’t think of it all the time, but there was a moment in my life when I thought I had lost my entire family. If it were up to me everyone should have one. In 2006, Brad Avery, member of the band, Third Day, wrote this beautiful song about the long wait till he and his family could finally call their adopted daughter, from China, theirs.. For me, being a father of two daughters born in China, this song deeply resounds in my heart and soul. It is good to belong.

Favorite line-“It’s Christmas time again and now you’re home, your family is here so you will never be alone”

 

Song #1- TENDER TENNESEE CHRISTMAS as performed by Amy Grant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3sQjaek-5jA

This is my all-time favorite Christmas song because more times than not, it is what my family plays when we open the gifts. Ironically, I live in Pennsylvania, not Tennessee, but this tune always makes me feel right home. And nobody seems to set the mood, at least for me, better than Amy Grant, who wrote this song with her then husband, Gary Chapman in 1983. When Amy Grant plays, it’s like she’s sitting in my living room singing just for me and my family and you just know it’s time to open the gifts. You can just feel the love of family in the air.

Favorite line-“Where the love circles around us, like the gifts around the tree.”

 

As we begin 2013, I have  two words for you - be glad. It was amazing to me as I compiled the videos from you tube, that correspond with this list, how difficult it was to find videos that did not have a negative commentary attached to them. Yet, I am encouraged, in a world that can seem cruel at times, that I am only accountable for the actions and words that I express.

So, with that thought in mind, I will leave you with a non-Christmas video entitled GOOD TO BE ALIVE by Jason Gray:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83R-XQhDUWg&feature=player_detailpage

In this New Year may we all find something  to be glad about.

Swavel

 

My Christmas Playlist-Part 1

 In keeping with the festive spirit of the holiday season I would be honored to share with you my twelve most favorite Christmas songs. So, without further adieu, here is My Christmas playlist:

Song # 12-WE THREE KINGS as performed by the piano guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5RY94ldDc&feature=player_detailpage

This is my favorite hymn I enjoy singing in church because it has a somewhat regal feel to it. This rather solemn tune was written by a reverend in 1857 that I can sing without embarrassing myself

Favorite line: “guide us to thy perfect light.”

Song #11-HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING as performed by Carrie Underwood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=i5KFggYRMdU

It’s just not Christmas until this classic is sung. Written originally by Charles Wesley in 1739, however it took three other men and over a hundred more years till it become the piece we traditionally sing today. It is a song so synonymous with Christmas that it is featured in three of the most classic Christmas specials of all time: Charlie Brown Christmas, the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Favorite line: “Mild he (Jesus) lays his glory by, born that man no more may die.”

Song #10-MARY DID YOU KNOW as performed by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=68uILVp691sp691s

Thought I would include this one because it is one of my wife’s favorites. It was written in 1984 by Christian comedian, Mark Lowry who wrote it for his church play that year. This song epitomizes what Mary could have thought while she was holding the baby Jesus on that first Christmas. Like a modern day Silent Night it makes you reflect about the true meaning of Christmas.

Favorite line: “This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you.”

Song #9-HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS as performed by Burl Ives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=oke4ZUhPDtw

How can you go wrong with something so upbeat that begs you to dance and sing along? Written in 1964 by composer Johnny Marks it became famous when it was featured in the animated Christmas special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which he wrote as well. Who else but Burl can get away with using the word holly jolly, all the while making it timeless.

Favorite line: “say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet”

Song # 8- THE CHRISTMAS SONG as performed by Johnny Mathis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjPkbBRFb8k&feature=player_detailpage

This song fondly reminds me of my youth when during the Christmas season my mom and I would set the table together as this tune would play in the background. The most unique thing about this song was it was written by Mel Torme’ in 1944 during a blistering hot summer in an effort to think cool. For my liking, Johnny Mathis’ distinctive vocals soothe my soul and put me in the mood for Christmas as he croons effortlessly about chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Favorite Line : "Although it's been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you."

Song # 7: SANTA LOOKED A LOT LIKE DADDY as performed by Buck Owens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XdnA2DVp5M&feature=player_detailpage

This particular odd favorite came from a cassette tape my dad made about fifteen years ago. My most cherished memories of this song are of my eldest daughter and my dad singing it non-stop whenever they were together during December. Long before country legend Buck Owens was the quirky host of Hee Haw, he wrote this song in 1965 with his trusted guitarist, Don Rich. Great thing about this relatively unknown song, you can’t sing it out of key to it.

Favorite line:“Santa looked like daddy or daddy looked like him, it's not the way I had him pictured, Santa was a much too thin.”

Song # 6: LINUS AND LUCY as performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

Dance:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBPcoI4OE9Y&feature=player_detailpage

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=06DFATE7lBM

This is my favorite Christmas tune I can’t help but hum along to during this time of the year, no matter where I might be. Jazz musician, Vince Guaraldi came up with this catchy piece for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Funny thing was that the network executives did not like this song or the other renderings at all, but fortunately the public did. My favorite scene is the one when the Peanuts’ gang is supposed to be acting in the play and instead is dancing to this tune. Sadly, the kids ‘style of dancing is far superior to my own lack of rhythm, so I must stick to humming.

Favorite dance move: The sleepwalking one performed by the kid in the green shirt known as Shermy.

Song # 5: LITTLE DRUMMER BOY as performed by Johnny Cash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xEk_dy4eX3o

This song comes from my childhood when my brothers and I would listen to one of my dad’s old Johnny Cash vinyl records and just couldn’t get enough of those pa-rum-pa-pum-pums. This particular favorite was written in 1941 by American composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis. For my money, it best sums up how we all should see Christmas, that being through the eyes of a child.

Favorite line: “ I played my best for Him(Jesus). Then, He smiled at me, me and my drum.”

That concludes my list for now. I’ll be back soon with my top four favorite Christmas songs. So, have a merry and meaningful day as you and your family celebrate Christ’s birth at this sacred time of the year.

Swavel

 

 

Never Had

“Every soul is born with the God given need to belong and be loved by someone.” (Al Detweiler)
 

During this Christmas season, Amy and I can think of no better gift than that of family.
So, we wanted to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you who
were instrumental in bringing Lia to our family.

On June 18^th, 2012 we adopted Faith; to be precise, Lia Faith XiaoLi Swavely. She is a nine year old little girl, born and raised in China, full of spunk, who happens to have limited vision. Faith, at least for us, can best be defined by believing in something you can’t see, all the while believing God can and will make it happen, if He chose to do so.

Her inclusion in our family has been nothing short of miraculous. God asked my wife and I to step out in faith, to adopt “one of the least of these”. Lia was born with microphthalmia which means her eyes never fully developed and therefore, she has very limited vision. Although once you meet her, you will most likely be left with the distinct impression that she’s never had a limitation at all.

A few months ago, in the midst of washing the dishes with Lia, she said something that gave me pause. We were talking about family when she said, “I never had a family before.” For a moment, I was taken back because I have always had a family that loved me, who I loved, and was always there for me.  However, up until June 18^th, Lia never experienced having a family.

She is quickly learning English and doing extremely well picking up English Braille. She attends our local public school and has made many new friends. She is beginning to learn violin. One of her favorite things to do is Wii bowling and she’s very competitive. On her second day home, she was already, literally, running to our neighbor, Grammy Kass, and would chat away to her heart’s content. She rides a bicycle, sort of, with training wheels. She loves purple and we love her.

When God allowed Lia Faith to join our family, He gave us not just another daughter, but the unique ability to see with our souls, rather than just with our eyes. Thanks to you, and many others like you, Lia now has something she may never have experienced without your help: a family.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas,
Aaron for Amy, Jordan, Sianna, and Lia

On Keeping Christmas

Over the years there has been a lot of heated discussion on whether we should greet one another with the phrase Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? For me, my stance has been and always will be to keep Christ in Christmas.

Let’s explore the alternative for just a moment. Imagine that Jesus never came at all.

Now, that is somewhat mind blowing I know, because we all have grown up with the story about Jesus and the manger. But if you take a look at the Christmas story it sounds like something even a fiction writer would never have dreamed up.

No fiction writer would have written that Mary, the mother of Jesus was a pregnant virgin teenager. Huh, how does that work? On top of that, Joseph, her betrothed lived in a society where if your wife to be gets pregnant out of wedlock the result is she would be stoned to death. Yet, he married her and kept it quiet, after he got a visit from an angel.

Here’s another thing we would not have written. If Jesus were supposed to be a king why wasn’t he born in a palace or a fancy hotel with wealthy physicians by his side? Instead his parents are snubbed by the patrons of the city they were in and Jesus was born in a small, messy stable where they feed animals. The only onlookers to the whole marvelous sight are cattle, sheep camels and the like.

Then when he did get visitors he got smelly ones. They were the neighboring shepherds who were instructed to do so by angels. We often romanticize about these guys, like Linus did in Charlie Brown Christmas, but in reality they probably hadn’t bathed in days, were missing teeth and generally weren’t accepted by society. Nice audience.

When Jesus did get an acceptable audience, the Magi or the wise men as we call them, had to keep their visit to themselves. Yes, they did bring beautiful, expensive gifts, such as frankincense, gold and myrrh to the babe they believed to be their king. However, they were under strict orders from King Herod to report back to him after they found the babe. So, after they discovered Jesus an angel visited them and told them not to inform King Herod of Jesus’ whereabouts because he sought to kill Him.

This story even takes on more twists, no writer could have imagined. When Jesus was still yet a young child, Joseph received another dream from God telling him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary because King Herod was killing all the babies where they were living. The rest of Jesus’ life for the most part was lived in obscurity till He was thirty when He began His unprecedented ministry which ended tragically with His death on the cross, but in so doing gave us life.

Ok, you say that story is ancient. Well, then here is another take. One of the best examples of how to keep Christmas comes right out of the classic, “A Christmas Carol” written by Charles Dickens.

Track with me as Ebenezer Scrooge’s view on Christmas evolves throughout the story.

Early in the story he tells his nephew, Fred, that he wants to be left alone to keep Christmas in his own way, to which his nephew replies, “but you don’t keep it at all.” To which Scrooge emphatically responds, “Then let me leave it alone then.’’ What I love about Scrooge’s nephew is he doesn’t allow his Uncle to dampen his take on Christmas but instead wishes him a Merry Christmas, which elicits a humbug from Scrooge.

Then in the middle of the story, the Ghost of Christmas Present, portrayed as a king, reveals what is truly wrong with Scrooge, when he confronts him with these words. “The child born in Bethlehem, he does not live in men’s hearts only one day of the year, but in all the days of the year. You have chosen not to seek him in your heart.” Which leaves Scrooge at a crossroads, whether to change or continue in his errant ways?

Fast forward to the end, when Scrooge decides he must live a completely different life by making mankind his business. The best scene of the whole story is at the very end when he picks up Tiny Tim and the narrator says this: “and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

So, in conclusion, this is my personal stance - I will keep Christ in Christmas and do my best to keep it well all the days of the year.

Swavel