A letter from my heart, to share. Happy reading.
The other day my adult and only daughter phoned and asked, "Pa your birthday is coming soon, what can I get you?" I was caught quite unprepared, so I said half-jokingly, "Oh well, my computer which is more than 5 years old crashed the other day. Although I got it restarted by reformatting it myself (I lost all unsaved datas unfortunately as I was a novice) it is still working on old hardware and outdated software. I would love to have it replaced with a new table-top PC with a larger screen (monitor)."
She replied almost instantaneously in the affirmative, "consider it done Pa when I see you next"! I gulped because that's going to be quite expensive and I had no intention whatsoever to burden her. On second thoughts, perhaps a new Swatch (wrist-watch), one of those less expensive ones would have been more appropriate to ask.
To think about it again, there is nothing money will not buy out of fatherly or daughterly love but as a father I shouldn't be seen (or heard rather) abusing that privilege or should I? You tell me.
There is some truth in the saying, "Anyone who says money can't buy happiness......does not know where to shop!" Really?
On the other hand, you know sometimes it's better not to have the things you crave for. As Bertrand Russell had put it a long time ago, "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Isn't that still true nowadays, but I wonder?
There are of course things in this life that truly matter which money cannot buy. Some are quite obvious (like friendship)and some not so.
I was just thinking what are some of those things that I want which cannot be bought or gift wrapped. I can name three which I think are most important.
They are 'faith', 'hope' and 'love'. In the end, my computer and my wrist watch will surely go foul but I believe faith, hope and love are the things that will prevail and will outlast this lifetime, wouldn't you think so too?
Why faith?
For myself, I want faith. Faith enough to see light in even the bleakest of situations. Faith enough to believe that goodness and godliness will prevail in the end.
Why hope?
For my loved ones I want hope. Abundant hope. Hope in tomorrow. A hope that helps them believe that there will be a future of better times ahead so they can take that next step with courage.
Why love?
For my world and in particular my family and community, I want love. For I believe that the solutions to most of our biggest problems will only be found when we learn to love each other as well as to love our neighbours as ourselves, much like one big family under God's rule on earth. And when we do get there the world will become a better place, no more wars, no more crime in the streets, no famine nor turmoil, only justice and helping-hands everywhere, a world that's at last at peace with itself, a world in which we can come to love and be loved. How sweet!
Now can you see and do you also want some of those things that money can't buy? Indeed, those could be the greatest gifts of all that any man could wish for on his birthday. But alas, I think only God can give them and in his time! I just hope it isn't too much to ask.
Meantime, like any human father I look forward to my daughter's gift for my birthday (whatever it might be) with great anticipation!
Cheers!
dc
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The world is pretty
Pic: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden, BavariaThe world is pretty and I would say in no uncertain terms that life is certainly worth living. There's so much to do, so much to see and so little time left to indulge.
We enjoy all that exterior which Mother Nature has given but we often forget that there is an inner beauty (in all of us) more precious than eyes can see, a beauty which displays who we actually are, a man of God or a man of the world.
A man of God bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is
love,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control,
These are virtues that only God can give. But non of these virtues were spoken for the man of the world.
A man without God is (more often than not) consumed by self-righteousness, pride, envy, power, greed, and all things ungodly that only this world will give.
God abhors sin yet God will forgive sinners who come to him.
Truly, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Cor 2:9)
The beauty of Mother Nature, indeed many of its wonders are still a mystery to Man. When Creation calls and if you can see what is your response? As for me, I believe. Wouldn't it be nice if we share in this belief?
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Lessons from John Chapter 9
Folks,
I was reading John 9 (Jesus heals a man born blind) and as I meditate on it, I couldn't help thinking of these issues which if you don't mind, allow me to share.
The whole chapter (41 verses) is devoted to that incredible story, a familiar story that's worth reading again. In the earlier chapters we were told Jesus was teaching his disciples but was slowly revealing more and more of himself, his power and his mission. What is God telling us in this particular story in Chapter 9 of the Gospel of John?
As I see it, there were 5 principal parties involved namely (1) Jesus himself as the Son of Man (2) the man born blind (3) his parents (4) the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (5) The witnesses: the disciples who were with Jesus at the time, the blind man's neighbours and all those who knew him.
This is not a parable but an actual historic event to demonstrate among others, the power and discretion of God. A miracle performed that day on a man born blind who was destined to see. Why God chose this particular man is anybody's guess. No name was recorded. We were not told how he felt when he was blind, whether secretly he had ever begged God to intervene but when he could see, he believed and worshiped Jesus who had healed him.
The impact of that transformation must have far reaching consequences for Jesus disciples (like strengthening their faith for instance) and other lay-witnesses all of which should have contributed to increased numbers of Jesus followers. I am sure it did.
But not so with the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (although it was reported some were divided in their assessment of the case). What about his parents? It was said the parents were afraid to be "put out of the synagogue" and therefore did not confess God when they had their chance. How sad but even so that can happen to some of us even today.
How did Jesus feel about all this? Jesus' saving grace and compassion on one ordinary man simply irked the authorities. Man's pride throughout the ages hasn't changed much, has it? He took the opportunity to rebuke the authorities of his day because they had become spiritually blind and any good thing not sanctioned by them was seen as a threat to their power or greed which they continually used to suppress those they rule.
The story is long, has many twists but sweet. Suffice for me to testify that God is patient and compassionate. He wants us to know that with Him miracles do happen (even today) and blessed are those who believe in Him and acknowledge that with Him all things are possible. But God's judgment will await all those who can physically see but remain spiritually blind due to pride and wrong decisions. Restoring the eyes of blind men is a miracle to Man but I think to God it's all in a day's work!
Let's give Jesus his due. I had my sight (physically) restored recently. So I can echo those same words. One thing I do know. I was (literally) blind once but now I see.
Go, read and enjoy John Chapter 9 your goodselves! See especially the blind man's courageous stand that's recorded in verses 30-33. Indeed, if this Son of Man is not from God how could he open the eyes of a man born blind?
Let's listen to this beautiful piece of music entitled "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen, view below or use this link to take you there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0
Like you, I came, I saw and I believe. Praise the Lord.
dc
I was reading John 9 (Jesus heals a man born blind) and as I meditate on it, I couldn't help thinking of these issues which if you don't mind, allow me to share.
The whole chapter (41 verses) is devoted to that incredible story, a familiar story that's worth reading again. In the earlier chapters we were told Jesus was teaching his disciples but was slowly revealing more and more of himself, his power and his mission. What is God telling us in this particular story in Chapter 9 of the Gospel of John?
As I see it, there were 5 principal parties involved namely (1) Jesus himself as the Son of Man (2) the man born blind (3) his parents (4) the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (5) The witnesses: the disciples who were with Jesus at the time, the blind man's neighbours and all those who knew him.
This is not a parable but an actual historic event to demonstrate among others, the power and discretion of God. A miracle performed that day on a man born blind who was destined to see. Why God chose this particular man is anybody's guess. No name was recorded. We were not told how he felt when he was blind, whether secretly he had ever begged God to intervene but when he could see, he believed and worshiped Jesus who had healed him.
The impact of that transformation must have far reaching consequences for Jesus disciples (like strengthening their faith for instance) and other lay-witnesses all of which should have contributed to increased numbers of Jesus followers. I am sure it did.
But not so with the temple authorities namely the Pharisees (although it was reported some were divided in their assessment of the case). What about his parents? It was said the parents were afraid to be "put out of the synagogue" and therefore did not confess God when they had their chance. How sad but even so that can happen to some of us even today.
How did Jesus feel about all this? Jesus' saving grace and compassion on one ordinary man simply irked the authorities. Man's pride throughout the ages hasn't changed much, has it? He took the opportunity to rebuke the authorities of his day because they had become spiritually blind and any good thing not sanctioned by them was seen as a threat to their power or greed which they continually used to suppress those they rule.
The story is long, has many twists but sweet. Suffice for me to testify that God is patient and compassionate. He wants us to know that with Him miracles do happen (even today) and blessed are those who believe in Him and acknowledge that with Him all things are possible. But God's judgment will await all those who can physically see but remain spiritually blind due to pride and wrong decisions. Restoring the eyes of blind men is a miracle to Man but I think to God it's all in a day's work!
Let's give Jesus his due. I had my sight (physically) restored recently. So I can echo those same words. One thing I do know. I was (literally) blind once but now I see.
Go, read and enjoy John Chapter 9 your goodselves! See especially the blind man's courageous stand that's recorded in verses 30-33. Indeed, if this Son of Man is not from God how could he open the eyes of a man born blind?
Let's listen to this beautiful piece of music entitled "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen, view below or use this link to take you there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0
Like you, I came, I saw and I believe. Praise the Lord.
dc
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