Happy Valentine’s Day
There is no better definition of love.
Today, many of us will exchange flowers, cards, candies, and hundreds of expressions of love.
In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as the Feast of Saint Valentine, a day to honor a third-century martyr, a Bishop who had been killed for his Christian faith.
Over the centuries, aspects of the story became both mythical and legendary, and created what we have now, a day to celebrate love.
While its historical origins are important, having a day to honor love seems like a very wonderful idea. Not only does the Bible declare that the greatest of all virtues is love, but there is little doubt, that love is also one of the greatest gifts that we can offer one another.
At the most critical moment in history, God stepped out of eternity to become a man. He did it to save me and you, and all of the rest of those of us who would call upon his name, from our own sins that would otherwise separate us from Him for eternity.
Two thousand years ago, in the greatest act of love, God sent his son to die on a cross, to pay the price for my sins and yours. The Bible states it this way, “God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The book of Romans chapter 5 verse 8.
Dear brother or sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, I hope you enjoy today. And if today is a hard day for you because you mourn the loss of loved ones or struggle with loneliness, I want to encourage you to take comfort in knowing that Christ, the source of all love, loved you enough to die for you. I’ll be writing a number of posts this week, in honor of a very special event in our history, and will have more on Isaiah 40 next weekend!
Beyond any doubt, because of the reality of our amazing God, and his deep love for us, there is no better definition of love.
The Jab
Once it’s your turn to get the jab, don’t take time to stop and gab, don’t be drab, grab the keys or nab a cab, as you run to the lab, It will be so fab.
I admit, I’m often short on witt, sadly my attempts at rhyme, only work some of the time.
I’ve long maintained that the single greatest achievement of the Trump Presidency was Operation Warp Speed, the effort to create the quickest possible vaccines to confront Covid 19. While no vaccine rollout in history has ever occurred without overcoming many challenges, this monumental achievement aided efforts around the world to speedily create the growing number of Covid 19 vaccinations that exist today.
It is no secret that vaccination efforts require an enormous amount of : people, time, resources, research, logistics, planning, administration, transportation, and surmounting a great many difficulties. Keep in mind that the first jab was given in the UK on 12/8, just 2 months ago.
Wow, we’ve come a long way in a very short time, but we have a long way to go. Persistence seems to be required as those aiding the rollout in various states here in the US work hard to overcome logistical hurdles. As is true on any issue regarding your health, if you have questions, about your own unique medical condition as it relates to the vaccine, please check with your doctor. The vaccines do have documented side effects that seem in keeping with the same issues faced by similar vaccines or shots.
As of the most recent data, some of which may surprise you, these are the current trends.
The United States continues to lead the world in the most doses given, at over 41,000,000 and the most people receiving at least 1 jab,at over 31,000,000.
The United Arab Emirates now edges out Israel with the highest percentage of population fully vaccinated (both jabs) at just above 41 % , with Israel just above 40%
The United Kingdom continues to be the biggest mover in a number of categories in recent weeks, and now is 3rd in the world in percentage of population to receive at least one dose. (The US is 4th) Surveys also continue to indicate that the population of the UK is the most desiring to take the vaccine when given the opportunity. If you want to see where this data comes from, go to google and type in - daily vaccine tracker.
My hope and prayer is that with the help of God, vaccination efforts around the world will continue to expand and protect more and more lives each day.
Once it’s your turn to get the jab, don’t take time to stop and gab, don’t be drab, grab the keys or nab a cab, as you run to the lab, It will be so fab.
The Altitude of God
How wonderful and incredible it is to see the world from the ‘altitude’ of God.
At 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, became the first team to summit Mount Everest. The highest point on earth, referred to as the rooftop of the world, towers at 29,032’. They saw what no human eyes had ever seen before, a stunning view of the enormity of God’s creation from the most unique observation point on earth.
To try to comprehend how incredible that is, consider Colorado’s tallest mountain, Mount Albert, at 14,440'. Take Mt. Albert x 2, and you’d be slightly taller than K2, the second tallest mountain in the world, but still shorter than Everest.
Ponder also that commercial flights generally have a maximum cruising altitude of between 31,000’ to 39,000’, just a little above Everest, to give you a feel for the jaw-dropping height of this nearly 5.5 mile high mountain.
To reach the summit of Everest is considered one of the most difficult of all human achievements. An accomplishment only possible after weeks of preparation to acclimate to extremely thin air, treacherous winds, subfreezing temperatures, the most difficult terrain imaginable, the help of guides, the use of highly specialized equipment including oxygen masks, and pushing the human body perilously close to its limits.
Even in 2021, it still remains one of the most difficult places to reach on our planet. Best I can tell, between 5000 - 6000 people have been to the top since 1953, and over 300 have died in the attempt.
This past week I’ve watched countless videos and read everything I could read about it. To see the best video I came across, go to youtube and type in, Everest - the summit climb, for an amazing 4+ minute video to give you a feel for what it’s like at 29,000+ feet. BTW, in the video, keep in mind they are walking at the absolute top of a ridge with 1000’s of feet of drop off on each side, and when they reach all the flags, they are at the top. (The picture I used for this post comes from the video.)
As formidable and magnificent as it is to reach the top of Everest, it is much more difficult and glorious to see the world from a much higher place, from the altitude of God. Although the astoundingly high altitude of 29,000’ provides unearthly views, to see the world from the perspective of God, we have to go on a much more extreme journey.
A trek impossible for mortals, yet just like the video clip provided by someone who summited Everest, scripture opens a vista that only heaven can provide. Isaiah 40: 22 states, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."
In my first article about Isaiah 40 on 9/28, I addressed how small and insignificant we are. In this 10th post, we flip the telescope in the opposite direction, looking down, from where “God sits above the circle of the earth." When we do so, we not only see the enormity of creation, but by contrast are welcomed to take in the immenseness of God.
God is enormous, overwhelming, and dwells in high and lofty splendor. From his altitude, He stretches out the heavens, like a tent to live in. Are you kidding me? To us, Everest is ‘our rooftop,' but to God, the stars of the universe are his.
To see the world from the altitude of God is both a reminder that He alone can make sense of every aspect of life and also an invitation from Him to glimpse reality through the ‘Hubble space telescope’ of his eyes, that are untethered by the limits of earth.
Take also a moment to enjoy one of my favorite songs from long ago, to help you wonder at the amazingness of God. Type in the words, - when I look to the mountains Randy Stonehill 1984 - , and enjoy the beautiful song.
Dear brother or sister in Christ, and friend along life’s journey, as you start a new week, amidst challenges and opportunities, join me, to take time to be encouraged by how wonderful and incredible it is to see the world from the ‘altitude’ of God.
The Glory of the Lord
The glory of the Lord will be revealed.
In the fall of 2020, I began an amazing journey into my favorite chapter in the BIble, Isaiah 40. At a time when I most needed a way to measure the unmeasurable, and search the unsearchable, the most exceptional section from the greatest book of all time helped light the way.
The discoveries I made not only strengthened my faith, but also helped make the incomprehensible God more comprehensible. As one finding lost treasure, a pearl of great price, or a never before discovered masterpiece by one of the world's most famous artists, I’ve been overwhelmed by the re-discovery of these most precious truths.
Truths made more resplendent by the unusual times in which we live. Join me for part nine of the series I began last September titled, “When God is big, everything becomes small.” If you missed any of my earlier posts, see my entries on 11/22, 11/8, 11/1, 10/25, 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28.
In its simplest terms, Isaiah 40 focuses on the revelation of the glory of God. Although the phrase, “the glory of God will be revealed” is not an unfamiliar concept from scripture, what does it mean?
It is the rarest combination of splendor, majesty, wonder, and awe, in the midst of an encounter with God. Transporting mortals to the outer limits of human experience, more incredible than the adrenaline rush achieved by the most extreme sports enthusiasts, because it also gives us both a taste and a glimpse of eternity. Scripture records these most sacred of all moments as the touchstones of dynamic faith.
In my first eight parts to this series written last fall, I focused primarily on the many verses in Isaiah 40 that remind us of the passing nature of our humanity. We are blooming flowers that have only short moments of splendor, and then quickly fade away. By comparison God is eternal, a flower always in bloom, a fire never extinguished, and the brightest star, so brilliant that clouds can never obscure it.
Isaiah 40:5 states, “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” How incredible and amazing, that the eternal God would choose to reveal himself to mere blips on the timeline of eternity.
I can’t help but smile, recognizing that Charles Jennens got it right, when he first linked this verse, Isaiah 40:5, to the fourth song in Handel's Messiah. Since then, millions have listened to the beautiful singing of the words, ‘and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed’ backed up by an incredible orchestral arrangement, but more importantly, they have also been exposed to the incredible truth that it proclaims. (for a very beautiful version of that song type in - And the glory of the lord shall be revealed - Gramophone Chorus - on youtube)
But are they simply nice-sounding words? An unbelieving world might say, “Dan, all you are doing is ascribing to God attributes that are bigger than you.” Perhaps, but how can the finite, postulate the infinite? Many philosophers and mystical religions have tried down through the ages.
To be fair, trying to stand at sea level, and grasp the height of Mount Everest, at 29,032 feet isn’t the easiest thing to comprehend. But that is mere child’s play compared to trying to conceive of the distance from earth to the Pleiades star cluster at 444.2 light years. And yet that too is dwarfed when we attempt to bridge a gap of far greater distance, in our attempt to understand the infinite God of all time, space, and eternity.
Join me each weekend in the coming weeks, as I explore how Isaiah 40 reveals the Glory of God, as we dig deeper into the magnificent truths proclaimed by the ancient prophet.
Dear brother or sister in Christ, or friend in life’s journey, as we face a new week of opportunities and challenges, let us seek God’s help, guidance and wisdom to navigate not only our own needs, but also those of our families, friends, communities, and nation.
Even in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, and too many difficulties to list here, I hope you can also smile with me recognizing the truth that not only does God exist, which both reality and the Biblical text confirm, but also because as Isaiah 40:5 states, “the glory of the Lord will be revealed.
Thanks, Bills!
Thank you to the amazing Buffalo Bills for a wonderful season.
You inspired Bills fans far and wide, and others, in the midst of the most unusual football season of my lifetime.
Bills Coach Sean McDermott, a super guy and incredible coach, in his post game press conference had a number of helpful comments for his team, fans, and for all of us living through this unusual time in history.
Coach stated, "This is a heck of a season, whenever you get this far. … The further you go, the harder it is to lose
...A lot has gone into this season, A lot of sacrifice because of the type of year it is, in particular because of the type of year it’s been…..
...Guys stayed together, they loved one another, they played hard for one another, and this has been a heavy lift since day one.
...I can’t thank everyone at home enough for their support in the Bills organization and outside the Bills organization because this was not done by one person obviously, for how far we’ve come.
….It’s a major step for our organization. We came up a little bit short tonight, but I’m extremely proud of the team, proud of the organization.
''' (I'm) Thankful and Proud of the Bills Mafia, (the Bills fan base) … I wish we could have had a different outcome tonight
,,,Josh (Josh Allen, our young Quarterback) is a heck of a competitor. I love that about him. I think he’ll take more steps now being in this setting tonight. That’s why it’s so critical that we were in this setting.
...At the end of the day , this is our measuring stick, if you lose an AFC Championship game, ...that’s the team we got to beat so we’ve got to do everything with that in mind this offseason."
Godspeed Coach, and thanks for making us smile. You are a class act and have built and mentored a team of champions with bright hopes for the future.
Best wishes to the Chiefs and Buc’s in the Super Bowl. I can't wait for our turn again next season!
Ask Not…
“Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”
At 2pm, on April 30th, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office to become America’s first President. An incredible moment when a new yet imperfect nation began its most sacred tradition, a peaceful transition of power. After the ceremony, Robert Livingston, who had administered the oath of office shouted, “Long live George Washington, President of the United States!", which was followed by many cheers, and a 13 gun salute.
232 years later, we will soon witness the Inauguration of our 46th President, at 12pm, this coming Wednesday. Over the past 40 years, I have been blessed to have been in Washington, D.C. on a number of these monumental days. On January 20th, 1981, Dad rounded up our family, after we had only recently moved to the D.C. area, and took us to spend the day at the first Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan.
Since then, I have been present both when the person taking the oath was someone I voted for, and when they were not the person I voted for. However, what is amazing about our nation, is that no matter who you voted for, on Inauguration Day, we as a country gather to celebrate, above any leader, our unique form of government.
We live in a nation founded on God-based liberty, where we are free to express our opinions, and to vote the dictates of our conscience. We are also welcomed to debate the integrity of this, or any election, in hopes of protecting the fragile and sacred bonds of trust bestowed on us by previous generations. However, on Inauguration Day, we unite as a nation, behind our new leaders, whether we voted for them or not, laying aside the past, in the hopes of a brighter future.
January 20th is also a special day in our family because it is Sunny’s birthday. She was not only born in Washington, D.C on an Inauguration Day, but she and all of our six children have accompanied me to at least one Inauguration. As such, going to Inaugurations, and celebrating Sunny’s birthday have become not only a family tradition, but also a time to show support for our nation, no matter who we voted for.
The photo is from the 2009 Inauguration of President Obama, see me in the crowd? OK, I’m kidding but I was there, way down the mall near the Smithsonian castle. It was so cold that morning that my daughter Rachel wrote a report about it later, and stated several times in the midst of her description of the day, I was cold, I was cold , I was cold. Cold or not, it was, and always is incredible to be there. Regrettably, due to the pandemic and requests by D.C. officials, my family and I won’t be there this Wednesday, as we, and most other Americans will be watching this year’s events virtually.
Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, both a federal holiday, set aside to honor the incredible life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. and it is part of this year’s Inaugural events, designated as a national day of service. In that regard, I’d like to encourage you to join me today, remembering and honoring the legacy of Dr King, and also taking time today, or this week to serve your local community.
In light of both the deep traditions of our nation, and current challenges we are facing, Please join me this week to pray for :
- God’s ongoing comfort, strength, and help, regarding Covid - 19
- A peaceful week befitting our most sacred traditions
- President elect Biden, Vice President elect Harris, and their families, as they soon begin serving our nation as President and Vice President
- President Trump, Vice President Pence, and their families, as they transition to life after four years of serving us in our nation’s highest offices.
- Our amazing nation, and the needs of individuals, families, towns, cities, and all of our 50 states
On January 20th, 1961, in his Inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy spoke the immortal words that we would do well to bring to mind this week, and to share anew with our children, and grandchildren,
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”
50 lbs. Later
I can’t help but smile knowing that two years ago today, I began an amazing journey, thanks to God, Dr Greg Gelburd, and Sunny.
On January 16, 2019, I had an appointment with Dr Greg, a dear friend and brother in Christ. Little did I know that appointment on that wonderful Wednesday afternoon would begin a revolution in my life. Dr Greg made the simple suggestion that if I missed three meals a week, I could lose weight. I decided to give it a try.
Four and a half months later, I had lost 50 pounds, and in the process discovered what I refer to as the superpower of intermittent fasting.
Two years later, I’m still thrilled to be on the journey, and remain an advocate of intermittent fasting.
Although there are a number of ways to do it, over the past two years, I’ve developed my own approach and hope one day to finish a book on the subject. In the meantime, my post is also an offer to anyone out there who has questions on what has become such an amazing addition to my life.
Feel free to contact me, as this radical improvement in my health isn’t just for me.
I’m also thankful to Sunny, as she’s supported me every step of the way. She also listens, at least I think she does, when I share my excitement or disappointment each day.
To be clear, I don’t have all the answers, but I have learned a lot by trial and error, which I hope can help others.
May God bless you with a wonderful day today, even in the midst of many challenges.
Let’s Pray for Our Nation
Let us pray for our nation
As the time in office for one leader soon will end,
And the time for another will soon begin.
Let us pray - for our nation
As we continue to deal with the daily and ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
Let us pray - for our nation
As individuals, families, communities, and we as a nation, seek the wisdom of God for the yet unknown challenges and opportunities of 2021.
Let us pray - for our nation
As we carefully and gently express our differences, in the country with the longest standing form of government in the world.
Let us pray - for our nation
As each of us seeks to make this world, a better, safer, hopeful, and more peaceful place for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
Let us pray - for our nation
As you start a new day, amidst the joys and challenges that it will present
Let us pray - for our nation
Let us pray, for our nation
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Join me, and take time today to celebrate the ‘early’ arrival of 2021!
Often when I get going in the morning, I check in with live Skynews for a few minutes on the internet @ news.sky.com to see what is happening across the pond.
Not long ago, I was treated to an unexpected surprise. I smiled, and even woke up Sunny early to view the live fireworks with me from Auckland, New Zealand. It was at 6am, Eastern Standard time, but for them, it was the start of 2021! The photo I posted is from the fireworks that just took place there.
As I watched, Psalm 90:12, also came to mind, which states, ‘So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.’
It is no secret, 2020 has been a rough year. Although none of us knows what 2021 holds, I’m thankful to know the one who knows the future, and who reminds us, to take account of our days, and to live them with wisdom.
Sydney Australia is next on the list, if you’ d like to watch an amazing live 2021 fireworks display, at 8am EST. Today is going to be a short 7 minute display that should be amazing, and of course many others will follow around the world. You can see it on Skynews but I bet other networks will also cover it.
Here’s hoping my WVU guys can win their bowl game later today, and in a much bigger way, may God bless each one of you with a wonderful start to the new year!
Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas!
I still recall the moment that I first heard the song, We are the Reason, by David Meece. I was an RA at West Virginia University, and two of my residents invited me to their room and played the song for me.
As I listened, I was deeply touched, and I’m not sure that they knew at that moment that it was the first contemporary Christian song I had ever heard. For that reason, it holds an extremely special place in my life.
Although I have loved music since childhood, and learned to play the piano, and later, sang in a choir in middle school, We are the Reason was the song that opened the floodgates.
It was the song that matched my new focus and passion in life - God.
The lyrics to the song are:
As little children, we would dream of Christmas morn
And all the gifts and toys, we knew we'd find
But we never realized, a Baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives
We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
As the years went by, we learned more about gifts
And giving of ourselves, and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day, a Man hung crying in the rain
Because of love, because of love
And we were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
I finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do, every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for him
And we are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
He is our reason to live
Wow, David Meece nailed it. Please take a moment today to listen to this song that has come to mean so much to me, as it is my favorite Christmas song.
I was and remain thankful to God, for the song, and the reality it proclaims, that We are the reason.
May God bless you with a wonderful Christmas eve!
History and Light
History and light remind us of our need for the Savior.
Three nights ago, as I drove home, I made a quick decision to park my vehicle and dash for the riverbank. I hoped to capture the amazing nuances of light displayed by the setting sun in the sky above, and mirrored on the tranquil waters of the James River below, in lovely Scottsville, Virginia. This photo and video were the result.
Early yesterday morning I also commented to Sunny, who adores our family Christmas tree, how amazed I was by light, even when it is created by something as ‘simple’ as the tiny light bulbs strung on our tree.
As incredible and beautiful as light can be, long ago, an ancient prophet used it to help us understand the magnitude of a momentous and magnificent moment in history. He stated in Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Let’s take a moment to try to put this in perspective, by also looking at two historic events from this past week.
Wednesday morning, I remarked to my children that older generations remember December 7th, as Pearl Harbor Day, recalling how the United States base at Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941, by the empire of Japan, and drew America into World War ll, the costliest war in history. And that younger generations will remember December 8th, 2020, as the day a vaccine began to be given to the public to combat the Covid -19 pandemic.
On Wednesday morning December 8th, at 1:31 am EST, Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 this week, became the first person in the world to be given the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine outside of a trial. She said the ‘jab,’ as the British call it, was the "best early birthday present.”
The good news for those of us living ‘across the pond’ is that with the OK from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this past Friday, trucks will begin to roll out this morning to deliver the vaccine across the US. The first recipients will receive it early this week. As incredible, wonderful, and game-changing as this development is, it also provides a ‘redemptive analogy,’ reminding us again of the eternal significance of what we will soon celebrate on December 25th.
At times we think of Christmas as a day focused on giving, (usually) a time for families to gather, or the kindness of a man dressed in a red suit who utilizes an unusual form of transportation. However, let us be careful not to miss what Christmas really is.
More significant than the costliest war in history, or even the release of a game changing vaccine, the birth of the Savior of humanity, his amazing love for us, and his death, burial, and resurrection, provided every man, woman, or child, the basis for the forgiveness of sins.
A message just as incredible and necessary in the difficult days of 2020, as it was when the angel first said to shepherds long ago, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Dear brother or sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we start a new week, mindful both of its opportunities and challenges, let us take a moment to smile, as many did across the UK last week, as they watched history unfold. It is now our turn in the US, as the vaccine will begin the earliest phase of distribution.
However, let us also be mindful of an even more monumental moment in history, and be ready to celebrate it again, in just 12 days, as we joyfully recall that the Savior of the world has indeed come. And let us smile as we recognize that history and light remind us of our need for the Savior.
Heaven Rules
Heaven rules, and only a heavenly king can save us.
This past week, I took a short detour from my ongoing study in Isaiah 40, and did some research in the Book of Daniel - a divergence that seemed both timely related to our nation and also to the ongoing “politics of heaven.”
In Daniel chapter 1, God allows a heathen nation to conquer Jerusalem and take captives. This sad moment in history is one of many evidences in scripture when God allows an event to take place that doesn’t make sense to us, but where God is still at work. Later In the book of Daniel, verse 4:26, God confronts that same king, taking time to educate him on the supremacy of God’s rulership of all time, space, and eternity. The eternal, almighty, everlasting, and infinite, King of all Kings, reminds this finite, fragile, and short-lived human king that his earthly reign will remain “after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules.”
Frequently, when mortals approach the intersection of faith and politics, we take a ‘fait accompli’ approach, a view that relegates God to the side of whatever is happening at the moment. An approach that is often unhelpful and inaccurate, both in theology and in history.
From Genesis, the first book in the Bible, to the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible, God’s holy word proclaims the reality that God is the only eternal King, and that Heaven rules.
We mortals make far too much of our human rulers, especially the ones we most admire. Oh to be sure, they have influence, and the decisions that they make can bring great good or great harm to their nation. However, their impact on history is not only short lived, flawed, short sighted, but often overrated.
No matter if you voted for President Trump, President-elect Biden, or someone else a few weeks ago, we would be wise never to overestimate the influence of a human leader, nor to underestimate the eternal, almighty, and powerful King of Heaven. If you voted for our President-elect, take your time to enjoy his time in the sun, and if you were on the losing side this time, take time to smile as you recall the many great accomplishments our President achieved since 2016.
Rest assured, God has been at work in history, not only over the past 4 years, but throughout all of history, and will continue to impact the kingdoms of this earth until as it says in Revelation 15:11, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ”
In a few weeks, we will again celebrate the arrival of the heavenly King, the only one who can save us from our sins, open the doors of eternity, and one day create a new heaven and a new earth. We will also all be invited to join with the angels of old who first proclaimed, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, Christ the Lord.”
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as you face the challenges and opportunities of a new week, and with ongoing vigilance to confront the pandemic, I hope you can also smile along with me, knowing that heaven rules, and only a heavenly King can save us.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Take a minute to enjoy this Thanksgiving greeting and a short dive into history! It is a very brief three-minute look at the history of Thanksgiving in the U.S. and a Thanksgiving wish to you and your family.
Give Thanks
Give thanks to our Creator for His artistry displayed in the world around us and that we witness in our daily lives.
This is part eight in a series titled, When God is Big, Everything Else is Small -- from Isaiah chapter 40. If you missed any of my other posts, see my FB entries on 11/8, 11/1, 10/25, 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. This series will continue through November.
For the past 20 years, My family and I have lived in central Virginia. In this gorgeous part of the country, we are blessed with beautiful Springs, sensational summers, fantastic falls, and usually mild winters. A dramatically different climate from where I grew up in Hamburg, New York, which averages 106 inches of snow each year due to its proximity to Lake Erie and a weather phenomenon known as ‘lake effect’ snow.
Here in Scottsville, where we only average 14 inches of snow each year, this past week, we experienced our first “hard frost.” A weather event when the temperature drops below 28 degrees, and marks the end of the growing season, a harbinger of the coming winter. Sadly, the zinnias and cana lilies, that had still been in bloom in our yard, and many other plants, did not survive, a yearly reminder of both the fragility of life and limitations in the natural world around us.
As fragrant, lovely, and inspiring, as flowers can be at their zenith of beauty, they last but a moment, and then they are gone. Long ago, the ancient prophet reminded us that we, our rulers, all nations, and even the loveliest of things in nature, are short lived, and insignificant in comparison to God. A reminder that God is big, and that everything else is very, very, small.
In Isaiah 40:6-9, He compares an aspect of our lives to the flowers of the field, when he states, ‘A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; The people are indeed grass! The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
Even when we highlight our greatest attributes, highest achievements, and loftiest intentions, we are like the flowers, in their glorious short-lived splendor, and also quickly fade away. Oh to be sure, due to the amazing love of God, He not only gives us the ability to enjoy the beauty and wonder of life's most magnificent moments, but He also deeply desires that we take time to fully partake in them. When we do so, we can again be reminded of the greatness of God, and that when we recognize that he is big, and that we are small, life is put in its proper perspective.
Dear brother or sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we begin this Thanksgiving week, take time to ponder how similar we are to the flowers, in their amazing yet passing glories.
A helpful perspective on eternity, and everyday living, brought to us from Isaiah 40, that reminds us that when God is big, everything else is small. I hope you can take time this week in the midst of work, family events, cooking, and being careful in the midst of the pandemic, to “stop and smell the roses.”
I also hope that we as individuals, families, communities, and as a nation, will give thanks to our Creator for His artistry displayed in the world around us and that we witness in our daily lives.
An Amazing Moment
An amazing moment from the epidemic of 1863 provides inspiration for today.
Today marks the anniversary of one of the greatest speeches in history, the Gettysburg Address. In less than five minutes, President Lincoln reminded Americans who we were as a nation and why we were continuing to fight.
At age 57, I often smile and reflect on the time I took, now over 22 years ago, to memorize his precious words honoring those who bled and died at Gettysburg.
In recent years, historians have brought to light that President Lincoln actually gave the speech after having contracted smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in human history. As impacting as Covid 19 is, smallpox was much more devastating.
A disease that claimed the lives of countless millions over thousands of years until it was eliminated, late in the 20th century. Sadly, William Henry Johnson, President Lincoln’s assistant, a free African American, died two months later from the dreaded disease.
The speech closes with these words:
“We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Smile with me today, as you take a moment to recognize that our 16th President gave this amazing speech at the same time that he personally, and our nation, were battling an epidemic.
May his words give us courage to face a new day, even in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, to live up to the highest ideals of our nation, seeking the help of God in the process.
And let us take time today to remember an amazing moment during the epidemic of 1863 that provides inspiration for today.
Thank you!
Thank you, Veterans, for your service to our nation!
Thank you, Veterans, for your preparation and willingness, to be far from home, from those nearest and dearest to you.
Thank you, Veterans, when America depended on you, you kept us safe, free, and able to live our normal lives.
Thank you, Veterans, for the wounds suffered on the battlefield, and the traumas endured during and long after the battle, to support the cause of freedom.
Thank you, Veterans, for the weight you carry as you shoulder difficult memories, please know that a grateful nation stands with you, to also help lift up your burdens.
Thank you, also, to families of Veterans, for the many sacrifices you have made, as your loved one served the rest of us.
Thank you Veterans, although this is only one day, please know that we as a nation would not have survived, and will not survive, without you.
May God bless, help, and guide each one of you, as our country takes a special day to say Thank you!
Thank you!
Is it Time to Compare?
Is it time to compare?
Although it looks like, by most accounts, that the guy I voted for as president came in 2nd place, God not only still holds the preeminent place in the universe, but the events of the past week provide a great opportunity to repeat a question first asked by the ancient prophet, “To whom will you compare God?”
This is part seven in a series from Isaiah chapter 40, my favorite chapter in the Bible. If you missed any of my other posts, see my entries on 11/1, 10/25, 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. The series has centered on the theme, “When God is big, everything else is small.” Insights from the Prophet Isaiah that can help us face Covid - 19, events in our nation and world, and the challenges in our personal lives.
First in my mind, 8 years ago today, I was with my dad, when he passed from this life to eternity. An event unlike any other, a day of grief, and a moment frozen in time. A time when the mysteries of life itself are laid bare, in the cold reality of the loss of a loved one.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, 11 years ago, on November 6, 2009, John joined our family. Two nights ago, we celebrated John’s “gotcha day,” and our great joy when this now 19 year old first became our son. What an amazing thing it is to adopt, to step into a larger world, to add a child, one of God’s greatest gifts, to our family.
Back to Isaiah 40, I have smiled on and off this week, even in the midst of uncertainties, and a lot going on in our nation and in my life, as I have pondered how the words of the prophet Isaiah speak to us today. Verses 18 and 25, ask the following: “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?”
“To whom then will you compare Me that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
As I have pondered these questions, I have been thinking about the nine times I have been in Washington, D.C. to witness a Presidential Inauguration. I’m hoping to be there again, many more times in the future, no matter who is inaugurated, on any given January 20th.
In my view, the inauguration of an American president is the most amazing political moment in the world. OK, maybe I’m biased. However, even given that I’m deeply patriotic, highly political, and an extreme fan of the red, white and blue, why the thoughts on the inauguration as related to Isaiah 40?
At one of those inaugurations, on January 20th, 2001, I watched President Bush’s motorcade travel down Pennsylvania Avenue. I was thrilled to see the guy that I voted for now as president, the same feeling others of you have experienced, or are even experiencing this week.
However, at that same moment, I realized as wonderful as it was, it was insignificant compared to what the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, experiences in heaven, every day. I realized, by comparison, the best we have to offer on this side of the veil of eternity, is billions of times less significant, than the majesty, glory, and splendor of the beauty of heaven. By comparison, there really is no comparison.
Don’t get me wrong, I still am an inauguration geek, and hope to be there again in January. However, the more I pondered that cold day in 2001, and the days and years since that event, it has helped me to put things in perspective. A reminder, that we, our rulers, all nations, and even all of nature, are insignificant compared to God. A recognition that, when God is big, everything else becomes small.
If you haven’t done so before, set some time aside to consider, or re-consider the questions asked by the Prophet Isaiah. Take a moment to answer the question, to whom will you compare God?
You can use politics, you might try science, or perhaps use the natural world to try to compare God. In that effort, God might be compared to : the prettiest flower, biggest tree, tallest mountain, deepest valley, widest ocean, brightest star, most distant galaxy, etc.
No matter what you or I use to try to compare Him, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of Him in the process. When we finite humans attempt to study the infinite, our eyes can be opened in new ways as we seek to ‘measure’ how big, amazing, and awesome, He really is.
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we face a new week, and as you smile or frown given the election results, and the challenges and opportunities in your life, and in your family, I hope you will take time to ponder the amazingness of God. Keep in mind, that when God is big, everything else becomes small. Take time also to ask the same questions asked by the ancient prophet, “Is it time to compare?”
When God is Big, Everything Else Becomes Small
When God is big, everything else becomes small.
Isaiah 40, my favorite chapter in the Bible, focuses on the “bigness,” or the greatness, of God. God is great, because his power, splendor, majesty, wisdom, strength, glory, mercy, peace, grace, and love surpass, overwhelm and envelope existence and eternity.
This is part six in a series on Isaiah chapter 40. If you missed any of my other posts, see my FB entries on 10/25, 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. This series will also continue through November.
Isaiah 40 proclaims the greatness of God, first reminding us that each of us, our rulers, all nations, and even the entirety of creation are small, insignificant, and even inconsequential, in comparison to God. Not flattering facts for my ego, yet truth so resplendent and potent, it has the power to level mountains, and any distraction, distortion, or any disorientation, that might blind me to the enormous reality of God.
When God is big, everything else becomes small.
However, throughout the ages, we humans have had a very difficult time trying to understand the Almighty. In our flailing efforts, we often create false notions of God, because the truth about Him is far beyond our ability to grasp or imagine.
In 2012, John and Helen Taylor drove 1626 miles on one tank of fuel, with an impressive 84 miles per gallon. On that trip, they not only broke the world record, but they remind us that fuel efficiency matters, and our efforts to improve it are important in an ever-shrinking world.
However, as incredible as that was, the best human engineers can’t even conceive of a car that can drive a trillion miles without refueling, a number so vast, it is beyond our understanding. A car that can drive 1,000,000,000,000 miles without a refill vs. one that can drive 1626 miles, isn’t even a helpful comparison. That is the dilemma we run into when we try to comprehend God.
Due to our desperate need to ‘right size’ the awesomeness of God, if we aren’t careful, we can, and often do, create idols, in the place of God. An idol is not only a false representation of the true nature of God, but is something we have been strongly admonished not to create, not only in the Ten Commandments, but also in many other places in scripture.
In ancient times, people worshipped idols, trying to appease the unknown, things they could not comprehend, or things that they feared. Idols also represented false values or concepts that were or are held deeply in our hearts, in a place reserved for God alone.
Isaiah 40:18-20 states, "To whom then will you liken God?
Or what likeness will you compare with Him? As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith fashions chains of silver. He who is too impoverished for such an offering selects a tree that does not rot; He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to prepare an idol that will not totter."
I throw no rocks at anyone in this regard, as I am all too aware that I also live in a glass house. I recognize my own tendency to downsize God, into a smaller ‘god’ that I can understand, instead of the real God who at times upends my world. Thankfully, dear ones, God loves each of us so immensely, that he came into this world and died to not only free us from our sins, but also that we might truly know Him.
Isaiah 40 also reminds me to have an increased compassion for the atheists, agnostics, and those who attempt to approach God by other means. Without God having revealed himself to me, I would still be in a similar search in an often confusing universe. To be clear, I don’t have all the answers to the mysteries of existence, but I live each day in a personal relationship with the One who does.
When God is big, and when I am blown away by Him, and His incredible and amazing love, the world, and those around me look very different. When God is big, I realize that we are all fellow sojourners on earth, and compared to God, we are tiny, and as such, we would be wise to be careful and even protective of the way that we treat each other.
When God is big, I mean really really big, everything else becomes small.
I hope it is as helpful for you as it has been for me, to savor the amazing truths offered each of us in Isaiah 40. This week, as our nation votes, we would do well to approach the great and amazing God with tremendous humility, and at the same time, with an equal sense of humility as we approach each other.
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we face a brand new set of challenges and opportunities, and an important week in the history of our nation, let us approach it with prayer, and an extreme sense of humility, as we remember,
When God is big, everything else becomes small.
“Here is your God!”
When we see ourselves, our rulers, all nations, and the scope and breadth of all creation, as of little consequence, we are beginning to grasp the powerful yet painful truths proclaimed in the Bible. When all else is gone, there is only God.
This is part five in a series on Isaiah chapter 40, my favorite chapter in the Bible. If you missed any of my other posts, see my FB entries on 10/18, 10/11, 10/5, and 9/28. This series will also continue into November.
Why is it important to see ourselves, nature, and much of the realm of existence, as inconsequential? When we do, we are able to get a clearer glimpse of God.
Normally, harmful radiation keeps us from staring directly at the sun. However, on August 21, 2017, millions of people had a rare chance to look straight at a solar eclipse. Through the use of ISO 12312-2 standard approved solar glasses, people were able to look, at great length, at our nearest star without damaging their eyes.
Long ago, the prophet Isaiah provided far more powerful “supernatural eclipse glasses” - protective eyewear that enabled countless generations to more clearly see and comprehend the Son of God. These eternal eclipse glasses filter out things far more harmful than mere solar radiation, for without them, we would find it extremely difficult to look directly at the Almighty.
With those glasses on and all obstacles removed, only then, Isaiah states, Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9.
As a celestial and stellar communicator, Isaiah’s powerful and practical pointers on how to proclaim the greatest news ever told, even outshine those most eloquent on earth. He reminds us, that when proclaiming the most important news of all, it is not only wise to use the most effective tools, but also important to become proficient in doing so.
In our social media era, his advice on how to share the message might sound like this -- (1) find a platform, where people can see and hear you clearly, (2) speak loudly, carefully and with great confidence, (3) don’t be intimidated or afraid, and (4) tell everyone that God really exists!
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ, or friend along life’s journey, as we face a brand new set of challenges and opportunities at the start of the week, first, let’s put on “eternal eclipse glasses” that will enable us to filter out the many things that get in the way of our ability to see God.
Second, let us smile knowing that in just two months, we will again celebrate the arrival of the Awesome and incredible son of God, in a lowly manager.
And Third, let us look for opportunities to ponder and to pronounce, in situations small and great, and both far and near, the incredible truth long ago identified in Isaiah 40, that no matter what circumstance you or I are in, or those around us, let us proclaim, “Here is your God!”
A lovely D.C. Day
What a lovely day with such a lovely lady!
On Sunday, Sunny and I made a quick trip up to DC to scope out the sites! We also had a wonderful time visiting with Caleb and doing some filming at the Iwo Jima Memorial and other locations.
I made a quick stop to get a picture of my beautiful bride at the 'Floral Library.' In case you don't know about it, the Floral Library is a garden planted by the National Park Service each year near the Tidal Basin. Early in the spring, amazing tulips grab your attention; later in the season, they replant. She is pictured next to some yellow and red canas, and other wonderful flowers. Check it out next time you are in DC, especially in the early spring.
If you'd like to see some of the video clips from our visit to Washington, or want to know what touring in DC looks like at the moment, go to youtube, type in my name, October 2020, and DC.
It was encouraging to see more and more sites re-opening, even in the midst of the pandemic. I can't wait to go back and see more some time soon!
What a lovely day with such a lovely lady!