I've been thinking about resistance...

Ungovernable or Assaulted?

I read an article by a commentator who says she believes that Americans have become "ungovernable" because we are too focused on ourselves and our greed. I reacted to the article when I read it because, although I think greed is a factor in many lives, it is not something I struggle with personally.

After carefully examining my reaction, the word "assault" came to mind. An assault is defined as a violent physical or verbal attack. We all know cases where an assault was carried off with terrible consequences and, therefore, we know threats are real and need to be taken seriously.

There is also a nuance of the word which means an apparently violent attempt to do hurt to another without actually doing the hurt threatened (as by lifting the fist in a threatening manner.) To illustrate this kind of threat, let me relay an experience that happened to our family recently at Disneyland, which as you know markets itself as the happiest place on earth.

Our family was enjoying Disneyland in early December with our son Kent's family. One night, we took over a couple of tables in the wharf area of California Adventure to have dinner. After spreading out to retrieve different kinds of food, we gathered to sit down and eat together.

While we were busy getting organized, two young men sat down in vacant chairs at the end of our table. When Kent got up to help our grandson, Ethan, who is three years old, with his food, the two men made direct eye contact with him. Then, with the knowledge that they had Kent's full attention, they began to hold hands, nuzzle and kiss each other.

Needless to say, we were all caught off guard by their blatant behavior. After an interchange where we suggested they find another table (because we were here first - so to speak), they glared at us and would not budge. Faced with a no-win situation, we quickly decided to remove ourselves to another table nearby. However, even after we moved, and probably because we chose to move, they continued to glare at us, calling us narrow-minded because of our lack of tolerance.

And then growing even more angry, one said that he had been an employee of Disney and that he knew how to get us thrown out of the park. To show he meant business, he called over a park employee, complained about our behavior, and asked the employee to report the incident to security.

Much to our amazement that the situation could escalate to this degree, two security guards showed up at the scene. One, a lower level employee, simply attempted to hear each side of the story while the other decked out, more intimidating guard, stood about 25 feet away monitoring the situation. As it turned out, the threat to have us removed from the park did not materialize, but the assault upon our values and the intended threat lingers to this day.

So, why am I part of a growing resistance to a morally bankrupt liberal agenda? Because I have been personally threatened by two men who desired to hurt our family and who, upon even more reflection, apparently targeted us for this very purpose. It is a shocking but true reminder once again that we will not remain untouched as Christian conservatives. We may even be assaulted in the most innocent of situations.

I've been thinking about beauty...

Beauty: Something that Excites the Senses

Christmas is a season of beauty for me. With the name Holly, I have a particular interest in a season that exalts beauty. Beauty is the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses. A close relative to beauty is the word LOVELINESS, which even gives pleasure in speaking it aloud. Something is beautiful to us then when it excites aesthetic pleasure.

My thoughts about beauty, as with any subject, eventually lead me back to the foundation and clarity of God's Word. And so, in honor of the loveliness of the holidays, here are some very tangible ways I can say that beauty excites my senses:

Beauty speaks.
Beauty expresses itself clearly through godly character -
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4 (ESV)

Beauty invites.
Beauty requests an RSVP to the opportunity of a lifetime -
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says in Zion, "Your God reigns." Isaiah 52:7 (ESV)

Beauty nourishes.
Beauty gives and gives, sacrifically, even to the point of excess -
And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble this woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me." Matthew 26:8-10 (ESV)

Beauty comforts.
Beauty encourages and strengthens as it soothes, relieves and heals -
To grant to those who mourn in Zion -
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 (ESV)

Beauty inspires.
Beauty finds its origin in God's attributes and dwells in His presence -
Spendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Psalm 96:6 (ESV)

Beauty is transcendent.
Beauty exists beyond our reality and ability to comprehend -
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)

Beauty draws us to God!
Beauty entices and arouses hopes and desires -
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

Beauty is not only pleasing to my mind, soul and senses, but even more importantly, it will remain for all eternity - grand, fruitful, lasting and strong - because God instituted it and maintains it. That excites me!

I've been thinking about time...

Remember to Carpe the Diem!

Gather ye rosebuds while you may,

Old time is still a-flying,

And this same flower that smiles today

Tomorrow will be dying.

-Robert Herrick

Carpe diem is a descriptive term used for literature that urges readers to live for the moment. It originates from the Latin phrase "seize the day," used by Horace. This seize-the-day concept is exemplified by the familiar stanza from Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" which I quoted above.

The same idea can be found in a rich passage of Scripture found in Ephesians 5:15 & 16 which says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

The phrase, "making the best use of" is very engaging. The translation from the Greek language can mean to "redeem" or "purchase." With this thought in mind, we as Christians are to take advantage of every opportunity to do good. And, because wisdom regarding the pathway to holiness is not immediately clear to us in our culture today, we must stop and reflect upon God's Word with a sincere desire to discern His holy will.

The apostle Paul goes on to add in verse 17, "Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is." Paul understands that God has supplied everything we need to know about living a godly life in the general guidelines that we find scattered all throughout His Word.

Recently, I found that I had gotten a little rusty handling the "sword of the Word." I realized once again that the ability to research, remind and refresh ourselves from His Word is a wonderful gift from God. Thank goodness His Word is stable and consistent so that I always have a plumb line to return to for processing the pressing needs in my life.

Especially during this time of thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to formally thank God for His wonderful provision and praise Him for the loving-kindness that creates in Him the desire to love and guide us, His fragile sons and daughters!

O Lord, help us to remember to carpe the diem!

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom," Psalm 90:12.