“Great perils have this beauty, that they bring to light the fraternity of strangers.” Victor Hugo October 1989. The third game of the World Series. San Francisco and Oakland…”The Bay Bridge Series.” At five o’clock the nation watched as a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit California and rocked the stadium. The World Series was postponed for ten days. Ground liquefied, homes destroyed, freeways collapsed, bridges failed, and roads crumbled. I was under my desk, thanks to earthquake drills in grammar school. When I came out ceiling tiles lay across desks, bookshelves were strewn across the floor, and walls had broken away from the retrofitted earthquake pillars. In less than a minute, millions of people in three western states and Mexico were shaken to attention. The sun was setting on a chilly October evening. My 40 minutes commute became hours. Although the roads were packed with people wanting to connect with family, surprisingly there wasn’t gridlock. Every intersection became a four-way stop, and people were graciously allowing common courtesy to reign. One sight I’ll never forget was a Boy Scout—maybe 12 or 13 years old—standing in the middle of a very large intersection directing traffic with a flashlight. Unlike any other time in all my experience driving in the San Francisco Bay Area, every driver was patiently waiting their turn. We were all courteous to this young man who was doing his part to allay some of the chaos. In the weeks and months following the quake, it was common to hear people discussing their experiences. During these talks I usually would hear a comment about how ‘friendly’ or ‘kind’ or ‘peaceful’ it was in those initial weeks. Ideologies that separate us were not an issue; we all came together to help and support each other. These conversations usually ended with, “Why can’t we be kind to each other all the time?” This reminded me of the song we learned when I was a Girl Scout: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now. With every step I take let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment and live each moment, in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Are you hungry for a little kindness in your school/work place/neighborhood? Do we have to wait for another crisis to enjoy common curtesy? What will you do today to take the first step?
Lord, I’m certain you did not intend for us to have so little peace among neighbors, co-workers, and strangers; give me the courage to let common courtesy and peace begin with me. Amen “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Victor Hugo (1802-1885), a French poet, novelist, dramatist, journalist, artist, politician and Peer of France. He is considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers. Of his 78 published works, outside France he is best known for Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
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“Of course it’s not possible to experience constant euphoria, but if you’re grateful you can find happiness in everything.” Pharrell Williams The Oroville dam’s main spillway was severely damaged. It could not release water as fast as rivers poured in. When the dam was full the emergency spillway failed after only a few hours causing five towns to be evacuated in case the dam might also fail. People took the shortest route to higher ground. Roads were packed. Families were separated. Parents had to trust that schools and daycare workers were getting their children to safety. I cried listening to the evening news, hearing mothers’ pleas to re-connect with their children. Days later after the water level was lowered and people were allowed to return, my friend posted a picture of an amazing rainbow—the biblical reminder to look at the bigger picture, that God is still in control. After the damage was surveyed, Oroville’s mayor was on the news with encouraging news. So much earth had been washed downstream they were preparing for a veritable gold rush—Oroville is Spanish for ‘city of gold.’ The very next report on the news was that the ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada Mountains expect to stay open until July 4th. For resorts that suffered so much during the drought years, this is exceptional. For me, Pharrell’s comment doesn’t dismiss the tragedies, instead it causes me to look for the silver lining in the storm clouds. It reminds me to turn away from the constant temptation to worry and look for something to be grateful for. As Francis Anfuso said, “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its problems, worry empties today of its peace.”
So when the next storm comes—and it will come—illness, financial, children, loss, change, or weather; I will remember the rainbow and look for something to be grateful for, rather than be tempted to worry. Is there a storm cloud in your life that's stealing your peace and Happy-ness? Are you worrying about a cloud on the horizon? What concern is tempting you to worry today, and how will you avoid collapsing under the pressure of the temptation? Lord, thank You for rainbows that remind me to focus on the bigger picture, be grateful, and enjoy the Happy-ness. Amen “When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Genesis 9:16a, John 16:33b “Friendship…is a relation between mankind at their highest level of individuality.” C.S. Lewis I just got back from a writer’s conference. At one point another writer approached me and said she had read one of my short stories. She told me how much she enjoyed it. That was a first. I had never before had anyone approach me with a comment like that. A certain kind of joy surged through me knowing that God had used me, through something I wrote, to bless someone else. Later that same morning the singer/songwriter, Josiah James, who was leading worship at the conference, shared his story about meeting Lincoln Brewster, and of Lincoln asking to record Made New, one of the songs he had written. Then he shared the incredible feeling he had when he began to hear his song on the radio. “He’s a writer, too,” I thought, “he knows what it’s like to be published.” We had both labored over our creations, both hoping and praying they would one day glorify God and bless others. We had both felt the amazing honor that God bestows on those who answer the call to use our gifts in service to others. At that moment it felt as if a non-metallic alloy had soldered our souls together, we were connected by a common experience. I still had not spoken to him, nor did I need to. I felt a sort of kinship, a friendship with him as a fellow artist—a songwriter and a writer—both serving God with our gifts.
Are you aware of the gifts God has given you? Do you practice those talents so that one day you might use them to serve God? What will you do today to progress along the path of blessing others with you talents? Lord, thank You for the affirmation that someone actually reads my words and is blessed by them; it helps me know I’m on the right tract, following Your call to write for Your glory. Amen “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” I Peter 4:10 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, lay theologian, lecturer and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities (1925-63). Although most all of his published works (in four genres) are still in print, he is best known for The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, Miracles, and The Problem of Pain. “If cares and worries and fears and discouragement have gained ascendancy in your mind, then you need to open the windows of your soul and let a strong fresh current of hope come surging through.” Norman Vincent Peale “Good morning. How are you?” “I’m great, thanks," I lied, "How you doin’?” as I accepted a bulletin on my way into church. Sometimes I can hardly drag myself to church. My quiet times seem especially quiet, like God forgot to show up. I find a seat in church and join the singing. Knowing the words allows me to not engage, I just people watch. Then something happens…we sing the second or third verse and I have to pay attention to the words. Worship breaks through my fog and the song speaks to my situation. I see myself in the lyrics. The realization that I’m not the only one strikes me. The writer of the song understands. The chorus comes and a tear escapes the corner of my eye. My voice increases a few decibels as my singing becomes my cry to God for help:
The song ends. I open my eyes, my cheeks wet with tears. The room is filled with light as if the sun came out from behind the clouds and illuminated the stained glass windows into my soul. God met me in worship. I am not alone.
Are your quiet times too quiet? Are you weighed down by burdens, without answers? What music will you turn on now to open the windows to your soul? Lord, thank You for blessing the musicians who write the songs that in turn bless me with truth, and remind me of Your love and care. Amen “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Psalm 100:1-2 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993), an American minister and author, most notable for his book The Power of Positive Thinking. He began a radio ministry that ran for 54 years and included television when it became available. He also co-founded Guideposts magazine, which today is one of the largest circulation Christian publications in the world. “Christian hope is an optimistic assurance that something will be fulfilled…a guaranteed hope, not subject to change, anchored in our unchangeable Savior and Lord.” June HuntWhen I was a new believer we occasionally sang, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” I didn’t pay much attention to the words at that time. I would just put on my Sunday clothes, my Sunday smile, and sing the Sunday songs.
Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely loved Jesus, but I didn’t know Him very well yet. As a new believer my life was already so much better than before I knew God. I wasn't looking for a deeper relationship, but I hadn’t yet experienced disappointment. When I said things like, “all my hopes and dreams,” I said it as if the two words were synonymous. It’s only recently that the truth of this quote spoke to me and gave me a wake-up call. My desires—to published my book, to have happy grandchildren, to take a vacation in Oxford, England—are actually just dreams…not hopes. When I make them a hope, I set myself up for disappointment. And, when my 'mislabeled hopes' are not fulfilled, it gives me a reason to question God because I mistakenly think He has not been faithful. When I’m clear on what is a hope and what is a dream, I can rest assured that hopes will come to pass, while dreams are just my desires that may, or may not, be in God's will for my life. Hopes are based on God’s promises, on what I find in God’s Word: I am saved by faith: Ephesians 2:8-9; God hears my prayers: Jeremiah 29:12; My sins are forgiven: I John 1:9; He never gives me more challenges than I can handle: I Corinthians 10:13; I will have eternal life with Him: John 3:16, and so many more. Have you been disappointed that your hopes have not been realized? Are you confusing hopes and dreams? Which of your desires needs to be relabeled so your faith in God’s promises is not diminished? Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to the difference between hopes and dreams, so I can have confidence in my hopes and still have the freedom to dream. Amen “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: June Hunt (1944- ) is an American writer, psychologist and founder of Hope for the Heart Ministries which reaches international audiences with hopeful encouragement. “The stars we are given. The constellations we make.” Rebecca SolnitI didn’t pay much attention to the study of constellations in school since they were all about Greek gods and goddesses, titans and spirits—Zeus, Pleiades, Orion, Aetna, and Hermes to name only a few. Their stories were all science fiction, which never held my interest. I gained an interest, however, when I learned how seafaring ships for several hundred years have navigated by the stars. And more recently, when I got a dog and walked him just before bedtime, I would watch the stars and notice the patterns in the summer sky changing to different patterns in the winter. Now, as a fiction writer, I have begun to appreciate the skill of creating characters and stories. I used to say, “I don’t have a right side to my brain,” until I realized left-brain people have their own style of creativity. I am learning to value the art of mythology, both forming images from groupings of stars that come and go with the seasons, and the imagination to craft scenarios of how these characters interacted. In a way it's not so different from the creativity of Sergei Prokofiev who wrote the music and story Peter and the Wolf. In this symphony he made characters come to life by selecting an instrument and a musical theme for each. The bird was a flute, the duck an oboe, the cat a clarinet, the wolf the French horn, Peter was string instruments, the hunters were timpani and base drums, and so on. And when played by an orchestra you can hear the story played out in music. A favorite of mine. Just a few short years ago I began to exercise my creativity by writing fiction—a long learning curve, but a rewarding one. The natural world—stars included—will always be God’s creation, but He gave us creativity. My creativity contributes to entertainment, but others’ might invent the next Internet application or the cure for cancer. May I never again doubt the creative spirit as a God-given gift, whether or not I enjoy the product of their creativity.
Is there something you have been given, some creative muscle that you have yet to exercise? Do you have left-brain creativity that has been dormant for too long? Will you give time to consider what talent God has gifted you with, and pray for an outlet to use that gift for others? Lord, thank You that I was challenged to write something outside my comfort zone which turned into the fiction writing I enjoy today. And, thank You for the joy of exercising that muscle I hadn’t used before. Amen “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Rebecca Solnit (1961- ), an American writer who writes on environment, politics, place and art. She is a contributing editor for Harper’s Magazine where she is the first woman to regularly write the Easy Chair essay since its founding in 1851. “Let every heartbreak and every scar, be a picture that reminds you Who has carried you this far; ‘cause love sees farther than you ever could, in this moment Heaven's working everything for your good.” Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Randy PhillipsTomorrow I go in for surgery. Lots of people have had this surgery and encourage me that I’ll feel so much better after I recover. “You'll have a new life,” they say. But still I need to prepare for the surgery: physically, mentally, and spiritually.
My doctor’s website has a link to calming tools, which includes music, but I prefer to just listen to my favorite Christian radio station. Every song has a few words or a message that encourages me. When the song Tell Your Heart to Beat Again says, let every scar remind me Who has carried me this far, I was reminded of a minor surgery I had years ago. I tried to find the scar but it’s completely healed over. What’s left just looks like a wrinkle. But thinking about that surgery reminded me of how I felt going into surgery the first time. I was tense, being a brand new Christian at the time. I prayed to God but I don’t think I really believed in the full power of prayer. I trusted my doctor. But I was young and naively hubris, thinking I was invincible. I also remember waking up. At no time did I think, ‘Ah, this isn’t heaven, I’m still here.’ Now that I know God better I pray differently, asking for His will and trusting in His timing in my life. He knows how many hairs are on my head (although fewer now than when I was 20), and He numbers my days also. I’m not worried about not returning ‘here’ because to go to heaven would be so much more exciting. (But, I must admit, I do think about my husband, my pets, and of course I really want to finish my book and get it published for use in my husband’s and my motorcycle ministry.) So prayer is the final surrender…not anesthesia, not the surgery itself, not even signing my Advance Directive (which details who will make decisions if I’m unconscious, and what music I want played at my funeral). I am praying for God’s will for my life, but I’m also resting in these words of the song: “‘Cause love sees farther than you ever could, in this moment Heaven's working everything for your good.” Is there something in your life that’s outside your ability to control it? Do you have something that you’re holding onto instead of turning it over in prayer to God? Are you ready to trust that God is working everything for your good, because He sees farther into your future than you can? Lord, I know I’m still tense because I have a lump in my throat, so help me trust You completely and rest in Your plan for me. Work through my doctors and bring about Your will in my life. Amen “In peace I will both lie down and sleep. For You alone, O Lord, makes me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Bernie Herms, Matthew West, Randy Phillips; songwriters of Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, recorded by Danny Gokey on his album Hope In Front Of Me. (© 2012 G650 Music, Pure Note Music, Songs Of Universal, Inc. (BMI)). |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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