Pete shared this excellent true story from a friend of his. We also had a healthy discussion about Mathew 14-46. The passage about the "Talents".
Hi All,
Heather, I don't know if you remember the story about when I brought Sadie home on the airplane for Christmas, but I'll refresh your memory. The Flight was packed from DEN to DTW and hardly a seat to be had. Thank goodness I had an aisle seat, but with Sadie's long legs, I knew it would be challenging to keep her from bumping the forward seat. A young cowboy, who looked around 21 or so sat behind me and Sadie took to him from the start smiling at him and giving him the shy look. Well after the aircraft door shut, he taps me on the shoulder and invites me into his empty row. I couldn't believe our luck on such a full flight. But, it didn't stop there. Sadie was on him like a magnet. He took the window and I the aisle seat, but Sadie kept wanted to be with him. He was so polite to entertain her and he read her his Rifle Magazine and even let her touch his immaculate white Stetson hat. I could tell she was taking a lot of his time, so I kept trying to play with her, but she wanted him in all kinds of ways. His whole demeanor from his looks to the way he handled Sadie made me shed a few tears, because the resemblance of James was truly there, and I think she needed it.
Well, I dropped Sadie off at mom and dads and kept on flying to BWI. When I got back to my airport, I looked up this young man's name and found his address in West VA. It appeared from his reservation that he was going home for Xmas. I wrote his mom and dad a letter, explaining how wonderful Colt was with Sadie and how she lost her daddy a few months ago and that the gift of the human touch was the best Christmas gift I could ask for.
Well, to my surprise Colt's mom sent me a Christmas card back and this is what she wrote:
'I can not begin to thank you for a very thoughtful and heart felt letter. What a great Christmas gift! My husband and I both were grateful to hear Colt was so thoughtful. And that you were so grateful. You are a very special person to take the time at this busy time of year to look up our address and write a very special letter. Not many would! We had forgot to get our mail and had stopped at the mail box to get it. And there was your card.
When I read the first line I knew it was special. So I started reading out loud to my husband and Colt. Colt was really surprised! I didn't make it thru the first page before I was crying. It's something I will cherish always. My heart goes out to Sadie. When Colt was 13, his dad had a major heart attack. I didn't know what we would do without him. Your letter made me very grateful that he is still here.
I laughed when you said Sadie got to touch Colt's cowboy hat. He is very picky about his hats. Again I can't thank you enough for your letter. It was the best Christmas gift ever. Hope you and yours have a Happy New Year. If you are ever in WV look us up....and she gave me her home and cell phone.
I just thought that was worth sharing. I think James lives on through others who watch over us...even strangers. I could see James acting like Colt on that flight with a stranger, couldn't you?
Well, January is turning out to be a great month after all.
Love Beth
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Week 1: A Quiet Hero
A Quiet Hero –Steel on Steel Devotional
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Last week my cousin Matt passed away at 46 years old after a year and half battle with cancer. Matt was a quiet unassuming person who was nice and would never stand out in a crowd. Matt was passionate about community involvement. He loved people and always had time for kids. He was a volunteer hockey coach for the Worthington Hockey Association for 23 seasons and served on the Worthington Hockey Board of Directors. He was the Worthington head varsity coach for the 2006-2007 season. Matt has been a YMCA Big Brother and a member of American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN where he has served on Youth Council and as a confirmation mentor. Matt was a volunteer fireman for 16 years for the Brewster Fire Department. One thing for certain is Matt’s life touched many more than I think he ever realized.
Over 500 people attended his funeral in the small town of Worthington, MN. Reminds me of the quote from “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”
Who are some heroes that have inspired you?
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
-1 Timothy 6:12
Defintion of Hero according to WikiPedia: A hero (Greek: ἥρως), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demi-god, the offspring of a mortal and a deity.[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice, that is, heroism, for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.
The literal meaning of the word is "protector", "defender" or "guardian" and etymologically it is thought to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of marriage; the postulated original forms of these words being *ἥρFως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the Latin verb servo (original meaning: to preserve whole) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original Proto-Indoeuropean root is unclear.
Heroes of the Bible: In Mid-Life Crisis
Joseph
When most people think of Joseph, their thoughts go to the 17-year-old youth who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet when I think of Joseph, my thoughts go to the midlifer who, almost four decades later, forgave and blessed those same siblings. By midlife most of us have both wronged and been wronged, and I am no exception. Joseph reminds me that revenge is unnecessary.
Moses
While a rising executive in the Egyptian palace, Moses was forced into early retirement at age 40, a situation, by the way, caused not by a hostile takeover but by Moses' own unrestrained temper. Yet after years of working in an obscure job, at 80 Moses returned to a management position and led the greatest exodus the world has known. When I fail at things, my tendency is to give up. Moses reminds me that, for those who persist, life sometimes has its second chances.
King David
King David had the dubious honor of having his midlife extramarital affair recorded for all of us to read. The account of David and Bathsheba is a story of unprotected leisure and unbridled passion. It reminds me that a few moments of pleasure is not worth a lifetime of familial discord, but, even then, forgiveness and restoration are possible. David's second half of life included a Solomon as well as an Absalom.
King Hezekiah
If the Bible's account of King David is the first recorded midlife affair, then the story of King Hezekiah is the first recorded midlife crisis. At 39 Hezekiah was struck with a life-threatening disease. And, as is often the case when one first faces his own mortality, the king plunged into a deep depression.
Read: Isaiah 38
I have found understanding and solace in Isaiah 38, which records Hezekiah's thoughts at the time. Among other things, the king describes his life as a half-finished tapestry that has been ripped from the weaver's loom.
Similarly, God's words to Hezekiah have pulled can help you through times of despair. Perhaps today they will encourage you too:
"Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold I will heal you" (II Kings 20:5).
Questions:
Name some of your heroes growing up and why? Fictional, real
Who are the heroes today?
Who can you be a hero to?
Who are the youth of today looking at to be heroes?
Why do we need heroes today?
Jesus and Superman?
[19] Both had normal lives and day jobs in addition to their miraculous deeds-cum-missions. Superman was a rural high school student-cum-shy, bespectacled reporter for the Daily Planet, while Jesus was a rural boy-cum-carpenter (Mat. 13:55; Mark 6:3), then wandering Rabbi-preacher. Just as Clark Kent rubbed shoulders with his journalist peers who reported upon the activities of Superman, Jesus kept company with Mathew and John, the Gospel writers who reported upon the activities of the Messiah. Both alter-egos had fully developed personalities and private lives, indeed, Clark Kent was Superman�s alter-ego, not the other way around, just as the Christ was the primary personality living a Jesus life.
How does your life resemble Jesus or Superman?
Action Items
1. In the work place?
2. At home?
3. With your family?
4. Divine calling?
5. Extraordinary things you have done or heard of?
6. Do you have a nemesis?
7. How can you be someone’s hero today?
8. What can you do to take action this week.
9. Look for an oppurtunity to serve, be aware.
10. Thank God for the heroes he brought into your life.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Last week my cousin Matt passed away at 46 years old after a year and half battle with cancer. Matt was a quiet unassuming person who was nice and would never stand out in a crowd. Matt was passionate about community involvement. He loved people and always had time for kids. He was a volunteer hockey coach for the Worthington Hockey Association for 23 seasons and served on the Worthington Hockey Board of Directors. He was the Worthington head varsity coach for the 2006-2007 season. Matt has been a YMCA Big Brother and a member of American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN where he has served on Youth Council and as a confirmation mentor. Matt was a volunteer fireman for 16 years for the Brewster Fire Department. One thing for certain is Matt’s life touched many more than I think he ever realized.
Over 500 people attended his funeral in the small town of Worthington, MN. Reminds me of the quote from “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”
Who are some heroes that have inspired you?
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
-1 Timothy 6:12
Defintion of Hero according to WikiPedia: A hero (Greek: ἥρως), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demi-god, the offspring of a mortal and a deity.[1] Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice, that is, heroism, for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.
The literal meaning of the word is "protector", "defender" or "guardian" and etymologically it is thought to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of marriage; the postulated original forms of these words being *ἥρFως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the Latin verb servo (original meaning: to preserve whole) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original Proto-Indoeuropean root is unclear.
Heroes of the Bible: In Mid-Life Crisis
Joseph
When most people think of Joseph, their thoughts go to the 17-year-old youth who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet when I think of Joseph, my thoughts go to the midlifer who, almost four decades later, forgave and blessed those same siblings. By midlife most of us have both wronged and been wronged, and I am no exception. Joseph reminds me that revenge is unnecessary.
Moses
While a rising executive in the Egyptian palace, Moses was forced into early retirement at age 40, a situation, by the way, caused not by a hostile takeover but by Moses' own unrestrained temper. Yet after years of working in an obscure job, at 80 Moses returned to a management position and led the greatest exodus the world has known. When I fail at things, my tendency is to give up. Moses reminds me that, for those who persist, life sometimes has its second chances.
King David
King David had the dubious honor of having his midlife extramarital affair recorded for all of us to read. The account of David and Bathsheba is a story of unprotected leisure and unbridled passion. It reminds me that a few moments of pleasure is not worth a lifetime of familial discord, but, even then, forgiveness and restoration are possible. David's second half of life included a Solomon as well as an Absalom.
King Hezekiah
If the Bible's account of King David is the first recorded midlife affair, then the story of King Hezekiah is the first recorded midlife crisis. At 39 Hezekiah was struck with a life-threatening disease. And, as is often the case when one first faces his own mortality, the king plunged into a deep depression.
Read: Isaiah 38
I have found understanding and solace in Isaiah 38, which records Hezekiah's thoughts at the time. Among other things, the king describes his life as a half-finished tapestry that has been ripped from the weaver's loom.
Similarly, God's words to Hezekiah have pulled can help you through times of despair. Perhaps today they will encourage you too:
"Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold I will heal you" (II Kings 20:5).
Questions:
Name some of your heroes growing up and why? Fictional, real
Who are the heroes today?
Who can you be a hero to?
Who are the youth of today looking at to be heroes?
Why do we need heroes today?
Jesus and Superman?
[19] Both had normal lives and day jobs in addition to their miraculous deeds-cum-missions. Superman was a rural high school student-cum-shy, bespectacled reporter for the Daily Planet, while Jesus was a rural boy-cum-carpenter (Mat. 13:55; Mark 6:3), then wandering Rabbi-preacher. Just as Clark Kent rubbed shoulders with his journalist peers who reported upon the activities of Superman, Jesus kept company with Mathew and John, the Gospel writers who reported upon the activities of the Messiah. Both alter-egos had fully developed personalities and private lives, indeed, Clark Kent was Superman�s alter-ego, not the other way around, just as the Christ was the primary personality living a Jesus life.
How does your life resemble Jesus or Superman?
Action Items
1. In the work place?
2. At home?
3. With your family?
4. Divine calling?
5. Extraordinary things you have done or heard of?
6. Do you have a nemesis?
7. How can you be someone’s hero today?
8. What can you do to take action this week.
9. Look for an oppurtunity to serve, be aware.
10. Thank God for the heroes he brought into your life.
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