Wars In Italy

Italy is in the midst of one of the worst wars it has ever experienced.  In its war against the Coronavirus, it has lost over 7500 lives - more than any other country in the world.  Over 2000 years ago, Italy was in the midst of another war, a civil war being led by Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar.  Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of the leaders working with Pompey and was eventually executed by Mark Anthony.  Cicero was also known as one of Rome's greatest orators and a master of the Latin language.  One of his most famous quotes is, "Dum spiro, spero".  Translated, "while I breathe, I hope".

One of the disappointments of social distancing for me and Caroline has been the suspension of our Georgia Wind Symphony schedule.  I find peace in listening to this arrangement by Chris Pilsner being performed by our Georgia Wind Symphony and directed by Conductor-Emeritus, David Gregory, "Dum Spiro Spero".

Fear No More

I hate cliche.  But in trying to write about what we are going through right now, I find it difficult to come up with an original thought.  My heart aches for the people who have been directly affected - those infected, the families that have lost loved ones and those that have lost their jobs.  My heart soars as I see the hospital workers on the front line risking their own health to help others.   I'm confounded over wanting to help others but needing to stay separate.  I am trying to see social distancing as a chance to be closer to my immediate family.   I am trying to remember that God is in control and fear no more.  Listen and take a few minutes to focus on Him.

I Still Believe

Jeremy Camp's, I Still Believe, is one of my favorite songs of all time.  I didn't know a lot about Jeremy's personal story until this week when I saw that there is a movie about him being released by the same name, "I Still Believe".  After some quick research, I found out that Jeremy's first wife died of ovarian cancer at the age of 23.  "I Still Believe" was the first song he wrote after her death.  These lyrics hold a new meaning for me now, and I am looking forward to seeing the movie.  Here is the original song, and here is a re-release for the movie.  Keep believing.

Apple Orchard

Last night, our ConnectGroup met to continue the study of Ravi Zacharias's book, The Grand Weaver.  Chapter four focuses on morality, and Ravi begins with a discussion of the Garden of Eden.   While I have probably read about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil dozens of times, I was embarrassed that I didn't remember that there was a second named tree, The Tree of Life.  Not a lot is said in  Genesis about why there are two trees, but I think The Tree of Life is there to represent the choice that we have - the choice to either try to be God or to the choice to try to follow God.  When Adam and Eve ate from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,  two things happened: they disobeyed God's direct instruction not to eat from that tree, and they were lured into thinking that by eating the fruit, they would know what God knows and be equal to him.  The Tree of Life represents the life that God makes available to each of us through obedience to him and a recognition that He is almighty and above us.  Adam and Eve spoiled that opportunity for themselves and all that followed them, but God filled the chasm by allowing His Son to come to our busted world and die to pay the debt for our sins - thus becoming The Everlasting Tree of Life.

Two Legends

Darryl Strawberry was drafted by the NY Mets in 1983, and the Mets fans hoped he would be the catalyst for a huge turnaround in that franchise.   The very next year, Dwight Gooden was signed to give them the extra punch that they needed from the mound.   The rise in fame of the two stars was meteoric, and each career seemed to mirror the other.  Regrettably, it wasn't just their performance on the field that was similar.  Both struggled with the high cost of fame including addictions to alcohol and drugs that landed them both in jail.   I came across this documentary which tells the story well.  Since the documentary was produced, their stories have continued.  Gooden was arrested in June of last year for driving under the influence and cocaine possession.   Strawberry's sister introduced him to Jesus while he was in prison in 2002.  He turned his life over to Jesus shortly afterward and he has been on a different trajectory since that time.  Check out this video to see what he is up to now.  My prayers are with Darryl for his continued success and victory over additions and with Dwight that he will find the hope he needs in Jesus.

Not just a clanging symbol

I have had a couple of people remind me recently that when I am feeling disconnected from God, the Psalms are a great place to spend some time.  Last night, my wife, Caroline, reminded me of one of my favorites - Psalm 150.

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord

I have posted frequently about how important music is in our lives and it is refreshing to be reminded that God loves music, too.  I encourage you to spend some time meditating on one or more Psalms that speak to you.

Dissing disability

Our ConnectGroup met last night to discuss Chapter 1 of The Grand Weaver.  Zacharias talked about how God created us with an odd combination of order and surprise.  Every person has DNA strands containing the same fundamental elements, but each is arranged in different patterns making each person unique.  We talked about how our perceived individual weaknesses can be used as excuses not to accomplish more.   Then we watched as how one young man is thriving despite what many would see as a severe disability.  Please watch and be inspired.