Ditch the Resolution

Once again, it's the start of a new year. People all around me are making new resolutions, setting new goals, defining new ambitions. Me? Nah. I've never been one for new year's resolutions. I've tried them in the past; lose weight, write more, gripe less, blah, blah, blah.

This year, I'm doing something different. Rather than saying "I'll do such and such," I'm simply going to do the things I need to do; lose weight, write more, gripe less.

When I work with managers and other leaders in training, I tell them to focus on the positive actions that need doing, rather than the negative actions that need stopping. It's time I try a little of my own advice.

I think I'll also play with the word itself; "Resolution. To decide or to determine. A formal, group decision." How about we add a hyphen and call it "Re-solution." I want to "re-solve" some of the issues I've had to deal with over the last year. Written in this manner, it simply means to "solve again", which means whatever solution I thought I had come up with, apparently didn't work. Therefore, it's time to "re-solve" the problem.

What does that really mean? I need to look at what I chose to do about the issue, examine why it didn't work, and find a different solution. I need to do this over and over until the issue is no longer an issue and is truly "re-solved, and resolved."

How does this differ from previous years? Action. I'm moving beyond "saying" and into "doing." I will also "do" in the present. It's not about what I'll do tomorrow, it's about what I am doing today. Action can only take place in the present. The past is done, over, complete, kaput. There is nothing I can do to change anything I did five minutes ago, much less, days, weeks, months, or years ago. The future is only a possibility. There is potential in the future. There is promise in the future. There is no action in the future. That is reserved for the present. Today I can act. Right now, I can act.

Ditch the new year's resolution merry-go-round. Determine what action you can take today, right now, to re-solve whatever is going on in your life. Forget the past, pencil in the future, but take action NOW.

Happy 2016.

IF I DARED

If I dared to laugh with abandon, would the world call me insane?

Would they whisper and wonder and question, if I dared to dance in the rain?

If I dared to run for no reason but the joy of the wind in my hair

If I dared to roll in green meadows, to play with the butterflies there.

If I dared to look at the mountains and choose to see giant’s grand towers,

If I dared to look at a garden and see the fairies that live in the flowers.

If I dared to believe the impossible and see beauty where none should exist,    

If I dared to choose my own pathway and see promise that others have missed.

If I dared to replace “oh dear” with “oh my” and be awed by the grace in a storm

If I dared to believe that peace is real and war could be overcome.

If I dared any of these, much less all, and dared you to dare along with me,

Would the world be changed, would a difference be made, if we just dared to be?

 

 

R W Ley © 2014, Jan 21

The Great Unanswerable Question

“Why did God let it happen?”

That is a question that has been asked by believers and non-believers alike for centuries. When tragedy strikes, the question is always “Why?” Often, there is no answer. At least, no answer that makes sense to the human mind.

A young man I knew for many years made a choice to end his own life. In this situation, the one person with the answer to the “Why” is the one person no one can ask. And yet, I’m not sure even he would have an answer that would satisfy the pain felt by those left behind. That choice is an act of such profound desperation, that I’m doubtful he would be able to answer his own question of why. If he could, perhaps he would have chosen another path.

As to the reason that God “let it happen” there may be a very simple answer, even though many will still not like the answer. The answer may very well be “because He is God.”

That probably sounds arrogant on the surface, so let me take you a little deeper in to that answer, at least to the measure I can understand it. I believe in a God that is holy, divine, complete, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is, was, and is to come. If something exists, it is because God caused it to exist. The universe as we know it does not exist by random chance or accident. Individuals are born on purpose, no matter that circumstances may seem to prove otherwise. All that being said, every individual born into this world is a creature of free will. Every day, we as humans, make choices that affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us as well.

I believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, sees and knows every choice every individual will ever make in his or her given lifetime, good and bad, right and wrong. And He sees all the repercussions of every decision made by every individual since Adam and Eve first breathed the life He gave them. He sees the consequences of the decisions we don’t make. He sees every single “what if” scenario there could possibly be, no matter how many options may exist. He not only sees the “big picture”, He sees the infinite alternatives and sees every “big picture” that could possibly occur. He knows all the “shoulda, coulda, woulda” outcomes. He simply knows everything.

And yet, we still get to choose. He allows us to choose our own way through this world. He offers to help us, to show us the path He designed us to take. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to make the choices that will lead us to become the exact individual He had in mind when He first planned our existence. Yes, sometimes He seems to interfere with our choices. Miracles, happy accidents, coincidences; whatever you choose to call them, things happen that deter us from one path or guide us to another. Ultimately, however, every individual life is up to the individual. We choose and He allows us that choice. He has a perfect plan in mind. But he wants willing followers, not automatons. He wants us to choose Him and His way. He wants us to be completely devoted and knows we cannot be that if we do not choose to be devoted. No one can force one individual to love another, not even God, for that is not love. We are allowed to choose.

The human mind is powerful. The experts will tell you none of us use our minds to its full capacity. Its complexity continues to confound science and medicine. Every time the experts believe they have the answer, they find something new and realize there is still more to learn and discover. Yet for all its power, it is fragile. It can be damaged and even destroyed. And when a mind gets broken, the human spirit within that mind gets lost.

I don’t know the circumstances in the life of this young man I knew. I had not spoken to him for a long time. I don’t know what caused him to reach that breaking point. I do know that God was not surprised. He was not caught off guard. He knew the choice this young man would make, although He also knew the many other options that were available to him. So why did He not interfere? Because to do so would be against His very nature. If He does not allow one person to make their own choice, He cannot allow anyone to make their own choice. If He shows preference to one, He must show preference to all. If He forces one to alter their path, He must force all to alter their path. Free will vanishes and God becomes what He is not. It is His infinite holiness that grants us the power to choose.

Those of us who choose to believe in Him, in His plan of salvation, in His mercy and grace, are still allowed to choose our paths in this life. We still have free will. This young man made a choice to remove himself from this world. Those left in pain and grief do not know why. God, in His mercy and grace, gathered that young man into His arms at the very moment his spirit left his physical body and granted him an eternal peace that immediately healed whatever had broken within him. I believe this because I believe that young man knew God’s grace and had accepted His salvation. I believe God welcomed him home just as He will welcome all of His children home when our time comes.

Why did God let it happen? Because He is God.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

The Perfect Christmas Gift

What to give, what to give? It's the same question every year at this time. What do you give to those people closest to you? Does your family really need one more gizmo, gadget, bangle, bauble or bead? I doubt it. I know that no one in my family really needs any more stuff. So what do you give? What can you give that they will actually enjoy and benefit from?

I have an answer, but if you know me you guessed that already. Seriously, there is something that you can give and it will actually cost you very little and will be as unique as you are. What is it? Simple. Give them . . . you.

Uh, okay. How?

Simple. Make the choice to invest yourself in your friends and family. For the next year, purposefully make time to spend time with those people who mean the most to you. And I don't mean simply send more text messages or watch more TV together. Turn off all the outside distractions. Turn off the TV. Turn off the phone. Turn off the computer. Sit together in the same room and have a real conversation with them.

Do you really know your spouse's secret dream or ambition? What about your children? Do you know what they are really interested in? What about your parents? What was it like when they were children? Are your parents WWII generation? Korea? Vietnam? The first Gulf War? Disco? Have they fulfilled the dreams they had when they were your age?

Most importantly, talk about eternal matters. Where are you in your relationship with Christ? Do you even have one? Do your family memebers? Do you even know?

Read the Bible together. Talk about it. If you disagree on something with each other talk about it and find out why. Is it a serious disagreement? Can it affect your personal eternity?

Some of these are pretty deep questions. But they will lead to deeper understanding and better communication with each other.

Give the perfect gift to your family. It costs almost nothing; maybe some time. It won't wear out; it won't go out of style; it won't break or become obsolete. It doesn't need batteries or an instruction manual. Give them you.

Christmas: accomplished.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Nicholas' Christmas

Nicholas' Christmas

I wrote this a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it. RWL


Twas the week before Christmas and all through the town
The people were scurrying up streets and down
They chatted and laughed, they hurried and hustled
They shopped and they worried, they bought and they bustled.

A man walked through town and saw all the throngs
He saw the commercials and heard all the songs
He wasn't quite dressed like the ones at the mall
Some glanced, some glared, and some saw not at all.

He wandered the streets of both rich and the poor
Saw signs of the season on most every door
But something was missing among all the noise
It wasn't the presents, it wasn't the toys.

At last as he wearied of all the commotion
He saw an old friend and with such great emotion
They embraced with much joy and old hearts aglowing
They sat and they talked as the sky started snowing.

"My friend you look sad", the second man said
As he looked at his friend with a droop to his head
"There's so much not right in this town at this time,
The season is here but no reason or rhyme

To the things they are doing in their rush just to buy
All the latest and greatest." He said with a sigh.
"It's sad to see them so busy and hurried,
They rush in confusion, they're anxious and worried.

"What to give, what to get, what to eat, what to wear,
What to say that will not offend someone somewhere."
He looked off again at the light bedecked streets
Saw bells, trees and reindeer and sugar plum treats.

There were stars, there were candy canes, elves, a few angels
But he saw not one shepherd, no wise men, no manger.
"They've forgotten the reason there's Christmas at all"
The man said to his friend as a tear tried to fall.

"They've even mistreated the things I once did
And turned it to something meant only for kids.
I gave not for glory, I gave not for fame,
I tried not to let anyone know my name

"And here they now say I'm a Saint just for giving
But they do not remember my reason for living.
I wanted to help those who had nothing but sorrow
To show them that hope would still be here tomorrow.

"I wanted to show them that love was not dead.
I wanted to lead them to find You, instead."
"I know that my friend, I saw all your deeds.
How you simply looked round, saw and met needs.

"Your heart overflowed with your love for your neighbors
With no regard for ability to return any favors."
They sat awhile longer, the snow kept on falling
When somewhere outside they heard a broken heart calling

They both leaped to their feet to find the lost soul
And found a young child crying out in the cold.
Nicholas took off his coat and enclosed her
In warmth and in love as he reached to just hold her.

The Savior reached down and wrapped up her feet
As He brushed off the snow, the mud and the sleet.
They carried her back to their table and shared
Their food and their drink, they showed her they cared.

Her tears stopped their flowing, she smiled at the love
And reached out for help and salvation from above.
Her heart overflowed with the joy of the season
As she saw in her presence the real Christmas reason

She thanked both men soundly and ran outside singing
Calling to everyone to start the bells ringing.
"The Savior has come" she cried to the skies
"He's brought back the light and rescinded the lies!"

She took all she had, the few sole possessions
And gave them away to those who had less ones.
She found another lost soul and shared her warm coat
She told him the story that she knew now by rote.

He saw in her eyes and her heart it was true,
And he started sharing the Christmas warmth, too.
The two old friends watched as the light began heading
Across the old town and to neighboring towns spreading.

Nicholas smiled, a tear slid down his cheek.
He looked at his Savior unable to speak.
The Savior reached out and took His friend's hand
"Come home now, dear Nicholas," and started to stand.

"You've once again showed a people that love
Comes from the heart, but is sent from above."
Nicholas looked out the city so bright
The stars were now shedding a heavenly light

The snow simply sparkled as the clouds rolled away
And he knew Christmas dawn was not far away.
"I fear it won't last," he whispered to his Lord.
"Something will happen, they tend to get bored,

"With being so loving and caring and kind
It just doesn't last much past New Year's night."
"It's alright" Jesus told him as they walked down the street
"I love them no matter if bitter or sweet.

"My children are mine and will be forever,
And someday in Heaven we'll all be together."
Nicholas took one last long look around
Christmas had finally come to this town.

"Merry Christmas" he said, "Peace on Earth to all men.
I pray you remember, till Christ comes again.

The Choice to Sin

Rebellion. Disobedience. Disrespect. These words are often used to describe the actions of teenagers as they progress through those adolescent years. As parents, we know the signs. We know that our children are going to exhibit this qualities. As Christians, though, do we associate these words with our own actions? I believe that at some  point in every Christian's life, you will go through a sort of adolescence. There will be something in your life, whether an old habit or a new temptation, that is going to make you behave just like that rebellious teenager. You know very well that what you want to do is wrong. It goes against everything you believe, every value you stand on and every thing you've ever taken a stand against. You know it's wrong. And yet, you blatantly and openly choose to do it anyway. It doesn't matter what it is; the specifics are immaterial. It is the attitude.

When this happens, how do you react? God promises that for every temptation offered, a way is provided. Will you take it? If you choose to act upon whatever temptation or sin is in your way, do you understand that there will be consequences? Are you willing to risk what those consequences are going to be?

God will not force you to obey. He is the ideal parent figure and He will tell you the rules. He will establish the boundaries that define your life. You already know His standard is perfection and that you need the saving grace offered by Jesus to be seen as that perfect standard. You know what you are supposed to do. You choose, however, to fly in the face of right and do wrong. I'm not talking about the normal everyday slips and slides we all have. I'm talking about a deliberate choice to do that which is sin. Will grace cover that? Does grace cover deliberate disobedience?

I believe the short answer is 'yes' because Scripture promises forgiveness of not only all sins, but forgiveness of the sin nature itself. The long answer is a little less cut and dried. Ultimately, in the big picture of eternity, yes, those sins are forgiven. In the here and now, however, you could be letting yourself in for a world of hurt. When you choose deliberate sin, you step outside of the Father's protective hand. You choose to put yourself in a position of harm. Not from God. He will never harm you. He will not make bad things happen to you or cause the bad things in your life. But He may allow those things. You have chosen to step away from Him and that is a dangerous place to be. God also will not make you obey. He allows you free will. You choose to obey or not.

If you find yourself facing this situation think of a few things before you make a decision you can't turn back from . Remember, most things in life cannot be undone. There is no delete button, no do-overs, no mulligans. Once you commit that sin, it's done. You are now in the position of having to deal with the consequences. The problem is, those consequences may not manifest themselves until much later down the road of your life. Rest assured though that your choices will come back to bite you. Recognize that God does not tolerate deliberate disobedience. There will be consequences. You will be disciplined if you step out of His will.

Make sure you understand what you are letting yourself in for before you make that choice to be deliberately disobedient. There will be a way out. If you choose not to take it, don't whine and cry and shout 'not fair' when the hammer falls and you have to deal with those consequences.If you choose deliberate disobedience, you better take your medicine silently and thank God that His grace is as complete as it is. Is that sin worth the risk? Only you can answer that.

Cotton Candy Diet

Cotton candy is a wonderful thing. It’s sweet, it’s light, and it comes in different colors. It’s also mostly air and has no nutritional value whatsoever. No person in their right mind would live on a diet of cotton candy.

Why then, do many Christians expect to live on diet of spiritual cotton candy? Church services and so-called Bible studies that are nothing more than air and fluff, with no spiritual nutritional value whatsoever.

If your personal and corporate Bible study leaves you hungry and empty, you need to think about changing your diet. Bible study should challenge you. It should make you ask more questions. It should sometimes make you hit your knees in brokenness and repentance. If the only thing you ever feel is the ‘warm-fuzzies,’ you’re spiritually starving.

Jesus called himself the Bread of Life and Living Water. Bread and water. Staples of life. The physical body needs balanced nutrition to be healthy. The soul needs proper nutrition as well. If you’re not regularly feasting on the Bread and Water, you will not be spiritually healthy. Like a regular diet of cotton candy, it will do little more than make you ill and rot your teeth.

Don’t be afraid to let your Bible study be high impact, calorie loaded, and full of fat. Isaiah 55:2 tells us to let our souls delight in fatness, defined as the profuseness of spiritual joy. Make your time with the Lord a feast. Fatten your soul, keep it nourished with Bread and Water, and delight in that fatness. A skinny soul is not pretty.