"I see you."
That's what I said today to a little bug that was on my path (or I was on his) this morning during my walk.
It got me thinking that maybe seeing is the first step towards love.
Seeing leads to caring
Caring leads to understanding.
Understanding leads to empathy.
Empathy leads to compassion.
Compassion leads to love.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Monday, July 8, 2019
Thoughts from the Cross
Yesterday I was provoked while in Gospel Doctrine by a conversation about the things that Christ said while on the cross. My thoughts below.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. This could be exactly what it sounds like: Christ asking His Father to forgive the guards for their acts against His Son. But, I did have a thought that goes beyond this. I believe Christ and His Father were tethered at all times. They held each others mind in a way that we maybe we can't understand. In fact, I think that Christ sensed something in the mind of His Father - an anger or hostility to the guards. If that's the case, he could've been saying: Don't blame them, don't hurt them - it's not their fault.
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Christ knew where he was going and He knew where the prisoner was going. Gives us clear view into Christ's understanding and support of the afterlife and Spirit World.
Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother. This is so much about His humanity. He reveals something many have: a deep love and compassion for His Mother and her welfare.
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? God is with us and revealed so much in our despair and trials. In fact, I think we often find God in our trials. Given this, it is a cruel irony that in His moment of greatest need God is hidden from Him. This is probably something he's never experienced. In fact, he may have spent His entire life supported by His Father. But now, in his greatest agony, God the Father is gone. Not from a lack of love, but I think for the need of Christ to fulfill the Atonement on His own.
I thirst. Two words, simple in utterance, but somber and painful. The pain and misery were unimaginable; and in this, he simply wants something purely human. Refreshing water.
It is finished. Something happened here; it's not that he's giving up, but that the Atonement is done. He's completed it and the work he was sent to do is done.
Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Only he is able to give his Spirit up, and in this instance he gives his Spirit back to His Father and is gone.
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. This could be exactly what it sounds like: Christ asking His Father to forgive the guards for their acts against His Son. But, I did have a thought that goes beyond this. I believe Christ and His Father were tethered at all times. They held each others mind in a way that we maybe we can't understand. In fact, I think that Christ sensed something in the mind of His Father - an anger or hostility to the guards. If that's the case, he could've been saying: Don't blame them, don't hurt them - it's not their fault.
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Christ knew where he was going and He knew where the prisoner was going. Gives us clear view into Christ's understanding and support of the afterlife and Spirit World.
Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother. This is so much about His humanity. He reveals something many have: a deep love and compassion for His Mother and her welfare.
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? God is with us and revealed so much in our despair and trials. In fact, I think we often find God in our trials. Given this, it is a cruel irony that in His moment of greatest need God is hidden from Him. This is probably something he's never experienced. In fact, he may have spent His entire life supported by His Father. But now, in his greatest agony, God the Father is gone. Not from a lack of love, but I think for the need of Christ to fulfill the Atonement on His own.
I thirst. Two words, simple in utterance, but somber and painful. The pain and misery were unimaginable; and in this, he simply wants something purely human. Refreshing water.
It is finished. Something happened here; it's not that he's giving up, but that the Atonement is done. He's completed it and the work he was sent to do is done.
Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Only he is able to give his Spirit up, and in this instance he gives his Spirit back to His Father and is gone.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
If, then
There's an interesting "if, then" statement in the Book of Mormon.
In Ether 12:27 it reads:
And if men come unto me then (added for context) I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
I've been thinking about this verse and right now am stuck on that first line.
Like most, I usually read over this scripture and jump to the bottom idea, "then I will make weak things become strong unto them". It's natural, that's the money maker (and worth further discussion in a separate blog post).
The first idea, "If men come unto me" is intriguing. Throughout the scriptures Christ invites us to, "Come unto me". It's an ongoing and eternal invitation from Christ that we accept, delay, or reject throughout our lives. What does it mean? Many things: learning about Him, accepting Him as our Savior, making covenants with Him that signify our commitment, keeping His commandments, serving, enduring to the end. And more, and more, and more.
Why does this process of coming unto Him reveal our weaknesses.
It's like a picture. From a distance, it's perfect and clean. It's hard to see any flaws. But, upon closer inspection defects are shown.
Take the picture on my desktop. It's a beautiful picture of my daughters in Hawaii, with them in the forefront, the beach and ocean in the back. At first glance, it's stunning. But, look closer. There are some chunky people in the background playing in the ocean. The light and color on their faces is not perfect. On the far off island in the back are wind turbines.
As we draw closer to Christ, His light reveals to us our weaknesses and flaws, even those we have tried so very hard to disguise and cover up. The closer we are to Him, the greater the light, and the more apparent the flaws. C.S. Lewis said, "It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence." That dirt really comes into focus as we draw closer to Christ.
But, I don't think he intends for this to be debilitating and destructive. I do not believe His intention is to make us anything but humble. Pliable. Open to His constructive molding.
C.S. Lewis said, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's is thinking of yourself less." As we draw closer to Christ, the point isn't to wallow in our weaknesses, it's to celebrate the light of Christ that makes us strong. Instead, He wants to snuff them out.
One last note to reflect on.
In Ether 12:27 it reads:
And if men come unto me then (added for context) I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
I've been thinking about this verse and right now am stuck on that first line.
Like most, I usually read over this scripture and jump to the bottom idea, "then I will make weak things become strong unto them". It's natural, that's the money maker (and worth further discussion in a separate blog post).
The first idea, "If men come unto me" is intriguing. Throughout the scriptures Christ invites us to, "Come unto me". It's an ongoing and eternal invitation from Christ that we accept, delay, or reject throughout our lives. What does it mean? Many things: learning about Him, accepting Him as our Savior, making covenants with Him that signify our commitment, keeping His commandments, serving, enduring to the end. And more, and more, and more.
Why does this process of coming unto Him reveal our weaknesses.
It's like a picture. From a distance, it's perfect and clean. It's hard to see any flaws. But, upon closer inspection defects are shown.
Take the picture on my desktop. It's a beautiful picture of my daughters in Hawaii, with them in the forefront, the beach and ocean in the back. At first glance, it's stunning. But, look closer. There are some chunky people in the background playing in the ocean. The light and color on their faces is not perfect. On the far off island in the back are wind turbines.
As we draw closer to Christ, His light reveals to us our weaknesses and flaws, even those we have tried so very hard to disguise and cover up. The closer we are to Him, the greater the light, and the more apparent the flaws. C.S. Lewis said, "It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence." That dirt really comes into focus as we draw closer to Christ.
But, I don't think he intends for this to be debilitating and destructive. I do not believe His intention is to make us anything but humble. Pliable. Open to His constructive molding.
C.S. Lewis said, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's is thinking of yourself less." As we draw closer to Christ, the point isn't to wallow in our weaknesses, it's to celebrate the light of Christ that makes us strong. Instead, He wants to snuff them out.
One last note to reflect on.
Friday, November 9, 2018
A warning
I wrote this as a fun poem to get my family excited for our trip to Las Vegas.
So you are coming Vegas?
How fun, how swell, how neat!
Your hungry Klowny is ready,
For buffets of yummy, fresh meat!
Kathy is my dear; my most favorite!
Her love for me is quite enough!
She I will preserve as my fair lady,
By stuffing her corpse with some fluff.
John is quite a little runner,
With him never a quiet or a lull.
So cooking up his juicy leg meat,
Will surely make Klowny feel oh so full.
Mike is known as a deep thinker,
No meat on that skinny ‘lil frame.
So feasting on Mike must always begin,
By dining on his juicy full brain.
Jacob is not coming, oh dear!
Probably better for me that way.
He’s so strong and so muscular,
He’d crush me and ruin my day
Buddy, now there’s a ‘lil fatty.
Roasting nicely on a spit like some pork.
His belly will taste so good and yummy,
As I stick him with my big pitchy fork
Nate, what a great old big softie.
So kind, so loving, so sweet!
Makes cutting into his liver,
Able to produce delicious, red meat.
Mary, oh so kind and so gentle!
She’s known for having a big heart.
Which is why when I grill it for dinner,
For my feast it will be a great start.
Beth is so smart with her skin.
Lotions and creams, how they make it shine!
Which will make it so much nicer,
When I wear it as a coat over mine.
I think that’s it my old dearies,
Can’t wait for you all to arrive!
You’ll expect it to be a fun vacay,
But none will escape me alive.
I anxiously await your arrival,
Already sharpening my knife!
And setting the table for dinner
Ready to take eight Kennedy lives.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Going home
Recently I was thinking about Heavenly
Father and Mother and an idea came to me which I had never had before.
We knew them in our previous life. We
were spirits, they had physical bodies. In this state, it would have been hard
or impossible to embrace in the way that we know today. It made me think how
lovely and powerful it will be someday to embrace fully as resurrected beings.
As I thought about this it made me
wonder: what would that first visit home be like? As I wondered this, I had an experience
come to mind. Here’s what I saw.
We walk in. We’re beaten, bruised, and
crushed from our mortal journey. Whatever journey we’ve had, we will be grown
and different from when we last saw them. Although we’ll have felt comfortable
on Earth, in this new state we will be disgusting to look at. We will be dirty.
If sin creates scars, we will be truly horrific to look at.
In this condition we enter.
We’re not returning home in the way we
thought we would when we left. We remember what we wanted to be, how we wanted
this life to go, and with this full knowledge we will be ashamed of who we are.
In this state we see Them. They are
glorious. Full of love. Perfect.
They welcome us home. They lovingly
remove our shoes. Heavenly Mother takes us by the hand and brings us to a warm
bath, warm towels. Here we are cleansed. Our sores are washed and cleaned,
preparing us for resurrection. Tattoos and other defilements are removed. Our
hair and nails are cleaned.
We have a nice meal. We talk. And we
embrace. We apologize for failing. We explain what went wrong. They know. They
forgive. They understand. Even with our failures, amidst our failings, we are
loved. Supported. Listened to. Understood.
And with that, our journey is over.
That’s how I see it.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Golden Records
13 billion
miles away from us in the freezing, deep, bleak reaches of interstellar space is
a spacecraft called Voyager 1 (one of two Voyager spacecrafts). This probe is currently the farthest human-made
object from Earth. It is in the region of space between stars where galactic
plasma is present. You can track its distance here.
Interestingly,
on both of the Voyager crafts is a very unique and interesting artifact of interest to many, including the LDS faithful. Attached to the hull is a 12-inch
LP, “called the Golden
Record”. It is fashioned from
gold-plated copper and mounted to the side of each Voyager.
Voyager 1
and 2 were both launched by NASA with a (For most references, including direct quotes, see the Wikipedia article on Golden Record)
Voyagers’
launch dates took advantage of a rare planetary alignment. In 1977, the giant
planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — lined up in such a way that a
spacecraft could swing past all four in less than 15 years, stealing some
gravitational oomph from each world as it went.
That lucky
alignment happens only once every 176 years. When NASA’s administrator went to
President Richard Nixon to ask for funding for Voyager, he allegedly said: “The
last time the planets were lined up like that, President Jefferson was sitting
at your desk. And he blew it.” Nixon approved the mission.
On the Golden record is a beautiful message from then President Jimmy Carter, which reads:
This is a present from a small,
distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our
thoughts and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live
into yours.
It was developed as a sort of intergalactic message in a bottle. The hope is that some future alien civilization will find it and learn about Earth. Maybe they'll even use it to find us. And maybe, if we don't blow it, we'll be around to greet them. If not, this will act as a sort of voice in the dust.
When I first heard about this Golden Record a few years ago I thought to myself - it sounds a lot like the Book of Mormon. Here are some of the ways the Golden Record and The Book of Mormon are similar - and different.
First, their both Golden. Simple, but interesting. Both were put on the metal that they believed would be most able to withstand the weathering of time. As the Wikipedia article points out:
The record is constructed of gold-plated copper and is 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.[3] The record's cover is aluminum and electroplated upon it is an ultra-pure sample of the isotope uranium-238. Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.468 billion years. It is possible (e.g. via mass-spectrometry) that a civilization that encounters the record will be able to use the ratio of remaining uranium to the other elements to determine the age of the record.
Interestingly, both records were written and compiled for another time and another people. The writers of the Book of Mormon never benefitted from the book themselves, but were dedicated to its creation and survival. They wrote it as a voice speaking from the dust, but with a vision of us in the future who could turn to use it and adore it. The Golden Record is not for this world (although thanks to a recent Kickstarter campaign you can buy it soon).
Both records were created by the best and brightest of their day. The Voyager Golden Records were compiled by Carl Sagan, world-famous scientist and others. The Book of Mormon was written and compiled by the greatest prophets and leaders that lived during the time of its creation.
If created today, it is likely Voyager would not use a record but some other advanced storage material. This would allow it to store more and do more. But the record was the best tech they had then, and is why they used it. Similarly the Book of Mormon was fashioned with the most advanced technology of its day. Many dispute that it would be impossible for these ancient civilizations to create metal work of the kind represented by the Book of Mormon. True, it would be difficult - perhaps this is why there's little archaeological evidence of metal work. But, it was lovingly created and would have been a technical marvel in its day.
Both records contain as much about their civilizations as was possible to include. The Golden record includes 115 images and a variety of natural sounds, such as those made by surf, wind, thunder and animals (including the songs of birds and whales). The compilers added musical selections from different cultures and eras, spoken greetings in 55 ancient and modern languages, other human sounds, like footsteps and laughter and printed messages from U.S. president Jimmy Carter and U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. The record also includes the inspirational message Per aspera ad astra in Morse code, which roughly translates into: Through hardships to the stars
Both records were created by the best and brightest of their day. The Voyager Golden Records were compiled by Carl Sagan, world-famous scientist and others. The Book of Mormon was written and compiled by the greatest prophets and leaders that lived during the time of its creation.
If created today, it is likely Voyager would not use a record but some other advanced storage material. This would allow it to store more and do more. But the record was the best tech they had then, and is why they used it. Similarly the Book of Mormon was fashioned with the most advanced technology of its day. Many dispute that it would be impossible for these ancient civilizations to create metal work of the kind represented by the Book of Mormon. True, it would be difficult - perhaps this is why there's little archaeological evidence of metal work. But, it was lovingly created and would have been a technical marvel in its day.
Both records contain as much about their civilizations as was possible to include. The Golden record includes 115 images and a variety of natural sounds, such as those made by surf, wind, thunder and animals (including the songs of birds and whales). The compilers added musical selections from different cultures and eras, spoken greetings in 55 ancient and modern languages, other human sounds, like footsteps and laughter and printed messages from U.S. president Jimmy Carter and U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim. The record also includes the inspirational message Per aspera ad astra in Morse code, which roughly translates into: Through hardships to the stars
The collection of images includes many photographs and diagrams both in black and white, and color. The first images are of scientific interest, showing mathematical and physical quantities, the Solar System and its planets, DNA, and human anatomy and reproduction. Care was taken to include not only pictures of humanity, but also some of animals, insects, plants and landscapes. Images of humanity depict a broad range of cultures. These images show food, architecture, and humans in portraits as well as going about their day-to-day lives.
The Book of Mormon likewise contains a vast array of information about this ancient civilization - its people, their customs, their wars and conflicts, its currency, the travels of the people, the changing environment, and the spiritual condition of the people.
Another similarity is that both records are in Heaven - one is billions of miles away, the other was taken back by Moroni.
It is recorded that it took about a year for those responsible for putting together the Voyager Golden Record to compile its contents. This is with the full support of NASA and the U.S. Government. The Book of Mormon was translated in approximately 65 days.
Included with the Voyager is a literal record to be played on a phonograph (which was included) by any aliens that might encounter the spacecraft. The package included a needle, a speaker and graphical instructions on how to play the record. Likewise, the Book of Mormon included the means of translation for the unlearned youth, Joseph Smith.
Lastly, the Voyager Golden Record has a very specific purpose:
Carl Sagan said, "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced civilizations in interstellar space, but the launching of this bottle into the cosmic ocean says something very hopeful about life on this planet."
It is a kind of time capsule, intended to communicate to extraterrestrials a story of the world of humans on Earth.
The Book of Mormon has a very different purpose: that of "convincing the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting Himself to all nations."
Both are unique, interesting, and beautiful. But, only one can bring men and women to Christ. And that's what makes it my favorite Golden Record.
The Book of Mormon likewise contains a vast array of information about this ancient civilization - its people, their customs, their wars and conflicts, its currency, the travels of the people, the changing environment, and the spiritual condition of the people.
Another similarity is that both records are in Heaven - one is billions of miles away, the other was taken back by Moroni.
It is recorded that it took about a year for those responsible for putting together the Voyager Golden Record to compile its contents. This is with the full support of NASA and the U.S. Government. The Book of Mormon was translated in approximately 65 days.
Included with the Voyager is a literal record to be played on a phonograph (which was included) by any aliens that might encounter the spacecraft. The package included a needle, a speaker and graphical instructions on how to play the record. Likewise, the Book of Mormon included the means of translation for the unlearned youth, Joseph Smith.
Lastly, the Voyager Golden Record has a very specific purpose:
Carl Sagan said, "The spacecraft will be encountered and the record played only if there are advanced civilizations in interstellar space, but the launching of this bottle into the cosmic ocean says something very hopeful about life on this planet."
It is a kind of time capsule, intended to communicate to extraterrestrials a story of the world of humans on Earth.
The Book of Mormon has a very different purpose: that of "convincing the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting Himself to all nations."
Both are unique, interesting, and beautiful. But, only one can bring men and women to Christ. And that's what makes it my favorite Golden Record.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Building things that last for eternity
I taught a class on Sunday on the topic "Building things that last for eternity". It centered on Brigham Young's vision for the SLC Temple, but I didn't want to focus there too much because I was really captured by that idea of building for eternity.
Do we spend our time building things that last?
Our families, our marriages, our own lives. These are the things that last.
I told them about my Mom. Just as the early saints planted the right footings for the Temple, strong and immovable, so my Mom planted our foundation. She took us to Church in conditions that were sad. She told us we'd serve missions. She drove us to Seminary. She told us stories from the Scriptures. Was it more than that? If so I don't recall. But that was enough.
I concluded by holding up the program and asking: what does it take to send someone on a mission? How many hours? How many people? How much encouragement? How many invitations?
But these are the things that last forever, and they are hard won but important.
Do we spend our time building things that last?
Our families, our marriages, our own lives. These are the things that last.
I told them about my Mom. Just as the early saints planted the right footings for the Temple, strong and immovable, so my Mom planted our foundation. She took us to Church in conditions that were sad. She told us we'd serve missions. She drove us to Seminary. She told us stories from the Scriptures. Was it more than that? If so I don't recall. But that was enough.
I concluded by holding up the program and asking: what does it take to send someone on a mission? How many hours? How many people? How much encouragement? How many invitations?
But these are the things that last forever, and they are hard won but important.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
A new verse to 'Follow the Prophet'
Joseph was a prophet,
But first he was a boy.
He had a great question:
Which church should I join?
Joseph was sincere,
He sought a grove of trees.
He received his answer
Down upon his knees.
But first he was a boy.
He had a great question:
Which church should I join?
Joseph was sincere,
He sought a grove of trees.
He received his answer
Down upon his knees.
Maddie's Money
Here are some of the Facebook comments about Maddie's summer business:
I would probably pay her MORE for something like this! She's AMAZING!
First of all, she needs to raise her prices or else I need to move closer to you guys. Secondly, like a true marketer she says the kitchen cleaning is complimentary and then charges for it.
She's undercharging for her services! I would pay a premium for someone who would fold my laundry!!!
We want all services but I think any package should be about 50$
Can I hire her for copy writing??
Good job Maddie!
Wow! This is amazing and her rates are so reasonable! I wish she was closer and I would sign up for all of the services! I'm definitely showing this to Campbell to see if she's willing to learn from your enterprising daughter!
I'd pay her just to write
"This complimentary package costs $2.50" -- truth in advertising!
skip harvard business school. go straight to P &G senior management.
Fantastic!! Amazing prices too, she can come live with me!!
Umm I'd hire her
That shows she's the daughter of a world class marketer
If she's for real, I'll pay her $15 to make me 3 sandwiches mon, Tues and weds next week. Just 1 a dsy.
So awesome! Love her style! Thanks for sharing this!
Amazing!
She will corner the market!
Hi friend--been meaning to write to you and tell you that I was blown away by Maddie's Maddie Money sales pitch. C'mon--you helped her, right? It's SO good. Concise, engaging, clearly states the value prop, beautifully organized and consistent, utterly adorable and very competitively priced! Hugely impressed. She's a better copywriter than most of the people here with that title. Seriously, excellent work!
I would probably pay her MORE for something like this! She's AMAZING!
First of all, she needs to raise her prices or else I need to move closer to you guys. Secondly, like a true marketer she says the kitchen cleaning is complimentary and then charges for it.
She's undercharging for her services! I would pay a premium for someone who would fold my laundry!!!
We want all services but I think any package should be about 50$
Can I hire her for copy writing??
Good job Maddie!
Wow! This is amazing and her rates are so reasonable! I wish she was closer and I would sign up for all of the services! I'm definitely showing this to Campbell to see if she's willing to learn from your enterprising daughter!
I'd pay her just to write
"This complimentary package costs $2.50" -- truth in advertising!
skip harvard business school. go straight to P &G senior management.
Fantastic!! Amazing prices too, she can come live with me!!
Umm I'd hire her
That shows she's the daughter of a world class marketer
If she's for real, I'll pay her $15 to make me 3 sandwiches mon, Tues and weds next week. Just 1 a dsy.
So awesome! Love her style! Thanks for sharing this!
Amazing!
She will corner the market!
Hi friend--been meaning to write to you and tell you that I was blown away by Maddie's Maddie Money sales pitch. C'mon--you helped her, right? It's SO good. Concise, engaging, clearly states the value prop, beautifully organized and consistent, utterly adorable and very competitively priced! Hugely impressed. She's a better copywriter than most of the people here with that title. Seriously, excellent work!
Flashback tonight
Tonight I had a bit of a flashback to trying to sleep during the summers of my youth. Our house had air conditioning in the living room only, and the upstairs where we all slept was always very hot in the summer. So hot that falling asleep was almost impossible some nights. I'd feel so hot and sticky just laying there in the heat. Making matters worse was the ever-present reality of mosquitoes who would sneak in through the completely non existent screens or the many holes in the screens. Just as you'd be falling asleep, the persistent 'zzzzzzzz' of the mosquitoes would jar me awake as I swatted them in the dark.
As I think about it, I feel so blessed today. Air conditioning cools my house. Fans blow gentle breezes on us as we sleep. There is nary a bug in the entire house.
But, on the other hand...it would be special to go back for a minute. To have my brother sleeping in the other side of the room. My Mom in the next door with my sisters. Brothers sleeping further down the hall or downstairs. The family together. Just for a night.
As I think about it, I feel so blessed today. Air conditioning cools my house. Fans blow gentle breezes on us as we sleep. There is nary a bug in the entire house.
But, on the other hand...it would be special to go back for a minute. To have my brother sleeping in the other side of the room. My Mom in the next door with my sisters. Brothers sleeping further down the hall or downstairs. The family together. Just for a night.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Reminiscing about the summers of my childhood
With summer upon us I wanted to reflect on the summers of my childhood. Sadly, most of the memories are gone like those ancient summer days, but a few things remain.
One thing that occurs to me is that Mom used to have us boys take on a massive summer long project, partially to do something constructive, mostly to keep us occupied on something other than Atari and TV. The two that stand out were a summer of scrapping the paint off the house, and another of weeding the world's largest garden of weeds.
The scrapping project somewhat made sense: the house was old and made of wood and the paint that was there needed to come off before a fresh coat could be applied. What didn't make sense was the way we went about it, which is that Mom bought a few hand-held scrapping tools by which we were to attack this project. No chemical thinner, no heater to warm the paint to make it easier to remove. Just metal on wood for an entire summer. It was straight out of the Karate Kid. Scrap off, scrap off. That wood held onto the paint like a tight-fisted miser, and removing it was nearly impossible. What was more possible was removing sheets and chunks of wood. And sadly - to the detriment of the entire house - that was what happened more than once. Scrap off, scrap off. So, the Kennedy boys spent the better part of that summer removing chunks of wood and paint from what was in reality the world's saddest house.
The second project that I remember Mom throwing us into was to weed the garden. First things first: I think the plot of land affectionately called a 'garden' was once a garden, I mean one year it was a garden. Every year after that it became less and less of a garden and more and more of a forest. A forest of weeds and trees. Weeds that grew as tall as a grown man, with trunks as thick as an arm. Prickly and wild, these weeds were not looking to give up their plot of land and they gave the Kennedys a real run for their money. For the summer that year we attacked those weeds with everything we had. I think we made some dents, but by the next summer those weeds had come back with a vengeance never to give up their place again. We learned two important lessons that summer. One, it's easier to tend the garden when the weeds are little and can be attacked with minimal effort. Two, none of us ever wanted to be a farmer.
One thing that occurs to me is that Mom used to have us boys take on a massive summer long project, partially to do something constructive, mostly to keep us occupied on something other than Atari and TV. The two that stand out were a summer of scrapping the paint off the house, and another of weeding the world's largest garden of weeds.
The scrapping project somewhat made sense: the house was old and made of wood and the paint that was there needed to come off before a fresh coat could be applied. What didn't make sense was the way we went about it, which is that Mom bought a few hand-held scrapping tools by which we were to attack this project. No chemical thinner, no heater to warm the paint to make it easier to remove. Just metal on wood for an entire summer. It was straight out of the Karate Kid. Scrap off, scrap off. That wood held onto the paint like a tight-fisted miser, and removing it was nearly impossible. What was more possible was removing sheets and chunks of wood. And sadly - to the detriment of the entire house - that was what happened more than once. Scrap off, scrap off. So, the Kennedy boys spent the better part of that summer removing chunks of wood and paint from what was in reality the world's saddest house.
The second project that I remember Mom throwing us into was to weed the garden. First things first: I think the plot of land affectionately called a 'garden' was once a garden, I mean one year it was a garden. Every year after that it became less and less of a garden and more and more of a forest. A forest of weeds and trees. Weeds that grew as tall as a grown man, with trunks as thick as an arm. Prickly and wild, these weeds were not looking to give up their plot of land and they gave the Kennedys a real run for their money. For the summer that year we attacked those weeds with everything we had. I think we made some dents, but by the next summer those weeds had come back with a vengeance never to give up their place again. We learned two important lessons that summer. One, it's easier to tend the garden when the weeds are little and can be attacked with minimal effort. Two, none of us ever wanted to be a farmer.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
God's Response to a Question
A few weeks ago I had a recruiter reach out with an interesting job - one that would've stretched me but that would've been good for my career. So I followed my own advice and agreed to talk to the recruiter. But preparing for the interview was a bit stressful, and I had a ton of anxiety around it.
As I prayed one night as the interview drew nearer I was asking God for help...and I kept asking and asking. As I did I kept having these insights come into my mind...one after another I heard ideas that I could use in the interview. I kept asking. Distinctly I felt a prompting say: I'm giving you answers, why aren't you writing them down? So I jumped up and went into my office to take notes. The ideas kept flowing, and I kept writing. As a result of this I felt way more prepared for this interview and started feeling prepared.
Interestingly, the next day the recruiter contacted me again and let me know they had made an offer to another candidate and that I wouldn't be interviewing for this role.
Some might wonder: why did God give me answers when the interview would be cancelled in a few hours. Why would he even say anything, knowing it would soon be cancelled?
I think God is there when we need him, even if we only think we need him.
In that moment I needed God. Even though I didn't actually need it, I needed Him then and there. So he was there. It's comforting to know that he will be with us if we pray sincerely for help.
As I prayed one night as the interview drew nearer I was asking God for help...and I kept asking and asking. As I did I kept having these insights come into my mind...one after another I heard ideas that I could use in the interview. I kept asking. Distinctly I felt a prompting say: I'm giving you answers, why aren't you writing them down? So I jumped up and went into my office to take notes. The ideas kept flowing, and I kept writing. As a result of this I felt way more prepared for this interview and started feeling prepared.
Interestingly, the next day the recruiter contacted me again and let me know they had made an offer to another candidate and that I wouldn't be interviewing for this role.
Some might wonder: why did God give me answers when the interview would be cancelled in a few hours. Why would he even say anything, knowing it would soon be cancelled?
I think God is there when we need him, even if we only think we need him.
In that moment I needed God. Even though I didn't actually need it, I needed Him then and there. So he was there. It's comforting to know that he will be with us if we pray sincerely for help.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
My question to God
I've been thinking about asking God a simple question:
If I gave you my life, what would you do with it?
This is an important question. The answer is equally important. I think in everyone's life we need to consciously or unconsciously pose this question and take action on the answer.
My personal hesitation is that I'm fearful of the response, and equally fearful of my ability to do as he wants. So it fundamentally comes down to: Am I willing to act on it?
This much I know: God can do more with my life than I could ever dream of myself. I think of the quote by C.S. Lewis where he says:
If I gave you my life, what would you do with it?
This is an important question. The answer is equally important. I think in everyone's life we need to consciously or unconsciously pose this question and take action on the answer.
My personal hesitation is that I'm fearful of the response, and equally fearful of my ability to do as he wants. So it fundamentally comes down to: Am I willing to act on it?
This much I know: God can do more with my life than I could ever dream of myself. I think of the quote by C.S. Lewis where he says:
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
His vision for us is so much grander and fuller than we could ever imagine. But it takes a willingness to submit that will to him. To lay our lives on the alter and let him make of us what he will. Maybe this is the only question that really matters.
I hope to have the courage to ask and act.
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