I probably need to post this in a few other places to remind/reinforce:
We swim in language as fish swim in the sea, not noticing the power that our words have
to manifest, to create and to destroy. – Mary Jo Asmus
Training Journal – 8/22/13:
Training Journal – 3/2/13:
As those three items – and a load of others – bombard us over the next six-plus weeks, I resolve (and challenge you) to remember:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us … And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:14, 16 ESV
Over the past few lunches, I’ve watched Alexandra Pelosi’s HBO documentary, “Citizen U.S.A: A 50-State Road Trip” [website].
Check it out if you can – it’s a great film that documents Pelosi’s “travels across the U.S. to attend naturalization ceremonies in all 50 states and meets brand-new citizens to find out why they chose America as their home.”
I’ll admit – I did get choked up a few times… It made me feel thankful and proud to be an American and was a great reminder of how much we take for granted as native-born citizens:
“Many people would wish to be an animal in the United States.”
– Hazeem Taee, Iraq
Preview:
[YouTube]
(from my afternoon Target run)
Maybe I’m just getting old, but for some reason it really bugs me when a 5 or 6 year old uses the word “hella” in a sentence…
…or, maybe it’s just me.
(Sung to the theme from The Beverly Hillbillies)
Come and listen to a story, ‘bout a gal named Sue
Church volunteer – amateur singer, too
The crowds and the judges were doubtful of her skill
She reminded all you can’t prejudge – although we prob’ly will
(Forgive us, Lord. It’s sin. We know.)
AND
Come and listen to a story, ‘bout Carrie Prejean
Christian first, then model…beauty queen!
The crowds and the judges were sure of her skill
Till she showed integrity – now it’s all ill will
(I wonder Lord, would I have done the same? Hopefully, that is,
through the p’wer of Your Spirit!)
Wow…in the space of two weeks, two confident women – with differing public reactions.
So by now you’ve probably heard about Susan Boyle and her experience on the UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent – it’s all over YouTube and she’s even on Wikipedia! If you haven’t, you gotta get out more!
The obvious lesson here is how we judge by appearances – all of us. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we do it. We know it’s wrong and unfair, but it’s a natural reaction…
In an interview with the Washington Post, Boyle said it all to well:
“Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. … There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”
That’s the obvious take away…I have two other observations:
Last week, much was made about First Lady Michelle Obama’s “breach of protocol” when she touched Queen Elizabeth II. Without going in to the varying opinions of the actual event (there are those who say “eh, it’s no big deal” and some who are disparaging Mrs. Obama), it actually caused me to think about another Royal who is perfectly fine with being approached by anyone…without commanding genuflection:
Jesus Christ – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His Coronation:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
Our Invitation:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. -Ephesians 3:12
Especially with this week being what is commonly called Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday) and Easter next Sunday, I am humbled and rejoice in the fact that through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, you and I (as followers of Christ) have free and unlimited access at anytime and any place of our choosing to the Sovereign, Almighty, and Glorious God of the universe!
He is the God who came close (John 3:16-17, Philippians 2:6-11)…and longs for closeness with us (through a personal relationship…not just empty, ritualistic religion). May we savor and cherish that approachability this week as we remember the events that purposely took place so long ago.
Hallelujah!
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