If I Had My Life to Live Over – Erma Bombeck

This time of year—approaching the end of the year—causes me to reflect on the previous year and the year to come.  I imagine a lot of people do; isn’t that where the idea of the New Year’s Resolution comes from?  Anyway, I saw this quote from Erma Bombeck, written near the end of her life, and I got to thinking about what’s important in my life.  I know that this type of sentiment was not originated by Erma Bombeck; many have stated such things late in life.  And though I can’t relate to some of the things that she’s written, and I don’t agree with at least one of them, it got me thinking about what I don’t want to have to say at the end of my life, whenever that may be.

If I had my life to live over...
- I would have talked less and listened more.
- I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
- I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
- I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
- I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
- I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
- I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
- I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.
- I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
- I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
- I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
- Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
- There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorry's" ...
- But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

To a Snowflake – by Francis Thompson

It snowed a little bit here this morning and that reminded me of a poem by Francis Thompson, one of my favorite poets.

To A Snowflake

What heart could have thought you? --
Past our devisal
(O filigree petal!)
Fashioned so purely,
Fragilely, surely,
From what Paradisal
Imagineless metal,
Too costly for cost?
Who hammered you, wrought you,
From argentine vapor? --
"God was my shaper.
Passing surmisal,
He hammered, He wrought me,
From curled silver vapor,
To lust of His mind --
Thou could'st not have thought me!
So purely, so palely,
Tinily, surely,
Mightily, frailly,
Insculped and embossed,
With His hammer of wind,
And His graver of frost."

–– by Francis Thompson

Delighting in Psalm 37

I was reading Psalm 37 this morning and a few thoughts occurred to me regarding Psalm 37:3-4. I wanted to share them with you.

I think I like a combination of the NASB and the NET Bible for Ps 37:3-4.

NASB:

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

NET Bible:

Trust in the Lord and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!
Then you will take delight in the Lord,
and he will answer your prayers.

My thoughts:

Line 1 - It seems that there are some people who would interpret the end of line one differently in the two translations. To “do good” is to act in a manner that is in line with what God says in the Bible. To “do what is right” can be easily left to rationalization. “Yeah, maybe it was against the Bible, but I did it because it was right [human interpretation of ‘best’] for my son,” or whatever. I like the way the NASB puts line 1.

Line 2 - I really like the idea of dwelling in the land (NASB) as opposed to just settling in the land (NET). Dwelling in the land sounds more like settling and taking part of and being an active member of the land—the society. Settling sounds like a person is just residing there, but not really taking part in the society and culture. Today, dwelling in the land can be equated to being an active part of the people of God.
The NASB note on the last part of line 2 shows that it could be translated “and feed on his faithfulness.” The NIV translates it “and enjoy safe pasture.” I like this also.
Basically, I think this line says to actively be a part of the people of God and reap the benefits of being his child. The second part is not a result of the first, but rather both parts are commands. Or it could be taken as synonymous statements. Actively being a part of God's family includes reaping the benefits of that. This is a great line!

Line 3 - I like the way the NET Bible translates the third line as a result of following the instructions in the first two lines, not as an additional command.

Line 4 - The NASB translation seems to be more thorough in its meaning in line 4. If you follow the instructions in lines 1 and 2, then your prayers will be in line with God's will and his desires will become your desires. And when we pray according to his desires, God will answer those prayers.

I think the Jono translation would look like this:

Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness.
Then you will take delight in the Lord,
And he will give you the desires of your heart.

Are Horoscopes Just Harmless Fun?

It’s my opinion that one of the greatest dangers to the life of a follower of Christ is allowing alternate worldviews to mix in with their Christian worldview.  Lately I have seen this a lot with people’s involvement with Astrology, specifically horoscopes.

Horoscopes can be very difficult to miss; they’re everywhere.  They are in almost every newspaper, most magazines, on portal websites, Facebook, and other social networking sites.  They are even re-circulated by readers to other readers via these sites.

At first, it’s a light-hearted and fun thing to do.  A person will read their horoscope just out of curiosity.  That will quickly turn into the habit of seeing what their horoscope says each day.  Eventually, the forecast will be correct one day and the reader will become even more curious and captivated, maybe even captivated enough to get themselves further into Astrology.

Despite what people may say and how they might try to rationalize it away, Astrology is a dangerous view.  It comes from the New Age mentality that is directly opposed to the Christian beliefs that Jesus is the only way to God and that there are moral absolutes.  Astrology holds the view that the stars, planets, and the moon and their movements reflect our lives here on earth and can therefore be used to predict our futures.  This is contrary to the Biblical view that the heavens declare God’s glory, not our own.

Most Christians who are involved in this might say that they don’t really believe it, it’s just for fun, it’s like reading the funnies, or that they don’t take it seriously.  I believe these phrases are spoken with sincerity, but I also think that there is a naiveté involved there.  The people who write these columns—horoscopes—are people who truly do believe that their study of Astrology is giving them the insight that they write in the horoscopes and that they are providing real guidance.  So, when a Christian is reading her horoscope for the day, she is allowing herself to be guided by the writer’s worldview.

God has given us the testimony of many people as written in the Bible.  Why would anyone want to seek guidance for their lives in the creation rather than in the Creator?  Isaiah said that “when [people] say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isa 8:19).  We, as the children of God and as followers of him who told us that he is the Way, are to follow God’s guidance, not that of the world.

I want to encourage my Christian brothers and sisters not to consult horoscopes, even in fun.  God has given us his Word that is useful (as opposed to horoscopes) “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  True guidance comes from God, not the stars.  And consulting in horoscopes shows that the person takes lightly God’s guidance and gives weight to an alternate and opposing worldview.

Do You Know or Know Not?

Take a look at this saying from Asian culture

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not
    is a fool; shun him
He who knows not and knows that he knows not
    is a child; teach him
He who knows and knows not that he knows
    is asleep; wake him
He who knows and knows that he knows
    is a wise man; follow him

It seems that most people fit into the first or second category.

Overall, according to this,
I know a lot of people who are fools.
I know a lot of people who are children.
I know few people who are asleep.
I know fewer yet who are wise.

I consider myself a child, overall.  The more I come to know, the more I know that I know not.

I know that this can be applied to various areas, and anyone can fit into any of the categories in one area of knowledge or another, and that people can change categories.  I think it’s difficult to move from being a fool to anything else.  I think that, but I know not…and I know that I know not…I think.

The Fearful Power of God

I was thinking today about the song A Violent Grace by Michael Card.  The chorus goes like this:

So ruthless, he loves us, so reckless his embrace
To show relentless kindness to a hardened human race
The joy that was before him on the Man of Sorrows' face
And by his blood he bought of violent grace

God came after sin with a ferocity that has never been seen before or since.  It was a violent grace that was purchased for us!  It's wonderful to know, however, that even though God can be, and is, a powerful and dangerous person, he is my Abba, my Father, and he loves me with such passion.

A World Perspective

As most of you already know, my wife grew up as an MK (Missionary Kid) in Bangladesh and Kenya.  Debi (also known as Twiga in the blogging world) has 1 brother and 1 sister.  Her sister—Dawn—has recently posted two wonderful descriptions of Africa; I wanted to share them here.

This World Called Africa

Alone, lost alone
In this world called Africa

The high, sparse grass
Waving in the wind

Dancing, moving,
Like a chant in full sway

The drums rolling,
The dancing and beating

The clack of bones,
Dry bones floating on the wind

The sweet smell of spice,
Of roses, of pepper trees

Lost, alone, lost
In this world called Africa

The browns and reds,
The dark, heavy earth

The rhythms, the dancing
On a dark, cloudy day

The fire, the spark
The smoke surrounding

Enveloping, closing in
Taking the air away

In this world,
this frightful world,
In this world called Africa

 

Masai Mara

And this is how I see Masai Mara. I have seen it high places and have searched the heart of it, but the way I shall always see it is from a log deck overseeing the land, a far horizon etched with eucalyptus trees, foggy and faint yellow in the morning, bright scorching gold at noon, gray waving grasses lined with red at sunset. I have the memory of fierce, golden felines stalking their prey, of small frightened deer watching with terrified glances. And I see a lake, a shining lake, rippled with movement, silver-blue, with shadows of trees reflecting in the gathering dusk. A bright star burns far off upon the mystery of the wild, and the wildlife is enchanting and inspiring. We watch at the stone wall with excited gasps, and suddenly a leopard stands out against the darkness, a wild leopard, untamed by man with unusual beauty in its exotic coat, its contrasting coat, comes out of the still night- the first hint of my love for Masai Mara. That will always be part of my soul. It was mesmerizing and unbelievable, like a dream, like faraway hope that would never come true.

 

Thanks for sharing, Dawn.  You write beautifully.