I am reading through the Bible again…. Wait, that’s really not totally true. I am not really trying to “read through it”, I just keep reading it from Genesis to Revelation at my own pace. It’s just my new favorite way to spend my time with God.
I had just finished the old testament and opened up Matthew and I realized I was back at the Christmas story. Great timing! Funny thing is, I typically move to the gospels this time of year. I like to be on the same page with the rest of the world. That kind of unity of focus is something we don’t see a lot of, so I don’t want to waste the opportunity.
During December I tend to go back and forth from Matthew to Luke and then to some of the prophets and their prophecies of the coming Messiah. So today as I dwell on HOPE, I had to run outside and take a picture. I could see the color of the sky through my curtains and knew it would be beautiful. Now don’t get me wrong, I had to put on a bunch of clothes first because it is slightly chilly outside. The effort was totally worth it! As I looked at the sunrise, I thought of the words of Zechariah…..
“Because of the God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and guide us to the path of peace”. Luke: 1:78-79
Sunrise always fills me with HOPE.. A new day, a new opportunity for good to happen. I know there is also the chance of hardship, pain and the not so good happening. But in the first rays of the dawn, my heart automatically HOPEs for good. Truthfully, while the good might not be mine to claim, odds are something good will be happening to someone I love. And that definitely is a good thing! I also realize that the good I’ve received, may be what I’m called to give to someone else… And that might even be better!
It’s happening more and more. I wake up random thoughts floating through my brain. I wonder if it’s because this is the only time that I am not being bombarded by “news” or other types of messaging from every part of this world. Maybe God is taking the opportunity to filter through the information that’s been thrown at me during a day and pulling out what is worth taking another look at. I am not sure, but I am beginning to feel that those first few moments of the morning have some of my clearest thoughts of the day.
So what were my thoughts this morning? Well I would think it’s partly due to a movie we watched yesterday. Mike had sat down for a moment and popped on the tv and there was a movie already playing called Whitebird. We didn’t see the beginning but it was easy to pick up the storyline. In short, it is France during World War II and tells the story of a boy and his family who hide a Jewish classmate. It was a lovely movie, with moments showing the harsh ugliness that can be found in the world, but also the beauty of kindness and sacrifice. What struck me most about the move though was the actions of the towns people….both good and bad. The actions of everyday neighbors.
– The Priest who tried to get his Jewish students to safety.
– The young man who gave up his fellow students to the nazi’s.
– The teacher who, though not Jewish, chooses to go with her students to an unknown future.
– The young man, who even though was disabled and mistreated himself, chooses to lead a young girl to safety. Even though he knows of the potential cost to himself and his family.
– The mother and father who share not only their home and safety, but love with a young woman who is not their own.
– The young men who choose to become a part of the mechanism of evil. The one who embraces the power and reaps its rewards. And another who chooses to be of assistance when his spirit can’t take another minute of the evil he sees.
These characters all come together to knit this story of evil, love, suspense and ultimately of beauty. How beauty? Well, it’s the beauty of the gospel shown in the midst of the ugliness of our world. It’s what Jesus spoke of….
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself. “ Luke 10:27
Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37
The words of Jesus, when lived out, bring about beauty. They are the “kingdom come and will be done” here on earth. And that very amazing way of life is brought about by neighbors. Not anyone of renown, or famous, but everyday people. The characters listed above are all of us. In each country, town and neighborhood you will find some of each. And each day we get to choose who we will be.
There was also one other couple in the movie, and I found their part of the story most interesting. Our heroic family lived outside of town and they had a barn on the property where they hid the young woman. There was a neighboring home with an older couple who lived there. The couple were quiet and furtive, so the family felt that they must be part of the collaborators and kept their distance for the safety of their young guest. As our story comes to it’s dramatic conclusion and in a moment of panic the young woman races to their door because she has no other help. It’s then she finds out that the couple were living such a quiet life not because they were working with the Germans, but because they were themselves hiding Jews.
At that point I wondered, if they had only known, maybe the two families could have been more help to each other? Or at least, what difference it would have made to not live in fear of each other?
Fear destroys, but love let loose can conquer all. I believe our world peddles fear for it’s own gain. Unfortunately, I believe the church has allowed that idol to come into our midst. I also know, I don’t want to live in fear. I mean really…. The bible has 366 verses telling us to “fear not”! So how do we combat the use of fear that is such a scourge to us all?
I believe following God is my best defense, but it is also our best offense. We can’t defeat fear, but God can! I also believe God’s word points to my neighbors as the best way for me to defeat fear. When I think of loving my neighbor, it means knowing them. Doing life together. So that when someone wants to stoke fear by putting you into us vs them, you instantly put yourself and the people around you in the WE category.
I am beginning to believe these things more strongly the older I get…. But now is the time to do my part to live it! I have been in my new home for about a year and a half, and have a few people I know. But there are so many more I don’t. It is time to put my money where my mouth is, and seek to really live out what God is laying so strongly on my heart. To know my neighbors. To stand up with them and be a neighbor like the ones we had when I was young. Like the hated Samaritan…. The person on the outside, that chose to love even when it wasn’t easy or cheap or asked of him. He just did it!
So the General is getting down to the nitty gritty. Today, he and his generals have a council of war and their focus is the defense of their positions around Boston.
Disclaimer here…. this is a synopsis from what I am reading. I try to be fairly specific, but I may be mistaken on small details. This is not an exhaustive or in depth exposition of history, just a geek writing her thoughts on what she has read about the day.
That being said…. this council of war covers discussions of British troop strength and their allies, the troop strength of the Colonial army. By their own estimates they are woefully deficient in the amount of men needed to put up a good defense. They make plans to recruit more men, make plans for Washington to ask for temporary reinforcements and plan where they would retreat if defending the positions becomes untenable. That position….. “Welch Mountains near Cambridge & in the Rear of the Roxbury Lines is a suitable Place.” And in Roxbury…..
July 9th, Sunday.—This morning our chaplain came and preached In our regiment, from Chronicles 5:34; in the afternoon from Deuteronomy 23:9. A flag came from the enemy with a packet by General Lee. A man in a neighboring regiment was whipped twenty stripes for striking an officer.
In Roxbury, Jacob Haskell noted the events of the day in his diary. It’s amazing that such a momentous even in our history is played out in normal events of the day to day.
Washington’s general order was pretty small today. Instructions to make sure that the main guard “would on no account whatever, be without a drum.” No, the General wasn’t getting the band back together, the drum was to be used by those on duty as an alarm. If needed the drum would be sounded and the soldiers would report to their positions. He requested updates on ammunition and scheduled a court martial for 10:00 AM on Monday.
The Continental Congress was again working on another petition to the king…. Again they were reaching out to try and work through their differences…..again! And in Roxbury, Caleb Haskell was making notes in a diary.
July 8th, Saturday.—Th’s morning at 3 o’clock our people at Roxbury went down upon the neck; rushed upon the guard; they retreated; our men set fire to the guardhouse; they made a heavy fire upon our party, which was returned; a smart engagement ensued on both sides. Our lines manned for two hours.
It is insane to realize what is at our fingertips. I can find information about the big events, the day to day and even diaries from the every day people of the Revolution. Together the sources weave a more down to earth story of the founding of our country. There are the famous people that we all know, and then there are the Caleb Haskell’s of our history.
When you see these stories, you realize that it’s not just about those famous names, but also about people just like you and me. That is why I love the diary of Caleb Haskell. His words remind me that there is more going on than what’s in the history books. It reminds me that even my story, intersects with the story of my country.
So it was a rough day for the General. On June 15th the Continental Congress had made him the Commander of the Army, and on July 3rd he formally took command. So after a few days of issuing mostly administrative General Orders, today he is tasked with something a little more heavy.
You see, the battle of Bunker Hill had been in June, and during the battle there was a blatant example of cowardice. Three men were brought up on charges, but just one was found guilty. All of this had happened before Washington came on the scene, but the sentencing was left for him to deal with. After reviewing the court martial information, the General agrees with the sentencing and dismisses Captain John Callender from the Continental Army. In the general order from this day, Washington speaks his thoughts on the dangers of cowardice.
“It is with inexpressible Concern that the General upon his first Arrival in the army, should find an Officer sentenced by a General Court Martial to be cashier’d for Cowardice—A Crime of all others, the most infamous in a Soldier, the most injurious to an Army, and the last to be forgiven; inasmuch as it may, and often does happen, that the Cowardice of a single Officer may prove the Distruction of the whole Army:“
So while Captain Callender was dismissed, John Callender was not done with the army. The general’s order had some interesting wording…..
“Capt. John Callender is accordingly cashiered and dismissd from all farther service in the Continental Army as an Officer.“
“….as an Officer.” That small phrase made all the difference. You see, while John could not be an officer, he was able to rejoin the Continental Army as an enlisted man. He rejoins a volunteer artillery company, and while this is out of our timeline, he does show heroism during the battle of Long Island. In March of 1776, his unit is under attack and some even start to break under the assault. Callender assumes command and by the “force of his example” rallies the men. While they are still overtaken, his bravery catches the attention of a British officer who spares his life, and takes him as a prisoner of war. The story of his bravery was relayed to Washington, who upon hearing was moved to strike the court martial from the record, reinstate his rank and arrange for his release. I was so surprised by this outcome and I just couldn’t wrap my mind around “why”? Why did he run during the battle of Bunker Hill but acted so bravely at Long Island? I tried looking for something written or spoken by him to see what his motivation was, but I unfortunately didn’t find anything.
What it did remind me of is something I’ve come to believe is very important for my life…. It’s not how you start, but how you finish. He didn’t start off very well, but he certainly turned it around. Captain Callender seemed to make the choice to humble himself by signing up as a lowly private, and didn’t even try to hide his unsavory story. He just mustered his courage and served his country and in these days it gives me hope. Hope that if he can, so can I.
The American Revolution was the start of my love of history. I remember the 200th Birthday of our nation, and now as we are on the cusp of the 250th, I wanted to jump back in and follow the story day by day….. So I started posting this on July 4th, but thought I would add it to this platform also. So here we go with July 6th!
So Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson were at it again today. These two seem to be the official copywriters for the Continental Congress. Dickinson is actually known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” that were published in the late 1760’s.
I loved the copy I found with both Jefferson’s and Dickinson’s drafts, edits and then the final copy that was distributed. I have worked with people writing different things, and the way people come together and work to make themselves known through writing is an amazing process to me.
“….being with our [one] mind resolved to dye Free-men rather than live Slaves.”
It’s interesting to read the declaration and hear them use such strong language as “slaves.” They both actually did own slaves, and I wondered what kind of mental gymnastics had to be done to own people while actively seeking freedom?
I read a bit more about John Dickinson, since he wasn’t someone I knew right off the top of my head. He will pop up more in this story…. but for now you can actually listen to his letters here: https://librivox.org/letters-from-a-farmer-in…/
He said, “do you see what he’s holding? He always has the good book open when he speaks.”
Again I asked, “but how do you know?”
“Do you see the words on the screen,” she smiled “it makes it so easy to follow along.”
“Yes, I see,” I answered, “but how do they know?”
“Well, look at all the people” they said.
“There is a lot, but how do we know?”
“We are a bible preaching church,” they said.
And I wondered again, “how do they know?”
And then it hit me, It’s not you, or they, or we, but I. And while all had explanations, the only one that mattered was my own. And in that moment I posed the question as it should have been from the beginning, “how do I know?”
It was then I looked at the book in my hands. Not as well worn as it should be, but getting there the older I got. Verses underlined, notes of what spoke to me and dates to mark where I was waiting for God to do His work. Dates that are growing into a timeline that shows the good He has already done….to see how far He has brought me.
This is how I know. Through a book written just for me, for you…. for all of us.
There is only one way to know. Open the Bible and make it your own.
“Simple cures to complex problems are almost always snake oil”. – Mike Cosper
It was just a couple of days ago I read that statement and it made me stop for a moment to ponder. I was in the middle of Mike Cosper’s new book, “The Church in Dark Times,” and while the comment made me stop, I didn’t stop for long. I found the connections interesting that he was seeing between what has been happening in the church and some of the observations of journalist Hannah Arendt. As I thought about the quote from the book, it really brought my mind to the state of our country, and even our world. Then out of the recess’ of my mind came a word, or at least a part of a word. Funny thing was, I couldn’t really remember where the word came from or what it meant? Luckily for me the internet can take half remembered thoughts and provide the information needed. That thought, is a Gordian Knot.
It was funny, I had no idea where that came from or what exactly was a Gordian knot? I was telling Mike about it, and he said we had heard it in a documentary about Alexander the Great. So I read more and understood why it came to mind. This Greek legend in a nutshell is this…. There is an oxcart that is tied to the palace of the former kings of Phrygia. It has a storied history and the oxcart itself was dedicated to a Phrygian god. This oxcart was tied by an elaborate knot that was unable to be untied, and that my friend is the Gordian Knot. An oracle had proclaimed that any man who could undue the knot, would rule all of Asia. Centuries passed and the knot was still fully tied. No one had been able to untie the complicated knot though many had tried in their desire to rule. Then comes Alexander, not Hamilton, but the Great. He arrived in Phrygia and immediately wanted to untie the knot. Now in the end, he was able to get it loosed, and does eventually rule all of Asia. Hence the moniker…. “the Great”.
The first version of the legend I read stated that when Alexander came and was unable to unravel the confusing knot, he took out his sword and sliced through it. “It makes no difference how they are loosed,” he is rumored to have said. This solution is looked on as “bold or unconventional action taken to remedy a difficult problem”. And what a story! There is though another ending, and I was surprised to hear this very different way the story was resolved.
So in this version, Alexander observes the knot and the complicated structure, and instead of pulling out his sword he takes the time to get a different point of view. He pulls the lynchpin from the pole that the yoke was fastened, and slides the knot off the pole so he can see the underside. When he does, he is able to see the ends of the knot and untie it. Taking the time to see the underside, gave him the ability to untie the knot.
What was so interesting, were the different ways the problem in the story was resolved. One way shows a decisive, if all be it quick and maybe even brutal decision to slice through the problem. The opposite solution took the time to look at the problem from all angles. In doing so, he was able to see a different perspective that revealed the solution.
So why does this remind me of life today? Well, as soon as I thought of the knot, I immediately saw it in my mind. The knot wasn’t made of rope though, it was made of people. A mass of humanity lumped together so tightly, that they couldn’t be easily separated. I could see us together, tightly intertwined. Like a cosmic game of twister, with arms, legs and whole bodies entangled with one another. The knot is uncomfortable and painful even, but why?
I wasn’t sure what held the knot together, until a few days later. I was listening to a podcast, and someone was talking about a study with monkeys. The monkeys were trying to get a snack out of a container, and while they could get their hand in, as soon as they grasped the snack their fist wouldn’t come out. It was then I wondered if that was what was holding my knot of humanity together?
We each have our hands around that thing we desire. It’s in our grip and we won’t let go. Now they may not necessarily be bad things, but they are so important that we lose perspective on everything else around us. We hold on tightly even if it brings pain to ourselves and other people.
It seems to me, that we all are looking for the same things in life, with minor variations. Safe neighborhoods, a good education for our children, a place to work that not only fulfills us but actually can pay the bills! Housing that is clean, safe and affordable, healthcare that you are able to access that won’t break the bank and a city where there are services and events that bring together our diverse communities. If there is so much common ground, why does this life feel like me vs you so much of the time?
Can our beliefs, point of view or individual experience be more important than someone else’s? Are those “things” more important than a person? It seems these days, we’ve put those “things” over real people. The worst part is we’ve actually let these “things,” and those who talk about them daily, color how we feel about people we know and do life with. The one who calls you when the dog is loose, or picks up your mail when you’re on vacation. They are the people that you work, attend church and do every day life with. You laugh and cry with them, they are your community. And we have seen people drop neighbors like “it’s hot” for some talking head on TV. Shame on “we”!
Let’s face it, in this world there are even good things that we desire so desperately, that we will allow our good sense to be suspended. It’s happened before, and because there is nothing new under the sun, it will happen again.
This knot of humanity is perplexing. If we look to solve the problem by just slicing through it, we could wreak havoc, and cause repercussions that we can’t even conceive. Potentially we could create an even more knotted up life in our future. So, maybe the second ending of Alexander’s story holds a solution. At first I thought so, but now I wonder?
That second ending seems like a more reasonable way out of the knot, but then my mind goes back to the monkey. While we like to think the knot is more of a “they” problem than an “us” problem, I really think it’s a “we” problem. The knot is not only made up of people, but we’re all a part of the knot and many of our actions continue to allow it to grow. We have made it so tight and now that we’re in it, we won’t make the choice to let it go.
Alexanders knot had a lot riding on it, but no one was going to be hurt by either slicing through or carefully unknotting the rope. Our human knot, well that’s a different story. It’s laced with the hopes and dreams of those who may agree with us, and others with different beliefs. It’s made up of the lives of our family, friends, strangers and neighbors.
No matter what style the problem solving takes, the question that really bears asking is….will it last?
I am beginning to think neither way would solve our knot of people. As soon as we think we have one section undone, our humanity comes roaring back, and we simply reach out and grasp what we desire. So my question is this, how is the knot undone and how do we keep it from becoming so twisted and hurtful again? The solution may seem simple, but it is definitely not snake oil.
We let go, and we love!
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40
I know it sounds like a Hallmark card, but love IS still the answer. This is not just any love though, it’s the love that God has for the humans He’s created. It’s a love that when we accept it, and let it flow through our lives, brings healing into a dying world. It’s the kind of love that moves you to seek good for the people around you, and may even compel you to lay down your life for others. It’s the kind of love that gives us the strength to let go!
Letting go is hard though, especially when everyone is holding on so tightly to what they want, need or think they need. It’s even harder to be the first one to do it! I think that’s what really holds us back, or on a more personal note, holds me back. If we all followed these steps, wouldn’t it be a better world? No one would be in need, because we would each be looking out for each other. If I am sharing with my neighbor and helping them, and they are doing the same for me, we each would have enough. “What a wonderful world it would be”….to quote the amazing Louis Armstrong!
Ok… so we are good with the “loving God” part, but it seems we push back on “loving our neighbor.” We ask ourselves the question, “If I love my neighbor, will my neighbor love me?” Unfortunately, we think we know the answer to that question already, and only carefully give out this love we’ve been gifted. So since I don’t trust you to let go, I will keep my own tight grip. Which leads us back to our Gordian knot.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been both up and down as I asked myself these questions. You see, when I am writing I am not really talking to you. This is just me wrestling with God.
As I hear the clanging gong of opinion daily through different outlets, It’s more important than ever to keep my priorities straight. Each time I hear the noise, it makes me want to shrink further into myself and turn my back on people. I want to hold tighter to my peace and security. Most of all, I don’t want to suffer the judgement of others, so I tend to hold tight to my observations. My hand is in the jar and I don’t want to let go. You see….I have my own place in the knot.
So as I was trying to finish this up, I went to church on Sunday and heard a message from John 15:9-17.
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
The sermon was a timely one for me, as it seemed to fit into everything I was wrestling through. The main idea was a simple one, but the simplicity does not detract from its impactful truth.
“Without love we will be lost.” -Chip Bungard
This kind of love is a matter of faith. Am I really ready to live like Jesus asked us to? Will God protect and provide for my family if I let go, even if others don’t? I believe that it comes down to trusting God to move things into place, one day at a time. It is truly trusting that the love He brought into this world will transcend anything that is weaponized against it. And as we trust Him each day, we can let go of the things that hold us back. Anything that gets in the way of loving others, as God Himself would love them!
So when I woke up this morning, the temperature was at a brisk -10 degrees. I have never been in weather this cold, so it has been a learning experience to say the least. For any of you who are concerned, we are snug and warm in our home, with plenty of food and are totally comfortable. (Praise God)
This is supposed to be the coldest day of the Arctic snap we are going though, and in a few days we will be hitting the 50’s. So that means the snow will melt and a more normal life will resume with outside temperatures that aren’t a danger to life and limb.
Funny thing is, as I am sitting here with my blinds shut, I can see that the sun is back and while it seems to be pretty strong, I still can’t open my blinds. Why? Well the air temperature is still too low, and while the blinds may not seem like much, they do insulate against the cold. The sunlight that comes through those south facing windows typically does a great job of warming up part of the house, but even that warmth is no match for the blistering cold we are experiencing.
And it reminded me of being in the middle…..and Who is there with me.
The middle can be a problem, situation, education, transition or anything where you are on a path from one place to another. From the middle, you can see the “light” at the end of the tunnel, but you just aren’t there yet. Like me, maybe today you are tempted to cut the journey short, and jump into something that is close to that light? I really am tempted to open the blinds, because I crave the sunlight that’s waiting outside. It’s been days since I’ve seen it, and I need me some vitamin D! I won’t open them though because of the repercussions. I will be cold! Then the heater will have to work harder and not only will it cost me more money, but the static electricity will go through the roof and drive me crazy on a whole other level!
So I keep my focus on what I know will come, and it’s not sunshine. My little analogy today is cute….because I can see the end on my weather app. Most of the time though, we don’t know what the end is going to look like. How do I keep focus?
We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. Proverbs 16: 33
Those who listen to instruction will prosper, those who trust the LORD will be joyful. Proverbs 16:20.
God reminds me that He is my focus and when I keep Him in sight, He has my back! He’s done it before, and because He does not change, I trust He will do it again! And when I get out of focus, which I do, He gets my attention to remind me of who He is and how He hasn’t let me down yet!
So from a chilly place in the middle….. I would encourage you to remember what God has done for you! It will help make the middle a little less chilly…..
Cheryl Mendoza 