D-Day

It's been awhile since I checked in here. Life has been truly busy, with Easter, church property deals, and a trip to God's beautiful Alaska (where we took 400 pictures in 8 days, and a dose of 100% DEET protected me from mosquitos and caused my skin to break out like a 13-year old's).

More on that next time. But every year during June's first week, my mind turns to the first week of June, 1944, and the invasion of Normandy by the Allied forces.

June 6 was overcast, grey, with a thick, low layer of cloud that cut visibility to hundreds of yards. The night before, Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower addressed his troops with these words: "You are about to embark on the Great Crusade. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. Let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

The invasion began the night of June 5 with paratroopers jumping into France to prepare the way for the main body of troops; they did their work but many drowned when they landed in swamps and their heavy gear sucked them under.

At dawn the German troops on duty up on the cliffs saw the fog lift a little... to reveal a solid wall of grey ships unloading troops. The first men ashore had to scale those cliffs, and that unit lost over 60% of their men in that one, bloody day. Those who followed faced the scythe of the Grim Reaper, and within minutes the surf was bloody and the beach was littered with dead; within hours the bodies were piled high. But the combined troops, American, British, Canadian, and the other allies, pressed on until, at the end of the day, the Nazi fortress was pierced and a permanent foothold was established.

That night President Franklin D. Roosevelt's prayed on national radio, "Almighty God, Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization. They will need Thy blessings. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. Help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith to Thee...And O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade...Thy will be done, Almighty God."

God was indeed gracious that day, as those who fought and those who died prepared the way to free Europe. On this 64th anniversary I again thank Him, and them, for having blessed us with a freer, happier world than the one they knew.

No Lessons Here

So, it's the Gators again, this time by 84-75 over Ohio State. CHOMP.

Can our world learn anything from this? Probably not.

Sure, the winners won last year then all five starters decided to NOT go pro but come back and try again. Any lessons there about putting glory before bucks?

Sure, the Florida coach (Billy Donovan) refused to entertain offers from other schools (so far, at least). Any lessons there about loyalty?

Sure, the Gators used several guys team to slow down THE Ohio State University's OUTSTANDING big guy, Greg Oden. Any lessons there about teamwork?

Sure, Donovan and tourny MVP Corey Brewer were truly gracious after the game, in their comments both about Florida and OSU. Any lessons there about sportsmanship?

Next year most of these guys will be gone, to the pros or to the same workaday world most of us face. Some will have fortune and fame, others only memories. Greg Oden will remember he played a great game, but 25 points and 12 rebounds couldn't quite get it done this time. Any lessons there about the value of doing your best? Naw. Couldn't be.

As a Christian I try to remember what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. I don't know if any of these guys - Florida or Ohio State - are men who trust in Christ, but it seemed they were working their hardest last night, giving it their all, striving for something beyond. As always in sport, some experienced the thrill of victory, others, the agony of defeat. But both teams were great, and I never mind watching people performing with all their hearts. It's a God-pleasing thing, and it rings of immortality.

Those about to dunk, we salute you!

Last Year, This Year

OK, March Madness ends tonight. Missus Smalltown Christian is heaving a sigh of relief. Thanks, honey, for being so understanding of this particular peculiar addiction of mine.

Last year, the NCAA Championship Game featured the UCLA Bruins and the Florida Gators. I spent a lot of time figuring out who was going to win a very close game, but when it was actually played the Gators had very little trouble handling the Bruins. So much for research.

This year it's again the Gators, but their opponent will be the Buckeyes of THE Ohio State University (and how much self-affirmation do you need when you name yourself THE all in caps? I mean, be real OSU, if ANYONE else was into you as much as YOU are into you, then WE would have thought to capitalize the "the". But I digress...)

Anyway, after much less deliberation than last year, I'm picking the Gators to beat the Buckeyes tonight, just because I've seen nothing to make me think any team is better than Florida. That said, you can begin to berate me for my lack of basketball genius.

Oh, and GO WILDCATS!

First Half, Second Half

It's that time of year again. Yep, March is here and the Madness has begun. And that makes life better.

First off, I should say that my beloved Arizona Wildcats had about the worst season I can remember. I say "about", because I do recall one that was worse, and that was before St. Lute took over in Tucson. Sure, they made it 20 wins (extending the NCAA's longest current streak of 20-win seasons) but they they did that in two parts: the first stretch was 13-1, the second was 7-9. And then they got blown out in the first round of the PAC-10 tourney. Sigh.

On the other hand, today I got to watch one of the hottest teams in the northwest, the Boise State University Broncos... women's team. (Have you ever noticed that men's teams get all the press, even when the women are better?) The Lady Broncos (would that make them the Mares? Hmmm, that just doesn't sound right!) have been good all season, and except for a couple of injuries might have been great. Today they played a very good Fresno State team, and they didn't look too wonderful in the early going. They were down 9-2 after the first two minutes, and by half time they had never led. They got it turned around, though: hot shooting and smart plays let them take the lead in the second half and even though the Bulldogs never let up, the Broncs prevailed. One more win, and they go to the NCAAs! Go Big Blue!

So I got to thinking, isn't it interesting how you never know at the beginning how the end will look? Basketball teams can start boiling hot then slow to a mere simmer, or come out with all the power of a toy poodle and end up like a team of Budweiser Clydesdales.

What about you? Have you been on top of your game, or has the game been on top of you? If things have been hard, cheer up - you're not out of the game yet! Pray for the Lord to guide you, and jump back in. And for those of you in the lead, strong and proud - well, remember you haven't won anything until the final buzzer sounds. Pray for humility and blessing, and keep doing what is good and right.

Either way, you can get there if you don't give up.

Go Cats! Go Broncos! Go You!

Art

So, Missus Smalltown Christian and I went to Los Angeles for a wedding last month. It was great - sunny LA as cold as it's ever been (in MY memory, anyway). We arrived one day early and used that extra time to go to the Getty Museum, and that was great (if a bit windy!). It's full of great art (check out the Rembrandts!) displayed in fabulous buildings, nestled in a great setting.

The Getty sits atop two ridges in the foothills. One view looks toward downtown LA. Another leads the eye to the sparkling Pacific. Looking up the mountain you see an old convent; the joke we were told was "Only God is higher than the Getty!". The buildings are off-white in color, highlighted with stone cut from an ancient Italian quarry, and seem to sit comfortably between the earth and the sky. The architect took well over a decade to do the construction, and he did it perfectly - you couldn't ask for a better location.

The rest of the weekend we spent with family: rehearsal, touristing, wedding, wedding banquet for 250, church, more touristing, more food, more food, more food.... And you know what? That was also great.

One thing the Missus mentioned was how well everyone got along. She pointed out that the whole family is made up of followers of Jesus, and they are gentle and generous with each other. Not everything went smoothly, but everyone was cool. Getting up Sunday and going to church with 7 of our relatives was a blast, as it spoke of a bond deeper and older than mere genetics.

What I've discoverd is that when you follow Jesus, He renews you, shapes you, reforms you, situates you in the places He wants you to be. He makes you more beautiful than you were before. Like the Getty, you can start off as an empty hillside, then find yourself changed and filled with beautiful things. Sure, some days may be windy; some may even rain. Sometimes a Christian can even act... un-Christlike. But that doesn't mean the Architect doesn't know what He's doing: something great!

Here's to your inner masterpiece!

2007:43-42

So, you made it! The other day when I wrote it was still 2006 and I wished you a happy new year. So, now you've made it, and how's it looking? Good, good, glad to hear it!

It's looking pretty nice from here, but I'm a little tired. Getting old, I guess. Sure, we stayed up late on New Year's Eve. But instead of dancing and partying the night away, we were a little less funky. Maybe next year - I understand they do this every December 31st.

Of course, I MIGHT be tired from what happened New Year's EveNING, when I and the rest of the Great NW stayed up to watch the BSU Broncos play the Oklahoma Sooners. Sure, the Broncos were too small, too slow, too weak, from a cupcake conference. Las Vegas was generous enough to have them underdogs by only 7 points, but the whole world knew they had no chance. Poor things.

Until they went up 14-0 in the first quarter and most of the world had to sit up and take notice (all except for the good people of Oklahoma, who just wanted to crawl under a rock). After that, though, things got REALLY interesting. Scores back and forth. Long bombs. A flukey punt bobble (or whatever you call it when the ball bounces off the heel of a blocker) that gave UOK first down right by the BSU goal line. A 2-minute scoring drive that tied the game. A badly timed pass, intercepted and returned with 63 seconds left for the winning touchdown. Except that the Broncos pulled out an amazing final drive and scored the game-tier at James Bond Time: 007 left on the clock.

Then Oklahoma put the game away. On the first play of overtime their running back, Heisman nominee Adrian Peterson sprinted 25 yards for the score to put them up by 7. But...

BSU gets the ball back, right? How about a first down! Then how about nothing more until fourth down, when the quarterback leaves the play and another guy throws a touchdown pass! And then - like you've probably seen already - the BSU Broncos, the little guy, the Champs of the Cupcake Conference, lined up for the 2-point conversion and the win.

Now, we here in Boise weren't surprised. NOBODY from Atlantic City to Vegas to the west coast Indian reservations gambles like BSU. In fact, I was thinking they'd go for 2 at the end of regulation time. But they didn't. They waited until overtime.

And with a quick non-pass to the receivers on the right side of the field, the quarterback confused the defense. Then, a behind-the-back handoff to Heisman-nominated running back Ian Johnson, a quick scamper, and the Boise State Broncos are Fiesta Bowl Champions. 43 to 42.

It was 11:00, four hours after the starting time, and David had brought down Goliath once again. It was the most exciting football game I've ever seen. It was the best ending to a football game ever (sorry, Cal; your claim to the title involved NON-players NOT playing the game). And I stayed up until 2:00 watching the reruns.

Amazing stuff.

So, if the rest of 2007 is as good as the start was, we're in for a great year. Deep snow, an early spring, and global peace would all be in the cards. But to be honest, I think we've seen the best... so it's going to be all downhill from here.

Fortunately, the Broncos set us up so high that even going downhill ain't so bad!

! HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE, Y FELIZ ANO NUEVO!

God grant His blessings on you right and left. I hope it's the best year you've had so far, but the least of all those to come!

Your Top 10 (Part 2)

So, what do you want on your tombstone? Or at least, sung at your funeral? After I left yesterday the conversation went on a little while and some of the wits (half of them) came up with these:

WwwwWipeout! (the Surfaris)
Dead Man's Curve (Jan and Dean)
Another one bites the dust (Queen)
It's the end of the world as we know it (REM)
as well as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and the Beatles' "In My Life".

Gives you some sense of the people I hang around with, eh?

But, anyway, I need five more to finish my own top 10 list. Of course, if I don't die today I may have different ideas tomorrow. But here goes:

"Precious Lord Take My Hand" (Thomas Dorsey) - because it is the sweetest gospel number ever, and I dare you not to cry:
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home

Yesu Azali Awa (African hymn) - because it's fun to sing, and translates as "we're going to sing to Jesus in heaven":
Yesu azali awa, Yesu azali awa,
Yesu azali awa na biso
Biso toko sepela, Biso toko sepela
Biso toko sepela na lola
Oh, oh
Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia na Yesu

Forever Young (Bob Dylan) - A great song and a blessing on those who hear it:
May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

"Further On Up the Road" (Bruce Springsteen) - don't we need some rock and roll?
Got on my dead man's suit
And my smilin' skull ring
My lucky graveyard boots
And a song to sing
I got a song to sing, keep me out of the cold
And I'll meet you further on up the road
Further on up the road, further on up the road
where the way is dark and the night is cold
one sunny morning we'll rise, I know
and I'll meet you further on up the road

"Dust" (D. Hardesty) - OK, I'm a little biased here, but it's a good tune that puts things into perspective:
We are dust, we are grass
we are made from the earth;
to the earth we'll return someday
but we'll rise when He calls, and we'll live in heaven's halls
Gloryland is our home someday
Gloryland, Gloryland, we are bound for Gloryland
Gloryland, Gloryland, movin' on to Gloryland

And finally, "Dear Friend" by DeGarmo and Key. Yeah, some of you kids may not know this one, but it's a perfect encore:
Seasons change, days go by,
People come and people go.
Though our paths may lead us apart,
They will meet one day, I know.
And I owe you,
So much, dear friend,
For all those treasured times.
For you’ve made me a richer man,
Having had you in my life.

OK, OK, I know that's not 10. I can count to 11 (or 12). BUT HEY, IT'S MY FUNERAL AND I'LL PLAY WHAT I WANT.

Hope yours goes well, too.

Your Top 10 (Part 1)

What do you want sung at YOUR funeral?

That's the question some friends were discussing today. Pretty good question, and some pretty good answers (some repeatable, some not!). One of my favorite responses was Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here :-) Somebody else said, "Anything written after 2070." Also good.

So what about me?

Here are some (in no particular order) that I'd love to hear, either sung live, or piped in as folks mill about wondering "Why is he smiling?"

"Keep Me In Your Heart For Awhile" (Warren Zevon) - recognizing that I may not be permanent, but I'd still like to be remembered:
Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile

"How Firm A Foundation" (John Rippon) - because Someone's holding on to me:
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

"Be Thou My Vision" (Dallan Forgaill) - because I'm holding on to Someone:
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light...
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

"Better Things" (the Kinks) - because I love and have great hopes for you all:
Here's wishing you the bluest sky,
And hoping something better comes tomorrow.
Hoping all the verses rhyme,
And the very best of choruses to
Follow all the doubt and sadness.
I know that better things are on the way...
I know you've got a lot of good things happening up ahead.
The past is gone its all been said.
So heres to what the future brings,
I know tomorrow you'll find better things.
I know tomorrow you'll find better things.

"I Love to Tell the Story" (Katherine Hankey) - because the Story is what it's about:
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.


OK, there's five out of ten. Maybe I'll get to five more tomorrow. If I live that long. What's on YOUR list?

E Plurubus Unum

I had a great experience tonight. I went to my church for a prayer meeting. (And right now some of you are thinking "If that's a great experience you need to get out more!" But wait a sec...)

I was sitting in a small room with a small group of believers. All of us were disappointed, to varying degrees with the election. Hey, most of the people and issues I voted for won! (na-na-na :-P ) But I have to shake my head in awestruck amazement at some people's choices. (And there were other people sitting there, probably thinking the same thing about my choices :-)

So there we were, a 60's liberal, a friend of Republican candidates, a professional woman (classic Bill Clinton target), and a Baptist pastor. What could we do? From the media reports you'd expect nothing less than a slugfest.

Nope. We read the Bible - I Timothy 2:1-6, actually:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

And then we prayed. We prayed for Nancy Pelosi, for the President, for Sen. Reid, for the hearts of those on Capitol hill, for our State politicians, for our Superintendent of Public Instruction, on and on.

What did we pray? First, that we would be cleansed and forgiven of harsh words and ill feelings. Then, that our leaders would serve selflessly, as God intends leaders to do. That they would work together for the good of the country. That they would have such success - Democrats AND Republicans - that those who voted against them would be amazed and delighted with their good governance.

And then we prayed for each other, and for eternal matters. After all, this country is a little thing that isn't going to last long, but eternity is, well, eternal.

You see, we might look like different tribes, wear different pins in our lapels, cheer for different teams, support different candidates, even speak different languages, but Jesus takes people of different descriptions, from all around the world, and He binds us into a loving family. E Plurubus Unum - "Out of Many, One".

And I'm glad He does. You'll never know how sweet it is to see Jews and Arabs, Broncos and Vandals, mods and rockers, blacks and whites, even Democrats and Republicans embrace each other with honest love and goodwill until you see what Christ can do in the hearts of His people. One people. Out of many.

Shalom.