New Life'n

Big, obvious, ignored

My view walking Delly this morning.

Does it ever hit you that there’s this big ball of fire out there dominating everything on earth? Take that one thing away and everything changes. Most of the things I think about and get concerned about during an average day are stupid compared to that one big thing.

That helps me. The big, important stuff is often simple and obvious. Major on that.

You don't keep score if you think you're losing

Over the weekend, some friends told the story of family members who have been mad at each other for years. They made talking motions with their hands to describe how each person is always talking about the other, still angry. Each has kept score, and each thinks the other is more wrong, has committed more offenses. “Yes, I’ve made mistakes, but they’ve done worse…” You know they’ve done worse because you’ve kept score. And so have they.

You’ve probably heard the saying. “Unforgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the other person gets sick.” When I don’t forgive, I’ve put my hope for joy and peace into the hands of another person. It’s all up to them – if they change, apologize, and make it right, then (maybe) I will, too.

Forgiveness isn’t forgiveness if it’s deserved.

It’s hard to live a life of faith when your happiness and peace depend on someone else.

And without faith it is impossible to please him… – Hebrews 11.6

My favorite picture of him

Dad’s been gone 18 years. I mostly learned from him what I didn’t want to be and do. He was a good man who just didn’t know how to live. That sounds a bit dishonoring, but it’s really very instructive and potentially glorifying – it motivates me to want to leave behind good on purpose, and not despite myself.

Without meaning to, Dad left that legacy of wanting to be a positive encouragement just as surely as if he had taught it intentionally.

Thank you Dad – I still get the benefit of your legacy. I wish I had known how to help you experience it yourself.

We bought some of their old Christmas lights at a yard sale

The people who live here used to decorate big time for Christmas. They’re older now, and don’t do it anymore.

Sometimes I pass by, walking the dog early in the morning while it’s still dark, and thru the glass front door I see the TV glowing. I think it’s been on all night.

I wonder if I’ll watch a lot of TV when I get old. It seems like everyone does.