Good Morning & Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Tomorrow marks the birthday of a long-time friend and former client, Ed, who has owned Kaufer & Company in Spokane for many years. Among Ed’s many talents, he has a spectacular singing voice and has a CD to his credit. If you stop by his store located right across from the Spokane Veterans Arena, you just might be able to pick up a copy of it. You’ll be glad you did…lots of inspirational music on that CD! Here’s to you, Ed, and here’s hoping that you have lots of fun on your special day of celebration!
Speaking of birthdays, Happy Birthday to Olympic gold & silver medalist in gymnastics, McKayla Maroney, who is 25 today; to actress Dame Judi Dench of “M” fame in a number of James Bond movies, who turns 86 today; to actor Beau Bridges, who is 79 today (wow!…really???); to Chicago Bears football great Dick Butkus, who turns 78 today; to one of my favorite bad guy actors, John Malkovich (he plays some really creepy characters!), who is 67 today; and to Donny Osmond of “The Osmonds” music fame and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Broadway musical theater fame, who turns 63 today. Here’s to all of you!
While we’re on the subject of notable people, I was sad to learn that great American and pioneering aviator Chuck Yeager passed away yesterday at the age of 97. He was quite a guy, to say the least! NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine had this to say about Chuck Yeager yesterday: “Gen. Yeager’s pioneering and innovative spirit advanced America’s abilities in the sky and set our nation’s dreams soaring into the jet age and the space age. He said, “You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results. No risk is too great to prevent the necessary job from getting done.” Chuck Yeager had a fascinating life. He flew for over 60 years, including piloting a F-15 to near 1,000 miles per hour in October, 2002 at age 79. How about that?? He also distinguished himself in World War II by shooting down 13 German planes on 64 missions during the war. Incredibly, he was shot down over German-held France but escaped with the help of French partisans. Wow! A life well lived, indeed! Here’s to Chuck Yeager and all of “The Greatest Generation.” We certainly benefit greatly from the sacrifices made and service given by that generation of Americans. Let us always remember them…
I enjoy receiving periodically a blog written by my friend Scott Rodin. Scott & I worked on a capital campaign for Christ Clinic & Christ Kitchen here in Spokane in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The title of his blog for today is “Understanding Advent Through The Story of Lazarus—When, How and Why God Comes Near.” Here are a few excerpts from Scott’s blog:
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor and writer who died at the hands of the Nazis during World War II
Perhaps Bonhoeffer was given a glimpse of Advent 2020 when he penned these words. Troubled in soul? Poor and imperfect? Looking forward to something greater? How well that describes so many of us as we near the end of this tumultuous year. If Bonhoeffer is right, perhaps Advent 2020 holds out more promise for us than previous years. If these are the conditions for a meaningful Advent, we are there…
…I’ve been meditating on the curious story of the raising of Lazarus from John 11. I say “curious” because much in the story seems nonsensical. However, I believe there is much here that can teach us about the nature of God and help prepare us for the celebration of His coming as the child of Bethlehem.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were siblings living in Bethany, just a short distance from Jerusalem. We remember Mary as the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Jesus loved these three, and they loved him and believed in him. So, when Lazarus fell seriously ill, the sisters sent for Jesus, the healer…
…Lazarus drew near death, and daily…maybe hourly they went out and looked down the road, straining to see the image of Jesus drawing near with healing in His wings. And as they waited in vain, Lazarus died.
Meanwhile, upon hearing of Lazarus’ illness and impending death, Jesus remains where He is for two more days. Unthinkable? Uncaring? Callous? All these could apply to such a response…
…Why would Jesus delay His coming and allow such grief and despair to be felt by those He loved? And for what seems such a curious reason? Was His delay really necessary for faith to be kindled in those who followed Him? Was the reward worth the cost?
As we live these days of Advent in a year that lays in tatters behind us, we must join in the lament of these sisters. We know Jesus can heal. We know He can restore and bring hope. We know He loves and cares for this world. But over 1.5 million people have died from COVID-19. Racial tension fills our streets with protests. Political animosity tears at our nation’s fabric and moral relativism erodes the moorings that gird the foundations of our culture.
So where is Jesus? Why can’t we see Him through the tear gas, the hurricanes, and the armies of PPE-clad medical teams? Why can’t we hear His voice above the partisan vitriol or calling out through the lament of millions of graveside mourners? Why can’t we find Him on social media where we search for everything else?
If Advent is a time of waiting for His coming, has He tarried too long? Is hope lost? Is despair all we have left? Are we looking in vain down the dusty road this Advent season? Perhaps so, if we look at the story from our side, if we measure things according to our timeline.
But God’s timing is always read on the face of an eternal timepiece. Jesus was ready to teach His followers His most important lesson; He was greater than death itself, and for them to believe it, he would confront death head on. To do so, His timing was perfect.
In Galatians 4, Paul tells us, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law”…In Ephesians Paul continues the theme, “With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
The fullness of time. Just the right time. Times reach their fulfillment. These are the promises of Advent, and if we are to celebrate it as people of the promise, we must hold fast to the truth that God comes near at exactly the right time.
How about you this Advent? Are you longing for a fresh sense of God’s nearness? Are you searching for a deeper connection with a God who seems to have delayed in answering prayer? Is your faith wavering as you look down the road waiting for the healer to arrive? Are you running out of time?
Where do you need God to show up in your life?
This Advent, may we not only trust in His love, His power, His goodness and His provision, but also in His timing. May we believe throughout this Advent that God’s will is being worked out…”in the fullness of time…”
My prayer is that we take courage and hold fast to the faith that God’s timing for us, our family and our nation is perfect. In this season of waiting, let us not lose hope, because the one in whom we hope is faithful.”
—Scott Rodin, “Understanding Advent Through The Story of Lazarus—When, How and Why God Comes Near”, December 8, 2020.
Here’s the word definition for the day:
“Nocturne”: A mid-19th century French word meaning “A short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano…or ” (Art) A picture of a night scene.”
Here’s the trivia fact for the day:
The game of tennis originated in French monasteries of the 11th century.
Here’s the thought for the day:
“I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself—that is the best combination.”
“It is not good to cross the bridge before you get to it.”
—Dame Judi Dench, British actress of “M” fame in numerous James Bond movies and an accomplished Shakespearean actress, born this day in 1934
Here’s to a great Wednesday and lots of love & good wishes always!
Press on,
Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, Mark, etc.)