By Curtis
I have always liked how this phrase sounds. It speaks of strength and assurance, confidence and competence. It speaks of exceptional bravery by those who are the cream of the crop.
However, it has recently taken on a new meaning for me. As we see the scenes unfold before us in dealing with the horrendous results of the recent earthquake in Haiti, I have come to a new appreciation of the phrase “No Fear”.
It goes beyond the absence of fear. It involves the triumph over our fears and in spite of our fears. It’s more than idealistic to say that we don’t have any fears. Many of us share the fear of speaking in public. Some say that stands at the top of most lists. We admire those who appear fearless when standing before us doing so effortlessly what makes many of us break out in a cold sweat.
Then there are those who have no fear in launching new endeavors or taking on difficult tasks. In this group I would include those who seek to make positive changes in the face of long standing traditions or accepted norms. It seems they must have nerves of steel.
But I have learned a new definition of “No Fear”. I saw it in the faces of the countless thousands who have literally lost everything. Yet, somehow, they lift their arms towards heaven and say “God, we love you and we still trust you. You are worthy of our praise”.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Standing together in the middle of total destruction, a song will start from one lip to another. As on some practiced queue they take up a song of praise and hope. Although all around them there is nothing to give them a sense of a brighter tomorrow or a promised end of today, they sing. That’s a new “No Fear”.
I have seen it in the faces of the rescuers who have put their normal lives on hold to help those who they don’t even know. I have seen it in their actions when they spend hour after hour digging through rubble to do all they can possibly do to reach that nameless person whose only hope for life rests in their weary hands.
I have seen it in the faces of those who, one patient after another, deal with the most gruesome wounds and injuries. Yet they remain a beacon of all that is good and loving that is possible in the hearts of man. This is not how life should be. This is not how they imagined this day. Yet, they say, “here I am, use me”. That’s a new “No Fear”.
I need that kind of “No Fear”. I am reminded that it’s not the absence of fear that indicates the time to move forward. Instead, it’s in the midst of our fears that we must move out and take on the tasks we have each been given by God.
One day, hopefully sooner than later, we will truly know and experience a life without any fears. Until then, let’s push through, do what we can, makes things better not for just ourselves, but for those we minister to.
But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalms 52: 8, 9
By Curtis
The more we see about the earthquake in Haiti, the more we realize that this tragedy is bigger and more horrific than we first imagined. Words like “surreal” and “unbelievable” help summarize the reports we see and hear from the eye witnesses on the ground. For those who died in Haiti, the world did come to an end.
People and organizations are marshalling their efforts to try and help in this far-reaching catastrophe. The help needed is beyond the scope of cookie cutter relief efforts. Compounding the challenges of providing medical help, food relief and shelter is the logistical nightmare of doing it in the midst of the cruel tombs of those who have perished.
Our hearts are correct when they say we must do something to help. Those impulses we feel within us for helping in this crisis are the promptings that give nobility and brotherhood to mankind. But what can you do?
Today, we are limited to our prayers and our financial donations. Both are greatly needed. All of us can contribute in those ways. We may not have much money to give but whatever it is will help someone who needs it much more than we do. Give something, please.
Another thing we can do is to resist the urge to find a justifiable reason for what has happened to Haiti. For some reason, many feel the need to explain these events as a divine sentence from God because of some inherent evil either in the country or the people of Haiti. How sad that we have room in our hearts to think in these ways during times like this.
The question of calamities being the result of divine retribution is not a new one. It has perplexed man throughout the ages. Even in Christ’s time, many were confused in their theology concerning unusual tragedies:
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5 NIV
If we all simply took an honest inventory of our own lives, or own failures, our own tendencies to do things we know we shouldn’t, we would not have the arrogance to differentiate between ourselves and those less fortunate. That honest introspection should lead us all to say “if not for the grace of God”.
What can you do? Do what you can. Anything is better than nothing.
By Curtis
No, I am not referring to the straight line. The shortest distance between 2 points for you and me is the “first step”. It’s not the thoroughness of your planning or even the route that you take, but it’s that first step that unlocks your ability to reach your desired destination. It doesn’t have to be a big step. It doesn’t have to be a revolutionary step. It doesn’t have to be an unprecedented step. But it must be a step.
All of us have points that we are trying to reach. Many of us are desirous of increasing our usefulness by furthering our education. Getting to the final point of completion can appear daunting. However, if we can just make the first step, we will be on our way. That first step may be completing a registration form and hitting “submit” that will start the ball in motion.
Many of us believe that we can add real value to different enterprises or causes that we find meaningful. We have sat on the sidelines waiting for that imaginary signal that will tell us to get into the game. That first step may be picking up the phone and making a long overdue call. Make a connection with someone who is integral to your involvement or who is in need of your participation.
For some of us the healing of a relationship would give us the ability to breathe again. We have lived too long with the issues and it’s time to release it and free all involved from its draining effects. That first step may be saying three simple words; either “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”. It’s not the only step but it is the most important step because it is the first step. The rest will take care of itself.
Some of us feel a conviction that we must make some personal and private changes in our lives if we are ever going to reach our God-designed potential. Where to start seems perplexing because so much needs to change. However, if we can just make one step, do one thing, make one change, we will gain more confidence to tackle bigger issues along the way. Just do something.
Joshua Chapter 3 tells the fascinating story of how the Israelites were to cross the last obstacle that stood in their way of claiming their destiny. It would be a miraculous event but the miracle wouldn’t be manifested until they took the first step forward.
Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Jos 3:15,16 NIV
Before we know it, this year will get away from us. Without doing something right now we run the risk of never getting from point A to point B. What step can you take today? Don’t worry about if you will be able to deal with what comes after. You just need to put your foot forward and make a step.
If God is for you, the way will open up but first you have to take that first step.
By Curtis
I know that from now until the end of this year we will hear the subject of new years resolutions discussed everywhere we turn. Heading the most popular resolutions will be losing weight and improving your health. Although those are great goals, they are not on my list of 5.
Another frequently cited resolution is becoming debt free. I am all for that and it’s certainly the best way to live. “Owe no man anything” was written for a good reason. But that’s not in my 5.
In accordance with the mandatory listing of New Years Resolutions, here’s my fav 5:
1- I will listen more closely to my heart and live my life more closely to its urging. I won’t ignore the promptings for ministry that get suppressed year after year by that enemy called procrastination. “To thine own self be true.” William Shakespeare
2- I will use the gifts and talents I presently possess to help those who can benefit from what I now have to offer. I won’t believe the lie that what I have to offer is too insignificant to matter. I will be open and available as providence directs. As my courage increases I will volunteer my services instead of waiting to be asked.
3- I won’t live my life looking backwards. I won’t focus my energies on the failures of my past nor will I refuse to let go of my old best days. Instead, I will embrace today, expecting that my best is ahead of me. Goodbye old friend. There are new friends to meet and new memories to make. I must let you go and move on.
4- I will improve myself to be a better self. I will purposely and intentionally find ways to learn and to grow. My mind is capable of so much more and there are resources all around me to help me to advance in whatever area that I need to. There is too much dust on too many of my books.
5- I will remember that the quality of my life is not determined by the quantity of my stuff but by the quality of the relationships I have with others and most importantly with God. I can be a better person, a better mate, a better friend, a better example and I don’t have to lose any weight to do that. 
If these resonated with you, why not add them to your list? They go well with dieting.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy days over this last year to stop by my blog. For those of you who have commented I want you to know that each comment was greatly appreciated. For those who just read and either smiled or nodded in agreement I say thank you to you as well.
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message)
May God’s richest blessing be yours for 2010.
By Curtis
It doesn’t matter what the topic is. It doesn’t even matter how far removed from ones’ experience or exposure, or expertise the topic is; everyone has an opinion.
What would seem like an obvious conclusion to one can be completely opposite to the conclusion of another. Because our paths of life are so unique and are shaped by circumstances and events that are ours alone, many times we see things in unpredictable ways.
Some opinions are nothing more than water cooler discussions. It’s usually the news topic of the day and just a ritual of human engagement.
The opinions that are more significant are those expressed about how we do what we do, and what we should or should not do about a particular situation. If we listen closely enough we can hear various opinions about things we deal with given by people who have no history in the same arena. Everyone has an opinion.
Opinions do have their place and those shared by people closely associated with us should carry some weight. But remember, they are just opinions.
As we close out another year we will undoubtedly reflect back on how successful we were in achieving the goals we set out to accomplish at the beginning of the year. If we gauge our progress only by the opinions of others we are relinquishing one of our most powerful abilities; honest self-criticism.
Some opinions will say that you did a terrific job but only you know if you really did your best.
Some opinions will say that you could have done much better but only you will know what you had to overcome to do as much as you have done.
Some opinions will say that you should have done it differently but only you will know what it took just to maintain.
Some opinions will say that your purpose in life should be re-evaluated but only you will know the certainty of the dream God has placed in your heart.
Some opinions will say that you will never make it but only you and God will determine that.
After all, the greatest opinion is the opinion of who we believe God to be and what we believe about His involvement in out lives. If our opinion is that God is all powerful, we certainly can overcome any obstacles that are placed in the path of our success. If our opinion is that God is all knowing, we certainly can get insight from Him to accomplish any goals we have. If our opinion is that God is love we can trust that he has our best interest in mind and that He has our back and will see us through every difficulty we face.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16:13-17 NIV
Opinions can matter and everyone has one. That’s my two cents worth. What’s yours?
By Curtis
There are a lot of features to consider when shopping for a car. Probably at the top of most lists is the cost of the vehicle followed by its reliability, gas mileage, comfort, styling, and other unique features. The one thing you will not find at the top of the list is the rear view mirror.
Of all the things that cars can do, the one thing they are not intended to do is to remain stationary while focusing on what’s in the rear view mirror. You get into a car to move and while some do it better than others, they all are designed on moving you forward, not backwards. Ringing any bells? Read more »
By Curtis
I thought I had seen it all. From one extreme to the next, the television series “Intervention” proved me wrong. I had a lot to learn and the focused lens of this show was ideal for showing how far the human spirit could be stretched.
For those who have never seen the program, it follows various participants as they struggle with addictions so severe that the only hope for survival is an intervention. Eating disorders, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and other life threatening behaviors bring each subject to the brink of death. But that’s not what’s so amazing.
It is an all too common story about people that have become lost in life because of bad choices. Many of these men and women experienced traumatic events that served as a catalyst to their destructive behavior. While in the innocence of youth, many were robbed of normalcy by those that should have been a source of protection. Now, they have become the “walking dead”. But that still is not what’s most amazing. Read more »
By Curtis
On the surface this can seem a little odd. To be on time, we have to actually turn time back. The reason for turning our clocks back once a year is to have more daylight hours at the beginning of our day opposed to the darkness that the changing season brings. As the days get shorter, we use this trick to adjust our lives to have the beneficial use of the sun more than we would if we didn’t “fall back”.
Today, I am announcing my petition to have the practice of turning our clocks back greatly expanded. Instead of just turning our literal clocks and watches back, my petition will suggest that we also adjust the clocks for the following: Read more »
By Curtis
His reasoning seemed too simple. Kind of like adding one plus one. A young boy was given an opportunity to ask the leader of the free world a question. I can imagine as everyone watched him come up to the microphone, most were probably expecting something much different than the question he posed. As he took the microphone his question was “Why do people hate you?”
If his question had stopped there we could have formulated the obvious answers around advanced intellectual reasoning that takes into account the political ramifications of policies relating to the office of the president. But his question didn’t stop there. Read more »
By Curtis
When you say this, it must be with all of the force and conviction you can muster. It might sound childish but it’s about as accurate a response as I can think of. Now the timing of using this phrase is very important.
The ideal time for saying “Jump in the lake!” is when your less-than-stellar past is being used as a reason to invalidate your God-inspired present. There are few things that can be more deflating to your dreams, goals and plans than to have your past used against you as means of attack.
The ironic thing about someone using your past against you is the fact that everyone has a past. Everyone has made mistakes. Everyone has made humongous blunders and tragic decisions. This is one area of life that all humanity has in common. There is no exception. Read more »
I have always liked how this phrase sounds. It speaks of strength and assurance, confidence and competence. It speaks of exceptional bravery by those who are the cream of the crop.
