Interpreting the Words of Another

One of the hottest You Tube videos around features a set of twins who seem to be intent in conversation. Because of their age, their speech is babbling to most of us, but they seem to have a sense of what they are trying to say.

While their antics and conversation are fun to watch, it has also become quite fun to listen to people interpret the conversation. Some have said that the discussion is all about socks and fashion. The mismatched socks on one twin and the single sock on the other certainly could lead to that conclusion. Others have said it is about the refrigerator and perhaps what great snack might be hiding behind closed doors. Still others have supposed that it is nothing more than the mimicking of conversations that they have observed in adults or even their parents.

While we may never know what they were discussing, we are reminded that we all have conversations from time to time that require interpretation. This can happen because we use different definitions of the same word. Confusion in conversation is sometimes the result of culture differences. There are other times that we are just looking at opposite sides of the same problem or discussion point while believing that we are looking at the same side. And of course, sometimes we do just speak different languages.

Talking and communicating are not synonomous terms. For communication to take place, listening, understanding, clarifying, and interpreting may all need to take place. Today, I was just wondering how many domestic and even international incidents might be prevented if our real intent was to communicate rather than talk. As for me - well, I think they were discussing an obvious wardrobe malfunction!

Watching Japan

Over the past week, the attention of the world has been focused on Japan. The 8.9, now upgraded to 9.0, earthquake, the 23 foot Tsunami, the countless aftershocks, and the failing nuclear reactors have kept our attention on news footage and update bulletins. The tremendous destruction,the loss of life, and the ongoing suffering have been the main focuses of most news reports.

However, I have picked up a thread of reporting that needs more coverage - it is the way the Japanese people have responded to the disaster and to each other. One brief account featured a restaurant that is providing free meals to people in their area. The cook lost his home but comes to work to help others. Grocery store shelves are nearly empty but people wait patiently in line to buy a little for themselves and some for their neighbors. Gasoline shortages have resulted in lines of cars miles long, but no one gets out of their car to fight. I have not seen any reports of looting although stores that still stand, stand without guards.

I know that we do not have a picture of every person or every village, but still, I am impressed with the human decency that is being demonstrated during a most difficult time. I cannot help but compare what is going on in Japan to New Orleans following Katrina. The news was filled with crime, looting, and hording. What a different picture we see in Japan!

We import excellent automobiles and outstanding electronics, among many other things, from Japan. I am just thinking this morning that we could use an import of some of the human kindness that is being demonstrated day by day. Continue to pray for those who are enduring so much.

We All Make Excuses

Since the first of December 2010, the list of excuses I have heard has been lengthy. They include busy holidays; out of town; company in town; snow-ice; sick; snow-ice; Super Bowl; Jerry's fault; and of course, snow and ice. Before anyone comments, yes, I know that I have not written anything here since November 2010. Why you ask - see the list above!

The sad truth is that we all tend to make excuses for the things that we fail to do and for the things we did. On the golf course, I usually try to let my fellow players know how bad or stiff my back is on that particular day. If I get behind with emails or phone messages - do you know how many people dropped by the office unexpected - all with emergencies?

From sports to politics to business to religion and even to family, we all have a tendency to cover ourselves with a blanket of excuses. I just wonder - are we trying to convince everyone else that we are really perfect despite being overwhelmed by emergencies or suffering from pain. My guess is that no one - not even our mothers - really see any of us as perfect. Afterall, even grandparents, if they are really honest, must admit the lack of perfection even in their grandchildren by age 13, if not sooner.

I am thankful that God didn't discard us at the first hint of our need to make excuses. Remember it was when God asked Adam if he had eaten of the tree that God had commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from, Adam exclaimed, "the woman you gave me the fruit." We have all been offering excuses ever since. But God sent His Son Jesus into our world to pay the price of all our wrongs and excuses.

The truth is, I have no excuse for neglecting this blog. I just procrastinated. I don't want to abuse God's gift of forgiveness by constantly doing things wrong or by sinning so that I cover myself by excuses. But I sure am grateful that He extends forgiveness to someone like me - a person who knows no better than to try and cover my sin with excuses.

When the Holidays Run Together

Most of us have voiced our displeasure with the retail insistence of stacking holiday merchandise on top of other holiday merchandise. There is no other way to explain how a turkey wound up on top of a Christmas tree instead of a traditional star. I am writing on Monday before Thanksgiving and wondering if I should be deciding what size heart-shaped box of candy I should buy my wife for Valentine's Day.

The truth is that I like to keep my holidays separated in time and thought. As much as I like Christmas, I refuse to decorate for the Christmas season until after the last bite of turkey and dressing have been consumed and the final whistle has blown for the last football game.

Don't get me wrong - I really like Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the other holidays for what they signify. The food is great; being with family is wonderful; and a little time off from work is relaxing. But ultimately, I want to hold on to Thanksgiving as a day unto itself because we all need a time to stop, reflect, and give thanks. I don't deserve the family, friends, and possessions that are part of my life. But along the way, God chose to bless me with that which I didn't earn nor deserve. The greatest such blessing was His gift of grace. At Christmas, I will celebrate that gift even more.

So this week - I give thanks for all the blessings that fill my life.
At Christmas - I will celebrate the birth of Jesus who ultimately paid the full price for my sin that I might have eternal life.
On New Year's Day - I will rejoice in the start of a new year and the opportunities it brings.
Valentine's Day - I celebrate the love that have with my wonderful life.
Arbor Day - Who knows - by then, I may be in the mood to plant a tree.

I just don't want to let the holidays run together so that I miss their singular meaning. Happy Thanksgiving!

Teams, Celebrations, and Values

The previous two evenings have been real times of celebration. On Tuesday evening, October 12, 2010, the Texas Rangers major league baseball team beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5 - 1 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. This was their first playoff series to win in the history of the team. To a Texas Ranger fan, it just doesn't get any better (unless they also win the next playoff series. To top it off, one of their top players has an issue with alcohol. To celebrate the win, they sprayed Ginger Ale on each other instead of the traditional champagne so that he could be part of the celebration. What a demonstration of being a real team!

When I thought it couldn't get any better, on Wednesday evening, October 13, 2010, in Chile, rescue workers completed the task of safely getting all 33 miners out of the mine where they had been trapped for 70 days. The first 17 days they existed on 1/2 cup of milk, two spoons of tuna, and a cracker, once every 48 hours. The government of Chile with help from nations all over the world mobilized an amazing rescue effort that resulted in a tremendous celebration as each miner emerged from the mine. The miners themselves had times of work, exercise, and encouragement as they passed the time hoping for rescue. One miner said that there were actually 34 of them - God was always with them. Their team effort and the efforts of the rescue team is one that will inspire people for years to come.

As much as I like baseball, I was reminded this week that it is still only a game even though a group of men demonstrated class and true teamwork. Their effort was worth great joy to the players and their fans. It will also be worth quite a few dollars to the players, coaches, and owners of the team. Their celebration was memorable.

The rescue of the miners was not a game; it was real life. The lives of 33 men were directly impacted by the work efforts of hundreds and the prayers of tens of thousands. Their families experienced the joy of the return of husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers. Many of them will also benefit financially as their stories are told and sold to various media outlets. Their celebration was priceless.

In the course of our busyness and interests, it is easy to believe that the most important things are whether our team wins or looses a game. This week we have all been reminded that human life is of much greater value than all the games that will ever be played. It is reason enough to celebrate life and the God who created life, and made man in His own Image.