Fidel Castro announced today that he's stepping down. His brother Raul will take formal control of Cuba, but one wonders if this could finally be the beginning of the end.
My father was at university in Havana at the same time as Fidel. Papi was in medical school and Fidel in law school. My father describes Fidel and his band of revolutionaries as vandals. He claims that they are not united as much in Socialist ideology as they are in their desire to rape Cuba. While that may sound a bit extreme, Castro is the 7th wealthiest head of state - worth about 900 million dollars, even though he's taken a personal vow of poverty.
A Cuban friend of mine told me a few years ago that he'd heard of prophesies coming out of the church in Latin America about the end of Castro's regime and a subsequent out pouring of the Holy Spirit on Cuba. I hope the prophesies are true.
Much can be said about spiritual darkness in Cuba - and among many Cuban Americans who practice Santeria. The Cuban people have also suffered from crippling pride. My sisters were in Havana a few years back and saw a statue of Satan shaking his fist toward heaven. I believe that these attitudes led to the destruction of the country and the exile of many from their homeland.
On my drive home from work this evening I heard Gloria Estefan singing 90 Millas - a song of hope for a free Cuba. 90 miles isn't too far as the crow flies but it may as well be on the moon. May the God of second chances give Cuba and Cubans another chance. May he send His Spirit to draw the hearts of the people to Himself. The truth is, that we are only truly free if the Son frees us.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Atonement
Over the weekend I saw the movie Atonement. It was good on many levels, but what struck me the most was the chain of events set off by the careless use of words - one word in particular. I won't repeat the word -it may be my least favorite word in the English language.
The protagonist, Robbie, would never have used it purposely to communicate his feelings and desires. Robbie was, in fact, struggling to express himself when he composed a note in jest - expressing in vulgar language his desires. Rather than tearing it up immediately he set it down by the typewriter as he wrote the words he really wanted his love interest to read. Unfortunately, he picked up the wrong letter on his way out.
Not only did Celia (the love interest) read the vulgar note, but so did her younger sister Briony. Robbie's careless words led to his arrest for rape, conscription in the army, and death.
The movie makes me wonder how the trajectory of my life has been altered - for good and bad - as a result of words. The careful use of words builds bridges, expresses love and concern, brings in the Kingdom. God used words to create the universe. The careless use of words wounds, destroys, creates barriers - as the Apostle Paul would say, "the dividing walls of hostility."
Atonement made me think about words. I pray that God will give me the grace to use my words for building up and not tearing down (unless I'm tearing down the dividing walls of hostility). If you're reading this, I pray that He'll give you the same grace.
The protagonist, Robbie, would never have used it purposely to communicate his feelings and desires. Robbie was, in fact, struggling to express himself when he composed a note in jest - expressing in vulgar language his desires. Rather than tearing it up immediately he set it down by the typewriter as he wrote the words he really wanted his love interest to read. Unfortunately, he picked up the wrong letter on his way out.
Not only did Celia (the love interest) read the vulgar note, but so did her younger sister Briony. Robbie's careless words led to his arrest for rape, conscription in the army, and death.
The movie makes me wonder how the trajectory of my life has been altered - for good and bad - as a result of words. The careful use of words builds bridges, expresses love and concern, brings in the Kingdom. God used words to create the universe. The careless use of words wounds, destroys, creates barriers - as the Apostle Paul would say, "the dividing walls of hostility."
Atonement made me think about words. I pray that God will give me the grace to use my words for building up and not tearing down (unless I'm tearing down the dividing walls of hostility). If you're reading this, I pray that He'll give you the same grace.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
God's Counterintuitive Ways
Daily Lectionary:
Morning: Psalm 150:1-6
Genesis 48:8-22
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40
Evening: Psalm 32:1-11
Second Sunday in Lent Lectionary:
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121:1-8
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
In Genesis 48 we read the account of Jacob blessing Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph lines them up 'properly' so that Jacob's right hand will rest on Manasseh and his left on Ephraim. But Jacob crosses his hands to give Ephraim (the younger son) the greater blessing. Joseph protests, but Jacob insists - Ephraim is the greater and thus should receive the greater blessing.
Interesting that Jacob, who practiced deception to gain the blessing of the first born, is ready to freely bestow his patriarchal blessing in a counter intuitive way. It looks like he learned some things about God and His ways during his long life.
God delights in working with unexpected people or through unexpected means. He loves barren women (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth...), younger sons (Jacob, David), outcasts, and very unlikely heros (Gideon). His ways are certainly not our ways.
So... if it appears that God is leading in a direction that doesn't seem to make sense, maybe that's not a bad thing. Glory belongs to God alone, and it could be that the road He leads you down is the one designed to make it clear that He's the Author of the story as well as the Protagonist.
Morning: Psalm 150:1-6
Genesis 48:8-22
Romans 8:11-25
John 6:27-40
Evening: Psalm 32:1-11
Second Sunday in Lent Lectionary:
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121:1-8
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
In Genesis 48 we read the account of Jacob blessing Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph lines them up 'properly' so that Jacob's right hand will rest on Manasseh and his left on Ephraim. But Jacob crosses his hands to give Ephraim (the younger son) the greater blessing. Joseph protests, but Jacob insists - Ephraim is the greater and thus should receive the greater blessing.
Interesting that Jacob, who practiced deception to gain the blessing of the first born, is ready to freely bestow his patriarchal blessing in a counter intuitive way. It looks like he learned some things about God and His ways during his long life.
God delights in working with unexpected people or through unexpected means. He loves barren women (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth...), younger sons (Jacob, David), outcasts, and very unlikely heros (Gideon). His ways are certainly not our ways.
So... if it appears that God is leading in a direction that doesn't seem to make sense, maybe that's not a bad thing. Glory belongs to God alone, and it could be that the road He leads you down is the one designed to make it clear that He's the Author of the story as well as the Protagonist.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Brass Tacks
During dinner the other night, my friend Patrick was relating stories about his recent experiences in LaFayette, TN (in TN they pronounce it la FAY ette). He was there the first three days last week as part of our company's disaster response team. LaFayette is where devastating tornados blew through recently.
Patrick had some heart wrenching stories of folks that lost all of their possessions, folks that were severly injured, and worst of all, those who'd lost family members. One young woman was huddled in the bath tub with her husband and son who were both carried away. She alone survived.
Those who had lost only their possessions were, Patrick said, profoundly grateful simply to be alive. No one said, "Why me." They were happy to be alive, and happy to do simple things (Patrick was there allowing them to use the phone).
When you get down to brass tacks - or as my hero Nacho Libre says, "neeetty greeetty" - mere survival is a big deal. Sometimes, like spoiled children, we feel in the mood to complain. We take for granted the rich blessings the Father has poured into our lives. When disaster strikes, what really matters is crystal clear. May God help us to count our blessings every day - especially the blessing of our loved ones.
Patrick had some heart wrenching stories of folks that lost all of their possessions, folks that were severly injured, and worst of all, those who'd lost family members. One young woman was huddled in the bath tub with her husband and son who were both carried away. She alone survived.
Those who had lost only their possessions were, Patrick said, profoundly grateful simply to be alive. No one said, "Why me." They were happy to be alive, and happy to do simple things (Patrick was there allowing them to use the phone).
When you get down to brass tacks - or as my hero Nacho Libre says, "neeetty greeetty" - mere survival is a big deal. Sometimes, like spoiled children, we feel in the mood to complain. We take for granted the rich blessings the Father has poured into our lives. When disaster strikes, what really matters is crystal clear. May God help us to count our blessings every day - especially the blessing of our loved ones.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The 5%
Happy Valentines Day!
I was in Nashville this week on business, and got a chance (last night) to have dinner with my friend Patrick and his wife Melissa. I've known Patrick for almost 10 years. We've worked together off and on over that period of time, and for the last few years been on the same team. What I do in Eastern NC and SC, Patrick does in TN.
When I first met Patrick, he was getting over a long term (7 year) relationship with a woman who was an alcoholic. He'd broken off the relationship, gone to therapy to figure out why he'd subjected himself to that misery for so long, and was moving on with his life. About 5 years ago Patrick met Melissa, and in her, met his match.
These are two terrific people! When you talk to either of them alone, they are full of praise for the other. There is genuine love, respect, appreciation, and admiration between them. They are in the 5%.
Usually, when one thinks of percentages, he thinks that bigger is better... In the 95% typically means at the top. But when the subject is marriage, sometimes it's better to be in the smaller group. Here's what I learned in my Pastoral Counselling class: 20% of marriages are hard work / low payoff, 75% of marriages require effort but yield some happiness, and 5% of marriages are light on effort and high in happiness and fulfillment.
Having dinner last night with Patrick and Melissa was a terrific pre-Valentine event for me. I do not have a Valentine, but the Morgans fill me with happiness all the same. It's great to see healthy love between two fantastic people. Praise God for the 5%!
I was in Nashville this week on business, and got a chance (last night) to have dinner with my friend Patrick and his wife Melissa. I've known Patrick for almost 10 years. We've worked together off and on over that period of time, and for the last few years been on the same team. What I do in Eastern NC and SC, Patrick does in TN.
When I first met Patrick, he was getting over a long term (7 year) relationship with a woman who was an alcoholic. He'd broken off the relationship, gone to therapy to figure out why he'd subjected himself to that misery for so long, and was moving on with his life. About 5 years ago Patrick met Melissa, and in her, met his match.
These are two terrific people! When you talk to either of them alone, they are full of praise for the other. There is genuine love, respect, appreciation, and admiration between them. They are in the 5%.
Usually, when one thinks of percentages, he thinks that bigger is better... In the 95% typically means at the top. But when the subject is marriage, sometimes it's better to be in the smaller group. Here's what I learned in my Pastoral Counselling class: 20% of marriages are hard work / low payoff, 75% of marriages require effort but yield some happiness, and 5% of marriages are light on effort and high in happiness and fulfillment.
Having dinner last night with Patrick and Melissa was a terrific pre-Valentine event for me. I do not have a Valentine, but the Morgans fill me with happiness all the same. It's great to see healthy love between two fantastic people. Praise God for the 5%!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Turning 15
My daughter's turning 15 next week. People of a Latin persuasion celebrate 15 instead of 16. It got me thinking of my own 15th birthday. We did not throw a big party. Instead, my Mom and her best friend Yola took me, my sister Jeanette, and Yola's son Philip (our best friend at the time) to Benihana (sp?) for dinner and then to the Playboy club for Shirley Temples. I was recounting it for my Mom the other night on the phone, and she did not remember doing it...
I've got to tell you, that night made a big impression on me. I'm not sure how Mom and Yola decided on our night's agenda. I'd never heard of a Japanese steak house and I don't think I was aware of the Playboy Club's existence either. In retrospect it seems carefully planned by Mom and Yola to be special and memorable. Only Mom doesn't remember it...I do.
Mom probably doesn't remember the other very memorable (to me) outing together. I'm the oldest of five kids. My sister Jeanette is only 16 months younger than I. In fact by 1969 my mom had 5 kids ages 6 and under! Consequently I didn't get many times alone with her. But once, after a doctor's appointment, mom took me to lunch. Just me. I don't remember anything about it except the special feeling to be sitting at a table alone with my mom having conversation.
I have one special memory of my Dad too, that he probably wouldn't remember. One night he took me (alone) to see The Hiding Place. I felt like a princess. Come to think of it, that may be the only time in my life when I felt like a princess...
It occurs to me that we don't always know what's going to be very important to another person. We could be totally unaware that we're creating for them a special memory or a once-in-a-life-time feeling. What an incredible privilege! In 2008 let's make many good memories. Let's love people in a way that communicates how delightful they are, and gives them a life-shaping memory.
I've got to tell you, that night made a big impression on me. I'm not sure how Mom and Yola decided on our night's agenda. I'd never heard of a Japanese steak house and I don't think I was aware of the Playboy Club's existence either. In retrospect it seems carefully planned by Mom and Yola to be special and memorable. Only Mom doesn't remember it...I do.
Mom probably doesn't remember the other very memorable (to me) outing together. I'm the oldest of five kids. My sister Jeanette is only 16 months younger than I. In fact by 1969 my mom had 5 kids ages 6 and under! Consequently I didn't get many times alone with her. But once, after a doctor's appointment, mom took me to lunch. Just me. I don't remember anything about it except the special feeling to be sitting at a table alone with my mom having conversation.
I have one special memory of my Dad too, that he probably wouldn't remember. One night he took me (alone) to see The Hiding Place. I felt like a princess. Come to think of it, that may be the only time in my life when I felt like a princess...
It occurs to me that we don't always know what's going to be very important to another person. We could be totally unaware that we're creating for them a special memory or a once-in-a-life-time feeling. What an incredible privilege! In 2008 let's make many good memories. Let's love people in a way that communicates how delightful they are, and gives them a life-shaping memory.