Rethinking a Time Out

Violence in Iraq, global climate change, poverty, etc., can bring us down. It's relentless, but it isn't what is most true about our world. Take some time out of the chaos to view these photos...and remember that there is still much that is beautiful and good in this world.

The LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son - Deuteronomy 1:31

Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a mighty wind is bearing me across the sky. - Ojibwa Indian Saying

If you feel like you are in the middle of a downpour in your life, watch this powerful Nooma video called Rain. But...only when you have a quiet moment.

Rethinking "Lucky Number 7"

Luck never made a man wise. - Seneca, Letters to Lucilius

Go and wake up your luck. - Persian Saying

Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered. - William Shakespeare

Today is 7-7-07. Thousands have flocked to Las Vegas to either get married, play blackjack (3x7=21), or take their chances at the slot machines. Why is the number seven believed by many to be lucky? The origins of reverence for the number seven actually go back to ancient times, when astronomers thought there were a total of seven planets. They were called the seven "wanderers" because they seemed to wander with respect to the background stars. These included: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, and the Sun.

The Bible poetically describes the creation of the world in seven days, with the seventh being a day of rest. It goes on to declare that the spirit of God is seven-fold. This is reflected in the design of the sacred menorah temple candle. Again and again, this number appears in Scripture as a key number. On July 7th, 1947, dispersed Jews began boarding a ship known as the Exodus to return to the soon to be created nation of Israel.

Seven is hence the number of perfection. Interestingly enough, this being 7-7-07, three is often reckoned as the number of God, the Holy Trinity. So...777 is the number of God, whereas 666 would be the number of imperfection (or man) declaring himself to be God.

Alexander the Great went on to officially name seven Wonders of the Ancient World and if you look closely at a rainbow, you will notice seven different colors. Rome was built on seven hills. From Buddhist teachings to Cherokee mythology, seven is given a special place in the numerical cosmos. No doubt, the number has a lot going for it!

The number seven has importance for me personally, as my first-born son was 7 lbs, 14 oz. (7+7+7). He was 21 inches long, again 7+7+7, and was born at 12:21 pm (21=7+7+7 and 12 reversed is 21). Coincidence...sure, maybe.

Today, many equate seven with luck or being lucky. In antiquity, the number seven was viewed as having more to divine Providence, rather than luck. So let me pose this question to my readers...

Do you believe that your life is guided by Providence, the hand of God (destiny)? Or, do you think that luck (random chance) is responsible for the events of your life?

Rethinking Liberty

"There is no triumph without loss, no victory without sacrifice, no freedom without suffering." -- JRR Tolkien

“I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery” - Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“It has long been a grave question whether any government, not too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its existence in great emergencies” - Abraham Lincoln

“The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them.” - Thomas Jefferson

“Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place.” - Frederic Bastiat

“There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream.” - Archibald MacLeish

It's Independence Day...what in your life needs to be set free?

Rethinking Doors

When you follow your bliss...doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else. - Joseph Campbell

Whenever we have something set upon our heart to do, we feel a rush of excitement. We feel refreshed, "At last, this is the thing I was meant to do!" But, the voices of doubt slowly creep in. "This is too big for me." "I couldn't possibly do something like this." "Nobody would want to listen to what I have to say." "What would others think?" Whatever the voices say, remember that the enemy would love to shred your dreams and visions before they can even take root. What is in your heart is a threat to him.

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid! - Goethe

When you listen to what has been placed in your heart, you are listening to the voice of God, for that is where God speaks to us. When you follow your dreams, you will find you have a powerful Ally. So doors will open before us and paths will be made clear before us where we never thought possible. Your dreams and desires will meet resistance, but that only helps you see beyond to the enemy that attacks what he most fears. Keep looking for the open doors.

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - Harold Whitman

Rethinking Solitude

I love this quote from Henri Nouwen. How often do we run from the solitude that is so essential for living a whole life? Enjoy!

"The Voice in the Garden of Solitude"

Solitude is the garden for our hearts, which yearn for love. It is the place where our aloneness can bear fruit. It is the home for our restless bodies and anxious minds. Solitude, whether it is connected with a physical space or not, is essential for our spiritual lives. It is not an easy place to be, since we are so insecure and fearful that we are easily distracted by whatever promises immediate satisfaction. Solitude is not immediately satisfying, because in solitude we meet our demons, our addictions, our feelings of lust and anger, and our immense need for recognition and approval. But if we do not run away, we will meet there also the One who says, "Do not be afraid. I am with you, and I will guide you through the valley of darkness."

Let's keep returning to our solitude.