Climate Change

Brenda’s Blog – March 26, 2019

“Spring has come – its 77 degrees – let’s go play!”

That was yesterday – today it is 40 degrees heading for 27 tonight. What happened to Spring? What happened to play time? Close the windows, turn on the heat, and huddle under a blanket.

In the 1970s we lived in Pagosa Springs, CO. A mountainous resort area drew many “flatlanders” (code word for Texans!). During ski season unseasonably warm days invariably came. Although it was cold, the high altitude sun shone brightly and drove everyone outside to play. During the first winter our family did, too. We reveled in the glorious winter sunshine.

Year two I noticed the locals weren’t playing – they were at the gas station, post office downtown (no local delivery in those days), and lined up at the one small grocery. It seemed strange to me. Why weren’t they enjoying this weather?

THEN the cold front moved in! Without fail, the warmth preceded snow, ice, and cold. The locals knew this and prepared.

The book of Proverbs talks about the discipline of ants who work when others are playing storing for the bad weather. They are honored and respected. “Go to the ant, you sluggard.” We weren’t slugs – we were thanking God for the gorgeous weather. But the ant-like locals were storing up for the storm ahead.

Years later I went through an extremely difficult personal season. I soon recognized a pattern. Before a particularly trying period I experienced especial clarity. The first few times I played in the sunshine thinking the darkness was behind me. When the testing came I was unprepared. One day I thought about Pagosa and saw the correlation. After that when sparkling daylight came I worked hard to get paperwork done, check off to-do items, and assess the current situation in preparation for the next step. It was a successful strategy I still use.

Are you in a stressful season? Are you feeling like you are in a fog? The sunshine will come – use it to make progress. Feel God’s blessing during those times of light. Know He is providing a way to navigate choppy waters.

That’s Life!

Brenda’s Blog – March 12, 2019

“He’s living the life – he has his own TV, computer, and free Wi-Fi!”

As I overheard this conversation at the restaurant between two Gen Z men I assumed their young friend had moved into his own place, had a good job, and was doing well.

He had indeed moved, but into a Federal prison. I admit I listened way longer than is polite, but their view of the good life fascinated me. “He got fourteen years – man, he is doing great!”

I must admit my stomach turned over as I watched them philosophically discuss the loss of a young man’s early twenties and thirties. “He’s living the life!”

Then I had to think about so many of the Millennial and Gen Z men and women who define their lives by measures foreign to me as an “Elder generation” member. The love of freedom, free stuff, and free will reflect their discomfort with top down authority. They want authenticity from those around them. Their view of the good life is strange to those of us who were born before 1945.

A study of core values showed the distinct differences. However, there was one clear crossover. The Millennials wanted to make a difference in the world; the Elders wanted to leave a legacy. There is a natural nexus between us. We want our lives to count and we want them to experience usefulness and productivity.

Our heartbeat is for an opportunity to share our life stories (failures as well as successes) to help them navigate the choppy waters ahead. We would like to share our values which are rooted in faith. We would love for them to say “This is living the life” because they are truly making a difference in the lives of others.

The young man who is enjoying California sunshine locked up in a Federal prison may think that he has it all, but let’s pray for those who have wandered off the path and need to really understand what the good, abundant life is all about.

That’s Music?

Brenda’s Blog – February 26, 2019

“That is just unnatural to sing like that. I would rather listen to someone screaming.”

My grandson and I were in the car together and I tuned the radio to a Southern Gospel station. At just that moment the group featured a bass singer with a remarkably low range, wrapping up with a sound close to a growl.

“Why would anyone sing like that?” I realized that this was a generational context situation. Even though I am not a particular fan of the “see how low you can go” technique, I probably don’t even notice it. Growing up there was a popular musical TV program which was sponsored by Dodge vehicles. At the end of each show there would be a bass singer capping the evening with the words “Dodge had a good time, too” in a downward scale. It assumed an iconic place in culture. It was a vocal limbo dance!

To hear his judgment that a resonant bass voice was unnatural made me stop and think. Screamers, rappers with startling speed, and eardrum-piercing voices do not qualify on any scale I can imagine as music. Yet, to him they had more aesthetic appeal.

What was going on? A change of sensibilities, without a doubt. A pleasing sound and an appreciation for the “pipes” which had the capacity to vibrate almost lower than the human ear can hear is part of my heritage. Part of my education included a definition of music, meaning harmonious melodies. The 20^th century altered those parameters, but my ears were permanently attuned to the textbook framework.

Now, my 20 year old grandson has no background which identifies music in the same way at all. It is all about the driving rhythms, the bombastic delivery, and the disturbing decibel levels. To him, this is music. Anything else is “unnatural.”

Intergenerational relationships require understanding and patience. What makes me hum along makes him break out in hives. What gets him bouncing in the passenger seat makes me want to pull my hair. But there is no right and wrong. Our tastes are partly generational, partly educational. The relational element is primary in any preferential issue. Time with him far outdistances the irritation of bone rattling vibrations.

As my Dad said, “we have to get older, but we don’t have to get old.” Keeping those intergenerational pathways open and clear is a growing experience – and a lot of fun which keeps me from being old.

A Discouraging Word

Weekly Thought – February 12, 2019

“That’s the saddest sound I ever heard.”

Nestle Quik ran an ad campaign featuring the slurping of a straw in an empty glass of chocolate milk. The tag line was always, “That’s the saddest sound I ever heard.” A few weeks ago that came to mind as I was listening to people listening their lifetime regrets. Over and over they agonized over the “coulda, shoulda, wouldas” with clear agony.

Living life in the rear view mirror makes us vulnerable to crashes because we don’t see what is ahead.

I believe God weaves all the threads together in His sovereignty. Camping out on the jobs not taken, relationships undeveloped, and money misspent is unhealthy, leading to chronic unhappiness.

Certainly, we all make mistakes….we all do dumb things… we all long for do-overs. BUT, it is destructive to rehash, review, and rehearse those sad sounds. When Ross Perot ran for President he had a famous campaign phrase to connote the trade imbalance between the US and other countries: “a giant sucking sound.” Years later I still hear references made to Perot’s comment. Allowing the past to cripple the present is a giant sucking sound.

Maybe it is a good thing to think about that saddest sound, face it, evaluate it, and then go fill the glass back up with yummy chocolate milk.
The Broadway musical, The Fantastiks, reminded us “the heart without hurts is hollow.” We don’t seek out pain for that is sadism. But seeing it for what it is and properly integrating it into our lives is realism. No, we didn’t get a blue ribbon every time. And a lot of times we didn’t even get honorable mention, but hopefully we learned something. As Christians our goal should be to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Part of that enjoyment is seeing His hand in all the goods and bads, knowing He has a purpose.

2019 won’t be perfect. But it can be a time of proper perspective. Let’s stop sucking on that straw in the empty glass – it is counterproductive and irritates everyone around us. This is a year for hope!

Surviving the Storm

Brenda’s Blog – January 29, 2019

“The trees with leaves and fruit are the most likely to fall over in saturated soil.” As I watched the Weather Channel’s interesting graphic on why trees fall in heavy storms, I thought “that’ll preach!”

For some time I have noticed dead trees seem to maintain their stature while trees with obvious life fall over. I kept thinking, “there is a principal at work here, but I just don’t know what it is.”

Then the Weather Channel gave me an excellent illustration. When the ground is saturated, roots lose their hold. Typically, trees have shallow roots sufficient for normal periods. When unusual water soaks in, the roots lose their control trees topple. And when the branches are heavy with leaves and fruit, the downward pull is even stronger. The lack of pressure on the dead trees allows them to survive.

No, that isn’t where I stopped. Interesting as that may be, it really doesn’t preach, does it? So, here goes.

When I look around and consider leaders I often think of them as giant oak trees. I see broad leaves, and if they are fruit trees, I comment on their vast harvest. They are heavy with fruitful ministries, successful businesses, flourishing families, and verdant lives. Then I see them fall. How can that be? They look like the healthiest of all.

What we don’t see is the impact of life’s storms, temptations, and failings which saturate the root system. We don’t see that too often they fall under the very abundance that we admire. Their foundation is loosened as the waters rise. They maintain their green appearance until the final storm pulls them down.

Let’s pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for those who look so strong, so good, so attractive. May their roots go deep. May they be rooted in the Word of God with our encouragement.

And then let’s focus on our own “leafiness” knowing sometimes our greatest successes can be the greatest hindrances in our battle to overcome the storms.

Read More

Tragic Arrogance

Brenda’s Blog – January 15, 2019

“I’ve got this…”

The woman told me the story of her father’s death following surgery. As the details unfolded I thought how very much they apply to our lives, as well.

The experienced anesthesiologist didn’t want to be bothered by the alarms on the monitors in the operating rooms. “I have done this over and over and I don’t need to hear those alarms going off. I’ve got this,” he said as he flipped the switches, quieting the machine.

Sadly, the application of the tubing went awry and no alarms were activated to alert the medical staff until it was too late. The operation was a success, but the patient died.

Don’t we have systems for living? What safety measures have you taken to protect your marriage, your health, your career? Have you ever thought, “I’ve got this!” and silenced the buzzers? Too many fall off cliffs thinking they are experts.

“This one time won’t matter.” Step one in flipping off the alarms.

I once talked with a young man who is deep into drugs and alcohol. I asked him if he could remember back to the beginning. “Do you remember hesitating at all? Do you remember thinking twice?” He answered in the affirmative thinking he was above addiction…. “he had it.” Now the substances have him.

How can we protect ourselves? Thinking about long term goals and the dangers to their achievement is a good start. Understanding the principles underlying good and godly living is helpful. And of course, being part of an accountability relationship which lovingly helps you watch your steps.

I have often heard the enemy doesn’t attack us in our weaknesses, but in our strengths. He convinces us we don’t need the alarms – we are strong enough, smart enough, and spiritual enough to handle the day to day.

Keep the switches on! The alarm bells may be the difference between wise living and the way of the fool.

Read More

Room to Breathe

Brendas Blog – January 1, 2019

“I just replaced FOMO with JOMO.”

Those words caught my attention. Working with college students has given me a deeper understanding of the FOMO lifestyle. FOMO? Fear Of Missing Out. Interestingly, many of those we meet think this is a new phenomenon, specific to them. But we women of the “have it all” generation have walked this road.

We didn’t have lives “enhanced” by digital devices, but we had calendars, and day-timers which ruled. As a college student in the 60s. white space on my campus-themed organizer meant something was going on without me. Long before authors of the Experience Economy explained the success of Nordstroms and Starbucks, we embraced happenings, whether musical, political, spiritual – or all of the above. Being there and being seen was de rigueur.

Calendar pages have now flown by and that young woman has turned into a nearly 75 year old (who is still amazed at the mirror reflection of this oldish lady) who is being told missing out isn’t the end of life. Choosing wisely allows strength to be in the right place at the right time with the ability to engage and enjoy.

So, when I heard the observation about FOMO’s being replaced by JOMO, I immediately connected. JOMO? Joy Of Missing Out. Instead of focusing on the art of saying no, I can now look at all the opportunities, putting some (more and more) into the JOMO bucket. Just saying no isn’t enough. There must be a sense of knowing when and why – and then rejoicing.

Running breathlessly, filling in calendars, making appearances, and wondering where the time goes turns us into a tangle of experiences with no central theme.

I laughed at JOMO, but then realized how thankful I am for a way to describe this season. I may miss a dinner or two, certainly the latest movie, and maybe even the most current book, but it will give me time to show up for coffee with friends, trips with grandchildren, and weekend refreshments without jamming them into a schedule full of “need to go” rather than “want to go.”

Find your JOMO!

Read More

Topsy-Turvy Theology

Brenda’s Blog – December 18, 2018

“What we think about when we think about God is the most important thing about us” A. W. Tozer

Each year the Christian community feels the tension between “Keep-Christ-In-Christmas” and the cacophony of holiday sounds. We try to walk the fine line between religious devotion and social emotion. This is not a harangue about Christians who celebrate a winter celebration. I give gifts to my family, but I also try to clarify my thinking, not allowing the person and work of God get pulled along in the stream of red and green.

As I look at our culture I see commercial syncretism. Seasonal greetings mesh into selling sprees. What should be our mindset and message? Who is the God of Christmas?

My younger grandsons spend hours playing with their LEGOs, the building blocks which entertain and now even create engineering solutions for physical therapy. TV ads promote these colorful bricks day after day as the perfect solution for grandchild satisfaction. “These will make happy faces on Christmas morning!”

I started thinking about what we think about when we think of God during this season. Shouldn’t our focus be on LOGOS? He became the building blocks for our salvation. Are we exchanging the true message of God’s becoming flesh – the Word incarnate LOGOS for the all-time favorite LEGOs?

Several years ago the desire to express the supremacy of Christ resulted in manger scenes with a jolly old Saint Nicholas bowing to the Christ child. The preeminence of the bearded, red and white attired character made me wonder. Is this the way we send the message of who Jesus is? Is this oversized storybook image towering over a tiny baby the rightful way to think about Bethlehem?
As we sing our songs are we replacing Hosanna! For Ho-Santa?

What we think about when we think about God truly is the most important thing about us. When we allow LEGOs to supersede the LOGOS and when our happy voices spend more time greeting each other with Ho-Ho-Ho, we are dimming our thinking. Recognizing the secular season is alright, but let’s not allow the time we allocate to the tinkle over the Trinity define how we spend these weeks.

Read More

Persevering

Brenda’s Blog – December 4, 2018

“I’ve never met a strong person with an easy past.”

Facebook is replete with requests for love and support in the holiday season. The more celebrations gear up, the more anxiety rises. The brighter the celebration glows, the gloomier the sense of loss becomes. “I don’t know how I will get through the first year.” “I will be all alone this year.” Similar sentiments pop up as we scroll post after post.

Then we look beneath the surface of life stories and realize one principle: struggle strengthens; perseverance promotes growth. Yes, there were (and probably always will be) holidays with emotional stings. There will be a sense of loss, whether human or canine, as empty places remind us of holidays past. There will be a sadness as life in the new normal emerges.

But then we start using the pain to encourage another who enters into grief. We use the lessons learned during suffering to comfort another as they step into the process. We come along side one who is experiencing the crush of loss thinking they won’t survive to show them they will make it.

We see the sweet pictures of tiny trees shooting up through solid rock; we see flowers budding through city sidewalks – and know we are reminded to persevere… to break through the suffering and blossom. It isn’t always this poetic, is it? Sometimes the rock seems too hard and the concrete too solid. But God makes a way to trust Him in the darkness. He takes the jack hammer of grace and turns the rock of pain into the Rock of our salvation.

Those who never exercise their faith muscles end up with flabby abs. Those who seek a life with no trials are often an inch deep, with no ability to relate or connect.

So, in this season of dazzling lights, unrealistic expectations, and severe disappointments, let’s use the lumps and bumps to grow fabulous musculature… strong, tested, and true. Pain exists, but maturing into someone useful to others is worth the hurt.

Read More

Voices in the Crowd

Brenda’s Blog – November 20, 2018

“And their voices prevailed.” (Luke 22:23)

The trial of Jesus climaxes in these four pitiable words. Pilate wanted a reason to free Jesus and maintain his political position with the Jews, so he gave them a choice. He kept looking for the “right answer,” but the crowd kept calling out Barabbas. “And their voices prevailed.”

Such sad words, aren’t they? So easily passed over. But wait – shouldn’t we stop and think about the implications for us today?

During the holidays the sounds of Christmas carols blend in with strains of stinkin’ thinkin’ as Zig Ziglar liked to say. Truth about the incarnation and mishmash about materialism on steroids create a cacophony of voices which confuse and distract us.

Hallmark movies with 40 different ways of using the same script (and revolving actors) try valiantly to woo us into the happy ever after. In actuality, loss of relationships, jobs, hopes, and dreams create loneliness and aching.

How can we tune out the voices of “you need more,” “life is only good if you have ________________” (fill in the blank)? How can we shut out the noise of a culture which talks over, screams at, and seeks to subdue? How can the “still, quiet voice of God” break through to our spirit? How can the prevailing voices be captured and only the sounds of the sacred audible?

It is in discerning what needs to be heard and what needs to be stifled and muffled. It is in listening for the precious voice of the One who loved us so much He sent Jesus (God in the flesh) to teach us what life really means.

Thanksgiving Day gives us an opportunity to focus on voices of gratitude. Then we can shout for joy!

Read More

1 2 3 ›»

Brenda A. Smith shares a TV Interview about LeTourneau-BWFLI event
Fred Smith Sr. shares a lifetime of Encouragement at Centennial Celebration
Mark Modesti TED Talk – The Argument for Trouble
Student Impact at Emmaus Bible College
BWFLI Impacts Lindsey Wilson College

Categories
Categories

Archives
Archives