Never Give Up

 Ken Burns’ documentary about Mohammed Ali contains an interesting and pivotal moment that might have determined the destiny of the young athlete. 21-year-old Cassius Clay had finally  obtained his dream, a match with the heavy weight champion of the world, Sonny Liston. After 3 rounds, Liston and his corner were shocked at the young fighter’s toughness.  Entering the 4^th round many believe Liston’s handlers smeared his gloves and shoulders with an ointment that would burn his opponent’s eyes.  Clay stumbled to his corner unable to see. He begged his trainer, Angelo Dundee to cut off his gloves. He was done. He couldn’t continue. 

 Instead, when the bell rang, Dundee pulled him to his feet and shoved him into the ring. His eyes cleared and he unleashed a barrage of withering blows to Liston’s face, opening a gash around his left eye. After the 6^th Liston refused to rise from his stool. Cassius Clay was crowned heavy weight champion and a week later changed his name. Had Dundee removed his gloves and allowed him to quit the world might have never known Mohammed Ali.

 Few elements are as important to success as the determination to continue, to refuse to give up.  How many victories have been lost because the competitor lost the will to continue? How many marriages have failed because a husband or a wife decided to walk away? How many dreams have vanished because a student, an artist, an entrepreneur decided to quit? 

 Winston Churchill, the WW II Prime Minister of England is best known for his determination.  Standing alone against the onslaught of Nazi Germany’s onslaught,  he issued this challenge in 1941, “...never give in, never give in, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

 The Scripture has a great deal to say about the importance of endurance and perseverance. James wrote, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him,” (James 1:12).  Paul wrote, “We celebrate in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but ^[we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope,” (Romans 5:2-4).  Peter said, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love,” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

 Like Moses enduring 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  Like the Apostle Paul imprisoned, beaten, and left for dead.  Like Elijah driven to despair, we must all face moments of discouragement, tests that will determine our destiny.  We must never quit. Never give in. We must endure to the end looking to Jesus who endured the ultimate suffering and shame that we might be “more than conquerors,” (Romans 8:37).

Centerpiece of History

 Every time I write a check, I document the date with reference to the most important event in human history.  This year is 2022 A.D., Anno Domini, Latin for “Year of our Lord.”  Approximately 2022 years ago Jesus was born.    Any date before that is B.C., “Before Christ.”

 his makes our secular world uncomfortable.  But, we have to reference history by some date, and it needs to be universal enough that we all know what date we are talking about.  In 1615 Johannes Kepler adopted the “Vulgar Era” designation, a reference that was later changed to C.E. “Common Era.”  Today, in most academic documents, the terms B.C.E. “Before the Common Era” and C.E. “Common Era” are used.  But the years remain the same, 2022 AD is 2022 CE.

 The date for both designations A.D and C.E remains the time when Caesar Augustus ordered that all the Roman world should be taxed and a little known carpenter in Nazareth started out for Bethlehem leading a donkey on which sat his pregnant wife. The life of that child defines every other event in history.  

 Why is Jesus the centerpiece of all human history?

 Part of the answer is the teaching of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount is the most radical teaching in the history of the world. If everyone practiced Jesus’ teaching the world would be totally transformed. God’s Kingdom would have come on earth.

 Part of the answer is the death of Jesus. We cannot practice the Sermon on the Mount without a transformation of heart.  The Cross of Jesus Christ makes this possible. Our sins are forgiven and God is able to create in us a new heart.

 Most important of all is the resurrection.   If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, his followers would have quickly dispersed and he would have been forgotten. The disciples had all forsaken him at his trial. Peter had publicly denied him.  But, when Jesus appeared for forty days with many undeniable proofs, everything changed. (Acts 1:3).

 This was the message that changed the world. “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.  But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:23-24).

 /^“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-18).

 Jesus destroyed the rule of power and prejudice, retaliation and revenge.  On the Cross he overcame violence and injustice. By the resurrection He conquered death and the grave.  For this reason every document we date this year bears the number 2022.

Teachers Make A Difference

 It is mid-August and already many students are back in school, excitedly finding their desks, making new friends, opening new books. Most teachers have been back at work for a week or  more getting ready for the students who are assigned to their care.

 My wife retired as a schoolteacher more than 10 years ago.  After earning a master’s in early childhood education, her career took her to kindergarten, third grade and secondary education in the  inner city,  metro and rural areas, in Texas and Minnesota.  She concluded her teaching career by teaching a dropout prevention program for pregnant and parenting teens.  Her goal in her final assignment was to help her students have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy birth, learn to be a parent, stay in school, and create a future for themselves and their child. On her best year, her students achieved a 98% graduation rate.

 On one occasion she asked her students to tell of the most significant caregiver in their life.  One of her students said she had a happy childhood until age 10 when her parents were both arrested and sent to jail for drugs.  Her grandfather tried to take her in, but they wouldn’t let him because he had confessed to possession of marijuana.  But he continued to love her and check on her at her foster home. She said she remained close to her foster mother.

 One of her former students returned to my wife’s class to visit, a single mom who graduated and enrolled in a trade school.  My wife asked her to tell her story to the others.  She told of how her older brother committed suicide and how she was on the same trajectory but was able to change course and pursue a better life.  The school counselor who was observing that day asked the student what made the difference in her life.  She pointed to my wife as her teacher and said, “This woman right here.”

 I remain proud of my wife and what she accomplished as a teacher.  I am grateful for the many teachers who accept assignment in challenging situations, working with children and teenagers who face daunting difficulties. 

 Perhaps this is one reason our favorite movies are often based on true stories of teachers who persevered and prevailed in the lives of students who otherwise might have given up. Movies like Mr. Holland’s Opus, Akeela and the Bee, Freedom Writers.

 The title Jesus most often used to refer to himself was “teacher.”  It was the title others used most to refer to Him, including the 12 who were his disciples. He was the supreme example of the master teacher, teaching by example and illustration, pouring his life into the lives of those who followed him. His teaching and His life changed the world. Two thousand years after he walked the earth, his teaching and His life changed me.

 I hope you will join me in praying for the thousands of teachers who are seeking to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults as schools open and classrooms resume.

You Can't Take It With You

Our 48-year-old son has entered the theater, in Belle Fourche, SD, a small town near Sturgis that claims to be the geographic center of the US.  He is keeping his day job. A few years ago, his entire family, including our daughter-in-law and three grandchildren took part in performing Beauty and the Beast, a hilarious and fun performance.  Next month, he and our granddaughter will perform in You Can’t Take It With You, a comedy that exposes the vanity of pursuing wealth and power instead of building friendships and family. We will be in the audience!

 The movie version appeared in 1938 starring James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore. Stewart played the son of a wealthy mogul who will stop at nothing to build his financial empire. The son falls in love with his stenographer, a young woman from the other side of the tracks. Of course, in the end, the wealthy snobs get their comeuppance. A few years later Stewart and Barrymore teamed up again in the 1948 classic It’s a Wonderful Life as George Bailey and Mr. Potter, another film that exalts the value of friendship and family over the pursuit of money and power.

 Perhaps these two plays reflect the values learned by the generation that endured the Great Depression and WW II.   It is a lesson every generation must learn. One we must learn again in these inflationary post-Covid times. Life is more than the sum of our possessions. Relationships, family, friends and faith are the true treasures to be prized.

 Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break through and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and thieves do not break in and steal,” (Matthew 6:19).

 And again, “He said to them, ‘Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed, for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions. And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The lans of a rich man was very productive. And he began thinking to himself saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘This I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store my grain and all my goods there.’ And I will say to myself, “You have many good stored up for many years to come. Relax, eat, drink and enjoy yourself!” But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all you have prepared, who will own it now?’ Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God,” (Luke 12:15-21).

 I have lived long enough to know.  I have seen the treasures of youth rusting away in mildewed barns and rotting in dusty attics.  I have watched the wealthy store up vast fortunes only to end their days in loneliness, their estates tied up in bitter lawsuits.  And, by contrast, I have the seen the poor surrounded by family and friends in their old age. The saying is true, “You can’t take it with you.” 

Bill's book, We Beheld His Glory is free as an eBook on Amazon August 9-13.  

Weddings and Marriage

 Last week our 19-year-old grandson came to visit so he could participate in his best friend’s wedding.  Weddings are exciting: handsome groomsmen lined up in their tuxedos, the groom nervously looking for his bride, bridesmaids in matching dresses, the flower girl and ring bearer announcing the bride’s entrance, and then, the bride, adorned for her husband. All of this followed by a reception: good food, joyful singing, and dancing.  Weddings are an important passage for every generation as they come of age.  .

 The only public event we attended during the height of Covid in 2020 was the wedding for our young neighbors across the street. We watched them meet, date, fall in love and exchange their vows in a local church. That was two years ago. Now they come to visit bringing scones and their 4-month-old baby, Charlie.

 Weddings are events.  They can be planned, staged, and often cost tens of thousands of dollars.  Marriages, on the other hand, are lifelong relationships that take time, effort, struggle, sacrifice, love and forgiveness, things that money cannot buy.  We all want marriage to work.  We all wish every marriage would live up to the thrill of the weddings in which they were formed. No one really knows what goes on in a marriage except the husband and wife who share the marriage bond.  Some marriages appear strong and stable to the public eye but are inwardly crumbling. 

 Last year my wife and I celebrated our fifty-third anniversary.  I remember how she appeared beneath her wedding veil at the altar, the tear that formed in her eye when we exchanged our vows. She was nineteen.  Some images in the brain never fade.  Even though the years have aged us both, her nineteen-year-old beauty remains whenever I look at her.

 We were naïve.  We had far more to learn than either of us knew.  I think it took the first ten years to begin to understand who she really is, and I am still learning. Along the way, she helped me discover who I am. 

 Our marriage has had its celebrations and its sorrows.  We have celebrated the birth of three children and six grandchildren, and we have wept at the graves of our parents.  We have known exhilaration and depression, achievement and disappointment. We have traveled the world together and built a home. She nursed me to health after my motorcycle wreck.  She is a breast cancer survivor.  

 Throughout the years we have discovered building blocks that make marriage work. The first is faith. It was our faith in God and His son Jesus that brought us together and kept us together. But faith that merely professes to believe in Jesus would not have been enough.  Marriage, more than any other relationship, taught us the importance of living out the things Jesus taught: honesty, trust, respect, humility, confession and forgiveness.  Without these elements faith is empty, especially in marriage. 

 We are still learning the meaning of love and our love is still growing. We are still striving to live out the Bible’s definition: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13).