Hello again? Dealing with tragedy.

Tonight we are gathered in our homes, perhaps in front of the TV, computer or even at places of worship. We find ourselves once again at a seemingly familiar place, and so we pray and ask Almighty God for his guidance in thought, words, and actions. This day has been for all of us a day that will be added to the “where were you when you heard the news” list of tragic disasters.  Life of late has been filled with such moments. I still remember where I was on September 11, 2001 (9-11). I recall how I felt watching World Trade Center Tower # 2 collapse on live television: “sheer horror and disbelief”.  I remember thinking “this can’t be happening”.  When the news of the Tsunami hit in Indonesia a few years later, I felt as if there was no where to hide from the path of destruction when Mother Nature is enraged. I also recall watching the devastation and wrath of Hurricane Katrina on the city and surrounding territories of New Orleans, LA. I watched in utter “numbness” as people lost every material possession they owned. In each case there was tremendous loss of life and an even more tremendous outpouring of love and brotherhood from around the world. More recently I was pained to hear of the destruction of the Northeast states during the Superstorm named Sandy.

 

Tonight we are all touched by the tragedy in the state Connecticut. You may live several states away or even on the other side of the globe, but still, each of us is or will be affected by these senseless killings. People we have not met yet will one day cross our paths and they will have a story to tell about a loved one, family, or friend that was impacted. You may even presently have co-workers, relatives, or friends with close ties to the school or victims. Each of us has something in common: we breathe the same air, cry tears of salty water, and awake each morning by the grace of God. And for us tonight it is the fact that we live on planet earth. 

 

In these sad and emotional times you may wonder what if any lessons can be learned from these events. What strategy can be drawn up … what massive plan of action can be developed to save us from these and other tragic events … how can we be truly safe in our own surroundings?  Where can we go to really be safe? At the present there are no doubt many seeking to answer these and other questions hoping to alleviate the pain and suffering today and in the future.  Well, I’ll leave that up to them. 

 

As Christians, what is it that we can say or do to help in this time of human tragedy?  Where can we point our fellow man and mourning neighbor? What special words do we have to assist in easing some despondent soul?  Brothers and sisters, all we have is the word of God and our trust in God and belief in His Son Jesus Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. We do not have all the answers, nor can we ever find the right words to express to others to comfort them. But as Peter the Apostle told the lame man at the gate “but such as I have I give to thee” (Acts 3:6).

 

The word of God teaches us that God is a loving God. It teaches that He is a forgiving God. It teaches that life as long as we would like to make it is short and can be cut down at any moment. It teaches that vengeance is His and He will repay. It teaches us that throughout our tragedies, trials, and tribulations that He is there, even when we can’t feel His presence and influence.  It teaches us that it doesn’t matter where you are but what matters most is where you are. When you consider the biblical character Job, you remember that Job was in the right place doing the right thing; praying to the right God and still his life was sifted like wheat.  It didn’t matter that he was wealthy or that his family was up-standing in the community. It didn’t matter that he was God fearing and pushed away evil. Tragic events struck his life with such force, such power and such unrelenting dominance that it caused him if only for a moment to wish he had never been born.  The only thing that kept Job from losing all hope and control of his life was where he was! He was in God’s hands!  To us today that equates to being in God’s hands through his Son Jesus our savior. The where today is “in Christ”! 

 

Realize (especially the young people) that these students, these children were in the right place i.e. they were in school, in class, preparing for class, studying, etc. This is the way it was. They like Job were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Many are quick to say “they were in the wrong place at the wrong time”.  While I understand the sentiment, I say again, they (students, children) were doing the right things.  This teaches us again that no one knows what awaits us around the corner and it behooves each of us to “make our calling and election sure”. Everyday is a new day given by God to maintain our relationship with Him through Jesus our Lord. The Christian is wise in that he worships God daily through prayer, study, meditation, Christian deeds, etc. Christian or not, each of us should realize that at any moment the curtain could close on this life for ever.

 

Each of us who read these words must come to grips with what the biblical writer James writes concerning our lives … “life is but a vapor”.  Young people, take your salvation seriously. Adults and senior adults, live in such a way that your life can be a witness to the goodness of God and that all who encounter you may know of the hope that lies within you. Take nothing for granted. Tell your family you love them. Be faithful to each other and to the church. Honor God. Love truth. Pray for each other. #PrayforNewtown.

Peace, "TheClueFromLeu"

When it falls apart ...

When it falls apart ...

Let’s peek into the life of a gentleman in the bible book of Acts chapter 16. You may be familiar with him. He was a jailor. He was also a leader, no doubt a husband, for sure a family man. Let’s not entertain any distain you may have for him because of his former life Pre-Midnight. We all have Pre-Midnight lives … I’m thankful for my life Post-Midnight! Let’s get a CLUE…

He had a charge to keep ... He took it seriously ... So serious that he would have ... You know, taken his life. Now before you condemn him or call him weak and a failure … Think about his charge (Acts 16:24) He was given and received a “charge”.  So Ask yourself the question “how many people in our world really take what they do that serious?” Do you take your charge as sober as this? Family, Friendship ... Faith ... Yes, he knew the penalty of losing the prisoners ... To add to that, think of the shame, the doubt, the second guessing ... "why didn't I check on them ... Why didn't I see this coming?" Of course, in actuality, there was nothing he could have done about it ... Things fell apart ... They crumbled ... It all broke up ... He didn't know why ... But it happened on his watch! He began to hear the voices "You failure" "You couldn't even keep it together" "Where were you?" The voices got louder and even more brutal … “You are going to die anyway because the magistrates will see to it!! The sword was drawn from the sheath … ready to inflict the fatal blow … Then he heard a voice ... A different voice "hey, don't do it ... We're still here … all of us!”

Failure happens ... Sometimes on your best day things will fall apart. (Of course I’m not speaking of a rule that this must happen … but it can in some way.) You feel the pressure ... pain ... You're perplexed ... "what went wrong?" You're at the point ... That point ... Not physical suicide ... But spiritual suicide - you're about to "check out" ... check out of fellowship ... Your faith ... Your family ... What's the use! Then you hear a voice … another voice; different. "Don't do it ... We're still here for you!" “Yes things fell apart but as you have been here for us, we are here for you!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if leaders, preachers, even parents heard those words from those they lead and serve? All too often when things fall apart in our lives we seldom hear those words. That’s disturbing because just as those words saved a man from making a serious, life-ending mistake, they can help your leaders through difficult times in their lives or ministries. They crumble ... It breaks up ... but remember God is moving for His purpose - you can't see or understand it, but it's in His will.

The Truth Is that your words carry weight and power- as do all of ours … Someone needs to be the voice that whispers ... Even shouts to your leaders that "We are here ... All is well … or … It will get better!" Be that voice today ... be a Hope Dealer ... Things fall apart...

TheCLUEfromLEU ®

One Day the marching will stop.

One day the marching will stop.

I remember as boy I would lay my head on my bed sideways (with my ear deep in the pillow) and listen to the marching of the soldiers. To my childhood ears it seemed as though they were marching in the frozen snow; you know the sound, perhaps – crunch, crunch, crunch. I always imagined them with red solider suits on and big hats, sort of like the Beefeaters in London, England. I could see them in my mind just marching in the snow on a sunny day (Hey I was 8 years old). At any rate, they always marched when I laid down to rest and I wondered how long they could go on marching. It’s been over 40 year and they still show up!

I know you’re saying, “What in the world is he talking about?” Well, as I lay in the silence of my room, head sideways on the pillow, I hear the pulse in my ear or temple, and against the pillow it sounds like a steady march in the cold snow.  That sound of course lets me know my heart is still beating after all these years. But I know, one day the marchers will stop marching and come to an abrupt halt!

I just pray that when they do stop, I’m occupied in the Lord’s work; his vineyard; his purpose. Even if I’m lying on my bed sideways … with my ear deep in the pillow … thinking of His will!

TheCLUEfromLeu ®

Hey, I've been really busy these last few months since the beginning of the year! I hope to bring many more CLUEs in the coming months ... Peace.

My Name is Leu ... Karma or Christ?

My name is Leu ...

Some Saturday mornings  ... I watch about 2 or three episodes/re-runs of "My name is Earl" ... it’s a hilarious sitcom about a group of misfits who take life as it comes ... literally. The main character, "Earl", was a career criminal that comes to the realization that in order to fix his messed up life, he must undo all the bad things in his life and allow "Karma" to set his universe back in order. You've heard of Karma, right? (What goes around comes back around – non-technical definition). He carries a list of all his past dastardly deeds and one by one he crosses them off as he sets right the wrongs done by him and/or his crew.
Wouldn't life be so easy if we all could carry a list of our wrongs and correct them one by one? All of our calloused spoken words that caused others grief would be erased. All of our selfish actions that caused reactions to that selfishness would be magically done away with, etc. The only problem with that is there are far too many and I'm not sure if we could ever find the time to fix everything we've done wrong. However, I'm thankful that by Gods grace and Christ's sacrifice, we don't have to even try! Once you're covered by his blood, that's it! Done! Bam! Forgiven! I'm glad that Jesus took all of my past sins to the cross with him and "poof", they're gone! (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) I accepted him ... I thank him. Yes, I believe you should treat people right, and I do concur that you reap what you sow in life (Galatians 6:7, 8), but I’ll leave the covering of my sins to the one who can really do something with my list ... and it's got some length to it! Peace.

You have been CLUEd!

It's In the Bag!

HAPPY 2012! 

Well, here we are ... the start of a new year! Newness - What a feeling. Time to start ...or at least start over; or again. Seems like the same thing either way! Well, this time it can be better, bigger, brighter! The bag is empty, time to begin to fill it. Where to begin? Your 2011 bag may have been filled with grand dreams that didn't quite come to fruition, high expectations that fell short, and lofty goals that were unrealized. That's fine. Throw them in ... again. This time however; this year, how about "placing" in the "proverbial bag," A little Hope, A little Faith, and A little Love. A "little?" you say. Why not a lot?! Well, it only takes a little. When you consider that Hope is "A strong, confident, expectation", and faith is "the substance of things hoped for ...", and love is, well, love described is that which will never fail, and the "greatest of these ..." When you consider that, all you need to begin with is just a little. Decide now, right now what’s going into your bag this year. As much as you can, keep things like doubt, discouragement, depression out of the bag ... do what you must. Those things come in abundance and will consume your thoughts, goals, and intentions because of their weight … they’re heavy!  Keep it simple ... add Hope, Faith, and love. These are expanding i.e. they grow, but they don’t get heavy. As a matter of fact, they give you strength … power … resolve … Endurance!  See what a difference these "little" things make in your year ... your family, your leadership, your life! Peace. Happy New Year!

You have the CLUE!

Yeah, you messed up but

2 Chronicles 19:1-3

19:1 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Yeah, you messed up ... But there are good things about you! Jehoshaphat was a pretty good king, like his father, Asa. However even those of us who are "pretty good", sometimes Mess up ... Make bad judgments ... Don't get it right sometimes! (Are you listening?) Well, when you acquaint yourself with Jehoshaphat, you'll find that was indeed the case. I believe that when your heart is in the right place, even if there are moments of poor judgment, misplaced steps, and unchanneled energy,  the purpose will match the plan in the end, in other words although you messed up, there's still good in you, and God can still use you to His glory! A critical factor in leadership is that as a leader you have to recognize the good and good intentions of people ... Your followers are followers for a reason: they have entrusted You to lead them because who you are (check out John Maxwell's 5 P's of leadership). It is a vital function of leadership to find and extract the good in others, even when they "mess up"! Someone has said "failure doesn't have to be final!" Many people in our organizations (church, business, Home) accomplish tasks and complete assignments that may fall below your standards, but that does not mean they (people, church members, children, etc) are sub-standard! The function of a leader among other things is that of a teacher. Teachers teach because they know what they are teaching is valuable, but they also know that some of life's most valuable lessons are gained when students try and fail, only to try again and succeed beyond measure! In Jehoshaphat’s case, he failed by joining forces with a wicked King, but God forgave him and he went on to truly demonstrate where his heart was, and in humility and bravery, cried out to the Lord and gave us perhaps the best example of how to deal with adversity ... "The battle is not yours, but God's" (2Chron. 20:15). Remember, God is The Best Leader ... Ever, and He saw beyond the faults and failures of Jehoshaphat and gave him another chance! Should we do any less?

You Have the CLUE!

Beauty out of the darkness!

Sometimes it has to be dark in order to see the beauty!

The other night I became one of the few people to see a rare sight! I saw a Luna Moth. Now come on, when's the last time you saw a Luna Moth?! I've lived for almost 5 decades (depending on who you ask or when you're reading this) and I had never seen one - until that night! It seemed to want to come thru my front door window trying as moths do, to get to the light. At first it was terrifying (well, you know ... I'm really a tough guy - lol) because I thought it was a small bird or bat. But wait, birds don't fly at night, and bats try to avoid the light! I turned the porch light off to keep it and other bugs away, but it was too late – I was intrigued. What is that thing?!  So I did what we all do when we don't know or understand something nowadays ... I googled it! Big green moth  "click". There it was surprisingly beautiful: actias lunas. Wow! Thanks Wikipedia! The Luna Moth only comes out at night; its beauty is rarely seen; certain areas of the country, etc ... However, I also found out that it's been used for a number of years in popular culture from things like rock songs to sleeping pill commercials. Who knew? Not me! Well, I said "I" never saw one. Let's get a CLUE ...

We all have dark days ... Weeks, months, etc. We wonder and grapple with the "why" of these dark days and we know inside our hearts that we must have them from time to time. We just don't like them to be too frequent. However frequent or infrequent they may be, we do experience them: break-ups, financial setbacks, family drama, sickness, confusion, etc. The list goes on. But sometimes when it's dark on the outside and your light is shining on the inside, something beautiful will try to get in! It may appear as frightening at first because you've never seen it before. But when you stop and examine it you see its usefulness. I realized that even in the midst of the darkest night God has still designed and provided beauty! This beauty is of course, attracted to our light. Its purpose is to remind us that even when dark, our lights must still shine; and when they shine, beautiful things can still be seen no matter the darkness, difficulty, or dreariness. Open your heart, no matter how dark the night, God will give you something to see that may surprise and even terrify you at first, but know that it is His will to keep you out of the darkness if you keep the light inside shining bright … it attracts beauty!

You have the CLUE!