12.31.2005

measure in love

*Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes,
How do we measure, measure a year?

We have some great opportunities ahead of us. A whole new year with fresh months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and even seconds to do something meaningful and life-changing. How exciting is that? But maybe I'm jumping the gun.

I've never seen the Broadway play Rent. But I have seen the movie version, and I really liked it. I loved the music, and the talents of the actors/singers/musicians/dancers left me jealous and inspired. To me the story-line was dark, sort of depressing and mostly presented only one side of some pretty serious issues. But the lessons learned while I looked in on the gritty lives of a group of struggling but determined friends were invaluable. The presentation was very in-your-face, and the way some of the issues are raised and handled may go against your ideas and convictions. But I'd recommend catching it if you think you can see these characters as living real life in a real world. You'll either feel deep compassion for them in their struggles, or as one of my notable Christian friends said, "They brought their problems on themselves. They were just reaping the fruits of their lifestyles."

Distrust for the system, abundant trust in each other, dedication to their beliefs, and unconditional love among friends were the more obvious points I gathered while in the theater. You couldn't miss the obvious bonds that were formed among those who were living a tough, unforgiving inner city life together. Death, disease and disdain from the "normal" world were very real. But the less obvious thought that kept crossing my mind was how all of these characters seemed to value and treasure their time together. It's like they knew their days and opportunities were limited, so they took full advantage of every moment. Thus the song, "Seasons of Love," and the lyrics about all the minutes.

This brings me back to the great opportunities that are ahead of us. Imagine our minutes were the talents Jesus spoke about in Matthew 25. The Master has trusted you with something very valuable. So, this year you and I will have 12 months or 52 weeks or 365 days or 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes or 31,536,000 seconds to risk ourselves while we show charity and mercy to those who need it most, or we can waste every moment on protecting what we have for one more year. I'd like to be able to look back at this time in 2006 and say I invested and spent my minutes wisely - measured in love.

Seasons of Love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes,
How do we measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee,
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes.
How do we measure a year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love.
Seasons of love.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes.
How do we measure the life of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried,
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died.
It’s time now to sing out tho’ the story never ends.
Let’s celebrate! Remember a year in the life of friends.

Remember the love.
Remember the love.
Remember the love.
Measure the love.
Measure the love.
Seasons of love.
Seasons of love.
*Seasons of Love from Rent by Jonathan Larson.

12.25.2005

happy birthday grace!

I love the music. I love the commercials. I love the specials on TV. I love the lights, the ribbons, the holly, the poinsettias, the ornaments and the candy canes. I love the cider and the cookies. I love the gifts, the giving and the shopping. I love the feeling and the opportunities to serve. I just love this time of year. I love everything Christmas!

I don't usually join the chorus when I hear well-meaning believers complain that our society has conspired to rob us of the true meaning of Christmas. I actually see it the other way around. Without even realizing they've done it; our society, its commerce and government has acknowledged the most world-changing event in the history of AD.

I'm sure it wasn't their intent, but millions of shoppers got up early and thousands of stores opened their doors because a savior was born. Businesses stake their survival on it, and families plan reunions around it. Government, commerce, banks and post offices take the day off regardless of their religious beliefs - on Christmas day.

It was a mark in the history of the world that will forever be celebrated. Whether we gather around a nativity, a tree or both, we all declare that our lives are better and worth living because of the events of that otherwise normal day. But oh, what a day it was when grace was born.

12.17.2005

pay it forward

I'm feeling anxious. Some friends and I have decided to volunteer again to serve at the Salvation Army on Christmas day. Debbie, the person in charge of operations at the Lexington center asked me to come sing to their guests while they enjoy their Christmas dinner. I jumped at the chance, then invited some friends along to help dish out the courses and be real servants on the day that marks giving more than any other. Now we're anxious to get to work.

Not everyone has the opportunity to do something like this on Christmas day. Family and other things require their attention. And that is fine. Those obligations are important, and should be encouraged. But for those of us who have the chance to do something for someone else on such a special day, we should take advantage of it, ante up to the challenge, and thank God for the opportunity that we have to manifest the love of Christ to others who deserve nothing less than to be honored and served regardless of their label or status.

A friend of mine is the host of a local morning radio talk show. As a matter of fact, next to Rush Limbaugh, his hours on the air everyday are probably the most listened to in central Kentucky. He covers everything from local, state and national politics to University of Kentucky Wildcat sports to hot topics like replacing "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays." (He's also a national sports broadcaster that most college sports fans would probably recognize.) Dave Baker is a shaper of thought in his coverage area and beyond.

Not long ago Dave had a caller on the air who challenged every listener to pay it forward. I'd seen the movie of the same name several years ago, so I was familiar with the idea. But I hadn't practiced the concept routinely. I'm glad I was reminded of it again. It is a simple and kind thing to do - paying it forward. All you do is make the decision that you are going to help someone in some way, indiscriminately. No one is disqualified from your generosity. You do not preselect who you are going to bless, you simply say to yourself, "The next person I come into personal contact with, I am going to pay it forward." We do it all the time with our frustration and anger when we cut someone short or offer rude stares. Let's do it with our kindness.

I've paid for gas, bought coffee, covered an electric bill, treated someone to a meal, and even purchased a coat for a cold Salvation Army bell ringer. You get some strange looks when you do such things. I've been stared at and even been held in suspicion by a person or two. One guy wanted to know if I thought he didn't have the money to pay for his own food. He wanted me to know that he did. I told him I had been touched by others, blessed by the Lord and wanted to pay it forward. I encouraged him to do the same since he could afford to. That is the object of the concept. Just the other day I was praying in my car and told the Lord I wanted to pay it forward with the next opportunity I had. I turned on the radio and heard of a local toy drive. I thanked the Lord and went to Walmart.

We've all been blessed. Most all of us work hard, and some are able to do more than others. But according to what we can do, we should help the neighbors we've been blessed to know, honor the strangers we hope to know better, and reach out to anyone who has a need we can supply - even if only in small ways.

Let me encourage you; without hesitation, without prejudice, without pride, without selfishness, go ahead and pay it forward.