United We Stand – Divided We Fall

What has happened to patriotism, God and country, the pledge of allegiance to our flag and, “one nation under God”, and, with a hand over our heart, standing up to sing with honor, our National Anthem? But, rather than dwelling on the good old days, I am hopeful for good new days of true appreciation for freedom and love for our country.

What has happened to patriotism, God and country, the pledge of allegiance to our flag and, “one nation under God”, and, with a hand over our heart, standing up to sing with honor our National Anthem? But, rather than dwelling on the good old days, I am hopeful for good new days of true appreciation for freedom and love for our country.

Those words seem almost impossible, don’t they? But, not so, “with God – ALL things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). He has brought America from worse times than these. Maybe, you and I were set apart to be here during this time for God’s divine purpose that is renewed every day that we remain on the planet. Part of that purpose involves our place in the world.

It’s time to declare our dependence on God and each other like never before. Only HE can UNITE us in love and peace. Our Founding Fathers came seeking a new life but faced horrendous challenges. America's beginning was turbulent with economic pressures, wars, diversity, cultural challenges and crime. But God sees the end from the beginning. He knew the strength of the people who would become part of this land. They risked their lives and shed their blood for our future.

Though these are also turbulent times, I contend that our United States of America is still the greatest nation in the world. Whether we agree with each other or not, it still stands. I believe it is so because it still has a divine purpose. God is not through with America. As the "land of the free and the home of the brave," it's time to look beyond our own little circles and expand our vision toward the bigger picture. It's not just about "me and mine" anymore. It must be a UNITED effort at home and abroad.
We read in Scripture that "God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Jesus did not stay in the security of His Father's house, but left it to fulfill His home and global mandate. He expects us to do the same. He said: "Go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:18-20).

God's kingdom is made up of all peoples and so is our nation. Our nation has a unique purpose, and you and I have a purpose in it. As people of God, we have a responsibility to fulfill that purpose. We are a melting-pot of many nations, peoples, tribes, colors, languages and creeds. We are not blind to these challenging times, but most encouraging is the opportunity to share God's great love to all mankind. The gospel is a unifier and is a catalyst for love, understanding, and harmony. We can reach out with the love of God, carry His presence and be used to heal, deliver, set people free and bring the good news of His forgiveness and eternal life.

The mission has come to our doorsteps. We must stand in the gap and pray for our nation to be all it can be and for our leaders, whether we like them or not. The Bible doesn't tell us to pray for the leaders we like, but for all those who have authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-3). May we continue to celebrate our freedoms and thank God that we can fulfill His purpose in this "land of the free and home of the brave." Right here. Right now.

Confidence has its Rewards

According to my journal, today is the 37th day of quarantine. How time flies when we’re having so much fun! Even though there are many still in “crisis” mode because of the effects of the virus on their bodies, so many in financial straits, and others exhausted as front-liners, the end is actually in sight!

I felt it yesterday when I walked by my community’s golf course that has been closed because of the pandemic. The golfers were out in abundance. We can get our hope up – our expectors expecting! Soon we’ll be back in the routines of daily go – go! Workers will go to work. Graduates will get to have their graduation. Huggers will get to hug again. Campaigners will campaign again. Restaurants will be open for business. Parks will be full. Sports arenas and fields and entertainment parks will resume. “Open for Business” will be the norm again. But, we will never forget the pandemic of 2020.

These weeks of mandatory separation from others has given me plenty of time for spring cleaning and organizing. But, it has also been a time of reflection for me and my thoughts. Like many others, I never thought I would see anything like this in my country. I believe this will go down in history as a time the Church stood strong and saw the salvation of the Lord! We didn’t waver in our faith and belief that God is alive and well and He is still in control. We continued to pray. We continued to watch on-line church and I think the Sabbath day became what God really modeled for us in creation. That it is the Sabbath day to be kept holy as a day of rest. We have stood strong and together in unity!

I became extremely nostalgic when I was looking through my large bin of photos. The bin tipped over from the vulnerable place where I sat it. Those photos scattered all over my garage floor. I am convinced it was God’s way of having me look back at all the blessings and joys of family and friends over the years. It was my incentive to organize all those photos (hundreds, maybe thousands) and put them in organized boxes for my children and me.

This scripture came to me "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which will be greatly rewarded...” (Hebrews 10:35) Those photos reminded me of some of the “wins” we had after struggles. And, that’s what God shows us in His Word. That "confidence" scripture comes just before a long list of heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. I am always encouraged when I read about those great women and men of faith. They endured, and were rewarded. And that’s how God wants us to live – not in the past of regret and remorse, but scriptures, photos and memories that illustrate confidence, endurance AND wins!

These last few weeks have definitely been a tester of our faith. God loves us so much and He has our best interests at heart. If His power was enough to defeat sin and raise His Son from the dead, surely, He is delivering us. We have learned so many lessons about trust during these times. We placed our lives in hands. We’ve trusted Him and we will continue to trust Him in whatever and wherever our faith journey takes us. Just think about the faith muscles we’ve acquired during this time. We’ve not only endured the season – we are making it through it. Our endurance has paid off because of our genuine faith and trust in our unfailing God.

We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we might be struggling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Oh, but, no fear, we know what lies ahead for us because our future is guaranteed by the Author and Finisher of our faith!

How About a Game of Osani?

I read a story about an anthropologist who proposed a game to an African tribe's children. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first would win the sweet fruits. When he told them to run, they took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat and enjoyed the fruit together. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself, they said: “UBUNTU, 'How can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?'” UBUNTU’ in the Xhosa culture means: "I am because we are." Can you imagine how much better the world would be if everyone lived by that motto? Isn't that the way God wants His kids to live?

This photo is of the Efé children of Zaire (Congo, Central Africa) playing the Osani Circle Game. The game teaches that we are much better when we work as a team and think about each other before ourselves. It teaches that each individual can achieve so much more when they approach situations with the mindset and focus on love and cooperation rather than competition. Osani (the Efé word for love),begins by sitting in a circle, feet touching, all connected. Then, for example, each child in turn names a round object like the sun, the moon, a star, an eye and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round” like the circle of the family. What I love most in this photo is the closeness of the children -- a circle of togetherness, of community, creativity, enjoying each other's company and celebrating the different perspectives each of them bring to the circle.

I often add words to the photos I post on my blogs. In this photo's case, I picked a font that I thought looked somewhat "African" in my mind's eye. Not until I looked at it, after the fact, did I realize the i's in that font, even though it's the uppercase lettering, is still a lower case "i". Aw! Being a little i in life when it comes to wanting to have it my way, or what i want or what pleases me. It's what WE ARE together. WE share. WE love. WE serve. WE give. WE go for what's right together. WE WIN together. UBUNTU -- i AM because we ARE!

Today, I'm thinking of ways that we can join our hands and hearts together to be a part of something greater than i -- greater than my 4 and no more -- greater than "What's in it for me?" What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become servants that live a life of "What can i do for you? What can i do for the cause? What can i do for the team? What can i do for others?” UBUNTU -- i AM because we ARE!

There is so much competition in life -- between family members, co-workers, friends, political and news pundits, and so many others. I wonder "What if we thought more like these kids...."I am...because WE ARE!" Those kids sound like the kids that God calls us to be: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3)

How about a game of Osani? i AM because we ARE!

I Am Because We Are

Day 285 of Photo Inspirations -- I Am Because We Are
I read this story last week about an anthropologist who proposed a game to the children of an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first would win the sweet fruits. When he told them to run, they all took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat together, sharing and enjoying the fruit.

When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself, they said: “UBUNTU, 'How can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?'” (‘UBUNTU’ in the Xhosa culture means: ‘I am because we are.)”

I loved that, and I found several renditions of that story on the internet, but the single message is clear.....loyalty, success and/or failure as a group becomes more important than the goals and/or possibilities of any one individual.  Can you imagine how much better the world would be if everyone lived by that motto?  Isn't that the way God wants His kids to live?

My photo inspiration for today is an image from the story behind the Osani Circle Game. The story that was circulating in the social media world taught us that we are much better when we work as a team and think about each other  -- before ourselves. It taught us that we can achieve so much more when we approach situations with the mindset and focus on love and cooperation rather than competition.

Efé children of the Ituri Forest in Zaire (Rep. of Congo, central Africa) begin the Osani game by sitting in a circle, feet touching, all connected. Osani is the Efé word for love. Each child in turn names a round object like the sun (oi), the moon (tiba), a star (bibi) an eye (ue) and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round” like the circle of the family, togetherness, a baby in the womb, or the cycle of the moon.

What I loved  the most was the connectedness and closeness that these children hold dear to themselves. The very game is about a circle of togetherness, of community and creativity, and enjoying each other's company and celebrating the different perspectives each of them bring to the circle.

I think about the competition that we seem to have in life -- between family members, co-workers, friends, political and news pundits, and so many others, and just wonder...."What if we thought more like these kids...."I am...because WE ARE!"

Hmmm!  Those kids sure do sound like the kids that God calls us to be:    Ephesians 4:2-6, 16, 32 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

How about a game of Osani?

Birds of a Feather Flock Together -- Teamwork Leads to Victory

Day 17 of Photo Inspirations -- Birds of a Feather Flock Together!
This is the pond behind my house -- part of which is frozen -- the other part is being enjoyed by this bonded flock of Canadian geese.  Quite amusing to see them diving their heads under the water for a breakfast fish treat and flapping their wings.  They're quite stately and beautiful to look at......but, oh me, in our neighborhood, they are not a welcomed sight.  They have no respect for our yards, sidewalks and streets -- leaving their geese poo everywhere -- so much so, if you're not watching, you'll step right into it.

I understand there sure are a lot of them everywhere — in parks, on golf courses, maybe even YOUR backyard, too. Nevertheless, we still enjoy the sight of geese overhead, signaling the coming or going of our coldest months. .

I didn't post this today to discuss how to eliminate the geese problems, but I am posting to look at lessons we could learn from the geese, and apply to our own lives and teams.  In the sky, geese are an impressive visual of coordination and communication.

Lesson #1 -- Cooperation -- As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.   Flying together creates an uplift, a surge that carries the whole farther than its individual parts could go by themselves. Comparing them to a group or team cooperating, it can achieve great things. We are truly a flock. We might not be the lead goose, but each of us has a role, even if it seems minimal. The team's forward movement, its success, is dependent on the efforts of us all.  I saw this so clearly in our team events last weekend.

Lesson #2  -- Unity -- Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. Going it alone - being independent of the flock - leads to falling behind. What happens when a goose falls out of formation and cannot or will not reform? If the flock can fly 71% farther as a group, then the lone goose is left behind.  Anyone who has played team sports knows that each player must subordinate his desires to those of the team. His goal may be to have the highest scoring average, but that may not help the team to win the championship.

Lesson #3  -- Leadership -- When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position. True leadership is reproducing himself so that others can bear the load and even be able to assume responsibilities if the leader is absent for a period of time.   Others get to step up and show their leadership abilities.

Lesson #4 -- Encouragement -- The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.   To be the lead bird, is to be a target, and that can be stressful and wearying. The leader doesn't always know what is going on among the team, how the members feel, or what questions or misconceptions they may have. Too many times all the leader hears is the grumbling of the vocal few. Through our kind words of encouragement, we can give strength to those up ahead of us. A sincere thank you or supportive gesture, will make it all worthwhile.

Sometimes, being a team member, means we are watching from the bench. We still participate, however, by giving encouragement, by rooting for our teammates who are on the field.  I love Seattle Seahawks "twelfth man".  I sincerely believe it's one of the reasons they are such a winning team.  The fans are the "twelfth man" and they cheer from the sidelines, wear their team colors, put flags on their cars and in their yards (in my son's family's case) and they are "all in" supporters.

Lesson #5  When a goose gets sick or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. They then launch out on their own, with another formation or catch up with the flock. These are just other ways of saying we must help each other -- especially those  who have dropped out of formation.   We should never abandon a sick or wounded team member.  As long as there is hope, we should be there to help.

Imagine if our "family" team, "business" team, "sports" team or any other team behaved like a flock of geese, flying in perfect formation, cooperating as a team, unified behind the leadership, constantly encouraging those around us, and helping our team members in faith and support.  We'd reach our flock's destination in complete victory.

Now, please excuse me -- as I shoo away this "team" of geese in my backyard.  Time for them to find another place of victory!!!