amazing grace

I’m deeply saddened by the prevalently joyous reaction – including my own – as news of bin Laden’s death broke early this morning.  From facebook posts, to phone calls, to water-cooler conversations, to tweets (that certainly number in the thousands), it’s as though the western world has engaged in a collective high-five at the news of the terrorist mastermind’s death.  Perhaps the most disturbing image of all, was that of an impromptu rendition of the classic hymn Amazing Grace, played by a kilt-clad bag-piper atop a street sign near what’s infamously referred to as Ground Zero.

It’s true that as Christ-followers, we really are citizens of an entirely sovereign & unique kingdom.  To borrow L.P. Hartley’s famous quote, the kingdom of God, is indeed a place where, “...they do things differently there." We meet anger with anger; misunderstanding with understanding; violence with violence.  Curiously, the same type of cheer that went up as buildings fell nearly ten years ago, was again raised this morning as the old hymn was piped in New York city. 

Perusing the scriptures this morning I found myself drawn to a beautifully descriptive passage of how this foreign kingdom operates.  This morning, it reminds me just how differently things operate in our kingdom, as opposed to God’s and also – but for His grace – how hopeless we really are.  

 ¹ This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

 ² In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house
      will be the highest of all—
      the most important place on earth.
   It will be raised above the other hills,
      and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
 ³ People from many nations will come and say,
   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
      to the house of Jacob’s God.
   There he will teach us his ways,
      and we will walk in his paths.”
   For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
      his word will go out from Jerusalem.
 ⁴ The Lord will mediate between nations
      and will settle international disputes.
   They will hammer their swords into plowshares
      and their spears into pruning hooks.
   Nation will no longer fight against nation,
      nor train for war anymore.

God grant us peace; soon.

thank a vet

A couple of years back, we were traveling home from holidays intending to grab a quick ‘Golden Arches’ breakfast and begin the long drive home.  And as I stood in line to order, I noticed an elderly gentleman who proudly wore both a WW2 coat and cap.  His coat-sleeve bore the details of his wartime service, displaying his division and company. 

Just watching his somewhat frail movements, his easy & gentle way with the people around him, my mind couldn’t help but rewind to a very different scene, decades-earlier, filled with all the horrors, bloodshed, and agony of war.  Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for war history, maybe it’s because it was nearing Remembrance Day, maybe it’s because I had just finished one of many WW2 books I have consumed over the years, but as I stood there gawking that morning,  I was overwhelmed nearly the point of tears, as if I were in the presence of a hero.  Because I was.  

He took his food tray and sat down in the restaurant while I worked up the nerve to go over and strike up a conversation.  I’m so glad I did.  He was as friendly a man as I’ve ever met and warmly engaged me in conversation about his days of military service.  As we chatted, He told me of the intense fighting in the Pacific theatre of war, of the years – not just months – that he spent away from family & friends and anything familiar.  I could have listened for as long as he had stories, but twenty minutes was as long as I could keep a van-load of family waiting!

Around this time of year, as we approach Remembrance Day, as I see it, we all ought to do four important things: wear a poppy (a red one), attend a Remembrance Day service, share the story with children, and thank a vet.  It’s true – “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

Freedom’s not free.  Enjoy your freedom.  Celebrate your freedom.  But, never forget.

the inaugural blog

This is the inaugural post on my 'official' blog page.  I'll try and keep it short.