Day 38 (Nov. 16) - Perspective

There's been so much talk over the past weeks and months about political candidates and platforms that it feels like such a relief to have the election over and done.  However, the results of the recent elections, especially the presidential election, have not quieted the rhetoric, at least not from the masses.  And, what may have been friendly banter has turned into fear and hatemongering.

If you haven't been in Antarctica for the past year, if you've followed the news recently, if you have seen any social media feed (not necessarily a source for accurate, objective news) over the past 10 days, it seems as though the results of the recent vote has stirred the fears of a great many of Americans.  And, I can see why, at least partially.

Why is there so much fear being expressed?  It could be that they are students of history, and they fear we're doomed to repeat it.  It could be that their personal history and experience tells them that people who act like x or talk like y are dangerous.  It very well is a fear of the unknown. 

Are the fears unwarranted? Perhaps. Perhaps not.  However, my thought on what is missing is that people are seeing things from only their perspective, without stopping to view someone else's point of view.  When that happens, there's really no opportunity for civil discourse.  There's no allowance for another's experience, for their knowledge, for their history, for their voice to be heard.  It's a matter of perspective.

What is perspective? Well, if you're drawing, it is used to give the illusion of depth and distance.  Or, if we want to keep things in proper perspective, it's to view things in their true relations or relative importance.  It is the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed.  It comes from the Latin perspectus, past participle of perspicere to look through, see clearly, from per- through + specere to look." This, and the other definitions, can be read from the Merriam-Webster dictionary here.  There's also an interesting discussion of perspective and its relation to standpoint, and the way one sees things because of who one is and what one does.  That seems like a poignant thought.

I have felt in the past that I am one who could open my eyes to see others for who they are, and to see things from their point of view.  I think most are familiar with the saying of "walking a mile in someone else's shoes."  When we do that, we have a chance to see others, to better understand them, to empathize with them.    We can see why they might see things differently than we do. 

However, I've found that when fear and pain set in, I have very little chance to see anyone's perspective but my own.  That's a physiological response.  But, unless I counter it, I will prevent myself from being able to logically interact with another person.  I won't be able to see their view point.  I may not be able to see them at all if I'm too gripped by fear.

We need to take the time to wear another's shoes, to understand each other's stories, to hear another's history.  After we've done that, we can then have opportunity to relate, to appreciate the other's perspective and move forward together.

Day 36 - Public office, a pursuit of service or insanity?

While I've continued writing, I've not posted them lately. I mentioned at the start that some entries wouldn't be for public consumption. They may not even be for private consumption.

A lot has happened in the past week. Amid the more public items, we've elected a new president, along with many other officials, initiatives and referendums. A number of candidates for which I voted did get elected, including presidential, gubenatorial, state house or senate. I knew some wouldn't, and thought others would. Nevertheless, I was able to exercise my right to vote (thanks to my wife dropping off my ballot since I was out of town in business).

While I join others who wonder what the future holds with the incoming elect, I'm even more in wonder at our form of government. The founding fathers of our nation had such foresight to craft a living document that has successfully provided for a peaceful exchange of power for the past 229 years (since drafted). What an incredible balance of powers they created in the executive, legislative and judicial branches. It's what gives me hope that we'll survive the next two/four years (and would have regardless of candidate).  Because of how it works.

I think our government was designed to have people from different walks of life serve for a period of time, with others from diverse backgrounds. The goal is to have these diverse representatives come together to make sure our government remains one that is of the people, for the people and by the people. A government that maintains a proper separation of powers, that maintains freedom for all citizens, allowing them to live in peace and order with others. And then, once that service is done, one returns to private life.

I studied history and political science in college.  It fascinated me.  I've often thought of running for political office.  I think the interest started at Boys' State. Still, one of the goals on my life goals list is to successfully hold a statewide and/or national office. That may cause me to be disowned by my father-in-law (at least it's not to become a lawyer, Jim).

And yet, despite pondering it often, I've not elected to run for an office. I've been elected to boards and chosen for commmittees, but I've never ran (since Boys' State).
In part, I've been too busy with life: family, church, and career pursuits--of which I do not believe politician should be a career. But, there's also elements of fear, rejection and thinking I may not truly have anything of worth to offer.  It seems like many things would also be sacrificed as a public servant. I suppose that is similar in some respects to the sacrifices made as a ministerial servant. I know something of that.

Given the media coverage these days, I'm not sure one would ever again have a private life upon entering the political arena. It would have to be hard fought, and even harder to maintain. The time is most definitely not now. Someday, perhaps.

In the meantime, I'll pray for wisdom, guidance, blessing, and peace for our elected officials, for our military, and for our nation. Lord knows we need it.

May God bless the United States of America.

Day 28 (Nov 6) – Where Am I?

Proverbs 16 sits on my mind this evening as I wonder where I am wandering.  I guess I need “the proper answer of the tongue.”  Many plans are in a holding pattern.  Some plans have been scuttled. Some were too grandiose.  Some, too costly.

Solomon acknowledged that humans in their hearts plan their course, but the Lord establishes the steps.  I feel frozen in step right now.  I don’t know that there is a clear plan to be executed right now.  Does that mean I’m just going through the motions?  There are contingency plans, but it doesn’t seem like the time to execute them either.

I feel like a ship far from land, with no terrestrial reference by which to navigate.  The motors are turning, the props are churning, but no progress seems to be made.  That gives one pause to stop.  Wasting fuel benefits no one. 

Is the proper course identified?  What means of navigation is to be used?  Are there things to be jettisoned to lighten the ship?  Is there a ship that’s sea/airworthy to continue?

I believe God in his sovereignty has a master plan for each of us.  I do believe he guides and directs, if we are willing to listen.  I want to listen.  I am listening, straining, begging, pleading to hear.

I’ll keep asking for wisdom, for guidance, for the proper answer.

Day 26 (Nov 4) – Humility and Selfish Ambition (or, “One of these Things Is not Like the Other)

Imitating Christʼs Humility

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4, NIV)

This section comes right after Paul told the church at Philippi to live a life worthy of the Gospel.  It’s a life in which he says we should believe in Christ, and not only believe, but also suffer for him.

What are the two greatest commandments of the Gospel? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.  Those are Jesus' words, not Paul's.  But, the Man formerly known as Saul is referring to that, is he not?

Paul goes on to talk about Christ's humility, becoming a servant, even to the point of death.  That's the example we're supposed to follow.

Is Paul speaking about specifically preaching the Gospel, or is he talking about living life in general?  Is there a difference?

My heart hurts, knowing that I’ve done things out of selfish ambition, looking after my interests.  Does it matter if I was trying to look at the interests of others at the same time? 

Day 24 - What a Game

Baseball is my favorite sport. The combination of 150-plus years of history, the statistics, the pace of the game, and the drama that ensues.  There's nothing else quite like it. What a finish to a dramatic Series. What a game to encapsulate the season and end a 108-year drought.

Someday, the Mariners will be on this stage.

Day 23 - How are you?

"Fantastic."

"Great."

"Good."

"Doing well."

"Fine, thank you."

"OK"

"Meh."

"Not well."

"Shitty. And you?"

(choose one)

When exchanging pleasantries, there are days when "Just OK" is accurate.  And, there are days when it's a lie.  When someone responds to "OK" with, "Just OK?", and you reply back, "Just OK," do they really want to know if you're not OK.  Perhaps.  Perhaps not. But, sometimes, it's all you've got to say.

I've become much more cognizant over the years of how people respond when you greet them.  When I have time, I'll try to inquire for more details.  At times, I don't have time.  So, I try to find something encouraging to say.  If I can make time, I'll ask if they have time later to talk. 

But, do you ever hope they'll ask you?  Or, do you avoid the conversation all together? I've been there, done that.  Sometimes, I wish they'd ask.  Still other times, I hope they don't ask.

I think we're supposed to "consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works." Well, that's the writer of Hebrews words, not mine (yes, that's KJV).  Paul says we're supposed to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)  Good words to try and live by; wish I was more successful at it.

What's the gist of this?  I'm thankful for people that want to know how I am doing.  I work to be a person that wants to know how others are doing.  And, I'm trying to not be so busy that people don't think I want to know, because I do.

Day 22 - Musical Time Machine

On a pleasurable, late October Sunday afternoon, I decided to do a two-fer by raking up leaves in the front yard (chores and physical activity).  As there were just a few leaves left on the tree and they weren't magically disappearing from the the yard, it seems like a good opportunity to expend some energy.  I decided to grab some ear buds and listen to some music while I worked.  While trying to decide on which albums would be my soundtrack, I opted to go to some that have been in my collection for a while.  In doing so, I traveled into my own personal "Wayback (WABAC) Machine."

Disclaimer:  When it comes to the Rock and Pop genres, I've typically been one to buy compilation albums of artists, rather than individual albums.  That could be because my tape collection had been filled with multiple albums from BeBe and CeCe Winans, Take6, Petra, Phil Driscoll, First Call, Michael W. Smith, White Heart, Bryan Duncan, Allies and numerous other Christian groups.  So, when I first decided to buy heathen tracks, I purchased the "Best of" albums because I knew most, if not all, of the songs on them.  I credit my now brother-in-law Mike for introducing me to the Best of Kansas while he was rocking out to it vacuuming the fellowship hall of First Assembly on his Walkman some afternoon in the late 80's.  Carry On, My Oldest not-Wayward brother-in-law.

As I've pulled almost all of my CDs into iTunes, you can see the compilation albums as you scroll through the artists:  The Best of the Doobie Brothers, The Eagles Their Greatest Hits & Best of the Eagles (Vol. II), The Very Best of Foreigner, Genesis' The Way We Walk Vol. One: The Shorts (Live), Journey's Greatest Hits, The Police Every Breath You Take, The Singles, The Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits 1974-78, Toto's Past to Present: 1977-1990, etc.  Maybe it's because I'm frugal and its the most bang for your musical buck.

Second disclaimer: I also like listening to albums in the song order in which they were produced.  While I don't typically dive into the history of each album/song, I figured there was a reason for the layout; that's the way the artist wanted the album presented, without skipping over songs (which has been so much easier to do since the CD days).  So, listen to it in that order, I do.  Perhaps it's a bit of OCD in me.  By the way, that's one thing that bugs me about one of the last iTunes updates: its propensity for shuffling albums.  Leave those tracks alone! (Sorry, wrong British artist.)


There are artists, however, where I have multiple albums. And, two of them were on Sunday's playlist: Sting and Harry Connick, Jr.

First up, Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales (a play on his surname).

While I had an appreciation for The Police in the early and mid 80's, I was much more of a fan of their former lead singer after he went solo.  If I remember correctly, Ryan Korb had a cassette of Sting's The Soul Cages the summer we graduated from high school, with "All This Time" (the first radio single off of the album) being my favorite track.  I didn't buy it personally, but that song in particular has been a favorite since it first came out.  We even covered said tune at Navigate a few years back.  But, I digress.

It was Sting's distinctive tenor, his affinity for funky time signatures and his lyrical content that I found most interesting.  Thanks to Columbia House and/or BMG (I/we belonged to both at various points in time), I picked up Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 in '94, and the aforementioned Tales in '95.  While I also bought Mercury Falling the next year, it never stuck with me as much as the other two albums.

Back to Tales.  I don't know that there's a song on the album that I don't like.  But, I really like "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" (also covered in the past at Navigate), "Love is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven)," "Seven Days," "Saint Augustine in Hell," and "Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me)." It's their lyrical content, their time signatures, the musicianship, the packaging of each song that I appreciate.  They stories Sting tells in using all of those dynamics grabs me every time, as I'm singing along with him.

Sting has numerous times where he's wrestled with spiritual matters on his albums.  I hear it, and I appreciate it.  Matters of faith come up often in his work, but especially in this album.  Look and listen to the songs I mentioned above.  Or, in his song where he seemingly gives up on any faith in God, "It's Probably Me."  While I know I haven't shared the same spiritual journey as Mr. Sumner, I appreciate how he wrestles with faith in his music.  Even as I wrestle with it recently, the questions resonate in me, although with different resolve.

In listening to that album on Sunday afternoon, I was taken back to our first apartment at Fairway View Apartments in Bothell: 16724 Juanita Drive NE, Apt D-413.  I can remember listening to the album there, and on road trips in both my '92 GTI and my first '92 Saturn SL2. (I shouldn't have sold the latter to my brother--oh, the joys of a growing family, sports hatchbacks, to sedans to minivans).

It's funny how music can help you recollect times and places.  It's a powerful tool, the combination of lyrics and melody.  Songs that come on the radio can take you instantly back to a situation, which I've already given numerous examples of in this post.  Perhaps it's the combination of ethos, pathos and logos all in musical form that interests me.  Ive always appreciated performing it.  And, I appreciate it's use in worship, in recreation, at work, in therapy, etc. 

I have more to say, but it's late enough for now.  More on Harry and his influence another time.