Friday, September 30, 2022

Calm in Chaos

 “I will trust and be unafraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my salvation.” ~ Isaiah 3:13-14

Cynthia and her family finished dinner, watched TV, and scooted off to their own rooms for the night.  They were all in bed by 11.  A normal night … until it wasn’t.

Just past 1:00 in the morning, her husband Darin stopped breathing.  His heart stopped.  He was in cardiac arrest.  Darin was young (42): happily married; 3 children.

Cynthia, a special education teacher, jumped into classroom mode.  She called 911 and began chest compressions immediately, forcing oxygen into his lungs to prevent brain damage.  Adrenaline surging, her body’s ‘fight’ response jumped into overdrive.  Elevated muscle oxygenation allowed her to perform at an almost Olympic level.

Within minutes, paramedics arrived and walked calmly through the front door – focused, unafraid, confident.  Resuscitation is a complex ballet of interventions.  A heart monitor shocked Darin into sinus rhythm, but he still wasn’t breathing.  

Off to the ER - lights flashing, sirens screaming, anxiety racing.

As Cynthia rode in the ambulance, her body’s post-adrenaline blood sugar crash caused her hands and legs to shake.  Her skin went as pale as death; she crumpled like a puppet suddenly released from its strings.

Cynthia came to the hospital bed next to Darin, still a bit light-headed but otherwise fine.   Darin had been placed in a medically-induced coma; his prognosis: uncertain.

After completing her paperwork, one of the paramedics drifted by to check on Cynthia.  “You gave me a slight curveball,” Shayla joked.  “You OK?”

“A little embarrassed,” Cynthia blushed.  “But thank you for taking care of us both!  How do you do it?  How do you stay so calm walking into such traumatic scenes every day?”

Shayla paused before answering.  “Well,” she began.  “It takes training and practice, lots of repetition.  We prepare for as many unknowns as possible - actionable, tangible plans.” 

“As first responders, we know that composure ultimately changes the trajectory of an entire event.  It’s our job to slow down the chaos.  Decelerating, focusing, and doing what we can sensibly do, helps in traumatic situations.  But it also helps in normal life.”

“Don’t get me wrong, each of us carries important life concerns.  It’s important to be concerned about your finances, that your marriage would be all God wants it to be, and to pay attention to the health and development of your kids.  It’d also be foolish not to see your own health as an important priority.”

“But there’s one thing in my life that’s never at risk,” Shayla added.  “The promise of salvation by grace through faith is the greatest promise in the Bible.  When I enter a chaotic scene, I have to remind myself to surrender my fear into the capable arms of my Savior.”

Loving God, bring me peace of mind and calm my anxious heart.  My soul is like a turbulent sea; I stumble and worry constantly.  Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path You've laid out for me.  Amen

Monday, September 26, 2022

What to Do?

 “Love one another as brothers and sisters." ~ Hebrews 13:1

Pastor Steve Stone awoke to the steady patter of rain upon his window, droplets yet to scatter the promising rays of the rising sun.  The sound brought a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, a natural serenade.  He got up, poured himself a cup of coffee, and picked up the local newspaper.

Reading it usually gave him a thought or two to use in the sermon he’d deliver on Sunday morning at Heartsong UMC, the church he started nearly two decades ago near Memphis.

Stone’s eyes settled on an article beneath the fold: “Muslims Buy Land for Islamic Center.”  He read that leaders planned to build a gathering place not only for worship but to host weddings and throw parties, to share holidays and relax on weekends, and to house a daycare center for children and activities for the elderly.  “Interesting!” he thought.

Then his face went pale.  Stone closed his eyes.  His stomach turned queasy.  The mosque would be directly across the street from his church. 

Muslims had been victims of anti-Muslim sentiment since 9/11.  They were acutely aware that their construction was happening at a time of acute interreligious tension in this country.

They’d hoped to fly under the radar without controversy.  They didn’t want to make an issue of first amendment rights.  They just wanted to build a house of worship.

Stone sank into his old leather chair.  “Lord,” he prayed, “what should we do?

Two days later he placed a huge, bright-red banner in front of his church, in full view of every passing vehicle.  It read: “Heartsong Church WELCOMES the Memphis Islamic Center to the neighborhood.” 

The Muslim congregation was both shocked and surprised.  The best they dared hope for was apathy.  Instead, they were met with profound openness, welcome, and love.

Some of Stone’s faithful were less enthusiastic.  About 20 members of his 550-strong congregation, including some key leaders, left the church.

Yet when the building project fell behind schedule, those that remained at Heartsong invited the Muslim community to celebrate Ramadan inside their sanctuary.  It cemented a lasting friendship.  

Since then, the two congregations have fed the homeless, raised blood, and done many other joint community service projects.  They hold interfaith discussions which help break down stereotypes and questions about each other's faiths and misconceptions. 

America is a free country.  You’re free to hate whomever you want for whatever reason you want.  What you are not free to do, however, is pretend that hate came from your faith in Jesus.  Because when we read the stories about his life, we find only welcome, openness, and love

Lord, You created us all in Your image.  Thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in this world.  Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship, and show us Your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of Your love is made perfect by our love for all Your children.  Amen (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Angel Among the Ruins

 “You, Lord, are the lamp that turns my darkness into light." ~ 2 Samuel 22:29

The PA announcement urged them to evacuate the building as thick, black smoke rose from the top of their building.  Genelle, a Trinidadian immigrant, remained surprisingly calm, as she and 14 coworkers descended a stairwell clogged with firemen working their way up.

Eighty floors beneath the inferno raging above, Genelle stopped briefly to remove her heels when an explosion knocked her off her feet.  A deafening rumble followed.  Then everything went dark.

The floor buckled.  Pieces of the walls and ceiling rained down.  She’d made her way down to the 13th floor before the entire building collapsed around her, shattering her leg and injuring her head.  Trapped among pulverized steel and concrete, she couldn’t budge.

An hour passed, then several more.  She drifted off, then woke sharply wondering how long she could stay alive like this.  Was help coming?  What would her Mom do in this situation?

Her Mom would have prayed of course.  But not as a last resort, but with confidence in her Savior.

So, she talked to God the way her Mom would have, as if He were right there and knew exactly what it was like to be alone, afraid, and hurting.  “Lord, I haven’t always trusted You, but I’m doing so now.  Be near me, stay by my side,” she prayed during periods of consciousness.

A faint ray of light told signaled a new dawn from somewhere above the wreckage.  She could no longer feel her leg.  Without food or water, she wouldn’t be able to stay alive much longer.

“Lord, I might not get out of here without a miracle,” she whispered.  “But I’ve found You, and that’s the only miracle that matters.  Thy will be done!”

At that very instant, Genelle heard a noise.  “Hello?” she shouted, in a voice so hoarse from dust and dehydration that she didn’t recognize it.

“Is someone down there?” a voice called back.  

Genelle stretched her hand toward the light as if reaching for God.  She felt a man’s hand grip hers.  “Don’t worry,” the rescuer said.  We’re going to get you out of there.”

He kept reassuring her as the rescue team methodically broke through the wreckage.  Genelle worried there might be another collapse, but with each prayer, peace returned.  

Eventually, after 27 excruciating hours, they were able to extricate Genelle’s broken body from the enormous mound of fallen debris.  She was placed on a stretcher that threaded through the destruction, while a crowd of clearly joyous, but shocked, rescue workers cheered enthusiastically.

Only 23 people survived the Towers’ rubble.  Genelle Guzman-McMillan would be the last person pulled out alive and the only one in her work group who survived the 911 terrorist attack.

Precious Lord, take my hand.  Give me the presence of mind to see those in need of Your care, a compassionate heart to feel the pain of others, and a willingness to be a witness through all of my words and actions.  Amen

Friday, September 16, 2022

The Faith to Stand Alone

 “I have great plans for you; to give you hope and a bright future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

On the 3rd Wednesday in September for 31 years, students across America gather at their school’s flagpole to pray for their friends, teachers, community, and nation.  When school-sponsored prayers in public schools were deemed unconstitutional, this event, called See You at the Pole, emerged.  It’s student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led.

The image below of a teenage boy praying alone at a flagpole went viral a few years ago and quickly captured the nation’s attention.  A high school junior chose to pray in front of his school by himself, in plain view of onlookers and passersby, rather than keep on walking. 

The sight of him standing alone brought grown men to tears and weary women who hadn’t prayed in 30 years back to their faith.  Professed atheists commended him for standing tall as well.

But the backstory is even more compelling.

Hayden had struggled throughout his freshman year; discouraged at failing to make the teams he competed for, seemingly unable to find his place on campus.

His parents considered returning their son to the private school he’d previously attended.  Certain that he’d be over-the-moon-excited, they couldn’t wait to tell him.

Hayden’s response was thoughtful, tentative … and unexpected.  The deeply committed, devout Christian teen simply replied that he “needed to pray about it.”  

Whenever Hayden faced a difficult decision, he went somewhere quiet and listens more than pleads, letting his vulnerabilities ebb and flow.  Then, when he’s ready, he counts his blessings and asks that the Lord show him what direction He has in mind.

Hayden returned with conviction.  He felt strongly that the Lord wasn’t done with him at his current school.  There was still more He wanted him to do there.

Hayden explained that as he stood still at the flagpole, he thought he’d simply pray until others came along.  When he realized no one else was coming, he cried out, “God, as people drive by, let them wonder, let their hearts be pierced.”

He laughed and said, “It’s crazy because it’s like He answered immediately in this big way!”

Since then, Hayden has led multiple students to Christ, is leading a growing Bible study, and is thriving in choir and theater.  Students who are hurting or want to know more about Christ often approach him for prayer or discussion about faith.

When hard times come, it’s not easy to stand absolutely still.  But the quieter we stand the more opportunity we give God to win the fight.  And whenever we stand alone, be it a flagpole or a marriage, a place of work, or a seemingly impossible situation, remember God can do big things.  Perhaps you are praying until someone else shows up or takes notice.  

God sees, He knows, and He does BIG things.

Heaven Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the strength to always stand up for my faith, no matter how big or small the risk might be.  Please send your Holy Spirit to embolden and enlighten me.  Amen

Monday, September 12, 2022

Super Dog

“When God created animals, He declared their creation to be a masterpiece.” ~ Genesis 1:25

God definitely had something special in mind when he created dogs.  They’re our companions and they’re always looking out for us.  They provide unconditional love in their own unique way. 

Then there are the health benefits of having a pet.  Just ask Cynthia.

She adopted Rudy, an energetic golden lab, from a shelter just days before a date with euthanasia.  They’ve had a special bond ever since.  She presumed she’d been blessed with a companion of such sweet temperament, loving passion, and great loyalty, that God was either rewarding what she’d done or would do.

Every night they enjoyed a little snack before bedtime.  When Cynthia got into bed, Rudy crawled into his own doggy bed next to hers.  That changed about a year ago.

Suddenly, he started jumping into Cynthia’s bed and licking her face.  She’d scold him and make him get off the bed.  The next night he’d do it again.  Soon he was jumping on her lap to lick her face every time she sat down.

She considered taking him to obedience school but, he’d already been unceremoniously expelled for being especially curious and easily excitable.  Random scents often distracted Rudy from following any commands.

Eventually, it dawned on her – Rudy had been licking the same spot on her cheek frequently.  Her jaw felt fine, no pain or lumps.  But it seemed so out of Rudy’s character, that she made an appointment with the doctor for an exam.

After several tests, Cynthia was diagnosed with osteosarcoma - bone cancer in her jaw.  The tumor couldn’t be detected from the outside but somehow Rudy knew it was there.

Turns out, dogs’ smell receptors are 10,000 times more accurate than humans, and they have 60 times more of them.  The area of canine brains devoted to interpreting odors is 40 times larger.  Dogs also inhale up to 300 times per minute, meaning that their olfactory cells are constantly supplied with fresh aromas. 

Their genetics and physiology make them perfectly suited for detecting the practically-odorless chemicals emitted by cancer cells.  Studies over the past decade have shown dogs could identify lung and breast cancers from exhaled breath samples with very high accuracy (88% and 99% respectively).  That’s better than some lab tests used to diagnose cancer.

Cynthia survived after chemo and radiation treatments.  Had she waited until the tumor was big enough to be felt, it likely would have been fatal.

They saved each other’s lives!”

God knew humans would endure sorrow and heartbreak; that their lives would be complex and chaotic.  He created a creature of unique skills - a pure example of loyalty and kindness to love us perfectly and always welcome us home.  Spelling His name backward, He called them dogs.

Gracious God, thank You for Rudy, my dependable companion reminding me that You too are a loyal supporter in my life.  May we continue to be blessed with an everlasting friendship, the same as our love for You. ~ Cynthia

Thursday, September 8, 2022

A Short Walk

 “She raised children, practiced hospitality, and helped those in need." ~ Timothy 5:10

After Kenzie’s parents died, their grandma Nan took them in.  The transition hadn’t been easy for the three children, but eventually, things settled in.

Nan was strict, believing in the “iron hand in a velvet glove,” and made sure they learned and practiced their Christian faith by her example.  She wasn’t a tactile person but knew how to show her affection by cozying up with them to escape into a good book before bedtime.  Stories were shared, laughter perfected, and memories were made.

Kenzie’s favorite book, “A Fly Went By” written by Mike McClintock, was part of the Beginner Books series edited by Dr. Seuss.  It wove a delightful tale about encouraging us when problems arise.

Nearing fifty now (50), with grown kids of her own, Kenzie couldn’t remember passing through a single phase of her life without Grandma Nan.  A photo album showing pictures of Grandma braiding her hair before school each day reflected the tight bond between them.  

Kenzie, of course, believed she was Grandma’s favorite.  As she sipped her morning coffee, she thought about Nan and the many happy adventures they’d enjoyed.  Grandma was funny and active.  They often sang songs and invented stories. 

Grandma Nan instilled a love for reading and sharing books that helped shape Kenzie’s future.  She felt the love every time she’d been read to and learned to love books herself savoring every page.  Loving books of her own encouraged her to read more easily and frequently - a gift she’d shared with her own children since they were born.

Yet, “A Fly Went By” never became part of her personal collection.  It had become such a sacred thing between them that Kenzie never bought her own copy.  It was something only to be shared only at Grandma's house.

Remarkably Nan (91) is still living, mobile and independent.  Now her only relatives are those she had herself produced.  That speaks to her resilience.  The day will come when the memories of her wisdom and presence will be all that remains.  Kenzie prayed that she could carry on her Grandma’s legacy as well as she’d lived it.

One day a thin, pristine package arrived in the mail, looking to the rest of the world as any other.  Yet the handwriting was clearly her grandmother’s.  Kenzie’s heart leaped for joy, holding it to her breast as if the ink carried Nan’s smile.  She tore it open immediately.

Inside she found the original, time-worn copy of Grandma’s “A Fly Went By,” with a heartfelt note.  “Please take care of this for me,” it began, “so that you can read it to me when I get old.” 

It’s a short walk from infancy to old age, so enjoy the whole journey.

Father God, bless our grandparents with long life, happiness, and health.  May they remain constant in Your love and be living signs of Your presence to their children and grandchildren.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Saturday, September 3, 2022

In A Class By Himself

 “May integrity and honesty protect me, for my hope is in You, Lord." ~ Psalm 25:21

In a state where seats to Husker football games have been sold out since 1962, images appeared on the giant video screens in Memorial Stadium.  Fans went deadly silent in the seats below.  Nearly 50,000 had gathered to watch their Huskers in a spring scrimmage, but mostly to grieve.

On the screens, the shortened life of number 18, quarterback Brook Berringer came to life.  Scenes echoed both pictures and emotions: throwing for a score in the 1995 Orange Bowl, reading Dr. Seuss books to schoolchildren, hunting with his two Brittany spaniels, watching eagerly from the sideline for his chance to play, visiting sick kids in the hospital.  Always focused, smiling, laughing.

Then the video screens went dark.  For a long time, fans stood in silence remembering what could have been … and the character by which he lived.

Brook Berringer was the backup quarterback who helped Nebraska win the 1994 national championship when starter, Tommie Frazier, one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football history, was sidelined with a leg injury.  He quietly became a Husker hero by winning the only seven games he started for the Cornhuskers that season. 

The following year, as the Huskers marched to a second national championship, Berringer again lost a tightly contested battle for the top offensive job.  He threw only 51 passes in a mop-up role after Frazier had decimated opponents’ defenses.  

As Nebraska rolled to consecutive national titles in ’94 and ‘95, much was written about several of the school's troubled athletes.  Berringer was the antithesis of that.  He could have easily been a starter on many elite teams and proved it-with enormous class; never complaining about his second-string role. 

A star athlete in his own right, (6'4", 220 pounds, 4.6-second speed, and a strong, accurate arm).  Brook was expected to be a late-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft. 

Unfortunately, Berringer never got a chance to fulfill those dreams.  He died when the plane he piloted crashed into a field just miles from the Lincoln stadium just two days before the biggest moment of his life.  He was en route to joining Coach Osborne and several teammates at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event later that day.

At a funeral attended by thousands, his mother's words brought comfort, however small.  "We were preparing to watch Brook get drafted; but on that day, he was called by a higher Team.  That’s the only way I can get through this."

Berringer’s legacy, however, lives on.   A statue of him and Coach Osborne stands outside Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium.  “Brook's spirit epitomizes the sacrifices that so many small-town kids have made to make this program great,” said Osborne.  "Nobody that I ever coached had better character than Brook Berringer."

Father God, we believe You had a reason for calling Brook home.  As we remember those who’ve influenced our lives in such a positive way, give us hope, remove our fears, and sustain us in these troubled times.  Amen