"Leaves That Are Green"

 “Thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Corin 15:57

One of my favorite Autumn songs is the soul-gripping tune by the fabled folk-rock duo, Simon & Garfunkel. Released in 1966, “Leaves That Are Green” poetically explores the passage of time, the fleeting nature of life, and the bittersweet emotions that accompany the certainty of change.

As the song progresses, Simon cleverly uses the metaphor of leaves changing color and falling from trees to symbolize the passage of time and the impermanence of youth. The lyrics evoke a sense of melancholy that comes with growing older.

Yellow leaves framed the walking path on my walk today. As their bright green color fades, it seems they drop almost as quickly as they change. I like the summer months but part of me whispers to the trees: “Hold on just a little longer.”

Graciously the woods listen to their Creator. To flourish in the spring, a tree must release its decayed leaves; their time has drawn to a close. Autumn wakes us to wonder.

Springtime will bring its own beauty. It’s a relief to see new growth after a long, harsh winter. Then spring morphs into summer, and soon verdant forests become the new normal. It’s not that we get tired of green, but in a way, we get used to it. In the Fall, God’s creative artistry bellows a glory all its own.

Western culture is all about the glories of youth: strength, vitality, a body neither weathered nor weakened by time. In our culture, we see splendor in youth and freshness. Aging is looked upon with a skeptical eye. Autumn leaves are delicate, but their bold colors are so bright they shine.

Autumn doesn’t stay - reminding us that winter is coming. Its beauty and wonder fade, “and the leaves that are green turn to brown.” Its presence changes into winter’s chilled silence.

Just like autumn, I too will not live forever. My leaves will also die. My chlorophyll will break down; my limbs will turn brittle; one of these casual breaths I take now will be my last.

It’s this truth, that gives us the hope of dying fabulously. When I pass, I don’t wish to cling to the edges of this earth, begging for one more day. I want to die with grace, falling back into the arms of my Savior, knowing that His beauty is greater than anything I could compare on this earth.

Winter comes to us all. But winter isn’t the end for Christians, because our lives are joined to a tree that winter can’t touch. Death has no sting; winter has no bite. We will fall from Adam’s tree, but we will flower again in a spring of eternal, magnificent growth.

Lord of all, as cooler winds drift in and the days grow shorter, draw us closer to You. Let us feel Your warm and loving presence. May we imagine ourselves in Your arms, close to Your heart, surrounded by Your light. Amen

Safe in His Arms

“God is our refuge and strength, ever-present in troubled times." ~ Psalm 46:1

Fanny was barely six weeks old when she lost her eyesight. A country doctor placed a hot mustard poultice (think Vick’s VapoRub) on her chest to stimulate healing from severe congestion.

The infant accidentally rubbed the ointment into her eyes. Shadows of light and dark were all that she could detect from that day forward. She’d never see life’s brilliant colors again.

Even as a child, though, Fanny never let blindness prevent her from being happy. Instead, her condition opened a new world in which she saw Jesus as her helper and friend. “There’s no cloud that can keep the sunlight of hope from a trustful soul,” she wrote.

Her cheerful spirit came to fruition at NYC’s School for the Blind where she developed an amazing talent for writing poetry and music verses. One song even brought an astounding $3,000 royalty.

While expecting their first child, she and her husband were elated with the prospect of parenting. Blindness would bring unique challenges, but none that couldn’t be overcome.

When their precious child died from birthing complications, the hopeful parents were devastated. They’d never see their baby’s first steps or hear its first word. Long, sleepless nights filled with haunting thoughts of what could’ve been; what should’ve been.

A composer-friend encouraged her to use her “positive voice” to comfort others and share God’s many blessings. So, at age 44, she began writing gospel lyrics. Soon it became her true “calling.” She wrote prolifically, telling friends that “the words to hymns came as fast as they can be dictated.”

One night, a composer-friend knocked on Fanny’s Manhattan apartment door humming a melody for which he needed lyrics. He had only forty minutes before his train to Cincinnati departed.

She listened and immediately declared, “Why, to me, that says, ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus!’”

She knelt in another room and asked God to give her the words quickly. With 10 minutes to spare, she composed the words in her head and dictated them to him! Fanny penned the lyrics for mothers, like her, who’d buried their children. Many a Christian has felt reassured by the words of this song when a loved one has died and is now “safe in the arms of Jesus.”

Having written over 8,000 songs before her death in 1915 at age 95, Fanny Crosby is perhaps one of the most famous hymn writers in all Christendom. Her words have inspired, renewed, and refreshed so many souls. “Blessed Assurance” and “He Hideth My Soul,” are but a few of her most beloved songs.

What a marvelous illustration of the ways in which God can enable us to rise above our trials. There are indeed so many ways to express an awareness of God’s love.

Almighty Father, thank You for the gifts that have enriched our lives beyond measure. Thank You for Your love and the sacrifices You made to support us. May we continue to appreciate You every day. Amen

"Love That Forgives"

“If you forgive others their sins, your Father will also forgive you. " ~ Matthew 6:15

Hope was in the air a half-century ago, coming off the “March on Washington” in late August of 1963. Momentum was rising… unfortunately on BOTH sides.

At Birmingham’s 16^th Street Baptist Church, the city’s oldest and largest black church, preparations were underway for Youth Sunday. A tradition in Baptist churches, young people would lead the worship service. The boys sported dark pants and white shirts, and the girls wore white dresses and carefully primped for this special day.

Shortly before the service began, Klansmen detonated 19 sticks of dynamite under the church’s staircase. The explosion ripped through the ladies' lounge, reducing the church to rubble, mangling cars in the parking lot, and echoing through the community as if it were the anguished cry of God. The horrific blast even blew Jesus’ face off a stained-glass window.

Barehanded, workers dug deep into the rubble until the lifeless bodies of four young girls were discovered. (Note: In the resulting unrest, two black teenagers were also gunned down later that day.) 

Pastor John Cross, hurried up and down the sidewalk, urging the milling crowd to go home. “Please go home!” he pleaded. “The Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want.” Another suggested: “Pray for the men who did this evil deed. “We must have love in our hearts for them.”

Ironically, Youth Sunday’s theme was “Love That Forgives.” The Sunday School lesson (Genesis 45:4-15), was to focus on how Joseph forgave his brothers after they sold him into slavery.

Pastor Cross’ Sermon was going to be from Luke 23:34 where, from the cross, Jesus asked God to forgive those crucifying him. It was never delivered, but here is the written text of a portion of it:

“In order to be forgiven, we must forgive. Forgiveness sets both the captor and the captive free. The Word of God clearly states that if we do not forgive others their trespasses, He cannot forgive us our trespasses.

Today, let us purpose in our heart to forgive those who have hurt or harmed us as we set them free so that we may move forward to fulfill the call that God has on our lives.”

In the aftermath of that fateful day on September 15, 1963, the city and our nation took a hard look at itself in order to reckon with the unconscionable effects of hate and racism.

Outrage over the death of the four young girls helped build increased support behind the continuing struggle to end segregation - support that would help lead to the passage of both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In that important sense, the bombing’s impact was exactly the opposite of what its perpetrators had intended.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving and forgiving me. Help me to build and rebuild my friendships by forgiving others and accepting forgiveness. I am Your child. We are all Your children. Amen ~ The Children’s Sermon Prayer 1963

His Best Voice

 “Use whatever gift God gave you to serve others, as faithful stewards of His grace." ~ 1 Peter 4:10

They say that “focused practice leads to mastery.” For him, it may have saved his life.

Known as the “Man of a Thousand Voices,” Mel Blanc became the most popular voice of cartoon characters from Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, to Foghorn Leghorn and Tweety Bird. His unusually thick vocal cords gave him the range of an opera singer. His normal voice resembled Sylvester’s.

In January 1961, Blanc (52), cruised a notoriously dangerous section of LA’s Sunset Boulevard when his Astin Martin was struck head-on. So badly mangled, it took a torch to extricate the unconscious Blanc. The only bone in his body not broken was his left arm.

Doctors didn’t expect him to live. One newspaper even reported him already deceased. Blanc remained in a coma for three weeks unresponsive to any treatment until his neurosurgeon proposed an interesting idea that he thought might help.

“Bugs, can you hear me?'" the doctor asked. Mel responded, “Yeah, what’s up doc?” slipping out of his coma in true Bugs Bunny fashion. “Mel was dying, and it seemed as though Bugs Bunny was trying to save his life,” the doctor later recalled.

He remained in a full-body cast for nearly a year, surviving chiefly on the power of other’s prayers. “I never realized how much goodwill my cartoon characters had built up for me. It enveloped me in a kind of serenity that made it possible for me to hear a small, quiet, inner voice.” 

Talent is a gift, one that can be withdrawn at any time, an undeserved gift that can be repaid only by a sense of constant, humble gratitude to Almighty God.

The man of a thousand voices found himself listening to one small voice that he’d never paid much attention to before. The voice was inside him.

Given his God-given talents, one might correctly expect Mel to be drawn to work with children. As a teenager, he often passed by the Portland Shrine Hospital. Hearing about the work they did with sick and disabled kids piqued an interest in their fellowship, prompting him to join the Shiners.

Grateful for his physical recovery, he began entertaining children at Shrine Hospital Children’s Burn Center. "As I sat talking in Sylvester's voice to a darling little girl, I thanked God for not revoking this unmerited gift. I don't know who appreciates whom more, me or them,” he admitted.

In 1982 he produced “Ounce of Prevention”, a twelve-minute television PSA starring Bugs Bunny and his “Looney” pals about burn prevention in the home.

He continued his charitable works up until his death in 1989 at the age of 81. His tombstone includes the memorable line "That's all folks!

Father God, thank You for the gifts You’ve given us that have enriched our lives beyond measure. We thank You for the sacrifices You made to support us. May we continue to appreciate Your love each minute of every day. Amen

 

Sun Fire

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” ~ Romans 12:12

She had a career most young female athletes would envy.

Growing up, Lexi loved playing competitive soccer, helping her team win back-to-back state titles. But she literally outgrew the sport before her 12^th birthday due to her height (5’10”). So, her parents encouraged her to give volleyball a try.

By the eighth grade, she was heavily recruited by the NCAA’s top volleyball programs. Lexi became the country’s 1 recruit after finishing her prep career with a record 2,813 kills.

In her first collegiate year, the 6’2” outside hitter helped lead the Texas Longhorns to a perfect conference record and was named a unanimous All-Big 12 selection. Texas finished 6^th in the 2017 AVCA national poll.

But Texas’ program and culture weren’t suited to her. She transferred to the University of Nebraska for her sophomore year, confident that “God had a better plan! The Husker program was a perfect fit – it became her second home.

Sidelined with an upper-body injury, Lexi missed her first several matches at Nebraska. Then COVID hit. Everything, including volleyball, shut down. A promising relationship dissolved. 

The earthly things important to her had been stripped away.

Her focus shifted to Jesus. Growing up in a Christian home, faith had always been a part of her life but it wasn’t until she faced such personal hardships that her faith grew more active and authentic. “Through all life’s ups and downs, God’s consistency kept me grounded, both on and off the court,” she said. Her faith caught fire; she “burned” with enthusiasm.

Lexi helped the Cornhuskers defeat #2 Texas and #3 Pittsburgh in the 2021 NCAA Tournament to reach the school's tenth national title match. Their five-set loss to Wisconsin set a new NCAA volleyball attendance record.

But in her final year of eligibility, the Huskers’ two-time, first-team All-Big 10, outside hitter was relegated to a supporting role, coming off the bench during most of the season. Some might have pouted; others may have quit. But, with grace, sincerity, and love, she became the team’s spiritual leader and used her position to share her Christian faith and glorify God.

“Even though I wasn’t getting as much playing time, seeing my teammates grow spiritually made my final year amazing. Volleyball was a great way for me to thank God for the talents He blessed me with. So, I made it my goal to make Him better known!”

Lexi Sun currently lives in California, finishing her master’s degree while also providing full-time care for her 91-year-old grandmother with dementia. She frequently speaks to young athletes about her experiences, encouraging them to understand their reason for playing their sport. “Despite the success I had on the court, the greatest satisfaction was in giving my life to Christ and sharing my faith with others.”

“Dear God, thank You for this gift of life that I’ve done nothing to deserve. Humble me. I’m only here because of You, the least I can do is live my life for You.” ~ Lexi Sun

Beach Rescue

 “Your Message pleases me and provides wise counsel." ~ Psalms 119:24

The beach was just what Kai needed. He’d been experiencing one of those bleak periods that many of us encounter from time to time – a speedbump on life’s dragstrip when everything goes stale and flat, energy wanes, and enthusiasm dies. The effect on his work was deafening.

Every morning he’d wake up clenching his teeth and mutter: “Today my life will take on some of its old meaning. You’ve got to break through this thing. You’ve got to!”

Peaceful in its own way, it was a sanctuary of sorts – away from work, coworkers, and email. Kai thought of his cell phone, sitting on the coffee table at home. Switching off for a day would do him the world of good, he imagined.

Kai closed his eyes and drew in a lung full of the cool ocean breeze. Kai studied an endless sea, lost in the rhythmic percussion of waves on sand. Immersed in the sweetness of children’s laughter, he sought God's whisper. Today was a day for healing, for allowing time to slow and reassure.

As the day wore on and with the patience of a sloth, the sun’s light yawned toward eventide. Soon the sun began to vanish; time to bid this beautiful day goodnight. He stood to collect his things and instantly panicked.

Earlier in the day he buried his wallet in the sand before he entered the water to deter potential thieves. Now he couldn’t remember where; he’d moved his towel at least twice that day.

There, kicking around the sand in Clearwater Beach for about a half hour with his cellphone flashlight, he looked a bit crazy.

But to one stranger, Kai looked like somebody needing help unsure how to ask for it.

The man offered to trace Kai’s earlier paths with his metal detector, explaining that the device might be able to detect metal in a debit card. So, they walked the beach, but no luck.

The gentleman would probably have searched all night had Kai not ended the search at about midnight. It was one of the kindest and most selfless acts Kai had ever encountered.

His anxiety raging back, he returned to his car, upset with himself at first for losing his wallet. But he’d found something worth far more. Kai saw a refreshing side of humanity; one different from all the fear in the world routinely reported about. It gave Kai a glimmer of hope, a reminder that pure, unselfish, kindness still exists!

Sometimes we get caught thinking so much about ourselves and our own problems that we stop listening to God’s gentle counsel. For there's grace in every bad situation thrown at us.

Dear Lord, help me find hope despite my situation. My situation is never hidden from Your loving eyes. Teach me to listen attentively for Your wise counsel. Remind me that hope is in me because You are in me, working all things for my good. Amen