The Hands of Time

I like music because of the message that a song can bring in ways that talking simply cannot express. The song "Hands of Time" by Michel Legrand (Music) and Marilyn and Alan Bergman (Lyrics) is one of those songs. Not only does it have a beautiful melody it's message is something that we all ponder from "time to time".

The Hands of Time

If the hands of time were hands that I could hold,
I'd keep them warm and in my hands,
They'd not turn cold.

Hand in hand we'd choose the moments that should last,
The lovely moments that should have no future and no past!

The summer from the top of a swing.
The comfort and the sound of a lullaby.
The innocence of leaves in the spring.
But most of all the moment when love first touched me!

All the happy days would never learn to fly.
Until the hands of time would choose to wave good-bye!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could revisit those moments in life when we were the happiest... To know the love that once brought sparkles to our eyes! Or maybe the time we held our child for the first time. Summers running through the grass barefooted. The screams of joy as the bike was let loose and we rode it for the first time. The home runs. The touchdowns. The recitals. Sunday picnics at the lake. Homemade ice cream in the backyard. Christmas morning as a kid. Christmas morning as a parent! Our first car. Our first house. Going to grandma's house. The family vacation.

If you really stop and think about it life has so many more good times and memories than bad ones. Somewhere along the line a lot of us tend to lose the joy that can come from the world God has given us. We become a little too serious. We get angry easily. People get on our nerves. We have a tendency to focus on the negative of life instead of the good.

As Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy... Joy! We tend to forget that one, but there it is right after love. Right there in Paul's list! As the hands of time pass we should continue to dwell on the joy of today and the smiles of yesterday. If our heart and thoughts are always focused in this way then those sad and gloomy days will break apart with the warmth of which the joys of life continue to remind us.

Here it is from a You Tube post (Also known as Brian's Song):



Photo at top of story courtesy of Shareware Connection free download.

The Peach Tree Incident

When I was in elementary school my mother planted a peach tree in the back yard. That was the time when during the summer months all the kids played outside in either your yard or some neighbor's yard. Ours was no different. It was a football field, baseball field and golf course.

There were clotheslines with Yellow Jacket nests in the ends of the poles. There was a swing set, part of which worked. We had a chain link fence with a gate to the alley and Honeysuckle vines growing the entire length of the fence and of course more Yellow Jacket nests mingled with a few honeybees.

One spring my mother decided to plant a peach tree in the backyard. Since the backyard is the domain of every young boy the tree was actually in the way of several athletic activities. It covered the end zone and made us move the baseball park to the other end of the yard.

One summer the tree looked much like the one in the picture above, well shaped with full leaves and blossoms starting to emerge. As you know summer is baseball season and with baseball season comes gloves, balls, bats and bases. The peach tree was third base.

Then that summer came the incident. I'm not sure what made it transpire but nevertheless it happened. My little brother, baseball bat in hand, proceeded to take the peach tree apart, limb by limb, top to bottom. By the time he was through one whole side of the tree was completely gone. It looked like a buzz saw had gotten hold of the north side of this little peach tree. About that time my mother exited to the back yard form the screen door. I'll leave the rest of this incident to your imagination.

Mother was crushed that this had happened. Her beautiful tree now looked rather lopsided to say the least. Somehow it made it through the summer, winter and then in the spring it began to bring on new life. The limbs on the victimized side began to sprout and before you knew it the tree looked as if it had never gone through any trial at all. In fact after my brother's carefully planned pruning job the tree came out better than before producing peaches that same summer.

Life is much like the peach tree. We can go on day to day with things looking and feeling just great. We grow and blossom and enjoy the world around us. Then one day something happens and it seems like the entire world comes crumbling down around us. We wonder "how can I go on after this?" We retreat to a shell or become angry at the world and wonder again "why me, Lord, why me?"

But God in the midst of our trials still says "I love you" and puts his arm around you and helps you make it through those tough times. It may take a while, but eventually you can overcome the devastation and once again grow back to being the person you were before, but this time better for having weathered tough times. Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." And Jesus told us in Mt. 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

So next time you feel like someone has taken a baseball bat to your life and heart. Just remember that God is still there beside you nourishing you and encouraging you to not give up and reminding you that you'll bloom again.

North Platte Canteen

One of the beautiful stories that comes out of World War II is the story of the North Platte Canteen of North Platte Nebraska. One day in late 1941 the North Platte Bulletin received a letter from a 26 year old woman, Rae Wilson. She spoke of how the mothers of the boys in World War I set up canteens along the railways for the troops as they traveled across country. On December 22, 1941 the businessmen and civic leaders of North Platte, Nebraska met and said "why can't we do the same?" A committee was selected and on December 25, 1941 the North Platte Canteen was opened.

For the remainder of the war people from 125 communities in the North Platte area sacrificed their time and talents to provide snacks, magazines, small gifts and entertainment to the troops as they crossed the country by train on their way to camp or service. On some days as many as 5000-8000 soldiers were treated with love and hospitality at the North Platte Canteen.

Soldiers heard about the canteen through the grapevine and every train load looked forward to that stop. If there was no time to get off the train the townspeople would board the train and pass out the gifts. If it were a birthday the soldier would get a cake baked by one of the ladies. The people of North Platte and the surrounding area became mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters to the soldiers on their way to war.

The people of North Platte met every train from December 25, 1941 through April of 1946 with cookies, coffee, snacks, magazines but most of all love. In those years they served more than 6 million soldiers. It was a whistle stop that every American soldier would never forget.

To truly care for someone means more that just saying thanks or using mere words to express our feelings. To truly care means to take action. The world is full of "gonna doers". It is full of people who have good intentions. But the true people who care are the ones who say "why can't I do that" and then go out and do it.

For more info on the North Platte Canteen check out the website:

http://npcanteen.net

Trouble in the Amen Corner

It was a stylish congregation; you could see they'd been around
And they had the biggest pipe organ of any church in town.
Now over in the amen-corner of that church sat Brother Eyer,
And he insisted every Sunday on singing in the choir.

His voice was cracked and broken, age had touched his vocal chords,
And nearly every Sunday he'd get behind and miss the words.
Well, the choir got so flustered the church was told in fine
That Brother Eyer must stop his singing or the choir was gonna resign.

So the pastor appointed a committee, I think it was three or four,
and they got in their big fine car and drove up to Eyer’s door.
They found the choir’s great trouble sitting there in an old arm-chair,
The summer’s golden sunbeams lay upon his snow-white hair.

Said York, “We’re here dear Brother, with the vestry’s approbation
to discuss a little matter that affects the congregation.
Now, it seems that your voice is interfering with the choir,
So, if you’ll just lay out, or...Are you listening, Brother Eyer..?”

The old man raised his head, a sign that he did hear;
and on his cheek the three men caught the glitter of a tear.
His feeble hands pushed back the locks as white as silky snow,
and he answered the committee in a voice both soft and low:

“I wonder if beyond the tide that’s breaking at my feet,
in that far-off heavenly temple where my Master and I shall meet:
Yes, I wonder if, when I try to sing the songs of God up higher
I wonder if they’ll kick me out of singing in Heaven’s choir?”

A silence filled the little room, the old man bowed his head;
The committee went on back to town, but Brother Eyer was dead.
The choir missed him for a while, but he was soon forgot.
A few church-goers watched the door, but the old man entered not.

Far away his voice is sweet, and he sings his heart’s desires
Where there are no church committees and no fashionable choirs.

by Archie Campbell

This is a poem that I remembered from long ago. It always reminds me of what was written in 1 Samuel 16:7 "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."


Just imagine what the world would look like if more people started looking at others through the eyes of God instead of through the eyes of their own bias! Unfortunately, we're quick to pass judgment based on what we think about things instead of what God thinks. Jesus taught us before we criticize others and the small issues they have to stop and look at the big issues that we have in our own lives (Matthew 7:1ff). Next time before you criticize someone, pause and think about yourself and how imperfect you may be in their eyes. Then as Jesus says, "you will see more clearly".

Clipart Courtesy of www.free-clipart-pictures.net

Stinky Feet

While I was attending college there was one boy, we'll call him Joe, who pretty much everyone tried to avoid. He was a nice good looking kid, but had difficulty keeping close friends. The problem was his feet. They smelled. People just didn't like being around him for that reason.

It was a real concern to him that he just did not seem to be able to keep friends for any length of time. He didn't understand why because he always thought that he and other people hit it off at first.

One day he was walking with one of the only close friends he had and begin to open up and voice his concerns that he felt like an outcast. "Joe," his friend asked him, "do you mind if I tell you why people shy away from you?" Joe encouraged his fellow classmate to be honest with him. "Well, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but the reason people avoid you is that your feet stink."

Joe hung his head and with his eyes filling with tears answered, "I know it. You see, it's the shoes. This pair of sneakers are all that I have to wear. All my extra money goes for school and food."
The solution was easy to fix. Joe's friends chipped in and bought him a new pair of shoes and the problem was solved. Unfortunately, if someone had only gotten with him earlier it would have been so much better for him and his relationships.

Sometimes we think we are being kind by not talking to someone about things that should be shared. We don't want to embarrass them or hurt their feelings. In reality it would be better for someone to be a little embarrassed than quietly suffering or being silently talked about.

Wouldn't you rather have someone tell you that you have mustard on your cheek instead of walking into a crowded room looking that way? Wouldn't you rather be embarrassed with one person telling you that your shoes don't match instead of standing in front of group and being quietly snickered at by the whole crowd? Stop and think what you would want your friend to do in situations like these. Our answer would probably be, "A true friend would have told me."

True friendship has two aspects. One is watching and caring for those whom we call a friend. It's letting them know things that are for their good. It's being there for them. On the other had a true friendship allows our friends to talk to us frankly. It allows us to listen to them knowing that they have our good at heart.

An old Jewish prover says, "A friend is one who warns you."

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 27:6, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted."

Both are saying that true friendship means we are willing to risk our friendship if it is for the good of our friend.

Last Place Team

Growing up in a small town, the big summer event was Little League baseball. As they reached the age of around 12 the boys in town would anticipate the summer when they would first be picked to play. Baseball was big in the '50's. In Plano the boys would be anxiously waiting by the phone the Saturday the teams were picked to see to which team they would be assigned. We had four teams in our league, the Colts, Sports, Athletics and Lions (If my memory is correct on the last one).

Every boy wanted to play for the Colts. They were the best team for several years. They were winners. They had the athletes from the prior year who would carry them to the championship again so that's where the new recruits wanted to be as well. Like the others I waited in anticipation for the call with hope of being a blue and white Colt the that first summer.

The call came from one of my friends. "Danny," he said in a tone that I could tell even hurt him, "you were selected to the Sports." When I hung up I was devastated. Not only did I not make the Colts, I was on the worst team in the league. It was the team that had not won a single game the year before and was the worst in the last several years. The Sports, could it get any worse? The answer was a definite, "Yes".

I bought my red and white baseball cap and headed out to the first team meeting. At the end of the meeting and practice they distributed the uniforms. The Sports' colors were red and white. When the uniforms were handed out they did not have enough of the red ones so two of us got the colors of the old team, gray and green. I was was one of the two who got the "different " one. Not a very good start for something you were excited about to begin with. It could not get any worse, right? Wrong!

My first time at bat was in a practice game with you guessed it, the Colts. Since I was small everyone moved up on me. To their surprise I was a better player than I looked. I connected with the first pitch and got a hit to right field. Then on first base it happened. The pitcher threw the ball to pick me off and I got back to the base, but did not notice the old "hidden ball" trick. The first baseman acted like he threw it back, but instead held the ball. I stepped off the base and was promptly tagged out. I was again devastated. I sat by the fence and cried.

The bright spot was that I received my red and white uniform after a couple of weeks, we tied for second place that year and the following year were tied for the division lead. In addition I was selected as one of the all-stars as the second baseman. Even though the beginning was rough, I never gave up and enjoyed several summers of small town baseball.

The Bible teaches that "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). Sometimes we are going to face tough challenges. The easy thing is to give up. We can just quit and move on. But giving up accomplishes nothing compared to the rewards that can come our way from sticking through the tough times. It is through facing trials and hardships and defeating the tests that come our way that we become stronger in our spiritual lives. The apostle Peter is a great example of this. He was called down for rebuking Jesus, his faith wavered as he walked on the water and he denied Jesus at his trial. Yet he became the greatest of all the apostles.

So next time life gives you a green uniform and puts you in a last team situation think about the future. Turn that unfortunate circumstance into a winning season of your life.

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It's All How You Look At It!

Frederick Langbridge died in 1923. The one thing that he left behind that has had a lasting impression is a short poem he wrote. It simply says:

"Two men look through prison bars; One sees mud the other stars."

It's a simple little poem with a powerful message. Some people are never happy. They are always looking at the negative side of things. It's one complaint after another. It's too hot. It's too cold. I don't like this. I don't like that. The world is going to pot. I don't like him. I don't like her. Why didn't he do this? Why did he do that? And on and on and on. All they see is mud. They dwell on the bad things in life and wallow in self pity.

On the other hand there are those whose outlook is always bright. It's the attitude, "If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." These are the people who soak in the beauty of the stars. They see the positive side of life and when bad comes along they don't let it get them down. They just "keep on, keeping on."

In the movie Pollyanna, Pollyanna plays the "Glad Game". It's a game where you look for the best in everything. She illustrates it by saying her missionary father thought of it when she asked for a doll for Christmas and was sent a pair of crutches instead. What was so "glad' about that? They were glad that they didn't have to use them!

Which are you? How do you wake up in the morning? What type of attitude do you reflect on others? Today, open up the newspaper, find the most depressing story you can and see what good you can see in it. Make it a point to be positive looking up instead of down.

And when you really get down remember the Psalmist in Psalms 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Today can be a great day no matter what comes your way. "It's all how you look at it!"

Same Kind of Different As Me

I enjoy reading true stories. Every so often I come across one that has a tremendous impact on how I view life or people. A couple of years ago I came across the book "Same Kind of Different as Me". I have since given away more than two dozen copies. Something I've never done with any other book which I've read. I've recommended it to hundreds of people. The response is always the same, "This is one of the greatest stories I've ever read".

The book is written by two men, Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent. It's the story of Ron, Denver and Ron's wife Deborah. It's a love story. The love that a woman had for a man she met in a homeless shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. It wasn't the physical attraction love, but the love that one person has for someone who is living without love in their life. A love that has deep concern for the well being of another human being. It was a love that changed a man's life forever. It's the story of a man who struggled with accepting this love. It's the story of a man who was taught by his wife to reach out.

Although the story centers around a modern day slave, a homeless man, it's not a story to tell us how to treat the homeless. It's a story that teaches us how to treat our fellow man. I'm reminded of Jesus and how he loved people of all walks of life. Mostly I think of Jesus in Matthew 8 when a man with Leprosy came and knelt down before Jesus and asked to be healed. Matthew tells us that Jesus reached out and touched him. He actually touched a man with leprosy, a man who had to announce himself before coming near a crowd, a man from whom everyone kept their distance. But Jesus, he touched him.

To love as Christ loved and reach those in need we must learn to stretch out our hand and touch them. Only then can they experience the healing power of Jesus' love.

"Same Kind of Different as Me" is a must read for anyone who wants to know what it can mean to be Jesus. In fact it's a must read for anyone who wants to know how to treat people. It's a fascinating story that will change your life.

The Nickel Incident

To whoever was walking down an alley near Oleander street in Dallas and found the sack with a nickel in it, I'd like to tell you how it happened to be there. It was put there one summer around 1953. My brother was 3 and I was 5. These were the days that you let your kids walk to the store and never worried about their safety. Well, one summer afternoon Gary and I made our way to the Rexall drugstore which was out the back gate, a quick left in the alley for a little ways and another right up the side alley next to the drugstore. We made our purchase and retraced our steps back home.

It was then that the crime unfolded. As my 5 year old mind remembers I was playing in the living room (I don't think we had TV back then) when I saw Gary pushing something under a floor lamp. Curious as to what was going on I went over, lifted the lamp and discovered a half eaten package of Lifesavers. "Mom," I loudly exclaimed, "where did Gary get the Lifesavers?" My mother came in an quickly surmised that her little 3 year old was a thief. He evidently had pocketed the Lifesavers while I was paying for the other purchase at the drugstore.

At that point my mother went to her purse, retrieved a nickel and told me to go back to the store and pay for the Lifesavers. What happened to my brother after I left has remained his and my mother's secret to this day. Anyway, as I proceeded out the back gate and turned left in the alley, my 5 year old mind began to work overtime. I began to picture my little brother getting in trouble. I could see the police coming to the house, handcuffing him and taking him to jail. As my walk continued it distressed me more and more. I turned right up the side alley and the thoughts became so stressful I found myself having to make a decision that 5 year old from time to time must make. Do I go to the store and risk sending my little brother to jail or take other drastic action?

I chose the later. I looked around in the alley and spotted a brown paper sack flattened by the trucks that would come down the pathway. I bent down, opened the sack and slipped the nickel inside. The store did not get paid and may have suffered from not having that nickel. But I know I did the right thing keeping my brother out of jail!

Have you ever been so stressed out that you were caught in a dilemma of what to do? I believe we all are at one time or another. We become anxious and worry about things that may or may not happen. We sometimes become so distraught that we make ourselves sick. In the garden Jesus was in so much stress that it says that he had sweat like drops of blood. But he knew how to get over it. He left it all in God's hands. "If it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may YOUR WILL be done." The easiest way to overcome our fears is to allow God to take over in our lives. Only when he is in control can we find true inner peace.

I feel better about it now and do not feel my brother will go to jail, so if you don't mind please give the nickel to the nearest Rexall Drugstore (If they still exist) for me.

The Balloon

Sarah showed up at Sunday School one morning with her dress dirty and hair disarrayed. The Sunday School teacher looked at her and knowing that this little girl never came to class like this asked her "What happened to you?"

"Well", she spoke softy, "I was walking to Sunday School with a big red balloon for show and tell when I saw my friend, Billy, playing out in his front yard. He liked the balloon so much that I gave it to him. So I asked Billy if he wanted to come to Sunday School with me. He told me no because he wanted to stay home and play with his balloon. I told him Sunday School was more important, but he wouldn't listen. I didn't want to keep anyone from coming to Sunday School, so I popped it!"

Each of us has influence on certain people in our lives. That influence can be good or bad. As Christians we should always be striving to be the good influence in a person's life. Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

Clip art copyrighted by Bobbie Peachey, Webclipart.about.com.