– Bout flowers, leaf’s and
fragrance in the wind that blowBaseball, BBQ’s, Track & Field – Give a sense of life’s
rebirth,
no longer bound in our homes, we yield
Neighbors, best friends, even first time folk
– Join in
conversation, play, laughter and joke
Summertime plans and what you’ll do
– Discussions of the
simple, the difficult, these make us what & who
But that was Spring of yesteryear
– Now germs, science, and
politics … things we fear
Create stress, anger, division great
– We’re a country of
freedoms, not one, but fifty States
To separate ourselves, put on the mask
– This is the science
… say they, so tend to your task
But science is such that many do test
– Allow me to decide,
intelligent am I and so are the rest
The need of a friend, to work and provide
– Essential are
these, but from them they must hide
The answer, not so easy to see
– Your rights, my rights …
Let’s honor them, be kind and be free
Spring is precious, this I know
– Bout flowers, leaf’s and
fragrance in the wind that blow
Rick Williams 20th May, 2020
--- 'First Rose of Spring' is the title track of Willie's 70th solo album scheduled for release on July 3, 2020 ---
During this unprecedented time of --- COVID-19 --- our country
is at such amazing opposition to each other. The “narrative” speaks to
obedience of the "authority" … of the “science”. None-the-less, there IS another
side. And yet the other side is looked upon as mere idiots. I’m sorry, but I’m
intelligent as well. Please allow me the freedom to look at the evidence, for much
there is contrary to the “establishment”.
There have been a few times that I’ve wanted to respond out of
anger, but then I’m reminded of what I call the “Wilberforce Factor”. His
fight, his perseverance with integrity intact. So, on the morning of May 19 I
sat and penned the above in about an hour.
Let’s continue to fight … continue to persevere … with our
integrity intact!
Is it not worth dialogue? You're telling me that each one is conspiracy? --- Or perhaps it is "science" as well --- Dr. Jeff Barke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQwVDn2_YM&t=506s --- Dr. Yvette Lozano -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Q3SwGuR7o --- Dr. Zach Bush -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAtFBvKrVw&t=1604s --- Dr. Daniel Erickson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QGMEERgMk&t=112s --- Professor Dolores J. Cahill -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czjAebDKsEw&t=2s --- Dr. Jay Bhattcharaya -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=289NWm85eas&t=4s
Cinco de Mayo --- What is it? I'm sure that most would say that it is the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day. In fact, that is what I believed growing up in Southern California, where it was an annual holiday. But in fact, the day represents the victory of the 'Battle of Puebla' over French forces. And oh, their Independence Day is September 16th.
Up there with the BIG questions of life is, "What is Truth"? And in our busy...hectic life, often we don't even care. Does it really matter that 'Cinco de Mayo' is not Mexico's independence day?
Some aspects, such as 'religious' truth has reasonable debate. Math on the other hand --- 'two plus two', seems like it should always be four. Sadly 'truth' has been stolen on many fronts. History is one such example. A blog for another day. Yet for our present time, the truth of science and the 'Stealing of Science' thereof has taken perhaps the greatest turn in the history of man.
Below I've added just a couple recent articles regarding "conspiracy theories", vetting our sources and knowing whom we 'should' believe. But isn't that the question. Who should we believe? And just when we thought that we should be able to believe the "Science" community, we're given much to question their integrity of the facts. Are they just "Fake News" as well? Can we, should we not be able to trust the CDC or WHO? The answer, well yes of course! But...that question still remains, can we trust them?
Watch the "science" that Doctor Zach Bush expounds on regarding this COVID-19 response.VERY intriguing! ~~ the video was removed by Google/YouTube. So, here's another by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya
(If you watch nothing more, I would encourage you to watch from minute 1:12:30, where Dr. Bush begins his response by saying, "If there's crimes against humanity being exercised right now, I don't believe that it's in a military lab. I believe that it's in those ICU's of dying patients alone".
"Mainstream coronavirus conspiracy theories come in two varieties: those
that doubt the virus’s severity and those that suggest it might be a
bioweapon."The Atlantic
"And if the one in three Americans who believes that the effects of
COVID-19 have been exaggerated choose to forgo crucial health practices,
such as social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and wearing a mask,
then the disease could spread faster and farther than otherwise, and
could cost many thousands of lives." The Atlantic
Could it "spread faster and farther"? Or, is that just what they're telling us.
Katie Pine, an assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions at
Arizona State University, is currently interviewing people around the
United States on how they’re navigating covid-19. She said people “feel
like they’re inundated with information, but they don’t have the
information they want,” and as a result, they might be more willing to
believe outlandish claims. The Washington Post
Perhaps some of the "outlandish claims", are coming from the science community.
“Misinformation spreads everywhere the same way information spreads
everywhere,” said Leticia Bode, an associate professor in the
communication, culture and technology master’s program at Georgetown
University. And “repeating misinformation makes it seem more plausible
over time.” The Washington Post
But who gets to be the 'bastion of truth'? Who says, "what is misinformation"? Surely not YouTube!
But it can be done. Bode emphasized the importance of correcting
untruths in person or on social media, saying, “You need to be nice and
provide some indication that you know what you’re talking about. We
generally recommend you provide some kind of link to an authoritative
source like the CDC or the WHO.” Having multiple people weigh in with
the truth is even more effective.The Washington Post
The CDC and the WHO should be "an authoritative source". Yet, how quickly will they shut down some sources in which they claim as "misinformation"
Oh well --- for now the day continues. Go out, enjoy your 'Cinco de Mayo', if you so celebrate it. I'm thinking that it is 'Taco Tuesday'. Or, at least 'Tamale Tuesday' :)
And know that no matter how much they (whomever 'they' are) are 'stealing science', that the Creator of science, from the smallest of molecules, to the blue in the sky --- from the muscles that allow a baby to smile, and that little organ that can make transitions faster than Mario Andretti ... we call the eye --- He, our Creator cares for you.
And He says in the tiny book of Philippians, "Be anxious (or be distracted by) for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be know to God. And the God of peace who surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/joseph-e-uscinski/
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/travis-andrews/
It's the same word that the writer of Hebrews uses when he says, "He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you." So, what word is that?
On this Easter morning the verse that comes to mind is that which in found in chapter ten and verse twenty-five of the New Testament book of Hebrews. There the writer says, "Not forsaking the" ... I love how the writer of one of most used Greek-English Lexicons, Joseph Henry Thayer, defines this word. He says that the word describes one who is abandoned ... or deserted ... or left helpless. Perhaps you've been there before. Have you cried out, feeling "helpless"? Have you experienced times in your life when someone of whom you depended upon left you? ... They deserted you! Or perhaps you're sensing abandonment during these crazy days upon us, when we're called to "social distance".
Please know two things ... One, that our Father --- our God who is Creator --- and Redeemer --- shall NEVER leave you or forsake you! And two, that we as followers of Christ are NOT to forsake ... abandon our meeting together. --- Another very cool word is this 'meeting together'. You've likely heard it once or twice :) It is the word 'synagogue', with the little preposition 'upon' tagged onto the front. Synagogue itself means leading together. So we ... the body of Christ are not to abandon our synagogue time together.
Now ... if there is a 'not' ... as in the forsake or abandon part, might the writer as well include that which we are to accomplish? And the answer is a definite yes! For he concludes that we are to be ones that are encouraging. This participle is such that it expresses a 24/7 --- 365 days of the year (oh yeah ... 366 for this year :) ) kind of action.
So in these bizarre times that we find ourselves in here in the Spring of 2020, where we are mandated to abandon our meeting together ... might we continue to encourage each other. It is my hope that this video does some of that encouraging as well.
To Him be the glory for He is risen. He is risen indeed!!!
Recently while sitting in our
vacation home in Central Oregon and “sheltering in place”, I was once again
struck by the power of words found in song. How words, simple words, can be so
weaved as to stimulate emotions, and in turn bring such a confidence, such a
hope. By themselves … well, they are simply … words.
Much is found in the words, “Cast
your cares upon Him”. Timely words for this very moment that we find ourselves
in. And the very words of which the apostle Peter was inspired to write in
verse seven of chapter five. Words which in turned have become the source of
countless songs over time, though it is two that capture my attention this day.
Perhaps we can reverse our
reading of what Peter has written in order to discover how he arrived at this
conclusion. In verse six he says that God will lift, or exalt us, at the proper
time. Wait a minute! Is God going to ‘exalt’ us? Look, this is what Peter says.
But first, we must place ourselves under the mighty hand of God. The very idea
of Peter’s command in which he began verse six, that is, ‘Humble’ yourselves!
Casting cares ... from the sunrise
This idea of ‘humility’ is
perhaps THE keystone of the Christian faith. For it was our Savior who humbled Himself
to the point of death on a cross. The same humility of which Paul, the prisoner
of the Lord, says is the believers call in Ephesians four. And it is with humility
that Peter exhorts shepherds to care for the sheep, to do so without ‘domineering’.
As we continue to reverse our reading,
we discover that Peter uses three words to describe himself. He is a fellow-elder,
a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker of the glory to be
revealed. It is the suffering that I want to emphasize. Yes, Peter was a witness
of our Lord’s suffering at the cross, but as well how he must have suffered personally.
For it was this same Peter, the one who denied the Christ for the third time, whom
Luke says that the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Can you sense that glance?
Can you sense the pain, the suffering? Peter did! For Luke says that he went
out of the courtyard and wept ‘bitterly’.
Peter had been at the side of the
Master as he healed many. Often Jesus would say, “Go, your faith has made you
well”. Peter, like all of us, had his moments being weak in faith. I can not
think of a more significant moment. Can you?
Later in chapter five Peter says
to resist him … that is the devil, our adversary, our opponent. Be STEADFAST in
your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by the
brotherhood throughout the world. Though that suffering was due to their Christian
faith, we find ourselves in a unique moment of time, here in the Spring of
2020, when the brotherhood and the world is in a moment of suffering.
,,, to the sunset
And so, might we … the
brotherhood … through suffering, learn humility. To place ourselves under the
mighty hand of God. To be those who cast our anxieties … or literally I like
the idea of ‘throwing off’ … its like having something that is heavy upon you, that
you must lift up ... and throw with force. What do we throw? That which is ‘distracting’
us. And where do we throw these distractions? Peter says, “Upon Him”. Peter, had become weak in faith, distracted with fear ... Through the years he had come to learn to cast or throw off those anxieties, those distractions upon our Lord.
Oh … my … goodness! Might you,
might I, might we cast, or throw off all these anxieties, these distractions
upon Him. Why? Because He … our Creator and Redeemer CARES … FOR … US!
The ultimate act of His care is
shown at Peter’s conclusion. In verse ten and eleven Peter says, “The God of ALL
grace, the One having called you onto His eternal glory, after a little
suffering … He Himself will restore, establish and confirm you. To Him be the
power forever and ever, amen!”
Can we all say with Peter,
AMEN!!!
So on this ‘Good Friday’ of 2020 I conclude with two songs which
go by the name ‘Cast My Cares’ and these words from theScottish missionary to
Canada, James Nisbet, who writes:
“Who has not some anxiety to cast away? For, remember, God has
never told His children that they shall be without anxieties. They
are inseparable from our condition in this world. It is in human nature to feel
them, and God wishes us to feel them; they are essential in God’s spiritual
government. But when rightly received, and rightly used, and rightly passed
through, they will be found to be blessings, even though they appear in
disguise.”
It was after
eleven pm that I first caught a glimpse of his silhouette, less than a 100
yards in the distance. I could see that he was leaning against a telephone pole
and appeared to be on crutches.
It was Spring Break the year 2000
and we were on our last evening of ten during our GAGA (Get Away Give Away)
short term missions trip to San Luis Rio Colorado. A group of nearly 30 had
just completed our annual trip south with teams that were dedicated to both
construction and Vacation Bible School. It was the third such trip for me and our
youngest Zach. And though the above were our primary ‘mission’, it was the relationships
that Jon and I emphasized and had come to relish.
--- GAGA Team in front of La Iglesia Betania ---
With our luggage and sleeping
bags now out of the trailer and sitting on the pavement of the parking lot, we
began to scout out our sleeping quarters within the church gymnasium.
It had become a bit of a
challenge for the last evening of this venture. Knowing that we would still have another 400 miles to home,
I had made prior arrangements to stay at a church in Redding, California. Our
hope was to arrive and meet our contact at a set time. Again, it was the year
2000, cell phones were not yet the norm, although we had a few within our
group. More than three hours would pass, multiple phone calls to surrounding
churches seeking assistance, and to our great surprise there was none to be
found. Then at last, a few minutes before eleven, our cry for help was heeded.
Roof ... almost complete ...
Mexico itself had become quite
the challenge that year with supplies delayed three days. Even so, we were
still able to accomplish much. Add to that the amazing bond between Christian
brothers and sisters in the Lord, and this trip … had FAR EXCEEDED our
expectations! Why, now in the U.S. were "expectations" not being met?
Most were still within the church as I walked over to our trailer in order to begin the sorting out of our gear.
Suddenly I heard an unfamiliar voice. Looking to my left, with no light in the
immediate area, once again I noticed his silhouette, and could see that he was a single amputee. He asked, “Would anyone have
a sleeping bag that I could borrow for the night”? I had barely turned my head
back to our three-foot-high mound of gear, as my eyes immediately glanced upon
my own familiar blue bag. Without hesitation, I reach down to pick up the
nicely rolled sleeping bag and handed it to the man on crutches. He quickly
added, “Thank you, I’ll bring it back in the morning”.
La Iglesia Hoy
Not so much being cynical, rather
I believed that I was being a realist, as I thought, “I’m pretty sure that I have
seen the last of my trusty” and I must add, “inexpensive sleeping bag.” Though
I had no qualms about providing this gift to this man in need.
I am often reminded of this night; in fact, I know the exact date.
Many who know me, know that my mind has an uncanny ability to recall numbers,
including dates. That said, on this one I have a cheat sheet. You see, ‘MWY’, etched
his initials forever into my memory ... and yes, my wallet as well :)
--- Now in my wallet for twenty years this day ---
As often is the case, I was the
first to arise in the morning. Stepping outside of the gym and walking into the
brisk air, I stretched my arms skyward and turned toward our vehicles. Without
pause my eyes immediately glanced upon that old familiar sleeping bag. With
a smile I walked toward the trailer and saw something attached to the strings. Fastened
was a piece of paper, which evidently was a homework assignment from a student
only weeks prior. On the back of the torn piece of paper were these words, “Thank
you for the use of your sleeping bag. God bless you … MWY”
My eyes are moist as I recall the
moment. This was my gift to him. I had totally accepted that. Rather, he gave me
an even greater gift. A gift of a simple life. The gift that is found in the integrity
of one’s words. And the gift of faithfulness!
Today, it is the ‘twentieth’
anniversary of that moment. Of that gift. ‘MWY’, are you still alive? Were you
one of those “Angels Unaware” from Hebrews chapter thirteen? Your one gesture,
that was supposed to be my gesture, has taught more than volumes found in a
library.
I imagine that on the 40th
anniversary of this moment, that your little note, your gift, shall still be
resounding loud into this heart ... and this soul of mine.
Thank you friend,
Rick
the song ‘Beautiful’ by Bart
Millard of MercyMe … Though written with his four children in mind, Bart
concludes that this is a song that speaks of how, “The one thing that we have in
common”, is that, “We ALL desperately need Jesus”. Please know ... as MWY, you and I are BEAUTIFUL as well!
And the story behind the song .....
Two postscripts are necessary for
this blog.
One,a whole other
lesson was exposed a few weeks after this moment. For I would come to find out that
the reason that our contact had forgotten us, was that he had been called away
to a family emergency. Yes, a very excusable reason to forget this
insignificant group. Yet perhaps as providence would have it, the three-hour
delay into the gym provided the very moment that is etched into this mind.
Two, I find it
interesting on this, the 20th anniversary, that we are experiencing one
of the world’s most global responses known to mankind. Might both, those of
apparent abundance and those of apparent need, realize the gifts that we can mutually
share. Those of simplicity … of integrity … and of faithfulness. Last ... answer to the 'game card', Benjamin Franklin. MWY you're in good company sir!
As I am blessed to wrap up my second season of baseball clinics here in San Luis Rio Colorado, I will leave with them the following words. Important is that second to last word, that is following. That is ultimately what we've been talking about. For us at IBAC (International Baseball Academy of Christ) we teach that 'Baseball IS Life'! That is, the principles in baseball directly cross over to how we should live life.
Todos Los Jugadores
So here you go. After our last clinic, followed by a game, I will have the blessing to share the following. You'll have to translate 😎⚾️
Tengo una pregunta para ti. ¿Te gustarÃa tener un amigo que tuviera miles de pesos?
Más tarde hoy o esta semana lea Efesios capÃtulo 4:17-32. Este es un gran
Más Mejorado
lugar donde Pablo nos dice cómo seguir a Jesús. Mira….
Camina en Jesus.
Ten una mente nueva en Cristo.
VÃstete de su justicia y santidad.
Habla la verdad
Puedes estar enojado, pero luego debes dejarlo pasar.
Nunca robes, pero siempre trabaja duro con tus manos.
“And He sat down opposite the
treasury and watched”. The scene is incredible! Mark 12 is woven in the thread
of stories about the rich & powerful (that is the Pharisees, the Sadducees,
the Scribes and the Teachers of the Law). Then wrapped within is the “greatest commandment”
… and finally the scene at the treasury. Jesus sat opposite the treasury and
watched.
This morning I have found it
difficult to study, to read and to write. … Why? Because I’m watching! Watching
the amazing Oregon Coast as a winter storm brings intense waves crashing upon
the hundreds of rocks sitting within my vantage point. And this is the exact
reason that we made reservations here at the end of January.
To stop … perhaps “Be still”, as
the Psalmist says … and just watch. Not only is it incredibly refreshing, as well
you learn much from those moments.
Just Watching ...
So Jesus sat, He watched … read
if you so wish Mark 12:38-44 in order to realize the full impact of what Jesus
was watching. It’s powerful!
And might we all take moments in
our day to just watch, be refreshed and learn....grasping every moment!
