Isaiah and Iraq

I loved seeing the people of Iraq vote today, seeing their defiance against those who have tried to prevent them from voting through violence and threats of more. I was especially touched by the story of the 90-something year old lady who rode to the polling place in a wheel barrow so that she could have her say.

Most of what we see and read about what's going on in Iraq is the result of media's requirement to gain and maintain audience. That means that we see violence and threats of violence and a lot of interviews with people who oppose what we are trying to do there. Controversy and bad news attract audience. That makes it easy to lose focus on what's good and right about what our people are doing there.

Our daughter-in-law Kathy's brother Robert volunteered to go back because he so believed in what his Army unit was doing to help rebuild Iraq and help the people there. He'll talk at length about the good that is being done, but which doesn't make the news.

We're all challenged to know and understand why we're in Iraq, and why our young men and women have to pay the price. As a dad whose son is doing his second tour, I can assure you "the why" is something you give a lot of thought. While our nation's protection is a valid reason for being there, I've come to believe that there is a more important reason.

Several years ago, I was asked to teach a 13-week series on Isaiah. It's a book mostly known and discussed because of it's prophesies about the coming of Jesus. But as I studied it as never before while preparing to teach, I was struck by the strong judgment God will pronounce not only on leaders who enslave, abuse, and mistreat their subjects, but also on those who sit back and allow it to happen. A full reading of Isaiah leaves no doubt that God expects people to stand up for justice, fair treatment, and righteousness of others. And as a result, I've come to believe that to be the compelling reason for our nation committing itself to the continued conflict in Iraq, for John's service in harm's way, and for the sacrifice of so many.

May God increase our sensitivity for oppressed and abused people and give us the courage to do what we can to restore justice and fair treatment. May God also provide protection for those carrying out that mission and comfort to those who have paid dearly in this cause.

And may He allow the lady in the wheelbarrow to live to see the promise of her vote fulfilled.

My Abba's So Very Fond of Me

Brennan Manning tells a great story in his book Abba's Child.

A man went to Ireland for his two week summer vacation. While there his uncle was to celebrate his 80th birthday. On that great morning, both men rose early, dressed silently, and went for a walk alongside Lake Killarney. As the sun rose, the men stood silently side by side, staring straight into the sun. Suddenly, the older man began skipping and had a great smile on his face.

"Uncle, you look so happy!"

"I am, my lad," replied the uncle.

"May I ask why?"

"Certainly," replied the uncle. "It's just that my Abba is so very fond of me."

May you see God's love many times today!

Seeking Significance

"From Success to Significance" has become a catchphrase and a movement, particularly as the leading edge of the Baby Boom generation approaches retirement. Our generation has experienced success, but yearns for more. Lloyd Reeb's book by that title is a good place to start if you want practical help with the subject.

John Fischer in today's The Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional also has some helpful thoughts on seeking significance.

"Significance is very elusive. It is one of those things you can never find when you are seeking it. Try and be significant and that’s the last thing you will be, and this is a true statement even in an age of marketing, image, and sound bites, when notoriety can be created almost overnight."

"True significance comes by way of being other-minded. It is never self-serving; significance is the result of serving others."

Maybe the search for significance is a sign that the generation known for focusing on self is learning that happiness and fulfillment comes from focusing on others.

The old Texaco Country Club, scene of hundreds of golf outings for the Hughes guys, was donated to the City of Houston yesterday. When John and Mark decided they wanted to play golf as teens, it provided a low-cost way for all of us to play, even though it was an hour drive each way. John took a haitus from golf for several years, but Mark and I played the Texaco course weekly for five or six years. It saw my only hole-in-one. And it saw Mark stun a rabbit 50 yards away with a low burner. Mark particularly liked the snack bar where he could get a boiled egg and a chocolate shake at the turn. Then there were the squirrels who would eat whatever was in the golf cart on the 10th tee. None of us have played there for ten years or so, but the flood of memories brought back by the news puts getting out there with the boys-now-men on my to-do list. Maybe they'll let me win just like in the good old days!

January in Missouri City

I love living here! Today is dedicated mostly to prep work for a day-long seminar I'm presenting in a couple of weeks. It's the first time to give the seminar, so there's lots of work to do. But it's in the mid-60's on January 24, with a clear sky and it's just too beautiful to be inside behind the computer all day. So for the last couple of hours I've been in the front yard raking and bagging leaves. Nine bags full. We have an old Ash tree, and it really dumps the leaves. This is the third or fourth time I've raked and bagged them this year, but now it's through. Finally all of its leaves have dropped. But the Live Oak next to it is just waiting until it thinks spring is really here. Then we'll start all over as it does its annual new leaves push off the old ones thing that Live Oaks do. So I'll be back out raking. But with weather like this, needing to rake leaves is a good thing. And doing one piece of work to temporarily escape another is also a good thing.

Learning to Live Life

One of my points in Bible class today was that we all learn to live life from others, that we don't come naturally equipped with that information. As I have reflected on who my teachers about living have been and are, I am a little surprised that my parents continue in many ways to be some of my most influential teachers. You'd expect that during the younger years that parents would be dominant among those that teach us about life. But as I approach my 60th birthday, I frequently find myself reflecting on something Mom or Dad said or how they approached some situation and learning from it. It's interesting to me that though Mom has been gone for two years now, I'm still learning from her. And Dad is still paving new ground in life, and showing me that there are lessons still to learn. I'm thankful for their teaching in my life, and hope that some of the lessons I'm passing to my children are as useful.

Okay. You have to exercise too.

For me, the diet is the easy part. I get hungry, so I eat. It's just a matter of eating the right stuff instead of the wrong stuff.

Exercising 30-60 minutes a day is a very different thing. There seems to be an infinite list of things I would rather do than get on the treadmill. And because I'd rather do them, they somehow seem more important at the moment. Amazing how the end of the day can come and I haven't found time to exercise!

I know it's important. It's not lack of knowledge. So I have to find things to do while on the treadmill that makes it more palatable. Reading works best for me, watching tv is second. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a built-in clock like for eating that made you want to exercise?

I can see and feel the results. But it's still a matter of discipline for me. Some things in life are just that way.