On Censorship and Social Media: King George Revisited

A lot of folks are mad at Facebook, Twitter, etc. for censoring posts containing views or statements that either favor one political bent or denigrates the other, or which the platform’s pet fact-checkers have deemed to be false, inciting, etc. 

Fueled on by most broadcast “news” outlets, politicians and media pundits, keyboard commandos have been shaking their virtual fists and demanding that the social media giants be held accountable, even punished for these unconscionable violations of our rights to free speech. 

Ironically however, it wasn’t all that long ago that these very same self-appointed champions of freedom and democracy, were demonizing the billionaire CEOs of these very same platforms and demanding that they take actions to control the content of their services, because their subscribers were spreading “hate speech” or “fake news”.

In other words, many of the same voices now screeching about censorship by big tech, were demanding that big tech censor their users posts just months ago!  Such is the strange and tense dichotomy thrust upon the American psyche and experience, as it struggles to embrace the shallow and emotion-driven “values” of the 21^st century techno-centric-community.  Cake anyone?

Congressional hearings ensued, and the evil (i.e. rich) CEOs testified before their hostile inquisitors, ultimately capitulating in some measured way, just enough to satiate their examiners who then marched them out in front of the cameras for the purpose of convincing the blood-thirsty villagers that they had actually contained the monster.

As is true for most issues propelled by emotional and reactionary forces, the result sought is woefully shortsighted, paying little to no attention to the logical, natural, if not necessary consequences of their demands.  And such is true where demands for government intervention and control of social media (euphemized by the more comfortable word, ‘regulation’) is concerned.

History teaches us that, once invited to the party, Uncle Sam will move into the spare room, take over the kitchen, living room and (GASP) the TV remote, then start charging the homeowner rent to stay in their own house.  If this sounds like it’s describing taxes, there’s a reason for that, because it is.  Think for a moment, about the number of “fees” the government demands from you, for the privilege of owning, operating and/or occupying your own property, car, etc.  But let’s not get sidetracked by the fun and entertaining subject of taxes.  Where were we…  Oh yes, free speech.

By refusing to govern and stand up for themselves, and by failing to exercise their freedoms of choice in the marketplace of social media platforms, the people begging that the government protect their fragile ears and egos are in reality, demanding that the government take over the business of controlling what we can and can’t say, as well as where and when we can say it.  That power, once relinquished to the state, cannot be won back, except by costly and painful conflict.  After all, while our natural right to freedom of speech is granted to us all by our Creator, the codification and civil protection of that right was only won through the brutality of war.

So I ask you; are you willing to give up the right to freely speak of your thoughts and beliefs, just so that you can have the temporary satisfaction of watching the government strip that right away from those with whom you disagree, or by whom you are offended?  Be very slow and deliberate in how you answer that question because, those in power today, will not be in power tomorrow; and those in power tomorrow, may well not like what you have to say.

Likewise, the social media platforms are private companies and, as such, have the right to make the rules for those who choose to use their services.   As has been noted above, allowing or demanding that the government take control over how private citizens conduct their own businesses, is an invitation to tyranny which will flood over this country in a way not seen since our battle for independence from the tyranny of King George III.

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

-PDS, Nov 12, 2020

THE EXPERIENTIAL EASTER

A personal miracle of Grace

“And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin” ¹

These lyrics indelibly mark a moment in my life when I was permanently changed, essentially altered by an outside power far greater than anything I could have ever possibly imagined or created on my own. That power was and is Love…true, perfect, gracious, merciful Love, a Love that comes only from the one being in existence who IS Love.

I was walking a very dark path, living for myself, and driving nearly everyone in my life away through my selfish, uncontrolled debauchery.  Constantly intoxicated and possessed by wandering eyes and insatiable lust, I had trashed my marriage and permanently destroyed any chance of a meaningful relationship with my firstborn daughter. Yet despite this, I pridefully continued in my ways, using people to fulfill my desires and perceived needs without any thought for what damage I was doing to them and their lives.

Then, one Spring evening around Eastertime 1987, I was driving alone to my home in Ontario, CA, from a hospital in Corona, where I’d visited a girl who had just had one of her fallopian tubes removed, along with the ectopic baby I’d planted within her in one of my many moments of drunken selfishness.

The drive was long, and the night was dark, with just enough moonlight to illuminate the ground fog rising from the fields and farmlands around me, just high enough to wisp over the hood of my car and across the windshield. A surreal environment wherein I became lost in self-examination and reflection on the numerous ways I had hurt so many others.

Within this reflection I was confronted by the reality that this young woman had been hospitalized, that she had just undergone life-altering surgery, and that a precious baby’s life was lost solely because of my selfish choices.  I was completely overwhelmed by the realization of how low I’d sunk, and by a profound sense of guilt and regret. I was utterly bankrupt; morally, spiritually, bankrupt.

Arriving home in a dazed swirl of thoughts and emotions, I walked into my bedroom and looked up for the first time in years at a picture of Jesus that had followed me everywhere I’d lived since I was a kid. Having been raised going to church, hanging that picture up wherever I lived just seemed like the right thing to do, but in reality, it was little more than a decoration…until that moment.

As soon as I looked at that picture, my knees buckled and I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, inconsolably.  It was then that I heard it, an inaudible voice, not in my ears, but in my soul; the strong, clear, gentle, Fatherly voice of my Creator asking this very simple yet profoundly direct and powerful question, “Have you had enough?”  Along with these words which I can never forget, came a vision, not seen with my eyes, but again in my soul; a vision of The Father’s strong hand reaching down not to punish me, but to lift me to my feet.

I was completely overcome by the fact that, after everything I had done to Him, after consciously deciding to ignore His warnings, choosing to pursue my pride-filled, lust-fueled desires knowing it was wrong, that after hurting Him, His Son, and everyone He had given into my life, He would still be willing to forgive me and welcome me back into His arms was more than I could handle and I knew in that instant, that I’d been changed!

Like the old Jesus picture on the wall, I had kept on my nightstand for years an old Lutheran hymnal that had belonged to my paternal grandmother and, for reasons I can still only imagine, I reached out, picked up that book and noticed for the first time a single, loose page sticking out; why had I never seen this before?  I pulled out the page and found it was the hymn, ‘How Great Thou Art’; a very familiar song that I’d heard my mom sing around the house countless times when I was growing up but which, until then, had meant little to me.

Compelled by something I can neither explain nor comprehend, I started singing, alone in my apartment I worshiped and prayed for the first time in many years. And when I sang these words it all became real; “And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, MY burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away MY sin”.  At this I cried again, but no longer from grief and regret, but rather from indescribable relief! Then as if it couldn’t get any better, the next verse finished me off, “When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!”  Even as I write this today, nearly four decades later, I can’t read those words without having to fight back tears!

About three months after that moment when God saved me from self-destruction, He introduced me to the most amazing and beautiful woman!  Michele had also been recently saved by God and was struggling as a single mom to raise her daughter in the Faith and away from the abusive home and marriage they had escaped about a year earlier, a marriage polluted by drugs, abuse, and chronic infidelity.

Michele’s precious heart and natural beauty inside and outside so affected me, that I felt compelled to confess my past to her after only a couple dates. I knew she was a remarkably special woman, and I knew that she deserved to know who I was before we got any closer; I didn’t want to hurt her too.  Yet, although my sins were so much like those she had fled, she lovingly embraced me and our relationship which grew very quickly into a love unlike anything either of us ever thought possible!

Roughly ten months later, nearly a year after my life changing experience with God, we married and now some 35+ years, 6 kids and 6 grandkids later, I’m still blown away by God’s Grace!  Seriously, I had selfishly thrown away a marriage and a daughter, but He gave me a second chance! Not as a replacement of course (people are never replaceable), but rather as evidence of His forgiveness, a forgiveness so pure and unconditional that He would trust me to care for a broken mother and her daughter wounded by the sins of another man, which were far too similar to my own!

This is the experiential Easter! A perfect gift of perfect Grace and Forgiveness. A forgiveness so perfect and powerful that our deepest darkest sins cannot stand against it, all worked out through the sacrifice and resurrection of the perfect Son, by the Will and Love of the perfect Father.

Most of us believe that people cannot change, and while that is essentially true, the greater truth is that God can and does change people, I am living proof of that!  So, my hope and prayer in sharing this is that all who hear His name will also hear His voice like I did, and experience the incomparable, perfect, life-changing Grace of Easter!

PDS - Easter 2023

Edmond, Oklahoma

 ¹ From “How Great Thou Art", a Christian hymn based on an original Swedish hymn entitled "O Store Gud" written in 1885 by Carl Boberg (1859–1940)

The god of Religion

Proud and insatiable are the hearts of those whose god is religion.

Like a bride gazing into a mirror and becoming increasingly obsessed by her own beauty, yet never being content with what she sees, her attention is far too easily drawn away from the true purpose of her efforts, her groom.  She is captivated by whatever shiny accessory or cosmetic treatment promises to compensate for the endless imperfections increasingly magnified, even invented by her own vanity.

Face, hair and gown, she primps endlessly, seeking to satisfy what she is convinced she should be, while all but forgetting, that the pleasure of her beloved, and all he really wants, is her uninhibited, unpretentious love and adoration; the wholeness of her heart.

Such is the condition of many a church, and many a church-goer.  The beautiful Bride of Christ too easily loses sight of the Savior’s true desire, becoming more and more obsessed with her own desire to become what she wants to see, or what she has come to believe she should see, in the mirror.

But, truth is, the mirror cannot reveal to our eyes what only the eyes of our Lord can see…the condition of our heart and whether we are lost in the vanity of our religious expression, or lost in a longing love and desire to seek Him, His presence, His Glory and His pleasure alone.

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  James 1:27

PDS

Mother of Exiles

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

This poem, 'The New Colossus', written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, is found inscribed on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty.  

These powerful words and this beautiful sight have greeted, comforted and inspired many generations of people from all over the world; people seeking nothing more than a better life for themselves and their children. 

Chances are, your family, like mine, was among them, and we have been blessed beyond measure because of the faith, courage and sacrifice our forebears expended to become Americans.

Most of our families were workers and farmers; simple laborers and craftsmen who, with an industrious and independent spirit, supported themselves and built their communities; the same communities we call home today.

 

While the value to our society of those who are well educated and wealthy cannot be denied, they are not what has been, or what will be the heart, soul and strength of our nation; that honor belongs exclusively to those who work the hardest for an hourly wage, or a modest salary, to educate themselves, feed their families and pay bills. 

And when we, or our leaders, forget this truth and tell the world that ordinary folks, like us, are not welcome simply because they come from an impoverished country, we will have forsaken the Grace of our God and the achievements of our predecessors, and brought shame to the memory of their dreams, as well as our own legacy.

-PDS 
12-Jan-2018

Swept Away

I hold in my hands, a piece of heavy, woven fabric – a cloth. It is square, being equal on all sides, with a fringe that is made up of the same variety of yarn which makes up the rest of the cloth, but tied together separately and sewn to the edges of the cloth with thread.  The cloth is sturdy and, while flexible, does not stretch.

While at first glance, the cloth appears to be more or less uniform of shade and color, upon closer examination it can be seen that it is woven from yarns of many different colors and shades, some multi-colored.

The texture of the cloth is a bit rough, but not abrasive; comforting in its crudeness, something like the comfort one feels from a well-worn and familiar old wool blanket.

Examining the cloth carefully, it can be seen that the fibers used to make the yarn are not all the same; some have the soft, welcoming look of cotton, others possess a more refined appearance, like silk, while still others seem to be some kind of synthetic.  Clearly, the weaver of the fabric has chosen these fibers carefully, intending each to lend their own unique characteristics to the yarn; some to make the cloth soft and comfortable, some to help the cloth retain a more pleasing appearance, while some will add strength to make the cloth durable.

As I contemplate the cloth in my hands, my attention is frequently drawn away from the body of the cloth, to the fringe.  Why is that?  Well, that’s what it’s there for; to get my attention. The fringe has no useful purpose, after all; it is not even an integral part of the cloth, and the cloth will serve whatever purpose it has quite well without the fringe.  The fringe is merely held to the cloth by relatively weak thread and, if the fringe is pulled upon with any real force, it will pull away from the cloth and unravel, only to fall to the floor, make a mess and be swept into the trash.  But, the cloth remains.

The strength and character of the cloth is formed and protected by a collection of many different fibers, spun into specialized blends of yarn and all skillfully and creatively woven together so that the strengths and beauties of each part, form a whole piece of cloth that will benefit all with whom it serves.

If, when the fringe is pulling away from the cloth, the cloth were to cling (as it were) to the fringe, the cloth itself must at some point, either let go of the fringe, or be torn away from the body, thus destroying the beauty, integrity, value and usefulness of the cloth.

Humanity is much like this cloth; created beautiful, warm, strong and flexible. Beautiful in the variety of our looks, likes and tastes; warm in our hospitality and care for one another; strong in our resolve to protect ourselves and each other, and flexible in our resiliency to adversity and catastrophe.

But, like the cloth, humanity has its fringe.  The fringe surrounds us on all sides and exists for one reason only – to bring attention to itself, having no value, except as a tool of our enemy to tear us apart.  The fringe is useless but demanding and, if the body-human clings to the fringe, trying to hold on as it is pulling away, the very fabric of humanity will be torn apart.

The fringe must be allowed, even required, to separate and fall to the floor, swept into the trash heap of history and destroyed.  The body must resist and reject the fringe or be torn apart forever.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."

PDS – August 18, 2017

PRIDE & PREJUDICE: Hatred in the Heart of Mankind

Racism, in any and all of it's forms, is an insidious and pervasive cancer, strickening and weakening the body known collectively as 'humanity', of which we are each and all members.

Since we are all members of the same body, and since the overall health of the entire body impacts the health of all the parts, any effort to injure, or intent of ill-will against another member of our body is irrational and, ultimately, suicidal.

The root of all racism is pride, unwarranted pride based solely on factors over which we had and have no control, such as race, nationality, etc. This pride seeds and fosters attitudes of superiority, both passive and active, which are fueled by ignorance and fears sown into our hearts and minds by either the culture in which we are raised, or the culture with which we choose to identify ourselves. These attitudes result in prejudicial beliefs and feelings that fuel our pride and thus, the evil circle of self-destructive hatred continues.

Attitudes of superiority, or supremacy, in the heart of any human toward another human, regardless of race or any other distinguishing factor, is not only irrational, but blatantly evil, utterly antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and an affront in the face of our Creator, by who's Grace we are redeemed in His Mercy.

Simply put, racism and hate, because they are offensive to God, are sins, and at their core, these twin-sins of racism and hate are the sum of human pride and prejudice.

The enemy of our Lord, as well as that of all mankind, knows no color, except where he can use it to divide; thus dividing the common heart of humanity against itself through irrational, prejudicial hatred, which is neither unique, nor limited to any one particular skin color, race or nationality. This is not an 'American' sin, this is not a 'white man' or 'black man' sin, this is a human sin, infecting all of us and which predates, and will outlive the existence of the United States, unless the Lord returns first.

Only through the unifying work of the Holy Spirit does mankind have any hope of peaceful coexistence in this life, for our enemy knows that unity begets strength and, therefore, one of the most effective weapons of that ancient serpent, is to weaken the common heart of mankind by dividing it against itself, often invoking and perverting even the name of Christ and the 'cause' of Christianity to do so.

Our common enemy, Satan, knows full well that, when all of mankind becomes truly united in the Holy Spirit, he will be rendered subservient, weak and helpless before his Creator and King. And because of this, and until that time is realized, he will do all within his finite power to keep mankind divided. Sadly, the corrupt and depraved heart of mankind is all too willing to aid and abet the enemy in his destructive mission, by weakly buying into the lie of pride-fueled, prejudicial attitudes toward those who don’t look, act or think like we do.

The relative silence of the Church and her leaders on matters such as slavery (I abhor the euphemism ‘human trafficking’; slavery is slavery), racism, abortion, etc., should sound a shrill siren of alarm in the hearts and minds of all who call themselves Christians, waking up every pastor, priest, teacher, layman and Christ-follower, driving us all to speak and act boldly against these atrocities, while at the same time proclaiming, and (most importantly) displaying, the precious Love and eternal Hope found only in The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – This quote has been attributed to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, speaking of Nazi atrocities in Germany during WWII. While it is uncertain as to whether or not Bonhoeffer actually said or wrote this, the truth and power of this statement cannot be denied and must be passionately embraced.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9

PDS

Edmond, Oklahoma

Who's Packing Your Chute?

Charles Plumb was a U.S. Navy pilot serving in the Vietnam. War. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface- to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!"

Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory-he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.

As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachute. I am sending you this as my way of thanking you for your part in packing my parachute !!!

And I hope you will send it on to those who have helped pack yours....

This article was re-posted with gratitude, from the Facebook page of www.Sierrahotel.net

A Beautiful Woman

A very special person left this world this morning. 

She was a very beautiful woman with a beautiful heart, and she was blessed with a 'beautiful mind' that tormented her and drove her away from the ones she loved. 

She lived a nightmare that we can neither know nor comprehend, but her faith in her Savior never left her, because God gave her a faithful heart to carry her through and now she's receiving her rest and relief in His presence. 

We all loved her very much and were blessed beyond words to have her as our Mama. 

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

'Perspective That Brings Peace' by Jeremiah Storkson

One of our son's, Jeremiah, posted this to his own blog today, and I thought is was so good, I had to re-post it here.  Enjoy and be blessed! -Perry

 



As I write this, I am sitting in a Starbucks, working on a white chocolate mocha, and well, this. It is a busy morning here, as there is a steady line of people ordering their coffee. I really enjoy observing people, and how they interact in different situations. That may sound creepy, but please, let me explain.

In order to capture the full picture of how these people work, let’s look at the ordering process. Right now, there is a man that looks casual, probably rested, ordering his grande’ drink and calmly putting his milk in. He is very patient and slow to speak. I am going to guess that he lives modestly and goes to a job that he loves. He is pretty satisfied with life right now. Next, we see a man that is a bit different. He is probably in his mid to late 40’s, has gray hair, and is dressed very nicely. He has a business suit on. He looks very successful. My estimation is that he leads people. This man has a very specific, and focused vision, and has that on his mind. He is in a hurry, but his mind seems to be moving faster than his body. By the time he orders and pays, in his mind he is in his car. He is ready to attack the day. I hear the ladies sitting behind me. They may not know that I hear them, but, yes, in my nosy ears, I hear them. What I hear is life, Normal life. They are talking about kids, soccer, teenagers, husbands, money, and of course, since they are females, all of their inner thoughts. I see a 20 something dreaming of changing the world as they work through college, and of course your occasional hipster.

It’s interesting, if I wanted to customize a human being, I think I would want to add some things from each of these people. I would want to have the peace of the first person, and the drive and focus of the second guy. I would add the community, and authenticity of the ladies behind me, and the boundless, dreamers mindset of the 20 something college student. I am still contemplating on the hipster.
Now, I turn to myself. As I look around, I see a pretty girl. I choose not to start a conversation with her as a result of my fear of being rejected, or of being awkward. I want to be focused, but I sometimes find myself distracted. I want to change the world, but belief and desire are two different things. I would be authentic, but I fear of being judged. I wish I had peace, but I am so caught up in the things I just mentioned that my mind is constantly in conflict.

But aren’t we all like that in ways? Aren’t we all in some ways enabling a boxing match between what we desire for ourselves, vs. our actual beliefs about who we are? Don’t we all tend to look at things from a perspective that is negative about who we are, where we are, and the situation we are in? Notice something, I picked out everything that was bad about me, and my situation, and highlighted it. This was intentional. If we look at each of those people mentioned, they each had qualities that we would all probably like. But they also have their share of weaknesses and issues that we don’t see. They each have a wrestling match. So, what is winning? How do you view yourself? Do you desire to be a certain way but don’t believe you can get there?

What is the common denominator in all of this? I am writing this, and thinking through this from my point of view. I see those people in the coffee shop from what I see in them. I look at myself, and see what I choose to see. It’s all from my own perspective. This is where the problem is. It is all from my limited view. What if I flipped the script, and looked at what God sees? When I do that, I see something totally different. I see a God who is madly in love with me, knows my problems, and knows what is best for me. I see a God who values me (Ephesians 2:10), and has a plan for my life (Proverbs 16:9).

Do you have a favorite trilogy of books? The author of those books has a plan. He or she knows the end of the story before it is put into effect, because the author created the plot. God knows your story. He knows the end. It is written. You can only see what has been made available for you to see. So why, when we serve such a powerful, loving, and involved God, do we choose to rely on our limited, and generally flawed view of ourselves, and our circumstances. What if we chose to trust in God, knowing that He is good, and loves you like crazy?

Today, we all have a choice. Whose eyes will we look through? God’s eyes, or our own? Only One has perfect vision, and only one sees the whole picture. When you choose to see through God’s eyes, instead of your own, that is when the conflict in your soul will turn to peace. It is a complete change of mindset, but it will bring true peace. It takes knowing Christ intimately, and seeking Him through Prayer, His word, and just resting in His presence.

Choose to let God’s perspective take the lead in your life. Choose to completely submit to, and trust in His promises, and His truth.

So today, how will you let God’s perspective overrule yours? Will you choose to believe what God says about you, instead of your messed up view? Will you trust that He has a plan that is much better than yours? When you are living out of God’s perspective instead of your own, you will be filled with true peace.

-Jeremiah Storkson

'Riding the Waves With God' by Michele Storkson

Introduction
by Perry D. Storkson
My beautiful and precious wife, Michele, was recently asked to write a post for the 'Sisters' blog from our church, LifeChurch.tv.  She was asked to write on the topic of 'embracing your season'. Michele had never written a post before, so she was humbly hesitant to accept the challenge and it took awhile to convince her; but, after some nudging from her family, this is what she submitted.  It is an engaging and encouraging article and, once you've read it, you will understand why I am so proud of this amazing woman and so incredibly blessed to be her man!
PDS
Edmond, OK

Riding the Waves With God

August 17, 2015 / lcsisters

by Michele Storkson




When I was younger, I lived near the beach and spent a lot of time there—even surfed a bit.  It wasn’t uncommon for the water to be very quiet maybe not smooth, but rolling and peaceful.  Then, the big waves would come. They’d come in sets, and we’d paddle hard and fast to be the one to catch the best wave of the day!

Sometimes though, I’d get knocked off my board by a big wave that would throw me violently under the water and tumble me until I couldn’t tell which way was up! I’d struggle to get to the surface and gasp some air, just to get hit by another wave and tumbled all over again. This would continue repeatedly and, with each successive wave, I’d become more exhausted trying to fight against the current until, finally, the set would end and I could get back to the surface and, most importantly, back in control. That’s when I’d climb back on my board, turn around, and paddle back out to wait for the next set because with experience, I had learned that, while scary and unsettling at times, finishing a ride came with an awesome feeling of accomplishment—even victory!

Now that life has put a few years and six children between me and my surfboard, I’ve come to realize that, like those waves, life’s trials can knock me out of control and leave me gasping for air, exhausted and fighting for strength, getting knocked down over and over, and feeling like the ‘set’ will never end.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever been at that place—a season when the trials just keep coming and coming and you feel burdened and exhausted? It’s a really hard place to be and an even harder place to find strength, especially when you’re someone who, like me, has trouble finding peace while I’m tumbling around ‘under the waves.’

I went through one of those seasons a couple years ago when one of our adult kids made, what we knew would be a significantly painful, life-changing decision, and when we tried to give them guidance, they estranged themselves from us. Then, some months later, another one of our adult kids also disowned us for similar reasons. As if that weren’t enough, not long after this second painful event, my husband lost his job. These three ‘waves’ knocked me down and left me gasping for air, feeling like our family was coming apart, and longing for nothing more than peace in our home and the love of my children.

During this difficult time, I cried out to God, and I mean cried. Have you ever found yourself crying out for the healing power of the Holy Spirit? That’s the place I was in, where I just couldn’t see past my circumstances.I thought things would never get better and felt like my heart would never stop hurting.

I can remember feeling so worn and just wanting the hurt to stop; my heart just ached and ached.  I remember praying, “Why, Lord, why?” I felt like I had tried so hard to follow His ways and be a good parent, but the waves just kept crashing down. I remember feeling so tired of it, but not knowing what to do! I couldn’t change anything about the circumstances at all! I had no control over it.

My heart was utterly broken, but in spite of all that pain, God reminded me that He is in control and that He really does know what He is doing.

I thought I already knew that, but apparently I needed a reminder! That reminder came to me in the form of a very simple message one Sunday, and, to this day, I have what our pastor said handwritten on a piece of paper  on the wall above my desk. It reads:

“Prayer reminds me that I’m not in control, and it keeps me close to the One who is.”
Such an amazing statement!  It’s so simple, but that is exactly what God used to lead me to an understanding of how to embrace the painful season I was in as well as to help me understand that it was just that—a season; a set of waves that would eventually come to an end.

Through prayer, The Lord reminded me of His ever-present Holy Spirit, and I began to seek Him in far deeper ways than ever before.

Through prayer, He reminded me that it’s not about what I do, it’s about what He wants even if I don’t like or understand His timing or the circumstances. He knows what He’s doing!

Through prayer, the Holy Spirit breathed new life into my tired, saddened heart and “renewed in me the joy of His Salvation!”

Eventually, that set of waves did come to an end and with that end came a new strength and a new perspective of faith that God had given me through His Faithfulness. This enabled me to climb back on my board, turn around, and get back into enjoying the amazing life and family He has blessed me with.

Our pastor also said:
“Never let the presence of a storm keep you from the presence of God.”  
Now, when the next sets of waves come, and they WILL come, we can know that in His Strength, we can ride those waves and once again realize the awesome feeling of victory when the set is over!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

SISTERS CHALLENGE:
Sisters, seek the Lord; He is where the healing is! He will bring back your joy, bring you peace, and draw you closer to Him as you seek Him and experience His healing power.

What's wrong with the North American management model? - A Parable.

A Japanese company and a North American company decided to have a canoe race on the St. Lawrence River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile. The North Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.

A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had eight people rowing and one person steering, while the North American team had eight people steering and one person rowing. So the North American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

The advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

To prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to four steering supervisors, three area steering superintendents and one assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the one person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder.

It was called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program," with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment as well as extra vacation days for practicing and performance bonuses.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the North American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles and cancelled all capital investments in new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the senior executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was outsourced to India. 

- Author Unknown 

Getting It Right

"What's wrong with me Coach?  I don't get it; I've been doing so good for so long and now nothing's working!"  The rising young star was desperate, sensing his dream for a Division-1 scholarship slipping through his fingers.  "I work hard!  I never miss practice! I'm trying Coach, I'm really trying!  Why is everything going so wrong?!"

If you've ever played or coached any sport seriously, you've heard these words, or even more likely, you have said them yourself.  However, even if you've never played sports, these words strike a familiar chord in the heart of each one of us, because the feelings being expressed and the underlying cause and effect are common to the lives of every person.

So, what's the coach going to say?  What would you say?  "Suck it up kid; it's all part of learning. Just keep working hard doing what you're doing; it'll all work out eventually.  Remember, winners never quit and quitters never win. Now get your butt back out there and tough it out."

It hurts me to write that because, as a father of 6, I have too many times responded to my own kids' cries for help in much the same way.  I mean, it sounds like good 'coach-talk' and all, but the truth is, when a coach (or parent, sibling, boss, friend, pastor, etc.) says something like this, or even when we say it to ourselves, it clearly reveals one of two facts; either the coach doesn't care enough to invest the time necessary to find the cause of the problem, or the coach doesn't know enough about the game (or the player) to be able to give any better advice and he or she is too proud to admit it.  Either way, the player loses.

The scenario playing out above is obviously analogous to many, many events and seasons in all of our lives and the effect is easy to see; but what about the cause?  Is "toughing it out" really going to address the reason for the struggle?  How do we respond in a way that addresses the cause?

Sticking with the sports theme, I'll quote the great Vince Lombardi - "Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect."  In other words; don't just keep working hard, doing what you're doing, because there may be something wrong with the way you're doing it.  First, you've got to make sure you're doing it right.

There are different ways to approach this process, depending on your context. One way is to dissect the effect (the problem); pealing it back, layer by layer, until the cause is revealed, then address the cause and determine how to prevent it from happening again.  This in a nutshell describes the science of 'root-cause analysis', which is a very effective tool in the business world.  However, on a more personal level, or in a more urgent context, the process of root-cause analysis is often too time-consuming to be of any practical value.

Another more efficient approach to resolving a problem is the one that every GOOD coach knows and teaches: stop what you're doing, get back to focusing on the basics, then move forward.  In applying this simple response, the cause will be self-identified, the resolution to the problem will become clear, and the basic foundation for everything from that point on will be strengthened.

This truth extends into all areas of our lives; personal, career, relationships, finances, you name it.  There is nothing in our lives that cannot be improved by the careful turning of our attention to the most basic principles and practices that support us and that guide our every action and decision.

C.S. Lewis said - "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."

Do you think ol' Clive and Vince knew each other?  Probably not (opposite sides of The Pond you know), but they both said essentially the same thing, because they were both essentially wise men.  Both of them knew, accepted and understood that the quintessential source of wisdom is the Bible, and they applied it actively and intentionally to their lives and careers.  Were they perfect specimens of wisdom?  Absolutely not, they were flawed men; sinners who made mistakes like the rest of us.  However, history has ascribed greatness to these men, and with good reason.

But what about the rest of us mere mortals?  What about those oh-so-many times when we ask ourselves, "Why does this keep happening to me?"  If you've read this far, you know what's coming next, that's right: Get back to basics.  But how?  What does that look like?

If you already know God and accept the Bible as the basis and source of all wisdom, then you know that the answer is in there.  But don't stop reading now; I'll get to you in a minute.

If you have not accepted the Bible, or you have not decided to trust God, then you're on your own, free to keep trying it your own way; just don't be surprised when your situation doesn't improve and "Why does this keep happening to me?" becomes your life slogan.  However, even if you have not accepted either God or the Bible, the answer is still in there, free for the taking; all you have to do is be willing to look for it.

Have you had enough of doing it your way?  Are you tired of asking "Why does this keep happening to me?"  What have you got to lose?  Let's get started!

For devout Christians and doubters alike, the process is the same: getting back to basics starts with opening the Bible and reading it as a matter of daily, personal discipline.  If you are new to the Bible, it is a good idea to start with the New Testament.  If you don't have access to a Bible, go to www.Bible.com, there you can read and explore God's Word in whatever language or translation you prefer.  You can also download the YouVersionBible App to your smartphone or tablet and take it with you anywhere!

So, now that you've got a Bible in front of you, what next?  Pray. Pray before you read, ask the Author of Life to reveal to you what He wants to say to you at this time, then shut-up and listen for Him to speak to you through what you read.  Now, I'm not suggesting that you will hear an audible voice, but when God speaks to you through His written Word, you will know it in your heart as clearly as if you had heard it with your ears!

Next, continue through your day in an attitude of prayer, discussing with God what you have read.  This does NOT mean that you have to be on your knees or have your eyes closed all day (try explaining that to your boss or the cop that just pulled you over!); it simply means carrying on a private, personal conversation with God as you go about your normal routine.  Talk with God as if you are talking with a friend, but remember to do more listening than talking.

Finally, apply what you learn.  Intentionally submit your will to that of your Creator and find peace in what He says and does, because it is going to be amazing!

If you are new to the Bible, these will be the first steps in laying the foundation for the rest of your life.  However, if you have been a Christian for a while, or maybe you were raised in a Christian home and have wandered off the path, then this means breaking down the walls and preconceptions you have built and clearing away the debris; your spiritual foundation is still there, you just need to uncover it and sweep it clean.

Whether you are laying a new foundation, or cleaning up an old one; if you are reading this, you are at a very remarkable place in your life and facing a truly life-changing opportunity; the opportunity to start building a new life with Christ as the Cornerstone, so what are you waiting for?

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

PDS
Edmond, OK
13-JUN-2013

'A God Kind of Love' by Noah Storkson (age 14)

Some people see God in beaches and sunsets, others in mountains and you have to say that that is amazing. But sometimes we have to step back and really discover how great He and His love for us is and how small we, and our problems, are.  

If you look at a picture of Earth you realize that we are pretty small. Now let’s take a few more steps back (more like quadrillions and quadrillions of steps) and take a picture of our galaxy. If you look at our galaxy and ask, “Where’s our solar system?” The answer would be, “You can’t see it!” Our galaxy is 100,000 light-years in diameter, that’s 590,000,000,000,000 miles, or 3 quadrillion 115 trillion 200 billion feet! Now do you feel small?

How about when I say that we don’t even know how big the universe is? Scientists refer to the studied universe as the known universe, because every time we make a bigger telescope we find out that the universe is bigger than we thought it was. We can see God’s hand all over it, it is beautiful! God can hold the entire universe in His hand, Isaiah 40:12 says:  “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens?” I bet that if you looked at the universe either the Milky Way galaxy wouldn’t be visible, or it would be a speck.

The Milky Way galaxy is a spiral shape; we are between two arms towards the outer part of the galaxy, so we are in the perfect position to study the universe. Science is the study of God’s creation so we can worship him better, and God gave us this huge universe (yet small compared to him) so we can see and learn about his beautiful and awesome power. Luke 10:17 says: the seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”. So even the demons are smart enough to fear God.

If God can hold the universe in His hand, then what are we compared to Him? Yet God still loves us and lowered His Son down to our level and allowed Him to be killed by us and for our sins, and whenever a single one of us develops a relationship with Him He throws a big party in heaven just because that one, tiny person is saved, even though He doesn’t need to. We have no effect on Him, He could’ve just given up on us stubborn humans before the flood, but He loves us so much that He made a way for us sinful, tiny, particles to have eternal life with Him, by having His Son pay the price of our sin, so we don’t have to.

Most of us know that Jesus died on the cross for us, but He didn’t simply die for our sins, He was tortured for our sins. He was beaten, mocked, and flogged severely with whips that had four to ten lashes with balls on the end, and attached to those balls were spikes; it is also possible that those spikes had barbs on them. Those lashes cut Him severely. The spikes dug into His tissue and muscles, some of His internal organs were exposed by the time they were done with Him. He received nothing to ease the pain, and every time his body tried to pass out they woke him up. This went on for hours before they actually hung Him on the cross. When they did hang Him on the cross, they made Him carry that extremely heavy cross up a hill, where they nailed Him to the cross (and those nails were not little finishing nails, they were short steaks). On the top of the cross they hung a sign which read in three different languages “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews.”   To hold the cross upright, they pulled the top up by rope, and the bottom would drop into a hole, the force of it would have jerked Him and so the nails tore even more of the flesh in His wrists and feet. God turned his back on his own son. Then, they stabbed Him with a spear. The sinners on either side of him endured less torture.

When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, and there was an earthquake. Many bodies of holy people were raised to life, and many people saw them afterwards. Some of the people that saw this shouted: “Surely He was the Son of God!” Three days later Jesus Himself rose from the dead.

God did all of this for us, even though we are so tiny and we have no effect on Him, He simply loves us. That is a God kind of Love.

A Real Page-Turner

If you have read any number of books at all, then you too have probably experienced a ‘page-turner’.  You know, one of those books that you just can’t put down, because you can’t wait to see what happens next.

I have a keen interest in history, U.S. History in particular, and I like my books and movies filled with action, mystery and suspense; you know…guy stuff, where things blow up, evil is defeated, and the hero wins.  So, naturally I enjoy the genre of historical fiction, especially with a military context.

I’ve noticed a funny thing though.  I’ve noticed that when we get absorbed into the storyline of a good movie or book, we feel excitement and eager anticipation for the next scene or the next page; but in our own lives, we are so easily gripped by fear and anxiety over what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, week, month, and so on.  Why do we live with such inconsistency?  Is this really necessary? It’s certainly not beneficial, emotionally or physically.  But, there is another author; in fact, He’s my most favorite author of all: He is “The Author of Life”, my life, your life, all life.

For many years, I had my dream job.  It was dynamic, fast-paced, exciting, rewarding, high-paying, and even sort of romantic.  I loved that job and I loved my title.  Professionally, materially, I was completely satisfied.  Then, in one moment, an unforeseen and inexplicable event brought my dream job to a permanent end.  I was crushed.  Now, I’m of Norwegian stock, and we’re not easily given to emotional display, but at the instant I realized that my career was over, I cried (wimpy little Norwegian tears of course, but that’s not the point).  Then the reality of losing my job set in, and anxiety over the future began to build. What would I do? What could I do?

Looking back, I can see now that The Author had already written the next chapter in my life.  Had I then been able to peek at the pages ahead, I would have seen how God used that change to grow, strengthen and improve me, my wife, our marriage, our faith and our family.  I would have seen how He worked out all the minute details to sell our house quickly (when houses weren’t selling) and to quickly move us 1300 miles away to a new job, a job I grew to love almost as much as the first, and to a new place where our whole family loves to live.  Had I only known what wonderful things He had already written for me...  But, like the unfolding of a classic novel, The Author of Life masterfully reveals to us only one page at a time and lovingly asks us to trust Him for the rest.

With any other book, with any other author, we’d say this is genius!  We’d tell our friends about the book and how it keeps our rapt attention!  We’d boast about the author and try to get all our friends and co-workers to read Him!  We’d take that book with us everywhere we go and look for every opportunity to turn the next page!

That’s not how we treat the book of our life though. We sit on the same old page, reading and re-reading it until its dog-eared and worn; finding prideful comfort in our ability to memorize every word, but pretending like we made it say something different each time we read it.  Once in a while we do start thinking about what’s on the next page and then we spend, even waist our time and effort working in vain to write the story ourselves, when in truth, we can’t even see the next sheet of paper or see that it has already been written for us.

But eventually, pages do turn and when they do we grumble and complain that the story isn’t the one we thought we’d written.  We’re so blinded by the biased pride we have in “controlling” our own lives that we fail to see that The Author has filled the page with His Love; that The Author really has worked all things out for our good (Romans 8:28), and we whine to God like spoiled children.  Oh how much easier and more peaceful our lives would be if we would just have real, living, consistent faith in The Author of Life and trust Him for what we can’t see or understand! (Hebrews 11:1)

Like I said, pages do turn, and The Author is turning another page in the life of me and my family.  For the last six and a half years, I have been blessed by a “second career” filled with satisfaction and growth.  Not only have I enjoyed what I do, but I have had the remarkable privilege of working alongside some of the finest professionals I’ve ever known.  I have had many accomplished and gifted leaders pour into my career and have received the benefit of many wonderful opportunities for learning, growth and development, both professionally and personally.  All indications have been that these opportunities were preparing me for the next phase of my new career, but The Author has apparently written a plot-twist into the next chapter.

Two weeks ago, I received word that this job I’ve loved so much is being terminated due to our government’s failure to create a budget.  When I received this news, my default reaction was...you guessed it...anxiety, fear, and a bit of anger.  I wallowed in this attitude for a day or two, and then something miraculous happened; I remembered the last time The Lord turned the page and how beautifully the story unfolded.  Reflecting on this, my anxiety and fear were almost instantly replaced with excitement to see what’s in the next chapter!

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to worry about life, food, clothing or shelter.  He promises that God will provide these things and that worrying will accomplish nothing; and you know what? He’s absolutely right! “Of course He’s right.” You say...”He’s Jesus!”  But, I’m not saying He’s right simply because He’s Jesus (that goes without saying), I can personally proclaim "He’s right!" because I’ve lived it.  He has provided for us so generously, so graciously and so faithfully, so many, many times that I can’t help but trust Him.  Sure, it’s been tight at times, but our needs have always, ALWAYS been met, and more often than not, in abundance.

I’d be lying to say that losing my job doesn’t make me sad, but the Voice of Truth inside of me is screaming “BRING IT ON!”  Let’s turn the page quickly, because life with God is a real page-turner;  every chapter is better than the last and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

PDS

13-MAR-2013