Just A Thought

 It is one of the few things I remember from that early era of my life – half a century ago. On November 7, 1972, early election returns were already showing a clear trend. Although the polls had only been closed for an hour or so in my home state of Montana, Richard Nixon was being re-elected for a second term - in what turned out to be a landslide.  All of my ancient readers will remember that he defeated George McGovern with over 60 percent of the popular vote, losing only in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

I don’t remember that night because of who was elected or because of how it changed my nation; I remember it because that night I saw something I had never seen before. My party walked into a diner that night after church. We settled into a booth and immediately noticed a very agitated man in a booth across the room. He seemed to be in a panic and was talking animatedly to someone, and much more loudly than was appropriate. It soon became evident that he was following the election results and was not at all happy. He was lamenting the collapse of America and threatening to leave the country or give up on life. 

At first, we all tried to mind our own business and be compassionate to a man who put a little too much hope in elected leaders. Then someone noticed something strange about the person sitting across the table from the panicked man. Their back was to us but there was something strange about their hat and hair… something not natural. We stole a few more glances until someone discerned that the “person” to whom he was speaking was not moving or talking back. We soon determine he was, in fact a blow-up doll. Not only was the man freaking out about something over which he had no control; he was talking to “someone” who couldn’t even give a care.

Ironically two years later the whole country had changed, as well as the President’s political career.  Nixon went from winning a landslide election to being the only American President ever to resign from office. The USA did not collapse. The Republican party did not overthrow the government. That poor, over-stressed restaurant patron would have been better off realizing that sometimes we just have to ride out the storms of life. Panic is not helpful.

It isn’t aways easy to take the advice, “Don’t panic!” Life has its ups and downs. We can be angry and afraid, or we can embrace it. I have come to believe that life is supposed to be a struggle. No one is perfect. When feeling a bit panicked, I must consider that life cannot be conquered or perfectly navigated. Life’s manufacturer handbook (the Bible) explains that life is full of challenges and is not meant to be lived without the help of a coach…a counselor…a comforter…a Savior. Jesus said it like this: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 nlt) Don’t panic. Just find a spot close to The Good Shepherd.

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Saturday, August 31, 2024

 Sorting Things Out

Life can often leave us scratching our heads… trying to sort things it out. “Why did that happen? Where did that come from? Why can’t I seem to get a handle on that? Why can’t I ever seem to get it together?” It is something that happens all the time, to everyone. Consider this example from the corporate world.

According to an article written in 2016 by David Tracy of Jalopnik (a news and opinion website about cars), between 2010-2014 German insurance companies got hit with a slew of auto damage claims. The damage was caused by an unlikely bunch of vandals – finding them took some sorting out. It cost $330 million to pay over 1.1 million insurance claims for damaged car hoses, tires, wires and other parts. In 2012, these were the third most frequent kind of insurance claim in all of Germany; beat only by cracked windshields and wildlife-related accidents. This payout included reimbursements for 14,000 roadside incidents. In the town of Stuttgart alone, one-third of all cars reported having some type of damage from these vandals. Who did they determine to be the culprits? Martens.

Martens are a ferret-like animals from the weasel family. These cute nocturnal animals love to nest in warm spots and are rather territorial. In trying to solve this reason their behavior some theorized that the martens climb up into car engines to keep warm. They mark their territory by chewing on car parts. If the car is later moved and another marten feels challenged, they will attempt to destroy what the first marten did to mark his territory by doing further damage. Thus, the widespread damage. Although the insurance companies are highly motivated, there is not a consensus that the above theory explains the cause of this marten behavior nor is there a consensus on how to prevent them from vandalizing cars.

Life is not easy to sort out. It is not easy to even sort out one’s own thoughts, feelings and beliefs. But, what can make all the difference is the people, principles and sources on which someone bases the sorting. When families are intact and authority figures have people’s best interest at heart, they provide direction and principles for sorting things out. Contrarywise there are many self-serving entities counting on people being vulnerable and confused; they stand ready to take advantage of anyone who is not wise to their devices. There are even people and institutions that produce propaganda designed to capitalize on people’s vulnerabilities. So, what’s a body to do?

God encourages us to trust His Word and His Spirit. Those are the best sorting tools available to mankind. Unfortunately, like the guy who doesn’t need directions, we can often find ourselves confidently ignoring the manual, mis-sorting, and paying the price. 

Yet, there are a few humble folks who enjoy the ultimate sense of comfort by knowing God can help us sort things out. Those who trust Him can be confident that if they are truly in His care, He will cover their shortcomings and take care of the things that are above their paygrade. This is how the Bible puts it: “So be careful! God's message to us is alive and powerful. It is like a sword that has two sharp edges. Even more than a sword, God's message goes very deep into us. It cuts between our soul and our spirit. It is like a sharp knife that can cut deep into our body between our bones. God's message shows what we are really thinking. It shows what we really want.”  (Hebrews 4:12 Easy to Read)

Try reading a little of the Bible today. It might help you sort some things out. 

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Saturday, August 17, 2024

 I grew up just 70 miles west of Custer Battlefield in Montana. Colonel George Armstrong Custer was an officer in the American Civil War and American Indian Wars. The battlefield and museum tell the story about June 25, 1876. Custer, while leading the 7th Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in Montana Territory, against a coalition of Native American tribes, was killed along with every soldier of the five companies he led. This event became known as "Custer's Last Stand." It was a slaughter because the Indians fought differently than the soldiers were used to, so they won handily. That is what everyone seems to remember about Custer. I grew up thinking he might have been lacking in leadership abilities.

But Custer was not as inept as I thought. He was such an accomplished officer that he is still studied by military officers-in-training. He is considered one of the civil war’s greatest commanders. Here are a few of his accomplishments:

·      He graduated from West Point in top 1/3 of his class.

·      Though outnumbered at Gettysburg, he defeated J. E. B. Stuart's attack at what is now known as East Cavalry Field.

·      In 1864, he defeated Jubal Early at Cedar Creek. 

·      In 1865, he destroyed or captured the remainder of Early's forces at the Battle of Waynesboro. 

·      His division blocked the Army of Northern Virginia's final retreat and received the first flag of truce from the Confederates. 

·      He was also present at Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. 

Many less qualified men have been honored and praised, because something they did happened to be highlighted at just the right moment.  What a revelation to figure out that other people often don’t know enough about you, and don’t have enough wisdom to truly judge who you are. If the world does not seem to understand you… if your loved ones don’t seem to know who you really are… if life hasn’t given you the breaks you would have liked… you’re in good company! People can be impossible to please; not God.

It may be a surprise to discover how freeing it can be to turn to the Sovereign, Just Judge for affirmation. Although many have feared the judgment of God, He is the only one who can judge fairly and according to the heart. If one’s heart is right, they have no worries. The One who runs the universe offers to forgive and give people the power to live life with a good heart. He provides the grace and power! His children may make mistakes or fall short in the eyes of their fellow man. History may ignore his people or misinterpret their actions. But, none of that can steals the joy of someone who’s heart is in the hands of a God who sees all, and judges everyone by their heart rather than their accomplishments. 

People are impossible to please. It is often impossible to feel pleased with one’s self. But aligning with God is life-changing; it is the ultimate freedom!

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Monday, August 12, 2024