“Luke, I am your father” is arguably one of the most famous lines in the history of American movies. Darth Vader, one of the most wicked and vile villains ever to grace the silver screen, is standing over a beaten Luke Skywalker on a platform in Cloud City in George Lucas’ "Return of the Jedi". Darth Vader jesters down to Luke and uttered those famous words that had us gasping in horror... “Luke, I am your father.”
Up until that moment we were willing to accept that Darth Vader was evil and wicked. We were willing to accept that he was unbeatable and heartless. But we were not ready to accept that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father. After all, Luke was the only active Jedi in the war against the Empire (remember, Yoda was retired in the swamp) and was brave and passionate. He was the good guy. What did he do to deserve to have a father like Darth Vader? Poor Luke. I am sure that he dreaded the annual father-son Jedi picnic every year.
Once again Father’s Day is upon us. This year as you think about your father, ask yourself if you would be honored to have your father say “[insert your name here], I am your father.” Would you be filled with pride and honor at having your father state his relationship to you? Or would you be repulsed and horrified with the revelation that this man standing before you is your father?
Regardless of what type of father you had growing up, all of us have another father standing over us. He is extending his hand, not in a hateful or threatening way, but in a loving, longing way. While we are lying there beaten and defeated, he is saying, not in a husky, hostile voice, but in a loving, caring tone that “[insert your name here], I am your father.”
The problem is that too many of us do not see the loving side of God the Father. In fact, many of us have no idea that we even have a spiritual father. This year as you search for the words and actions to tell your earthly father that you love him, think about your spiritual father, the Lord of the universe, who is standing there desperately wishing you to acknowledge your relationship to Him and His Son Jesus. Ask yourself, “Why won’t I accept that God is my father”?
Wait.... I think I hear God talking to you; he is saying once again “Luke, I am your father.” What is your response?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Did You Like Swimming Lessons?
Tonya and I have been trying to build up a sense of excitement in Travis about taking swimming lessons. He has been resisting our efforts by claiming that he already knows how to swim. I suppose that if you call sinking to the bottom of the pool when you let go of a swim noodle “swimming”, he is indeed all set. But Tonya and I believe he needs some professional instruction to add some more “floating” to his swimming skills.
A couple of weeks ago I was with my kids at the YMCA. We were swimming in the pool while the lifeguards were conducting swimming lessons for some children. Thinking this would be a good way to show him how “fun” swimming lessons can be, we moved closer to the lesson to watch and listen. As we got closer, one of the children who was not yet in the water was definitely not enjoying the class. He was scared and had no problems letting the entire pool know his displeasure via a nearly inhuman scream. The lifeguard was standing in the water and was unsure how to ease the boy’s transition from the shore to the water. He had no words to make the idea of leaving the safety of the shore for the dubious shelter of a stranger’s arms attractive.
What happened next probably will keep my son from wanting to take swimming lessons forever: the boy’s mother basically pushed him into the pool to the outstretched hands of the lifeguard. The boy, trying to cling to the shore and his mother, turned in mid-air and was unsuccessful in either reaching his mother or the side of the pool and immediately sank to the bottom (according to my son’s definition, the boy was “swimming”). My son, who observed this, said “I never want to do that.”
As we drove home from the YMCA, I started thinking that so many of us have similar spiritual experiences as the boy at the YMCA. At some point in our lives, we were terrified of being with the spiritual Lifeguard and were shoved into the spiritual water without warning. As a result, we have horrible memories of spiritual matters and have no desire to be placed back in that environment. However, there is a huge difference in how the YMCA lifeguard responded and how Jesus, the ultimate Lifeguard responds. At the YMCA, the lifeguard struggled with what to do make the transition easy for the boy. He was not particularly outgoing or warm. He did not offer words of encouragement and did not present himself as a refuge for the boy.
Jesus, on the other hand, is a totally different kind of Lifeguard. He is standing there, arms outstretched, calling us by name and telling us that He loves us, cares for us and will let nothing happen to us. He reaches out to us on the shore and offers to take our hands to ease us into the water. Once in the water, He keeps our head above water and teaches us to swim. Anytime we are about to go under, He is there to steady us and keep us afloat.
There is no reason to be scared of this Lifeguard. He is the only Lifeguard that can actually save your life. Ask yourself today if you are ready to take a swimming lesson with Jesus, the ultimate Lifeguard.
A couple of weeks ago I was with my kids at the YMCA. We were swimming in the pool while the lifeguards were conducting swimming lessons for some children. Thinking this would be a good way to show him how “fun” swimming lessons can be, we moved closer to the lesson to watch and listen. As we got closer, one of the children who was not yet in the water was definitely not enjoying the class. He was scared and had no problems letting the entire pool know his displeasure via a nearly inhuman scream. The lifeguard was standing in the water and was unsure how to ease the boy’s transition from the shore to the water. He had no words to make the idea of leaving the safety of the shore for the dubious shelter of a stranger’s arms attractive.
What happened next probably will keep my son from wanting to take swimming lessons forever: the boy’s mother basically pushed him into the pool to the outstretched hands of the lifeguard. The boy, trying to cling to the shore and his mother, turned in mid-air and was unsuccessful in either reaching his mother or the side of the pool and immediately sank to the bottom (according to my son’s definition, the boy was “swimming”). My son, who observed this, said “I never want to do that.”
As we drove home from the YMCA, I started thinking that so many of us have similar spiritual experiences as the boy at the YMCA. At some point in our lives, we were terrified of being with the spiritual Lifeguard and were shoved into the spiritual water without warning. As a result, we have horrible memories of spiritual matters and have no desire to be placed back in that environment. However, there is a huge difference in how the YMCA lifeguard responded and how Jesus, the ultimate Lifeguard responds. At the YMCA, the lifeguard struggled with what to do make the transition easy for the boy. He was not particularly outgoing or warm. He did not offer words of encouragement and did not present himself as a refuge for the boy.
Jesus, on the other hand, is a totally different kind of Lifeguard. He is standing there, arms outstretched, calling us by name and telling us that He loves us, cares for us and will let nothing happen to us. He reaches out to us on the shore and offers to take our hands to ease us into the water. Once in the water, He keeps our head above water and teaches us to swim. Anytime we are about to go under, He is there to steady us and keep us afloat.
There is no reason to be scared of this Lifeguard. He is the only Lifeguard that can actually save your life. Ask yourself today if you are ready to take a swimming lesson with Jesus, the ultimate Lifeguard.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Federal Income Tax
Today, in 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified authorizing a federal income tax.
The text of the 16th Amendment is as follows:
"Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
Wow, that is very broad power! No limits on amounts, no restrictions on protected incomes, no discussions about deductions for policy initiatives (although one can infer that the power to authorize deductions is included in within the term "collect"---they can choose to not collect. Additionally, there are no qualifications or limitations on what these collected taxes can be spent on.
If you asked me today to re-write the 16th Amendment, I would suggest this:
"Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes of residents (both legal and illegal) and citizens of not more than 15% of their individual incomes, determined in accordance with tax regulations to be prepared by the executive branch and voted upon and approved by 60% of the U.S. House of Representatives and 75% of the U.S. Senate only for the following purposes:
- Defense of the U.S. people, property and interests; and
- Enforcement of U.S. law.; and
- Infrastructure related to education, transportation and federal judicial system.
Income taxes shall not be collected for any other purposes unless such purpose is approved by 75% of the U.S. House of Representatives and 80% of the U.S. Senate."
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2009 Resolution
I am not one for making a ton of new resolutions each January 1st. I have decided that New Year's resolutions need to be something that (i) is both obtainable and (ii) related to something I actually have an interest in if I stand any chance of actually keep them. In the past, I have made the standard resolutions: diet, exercise more, read the Bible more etc. This year I am making just one resolution:
- To learn to be a woodworker and make a jewelry box by Christmas
I am eagerly researching woodworking and excited to try to actually fulfill this resolution. One of my first projects will be to make a wood work bench that will be used for at least two other projects in 2009.
Once the workbench is built, I will start the largest of the 3 projects in the form of a tree house of the kids.
Finally, with the workbench and tree house completed, I will try to make a jewelry box.
This is a resolution with measureable steps and time deadlines. Let's see if I keep this one.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Do we/I really need so much stuff?
Ok, I admit it-- I have too much stuff (read: unnecessary junk).
This creates a significant stress-point for me because I hate clutter. Clutter makes me hostile, irritable and angry.
As we head into Christmas this week I am pondering the question of not whether I have too much stuff, but how do I get rid of stuff that I already have? How can I make myself de-clutter my life?
As much as I say that I want to be a minimalist, I find myself manufacturing reasons for not (i) donating, (ii) selling on ebay or (iii) simply trashing items.
If you ask me what I want for Christmas this year my answer would be the discipline and willpower to de-clutter my life.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wit and Wisdom Podcast is up
I am pleased to announce that I have launched a new podcast called "The Wit and Wisdom of David James" which will soon be on iTunes.
The purpose of this semi-regular podcast is to provide my comments, thoughts and observations on life. What does "life" include?
The purpose of this semi-regular podcast is to provide my comments, thoughts and observations on life. What does "life" include?
- Economics
- Spirituality and Religion
- Environment
- Politics
- Philosophy
- Raising kids
- Relationships
If any of those topics interest you, please check out the podcast!
Monday, December 8, 2008
First post from Word
I love technology. Well, let me rephrase that; I love technology when it works. Which is, for me, is a 50/50 proposition.
However, today's entry falls into the "success" side of the proposition. If this post actually makes it through my company's firewall, than I have successfully linked Microsoft word and my blog.
Of course, I am not certain what that will mean for my blog. Just because I have word linked, blog entries still have to be created and there is no guarantee that the frequencies of my post will be increased.
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