And the winner is? We all can answer that question with a variety of answers depending on our perspective. I could say this post is a winner because it marks my 200th blog post. Yeah! What do I get for a reward? How do we define reward? It could be a blue ribbon for being a winner in a contest. Perhaps, it is the satisfaction of getting the brain of “T”, that’s me, on a document that may last after I am gone. Is that too egotistical? I hope not. As I write this message, I am preparing for next Saturday’s Louisiana Book Festival where I will be an exhibitor at table 5 on Exhibitor’s Row leading up to the State Capital building. My first book, “Sticks and Stones” will be on display. Does that make me a winner? No! What does it take to be a winner?
If we are running a race to cross a finished line, the winner is the person who crosses the line first. What if we are limited in our abilities to run fast? Maybe, we are out of shape or maybe we are too young or too old. A two year old or ninety-two year old most likely cannot keep up with a twelve year old. In golf, I like the handicap system which is designed to keep golfers at an even playing field. A scratch golfer has zero handicap whereas a duffer like me starts with a 30 point lead. A 30 point start sometimes does not make me a winner. (LOL) The answer to what it takes to be a winner in life is much more complicated than a single contest. Let’s take the writings of Paul for example. He wrote fourteen letters (epistles) during his life time after he witnessed the death of Stephen in 37 AD. He was called Saul at the time and was an exemplary citizen of Rome. He searched for those people following a crucified criminal of the state. These people were fanatics that needed to be found and destroyed! Would you call Saul a winner? At the time, he was probably a hero to many for his relentless endeavor to stomp out this revolution. Would we call him a winner today? No, not as Saul, but yes as Paul. Why, what changed?
Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus and his sight was restored by his new found faith. He spent three years at Damascus then proceeded to journey all throughout the Mediterranean Sea. His first journey lasted from 45-47 AD. Did he stop at his first attempt to share the good news? No, as his second journey went from 51-53 AD. During this time, he wrote 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. On his third trip between 54-58 AD, he wrote Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Romans. He also met John the Baptist. He was arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea, Judea from 58-60 AD. Did that stop his writing? No! He was sent to Rome while a prisoner, nearly died of a snake bite, in Malta (Melita), before he reached Rome. He wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon while in Rome’s prison in 62 AD. He was released from prison in Rome. Did he stop his race to share the good news? No! While free, he wrote Hebrews, Titus and 1st Timothy during 64-65 AD. Timothy was a young man also in prison but had been set free. Did Timothy run for home never to be heard again like so many of Paul’s friends? No! He returned to get further instructions from Paul while in prison again in Rome. This would be Paul’s last time to write before his certain execution. He wrote 2nd Timothy during 66-67 AD just before his death. Did Paul die a failure or a winner? What does it take to be a winner? In Paul’s own words, he said, “I’m already being poured out like a sacrifice to God, and the time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At last the champion’s wreath that is awarded for righteousness is waiting for me.”
We can either base our journeys in life on failure or success. What does it take? It takes faith to keep on going no matter what obstacles prevent us from crossing the finish line victorious. (Re: Chronology of Paul: www.matthewmcgee.org)
As I write this brief message, I am experiencing a High-Low time in my life journey. In 2 Timothy, Paul said to young Timothy, “God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.” Paul is anticipating his final days as his execution at the hands of the Romans is imminent. Paul was caught up in the anti-Christian persecutions begun by Nero in A.D. 64. Paul is preparing Timothy to continue on with the good works started. He reminds Timothy of authentic faith handed down from his grandmother and mother then encourages him to look for inner strength. Can you imagine Paul’s High-Low moment towards the end of his life?
My high-low is no where near Paul’s moment, but I believe we all have moments somewhat similar. This week I experienced an honor to be interviewed by a local TV outlet in Shreveport along with my sisters. It was all about our Mom and Dad’s life and their involvement with the Space Race. That was a high for us all! The low was to see a brother in Christ defeated by depression. I read an interesting article about ten causes of depression at ( https://facty.com/conditions/depression/10-causes-of-depression/?q=depression%20hotline ). Now, I will not imagine which one if any is relevant but I will encourage anyone reading this message to seek help if you find yourself in a state of depression.
I ended my high-low experience week on a high with a charity golf tournament. In Luke 17:5-10, we are encouraged to have a spirit of servitude and faith that all will be well. “We have only done our duty.” T
As I write overlooking the handrail in a sunny spot, I am looking at the North Sea. This sea is calm at the moment which is more than I can say for the Atlantic. Hurricane Dorian was forming just a week earlier. When we boarded in Southampton, England on August 31, 2019 for our 14 day cruise, Dorian was a category 4. On our third day at sea, she was a cat 5 tearing up the Bahamas.
A Wow moment while slowly moving along the canal and under a bridge there it is. Intended originally to intimidate the pagans of the power of the church. Sure it worked!
We are headed to Copenhagen, Denmark from Zeebrugge, Belgium. When we left England, our first stop was Begium. Zeebrugge is about two hours from Brussels. It has been over 40 years since I spent any time in Belgium and spent most of my days in an office in Brussels. This was my first time actually seeing the country. It is not that big but full of history and object of many conflicts. We focused our day on an excursion to the medieval city of Ghent. Amazingly, this city was spared bombment during World War II, thus sparing the magnificent ancient buildings from destruction. The city was and still is predominately Catholic. The city is home of a 14th century belfry, St Michael’s Bridge, St Bavo’s Cathedral and the 15th century artwork called the “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”. We traveled by canal boat through the city and spent some time in the center of the old town. My father in law spent some time in Ghent during WWII. He met a family who became long friends. I can imagine him walking those same cobble paths along the ancient center. We then headed back through the region of Flanders made famous from 1915 publication of poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae during World War I. We drove through the small Flemish town of Ypres where modern day wind turbines contrast with an ancient church boasting a huge bell tower symbolizing past meeting present. This first stop was awesome. Next stop Denmark.
We had a great day at sea traveling up to the Oresund Strait separating Denmark from Sweden into the Baltic sea. The storm back home now reduced to cat 3, Dorian slowly turning northward. We remain vigilant for the people impacted who may never forget. We can only watch from our stop in Copenhagen. The city is like many hustle and bustle towns. Except this one is surrounded by water. We had a nice drive through Copenhagen before heading away from the city to a nice fishing village called Dragor. We had coffee and pastries before walking through the village. As you may imagine the village gets its name from Viking days. They believed in dragons, many gods and goddesses. Vikings were good tradesmen as well as seafaring warriors. They were in control so to speak. Viking King, Sweyn I Forkbeard, was king over England and Norway when Copenhagen started in the 12th century. By 1160, King Valdermar I, established the stronghold with the building of the fortress where Christiansborg Palace sits today built from ruins of bygone times. We were lucky to see the changing of the guards at the Amalienborg Palace, home of Danish Royalty since 1794. Today it is the winter home of Queen Margrethe II. The Palace is made of four French style mansions placed around an octagon shaped courtyard. Our last stop was to see the “The Little Mermaid” statue made famous in 1837 by Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tail and erected 70 years later by Carl Jacobson son of founder of Carlsburg beer. Now that is a beer story for sure!
This girl has traveled all the way to Shanghai, China to represent Copenhagen at the world’s fair. She is back now looking over the harbour in Copenhagen.
Day 5 we were at sea headed to Stockholm. The next four days we are in port at the top of the Baltic Sea. Stockholm, Sweden is another very scenic city full of bicycles, motor scooters and fewer cars. They share much of the Viking heritage with Copenhagen. These Vikings spent more time conquering the east like Russia and beyond. Stockholm is made up of 14 islands and the view traversing by the various islands to its main island of Gamla Stan is spectacular. The old town of Gamla Stan is so picturesque. Our first stop was the Viking museum where the myths are validated as true or false. Yes, they did have names such as Ragnar and Loki as in the popular TV series but not all at the same historical time. Yes, they believed a true worthwhile life was a good death in battle. We continued on our tour to view an old ship that sank twenty minutes after setting sail on its madan voygue. Why? King Gutav II wanted to add another roll of cannons against the advice of its designer. Some things do not change. Bosses always think they are smarter than the experts. This was in 1628 and the ship was the Vasa. In the 1950’s they restored the Vasa which is now a museum located in the Green island of Djurgarden not too far from the Viking museum. Note, the Viking era span from about 800 to 1100 so the Vasa sinking is unrelated. Stockholm is also home of the band called Abba. Anyone heard of them?
Our next stop was Tallin, Estonia where we saw the beginnings of Communism or at least its reminants. Our tour began through the town and one of the first signs of freedom was a UMC church. The tour guide spoke of her mission trip outside of Estonia where she learned English better and Christianity even more so. She said the population is under 20 percent Christian with the majority atheist from the years of Soviet influence. This was apparent to see old buildings not old because of age but in need of repair. Many buildings were void of any color dingy brown, dirty white or black. Contrast that with the new modern buildings of the post Soviet era. It is interesting to note the guide referred to the Nazis not the Germans and the Soviets not the Russians.
Monument of oppresion times three. Once for WWI, once for WWII, and once for victims resisting Communism who were sent to Siberia never to return.
We continued our drive to the monument of the victims of communism. This was very profound as our guide described how the memorial started with the victims of WWI and II. When the Soviets took over, they destroyed any symbolism of faith replaced with the ugly facade of communist oppression. When Estonia regained her independence, instead of destroying, they built upon the history. Now the memorial consists of two black walls built in parallel showing all the names of those who died under the regime of Communism. Many were sent to Siberia never to return. As you climb the stairs up the hill, the names seem to speak out saying never again. It reminds me of the Vietnam war memorial. In the top of the hill stands a beautiful garden with three crosses. I believe Estonia is in a place in history where they are growing in faith. They are certainly at the top on technology as originators of many industies like Skype and Ecitizenry. They have made “E”stonia a forward thinking country while remembering the past. Finally, the open theater has been the focal point of many talented artist from Michael Jackson to just last month Andre Poccelli. Here is where they sang triumphantly while the Soviets tried to oppress the people in a revolution of songs.
Next, we sailed to St Petersburg, Russia for a two day stop. Our first day started watching the news and seeing the devastation in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian made a direct hit. Our prayers go out to the people. So glad it headed up the eastern coast line delivering just glancing blows. Now, we saw the blows of Communism as we saw the oppressed conditions of a controlled society. They say socialism is just the pathway to communism. I believe it. Anyway, we started with passport control. No other country required that scrutiny as we were already on a cruise ship already cleared. The Russians do not trust anyone. I felt they were always watching. The guide through the city was dry but had a sense of humor so that made the excursion worthwhile. I got a better understanding of the difference between Russions and Soviets. Stalin was not Russian and neither was Lennan for example. We traveled through the city learning how St Petersburg was under siege during WWII. The Nazis did not want to destroy the city because of their German heritage so tried to starve them into surrender. It did not work. Many buildings were destroyed but much survived. We visited Catherine Palace that was severely damaged now restored to its original war glory. Only one original panel in the Amber Room was found. The rest were stolen by the Nazis. Who knows where they are now?All the interior of the Palace is now restored and the beauty is breathtaking. It is said that Catherine I had over 15,000 dresses never wearing them more than once and hosted elaborate balls nearly every day. No wander the people rebelled! We continued our tour with a stop at a restaurant for traditional Russian food, folk dancers and songs. We finished our first day with a drive by the Hermatage Museum, Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood, and St Isaac’s Square. We stopped at a beautiful chuch once used by the Soviets as an ice rink during communists oppression. It is now restored to its original purpose of worshipping God. Yes, even Russia is growing in faith again. Not bad for first day.
Our second day was much easier but had to go through passport control yet again. This day we spent most of time driving through the city. The big stop was at the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. The spilled blood was that of Tsar Alexander II who was assassinated in 1881. The church is now a museum but site of many bride and groom photo shots. We drove by the Admirlty Tower very prominate both day and night. We boarded our ship again for our next day’s adventure to Hellsinki, Finland.
We started our day with a much more friendly disembakation without passport control. Finland is independent of Russia but remain in constant fear of attack. They have under ground housing for every man, woman and child in Hellsinki just in case. The land is mostly granite rock so the whole city is built on rock. During WWII, the people saved their city by building fires on unihabited land away from the city so 95 percent of the bombs fell destroying only barren rock. Another ingenious measure was to remove all metal roofs from housing and replace with sod and sand which they placed vegetation to disguise their homes and churches. It worked! One thing I understood from this tour is that the Fins are very innovative and protective of their environment. Maybe we should learn from them as I saw no litter anywhere. Hellsinski was founded in 1550 as a way to compete with Tallin who was controlled by the Russians. Finland was ruled by the Swedes until 1808 then by the Russians until just before WWI. They are a new country but always under the fear of Russian dominance. There are a lot of old buildings but like Swedan and Estonia have a growing outlook to a brighter future. The Temppeliaukio Church, known as the Church in the Rock is awesome. It is built inside a huge block of granite rock. It has a man made roof that allows natural light in but the walls are sold rock. Very nice! We made our way back to the ship ready for a little down time as we traveled through the Baltic Sea for Poland.
On day 12, we experienced our first stormy night at sea. Hurricane Dorian continued her journey being downgraded to a bad storm up through Nova Scotia and across the Atlantic over Scotland to the North Sea finally passes over us. Finland and Russia were targets but luckily we were at sea. By the time we docked at Gdynia, the sun was out and remained very pleasant all day. The try city of Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk make up new, untouched and rebuilt from the devastation of war. It is hard to believe that it was not the Nazis who destroyed but the liberators, so called, Soviets. The hatred between the two were evident. First the new. Gydnia is a new very busy port. We saw huge cranes, cargo ships, cruise ships and even a submarine. The port was built after the War and is the entrance to Poland’s import/export trade. Second, the untouched city of Sopot boast of beaches and some old buildings spared by the Russians. It is amazing to imagine that Hitler used the Grand Hotel overlooking the beaches as his retreat. The liberators did not touch it. Third, city of Gdansk represents the rebuilt city. Yes, there were some old buildings spared but much were destroyed. WWII started here and at one time was mostly German habitants. When the War ended, the Germans wanted to claim it but since they had no voice was put under Soviet rule. At one point, Gdansk was actually a city with no country. The Soviets were no rebuilders of peace back then and even now it seems. After the fall of the Soviet dominance, Poland was once again an indepedent country. Rebuilding of the city has been a mavelous effort to keep the appearance of ancient times. The Old Town has a Golden Gate archway building on one end and a Green Gate on the other end. In between is the 13th century merchant road lined with shops, restaraunts and chuches. In its beginning was the site of many executions. Gdansk may have been the birthplace of WWII but more important to me was the birthplace of the Solirarity Movement which played an important role in the end of the Iron Curtain. We traveled by the home of Lech Walsea who was one of the founders to the movement and became Poland’s first president. As we traveled back to our ship, the history of the past cannot be ignored. Freedom comes with a price. Thank God that he uses brave souls to pay the price. May they RIP.
It took two more days through the Baltic and North Seas to reach Southhanpton. We passed under an enormous bridge that connects Denmark to Sweden then clear sailing to Southampton.
Every journey must come to an end. This experience will not be forgotten. We got a chance to see beautiful sights and learn a little history. Hope you have enjoyed our little glimpse of this world.
I am excited to announce my book “Sticks and Stones” is now available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes. If you would rather listen to a book than read, click on one of the following sites. If in the United States, click: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07W5NFH5M/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-160335&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_160335_rh_us If in the United Kingdom, click: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B07W5NC8X9/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-160335&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_160335_rh_uk
Who is an immigrant? “A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another. The word “immigrants”, as understood in U.S. immigration law, are persons admitted as legal permanent residents of the United States.” (Google 2019). There is a story about a man who was called to leave his homeland to find another. His wife came with him because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. Descendants were born based on this promise. Many died in faith without receiving the promises even though they saw from a distance and was pleased. They confessed that they were immigrants. They made it clear that they were looking for a homeland. If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. They were longing for a better country.
It is my belief that we spend too much time saying she said, he said and not enough searching for the promises that will help us make a better country. Is this day of polarization different than any other day in history? I think not. Just read a little history back in the early part of the twentieth century around 1914 or maybe around 1939. Were we not polarized then? Yep. Go farther back in history and you will discover time and time again conflicts over whatever. You name it! But along the march into the present, we have forgotten that we are all on a journey, I hope to the promised land. We can choose dissention that breeds contempt and puts us all into fear or anxiety. Or, we can choose faith that all will be well if we just continue to believe. “Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith.” Why can’t we?
Who is right and who is wrong in a debate? That is the point
of a debate. To be able to determine the reality or facts not unfounded
opinions. (www.debate.org) Debate is
healthy but my fear is that we are taking sides not based on reality or facts
but opinions based on our tribe. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. The man in
the story above was called to search for a better place. I am sure he was given
many opinions on both sides to sway his decisions to go or stay. He had to
consider who was giving him advise to determine his path forward. I believe if
we base our decisions on mere opinions; we would never have put a man on the
moon. But we did. How? We were focused on a higher goal than mere politics. I
believe we should set aside our politics long enough to focus our sights on a
greater prize. Go by faith like Abraham
and Sarah did in search for the promised land. They were longing for a better
country, that is, a heavenly one. (Hebrews 11:1-16)
“Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After
all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is
very wealthy.” This is a quiz. Who said that quote? Was it, a) Trump, b) Obama,
c) Biden, d) AOC, e) none of the above? Greed can take on all forms of
possessions. In fact, we can be so obsessed by our possessions to the point of
becoming possessed. A possessed person has an evil spirit. Yes, you can possess
a valuable object or possess a quality that makes you special. You can own
something that if not careful becomes idolatry. If we say a person is
possessed, it usually implies a negative demonic power having complete power
over them. We can own property or something precious to us and that may define
our possession or state of mind that we are in control of something. We are not
in control when we have that state of mind, in my opinion. I have heard of many
highly talented, wealthy, possessive people ending their lives too soon because
they could not cope. Why? I believe they thought about the things on earth
instead of thinking about the things above. “So, put to death the parts of your
life that belong to the earth, such as sexual immorality, moral corruption,
lust, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).” (Colossians 3:2-5) We cannot
control ourselves unless we are obedient and “set aside these things, such as
anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language…and put on the new nature…as
Christ is all things and in all people.” (Colossians, 3:8-11)
We are in danger of being possessed by our possessions. We
can see it in all parts of our lives. Even if we are totally aligned with a
higher power that allows us to let go of our earthly possessions, we are
subject to all sorts of schemes or miscommunications to influence our thoughts
to make illogical decisions. We may find ourselves reacting to a situation
unaware of the risk of fraud. How many of you get at least one or two robocalls
per day? What about deceptive contractors or exorbitant insurance premiums that
when a file is claimed reveals a no coverage clause. How about all the
“breaking news” that is just a ploy to keep you watching. I can go on, but I
think you get the picture. Back to my initial quiz to watch out and guard
ourselves against all kinds of greed. Who said it? The answer is e) none of the
above. The real answer is Jesus. (Luke 12:15)
