The Heart Matters

For all you leap year loving folks – here is a shout out for February 29th! So you may be asking, why add an extra day to our calendar? February 29 is a date that occurs only every four years, and is called leap day. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365.000 days.

Another interesting reason for February 29th is that women may propose marriage on that day; this tradition goes back to some wacky queen of Scotland named Margaret in the 1200’s. I’m not certain of the story behind this tradition but it originated with her.

 Oh and for those who are curious what “bissextile” means – here is the definition. bis·sex·tile (bis seks′til, -təl, -tīl′)

adjective

1. denoting the extra day (February 29) of a leap year
2. designating or of a leap year

Etymology: LL bisextilis, containing an intercalary day < bisextus < bis, twice (see bi-) + sextus, sixth: Feb. 24 (sixth day before the calends of March) was reckoned twice every fourth year.

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I have been listening to callers on a local talk show respond to Ms. Porter’s statement concerning her choice to forgive Bobby Cutts.  Some people thought she spoke with astonishing grace and power while many more have criticized her words as “over-dramatic” or an attempt to hide the dysfunction of her broken home.

This is how the world views love – the authentic love of Christ. When you dare to go against the logic of this world- its brutal justice, against the wisdom of the ruler of this world or when you respond to suffering and to genuine harm with redemptive discipline, the world hates you.  As the world hated Christ when he loved the broken and the lost, so too will the world hate those who love Christ – those who follow in his ways. The world hates those who dare to defy its system and who choose to align themselves with biblical principles.

To Ms. Porter and to all those who choose love, I encourage you with these words from the gospel of John:

 From John 15:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

 Again scripture addresses the rage and venomous energy hurled at those who abide in Christ:

1 John 3:12

Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

Patty Porter understands something so precious that those who belong to the world cannot comprehend; she understands that she now has a new identity – that she has received a gift that she never deserved – she has been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus.

“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.

To those of the world, Christ and his forgiveness is a stumbling block – his love is so irrational!

“He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”

Christ’s love just does not make any sense to those who do not know him; they are so confused and lost. Christ came as the Good Shepherd to seek out the lost and to bring them into the protection of his fold.

Pondering these things gives me courage – to be bold and not afraid when I walk into the spiritual realm of warfare – I realize that victory has already gone to the Lord. All authority has been given to Christ and we as believers command this authority as his servants who go forth in His name and under His power.

So in light of these things, I am increasingly excited that Christ has imputed to His body the impactful, healing power of authentic love – I long to more deeply comprehend the heights and depths and breadth of the love of Christ.

I end with this Pauline prayer from Ephesians:

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

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If you have been following the Bobby Cutts trial, you’d know that a verdict of guilty was reached.  For those of you unfamiliar with this local case, Bobby Cutts (a Canton police officer) was tried and convicted of murdering his pregnant girl friend, Jesse Davis, and their unborn daughter Chloe. This case had national coverage. Today a sentence was imposed. 

I usually don’t follow trials or watch court TV; however, a live broadcast of the sentencing trail was aired on WNIR. What I found so compelling about this sentencing hearing was the portion where the family of the victim expressed its thoughts and desires concerning the defendant – Bobby Cutts in this case.

Jesse’s sisters and father all expressed rage, confusion, hate, and disgust for this man – especially for his lies and for the brutality of this crime against their loved one – a sister – a daughter. I was moved by their statements. One person’s sentiments stood out during this highly charged, emotional portion of the hearing – Jesse’s mother.

Jesse’s mom, Patty Porter, is a member of Akron’s House of the Lord Church and has been a member for nearly a decade.  The House of the Lord is pastored by Bishop Joey Johnson. I have heard Bishop Joey teach and he is a knowledgable and inspired teacher.

I was struck – even stunned as I heard Ms. Porter speak during this hearing.  She spoke of her confusion that none of this made sense; she spoke of her sorrow and loss; she spoke of forgiveness and hope. 

This mother, who arrived at her daughter’s apartment one muggy June morning to find her 2 year old grandson abandoned and unkempt, pled with the judge to make ”a way for Bobby to have a relationship with his son.” She urged Bobby and others to consider their personal standing before the Lord.  She chose forgiveness.  She told Bobby, convicted murderer of her daughter and yet-to-be-born granddaughter, to look at her.  

Her words turned to forgiveness. She chose to forgive him as she has no right not to forgive him; she acknowledged Bobby’s sin – taking two lives, lying, the hurt that Blake (Bobby and Jesse’s son must endure). She also envisioned a hopeful future of reconciliation – not just between Blake and his father, Bobby, but also between Bobby and the Lord.

Christ has empowered this woman to take a stand; Patty Porter is not a victim – NO! She is victorious and moved toward this man who deserved nothing! She did not explain away or excuse the actions of this man – she saw his actions for what they were – evil and hurtful – ungodly. But she saw a way – a victorious way to impart love to Bobby Cutts.

What a witness this woman was to the world today – everyone on Court TV saw her or heard her words on the radio. So powerful – so redemptive! Once again I am moved to tears. I ask myself, “Could you,Lisa, extend the same forgiveness and love?” “Am I able to live this way in matters of the heart – in things less horrific?”

I’d like to say I could through choice and through Him – this is what Patty Porter said – “through Him I can forgive you, Bobby,” her voiced cracked with pain as she spoke those words – her wounded heart desiring so much to move towards Bobby in grace.

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I believe her – I truly believe that she desires what God desires – that all men come to Him and know Him – even the one who violently murdered her daughter and granddaughter – even Bobby Cutts.

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Monday morning I took the kids to the Museum of Natural History. What was primarily an expedition to the mineralogy department ended with a spectacular viewing of the Planetarium.  There we saw amazing beauty and spectacular sights. We also learned that Wednesday night there was going to be a full lunar eclipse. 

 So Wednesday night the kids stayed up late – 10pm – and we actually saw the eclipse. Now in years past we have all attempted to view this phenomenon but have failed due to the ever present cloud cover of North east Ohio – but on this particular night we were permitted to gaze into a cloudless sky and see this heavenly wonder. We saw the crimson color in the sky. What the ancients must have thought.  Such a testimony to a higher power.

Space is filled with so many incredible objects: stars, nebulae, galaxies, gaseous clouds. Oh, the wonder of it all! I can’t help but think about how amazing the objects in space are.  Creation is just so beautiful.  It is a shame that I don’t take the time to just take it all in. Not only are the celestial creations stunning in their appearance; but all of creation is breath-taking.

This morning I walked outside and gazed into the sunless sky. A blanket of grey covers the white gloomy landscape.  It looks barren and dead, but there is life.  Wonderful life! A cardinal darts into my evergreen shrubs; a hawks swoopes down from a leafless oak tree and scoops up some helpless critter – breakfast I presume. Even the stark appearance of the ground has it’s silent beauty.  The glistening crystals of ice, the crisp air seems to crackle about me. Creation is truly amazing.

Yet, in-spite of this breath-taking sight I realize that all creation has gone wrong – it has fallen and is tarnished. I am reminded of Romans 8 – all creation is subject to futility.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Yes this incredible planet that we call home has been subjected to God’s curse; but there is hope – not only for depraved, wretched humans – there is even redemption for the earth, the celestial orbs and gases, and yes even for the heavens!

From Revelations 21

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

New heavens and a new earth! The earth and our universe is just so freaking beautiful. Just look at some of those images that the Hubble Telescope has captured. Visit the Grand canyon or Niagara Falls, or even our humble Gorge in the Falls. Look into the eyes of a new born child! Even this fallen world we live in is a testimony to the creative majesty of God – of Jesus Christ – yet it is imperfect due to sin and rebellion. Imagine – if you can - a place one thousand times more extraordinary than what we have set before us.

All will be redeemed and new – creation will be new – the heavens too and we – we as those redeemed from depravity – will be new – complete in him and a new creation! What a day that will be – one that is not too far away - dare I say – when you see the order of things from the perspective of the Ancient of Days! What a banquet that will be.

Also, I am so glad that God is into banquets! It seems that whenever he does something important it is in the context of a gathering of people to a dinner party. I can’t wait to see what perfect food (and wine) is like.

These are the things I will set my heart and mind upon when I am feeling beaten down by the world and the state of fallenness in the world.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

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Well now Jesus is pimping beauty products  – well at least he was in Singapore.  Provocatively dressed, bodacious women gaze up into the eyes of their Redeemer. The women promote the use of virtuous vanilla lip balm – so that the “King of Kings” will surely notice you among his flock.  Don’t worry about straying from the flock – because if you do – you can “get tight with Jesus, redeem your reputation and get his attention.” So if you don’t think Christ cares and is listening just delve into some of this redemptive hand lotion.

The Catholic population of Singapore was so insensed that the product line was pulled from the market. Too bad – I think it is sort of funny that people would take such offense. I mean don’t we all cover up our filth with some sort of veneer.  Why not just be honest about it and use such a fine beauty line. 

We all want others including God to think that we are worthy of his attention – now you can go and buy a product like will make HIM notice you.

 Top Shop’s crowning commentary on Christian hypocrisy – intended or not!

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     Good Ol’Phil

Well, if you chose Chuck – you did well.  I’d like to think so at least. 

Once again Buckeye Chuck and Phil disagree.  Chuck did not see his shadow – so expect winter to be mild in Ohio. Phil on the other hand did see his shadow, so expect a harsh and bitter winter in Pennsylvania. (Too bad -so sad)

I have been accused of not having a life – I mean writing about groundhogs and following their different weather predictions.

Maybe he is right – maybe not.  All I can say for certain is that someday I will blog on Winnie the Pooh’s alter-ego CRAP.

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Punxsutawney Phil - less filling                   Buckeye Chuck -tastes great

Pennsylvania Dutch brought the Groundhog’s Day tradition to America in the 18th Century. February 2, also regarded as Candlemas, occurs half way between the first day of winter and the first day of spring. If the day is sunny, and the groundhog sees his shadow, the remaining six weeks will be stormy and cold. If the day is overcast, with rain or snow, so the groundhog doesn’t cast a shadow, the rest of the winter will be mild.

Well, tomorrow is Groundhog’s Day. It has been a day both anticipated and jeered in the Beech household.  Many a Beech have awakened with hope and excitement only to have that joy dampened by the glow of the morning light and blue skies.  In fact Granny Beech makes her annual  pilgrimage to Punxsutawney and waits in the dark, cold silence prior to dawn’s break. She, of course,  is of Pennsylvania and being from that state must pay homage to Phil on his special day. I and my little Beechlings, however, are of Ohio and will rush to the radio to hear Chuck’s forecast.  (Apparently, Ohioans have more sense and remain in doors.) Will the sun shine in Marion?  Will winter hold its clutches on us for another 46 days? Tomorrow will tell.

I find it sort of silly that people will do or get into almost anything.  Ridiculous, a gopher-like critter can actually foretell the weather patterns for the next 6 or so weeks.  What if my son awoke and took his Winnie the Pooh outside and said that Pooh’s shadow or absence of shadow can predict how long winter will remain. Would people gather at my door in anticipation? Would Steve proclaim the words of Pooh to the world? Do I dwell in the Hundred Acres Woods?

Last year Phil and Chuck did not concur in their predictions.  Who was right?  I don’t even remember. So why will I get up and listen to the live broadcast featuring Buckeye Chuck?  I have no clue.  But awake I must and listen and hope – for spring to arrive – as soon as possible.

Some of the most traumatic moments of my life involve ground hogs.  I recall exiting my home one morning only to be greeted by the bloody remains of a groundhog my dog Jack drug (with pride I’m sure) to our front stoop. Yes, the headless carcass lay across our threshold. Then I realized why there is a song”Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts” – their guts do look greasy. Yuck! I’m certain that Jack thought that he had somehow contributed to the welfare of our household. Such a trophy he bestowed upon us that morning. Such a monument to gore – to the food chain.

So, which groundhog will you choose? Chuck or Phil?  Who is the most appetizing? Who tastes great? Who is less “Philing”?

So who will you chose Phil or Chuck?

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