A King without a Kingdom

A King without a kingdom, or is it a kingdom without a King? To me, this seems to be a question that provides a reference point for understanding dual applications for the Old Testament book of Judges. On one hand, God is present and reminding the people of Israel that they are his people and he is their God; reminding them of the promise made to multiply the nation and make them great if only they would be completely devoted to him as their only God. On the other hand, the people of Israel do not exactly receive this promise with their undivided attention to the God of their forefathers.

Experiencing their wandering devotion toward material idols and man-made gods, the Lord raised up deliverers to re-direct his nation, teaching them their history and reminding them of his promise. God as King set out to re-claim the attention of his kingdom. These deliverers, or judges, were ordained to lead the ignorers of the promise back to the fully devoted King fulfilling the promise to make the nation great.

The people of Israel became enthralled with their surrounding culture, interacting with outside nations and their multitude of self made gods. Self absorbed and ignorant of the promise, Israel worshiped these gods instead of the one who made the promise to begin with and who is carrying out the plan to rule a great people. As a kingdom, the people of Israel were without a king in favor of self rule and the immediate gratification of easily manipulated idols.

With no reliable or credible leadership in combination with being surrounded by people with major worldview differences, the nation of Israel succumbed to the pressure and influence of divided allegiance, which is a problem for a jealous God. In the current age of multiplicity with mass knowledge and real time information exchange it seems apparent that complete and fully focused worship of the Lord God easily breaks down as there are so many alternate ideas, values, gadgets, theologies, etc. that grab our attention. As a tribe, stripe, group, people (whatever the term) leadership is crucial for detailed direction and overall counsel. As much as leadership is needed, those placed in the position of judge, king, manager, president, and the like are ultimately just servants to God giving oversight as assigned. Individually the responsibility is mine to keep my heart and head on task in my worship. The leaders placed for my benefit aren’t perfect nor are they always available. King or no king, it’s on me to show my hearts true devotion, to stop the cycle of sin and return to God who is the King of the universe.

A Lesson From Dad: Always Finish What You Start

I was only nine years old when I started playing baseball, but at nine had fallen behind in terms of experience and skills. My peers had already completed one or two seasons prior to advancing on to Little League where live pitching from a coach was graduated in favor of the reliable wildness of developing pitchers of nine, ten, and eleven. It was quite an experience for me to play a team sport that I had only seen on television. My abilities were limited to playing catch with my dad and casual batting practice with the long, lean, plastic lumber named ‘Whiffle’. So to say I struggled in my rookie season is an understatement. I was the only player on my team without previous organized playing time.

Attempting to learn the game while keeping up with my teammates, I remember distinctly one particular practice. In fact, I will never forget that day because it was when all my frustrations came to a boil. This particular day was a turning point in which I give my dad all the credit.

The best player on our team was the coach’s son and, of course, this teammate received more attention and ‘coaching’ than the rest of us. It first occurred to me that not all the guys were equal when Coach and his son got into a heated argument during infield drills. The shouting and pointing subsided when our shortstop walked off the field. I was bothered by the tension I was now aware of because for me this experience of baseball was about having fun. It was enough that I was unskilled trying to make the best of my inexperience but to witness a father berate his son about a game and for the son to respond with such disrespect in return was too much for me to manage.

Afterward, while riding home in the passenger seat of the car, Dad asked about practice. Distressed and not wanting to talk about it, I told him I wanted to quit. I don’t remember the details of the conversation but I know he understood my frustration. My dad made it plain in his response to my request to bail. Quitting was not an option. He told me that I had to finish out the season because that is what I committed myself to do by signing up to play. Dad said that if I didn’t want to play next season then fine, but to quit means I’m letting my teammates down who are counting on me, plus quitting doesn’t allow me the chance to even see if I could become a ballplayer. The lesson he taught me that day was to always finish what I start. Throughout the years, both in my childhood and now as an adult, I have reviewed that encounter with my dad and valued the lesson he taught.

Looking back and considering what might have been, I have enjoyed many years of fun and friendships that never would have happened had my dad not admonished me to finish what I had started. Ultimately, I played organized baseball for twelve seasons including at high school and college levels. I gained so much during these years, even beyond the fun and the memories. This story isn’t about baseball or even about me. This is about Dad and his wisdom to teach me a lesson about perseverance and commitment and his guidance to help me translate this lesson from the context of baseball to the experiences of my life. Thanks Dad and Happy Father’s Day!

Midgets, Miners, & Misery

110words recently published week 3 of 3 in the genre series. This last entry of the series required stories of a 'politically correct' nature. Since there were no other guidelines the participating authors worked with caution I'm sure. That's what makes this short story experiment so fun, the page is blank with any number of directions to take. Below is my entry.




Midgets, Miners, & Misery

Dear Mother,
I hope this letter finds you well as I myself am feeling ill. Don't worry; I'm fine, really. It's just the critics, they're overwhelming these days. I've caused quite a stir with my 'Snow White' creation. The 'Little People', corrected as I am, are seeking legislative asylum due to simply how they were referred. Those in the mining community are outraged claiming they were depicted erroneously as ignorant, naive laborers. I've enclosed a copy of the title tune to my new feature. Hopefully 'When You Wish upon a Star' will quiet the politically correct crowd. Not catching any flak from the children. Go figure.
With love,
Walt

Generational Blessing

As disappointing as it may sound, there is only so much one can accomplish during his/her time of the generational chain of history. There is a myth that claims if one works hard enough one can be and do anything he/she puts his/her mind to. There are too many examples of hard work and honest pursuit that has lead to unfulfilled goals. What if it were true that the context that the previous generation provides sets the parameters for the present segment of history? The sky is not the limit, only up to the ceiling that was left. Maybe the ceiling is lofty or maybe it is dwarfed. Either way, its concrete and not predetermined if one will reach it. The significance and meaning of one's life does not lie in individual accomplishments and milestones exclusively. These noteworthy pieces of achievement are very important to the limited view of the individual but to see what God sees would be mind blowing. These individual achievements would look very small considering the divine plan for the universe and its entire history.

What can one really know for sure about their life and how it fits generationally? Choices matter and relationships are indispensable and should be clung to tightly. Knowing full well that life is much too complicated most of the time to consider anything other that the decisions of the day; it helps to consider the big picture, especially during those times of doubt, fear, or uncertainty. Making decisions with the long term in mind does not sound fun and most definitely not simple. The patterns of having many questions and few answers leaves one discontent and unfulfilled. In the depths of sorrow and failure, contentment is possible. Review the characters and lessons of the past; see what was left to continue and learn the boundaries of individual purpose and mission. Use that foundation to make choices that will encourage growth and an expansion of those boundaries. Get excited for the future, anticipating those in front will grab tightly onto the baton and run with exuberance toward the next scene in the great story. The story that is being told is important, first, because it is personal. There is ownership naturally attached to one's story. One's experiences and reactions to life that surrounds can never be sanely disputed and discredited. Circumstances are real and cannot be stolen away.

Secondly, the story is important because it fits into a bigger, eternal story. Here is where a greater sense of contentment comes. Doing one's best with max effort and pure heart is the absolute best that can be done. What is the sense in comparing it to what others have done or are doing? Is this where contentment in life gets lost? An eternal story is being told, and God is the author. God is presenting this story through generational patterns shaped by individual choices. In the end, if allowed, contentment will surely be felt and known despite the disappointment of today.

And God spoke all these words: 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.' (Exodus 20:1-6)

Tues Trivia

I have decided to add a new feature to More Questions Than Answers. Starting today and running through the summer, a baseball trivia question will be posted for your amusement and participation. Check it out every Tuesday for a new question and the answer from the previous week. Be sure to use the comment form to make your guesses so we can all see how right you are. Are you ready?

Last night, the Braves defeated the Pirates, which marked the 2,000th win for Bobby Cox as manager of the Atlanta Braves. He is only 1 of 4 managers all time to have won 2,000 games with the same team. Who are the other 3 managers to have met this milestone?

[x-thoo-shush]

I am still participating in this writing group that focuses on learning the skills. So, the entries are short by design. I am learning to say more with less if that makes any sense. Some of you who are reading this and know me well can insert your snide remark here. Jokes aside, this week's entry is the second part of three dealing with genres. Based on the photo the assignment was to write a Sci-Fi story in 110 words or less.

[x-thoo-shush]

I am called Xthousious and I come from the city of Dark Forms. By my words my memory has returned but my strength fails. The Worm Lords have confounded me here. This place is cold and I feel a force within it; a shield of sorts, not elemental but spiritual. An evil presence looms here. I must depart at once. I can hear the waves of motion beyond this corridor but I am unable to pierce the threshold. Something--this presence--is preventing my advance. It's dominion I cannot break. Telepathic signals may reach my comrades in time; for rescue, before the hemorrhaging of the sun. Focus I must.