We spent the weekend with my college roommate Gerry Andersen and his wife Julie.  Though we haven’t seen each other for almost twenty years, it’s like our relationship was on pause and we took up the conversation instantly.

Where Have They Been?

Gerry and Julie live in a small village in the mountains of Mexico with people who have never had their language in written form.

Think about that, if you are a native English speaker — Old English is one thousand years old and — Modern English has been in written form for almost five hundred years.

The dialect Gerry and Julie translate has only been in written form for the past decade.  Crazy!

What Do They Do?

The Andersens, and their native translation partner Juan, work tirelessly to craft a transition from the ancient New Testament text originally written in Greek into an equally noteworthy community language hidden on the Mexican jungle mountainsides.

Jesus Christ’s biographer Luke’s text is their current project.  The translation project is far along the road to completion, but as Julie explains, “the finish line is still ahead of us.  About 60% is publishable and the other 40% is in the last two stages of revision.”

One of the many challenges is trying to identify a local word which effectively expresses a two thousand year old biblical word.  The word “holy” is one a handful of the terms that is still being clarified.

In January Gerry started working on translating the New Testament book of Acts.  Juan has it already drafted, a huge head start that they didn’t have when they began translating Luke.

Why Do They Do It?

The Andersen’s work in Mexico means that they are far from family, far from friends in the U.S., far from the comforts they grew up with, learning a new language, a new culture, making new friends and (slowly) transforming lives.

Their work is distinct, compelling, tedious, and inspiring.  Gerry said that though the work is hard, and progress is slower than they would prefer, “I have the greatest job in the world.”

Q – Why do they do it?
A – They’re convinced that Jesus Christ is right:

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” 1

Or, as the Andersen’s Mexican neighbors would say, “Pala ti laputun kilimakgelhtauakget, kalakgmakgalh na ixnakuj tu yakgxtunpuuan uan katayalh kakukalh ixcruz chaliyan uan kitakgokgelh.  Latsa ti makgputaxtiputun ixtatlauj yu nak kakilhtamakuj uatsa namakgasputkgo, chu pala ti makgasputli ixtatlauj yaka kilakachatun uatsa ixtatlauj namakgaputaxti.” 2

“What good would it do,” Jesus asked, “to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?“

Compelling words that the Andersen’s live by.
They’re two of my heroes, and I knew you’d want to know about them too.

1 – Luke 9:23-24, MSG
2 – Luke 9:23-24, TNT
3 – If you would like more information — or want to support their amazing work — email me at mysilentscreamforscott at gmail.com and I’ll gladly pass it onto them.

When we’re screaming nonsense, pounding on walls, swearing about our circumstances, and mumbling under our breath, we need hope; because , “A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.“  1

Worries tighten us up.

“If you are cheerful, you feel good; if you are sad, you hurt all over.” 2 Fortunately, there’s hope. 

And, now’s an ideal opportunity to introduce you to an uplifting, hope-filled song by India.Arie.

“There’s Hope“

Back when I had a little
I thought that I needed a lot
A little was overrated,
but a lot was a little too complicated
You see, zero didn’t satisfy me
A million didn’t make me happy
That’s when I learned a lesson
That it’s all about your perception
Hey! Are you a pauper or a superstar
So you act, so you feel, so you are
It ain’t about the size of your car
It’s about the size of the faith in your heart

[Chorus:]
There’s hope
It doesn’t cost a thing to smile
You don’t have to pay to laugh
You better thank God for that
[repeat]

There’s hope

Off in the back country of Brazil
A met a young brother that made me feel
That I could accomplish anything.
You see just like me he wanted to sing
He had no windows and no doors
He lived a simple life and was extremely poor
On top of all of that he had no eyesight,
but that didn’t keep him from seein’ the light
He said, what’s it like in the USA,
and all I did was complain
He said, Livin’ here is paradise
He taught me paradise is in your mind
You know that

[Chorus]

There’s Hope

Every time I turn on the T.V. (There’s Hope)
Somebody’s acting crazy (There’s Hope)
If you let it, it will drive you crazy (There’s Hope)
but I’m takin’ back my power today (There’s Hope)
Gas prices they just keep on rising (There’s Hope)
The government they keep on lying
but we gotta keep on surviving
Keep living our truth and do the best we can do

[Chorus]

Stand up for your rights [echo]
Keep shining your light [echo]
And show the world your smile [echo]

As my friend Dan Mutterer reminded me last night (using a poker illustration), it doesn’t matter nearly as much what hand your dealt, as how you play the hand you have.

As India.Arie would say, “That it’s all about your perception.”

Let’s not settle for pity. That’s mysilentscream!

1 – Proverbs 15:13, MSG
2 – Proverbs 17:22, CEV

“To Be Perfectly Honest” is formatted as a year-long diary, with 365 entries chronicling the author’s year of trying to tell the truth.

I found “To Be Perfectly Honest” to be very good at exposing weaknesses in our lives; in MY life.

Though I was taught better, I grew up an insecure liar. As an adult I am committed to telling the truth, but I am amazed how often “little white lies” creep out unexpectedly when talking to a stranger in the phone who is not giving me the customer service I think I want and deserve.

Reading this book gave me a greater appreciation of honesty and the challenges of choosing to be honest.

Phil’s story is one that I think you will enjoy reading, relate to, and learn a lot about honesty along the way. You may not like this book if you do not have a sense of humor (and seriousness) when looking at how people in the church act.

Summary:

This book will challenge most readers morally and leave others uncomfortably asking questions about their integrity and character.

Some readers will easily be able to sit down and read this book in one sitting, but others might find the day-by-day diary format tedious.

The book has a study guide which in my opinion offers the greatest value thus making the book useful for personal reflection or group conversation and confession.

I enjoyed this book. “To Be Perfectly Honest” I’d give this book a 3 1/2 out of 5.

Here are my favorite insights:

“The truth is, being right is nice – but it’s all a little pointless without good relationships.”

“I’m good at compassion…(but) when “someone enjoys tremendous success…I know I should celebrate. But envy is always around the corner.”

“I am so often a phony…I’ve been too full of myself to allow God to fill me.”

Quoting George Verwer, “I am a sinner, who’s growing stronger through the years, who crawls back to the cross when he sins and finds God still loves him and will still use him…That’s grace, isn’t it.”

“The Bible teaches that through Jesus’ life and death, we are forgiven…It has nothing to do with our performance…I am not accepted because I’m so wonderful, but because he is.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Baker, according to TwinCities.com, “was scheduled for surgery to clean scar tissue off a flexor tendon, a procedure that would have required about six months of rehabilitation. Instead, he will miss at least 12 months.”

I love mysteries.  I love pondering mysteries.  I love trying to solve mysteries.  I wonder:

Why did two MRI exams failed to detect a tear in Baker’s ligament?
What causes baseball pitchers to have such a high rate of elbow injuries?  

While the answer “arm strain” is obvious, I loved reading ESPN’s article “Force of habit” examines the subject in detail.

There are clues to some of the riddles of why, but real answers are usually very complex.

Unsolved Mysteries About People

You have your own unsolved mysteries, but here are a few of mine:

Why are some of the strongest men I know also the laziest?
Why are some of the most caring women I know also the most emotionally unstable?
Why are some of the smartest guys I know also the most foolishly impulsive?
Why are some of the most street-smart girls I know still duped by smooth talkers?

There are clues to some of the riddles of why, but real answers are usually very complex.

Theological Questions

While examining the Genesis account of Adam and Eve and the “Serpent” a TreeHouse teen named Jim asked a question he intended to be sarcastic: “Why would anyone even listen to a #^(<|~* snake anyway?”

Though I felt annoyed at Jim’s disruptive quest for attention, I thought his question was profound.  

Why would anyone ever listen to the serpent?  

I spent that night, and the days that followed, reading and quizzing theologians looking to find out the answer to that question.

There are clues to some of the riddles of why, but real answers are usually very complex.

Frankly, another mystery runs through my mind much more often: “Why had I never asked that question?“

I spend my life encouraging others to live their life well.  Mysilentscream.com exists — through stories, some tips, and some Scriptures — to inspire you to live well. 

As I’m nearing fifty I’m looking for “older” people to inspire me to live the rest of my life well too.  Billy Graham’s book Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well seemed like a good fit.

Billy Graham’s book is honest, vulnerable, and inspiring.

“All my life, he wrote, “I was taught how to die as a Christian, but no one ever taught me how I ought to live in the years before I die. I wish they had because I am an old man now, and believe me, it’s not easy.

Whoever first said it was right: old age is not for sissies. Get any group of older people together, and I can almost guarantee what their favorite topic of conversation will be: their latest aches and pains.

I will soon celebrate my ninety-third birthday, and I know it won’t be long before God calls me home to Heaven. More than ever I look forward to that day—not just because of the wonders I know Heaven holds in store for me and for every believer but because I know that finally all the burdens and sorrows that press down upon me at this stage of my life will be over. During the last year the physical ailments common to old age really have taken their toll on me.

I also look forward to that day because I will be reunited with Ruth, my beloved wife and best friend for almost sixty-four years, who went home in 2007 to be with the Lord she loved and served so faithfully. Although I rejoice that her struggles with weakness and pain have all come to an end, I still feel as if a part of me has been ripped out, and I miss her far more than I ever could have imagined.”

Here are some highlights from each of the chapters:

Chapter 1: Running Toward Home
How can we “prepare for the unexpected twists and turns of growing older?
God has given us the answers we need, if we will only discover them and apply them to our lives.”

Chapter 2: Don’t Retire from Life
“Let’s remember that many generations before us have been where we are today without the conveniences we enjoy…Instead of being frustrated by technologies, let’s be thankful for the time they give us to concentrate on His blessings.”

Chapter 3: The Impact of Hope
“One day you may not be able to do everything you once did or everything you would like to do. Instead of feeling guilty or frustrated or resentful, however, thank God that you can still do some things—and make it your goal to do them faithfully and do them well.”

Chapter 4: Consider the Golden Years
“Having your house in order is one of the most important things parents can do for their children. Give them the peace of mind that you have your piece of mind and have taken care of the business that has come about from your lifetime of labor. More than anything else, let them know where you stand with the Lord Jesus Christ, for this will be your lasting legacy.”

Chapter 5: Fading Strength but Standing Strong
“How do we overcome the perils that steal our zest for life? Let the promises of God’s Word, the Bible, uphold you every day. Turn constantly to Him in prayer, confident not only that He hears you but that even now Jesus is interceding for you. Focus your thoughts on Christ, and maintain your connection with other believers who can encourage and help you.”

Chapter 6: Death’s Destination
“While many older folks are not able to care for themselves, many are still capable and can care for others in various ways. We often find that our own loads are not as heavy when we begin helping others. Our choices determine our destiny. When we make choices with the Lord Jesus at the center, life’s journey can be purposeful and filled with hope…”

Chapter 7: Influencing the Impressionable
“Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful words in the human vocabulary and is best illustrated by God’s forgiveness of sin. When God’s people practice forgiveness with their fellow man, sweetness replaces harshness.”

Chapter 8: A Foundation That Lasts
“The elderly should take heart in the biographies that fill the pages of Scripture and the foundations that have been laid by those who have lived before us. The Bible does not diminish old age but teaches its values and virtues. We would do well to emulate the wisdom of those who responsibly passed on the building blocks of God’s truth.”

Chapter 9: Roots Strengthen in Time
Strengthening our spiritual roots begins with God’s Word. Many have said that when they were young, they were too busy to read the Bible and memorize Scripture. Before they realized it, they had grown old and could not commit Bible verses to memory because their memories failed them. That may be true for some, but not for everyone. Many of us remember what we want to remember.” One eighty-eight year old lady was quoted as saying, “It’s going to help me keep my mind fresh and young!”

Chapter 10: Then and Now
“When life’s burdens press upon you or its pressures seem almost more than you can bear, turn your heart toward your Heavenly home: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”…When your hopes and dreams fall apart or people disappoint you or turn against you, turn your heart toward your Heavenly home. And when the infirmities and struggles of old age threaten to overwhelm you, turn your heart toward your Heavenly home…This is certainly what Christ did—before He departed His earthly life…”

This may not be a book for you — or the stage of life you’re in — but, I absolutely loved it.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I love playing defense, and then, and now, I played with determination and success.
On the other hand, I dreaded every time I had an open shot.

By the time of the tournament my already poor shot was an almost certain miss.
I wanted to succeed, but I even dreaded private shooting practice.

Each miss only reinforced my inability to score a basket.
My one-for-eleven shooting filled me with a self-imposed fear of failure.

Defined

The fear of failure undercuts our self esteem.  Fearing failure we shrink from challenges and opportunities.  Living under the fear of failure we hold to a belief that “I must meet certain standards in order to feel good about myself.” 1

Personalized

The problem, of course, with believing that we need to meet certain standards in order to feel good about ourselves is that no one can meet all the standards — even of we set them ourselves — all the time.

Thus, when we fail to meet standards, we feel like we have failed.
– If we believe loving people don’t have conflicts, but we do, we failed.
– If we believe good parents have “good kids”, but when we “don’t”, we failed.
– If we believe caring people don’t hurt others, but we do, we failed.
– If we believe good managers have accomplish their goal, but we don’t, we failed.
– If we believe Spirit-filled people don’t struggle, but we do, we failed.
– If we believe smart students don’t fail, but we do, we failed.
– If we believe good Christians don’t doubt, but we do, we failed.

We are left feeling miserable.
We start to think of ourselves as losers.
Shame drags us down as the fear of failure defeats our otherwise healthy self assessment.

In Others

Ever wonder if someone else is living under the shadow of the fear of failure?
Pay attention it’s affecting the way he or she works and relates to others:

Absences increased?
Angry and irritable?
Drama dragging her or him down?
Drop in productivity?
Has he/she missed deadlines
Lacking enthusiasm?
More quiet or distant than usual?
Negative attitude?  A sense of hopelessness?
Poor communication with co-workers or friends?
Poor quality work?
Wasting more time than usual?

Heavy stuff!  What can we do?

More tomorrow.

1 – From Robert McGee’s Search for Significance

As many of you know a very kind and generous man gave us his frequent flier miles so our airfare to and from Hawaii was free.  Thus began our scramble to do our part to make the rest of the dream a reality.

The ridiculous list of never-done-befores is extensive, but it begins with saving a large amount of money for fun while maintaining our generally charitable mindset and our eyes on God to see the needs of our neighborhood and the world.

In hindsight, I am only aware of one single time I was really, really torn as to whether or not to give away a large amount of money to a need we became aware of, but someone else met it, so my heart was relieved.  We continued saving.

One of the first Bible verses I ever memorized was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him (God), and he will make your paths straight.“

God guided us to good deals, helpful people with wise advice and special opportunities. 

This picture of Amy is how we spent lots of time.  Amy looked for whales and I enjoyed watching Amy look for whales. 

More tomorrow.

“Today, when I woke up I suddenly realized that the sun had not.  While I could have been exhausted from twenty-plus hours of airports and uncomfortable airplane seats, I had to get up.”

Saturday, February 25th I woke up in Hawaii.  Amy’s dream come true; and since it was #1 on her list, it was mine too.

So, as tears fill my eyes thinking about that I realized that Saturday, February 25th at 6:08am started the best morning of my life, ever!

Whether it was gratitude, sentimentality, or a sense of irony I got up before the sunrise and marveled at God’s simple blessing of color.

That simple blessing of color explains Steven Ackerman, for ScienceDaily.com, is a result of scattering.

“Molecules and small particles in the atmosphere change the direction of light rays, causing them to scatter.”

“Scattering affects the color of light coming from the sky, but the details are determined by the wavelength of the light and the size of the particle…And because red has the longest wavelength of any visible light, the sun is red when it’s on the horizon…This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red.” 1

Ackerman can explain the science, but the article didn’t explain that sunrises come as a gift from God.

Rhetorically God asked, “Have you ever commanded the morning to come? Have you ever shown the sun where to rise?  Did you ever tell the sun to rise? And did it obey?” 2

No, and that sunrise, on February 25th, was a gift. A gift I prayed for.  It’s good to pray for what we want: “even before sunrise, I pray for your help, and I put my hope in what you have said.” 3

God is good.  Ask God for what you want.

1 – http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108135522.htm

2 – Job 38:12, CEV & NLT

3 – Psalm 119:147, CEV

Eric Valli, a professional photographer, is dangling by a nylon rope from a 395 foot cliff in Nepal.

Nearby on a rope ladder is another man, Mani Lal, doing what he has done for decades: hunting honey.

Here in the Himalayan foothills, the cliffs shelter honeycombs of the world’s largest honeybee. At the moment, thousands of them are buzzing around both men. Lal, a veteran of hundreds of such attacks, is calm. Not so Mr. Valli.

Describing that moment in National Geographic, he says, “There were so many bees I was afraid I might freak out. But I knew if I did, I would be dead. So I took a deep breath and relaxed. Getting stung would be better than finding myself at the bottom of the cliff.”

He overcame his fears and won a photo competition for his efforts.

That’s an inspirational story.

That’s also not the kind of fear I’m writing about in “the book.”

I’m writing about the fear of God. 

The fear of God is not a fear to be overcome.

Sunday I was reminded again that I need to resume writing “the book.”

In the event you have not heard of “the book”, you can read about it:

Here is the Preface

Here is what I’m calling A Revolution Of Love

Here is The Heart of the Book.

Here is a piece I called Hugs & Embracing God.

More tomorrow.

The Eric Valli story was borrowed from http://internationalstandard.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/the-danger-of-fear/

The New York Times quoted Coughlin: “Eli stood up in the team meeting the other day and said a lot of things that were responded to not only by the young kids, but by the veterans as well…I think that the information gathering and sharing of information from someone who has been there and succeeded, that can be extremely valuable.”

Not every valuable employee wins the Super Bowl.
Not every valuable employee gets quoted in the newspaper.
Not every valuable employee has a formal leadership position.

Many valuable leaders are clutch players who work in cubicles.

Cubicle Dramas

While some people are clutch employees, others are nasty.  My friend Angi has had a long legacy of patience and wisdom among friends and co-workers.  Recently, Angi posted on Facebook:

“If you are going to be outright mean at work..then I am going to politely call you out on it. Seriously people, we have to spend 8.5 hours together at work, why not be kind and merciful to each other? You want me to get all professional on you, I totally will…”  Her vengeance for rudeness?  Patience and communication lessons, including:

Inter-Office Communication – “The words please and thank you, can get you far…”

Goal Setting: “You will not possess what you are not willing to pursue…”

Cubicle Dilemmas

Sometimes you try to be a hero — to make a clutch play — and it looks like you fumbled. “No matter what I do or say at work today…it totally comes out…wrong. I googled one thing to double check my work and BAD stuff came up (and ..now I am waiting for our internet security to call me)…”

And, if that’s not bad enough, “then I say something completely innocent, and apparently it came out…with a different conotation. GREAT DAY!”

While some people drop the ball, Angi readily looks for ways to recover fumbles.  Then there are the days, you’re called on to be a clutch player — to recover fumbles — when someone else should have just done their job properly.

“Best …email response EVER. Someone TELLS me to do something (not my job..yes, I know how to do it, but still….not my job), and I respond with “Sure, would you like me to so you how to do this for future reference? It is really quick and easy”… the persons response (Higher Ups are CC’d) “No-Thanks” WOW”

Cubicle Difference-Maker

Angi is able to be a clutch player because, she is not only generally intelligent, but she also has emotional intelligence:
• She is self-aware and aware of her own emotions.
• While she may feel her emotions, she manages her emotions and avoids drama.
• She is sensitive to the emotional state of her co-workers.
• Through emails, kind words, notes and gifts she encourages co-workers.
• She — through words, deeds and her example — motivates others to achieve our goals.

How did Angi become a clutch player in her cubicle, well that’s her story to tell, but from an admirer’s perspective it would be easy to say her drive comes from seeing beyond the obvious.  Recently, she spread the wise words of:

“If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.”

Wise words for all of us, and another clutch play by Angi.