Here and Gone

Yes, I could be referring to the year, since this is the last day of 2009, but I'm actually referring to the coming and leaving of our daughter, Lynne, and granddaughter, Joanna. They came to visit us last Saturday (the day after Christmas in case you have lost track already), and left yesterday. We truly enjoyed their visit and now its back to the routine.

We are always happy to have family visit our home. We do not have the facilities to host people as we used to, but there's always a way to do it. We also had some of my extended family here to visit us one evening while Lynne and Joanna were here - my nephews, Jay and Kevin and their wives, and my niece, Marianne. What a fun evening that was. It was noisy in our living room, but I enjoyed their visit so much. Like me, these folks have no living parents. I commend the "Plank" family for getting together once a year as they have done since their parents passed away. Our family would like to get together once in a while and we're finding that more difficult all the time. Grandchildren get married, have children, jobs, schedules, etc. making it more difficult to get everyone together at one time. And so we have found that it is often more plausible to have smaller groups meet when they can.

As to the year 2009, it truly has been an eventful year, both personally and nationally. Since this is not a "Christmas letter" I won't go into detail here. I'm just wondering if the way we say the year will change now that we're leaving the "0's" and going to "2010." I guess time will tell that.

So for this year I will bid adieu to you readers (if I still have any left) for this year and continue on my journey into a new year.

Pilgrim on the way

Peace On Earth

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those who have his good will!” (Luke 2:14)

This week we watched the Mormon Tabernacle choir Christmas program on a PBS station. It was not as "traditional" as I expected, but nevertheless a good program. Featured during the program was the telling of the story of the song, "I heard the bells on Christmas Day," which was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I was almost brought to tears as I listened to stories from Longfellow's life, many of which were filled with tragedy and sadness. Longfellow wrote the words to this song at the close of the Civil War. In addition to the sad events in his life, Longfellow fell victim to some events of the war. Its no wonder that he became bitter at one point, which the words of the song he wrote indicate. But he also found a way to conclude the poem on a positive note. I quote here all seven verses of the song, and if you know the tune I invite you to sing this song and note the emphasis on the words, "peace on earth." One wonders what a peaceful world would be like. Perhaps all those who "have his good will," will know some day.

"Christmas Bells"
(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Pilgrim on the way

Advent

We are currently in the what we as Christians call the advent season. In fact we are already near the end of that season which ends on Christmas day. Many, or perhaps most, Christian churches include something in their morning worship services during the advent season which emphasises our anticipation of the coming of the Christ child. I wonder if perhaps most of us are missing the intent of the advent season when we think only of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The anticipation most of us share during advent is that which pertains to Christmas day events. For the Christian, however, there seems to be a missing element in our observance of advent.

"Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas." The suggestion that we as Christians should be anticipating another "coming" of Jesus comes from the meaning of the Latin word "adventus." "Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word "parousia", commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ."

Sadly the second coming, or parousia, of Christ is seldom referred to at all in a lot of our churches. Our hope as Christians is based on the promise of Christ's second appearance, a promise made by Jesus Himself, by the angels at His ascension, and by many of the writers of the New Testament. I fear that we shy away from this important subject because of the controversy that has surrounded it for so long. That's tragic. In this world of hopelessness, we need to be reassured again and again that Jesus is coming again to take us to the home He is preparing for us, to the blessed inheritance that awaits us.

I'm seeking in my own way to use advent as a time of renewing my hope in the parousia, the appearance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May all who so fervently await Christmas day and all that goes with that remember also to look forward with as much anticipation for the return of our Lord. I await His coming, do you?

Pilgrim on the way

Peacing It Together Foundation

Peacing It Together Foundation is an organization founded by my friend, Anthony (Tony) Brown. I share here a bit about this foundation and call your attention to my Blog List for their web site address. "The Peacing It Together Foundation plans, organizes and subsidizes musical events that promote peace and social justice throughout the world—expanding the work for peace that our founder, Anthony Brown has done since 2002."

As noted above, PITF was begun by Tony Brown. I learned to know Tony on a personal basis when he did a vocal concert in a nearby town a couple of years ago. We see each other only on scarce occasions, but I have come to appreciate Tony very much. He recently came to visit me in our home when I learned to know much more about him and his passion in life. He also spoke to our Sunday School class recently about his personal life, including his ancesters who were slaves in this country. While I was not present there I used a tape of his talks to hear his story, and came to appreciate Tony more.

I give here a quotation on the PITF web site that describes Tony's work and calling.

"Internationally acclaimed baritone Anthony Brown is a promoter of peace and goodwill around the world. As a licensed psychotherapist and professional singer Anthony uses music to promote peace and reconciliation in countries where people’s lives are torn by war and civil strife.

His peace work has taken him to political hot spots such as Bosnia, Northern Ireland, China, Japan, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Uganda, South Korea and Ethiopia. In each venue, Anthony’s stirring performances connected people across race, language, religion and culture—and helped them focus on how we’re all one in the family of humanity. He also partners with other noted musicians who share his passion for peacemaking."

When I first heard Tony sing I was not all that impressed. However when he sang at the concert I attended something happened inside of me. As I listened to the words of his songs I was touched in my spirit in a way that I find hard to explain. That has happened each time I have heard Tony since. I shared this with Tony and he expressed much appreciation for that. It seems to be what drew us together in a very unique way. We have two of Tony's CDs and I play one of them quite often. The title song of the CD is "Each Other's Light." The words and music of that song are quite meaningful and nice.

I appreciate the work that Tony Brown and Peacing It Together Foundation are doing around the world and wish them God's blessing and continued leading as they carry the message of peace to others.

Pilgrim on the way

Invitation

Invitation is the title of a new CD being produced and distributed by Third Way Media, a merger of Mennonite Media, and Third Way Cafe. This CD, as are many others, is a reproduction of some of the music that was sung by the Mennonite Hour Chorus, Triple Trio, and Men's Quartet. The Mennonite Hour radio broadcast began in 1952 and continued until the late 1970's.

All of the music sung by the Mennonite Hour musical groups was done acapella. Much of the music was of the most familiar hymns that many people knew and which were sung in the churches of many of the listeners. This made the music something that people liked to listened to, and with which they could identify.

Through the years Mennonite Media took some of these hymns and reproduced them on CDs. We have some of them in our home and truly enjoy listening to them. In the November 3, 2009 issue of The Mennonite, a magazine distributed widely by our denomination, a new CD entitled, Invitation, was introduced. Brochures announcing this new CD have been printed and distributed widely.

This new CD is of special interest to me for a couple of reasons. One, the promotion in The Mennonite included a quote with my name attached. I was surprised at this and contacted Third Way Media to see if it was indeed from me. I was assured that it was and that it had come from one of my blogs. In checking it out I found it to be from my blog done on January 31, 2009. In the new brochure for Invitation the quotation reads: "Mennonite Media had done a very good job in taking the old recordings and making good quality CDs from them. I have learned through the years to enjoy many different kinds of music, but I never tire of the old hymns. There just seems to be something about the words and music that have endured through the years that touches my soul in a deeper way...."

Some of the songs included on this CD are: Open the Wells of Salvation, Spirit of Holiness Descend, The Love of God, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Redeemed, I'm Pressing on the Upward Way, and 19 other great songs of the faith. This CD may be purchased online at ThirdWayMedia.org or by mail at, Third Way Media, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2434. The price for one CD is $12.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. If you like good acapella, four-part singing you'll enjoy this CD.

I these good old hymns and they help me in my journey of faith. And so it is that I remain-

Pilgrim on the way

Follow Christ in Life

The basic tenet of the Anabaptist faith is to "follow Christ in life." That is my goal and it is that for which I strive in my faith walk. I share here today another meditation from the book, Now It Springs Up." This meditation gives some very practical ways to follow the way of love which Jesus taught and lived.

JESUS STANDS WITH ME
Text: Isaiah 50:4-9

If you push me
And I don't push back,
It's not because I can't.
It's because I won't.

If you say bad things about me
And I don't say bad things about you,
It's not because you didn't hurt me.
It's because I refuse to hurt you.

If you call me names
And I don't call you names in return,
It's not because I'm a softy.
It's because I'm strong.

If I say I have a friend who helps me--
It's not because he's imaginary or make-believe.
It's because my friend Jesus has been there, done that.
It's because my friend Jesus stands with me.

Reprinted by permission from Now It Springs Up by Carol Duerksen, Michele Hershberger, and Laurie Oswald Robinson. Published by WillowSpring Downs, email willowspringdowns@juno.com


Pilgrim on the way

Joanna

Joanna was my closest sibling in age. She was born April 15, 1928, making her 3-1/2 years older than I. Joanna and I played together a lot on the farm where we lived just outside of Harper, KS. I don't have as many memories of that time as I wish, but I know that we had many happy times together.

After we moved to Arthur, IL in 1938 we both grew up as children do, but sadly I do not remember a whole lot about those years. We lived in town then and developed friendships with our neighbors across the street and at church.

During her freshman year in high school Joanna began to have problems with her left knee, and favored that leg when standing. I don't recall that anything was done at that time to alleviate that achy feeling, but knowing my mother, I would suppose that something was done.

Joanna began her sophomore year at Arthur High School in the fall of 1942. Her complaints of pain in her knee increased to the point where serious attention needed to be given. Eventually she was taken to a large hospital in Decatur where she was diagnosed with a rapidly growing tumor. By the end of the year the tumor was diagnosed as a sarcoma cancer. The suggestion was made by the doctors there to amputate her leg, but that was rejected by my parents as being too radical to consider. This was the only known way to treat this kind of disease.

Joanna was then taken to Bloomington where a doctor from Cook County Hospital in Chicago came occasionally. This doctor said he could treat her if she came to Chicago. So early in 1943 my mother and Joanna went to Chicago where they stayed at the Mennonite Home Mission, later to be called Union Avenue Mennonite Church. The pastor there transported Mom and Joanna to Cook County Hospital five days a week for "x-ray treatments," which of course were ineffective. And so after about two months of this treatment they came back home without any hope of a cure for her ailment.

This was indeed a difficult time for our family, and the beginning of a very painful time for Joanna. As the cancer grew, her knee became totally stiff and unmoveable and the pain increased as time passed. Joanna remained a cheerful person in spite of her pain and the lack of pain medication that would totally relieve her. She was a person with a strong faith in the Lord and believed that somehow, sometime God would heal her. I have copies of letters she wrote to my sister Dorothy during their stay in Chicago and following that reveal those qualities in her.

On September 9, 1943 Joanna went to bed for her afternoon nap, and never awoke. While it was obvious that she would not recover from this illness it was still a shock to our family when she died. I remember that I was away at the neighbors playing when my sister, Bernice, came to tell me of Joanna's death and that I should come home. I felt very sad and thought I should cry but I couldn't. I knew I would miss Joanna a lot even though my relationship with her had been changed since her illness became serious. I knew that her death had brought her suffering to an end and that was spoken about often in the hours and days that followed.

It has now been 66 years since Joanna's death. During that time there was much talk among many people about divine healing. I know that I always wondered why God didn't heal Joanna. The idea that if one was not healed meant that there was "something wrong with you" didn't fly with me, or any in our family. We knew better. Since Joanna's death I continue to have lingering questions about God's healing. Perhaps sometime we'll understand.

I'm grateful for the life of Joanna and her spirit that continues to challenge me. I look forward to meeting her again in Glory. Until that time, I remain

Pilgrim on the way