In like a lion

When an American child learns about climate and weather, about seasons and especially springtime, the sing-song assistant for this month is, "March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb."

Of course, the reference is to the end of winter (the lion) and the gentleness of spring (lamb). If only. I remember the first official day of Spring in 2010, in Kansas I was traveling and was scheduled to play golf at a course near Arkansas City. This was the photo I took that day.

Needless to say (and yet I say it), my friends Josh and Dan and I didn't play that day. The roads were so treacherous, we didn't even meet up as we should have.  I guess the lion still roared for 21 extra days in 2010.

Comparing lion and lamb is a biblical theme as well. Isaiah the prophet uses them in the same sentence twice, but not like you might have heard. There is no text about a lion lying down with the lamb. Here's what many are quoting

"And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;  and a little boy will lead them."(Chapter 11. verse 6)

and "The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.   (Chapter 65. Verse 25)

The world of Isaiah had more wandering animals; today we only have such animals in the zoo or the outback. Still the plan is to work to make the world a better place, today, such that enemies like wolves and lambs can lie together. Maybe Russians and Ukrainians. Maybe Labor and Liberal. Maybe. Which is the lion and which the lamb? 

Lions tear things up, like the end of winter. Lambs rest and gently bump into each other. Ah, springtime. 

But of course, for us in Australia, this is the end of summer and autumn is upon us. Do we have a lion/ lamb sing-song in use? 

I found this song with lyrics displayed (not captioned) on Leeland's official site.  [ https://youtu.be/C9ujBoud26k ]   I love the sentiment, the lyrics, the One about whom this man is singing. Maybe you will enjoy it and learn as well.

I hope your spring or autumn is restful and calm, and focused on the Messiah, the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. And the Lion of the Tribe of Judah-- that's another nickname of Messiah Yeshua. He will come again to rule and make His ways known on the earth. Then even Labor and Liberal will get along, because we will all get along with Him. That's where unity happens. That's where life happens.

Happy March!

Accolades abundant

60 points in his final game as an NBA superstar for Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. An ending to an amazing career spanning 20 years, which is the longest of any such star, came to an end this week. Terrific ending and a terrific player. His personal life was in chaos for a season or two, but he overcame the difficulties, they say, and came through with flying colours of blue and gold. The tribute video is online, and Kobe was sitting to watch it as the evening began. High praises from a massive crowd.

I sometimes watch golf on the television. I prefer playing golf, to be sure, but some events draw me to the screen. The US Masters is one of those, as the men putt on what appears to be glass, as a champion like 46-year-old Ernie Els can miss 5 putts from less than 2 metres and keep missing, like three holes-in-one on the 16th in Sunday's final round including one which bounced off another ball on the way to the cup. Amazing moments which are well noted. And then there was the final appearance by two-time champion and Kansas City native Tom Watson. He had a good crowd around him most of the first two days, but the ending was so powerful it was to be watched over and over.

A still shot doesn't even come close to the thrill of the moment.

Ever the gentleman and a good ambassador for the game, Watson wiped away a tear or two. His farewell was emotional for anyone with a living heart.

Accolades were abundant for Kobe and for Watson. And well deserved, to be sure. All the while, I was pondering the accolades that are sure to come for another champion. His name is more well known but not so much in sporting circles. He lived before either golf or basketball were invented, but there were struggles to score nonetheless. He had to score with the crowds, when often they were hostile to him, almost like Kurt Tippett playing again at the Adelaide Oval against his old teammates at the Crows.

Yeshua, born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, had a following of other Jewish people throughout Judea and Galilee, what we call modern Israel. And in many places he heard the roar of the crowd, but in other places the cheer turned to jeering. On what some title "Palm Sunday" the crowds were full of hope and expectation. "Hosanna," they shouted. But just days later, "Crucify him" was in their choral voice.

Accolades don't often last but in this case, the world will turn to applause and praise of the messiah. In the book of Revelation, we read "And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.” (4.8-11)

Today listen to the words of Yeshua. Consider who he is. Sports heroes come and go. Praises on the court or on the course come and go. But the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, He is here to stay. Join the "Hallelujah chorus" of living creatures who give him praise. Let accolades be abundant... from YOU.

Warning signs and Aussie flag bearer at Sochi

Beware, a photo by bobmendo on Flickr.

My friends Trevor, Rod, and Phil had some fun at the North Ryde Golf Club when we saw this warning sign, "Beware of golfers on tee." Not sure why golfers on tees are dangerous, they struck a pose of possible impending doom. Trevor's nose caught the brunt of the intimiphoto.

The other day at our office one of our workers erased a large batch of data by ignoring a warning that the computer gave. I've noticed that we often zoom past warning signs and computer prompts on a regular basis. We simply don't have time or interest in insignificant information. It may be significant after all, but we don't give it much mind.

There is great worry about terrorism in Sochi. This morning snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin learned he will carry the Australian flag at Friday night’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony - and then said the sight of warships off the coast as he flew into Sochi heartened him that he would not be at the centre of a terrorist attack.

Pullin, who is one of Australia’s leading medal contenders in the men’s snowboard cross, was a surprise selection ahead of four-time Olympic aerial freestyle skier Lydia Lasilla.

He will lead a record 60-strong Australian team into the ceremony, although the event will happen under the cloud of terrorist fears.

The opening ceremony has long been identified as a potential target from Chechen extremists, who have vowed to create havoc on the games.

“No, not at all,” Pullin said when asked if he was nervous about potential threat.

“We flew in over navy ships that were floating out in the water, all surrounding the airport, and later when we looked out the window there was a military officer manning once every 20 metres. There’s such a security lock down on the whole thing, and this event is taken very seriously."

“I’m sure it’s secure and everything is completely under control.”

When you see a warning sign, when you learn that trouble is brewing, when you consider possible trouble, pause. Take a moment. Re-read the computer prompt. Re-read the sign on the sign of the roadway and ensure that you are reading it right and that it is a clearway or a parking zone or...

Ezekiel was a Jewish prophet and he said this in his book in the Bible, chapter 33: "Now as for you, son of man, I (God says) have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life." (verses 7-9)

Seems that preachers really do have a role in life. Even I have a role. Not only a photographic role. Not only an administrative role. Not only as a father or husband. I have a preaching role which includes warnings.

And if you listen and turn from your sin, and turn towards the God who loves you radically, and wants to be in a relationship with you, then you will have a better life.

Not an easy life. Not a life without pain or real suffering, but a life where you have a relationship with the One who took your sin on Himself. Yeshua is the Savior of your life. He saw those warnings and those signs and took on board the pain of your hostility towards God.

Warning today? If you don't receive Yeshua, you will die in your sins and that has consequences about which we shouldn't be thinking. Better to think in terms of the response of your heart to a loving God who wants you to know Him.

Get it?

And watch out for goofy golfers in North Ryde. With drivers.