periclete

Fighting for life

The story of Paul Posten's fight with a bear finally made the local paper today.  I heard about it the day it happened through my friend Curtis who is his long time friend.  Paul was bear hunting near Salmon Lake not far from Portola.   After shooting the bear, he waited for 15 or so minutes before going into the brush to find the dead bear.   The bear found Paul and came out of the bushes toward him.  He fired in a hurry but may have missed.  Soon he was on his back with the bear mauling his head and face.  He said, "You haven't smelled bad breath until you've had a bear breathing right into your face".  He put his left arm up to protect his neck and the bear severed the tendons in his arm making him unable to move his fingers.   He boxed the bear in the face as fast as he could and at the same time, using his knees and feet he kicked and kicked the bear.   He was being pushed farther into the brush as they fought until the bear backed off about five yards.  Even though he could barely see because of the blood in his eyes, Paul fired three shots into the bear and the bear seemed dead.   After wrapping his wounds with his shirt to slow the bleeding he started hiking out to get help.   He had to pass the bear on his way out and as he was passing the bear stood up again.   Now Paul's rifle was empty but he had bullets in his left pocket.  He couldn't get to his pocket because his left arm no longer worked, so quickly he dropped his pants, spun the pants around to get a bullet with his right hand.  One last shot and the bear finally died.  Paul then hiked back to his truck and drove himself to the hospital.

When I hear stories like these, there is something in me that finds an application for my life.  I was thinking about how seriously he took that life and death struggle.  He was doing everything that he could do to beat that bear.  When the Bible talks about our spiritual battles, we are told to "do everything to stand firm"  Phil. 6:13.  I need to remember to never take the spiritual battle half-hearted.  "You have not shed blood in your battle against sin"  Hebrews. 

How seriously do I take this spiritual battle?   Do I really believe there is a battle?  Have I done everything to stand firm?

perspective

A friend sent me an email referring me to a You Tube video of Nick Vujicic.   Nick was born with no arms and no legs.  He went through a period of his life where he was very depressed and suicidal.   But he learned to have a different perspective on life.  Instead of his focus being what he didn't have and what he couldn't do, he began to focus on what he could do.   It is amazing to watch him get around and to speak to groups.   He has traveled around the world speaking to over a million people inspiring them to move past their limitations.  His positive attitude and love for God are contageous.   I so respect those who are making a difference in other's lives inspite of potentially overwhelming difficulties.  If you are ever feeling like life is tough, watch one of these videos on You Tube.  It would be easy for him to just lay there feeling sorry for himself, but instead he is pouring his life into others.

thankfulness

This morning I was praying for a number of people I know who are looking for work.   With the financial problems in our country I think that we will see more and more people losing their job.  We already see that the church is helping more people with financial crisis.  

 As I was praying, I became very thankful for my job.  Although it is stressful at times, I am so grateful that I have been employed steady since we married in 1975.  I get to live in the mountains, serving people that I love dearly.  I get paid to share on Sundays what God has been teaching me during the week.  And very important to me, my job has significance.  Knowing that God is at work through me in people's lives has always meant a lot to me.  Most days are very busy and the day is gone before I know it. 

I also remember that my security is not in my job, not in the rentals, because I am in the loving hands of God.  I am so blessed...I'm especially blessed having a best friend and wife to share these years together. 

Perspective

Today, with winter on the horizon, I faced a legion of chores around the house including raking the leaves again.   I was out working on the task at hand when Deb came outside on her way to work.   We wished each other a good day and then she commented, "Look at all the pretty leaves".  Her perspective struck me.  My perspective was to get the job done which I was content in doing, but I was missing part of the "joy in the journey".   I have often talked with friends about finding joy in the journey.  There are a lot of times in life when we have to do something, and we can be grouchy, overwhelmed, sad, feeling sorry for ourselves as we accomplish our task or we can be grateful and joyful.  The task may not change, but our mood sure can.  Our perspective plays a big part in our mood while we do what needs to be done.

Today I was content to do the work, but I was just seeing it as work instead of seeing the beauty in the process.  After Deb's comment, I started looking at the individual leaves and they were beautiful.  A simple change in perspective made a task even more enjoyable.  I even took a picture to remember the lesson. 

I get to choose my perspective every day.  It is a choice that will change my outlook on life's circumstances.   I cannot always change my circumstances, but I can change my attitude. 

Was it Frankel that was in a concentration camp?  The Nazis had taken his family, his home, his job, his freedom.   He said something like,   "The last freedom that they cannot take away from me is my freedom to choose my own attitude".