A TESTIMONY
by
SHANNON THOMAS CASEBEER
DEDICATION
To my beloved ancestors and the faith and
fortitude that drove them to pursue their dreams, this innocuous little parable
is affectionately dedicated.
As people of faith, we are frequently called upon to clarify the incomprehensible, and reconcile the irreconcilable. God has no expectation that we will be successful. He only requires that we do justly, love mercy, walk humbly, and personify His love.
Isaiah 55:12 "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The Mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
As people of faith, we are frequently called upon to clarify the incomprehensible, and reconcile the irreconcilable. God has no expectation that we will be successful. He only requires that we do justly, love mercy, walk humbly, and personify His love.
Long ago, when I was a
little child, I returned from school frightened and distressed. I had overheard
two sincere and well-meaning classmates hotly debating what happens when we
die. One insisted that, when we die, our souls remain in these robes of flesh
until the resurrection. The other
insisted, once we leave this life behind, we find ourselves immediately in the
next. My folks just smiled, gave me hug, and insisted I needn’t worry, because,
in either case, once my life has slipped away, it will seem to me an instant,
before I feel the warm embrace of perfect love and sweet, eternal peace.
Isaiah 55:12 "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; The Mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
My name is Shannon Thomas Casebeer. I was born
in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California and raised on a little
piece of paradise called Reservoir Hill. Idyllic childhoods are mighty
few and mighty far between, and I didn’t deserve one, but some of us just get
lucky. Near the top of Reservoir Hill, on the banks of historic South Fork
ditch and overlooking the snow-capped Sierras to the north, the coastal range
to the west, the Sacramento valley to the south, and Miller’s pear orchard to
the east, were the homes of my mom’s parents and her dad’s mother, Meda Eliza
Camp Daniels.
Meda’s Husband, my great grandpa, Asa Wilder
Daniels, arrived in Placerville in 1888, purchased 40 acres on Reservoir Hill,
operated a freight service, and served for some time as Justice of The Peace.
Her father, Asa Steven Camp, arrived in Hangtown with his father, Clark, in
1849. Together they filed several claims in order to try their hand at
prospecting, and then, after accompanying his father safely home, Asa returned
to Placerville in 1854.
I have many vivid memories of walking the tree
lined lane from my home on Mosquito Road, up the hill past my great grandma’s
home and on to the home of my grandma and granddad Daniels. Passing Great
Grandma’s window I was occasionally waved down and invited inside to warm
myself by her wood range and snack on the candied figs which she’d dried in the
sun before steaming and coating with sugar.
My favorite room was the kitchen. Even now
I can close my eyes and picture it in every detail just as it looked those long
years ago. I can see the old wood range and hear the clanking of its lids as
great Grandma painstakingly brought the range to life. I remember how the
nickel handles and black cast iron stove-top shone in the flickering light of
the coal oil lamp as she polished them with a wax covered bread wrapper. I
smell the sulfur and see the flash and flutter of the wooden match as she lit
the crumpled newspaper. I hear the cast-iron clanking of the dampers being open
and the crackling of the fire as Grandma carefully fed kindling to the growing
flame. I remember peeking in through the open dampers at the glowing embers on
the grate, watching their light dancing on the wall, and gazing up at the
warming oven in expectation of the golden brown treasures that would soon be
steaming inside. On a few occasions I recall sitting in her lap in the old
rocking chair.
The wood range would crackle and pop pleasantly
and great Grandma would carefully unfold and read aloud from the same little
muslin book that had mesmerized my granddad as a child. Time with Granddad was
always a special treat and rarely did a summer pass without Granddad seeing to
it that the entire family enjoyed a series of camping trips high in the
Sierras, where Granddad had camped with his family all his life.
All variety of kith and kin accompanied us on
these woodland adventures, including Granddad’s brother and sister and of
course his mom, who camped with us until age 93. As a little girl, Great
Grandma’s mom, Laura Ellen Oldfield Camp, had crossed the plains by covered
wagon, making the trek from Wisconsin to old Hangtown back in 1854, when the
rut riddled boulevard west was often impassable, and Native Americans still
thrived on vast herds of migrating buffalo. Camping was in our blood.
We camped much as the family had for
generations. Granddad had built red wooden sideboards for his 1941 Chevy, so
the little pickup was well prepared to house all the essentials of camping, and
with the addition of a canvas cover provided snug sleeping quarters at
night. I remember well crawling from my own sleeping bag at first light,
in order to join my grandparents in the cozy bed of the old Chevy. I remember
Granddad’s beaming smile and mass of disheveled gray hair as he peeked from
under the covers. I recall how snug and warm it felt crawling under that down
comforter after kicking off my moccasins on the tailgate, the feel and smell of
the canvas cover rustling in the mountain air, and gazing at stars through
silhouetted pines.
Once the fire was lit, Sis and I would dress
quickly and join the rest of the family, warming our backsides at a stone lined
campfire and anticipating the smell of coffee brewing in the graniteware coffee
pot, and the debilitating aroma of pancakes and bacon sizzling on Great
Grandma’s griddle. Stellar Blue Jays called from the canopy of old growth
pines. The welcome sun cascaded down through the lush boughs of evergreen. Off
in the distance rainbow trout snatched Mayflies from the cobalt blue surface of
pristine mountain lake. And my mind’s eye envisioned my granddad’s granddad
crossing the country by covered wagon long ago when Indians roamed these
hills.
Such were the days of my childhood, when life
seemed simple, summer was perennial, and childlike faith assured tomorrows
joys. Treasure your memories, keep them fresh and never take them for
granted. Even our memories can fade with the harsh glare of time.
GRANDDADS’ TENT
We did lots of camping when I was a kid. We camped in an old canvas tent. I remember the sound as it flapped in the wind. I remember its feel and its scent. I remember the sound of warm rain on its roof, the comfort it offered each night. I recall how I felt looking out at the stars by the campfires flickering light; the feel of my pillow at the end of the day, when my shoulders were pink from the sun, my grandmothers kiss as she tucked us in bed, after our prayers were done. First thing in the morning the fire was lit. Great Grandma brought graniteware dishes. Golden brown hotcakes for breakfast of course and for supper fried tatters and fishes. Each day we’d go swimming and play in the sand. My granddad would take us all hiking. Sis and I watched as he whittled a cane, and the stick horses more to our liking. We’d sit by the fire in the late afternoon. I’d sit in my grandmothers’ lap. Dad would go fishing. My momma would read, and Granddad enjoyed a good nap. Later on in the evening, when supper was done, there was coffee from a graniteware pot, delicious marshmallows we roasted on sticks, and dried figs that my great grandma brought. I remember the feel of hot sand on bare feet, and melon seeds stuck to my chin, the stories of camping trips long, long ago, and the way that my granddad would grin. How the decades fast have flown; how quickly reached, September. How bitter sweet the joys we’ve known. How precious to remember. How bright the wide and starry skies. How fleeting, lives long spent. How like the stars, my granddad’s eyes, and life ephemeral, much like Granddads’ tent.
FAITH
As a little boy, back in the 1950s, I became very ill. My mom and dad loaded me into the old Chevy and took me to the doctor. A spinal tap determined that I had Poliomyelitis. Following the diagnosis, I spent several terrifying weeks confined to a hospital ward at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo, California. There I saw other children struggling with the crippling disease. Some were in braces. Some were confined to iron lungs. Some never walked again. Some never left the facility. Some died.
One night, all alone in
my room and scared half to death, I remembered one of my favorite books back
home. The title of the little children’s
book was “Jesus, A Boy’s Friend”. I began praying as only a terrified child can
pray. I prayed and cried until I finally fell asleep. Several days later the doctor had good news
for my family. My symptoms were gone. They were free to take me home.
As I left the hospital,
hand in hand with Mom and Dad that day, I began a path that has led me to this
day. Some days my faith is just as strong as the day I left that hospital.
Other days, not so much, but from that day to this I’ve set out each day to
walk the path I’m given, in the light I’m given. On my very best days, I share
that light with others. Each of us walks
a different path, revealed in a different light. As a result, we each have
different perspectives, different convictions, and varying points of view. We
need to show each other a little compassion and cut each other some slack.
I was only four, but I remember
well the other kids in the ward with me in the hospital. I remember incubators,
braces, buckets of ice, and being haunted for years by the horrific thought of
spending my entire life in an iron lung.
I remember missing Mom and Dad and praying like I'd never prayed before,
from that moment to this day, for anyone who suffers such a fate. I remember
when I first got sick, my folks bundling me up in the old Chevy for the two
mile trip to town. I remember Doctor’s
Bliss and Elliot and the spinal tap that verified the prognosis. I remember being terrified and held down, and
screaming “Daddy, Daddy!” at the top of my lungs, and the sound of a scuffle
outside my door as they tried to restrain my father. I remember tugging my
cowboy boots on and walking out of that hospital with Mom and Dad. And I
remember being very, very thankful. I remember sitting in the bright sunshine
back home on Reservoir Hill, and pondering the whole experience over and
over. And I remember all through school
befriending other boys and girls, who walked funny or talked funny, or for
whatever reason, didn’t quite fit in. And it warms my heart to this very day
when I see folks accepted for who they are.
MATHEW 11:28-30 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I did not begin my walk
with Christ with any real idea of where I was going. I just set out to
follow, day by day. I’m not suggesting the entire walk’s been
easy. I've been beaten down, and beaten down. I’ve failed and
sinned repeatedly. This old robe of flesh snags on this and snags on that, and
hinders my very best efforts. I’d have been defeated long ago if not for a
revelation: I’m not responsible for each day’s results. The yoke is easy and
the burden is light. I’m simply called to faithfully follow Christ, day by day,
step by step, in the light each new day brings, and to share that light, should
others choose to follow.
The Bible tells us if we would
have God’s boundless affection, there’s but one condition. We must love God
without restraint and each other without exception. I realize that loving some
of us is a tall order, but considering the reward, I suspect it’s worth the
effort. And, just between you and me, I don’t believe God expects us to be 100%
successful. He only requires that we try. When hearts are hardened and devotion
strained, the empathy and compassion of those who care must be sufficiently
resolute to compensate for those who do not.
Each and every day, each
and every one of us, regardless of our circumstances, has a choice. We can
squander our time fingering old welts, second guessing past decisions, and
tormenting ourselves over the poor choices of others; or we can embrace a new
day brimming with opportunities for doing justly, loving mercy, and building
foundations for a bright new tomorrow. Time is precious. Choose wisely.
HERITAGE
The greatest thing about being an American is
having roots from all over the world and living in a society that recognizes,
promotes, and celebrates that diversity. My ancestors arrived in the Colonies
prior to the Revolutionary War. My Casebeer ancestor, Johan Kasebier, arrived
from Germany in 1724, and my Camp and Daniels ancestors arrived in the Colonies
from England in the 1630s. My great grandfather, Henry Stancil, was
French Canadian, and Scotch Irish roots run deep in my family tree. Each branch
of the family sent sons to war to provide the freedoms we Americans enjoy
today. Other family members, such as my great grandfather, Calvin Casebeer,
fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War, and my father, Leo Casebeer
served on the Battleship New Jersey during World War II.
Freedom is every heart’s desire and every just government’s
goal, but prior to our Constitution, liberty was a mighty illusive concept. My
ancestors risked all they had in their quests for freedom, because in case
after case, their homelands had very little appetite for religious
freedoms. In far too many cases, Kings, Queens, and powerful religious
institutions, dictated religious beliefs. Bigotry, intolerance, and bondage
were generally the result, and the freedom we enjoy today was little more than
a dream.
Our Constitution and America’s other historical
documents demonstrate very clearly that America’s collective conscience, as
reflected by our chosen leaders, requires constant scrutiny and
surveillance. Even in a democracy of, by, and for the people, justice and
equality are only as perfect as the conscience of that people. Even
America’s grand and glorious democracy reflects not only our goodness but also
our greed. Freedom is not a privilege to be taken lightly. Freedom
is a right and a responsibility, a perishable torch to be diligently tended and
faithfully passed along. Freedom burns within our hearts, ignited by the
founding fathers, and it falls to us to keep that flame alive. America’s most
trusted and time-honored institutions are only as righteous as the hearts of
our citizens, our most godly leaders, only as just as the collective conscience
of their constituents; and the most telling measure of a nation’s heart is the unity
and compassion of its people.
If you feel compelled to share your faith, by all means do so, but even in the gospels, we’re not called to force
others to conform to our view of morality. We’re called to go out as sheep
among wolves. We’re called to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We’re
called to share the good news and leave conviction to the Holy Spirit.
PEACE
When those about us
languish in a sullen sea of doubt, and the whole world seems in anguish, and
hope, nowhere about; its then faith burns most brightly with conviction’s
brilliant glow, while fears retreat contritely, vanquished by the confidence we
know. For our hope is not in inner strength, nor conceit at honors won. Our
valor not doomed to fail at length, our victory not contingent on what we’ve
done. Our joy is not reliant on some gallantry we’ve shown. We’ve no need to be
compliant to some distant impropriety we’ve known. For our strength is in
humility, not some valiant course we’ve trod, but in simply doing justly,
loving mercy, serving God.
TRAVEL
“Travel is fatal to prejudice,
bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these
accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be
acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
So says Mark Twain, and as usual, I believe Sam has it right.
Through the years, I’ve been
blessed to travel a bit across this magnificent planet. I was born and raised
in historic old Hangtown, known as Placerville, California, and raised my
family in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. I’ve visited castles in Ireland and
Scotland, hoisted a pint of Guinness in Belfast, and enjoyed steaming coffee
from the porch of Green Gables on windswept Prince Edward Island. I’ve been
piped ashore by bagpipes on the docks of Halifax, Nova Scotia, sailed down the
Saint Lawrence to Quebec, and broke out in Goosebumps while swimming in the
cobalt blue waters of Lake Tahoe. I’ve explored the Yucatan, marveling at the
crystal clarity of Xel-ha Lagoon. I’ve explored the ancient Mayan ruins at
Tulum, and I’ve found inspiration on the coast of Maine, as seen from the
pristine summit of Mt. Desert Island. I’ve traveled Canada by rail,
sipping wine and relaxing as spectacular fall foliage sped by my window, and
I’ve ridden a crowded bus the full length of Jamaica, and lounged on the beach
at Saint Thomas in the sundrenched Virgin Islands. I’ve been blessed to
see a thousand sights all around this pale, blue orb, and my travels have
served to press this one point home. Its future depends on the stewardship of
those who heed God’s call to dress and keep it.
WALKING IN THE LIGHT
My favorite scripture, as you
probably know by now, is Micah 6:8. I strive each day to do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with my God, and I respect the rights of others to walk with
theirs. My ancestors arrived in this country prior to the Revolutionary
War. They sought freedom and worked diligently in its cause.
I’m blessed to be a citizen of a
country that cherishes and upholds the principles of liberty and justice for
all. I am not called as a follower of Christ to force others to conform
to my view of morality. I’m called to walk the path I’m given in the light I’m
given, and to share that light with any who chose to share it. If you glimpse
in any of my humble and imperfect efforts the reflection of a merciful and
compassionate Savior and follow Christ as a result, I’m gratified. If you
do not, that is my shortcoming not yours.
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
So, as a person of faith,
how does one promote Christ’s life changing message with all due
humility? In my humble opinion, the obedient pursuit of this commission
requires not the belligerent derision and slander of the faith of others, but a
gracious and amenable demonstration of the effectiveness of our own. Anything
less is incompatible with God’s Word.
It won’t surprise anyone
to hear that there are sinners in the world today. What is surprising and
undoubtedly hurtful to Christ, is the fact that more than two thousand years
after Christ gave His life for them; there are still those who believe they’re
serving Christ by hating sinners. Do you hate anyone today? Let it go.
Hate bigotry, ignorance, racism, and intolerance. These are our enemies.
Those who are eaten up and infected by these things are merely victims. Hatred
only inflames conditions which mercy and compassion can relieve. We must not be
enemies. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. Fear, want, and ignorance are our
enemies. Bigotry, intolerance, and racism are our enemies. They must be
overcome not with clenched fists and raised voices, but with the open hand of
compassion, and comforting whispers.
PRAYER
Would you like to have
your prayers answered and grow closer to God? I’ve been following Christ, with
varying degrees of success, for a long time. During that time, I’ve sent up all
variety of prayers. In my experience, if you pray to receive a blessing, the
results may be discouraging, but if you pray for opportunities to be a
blessing, you’re rarely disappointed.
Many people pride
themselves on their feelings of compassion. While compassion is admirable,
feelings by themselves accomplish little. Unless compassion is
demonstrated, it’s only a feeling and doesn’t serve Christ at all. As followers
of Christ, we’re called to be demonstratively compassionate, expressing our
feelings through service and acts of mercy.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
It’s a dream that began
in the minds and hearts of America’s Founding Fathers. It’s a vision, a hope, a
goal, and a passion which began to materialize when our forefathers first set
foot on the shores of this remarkable country. It’s alive and well today in the
hearts of many.
It’s a belief that people
of every conceivable faith, origin, and ethnicity can join together and find
peace, acceptance, common purpose, and strength through that diversity, and in
doing so, form a government of, by, and for a people, unified by their diverse
faiths and their mutual pursuit of liberty and justice for all. It’s dedicated
to the proposition that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Many have dedicated their lives to
this proposition. It’s a proposition that a person could proudly die for. It’s
the dream of a society where each and every individual has the right and the
responsibility to pursue and participate in policies and practices which assure
fair and equitable treatment of all their fellow citizens.
It’s a vision of, not
just a shining city on a hill, but an entire country where devoted citizens
appreciate their own liberty, uphold and defend the liberty of others, and
dedicate themselves to the great and noble task before us, that this nation,
under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the
people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Due to all variety of
fears, discontent, and disenfranchisement, our country today is a tinderbox
just waiting for a spark. Don’t be that spark.
Don’t be one more tear in our nation’s fraying fabric. Be one more
stitch. Be the thread that binds a tattered seam. Be the hope, faith, and
charity that down through the ages has celebrated freedom and advanced American
ideals. Honor our veterans. Be worthy of their sacrifice. Cherish your liberty,
and keep America strong.
The American ideals of Liberty and
Justice are forged in the fires of scripture and tempered by the ages. Since
its inception, our Republic has emerged slowly but steadily from the world’s
history of bigotry, racism, and intolerance, toward a more just, merciful, and
compassionate society. At this moment in time, our country is more polarized
than at any time since our Civil War, but this is one moment in time. We
survived our Civil War and we’ll survive this.
Martin Luther king Jr.
said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
Despite the greed and corruption that will always be a threat to the greater
good and the common man, more than ever in the history of the world, our
society as a whole seeks enlightenment and justice. And today more than ever,
those things are attainable if we rein in our petty, partisan differences and
work together for truth, justice, and the American way.
TEMPTATION
Observe the close of
another day in any community, large or small, and the scene is always the same.
Dusk falls, dogs bark, lights blink on as folks settle in for the
evening, and soon after sunset the townspeople begin their time-honored
nocturnal activities. Each town has one or more gathering spots which, once
evening falls, become hangouts for folks pursuing fellowship, camaraderie, or
romance. Those who aren’t frequenting these establishments are cruising
the streets in pursuit of those who are. Human nature is a worrisome
thing. It’s a treacherous world for a gregarious species, teaming with
prey and predators. We spend the first two or three decades of our youth
pursuing romance and conquest, and then we find ourselves married and expected
to change. Well I can tell you from experience, that twenty years of
constant conditioning and eons of tenacious extinct are not easily overcome. Take
the word of an old pilgrim who’s fought a good fight. Our robes of flesh will
slowly wear out and eventually drop away, but for as long as we live we’re
going to face temptation. Married or single, Christian or not, the
brightest blessing and darkest curse of our irrepressible species is our
voracious appetite for companionship and affection.
MARRIAGE
As I pen this little
parable, my wife and I have been blessed with 35 years as man and wife, and
almost every year has brought new challenges. We’ve faced health challenges,
financial challenges, and experienced all the trials and tribulations inherent
in maintaining a monogamous, lifelong relationship. When you take two
complicated people and merge them into one, it’s not unusual to have a few
loose ends. Our marriage has survived for 35 years because each of us considers
our marriage a commitment to Christ.
Years ago I was a member
of a little country church. On numerous occasions our preacher would descend
from the pulpit and announce; “Now I’m going to talk to you like I love
you.” That’s what I intend to do now. I’m not familiar with your circumstances. I
can’t tell you what to do. I can only offer my observations. Each of us begins
our lives with high hopes and lofty expectations. In order to fulfill those
expectations, many of us marry. Fully
aware that many marriages fail, we press onward, confident that our
relationship will beat the odds and flourish.
Years pass, life happens; hardships bring disillusionment and
despair. Our marriages become tedious
and we struggle with the prospect of living the rest of our lives and never
again enjoying the kind of romantic and mutually fulfilling relationship we
once had. Eventually we despair and are tempted by other options. Don’t do it.
You’ll never replace those early years of a mutually fulfilling
marriage.
Relationships with those
with whom we share a history can’t be reproduced or replaced. Don’t try. During difficult times, immerse yourself in
memories of better days. Devote yourself
to mutual goals. Deepen your appreciation of shared experience and
achievements. Celebrate family and its
many rewards. Reconcile yourself to the fact that, while you can’t go back,
happiness can be found by moving forward and recommitting yourself to the life
you’ve built together. Your best hope
for contentment in the autumn of your life is the celebration of seasons that
you’ve shared. Shower your spouse with unconditional love and make certain
everyday you’re worthy of theirs.
SEASONS
Once again the dogwoods
are the early harbingers of approaching autumn. Soon the sassafras and
sumac will contribute their pastel hues of orange and scarlet. Once again we
anticipate the taste of ripe persimmons, the appearance of the ubiquitous pumpkin,
the plaintive calls of southbound geese, and all the traditional trappings of
harvest. Despite all these pleasant expectations, the close of summer and
approach of fall invariably result in a feeling of melancholy for me.
As a young man I tended
to envision time as a vast, unlimited resource. Time it seemed was an
inexhaustible sea. Now in the autumn of my life each hour is increasingly
precious, and I thirst for each minute as it drips away from an alarmingly
finite pool. It seems now a natural tendency to weigh the substantial
pile of spent autumns which I find behind me, against the increasingly
dwindling weight of those I expect to find ahead. Still, fall is traditionally
and unquestionably a time of thanksgiving and celebration. We take stock
of a year rapidly waning; brace ourselves against winter’s icy chill, thank God
for our many blessings, and pray that our careful preparations will see us
through to spring. In the meantime, prepare the table, cherish friends, and
enjoy the feast of life.
CHRISTMAS
During the Christmas Season,
I almost always feel a sense of urgency to pen a Christmas letter that captures
like never before the essence of the season. The written word has been
around a long time. The likelihood of mixing and matching words
sufficiently as to arrive at something entirely new, innovative, and never
before achieved in the long, celebrated history of the medium, is about as
likely as discovering the one true Santa emerging from your hearth on
Christmas morning.
For most of us, our
most enchanting Christmas memories are from our youth. To fully experience the
magic and majesty of Christmas, it’s almost essential to approach it with a
childlike faith. The older we get, the more difficult that becomes.
In order to recapture the true essence of Christmas, one must do it with
a minimum of words, from the purest depths of our heart.
That’s my hope for each and every one of us this season, that the spirit of Christmas can purify, cleanse, and relieve us of our years of apprehension, disillusionment, and animosity, and allow us once more to experience the magical Christmas of our earliest memories; pure, simple, and unadulterated; a Christmas awash in the warmth, joy, and unconditional fellowship that comes of an innocent heart and a childlike faith.
Dear God, help us once
more to approach, Christ, Christmas, and each other, with open arms, forgiving
hearts, and the incorruptible innocence of our youth. In this age of cynicism,
apathy and doubt, we hear many disparaging comments about
Christmas. People despair over its commercialism, the financial
strain it tends to create for some, and the anxiety and depression it causes in
others. We’re told of its origins in pagan tradition and how Christmas trees
and Christmas gifts and all the traditional trappings of Christmas were swiped
from various pagan cultures down through the ages. We’re told by wise and
learned experts that it can be conclusively determined that Christ wasn’t even
born in December. What are we to think?
I’ll tell you what I
think. I think that for myself and many others, our memories of
Christmas past and our hopes for Christmas future may well be the very essence
of what makes our lives worth living. For us, the spirit of Christmas and everything
that the true meaning of Christmas embodies is a fundamental element in our
faith, our happiness, our very existence, and everything we treasure in our
lives.
It’s our memories of
Christmas past that strengthen our resolve to keep Christmas vital and alive,
and see to it that children for generations to come can experience the joy we
knew on those cherished mornings long ago, when we gathered together with
precious souls we miss with all our hearts, and shared the precious,
incomparable gift of Christmas.
Christmas is a feeling in our chest, a sense of being sheltered and caressed, A memory that makes our spirit soar, an ache that leaves us somehow wanting more; bitter sweet recollections of a day, of innocence and faith and youthful play; scenes of family outings in the snow, cherished mornings around a Christmas tree aglow, priceless memories of innocence we’ve known, before we ventured out in life alone; when each day found us carefree, safe and glad, and evening found us home with home with Mom and Dad. We strive today to recreate a time, when hope was strong and zest for life sublime, when childlike faith assured tomorrow’s joys, and needs were met with simple gifts and toys. Perhaps tomorrow’s hopes can best be met, by casting off our feelings of regret, and reaching out to others who still care, and comprehend the passion that we share; those who recognize that we’ve been blessed, and embrace that hopeful longing in our chest.
Christmas is a feeling in our chest, a sense of being sheltered and caressed, A memory that makes our spirit soar, an ache that leaves us somehow wanting more; bitter sweet recollections of a day, of innocence and faith and youthful play; scenes of family outings in the snow, cherished mornings around a Christmas tree aglow, priceless memories of innocence we’ve known, before we ventured out in life alone; when each day found us carefree, safe and glad, and evening found us home with home with Mom and Dad. We strive today to recreate a time, when hope was strong and zest for life sublime, when childlike faith assured tomorrow’s joys, and needs were met with simple gifts and toys. Perhaps tomorrow’s hopes can best be met, by casting off our feelings of regret, and reaching out to others who still care, and comprehend the passion that we share; those who recognize that we’ve been blessed, and embrace that hopeful longing in our chest.
FREE ADVICE & WORTH
EVERY PENNY
The Bible indicates that, prior to
His resurrection, Christ was a quiet, unassuming young man, who promised to
intercede on our behalf, at our request, with the awesome, incomprehensible
force that conceived of and holds sway over the entire universe and beyond,
forever. And all we need do in return is to do justly, love mercy, and
walk humbly with our God. I intend to risk it.
Here’s some free advice,
and worth every penny. My folks always
counseled me, use your own head and your own heart. Anytime you’re forced to
choose between staying true to your own beliefs with a clear conscience, or
going along to get along, you’re better served by keeping a clear conscience.
Those around you will come and go and through time may change positions, but
you and your conscience are together for the long haul.
Regardless of what part of this
pale blue orb we call home, we all have much in common. No one chooses
where, when, or under what circumstances we’re born. We walk the
path we’re given in the light we’re given. That’s why it’s never productive to
judge others. Some have a brightly lit and easy path, while others
struggle all their life in darkness. Much of my life has been marvelously
bright and blessed. With that in mind, and for what if anything its
worth, I’ll share a few thoughts on living a satisfying life.
First of all, set
aside a bright roomy section of your mind and fill it with all our best
memories. Visit it often and be careful not to soil it. Keep it
immaculate and it will serve you well. And always remember; in our
darkest hour our brightest hope is faith.
Faith burns most brightly when all other hopes are spent.
Romans
3:22-23 22 “This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus
Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Repent of
your sins and be baptized.
Sharpen your awareness of the
natural wonders that surround us and encourage it’s appreciation in others. Be
cognizant of life’s cycles, appreciating each new season in turn, while
realizing fully that, despite our best efforts, time is resolute and with time
each season will pass. Embrace each new season with hope and optimism while
retaining all that’s best of seasons past.
If you’re blessed with family, visit them often, tell them you love them, and cherish every moment that you share. Expressing love now can dispel a life of regrets.
While we should never underestimate the potential for joy in the future,
for most of us, there comes a time when our best hope for contentment is in
reconciling ourselves to what is, and celebrating what was.
If you’re blessed with family, visit them often, tell them you love them, and cherish every moment that you share. Expressing love now can dispel a life of regrets.
Even if one believes in “the big bang”, we have to be curious about the awesome, incomprehensible force that created it. Regardless of what you believe about the origins of our remarkable planet, it falls to us to protect and preserve it. We are responsible for its stewardship. We’ve been called to dress and keep it.
Be mindful of your example to
others. It’s your most effective testimony. Be open to affection
but wary of unwholesome pleasures. Value truth and consider the cost of deceit.
Do not be deceived. Deceit is ephemeral. Lies and
indiscretions will eventually come to light. Every action has a
consequence. When considering any action, before proceeding, think the
scenario through to its logical conclusion. You can never undo a
thoughtless deed and carelessly sewn seeds produce a ponderous harvest.
There are those who would have you believe
that religious liberty means they are
at liberty to dictate your beliefs. Truth be told, religious liberty means
exactly the opposite. The first amendment to the United States Constitution protects
our freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to worship as we choose.
It grants US citizens, the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Those who would deny us these liberties are misrepresenting our Constitution.
Cherish and reverently exercise
your right to vote and keep this country free. Many people have given their
lives in order to secure the freedoms you enjoy today. Honor their
sacrifice. Honor our veterans and all those who choose a life of service.
Confront ignorance and be diligent in the advancement of knowledge.
Ignorance and intolerance are almost inseparable and despite what some will
tell you, neither one is a virtue. Positive outcomes are never achieved through
negative actions. Respond to others as you’d have them respond to you. The essential ingredient in any accord is civility.
Anything that you are unable to do
in good conscience and moderation, do not do. Eat nutritiously and
judiciously, consistently burning more calories than you consume, until you’ve
achieved your ideal weight and you’ll be healthier, more industrious, more
prosperous, more popular, profoundly gratified and gut wrenchingly
contented. It’s what all the ages have striven for.
Most of us pursue
happiness through an all consuming quest to attain one thing that others will covet. That’s our
nature, inherent in our robes of flesh. We seek to validate who we are,
by piling up possessions. That one thing may be a grandiose house, a
pretentious spouse, or all variety of shiny, superfluous possessions. Failing in
this pursuit, our happiness remains elusive. Even when we’re successful, our
satisfaction is generally fleeting. If your goal is happiness, make that
one thing an optimistic attitude. Invest in a winning attitude and earn
dividends with every smile. If you can develop an attitude that others will
admire, success is certain and happiness guaranteed.
In all things, promote liberty for
all and justice tempered with mercy. In this country, everyone has the
right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Celebrate ethnicity; take
pride in your heritage, but value the traditions of others. Our country’s
greatest strength is diversity. Honor diversity and keep America strong.
Remember always that you are as good as any and better than none. Be just, merciful,
humble, and be happy.
SHANNON THOMAS CASEBEER
