Winning and Losing

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Sports fans know a lot about winning and losing. So do sports participants, who perhaps experience a different level of intensity when winning or losing than do those who simply watch from the sidelines.

Note the word perhaps, which was intentionally chosen. Need I say more?

In the collegiate realm, football fans have already seen all the winners and losers they’re going to see, at least for this season. The College Football Playoff national championship has been decided.

The Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs had a sensational season, nearly going undefeated before pretty much melting in the final game against the Georgia Bulldogs. The final score of 65-7 was nowhere near what some of us expected. At least the Frogs made it to the dance.

Many of us Texans whose teams flamed out early (Aggies, Longhorns, Red Raiders, Mustangs, Cougars, Bobcats, et al.) were pulling for the only Texas team that actually got to the finals. Alas. The Horned Frogs were simply outplayed, outmanned, outcoached, and unprepared.

This month’s focus is on the National Football League. Already 24 teams have been eliminated, including many of my favorites. Of said favorites, only the Dallas Cowboys are still in the hunt, at least for now.

Of the eight remaining teams, only two will make it to the 57th Super Bowl (Super Bowl LVII). That contest will be on February 12, 2023, at 5:30 pm CST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The NFL team that wins Super Bowl LVII will soon be forgotten by many. In the overall picture of life and death, a football game pales into relative insignificance. Two years from now, will it really matter?

The phenomenon of winning and losing is not restricted to football fields or basketball gymnasiums or baseball diamonds or volleyball courts or Olympic swimming pools. People win and lose in life every day.

In my numerous decades on Planet Earth, I’ve celebrated wins and suffered losses. By the grace of God, more of the former than of the latter. What I’ve discovered is that people who almost always win and almost never lose are rare as hen’s teeth. And sometimes hard to get along with.

What I’ve also discovered is that losing does not bring the end of the world. After any defeat, the sun will come up in the morning. Birds will chirp. Bees will buzz. Babies will be born. Life for some will end.

Another truism, in a form of articulation that I’ve never heard from anyone but me, goes like this: A person’s education is not complete until he learns how to lose.

In the game of life, there will always be winners and losers. While winning is more fun than losing, I believe it’s important for winners to understand what it feels like to be a loser.

Though we might find faults with athletic competition, at any level, I watch with interest the interaction among opponents after a game is over. Winners are ecstatic! Losers are disappointed or deflated.

Yet shaking hands with each other or high-fiving or fist-bumping is at least an expression of awareness that though half of us are winners today, we could very likely be losers tomorrow.

The Bible is anything but silent on winning and losing. Here are only a few examples:

• In a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize. 1 Cor. 9:24
• The last will be first, and the first will be last. Matt. 20:16
• Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57

Ultimately, our final breath is the only time winning or losing is truly important. Only by God’s grace are we winners when it really counts.

Another One of My Favorite Prayers

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Due to the many positive responses to last week’s article in which I shared one of my favorite prayers, I’ve decided to follow up this week with another one of my favorites.

Last week’s prayer included some of my personal authorship. That’s not the case with today’s prayer, found on p. 311 in Lutheran Service Book, published by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod:

Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Here’s the slightly altered, personalized version I often pray:

Lord God, you have called your servant to ventures of which I cannot see the ending, by pathways yet to be discovered, through uncertainties, trials, tribulations, and unknown troubles or dangers that may lie ahead. Give me faith to go out with good courage, not knowing exactly where you want me to go or where the roads of life may take me, but only that your hand is leading me and your love supporting me; through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

This “Prayer for Guidance in Our Calling” has provided comfort and assurance for a long time, not only for me but also for many others. It has been especially meaningful at the times I’ve been faced with difficult and potentially life-changing ministry decisions.

If you know anything at all about my life and ministry, you’re aware that there have been many such times in the past. There will undoubtedly be more challenges in the days and years ahead, not only for me but also for you. Such is life.

Perhaps this prayer will provide assurance and direction for you, especially as you face difficult decisions in your personal life, your family, your vocational calling, and your future.

And now you know another one of my favorite prayers. Perhaps it will become meaningful also to you.

The peace of the Lord be with you!

One of My Favorite Prayers

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During my 52 years as a pastor and church leader, I’ve been asked to pray in public gatherings on many and various occasions. Doing so has always been both an honor and a burden.

It’s an honor to approach the throne of the God of the universe, who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. That simply means God is everywhere, knows everything, and is unfathomably powerful. 

It’s a burden to pray, because the groups in whose presence I’ve been asked to pray have been unpredictably comprised of friends, acquaintances, and strangers. In either case, it’s impossible to know the joys and sorrows, difficulties and blessings, victories and defeats each person faces.

So instead of always praying for specific needs and thanksgivings, words of a more general nature have often come out of my mouth in the form of petitions and praises.

Sometime ago I read a simple prayer that really caught my attention. Since then, I’ve added to it, tweaked it, word-smithed it, and offered it at family gatherings, church meetings, fundraising dinners, and other places where I felt it would be fitting and appropriate.

This was my prayer this past Saturday evening at the Concordia High School Gala in Pflugerville, Texas, a suburb of Austin. A few people have asked for that prayer in writing, and I’m happy to oblige. Feel free to pray this prayer, as the Spirit leads, guides, and directs.

Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe; Jesus, Son of God and Savior of the world; Holy Spirit, Comforter and Helper. In these few brief moments we thank you for your goodness, grace, mercy, peace, and abundant blessings, with these heartfelt praises and petitions:

For forgiveness in a world where many live in guilt …

For freedom in a world where many live in slavery …

For family in a world where many live in isolation …

For food in a world where many live in hunger …

For friends in a world where many live alone …

For faith in a world where many live in fear …

We give you thanks O Lord.

May these realities and remembrances inspire each and all of us to service, to your world and to your church, and to many other expressions of your great love for mankind, that your gifts to us may be used as a blessing for others.

In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

That’s one of my favorite prayers. Perhaps it will become one of yours as well.

Oberammergau Passion Play

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Earlier this month, Terry and I were blessed to travel to Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland with a group of friends, both old and new. The primary purpose of this journey was to attend the world-famous Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany.

The play is approximately six hours in length, with a three-hour dinner break in the middle. A cast of thousands has presented the play every ten years for nearly the past 400 years.

Here’s a summary of the play’s history, written in part by a Pastor Daisenberger: “The first decades of the 17th century went by in peaceful calm for the people of Oberammergau. But then followed the Thirty Years’ War with all its hardships from 1618 until 1648.”

“As early as 1631, infectious diseases spread in Bavaria. The village of Oberammergau was spared by dutiful vigilance until the church festival in 1632, when a man named Kaspar Schisler brought the plague into the village. Faced with the great distress that the terrible illness inflicted upon the population, the leaders of the community came together and pledged to hold a passion reenactment every ten years, if God would spare the lives of the people of the village.”

“From that day forward, not a single person perished, even though many still showed signs of the plague. The villagers were answered by God and in 1634 the first Passion Play took place.”

That promise has been kept until today, with only a few exceptions. The Passion Play scheduled for 2020 had to be postponed for two years due to the corona-pandemic. It began in May of 2022 and this season will conclude on October 2, this coming Sunday.

Suffice it to say the play was phenomenal, though a bit challenging to follow because it was conducted in the German language. Nevertheless, costuming, scripting, and acting were done quite professionally. It helped that we Christians know how the story ends.

In addition to the German language challenge, the only other suggestion I’d be inclined to make is that greater emphasis should be placed on the resurrection of Jesus. Though clearly indicated at the conclusion of the play, a scene at the empty tomb with the women and disciples discovering the absence of the body of Jesus, would have added immensely to the impact of the otherwise outstanding production.

Though not at the very top of my bucket list, this play was certainly something I wanted to experience. I’m glad and thankful for the opportunity! I think my fellow travelers would agree!

The First Step

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On more than one occasion in recent months, my dear wife Terry has expressed to me her need for additional rods in her closet to hang and better organize some of her clothing.

When Terry makes suggestions like that, I sometimes jump right in and get them done. But not always. Adding the closet rods is something that did not exactly light my fire.

But last Saturday, at the very beginning of the Fourth of July weekend, she expressed that closet rod need again. For some reason, my fire was lit.

Accomplishing this project required a number of steps. The first step was to walk with her into her closet to be sure she and I agreed on what the additional rods would look like and where they should be located. Once in place, they were not going to be moved.

The second step was to measure the height, depth, and width of the boards that would support the rods, and to make a list of the materials needed to accomplish the project.

The third step was to take a trip to Home Depot to procure said materials. The fourth step was to take many round-trip steps from the closet to the garage, where I had set up a work area.

The fifth step was to paint each board before putting them all in place, knowing that painting them after installation, without making a big mess with splattered paint, would be precarious.

The sixth step was to cut and install each of the supporting boards that comprised the frame for the rods and to figure out the best way to securely affix the horizontal boards to the vertical ones. It would not be good for the rods to come tumbling down after installation.

The seventh step was to apply putty to the holes left by the nail and screw heads and to paint over those head holes to keep them from being obviously visible to anyone who might want to inspect the finished project.

The eighth step was to post on Facebook a photo of the finished project. For effect, I added:

#happywifehappylife, #hubbycanneverhaveenoughpointswithwifey, #notaseasyasitlooks, plus a Superman emoji.

One of Terry’s closest friends expressed her surprise that Terry had given permission for me to post a photo of her closet on FB. My reply was: “Permission? Oops.” I added the best Emoji I could find to reflect my feeling of “I can’t believe I didn’t think about asking permission!”

What’s the purpose of this story? Simply a reminder that anything needing to be accomplished always begins by taking the first step.

What’s waiting to be accomplished in your life?

• Doing something special with or for a loved one?
• Reconciling with an estranged family member or co-worker?
• Encouraging a classmate or neighbor at a time of discouragement or depression?
• Reminding a friend or stranger that God promises never to leave us nor forsake us?

Everything we do in life begins by taking the first step. Just do it. Maybe even right now.

Technical Recession

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A June 10 article by Emel Akan in The Epoch Times reports that a major U.S. bank issued a warning that inflation shock in the United States isn’t over yet and that the economy is in “technical recession,” even if most people are unaware of it.

“We’re in technical recession but just don’t realize it,” wrote Michael Hartnett, Bank of America’s chief investment strategist, in a note ahead of the June 10 release of inflation data.

“U.S. annual inflation rose to 8.6 percent in May, the highest level in 40 years, as key drivers such as food, energy, and housing showed no signs of abating. The markets now anticipate a more aggressive response from the Federal Reserve, which may result in a larger economic downturn.”

Citing Consumer Price Index data for the month of May, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunge of more than 800 points, the S&P drop of 2.3 percent, and other key financial data, Hartnett said “inflation shock” isn’t over, “rates shock” is just beginning, and “growth shock” is on the way. As of this week, Dow Jones had dropped over 18% from its 52 week high of 36,952 to a 52 week low of 30,373.

A recession is technically defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. But, according to Hartnett, the U.S. economy is “a couple of bad data points away from recession.” He said the consumer data are growing murkier, as evidenced by housing, retail inventories, and consumer credit. Household and consumer balance sheets also point to a “shallow recession.”

The June 10 inflation report shows that food prices soared by 10.1 percent and energy prices increased by 34.6 percent year-over-year. Since the beginning of the year, natural gas prices have increased by 141 percent, gasoline by 91 percent, oil by 61 percent, iron ore by 45 percent, wheat by 39 percent, and soybeans by 33 percent.

“Geopolitics, the end of globalization, and ‘extraordinarily misguided’ energy policies of the world’s seven largest economies, including the United States, have resulted in a ‘commodities shock’ unlike any other since the 1970s.”

What then is our response as Christian people who are not immune from the financial pressures our country is experiencing, with no short-term remedy in sight? Do we march in protest? Do we resort to “smash-and-grab” tactics? Do we advocate extended reliance on governmental handouts?

To say the least, those are not true remedies to an unhappy situation. And at least one of those is absolutely inappropriate. Instead, I suggest, we do best to pray for our country and its leaders. Pray especially for wisdom, common sense, and helpful legislative decisions.

Pray that national leaders and legislators will set aside partisan politics and work together for the welfare and benefit of the people of our country and of our world.

Pray that we will see these difficult economic times as a reminder of the bountiful blessings we often take for granted and as opportunities to thank God for those abundant blessings.

Camels on the Horizon?

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Recently I saw a story that begins with a quote by Thomas Jefferson. My cursory investigation says it could also have been from John Quincy Adams. So who knows its actual origin?

Here’s the quote: “My great grandfather was a warrior so my grandfather could be a farmer so my father could be a merchant so I could be a scholar.”

That story continues under the title: “Camels on the Horizon?” A brief investigation gives credit for the part beginning “Hard times create strong men” to the 2016 science fiction title Those Who Remain: A Postapocalyptic Novel by G. Michael Hopf. Portions of the story provide food for thought:

The founder of Dubai, Sheik Rashid, was asked about the future of his country. He replied, “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover. But my great-grandson is going to have to ride a camel again. “Why is that?” he was asked.

His reply was, “Hard times create strong men, strong men create easy times, easy times create weak men, weak men create difficult times. You have to raise warriors, not parasites.”

The story goes on to state that many great empires rose and fell within a relatively brief period of time. It mentions the Persian, Trojan, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and British empires, alleging that they all … “rose and perished within 240 years.”

Though I’m not an expert historian and have never claimed to be, I doubt the factuality of that premise, especially for the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman empires. But I digress.

The story continues: “They were not conquered by external enemies; they rotted from within.

America has now passed the 240-year mark. The rot is starting to be visible and is accelerating. We are past the Mercedes and Land Rover Years. The camels are on the horizon.”

In light of current issues in America, one is faced with the daunting question about the long-term future of our country. The moral fabric of our society has experienced significant unraveling. The sanctity of life is no longer sacrosanct. The safety of individual citizens is shaky. Economic stability is fickle. Political integrity is precarious. International enemies seem emboldened. Religious influence is waning.

Hear what God said centuries ago to his chosen people: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14

That’s both sage advice and powerful promise, especially to us today in America!

NOTE: Today marks the beginning of the 14th year of these weekly Perspectives articles. Thirteen years totals 676 weeks in a row. As veteran readers are aware, some editions have been spiritual and serious. Others have been lighthearted and humorous. Hopefully most have been helpful.

My Perspectives articles since April 2013 are archived at jerrykieschnick@wordpress.com.  

The top 100 are published in “Life, Love, Faith, Family”  (Concordia Publishing House 2018)

Also available at Amazon.com  

My prayer, as always, is that God will look upon you with favor and bless you abundantly!

The Hillbilly Ten Commandments

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This article was prepared late night after a long Tuesday on the road and a longer Wednesday working my way back home, mindful of my self-imposed 5:00 a.m. Thursday Perspectives deadline.

To any who might be perturbed by the somewhat lighthearted caricature of hillbilly lingo in this rendition of the Ten Commandments, just remember that folks like Beverly Hills’ Jed Clampett could have written this list, which you’ll note has been reorganized from the traditional order.

1. Ain’t but one God.
2. Honer yer Ma and Pa.
3. No tellin’ tales or gossipin’.
4. Git your hide to Sunday meetin’.
5. Aint’ nutin’ come before the Lord.
6. No foolin’ with another feller’s gal.
7. No killin’, ‘sept for critters.
8. Quit yer foul mouthin’.
9. No sippin’ yer kin folk’s stuff.
10. Don’t be hankerin’ for it neither.

Translation might be needed for those who don’t speak this language. The bottom line can be summarized in the words of the two great commandments spoken by Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Matthew 22:37, 39

As a non-related bonus today, here’s a creative statement of exceptions to a familiar rule:

“I before E except when your foreign neighbor Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty caffeinated weightlifters. Weird!”

Thanks to each of you for your faithfulness. God bless you abundantly!

The Strife is O’er

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Christians observe this week as Holy Week. It includes worship opportunities on Maundy (not Monday or Maunday but Maundy) Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, aka The Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord.

Each service focuses on an aspect of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus:

• Maundy Thursday: The institution of The Lord’s Supper
• Good Friday: The crucifixion of Jesus
• Holy Saturday: The day Jesus’ body rested in the tomb and his spirit descended into hell
• Easter Sunday: The day Jesus rose from the dead and left the grave

Far from the childhood emphasis on the Easter Bunny and traditional Easter Egg Hunts, Holy Week is all about eternally consequential events.

Life on earth is temporary. It always ends in death. Humanity is infected with a terminal disease. It’s called sin. The Bible says our sin results in our death. Rom. 6:23

Death comes in different ways, some sudden, some after lengthy illness. The result is the same. Death is death, no matter how it arrives.

Two longtime friends of mine met death in the last two weeks, both succumbing to lengthy physical illness. It’s not easy to lose loved ones, especially family members and close friends.

During the past several weeks, people in Ukraine have come face to face with death, through unprovoked and unjustified war. It’s a unimaginably horrible situation.

Someone said, “War is a place where young people who don’t know each other, and don’t hate each other, kill each other, by the decision of old people who know each other, and hate each other, but don’t kill each other…”

Christians face death armed with a different perspective on life from that of many in the world. God formed the first body from the dust of the ground, breathing his life-giving spirit into the lifeless body—and the result was a living being.

When a person dies, the reverse takes place. The breath of life departs from the body and takes the soul along with it.

Though it’s a mystery, in The Apostles Creed billions of Christians join together in expressing our belief in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting.

The hymn writer also says it well:

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
But Jesus hath his foes dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

On the third morn he rose again,
Glorious in majesty to reign.
O let us swell the joyful strain!
Alleluia!

He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
From death’s dread sting thy servants free
That we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

Terry and I express to each of you our love and prayers for a blessed observance of Holy Week, including a joyful celebration of the Festival of the Resurrection of our Lord!

Six Basic Principles for Living

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Like many of you, I’m still exceedingly distraught about the war being waged by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, numerous cities of which are becoming more and more decimated every day.

Video images on TV newscasts simply cannot adequately convey the pain and suffering experienced by women, men, and children in Ukraine. Many have lost their family members. Millions have lost their homes. Thousands have lost their lives.

In the midst of that senseless war, life goes on in our own country and the world. Challenges abound, with anxiety, stress, and anger on many fronts. Life is often anything but easy.

In his book, The Journey, Rev. Billy Graham, one of history’s greatest Christian evangelists, whose worldwide ministry spanned seven decades, shared six basic principles for living:

        1.   MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH OTHERS. It’s impossible to do this with everyone in our lives. We can’t change their attitudes that must come from them. The key is to ask God if we are at fault, and if so, to confess it and seek His forgiveness. We’re not here very long on earth, so let’s not waste time arguing so much.

        2.  AVOID REVENGE. Why be a captive of the past? If someone has harmed us by breaking the law, we have the right to bring that person to justice, for our own good and the good of society. But hurting someone only because they have hurt us is destructive. We can’t change the past, but we can seek God’s forgiveness for whatever wrongs we have done.

        3.  GUARD YOUR TONGUE. Use it for good instead of evil. Far too many relationships have been torn apart due to deceit or undue criticism. The tongue can and should be used for good, so let’s make that our goal. Don’t let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful to build others up.

        4.  NEVER REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL. Evil acts or speech are sin that is like a cancer in our souls. Evil comes from Satan who is opposed to God. Why some people repeatedly choose evil instead of good is a puzzle, but God can replace evil and sin with love and kindness if we ask Him.

        5.  TREAT OTHERS AS YOU’D WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU. That’s the principle behind the Golden Rule. How different lives would be if we actually practiced such a simple idea. The Bible says, “With humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2). We all need God’s wisdom in our speech and dealings with others.

        6.  PRACTICE THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS. God’s Word tells us to hate the sin but love the sinner. This is the way God sees us. When we sin, we shake our fist in God’s face, telling Him we know better than He does how to live. But God still loves us. That’s why He sent Jesus to forgive us.

My prayer is that your life and mine, along with the lives of people around the world, will be blessed with a special measure of the peace of God that passes all understanding, even in this time of war, fear, and anxiety.