Transitions may be wonderful times in our lives. In fact, we may be excited and eager for certain transitions to take place. Such transitions might include graduation from high school, the change that takes place when two people move from being single to married and partnered, or the transition that takes place when one leaves a job to pursue a better, more fulfilling opportunity.
Other transitions that we face in our lives may not be so pleasant or enjoyable. On the other hand, there may be transitions that are bittersweet as well. For example, parents may experience joy in knowing children have grown to adulthood yet, at the same time, they may also have a sense of sadness knowing that they have now become empty-nesters. One who is retiring after a long career may be joyous and sad at the same time. It is very common for retirees to have difficulty making the transition from working every day to a more relaxed and casual pace of life.
There are also those transitions which we are totally unprepared for. Situations may be thrust upon completely without warning and preparation. For example, a few million individuals have found themselves without jobs in the last few years. These individuals have face transitions without preparation, anticipating further transitions and further life changes. Millions have been forced to make the transition from living in their own homes to rental homes and apartments, living with friends or relatives, or even finding themselves homeless. Not only are we unprepared for these types of transitions, we may never become comfortable with the changes we are forced to make.
Heavenly Father, you know the innermost yearning of our hearts and you know the path you have chosen for us to follow. Send your Holy Spirit, we pray, to heal our pains in the face of unwanted transitions which may be thrust upon us. Give us courage and wisdom to overcome our heartaches and guide us toward a greater good in our lives. Watch over us, guide us, protect and direct us along the path of righteousness. In Jesus' name, Amen!
~DB Turnmire
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Flag Day (Blog #4)
You're a grand old flag,You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem ofThe land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.
June 14 is National Flag Day in the United States of America every year. I remember talking about it in elementary school near the end of every school year. Since we would already be out of school on summer vacation, we were reminded to "fly our flags" on June 14. Almost each year, I would also hear that one of my classmates celebrated her birthday on June 14 so she was excited that is what a national observance day.
Of course, some of you may never even have heard of Flag Day. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America in 1777. First celebrated in New York, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 establishing Flag Day as an official observance. However, Congress did not get in on the act until 1949 when Flag Day became an official Act of Congress. Not an official federal holiday, the state of Pennsylvania has celebrated Flag Day as a state holiday since 1937. Quincy, Massachussetts holds the longest running Flag Day parade and Troy, New York attracts the largest crowds to its Flag Day parade each year.
All of us will recognize that today has passed with very little fanfare, at least here in the upper midwestern reaches of the United States of America. Maybe there was a brief mention of the observance on a local news show. Aside from that and the notice of a few extra flags around town flying today, we hardly noticed anything different about June 14, 2009. This year, 2009, we have not only the opportunity to observe National Flag Day but also National Flag week, beginning today.
"Our flag’s journey has been long. It has seen our Nation through war and peace, triumph and tragedy. It flew above the walls of Fort Sumter, South Carolina, at the outset of the Civil War. It stood on Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. During the Civil Rights Movement, determined protesters on the streets of Selma, Alabama, proudly displayed its colors. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Old Glory flew over the southwestern wall of the Pentagon and the rubble of the World Trade Center. Today, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces bear our flag as they serve bravely around the world.
The flag is still more than a historical symbol: it is part of our culture. In our schools children pledge allegiance to our flag and recite the ideals upon which our Nation was founded. Families sit on their front porches under a billowing Stars and Stripes. And each day as the flag is raised above military installations and government buildings, we are reminded of the great sacrifices that have been made in defense of our Nation.
The Stars and Stripes tells our Nation’s story and embodies its highest ideals. Its display reminds us of America’s promise and guides us toward a brighter tomorrow."
[FLAG DAY AND NATIONAL FLAG WEEK, 2009
Presidential Proclamation, 11 June 2009
President Barack Obama]
God bless our native land! Firm may it ever stand
Thro' storm and night!
When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave
Do Thou our country save By Thy great might.
So shall our prayers arise To God above the skies;
On Him we wait.
Thou who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry, God save the State! Amen.
_____________~ DB Turnmire
Is A Picture Really Worth A Thousand Words? (Blog #3)
It is time to dissect another of the old and worn adages. This time it's "a picture is worth a thousand words". Is a picture really worth a thousand words?
Now I would be the first to agree that in certain moments of history, pictures do speak volumes. For example, on September 11, 2001, the photos taken of the two world trade towers in flames after the planes crashed into them spoke volumes to the hearts and minds of millions of people here in the United States of America and around the world. Later photos of the debris and ashes following the collapse of the towers made the destruction and havoc clear to all of us. Likewise, photos of the horrific Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007 sent shock waves around the world. How could such a tragedy happen in the United States?
Aside from unrehearsed historical photos, there are those snapshots of life and time taken without preparation or staging. These too are able to fit the old cliche that "a picture is worth a thousand words". In antithesis of those candid snippets, there are those photos which sometimes appear "perfect" as the subject or subjects pose for the picture. By definition, some of the meanings of the word "pose" include: 1. To assume or hold a particular position or posture, as in sitting for a portrait; 2. To affect a particular mental attitude; 3. To represent oneself falsely; pretend to be other than what one is.
If we really think about, it may be easier to understand my willingness to challenge the old adage. How many of us have received photo Christmas cards of a family, maybe even someone related to us, and every member of the family has a big smile on their face like there isn't a care in the world for any of them? The question is "what is really going on behind the scenes"? In the most stage of photos, it is really what the picture does not show that is worth a thousand words.
As human beings, we have mastered the art of the cover up. In fact, professional models are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to hide themselves and show the camera what it wants to see. They are trained to set aside their own emotions, concerns and heartaches to "get into character" and sell the product or clothing line for which they are being paid. In a similar way, you and I may set aside emotional stresses, mental anguish, personal conflicts and pain to "pose" for friends and family. It's as if we say to ourselves, "there is no sense letting the real me show. I am not sure everyone else could handle it if I did. In fact, I am not sure I could handle myself."
It is a good thing there is One who sees us for who we really are - the individuals behind the photos.
Now I would be the first to agree that in certain moments of history, pictures do speak volumes. For example, on September 11, 2001, the photos taken of the two world trade towers in flames after the planes crashed into them spoke volumes to the hearts and minds of millions of people here in the United States of America and around the world. Later photos of the debris and ashes following the collapse of the towers made the destruction and havoc clear to all of us. Likewise, photos of the horrific Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007 sent shock waves around the world. How could such a tragedy happen in the United States?
Aside from unrehearsed historical photos, there are those snapshots of life and time taken without preparation or staging. These too are able to fit the old cliche that "a picture is worth a thousand words". In antithesis of those candid snippets, there are those photos which sometimes appear "perfect" as the subject or subjects pose for the picture. By definition, some of the meanings of the word "pose" include: 1. To assume or hold a particular position or posture, as in sitting for a portrait; 2. To affect a particular mental attitude; 3. To represent oneself falsely; pretend to be other than what one is.
If we really think about, it may be easier to understand my willingness to challenge the old adage. How many of us have received photo Christmas cards of a family, maybe even someone related to us, and every member of the family has a big smile on their face like there isn't a care in the world for any of them? The question is "what is really going on behind the scenes"? In the most stage of photos, it is really what the picture does not show that is worth a thousand words.
As human beings, we have mastered the art of the cover up. In fact, professional models are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to hide themselves and show the camera what it wants to see. They are trained to set aside their own emotions, concerns and heartaches to "get into character" and sell the product or clothing line for which they are being paid. In a similar way, you and I may set aside emotional stresses, mental anguish, personal conflicts and pain to "pose" for friends and family. It's as if we say to ourselves, "there is no sense letting the real me show. I am not sure everyone else could handle it if I did. In fact, I am not sure I could handle myself."
It is a good thing there is One who sees us for who we really are - the individuals behind the photos.
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
[Psalm 139:1-4 NIV]
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"Praise [God] because [we are] fearfully and wonderfully made; [His] works are wonderful, I know that full well. " [Psalm 139:14 NIV]
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~ DB Turnmire
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