What do you do when you are face-to-face with disaster? What about a disaster that literally holds your life in its hands and dangles it over eternity? In day-to-day lives it is common to face difficulties and fears. It is in those moments that we are shaped into better people. It is also in those moments that we show what we are truly made of. Too many times we are bombarded with disaster stories throughout the world. Often the news pieces are centered on the victims and the struggles that they face. Often there is rarely a spot light shown on the lives of the individuals who run into the disaster hoping to provide any help that they can. Whether it be gently talking down a dangerous situation or running toward the effects of a natural disaster to find and provide for the surviving victims: the unsung heroes. I recently read an article on CNN.COM that gave brief summaries of natural disasters throughout the world as well as some of the survivors. My thoughts were soon filled with prayerful thoughts for those who found themselves caught in these life-changing scenarios. I was thankful that the individuals survived! At the same time, as I began to realize that not all of the events listed were not exactly current, I began to fill very thankful for the individuals who do not find themselves in disastrous situations, not as victims but as heroes. These men and women urge to help the world to be a better person. These selfless good Samaritans look their ear to the ground and they know that the world is a fallen place that needs hope. They offer hope to the hopeless! Why do they offer this hope? Where does their passion and compassion come from? There could numerous reasons, but I truly believe that each of these hope-filled heroes know that there is a true hope in this world that we live in and I believe that want to do their part to ensure that the rest of the world experiences this hope that guides their life. As I read through this article, I was also exposed to a variety of pictures that shows the life of a dirt-covered survivor. Along with the survivor, I also saw those involved with the rescue. Many times both parties have an ear-to-ear smile and glimmer of hope in their eyes. Both parties have experienced something that is too often foreign to many of us. I am writing this to give a spot light to these amazing people. To the police officers who work in the most dangerous areas and continue to work hard to serve and protect the people in their communities, regardless of the danger that you potentially face. Thank you! To the fire fighters, who run to the site of a burning building and freeing people from the grips of the flames, without a single thought of their own safety. Thank you. To the counselors, who guide the troubled through their struggles and stand at their side and help them become victorious over their personal demons. Thank you. To the Pastor, who uses the Word of God and prayer to empower those who are weak in spirit. Thank you. The missionary, who travels around the world to share the hope of Jesus Christ to broken and imperfect people, even though the world, has a view you as being you as a fanatic and crazy. On behalf of the average bystander, I want to thank you. You are truly amazing. You are willing to go to the most areas of the world, where danger reigns supreme and you smile at the strangers that need you. You make a conscience choice to be a role model that we should strive to be more like. I am thankful for your determination to the human being that you have never met; the human beings that you fight to protect, the people that you strive to help, the people that you love without expecting anything in return. Thank you. Pictures Courtesy of Google.com Cnn.com (Disaster survivors rescued from rubble -- in Kenya and beyond) http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/05/health/rubble-rescues/index.html
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“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand-- when I awake, I am still with you.” Psalm 139: 13-18 Throughout my life, as the years went by, I had a difficult time believing that I was important or valuable. I believe that there are so many individuals who feel the same. Numerous songs, poems and stories have been penned telling the tale of the isolation that one feels in the darkness of their individual pits of despair. Due to our belief that we are invaluable to the world around us, too many times we hide who we really are. Too often we hide our true value, covering it up to try to fit in to a standard or an image that does not fit us. We live our lives looking for a friend that share our same interest, all at the same time hiding our true selves. Over time we realize that this doesn’t allow us to use our talents and our strengths to make this world a better place. We continue to live in a state, covered by our masks of happiness and contentment. Over my years of Bible reading, I soon began to understand that, although we believe that we are unimportant, God’s plan and understanding proves the opposite. Psalm 139:13-18 gives details of the depth of God’s creation. God did not just stitch us together; God perfectly and intentionally formed us with a specific intension and purpose. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Verse 13 shows that God was the one that formed us, down to the very last detail of our lives and our personality. With this being true, God knows our strengths and our weaknesses. God formed our body in the safety of our mother’s womb. God knows the strengths and talents that He was woven into lives. He also knows the personality that will complement ours the best, giving us a life-long companion on this journey. “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Verse 16 reminds us that no part of lives or our creation has been hidden from God’s knowledge. God created the days of our lives with a specific goal in mind. While we may not know the number of our days or how long we will live, God does! Our creator has everything planned for our lives, showing us love and grace throughout our days. Since God knows our every detail and the characteristics that make us unique, why wouldn’t God create another individual that is much like us; A person that perfectly complements our personality; the same personality that may have gotten us labeled as “weird” or “strange”? In the displayed poem, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein, we are introduced to two characters that seem to be the “outcasts” of their respective communities. Due to their blue skin, and possibly their peculiar personalities, they find themselves hiding in broad daylight by wearing masks. Due to the fact that they are trying to so much fervor to fit in, they don’t realize that the opportunity for a true friend in this cookie cutter world is right next to them. How often do you feel as if you are hiding your true personality or your true nature in order to better fit in? Probably too often! We were not created to cover up who we are! We were not given talents and interests and personalities for the sole purpose of hiding them from the world! Although too often that is exactly what we do; we disguise ourselves. “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!” Since God creates this beautiful world and everything in it with the creativity that stems from such a vast array of thoughts and understandings, it should not be too difficult for us to comprehend that God will create some very unique places and things, including the human race. With that understanding, we should not be afraid to be ourselves; to express ourselves with our true colors on display. Why I love the WWE!
Now, from the title this may seem like a poor attempt at a persuasive essay of a pimply-faced junior high student. I have spent much of my summer tuned into the WWE Network running through numerous WrestleMania Pay-Per-Views, re-plays of Raw, and documentaries of various sports entertainers. I just couldn't get enough! As I reflected on the reasons why I would be so obsessed over this brand of sports entertainment I realized that there are multiple reasons. Some of them are strictly entertainment, but many are personal reasons. All of these reasons have lead to a summer of growth and reflection. First off, I would like to point out and discuss the entertainment value of this incredible company. I have been watching WWF/WWE for most of my life. I began watching as a young child. I can remember hearing The Undertaker's iconic entrance music and his memorable backstage interviews. The WWE is known for being able to create some of the most well-known characters in the industry. Characters that would find their way into the hearts of children and adults alike! From touching stories of Ultimate Warrior's determination to Daniel Bryan's "YES!" movement filling stadiums around the world, WWE has continuously shown their connection to all types of people. Now, being a full grown 28 year old adult watching, I realize what make this brand of entertainment so real to so many people; It's the story of trial and triumph. Throughout years and throughout storylines, on-screen personalities are faced with multiple obstacles that they are forced to overcome. Some of these challenges are fabricated, while some of the them are based on the wrestler's real life drama; all of them are relatable. That is truly my favorite part! Recently, my favorite storylines are CM Punk and Chris Jericho's feud from 2012, where Jericho dragged Punk's family through the mud, revealing Punk's family's drug issues. As I watched this tale unfold, my stomach turned realizing that I resonated with CM Punk's story. He is an anomaly. I am an anomaly. Another great storyline was the ultimate underdog tale of Daniel Bryan. Throughout his career through Ring of Honor and other independent promotions, Bryan was never seen as the top guy of the company, but he always found his way to the top through hard work. His time in WWE was no different. It seems like WWE didn't want Bryan anywhere near the top, especially near the WWE Championship. Both on-screen and off-screen they seemed to do anything they could to keep him down. With The WWE fans, appropriately called the WWE Universe, behind him, Bryan was given a shot at the WWE Championship. Yet, more recent storylines that have encouraged me is emergents of female wrestlers, such as Sasha Banks, Bayley and Becky Lynch achieving their childhood dreams. On exclusive WWE interviews on the WWE Network, these ladies let us into the secret catacombs of their upbringing as they searched, learned, and trained for a single shot at their dreams. Regardless of the Diva brand that WWE has carried over the years, these phanominal ladies showed that they don't rely on their good looks to survive in this industry. They have proven that they can legitimately handle business in the ring and on the microphone, telling a compelling story also. I really got behind these storylines for one purpose; they were so authentic. I was able to relate to them and I loved seeing Bryan overcome the multiple obstacles that were intentionally placed in Bryan's way. It was great to root on Bayley as she fought for the NXT Woman's title and fought even harder to retain it. I loved these moments because I've felt that way myself. Some of the most recent storylines Too many times we as people deal with trials and tribulations and we prayerfully hope for triumph. Throughout this summer I have dealt with some of the most difficult times in my life and instead of trying to escape my woes through sports entertainment, I found that I was able to relate to these on-screen struggles and in some way I was able to be set on a new course and recover though the stories on the screen. Anytime we can we see a figure that we relate to, whether fiction or factual, pushing through obstacles and overcoming persecution, I believe it helps the average every-day Joe push through their own challenges. Due to this, I continue to watch WWE Pay-per-views, documentaries and new episodes of Raw and Smackdown. I look forward to seeing the new storylines such as Roman Reigns striving for the WWE Championship; the unveiling of the WWE Woman's Championship Title from the former Divas Title and the multiple feuds and promos that create memorable moments that have entertained us for generations. Often I find myself latching on to and cheering for the entertainers that imspire me to try harder and to do better. My New Year’s Resolution:
I was born on October 7, 1987. I was born with many complications and a blood clot in the right side of the brain. On the day that I was born, I was operated on to remove the blood clot. At the same time, I was very under weight. I couldn’t actually be sent home from the hospital until I reached a weight that the hospital felt was safe. Ever since I can remember I have been told that I was a miracle baby. Trust me; I am not saying this to get sympathy. I am simply informing the reader of the circumstances of my birth. Over the years I have realized that I use this time as an opportunity to reflect on who I am. I reflect on what I’ve done. Lastly, I reflect on who I want to become. While most people reflect on their life in the moments between December and January, I tend to reflect on the actual day of my birth. This year, a few days before my birthday, I began to reflect. My mind began searching through the catacombs of memories over the last twelve months. I began to ask myself a multiplicity of questions:
This past year I have been through my own trials and tribulations and my true friends stood by my side, coaching me through the entire ordeal. I am very thankful for that. With that being said, I find that I often isolate myself from the idea of furthering my friendships with people. I realize that I can always work harder at being a better friend. This could happen in selection of ways; I could leap out of my comfort zone and meet new people, expanding my knowledge of people. This could allow me to learn to love more. Secondly, I could strengthen my relationships with the friends that I have. I could make a stronger connection with them by making a valiant effort to bond.
I often find myself looking through my memories and seeing a collection of opportunities that I refused to take advantage. Opportunities such as: dating, new job positions, new ministry outreaches, new books to read, new music to listen to, and rebuilding broken relationships. The older I get the more I look back and see the opportunities that have passed on. Although I could dwell in the past, it is more constructive to look at the opportunities ahead of me. Opportunities such as: dating, new job positions, new ministry outreaches, new books to read, new music to listen to, and rebuilding broken relationships, and so many more new ones.
What is wrong with being passionate about something? When you find something, or someone, that you love you find yourself doing whatever it takes to share that passion with the world. Over the years, I have realized that I carry passion in the furthest part of my heart. Yet, I am unable to share it with those around me. I have learned to share my passion and speak my passion to the world around me. Now, I must strengthen that ability and unashamedly share my passion with people, places, and things.
This goal can be reached in a multitude of different ways: it could something as simple as a small act of kindness, such as, a compliment. I could improve on this goal by keeping my eyes open for opportunities to serve people or help them with a task, or I could sincerely tell them their importance to me. I could improve on this goal by being very intentional about the activities that I engage in with certain people; along with that, I need to ensure that I am genuinely interested in what my friends say and do.
As an individual, I realize that I also need to keep growing. If you just stick with the same movies and other forms of entertainment then you soon find yourself trapped in a perpetual cycle of the mundane and boredom. I realize that it is in my best interest to continue to grow as a teacher, a son, a brother and as a person in general. Now, I don’t need to try to fit into every box that surrounds me, yet it is health to always try new interests. How to survive a tragedy?
In lieu of everything that is happening in our world today it could be extremely difficult to not be overwhelmed by grief and negative view-points. A large example is the Brussels attacks. In the midst of a tragic display of human violence and inhuman acts, it is easy for us to throw all grace and appreciation out of the widow, which allows our heart to be overtaken by despair, grief and resentment. Too often our lives outcomes come from the events of our everyday lives and not the attitude that we carry through the good and the bad. Our news and media are usually compiled with angry victims who seek vengeance or sorrowful politicians that “promise” to find the cause of this event. It is very uncommon for us to read an article or see a news clip that shows a victim that expresses grace and composure during the difficult event. Throughout all difficulties we instinctively look for the sign of hope that will comfort us through the difficult times that are being faced. The Word of God has made this promise to us, “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2Corinthians 1:3-4 As we read through 2Corinthians, we see that God offers comfort to the hurting people of the world that we live. As God comforts us, we are asked to comfort the rest that are hurting around us with the same comfort that God gives to us. In this passage, we see that as a people we are not promised that we would have a perfect life. History has also shown us that the world that we live in can be self-destructive, but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to live for. I recently read an article on CNN.com about a survivor of the Brussels attack. The article describes the mindset of the survivor as she races through the airport as devastation and destruction falls down around her. You see, this young lady and her husband had something bigger to live for; they were expecting their first child! After surviving the devastation, the mother wrote a letter to her unborn. As I read through the excerpts of the letter, I was comforted to know that the mother-to-be realized that her life was valuable as was the life of the child that she carried. The mother wrote, “"And no matter where humanity is today, I just want to tell you that life is a wonderful thing, and the world is really full of remarkable people.” This phrase warmed my heart. In the midst of total chaos and destruction, this young mother showed a warmth and kinder side of an otherwise dark and sinister world. In a time where so many have abandoned their faith of humanity, it is great to know that there are handfuls of people who see the people in this darkness as a “wonderful thing.” The mother continues in the letter to the unborn, “You didn't just give mum and dad faith and reason to live; you gave the awareness and presence of mind like never before.” It is important to realize what we live for. It is important to realize our purpose in life and to continuously strive for that goal. “I do hope with all my heart that you are born into a better world, and if not, then you do absolute best to make it that.” This sentence is crucial to understanding how to survive in a tragedy. When we are facing a tragedy it is important that we look for the lesson that we can learn from the tragic events. In the event of the surviving mother, she seemed to realized the value that we life impacts the life of her unborn child. I believe that she realized how precious her life is as well the life of her husband and child. The next thing that we learn from this letter is that we need to have hope in that the world will be better in the future. That same hope will cause us to see the best in the people that surround us and the environment that forms us. Lastly, if the world is not showing it’s better side, we are challenged to not only look for the best in the wonderful world that we live, but we are obligated to create a world that leaves a better, loving world for the next generation. To review verse four of 2Corthinians chapter 1, When God comforts us in our times of difficulty (regardless of what the difficulties are) we are called to return to the lives of the hurting people and help them find comfort. I believe this letter to her unborn was, not only, this mother’s way of finding comfort (as she got to organize her thoughts on the incident and the impact) but it also was her way of comforting the lives of any and all who read the letter (including her child). The letter could be used as a tool to remind many to not lose hope on the miracle of life in a time of death. Also described in the mother’s words is a cry out to not let the chaos that surrounds consumes and change our hearts. My prayer is that God would comfort the hearts of those impacted by these attacks. I also pray that these loving words of a mother-to-be would be found in our hearts and in our actions. "May you always be brave and healthy.” Article-http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/25/europe/pregnant-bomb-survivor-child-letter/index.html One mission and One purpose Recently I have been spending more and more time in the gym. Now, I must admit to hearing that one of the primary reasons that people don’t enjoy gyms is because they feel intimidated or they feel that they shouldn’t be in that atmosphere. In summary, the person doesn’t feel like they fit in or belong. Truth be told, there have been too many times where I didn’t fit in and I didn’t belong. I have found myself in large groups of people and I realized that I could try and change who I am, but I wouldn’t belong. Not fitting in can be extremely painful and lonely. It can cause depression and internal conflict within oneself, which causes self-doubt. It is because of this topic of rejection that I bring up this particular gym that I have recently been going to. As you enter the gym doors and explore through countless workout equipment and machines, you will encounter signs on the walls such as this: One day I read through this sign and thought to myself, “I really like this.” To be honest, I liked the way that this paragraph was written as a personal mission statement for the gym, giving it a deeper sense of purpose. I also think it’s important to point out that the key words that are highlighted give the reader the impression that the employees at this particular gym brand values their customers beyond the almighty dollar sign. Words such as “Respected”, “Anyone”, and “Judgment Free Zone” are key words that give the idea of a place that will help those who join transform their lives physically, which in turn changes lives emotionally and mentally. This is an atmosphere that transforms the world that we live in. When the people involved feel like they belong and are respected by those that they come in contact with, they will strive to be their best. Due to the fact that they give their best effort in the training facility of the gym, they will receive the best results. I think this is so valuable in our everyday lives. Not only in athletics, but in every aspect of our physically lives as well as our spiritual lives is it important for us to feel like we fit in. With this message we can transform lives and create a community that builds upon itself. We can show that even though we are all different, we are all created by the same God. Let’s allow our hearts and our minds to adjust so that we can live in a world where we are more accepting of our differences and we are more supportive of each other’s efforts to make the world before for others around us. I’ll leave us with this valuable quote from this poster that hangs in this life-changing gym. “We need you, because face it, our planet wouldn’t be the same without you. You belong!” “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
These words have been heard and spoken of for years. They have littered sermons and pep talks for generations. These words have broken through the concrete hearts that mankind carries in our chest after years of hardening our hearts. These words have been used to encourage men to open their hearts to friends and loved ones throughout the years. Recently I have thought of what these words mean in relation to our personal growth as human beings. As I pondered through this passage and how it relations to our personal growth, I was left with one question: Why is it so important that we sharpen ourselves and how does community effect that growth? As I thought through the passage and I read through the entire chapter of proverbs 27, it became clear to me that community is essential for our growth as a Christian as well as our development as human beings. Yes, we’ve heard this before. I understand that if you’ve been a man or woman of faith for any period of time, you have heard of the importance of community, but I have recently deepened my understanding of why it’s important. Let me begin with an illustration. On this last Saturday I decided to go for an early evening walk. As I approached a nearby park, I was greeted by a multitude of cars parked on the side of the street. Nearing closer to the park, I noticed a family occupying the park; children were joyfully swinging and chasing each other while parents were decorating a nearby table, bench and awning. This image truly made me smile while my mind filled with love and remembrance for that type of interaction. As I thought of the gleeful memories that were being created in that fantastic moment in time, I began to think of the importance of family bonding experiences and how these experiences create a solid and loving family structure for all parties involved. The further I joined down this rabbit hole of jolly thought, the more I thought of why this encounter is so important to our everyday lives. I began to peel back the layers of the Proverbs 27 verse. What does it mean to be sharpened? As we live our everyday lives we slowly give away parts of our time, life, and energy away; which leaves us exhausted and in need of rest and recovery. First off, there is nothing wrong with this revelation, but we need to understand that this reaction is happening. While we pour our heart, energy and love into our friends, family and loved ones, we are often left emotionally dull and used up. When we are left using our physical bodies to perform strenuous tasks, our bodies are usually left broken pattered and fatigued. In order to keep delivering ‘Good News’ with our heart, mind and actions we need to be at the peak of our endurance; which means that we need to ensure that we are sharpened up and ready for the lord to use us to make this world beautiful again. When we need to sharpen our skills and talents, often it helps to fill quality time with loved ones, usually doing something that relaxed the mind and bonds the hearts of those involved. In many cases, the Christian body also needs to be filled with encouragement and faith, especially when we face difficult times. As a personal example I must share this with you. Over the past few months I have been going through one the most difficult times in my life. I recently lost a dear friend of who I loved more than I can truly explain. When this individual chose not to reciprocate the love that I felt, it broke my heart; leaving me in the darkness of my mind. I needed help. I soon decided that I would allow myself to be vulnerable in the most vulnerable time in my life. Why is sharpening one another so valuable to our growth? While I sat in the pit of my misery, I had a handful of loved ones that began to sharpen my faith by comforting me. These friends of mine were the epitome of Proverbs 27. They reminded me of God’s love for me as well as God’s plan. They loved me with full patience as I healed from the distance. I needed my friends and family to sharpen my faith in myself and even more important, my faith in God. I believe the same truth resonates with anybody reading this. We as human beings are created to be in community with other humans. In times of difficulty and challenges, it is very powerful when we partner with those who will fight by our side with prayer and truth. When we need our family and friends and they stand by our side, they are doing their part in keeping us strong. They are doing their part in sharpening us and keeping us from becoming dull in our purpose with God. Building community is very important to our lives because it allows us to become better followers or Christ and better people, which in return allows us to strengthen others in our circle of community. We were created to learn from each other in all aspects of life. If we try to live our lives ultimately segregated from our circle of community, we are doing a disservice to ourselves as well as the community around us. We sharpen ourselves when we encourage and challenge each other to be better. What’s the point? In conclusion, building a solid community is essential to our walk with God. This community guides us to the light of Christ in our darkness hours. A solid community can also give you the opportunity to encourage others to live a life that shows integrity and honor. In many cases, our community can also give us the opportunity to look at our lives in retrospect as we discuss our trials and tribulations with a dear friend. Thank you: I’ve been through a lot in this last year and I’ve needed family, friends and the gracious hands of God to keep me on my feet and moving forward. I must give a huge thank you to every single person who prayed for me or talked me through a situation or even gave me advice. I am truly thankful for your presence in my life. Thank you for loving me and showing me my true value when I didn’t see it in myself. |
Anthony K. GiesickActions are taken everyday that help make this world better and I just want to share them with you. Archives
March 2020
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