Inner Beauty

Reality TV has become the number one attraction for many American "couch potatoes." While I'm not a big fan of television entertainment, I sometimes sit for an hour flipping channels during a vacation or weekend. This is usually because I'm too tired to do anthing else!

I sat down in front of the tube recently and watched about 30 minutes of a reality program that featured a physical, personal makeover of a rather plain looking young lady. She was provided with dental work, cosmetic surgery, breast enhancement, liposuction, and a new hairdo. At the end of the program to her astonished friends and family who exclaimed, "Oh Gawd! How beautiful you look. I didn't know there such such a beautiful, sexy person in there!" There were tears of joy and everyone seemed very happy in the end.

I hate to downplay the joy that the young lady experienced over her makeover. But I wonder what happened to inner beauty. The person with the makeover is the same person before all the surgery and physical enhancements. Why are we so focused on those physical aspects which are temporal and passing rather than the inner qualities which are eternal and lasting? I am not saying that people should ignore their bodies or devalue their physical being. But the hidden character of the heart is what is truly beautiful and lasting. I'd like to see a reality show that focused on inner beauty. In my view, people are beautiful not because of how they look, but because of who they are--human beings created in the image of God.

Determination and Hard Work

Determination and hard work is more essential to success than natural ability. I know this to be true by personal experience. I have seen this to be true in the life of my son, David. From the time he could toddle, David has been a runner. In fact, his first Portland Marathon "Fun Run" was in a stroller, pushed along by his mother who had her eye on David's older sisters who were running the race. David continued his running career at Glencoe Elementary School where he participated in "Run for the Arts" and Portland Parks and Recreation sponsored runs.

David stepped up his running a notch or two at Mt. Tabor Middle School where he was active in a cross country program. That's when he first joined a Hood to Coast Team and ran the 192 miles from Mt. Hood to the Oregon Coast with his older brother, John, his dad (me) and 9 other runners.

David was always a strong runner, but the competition got more serious when he entered Central Catholic Highschool and joined a group of elite runners coached by Dave Frank and marathon legend Alberto Salazar. Running was the primary activity of David's highschool career. Studies took a close second. David ran, trained, took ice baths, got injured, ran on a water submerged treadmill, got better, ran and raced again and again.

David was a strong runner, but never a serious contender. That changed in his senior year when his developing body finally caught up with his heartfelt determination to suceed. Spring Track 2007 saw David running strong and picking up a several second place positions in the 3,000. Then his day came at the Aloha Invitational when David set a personal record and won the 3,000 meter race. I'll never forget the scene that followed as David's team mates showered him with congratulations and bear hugs. He had done it. He had finally won a big race. With an obvious sense of satisfaction he went over and hugged his mother.

In order to particiapte in the High School State Meet David had to place first or second in the District meet. He had tough competition from other runners, but David ran strong and finished second. On to State!

The State High School Track Meet was held at Hayward Field in the runner's Mecca, Eugene, Oregon. David was excited at the thought of racing on the track that where legendary runners like "Pre" had thrilled spectators with his victories.

The big day came for David's 3,000 at the State Meet. David ran a smart race. He stuck with the lead pack through 6 circuits around the track and with 600 meters to go took the lead. "David Laney takes the lead," came the announcement over the loud speakers. David pushed hard and when he crossed the line he had finished 5th in State with a PR of 8:55, 8 seconds off his previous record.

What did it take for David to reach this pinnicle of his running career? It took lots of determination and hard work. I know these character traits will serve him well in working towards future goals in the years to come.

Congratualtions David Laney on your personal accomplishments! With prayer, determination and hard work, we know there are more to come! And "Yes," David. We are still having fun!

A Holy Place

Today I visited a holy place--a place that is set apart because of what happened there 2,000 years ago. The place I visited with a group of Cedarville College students this afternoon was the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem. According to early church tradition (a tradition that has the support of historical evidence) this was the place where Jesus died, was buried, rose from the grave and appeared to Mary Magdalene. This is place where salvation history reached its' apex.

The people visiting the church were all on some kind of spiritual journey. Some were lined up to visit what some believe to be the tomb of Jesus. Others were prostrated before a stone slab perported to be the place where Jesus' body was anointed before burial. Another line had formed on the stairway leading to the summit of the Rock of Calvary. Deep in the bowels of the church is a chapel dedicated to the woman responsible for building the church--Helena, the emperor Constantine's mother. There in the shadows I couldn't help but notice two women in a close embrace, kissing. I turned away, wondering what that was about!

Some of my students were turned off by the candles, incense and the sober, beared priests. The Church of the Resurrection doesn't exactly "ring the bells" for most evangelical Christians. But inspite of the culture that is so foreign to my religious tradition, I couldn't help being moved by the fact that followers of Christ have prayed and worshiped there for the last 1,700 years! If this place wasn't sanctified by the biblical events that occurred there, it is certainly sanctified by the worship and prayer which has taken place there.

While I'm not really moved by candles and incense, I am moved by the fact that brothers and sisters in Christ have gathered there for centuries. This placd is sanctified by its history.

Jerusalem Day 2007

Forty years ago today the Israeli Army fought their way into the Old City of Jerusalem and captured the Jewish Quarter which had been under Jordanian control since Israel's War of Independence in 1948. Early this morning I saw the Israeli soldiers and citizens gather in the streets of Jerusalem to celebrate their May 16, 1967 victory which resulted in the reunification of Jerusalem. No longer would the Old City and the Jewish Quarter be cut off from West (Israeli) Jerusalem. No longer would Jews be prevented from praying at their most sacred and revered Western Wall.

And the celebration took place as scheduled in spite of the unseasonal rain and hail storm. It was just after noon that the rain started. Within a half hour it was coming down in buckets! And then the hail began. The road leading to the Jaffa Gate became a river as the runoff poured down the street and into the Hinnom Valley. Several cars being driven up the street were flooded and stalled.

But wet and flooded streets couldn't dampen the Israeli spirit of celebration. The parade went on as planned. And the concert and fireworks scheduled for this evening have not been cancelled or postponed. This is typical of the spirit of determination that has characterized the Israeli people since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. The Jewish people have experience the world's hatred and hostility in the Spanish Inquisition, Russian pogroms and Nazi holocaust. But they have decided to live. And live they will in spite of rain, hail and high water.