Tim
Bacchus
20 January 23
When
you hear the word history, what comes to mind? Many of us have memories of a
high school history class, where we had to memorize dates, names, and places.
Because of such experiences, we might think of history as kings and presidents,
wars and treaties, maps and time lines. But history is so much more than that. History
is not only politics and military events but also includes art, music,
literature, drama, and architecture. To leave out music and these other elements
leaves out the soul of the human story. We are connecting with the soul of the
human story. At its best, history reminds us that the human story has a
soul—that behind the names and dates are real people full of personality and
passion. The more we learn about what people loved, what they feared, and what
brought them joy, the more we see in them that divine spark that lies within us
all. We see that their story is our story. History, then, does more than detail
the past—it bridges the past and the present. In that sense, we are all part
of a history. We each contribute to the stream of events that makes up the human
story. Every time we take a picture, make a scrapbook, jot some feelings down in
a journal, or tell a child about an experience from our own childhood, we’re
adding an indispensable chapter to that story. In a sense, we’re making
history. It is about people, and they speak to us across the years. Please
be Safe Happy and have Peace.
14 January 23
Most
of the world’s best work is done by teams. Whether at school, in the office,
on the stage, or on the ball field, the most effective teams deliver the best
performances. Learning how to succeed means learning how to work together. And
life provides so many great opportunities. We are born into families—our first
team, which at its best offers support, guidance, and love. We attend school in
classes, teams of sorts, where we learn alongside classmates and play a role in
each other’s success. We enter the workforce and realize that we have
limitations, but our coworkers have strengths that compensate, just as our
strengths can complement others’ weaknesses. And in an even broader sense, we
are all part of the same human family—learning together, working together on
the same team. Even the most skilled individuals can’t match what happens when
a team of people with different skills collaborates. Anciently, the
Apostle Paul compared our varied gifts to the different parts of the human body.
We do best when all the different parts are working in harmony. Paul’s wisdom
has great application to every person and every team: “There should be no
[division] in the body; but … the members should have the same care one for
another. And [if] one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians
12:25–26). Imagine what our world would be like if we had “the same care one
for another,” if we saw each other as members of the same team. Please
be Safe, Happy and have Peace
06 January 23
How
have I seen God’s hand in my life today? God, of course, is all-powerful. If
He chose to, He could overwhelm us with impressive displays of power. But more
often, He works quietly, subtly, gracefully. Beautiful blessings and minute
miracles surround us. They’re simple and sweet—always sweet—but
nonetheless powerful. And they’re clear to see if we take the time to look:
the kindness of a stranger, the concern and care of a loved one, moments of
quiet peace and clarity amid heartache and turmoil, the beauty of this
magnificent world. One of the best places to find God’s hand in our lives is
in the kind acts of others. As a wise religious leader taught: “God does
notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that
He meets our needs.” So when someone reaches out with a hand of kindness,
think of it as God’s hand. When someone shares a helpful, hopeful, or
compassionate word, think of it as God’s voice. When someone expresses genuine
love, think of it as God’s love. And above all, when you feel inspired to
reach out to others, embrace the opportunity to be God’s hand in their lives.
The more we look for God’s beautiful blessings and minute miracles, the more
we will see them—and the more we’ll want to keep looking for them. Imagine
the joy and peace that will come as we resolve to see God’s hand in our lives
each day.
May
you all have a prosperous new year. Be Safe Happy and have Peace.
20 December 22
Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; … To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Please
be Safe Happy and have Peace Merry Christmas.
8 December 22
A heart full of Christmas is a heart full of love and joy. Even small gifts given with love bring joy—to both the receiver and the giver. A heart full of Christmas is a heart full of hope. Every birth of a new baby brings new hope, but the birth of the baby Jesus brought hope on an infinite scale—hope for the whole world, in this life and eternally. A heart full of Christmas is a heart full of the spirit of giving. On that first Christmas, Mary gave her baby the gift of life. Soon, the Wise Men gave gifts of adoration. And Jesus Himself came into the world to give us the gift of peace. He said, “My peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Through the gift of His grace, we can overcome the fears that so often rob us of peace. Unfortunately, one of those thieves of peace can be the stress of shopping for Christmas gifts—including worries about what we can and can’t afford. But we can all afford to observe a Christmas season that truly comes from the heart. With a heart full of Christmas, the joy of the season will go on long after we turn off the holiday lights and put away the decorations. A heart full of Christmas brings the lasting, peaceful feelings of love, joy, hope, and the spirit of giving, even the Spirit of Christ. Please be Safe Happy and have Peace.
25 November 22
It’s
been said that “getting there is half the fun.” That’s true of vacations
and road trips, and it’s even more true of Christmas. It’s as if Christmas
is so full of joy and cheer that one day simply isn’t big enough to hold all
of it. Almost unavoidably, the bright lights, the colorful decorations, and the
spirit of sharing spill over into the weeks preceding December 25th. Children,
in particular, approach Christmas with an eager anticipation that’s both
delightful and contagious. And so adults can’t help themselves either—they
plan and prepare with high hopes and expectations, humming Christmas carols as
they go. However, in all our looking forward, it’s important to remember what
we’re looking forward to. Getting there, after all, is at most half the fun.
It’s too easy, in all the bustle and excitement, to lose sight of what we’re
really celebrating. In truth, there is no true Christmas without Christ. Our
anticipation of Christmas is an echo of the anticipation that believers have
felt about Him for centuries. The festivities, the lights and decorations are,
at their best, an opportunity to honor Him. Jesus Christ was not just another
baby. His birth and life brought new light and eternal life into the world. He
showed us the way, lived for us, and gave His life for us. And so, as our
thoughts turn to gifts we will give on Christmas morning, it’s appropriate to
ponder: what gifts might we offer Him whose birth we celebrate? As we give of
ourselves—our heart full of love—we demonstrate our faith in the giver of
all good gifts, and our love grows to overflowing. Perhaps we could give this
season more of Christ—more of Him in our thoughts, in our actions, in our
anticipation for Christmas—so much more, in fact, that one day can’t hold
our love for Him, and it overflows into every part of our lives every season of
the year.
Please
be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
18 November 22
Even
during difficult times, perhaps especially during difficult times, we need the
blessing of gratitude. Can you imagine a day that begins that way? How might we
approach a day that we consider a gift from God? After all, this glorious world
and everything good in it comes from Him, including our very lives. We can never
finish counting our blessings, but we can start, and we can “live in
thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which God bestows upon
us. So how can we more fully live in thanksgiving daily? To me, prayer is the
key to gratitude. I pray every morning and express my thanks to God for His many
blessings. There’s something about saying it out loud that drives the
gratitude deeper into my heart. It’s great to have a day or a season to set
aside for thanksgiving. But God’s blessings are always there, so my heart can
be full of thanks to God and my loved ones during all seasons, every day. It’s
easy for our prayers to become a list of requests, like we’re putting in an
order at “a cosmic vending machine. What could happen if instead we saw prayer
as a chance to express thanks? Of course, the great God of the universe wants to
bless us, and He invites us to ask, seek, and knock. But it’s also true that
one of the greatest blessings He offers is the peace and perspective that fill
our souls when we live in thanksgiving each day.
Please be Safe Happy and have Peace
5 November 22
The
word strive means something slightly different from the word try. To strive
suggests purposeful effort. To try, on the other hand, connotes something a
little less certain. You try something when you’re still exploring whether
success is possible or even desirable. If it doesn’t work out, well, at least
you tried. But when you strive, you keep going, no matter what. In the effort to
overcome our weaknesses and change for the better, we don’t just try; we
strive. In
our striving, we’re blessed to have exemplary people around us—people we can
look up to—who are also striving and succeeding. We notice how they solve
problems, face difficulties, and get through tough times. We might admire their
hard work and grit, their generosity and integrity. Imposing mountains seem
easier to scale when someone we trust has gone even just a few steps before us,
blazing a trail. Sometimes
the mentor we emulate is a colleague, a friend, or a family member. It might be
an ancestor whose story has been passed down for generations. But if we could
strive to be like anyone, to look to anyone for the embodiment of goodness and
grace, the best practice is to emulate Jesus Christ. He gave us the perfect
example to follow. This
is the trail that the Lord blazed for us. Whenever we show love and compassion,
whenever we are kind and forgiving and fair-minded, we are following Him. We are
helping to bring His light into our lives and into the world. That is a goal
worth striving for. Please
be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
29 October 2022
With
good reason, we often admire people who are persistent, resilient—those who
face hardship but simply refuse to quit. We stand in awe of their grit and
self-confidence, and we say to ourselves, “If only I had that kind of
willpower.” Whether we’re facing physical or spiritual challenges,
mental or emotional hurdles, sometimes the best we can do is simply keep going.
Whatever your work may be, endure at the beginning, endure through opposing
forces along the way, and endure to the end. In many cases, those
resilient, self-confident people we admire would tell us that their confidence
is not solely in themselves. We are not expected to endure on our own. Every one
of “life’s victories” is a team victory. We all need love and support,
wisdom and encouragement from others. And most of all, we need the Lord Jesus
Christ and His strengthening, sustaining influence. Indeed, the best kind of
willpower comes from a higher power. It is our faith that unlocks that power. Faith
helps us look beyond our current struggles. Faith gives us confidence beyond our
own, empowering us to press forward to a future that’s even better than we can
imagine. That’s the difference between enduring to the end and enduring to the
end with faith.
Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
21 October 2022
It’s
easy to grow accustomed to the way things are, and in time, problems that were
once so obvious—even urgent—become invisible to us. It often takes someone
else to lovingly point out the gaping holes in our lives. A trusted friend or
family member, a person who truly wants the best for us, can offer a fresh
perspective, can see things we can’t, and can even help us make those needed
repairs. But that takes sincerity and humility from both those who give and
those who receive the feedback. The truth is we can all benefit from some
repairs in our lives. Perhaps our hearts have been damaged by harsh feelings or
the slow drip of unnoticed patterns of anger, impatience, or cynicism. Maybe we
need to patch some holes in our relationships with forgiveness and compassion.
Whatever the needed repairs, we don’t have to make them alone. We have each
other, and above all, we have the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2
Corinthians 12:9). Ultimately, the Lord gives us power to heal, to turn our
weaknesses into strengths, and to repair what is broken. Please
be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
1 October 2022
A university student recently had a life-changing insight. But unlike most things he was learning as a student, this insight didn’t come from a lecture or a textbook. In fact, it was sparked when he forgot something from his textbook. While enrolled in a science class, he was fascinated as he read about how stars are formed. He noticed that if someone asked him about stars when he was studying the book, he could accurately describe the exact conditions necessary for star formation. But if someone asked him the same question a month or two later, he might have some hazy memory that hydrogen gas was involved in the process, but he would be unsure about the details. In time, he might even start second-guessing himself—was he remembering correctly? Was hydrogen gas really essential to star formation? Time spent away from his studies caused him to doubt things he had once known with confidence and certainty. And what was so life-changing about this simple observation? The young man realized that this basic principle of academic success also applies to his spiritual growth. Truth is independent; it does not change. But our confidence in the truth varies according to our connection to God, the source of truth. That’s why daily spiritual habits are so important. If we take time each day to connect with heaven through prayer and pondering God’s word in purposeful study, we can more readily respond to life’s difficulties with faith and clarity. We can even respond more confidently to questions that might challenge our faith. When those challenges come, we don’t have to try to pull from a hazy memory of what we once read, felt, or knew. It’s much better to draw upon recent experiences with the divine. Life’s questions, confusions, and problems become less overwhelming and not so dark as we bask in divine light each day. We are here on earth to learn and grow. And like every other living, growing thing on earth, we grow gradually, consistently, day by day—not in occasional growth spurts. Devotion to God, at its best, happens regularly, even daily. Spiritual experiences or feelings of the past may not be enough to carry us through tomorrow’s hard trials and hard questions. But taking time for holiness each day will keep our spiritual memories bright and powerful. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
24 September 2022
A
family recently went on vacation together. The hope was to create lasting
memories and opportunities for family bonding. But, as with most family
vacations, those high hopes were soon tempered by reality. There were good
times, but there were also unexpected delays, noisy crowds, and hidden expenses
that disrupted the family's carefully laid plans. Not surprisingly, this led to
some frayed nerves, miscommunication, and discord among family members. At
times, it was tempting to wonder whether the vacation was even worthwhile. And
yet, in spite of all that, the family did create lasting memories and
opportunities for bonding. In fact, they seemed to bond most strongly over some
of those unexpected struggles. They grew personally and as a family in ways that
wouldn't have been possible otherwise. It's a stretch to say that life is like a
vacation, but there are some similarities between the experiences of this family
and our journey through life. We may plan for-and hope for-endless joy and
comfort. But that's no one's reality. Life is wonderful but at times painful;
sweet and sometimes bitter. Challenging circumstances don't disrupt the
plan-they're actually part of the plan-the plan for us to grow and progress.
Central to that plan is the fact that we're all traveling together as a family.
The connection, belonging, and refinement that comes from family life makes us
better people. Yes, family life can be messy at times. But nothing polishes off
the rough edges quite like the interactions we have in families-both our
immediate family and the great family of God. Every good family has some family
rules, and in God's family one of the best known is called the Golden Rule.
Jesus put it this way: "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do
to you, do ye even so to them" (Matthew 7:12). In other words, treat others
the way you would like to be treated. That rule applies even when we're hungry,
tired, and frustrated. On vacation and in life, striving to treat others the way
we want to be treated makes for smoother travel. More than that, it makes for
stronger families. And stronger families make better people.
Be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
10 September 2022
Some
days, reading the news feels like reading those prophecies in the Bible about
the end of the world. “Perilous times,” the Apostle Paul called them—when
peace would be taken from the earth, when the heavens and earth would shake and
when hearts would fail with fear. Even if it’s not quite the end of the world,
feelings of fear and anxiety plague us. What’s worse, too often these feelings
come to the surface in the form of anger and hostility toward others. All of
this stress is having a profound effect on the health and well-being of so many
of us. For example, imagine how our view of life would be affected if God’s
love for His children were always our underlying assumption, no matter what is
happening in our lives. Perhaps that same love would inspire us to reach out to
others, no matter what is happening in their lives. And maybe that love would
lift our hearts in gratitude for the good things in our lives, including the
values and beliefs that make up the best in each of us. Maybe then we could
create a loving community where peace and joy thrive and where fear no longer
causes distress. Anxiety and fear can be managed—even replaced with peace and
hope—as we focus on loving our neighbors as ourselves.
3 September 2022
Some believe that the greatest goal in life is to avoid work. It might sound appealing, but sooner or later, experience teaches us that leisure is not the same thing as happiness. Honest labor is an essential part of a healthy, happy life. Even when work is not a financial necessity, it is a spiritual necessity. Of course, too much work is just as unhealthy as too much leisure. We all need rest, relaxation, and recreation. But ultimately, rest is enjoyable and satisfying after we have given our best efforts to meaningful work. Work is good therapy for so many problems. It is one of the best antidotes for worry and boredom. And when we feel that a challenge or task is beyond our natural abilities, what we may lack in aptitude, we can often make up for in consistent effort. As another wise religious leader taught, the privilege to work is a gift, [the] power to work is a blessing, [the] love of work is success. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
19 August 2022
In
today’s world, we are surrounded by noise. Some of it is welcome—noise we
have chosen. And we have so many media tools, we could fill every second of the
day with sounds. But life is also full of unwelcome noise, and all the commotion
leaves so many feeling stressed, anxious, and unsettled. We struggle to find a
moment of silence. And even when we do, often the internal sound of our thoughts
and worries presses upon us, disrupting our lives and making us uneasy.
We can regulate and enhance the sound around us by intentionally choosing to
focus on some things more than others. As we monitor the noise, adjust the
feedback, and carefully watch the level of sound—both around us and inside us—we
gain more of a sense of calm. Audio engineers have knobs and faders to regulate
noise; our tools include meditation and prayer. Taking time to be silent, to
ponder and pray, can help clear our minds, settle us down, and give us peace.
Meditation and prayer help us to feel God’s presence and His peace in our
lives, even in a noisy world. Finding time to be still and hear the voice of God
takes practice and patience, but it can be a revitalizing spiritual exercise. It
refocuses our priorities, quiets the noise, and brings us closer to the divine.
Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
12 August 2022
If you’ve ever been to a talent show, you may have noticed that certain talents are easier to notice—and easier to “show”—than others. The talents that get the most applause tend to be talents in music, dance, or visual arts. Those who are skilled in sports and academics are also well recognized. If we lack such wonderful abilities, we may conclude that we simply are not talented. A good listener may save someone from despair. Someone with the discipline to keep trying may solve problems or make discoveries beyond our imagination. And holding one’s tongue has surely saved many a relationship. Whatever our talents may be, they rarely come to us fully developed. Talents grow because we’re willing to keep trying, even if others around us seem more talented. What a bleak world it would be if only the best contributed. We are all enriched by the generosity of every soul. We need not be famous or acclaimed to bless others with the unique talents God has given us. In the familiar Bible story, the Lord entrusted His servants with sums of money—called talents—in varying amounts. He equally praised those who, rather than burying their talents, used and developed what He gave them, whether it was much or little. Whatever measure of talent we have, it can bless the world around us—but only if we share it. Please be Safe, be Happy and have Peace.
6 August 2022
When we look at other living things, we expect that they will grow and change over time. No one assumes that a seedling will stay small and fragile—we know that it is destined to grow into a strong and mighty tree. When we see a calf or a cub, we also see its potential to become a full-grown animal. And yet, too often, we don’t see the same potential for growth in ourselves. We tend to think that the person we have been in the past, or even the person we are right now, is the person we will always be. A Harvard psychologist refers to this as the “end of history illusion”—the assumption that the “real” you is the present you, no matter how far you’ve come and how far you could still go. “Human beings,” he explains, “are works in progress that mistakenly think they’re finished.” But it doesn’t just happen. Just as the seedling doesn’t grow without plenty of nourishment, we are more likely to progress if we are intentional about progressing. In fact, one important difference between us and the seedling is that we have a degree of choice about the direction of our growth. If, in the past, we’ve been too quick to anger, too self-centered, we can change that. If we wish we could become a little kinder, a little more loving, we can do it! One starting point is to believe that we can—to be open to positive change, to welcome it, even seek for it. Instead of labeling ourselves by our past mistakes and weaknesses, we envision our better selves and then work to make it a reality. Our loving Heavenly Father sees us for who we have the potential to become. And He wants us to see what He sees. Rather than defining ourselves by who we have always been, we can begin to become who God wants us to be. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
8 July 2022
The word neighbor literally means one who is nigh, or near. But with the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus expanded that definition. A neighbor, He taught, is anyone in need. A person may seem distant culturally, politically, or socially, but all are near enough to receive our friendship, care, connection, help, and support. In a sense, Jesus expanded the boundaries of our common neighborhood to include all of God’s children. Any good neighborhood is built by good neighbors. That is why volunteers sew blankets for the cold and donate food for the hungry. That’s why people prepare hygiene kits and teach life skills to refugees. And that’s why missionaries share the good word of God to bless others, often far from home and at considerable sacrifice. They are striving to live the great commandment to “love [their] neighbor” (Matthew 22:39)—including neighbors they don’t even know. Some needs are obvious to the eye. More often, they are visible only to the heart. In either case, a good neighbor is one who, filled with compassion, overcomes boundaries and distances to become “one who is near.” Please be a good neighbor and be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
1 July 2022
As we come together, live together . . . in a world where physically we come ever closer together, always we have to have self-control, always we have to live our lives with law as well as with liberty. Always we have to consider the rights, the privileges, the comfort, the convenience of others, with an awareness that we have no right to do anything we want, to take anything we want, or irresponsibly to say anything we want, or to befoul the moral atmosphere, or the water others use, the air where others are, the peace that others have, or their rightful privacy, or to live uninhibited lives. We have to be considerate of others always. Self-control, with law, is the only safeguard of liberty; and not the existence of law only, but respect for law, obeying the law—the laws of God, the laws of the land. Please be Safe Happy and have Peace.
20 May 2022
We often think of debt as a burden, an obligation that must be paid. But a study found that feeling indebted to God, acknowledging what He has done for us, “leads to increased overall happiness and well-being.” The debt we owe to Him is one we can never pay, and yet those who recognize that debt actually feel closer to Him, not intimidated by Him. What’s more, they are also more likely to reach out to others in acts of service and kindness. Rather than feeling burdened, they seem to be uplifted and inspired by their debt to the Giver of all good gifts. We all owe much to the kindness and goodness of others. While we’re certainly responsible for our own choices in life, we are also indebted to those who have taught us, nurtured us, and helped us along the way. And, above all, we are indebted to our Maker for life and everything in it. Indeed, every good thing comes from Him. The more deeply we feel that, the more inclined we are to see that goodness all around us. We start to see God’s hand not just in our lives but in others’ as well. In this way, we draw closer both to God and to His other children—our brothers and sisters in God’s wonderful world. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
14 May 2022
God gives each of us a limited supply of time, and for the most part, we choose
how to use it. We live in a stressful time, with political unrest,
financial concerns, and anxiety about the future. When we feel worried or
afraid, we are more likely to react with a short temper, sharp words, or hasty
judgments. And when that happens, it’s easy to become offended and to make
enemies. Of course, there’s another way to react to the worries and fears of
our day. It begins with considering that other people are worried and afraid
too. The person who was impolite or inconsiderate might be carrying burdens we
can’t see. Instead of taking offense, we can strive to extend comfort and
compassion. Imagine what could happen if, instead of harboring resentment, you
reached out in some kind way to someone who offended you. For one thing,
you’ll probably surprise the person. More than that, you might begin building
a new relationship. In fact, the best way to defeat an enemy is in seeking to
make the enemy your friend. We can’t control how others will respond to our
outreach. But the very effort, no matter how people receive it, helps to make
the world a bit kinder, a bit more understanding. Our compassion reduces the
anxiety around us and brings peace and unity into our conversations. What a
wonderful way to spend the life and the time God has given us! Please be Safe,
be Happy, and have Peace.