As I was looking at the trees behind my house the other day I was reminded of the wonderful poem called “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer that I learned at a child. The first few verses go something like this:

“I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast.

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray.”

Now as an adult I see trees with a physicist’s eyes. I see the leaves reaching into the sky to absorb energy from the sun. The tree’s roots reach deep into the soil to absorb nutrients, drawing the liquids up the trunk through tiny capillary tubes. I think of the enormous stresses at the places where the large limbs are attached to the trunk. When I hold my arms straight out like that even for a few minutes my shoulders ache. Clearly every tree is a miracle. Kilmer’s poem ends:

“Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.”

Many of the remarkable features of trees are repeated in all vegetation on Earth. God gave us the miracle of vegetation not only for shade and food, but to control the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air we breathe. Christ’s Team is challenged to learn to manage vegetation with great wisdom to preserve the quality of life on Earth.

Wisdom is found in prayer.

Robert C. Frank

I recently had an opportunity to see the three dimensional movie about repair work on the Hubble telescope that is making the rounds of the IMAX theatres. The photography is spectacular and provides three exceptional views of creation.

Since the Hubble is in orbit only about 346 miles above the surface of the Earth, it provides an astronaut’s view of our planet rarely seen. In the movie Earth is seen in the background since the pictures are mainly of the astronauts repairing the telescope, but still it is a remarkable view. What an awesome planet God put us on and it deserves our utmost respect.

There are larger telescopes on Earth than the Hubble but its location outside most of the atmosphere gives it viewing capabilities that the other telescopes don’t have. The views of the universe achieved through the Hubble and seen in the movie provide an incredible spiritual view of creation. Most people who see the movie are deeply moved.

When we see the astronauts working on the telescope, we are reminded again that these special views of our universe were made possible by exceptional human teamwork. Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ came as a servant leader to teach human beings the benefits of teamwork and the followers of Jesus have been working ever since to continue creation. The Hubble telescope and its astounding views of the universe are products of humans working together as a team. Don’t miss the movie at your local IMAX theatre.

Peace is found in prayer

Robert C. Frank

I was deeply moved by a documentary on television recently about education in Afghanistan. Sitting among the other children outside because of the lack of a building for a school, a young girl said that she hoped that one day she could become a teacher. As I watched, my thoughts drifted to the history of the Christian missionary movement around the world where dedicated missionaries tried to help, but often got caught in local political and cultural conflicts. We have gradually learned that fixing things is part of continuing creation and it is not as easy as it often seems.

As Christians we need to do what we can to help that young girl in Afghanistan and other children around the world as well, but do it by using our creativity and learning from past experience. We can provide financial and physical resources in a fairly straightforward manner, but we also need to teach them to solve their problems by teamwork.

All of the children of the world were created and cared for by God. We don’t need to force all our religious traditions upon them, but we do need to teach them to love and care for each other and God’s creation. God’s grace in the form of forgiveness for our sins is God’s gift to us and we need to make them aware that it is also God’s gift to them to make them more functional team members. The spirit of Christ will continue to lead us in our efforts.

Peace is found in prayer.

Robert C. Frank

I watched a documentary about World War II on television a few nights ago and even though I lived through it and participated briefly in military service near the end, it seemed almost unreal, like a dream. It is hard to believe that virtually the entire world was involved in that strange war. One thing that stands out in my mind, however, was the remarkable teamwork that existed in our country at that time. We all knew what the goal was and worked together diligently to achieve that goal. What an awesome team we were then. Even when the war was over we were such a great team that we helped rebuild the countries of those who had been our enemies.

After World War II we became engaged in a cold war race to the moon. We formed a new team for the race into space and it too was an awesome team. We knew what our goal was and enjoyed working together to achieve that goal. Our teamwork finally made the impossible possible when we landed humans on the moon in 1969.

Christians throughout the world are dedicated to relieving suffering, increasing effective living and providing better management of the Earth. As Christ’s Team their goal is to create a world where every human being can achieve their maximum potential. It is another case of an impossible task that can be made possible through teamwork if we can get the team focused on the goal.

Peace is found in prayer.

Robert C. Frank

Without a connection to God, the source of our existence, our lives are like boats without rudders in a restless sea. We live our lives with fuzzy and ever changing goals. Countless pages have been written about prayer and yet we still have much to learn. God doesn’t answer prayer in a loud baritone voice, or by email or Facebook, but in the subtle events of daily life.

Among the benefits of prayer is greater calmness because every little challenge doesn’t become a major crisis. Reacting to events in our lives with God’s wisdom improves our effectiveness. Courage provided by prayer permits us to face life realistically. Anxiety and anger are reduced because we tend to see those around us as loving people. Relationships with God and other people are healed more easily relieving us of the burdens of guilt and old grudges. Thus we are able to lead happier, healthier, and more efficient lives.

In a way, the gift of prayer is like a treasure that isn’t often recognized. Many feel that prayer is worthless because they expect it to produce quick solutions to life’s problems. They don’t understand how the treasure is to be used. Prayer opens each individual to an awareness of the presence of God and that tends to quiet the emotional storms, soften the days of depression, and provide courage and hope when life is restricted thus making our lives more productive.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

Our home is a block from 31st Avenue, often called “church row.” A Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, and Lutheran church are all lined up short distances apart on church row. For nearly thirty years these churches have been celebrating Thanksgiving together on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. As the years went by they were joined by a Jewish Synagogue, a Presbyterian church and a second Baptist church that were a little farther away.

Thanksgiving is approaching again and everyone looks forward to the event because the service involves contributions from the rich traditions of the different denominations. All of the choirs contribute their special music. The offering is in the form of imperishable food to restock the Food Bank used to help needy families in the area. Attendance has now reached the point where only the larger churches are able to host it. Other churches assist with refreshments.

It is just one of many examples of ways for members of Christ’s Team to share experiences and learn from each other. It reminds us of words from Peter Scholtes wonderful song They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.

“We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord.

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Christ’s Team consists of many denominations but one Spirit. A team effort is always stronger than the sum of the individual efforts.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

The extensive damage and loss of life created by the recent earthquake in Haiti has reminded us again that our beautiful blue planet has awesome capabilities for supporting human life, but it is not perfect. Occasionally the solid plates forming the Earth’s crust beneath our feet need to move to relieve the stresses and that can produce catastrophic damage. Since natural disasters destroy the lives and property of the innocent as well as the chronic wrong doers, it is difficult to believe that they are part of God’s plan. Rather, it suggests that creation isn’t finished and that God needs us to assist with the process. We may not be able to control the winds or earth movement, but we can learn how to protect human lives and restore damaged property.

Modern communication systems provide improved early warning, but still need fine tuning. Governments working together using science and technology provide medical aid for the injured, burial of the dead and partial restoration of living facilities, but there is still much to learn to increase efficiency. The cleanup of the destruction and rebuilding of homes and lives takes much longer. Christian organizations that are part of Christ’s Team have permanent bases in almost every country in the world and are usually among the first to arrive at a disaster site and the last to leave. Christ’s Team is there to help rebuild when others have left, but needs the involvement of more of its Team members.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

There is an old ethnic joke that has many variations but often represents an all too common viewpoint. In the Scandinavian tradition it goes like this. Sven says to his old friend, “Ole, some times I think that the whole world is going to the dogs except you and me and there are days when I think you are going too.” Communication is so good today that almost every bad event in the world is carefully documented. Adding to the negative perspective, TV viewing is filled with movie previews showing cities being blown up and autos flying in all directions.

When I go to the local supermarket I get a different view of the world. Not only am I impressed with the huge selection of food and supplies available to make us healthy and happy, but I am also impressed with how polite people are to each other: visitors as well as employees. I see many loving people there.

I am aware that there are still many people in the world who are suffering from illness, poverty, and natural disasters but Christ’s Team is working hard to change that. Visit any church on a Sunday morning and pick up a copy of their newsletter. They list the many things they are doing to aid people not only in the local community, but all around the world. Christ’s Team needs you. Join a church. The world will get better.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

President Barack Obama has been struggling for some time with how to handle our involvement in Afghanistan. Should we send more forces or try to find other ways of dealing with the problem? It is a difficult decision because it has long range consequences.

President Obama wisely sought advice from as many sources as he could find. Most of us are happy that we don’t have to make such weighty decisions. However, those of us who raised children remember the many times in our lives when we had to make decisions that were very difficult. The adolescent years are particularly challenging. There were days when we had to decide whether to use tough love or gentle love and it wasn’t always easy.

Those of us on Christ’s Team found many sources of help in our churches. We were encouraged to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance and we did. We used the wisdom of the Bible to illuminate the path. Our churches provided literature about raising children in a Christian environment that was very helpful. We also found friends struggling with the same problems who shared what they had learned and provided support. The results of the difficult decisions we make in life are often not known until many years later. Our daughters now have adolescent or adult children of their own.

We are very blessed. Family gatherings are happy occasions that everyone looks forward to.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

We are going through a period when people are beginning to spend more of their free time volunteering to help with projects that supply the needs of the less fortunate. All of us were told when we were young that we were going to have to get jobs to financially support ourselves for the rest of our lives. That gave working for money a special dignity. However, working on projects without pay also has a special dignity, especially if it aids people with unusual needs.

Aside from just feeling good about helping others, there are often other benefits. First of all you can develop close friendships with inspiring people. Secondly you can learn new skills that may be helpful in your life. Working as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, for example, you can learn from experts how to build houses, install plumbing, and do electrical wiring. Thirdly, if you are currently unemployed you can sometimes work with people who may eventually be able to offer you employment. Furthermore volunteers can often choose the hours they want to work.

Christian churches are excellent sources of information about volunteer opportunities. Not only are there many jobs to be done around the church, but congregations also have information about the needs of the community. Their lists include hospitals, blood banks, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others. Christ’s Team needs volunteers in many different areas to make the world a better place to live.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

The spiritual journey of each human being is different since it depends on their individual capabilities or spiritual gifts, education, cultural background, and religious experiences. For most people the journey receives minimal guidance through prayer and attendance at worship services. Some people, however, are able to receive additional guidance from a spiritual director.

A spiritual director is a person, usually with special training, who becomes a spiritual companion to another for awhile. They meet on a regular basis, perhaps once a month. Most of the time, the spiritual director simply listens to the story of the other person and only occasionally engages in conversation. Their role is not so much to tell the person what their spiritual life should be as it is to help them discover it for themselves. The spiritual director is in essence holding a mirror to help the person observe their spiritual life as a member of Christ’s Team more clearly.

The responsibilities of pastors of modern congregations are usually so great that time available for spiritual direction is very limited. Thus there is a need for others who are willing to receive the special training and serve in that capacity. I was fortunate to have had Sister Audrey, a Benedictine nun, serve as a spiritual director for me for about a year. Our conversations were a great help to me in understanding my role as a follower of Jesus.

Additional information about spiritual direction can be found on the Internet.

Peace is found in prayer,
Robert C. Frank

Creation involves overcoming obstacles and if we are to be God’s creation assistants it means constantly facing new challenges. As citizens of the United States, we are currently struggling to provide adequate health care for everyone in our country while at the same time trying to help stabilize governments in another part of the world, both substantial challenges.

In our personal lives, challenges are necessary for happiness for the following reasons: (1) They provide purpose and direction for our lives. (2) They develop our skills and we experience the joy of accomplishment. (3) They help us learn to work with other people in team relationships and we get to enjoy the fellowship. Whether our challenge for the day is learning to use new computer software, balancing our finances, getting needed exercise, planning a party, cleaning the kitchen, rearranging the living room, or carrying out a work project on the job, happiness occurs when such challenges are pursued using principles taught by Jesus.

First of all we need to pray for God’s wisdom and always try to keep challenges in perspective.  It may not look that way, but in most cases the challenges of our lives are shared with other people so solutions will occur when we work effectively with them. Teamwork is important. Sometimes solutions take time so patience is necessary. Members of Christ’s Team lead happy and productive lives when they rely on and are grateful for the resources God has provided for them.

Peace is found in prayer.
Robert C. Frank

It was sixteen years ago but memories linger on. Jeff Cottingham was the most kind and loving person I had ever met. His friends called him J. C. He attended Catholic mass at his church weekdays and worshiped at our Lutheran church on Sundays. He loved children and worked with juvenile delinquents in a neighboring city. J. C. married our youngest daughter Rhea one beautiful summer day and within a few years they had two children, a girl and a boy, who were the joy of his life.

Four years after they were married, J. C. developed cancer and eventually had to undergo surgery to remove a large part of his stomach. The cancer was slowed but didn’t stop and J. C. soon needed chemotherapy. Rhea took him to a specialist in a hospital some distance from our home and the first treatment went well. The second treatment a month later did not go well and after twelve days of uncertainty, J.C. died. It was two days before Christmas.

It is traditional for Rhoda and me to have our daughters and their families for dinner on Christmas Eve. That Christmas Eve was a tear filled experience for all of us. Why did such a loving man have to die so young? We were reminded that another J.C. died as a young man nearly two thousand years earlier, a man whose birth is celebrated at Christmas and whose life changed the course of history. Christ’s Team surrounded our family with love that Christmas and helped heal our wounds.

Peace is found in prayer
Robert C. Frank

Humans have an insatiable desire to know everything about their celebrities. Today the birth of the child of a world leader would get massive TV coverage. Communication was fairly primitive when Jesus was born and Mary and Joseph were not world leaders or they would have acquired better accommodations in Bethlehem. Notwithstanding, the accounts in Luke and Matthew tell us of a substantial celebration of Jesus’ birth among the shepherds and magi, a celebration that almost cost Jesus his life. According to the account in Matthew, the threat from a jealous King Herod made it necessary for Mary and Joseph to escape to Egypt to protect their new baby. As a result, his life during childhood and youth was probably protected by anonymity which was also needed to protect his message.

The actual day and year he was born are still a bit uncertain. Was it in the winter or early spring, 0 AD or -4 BC? Even though there is much we don’t know about the birth of Jesus, in our 21st Century it is a birthday well worth celebrating. The quality of human life has improved dramatically since then and much of it can be traced back to his presence on Earth. Physicist, Paul Sabine once wrote in his book, Atoms, Men, and God, the following: “Implicit in its (Christianity’s) teachings are the ethical and social ideals of the dignity and worth of the individual, of human freedom, equality and brotherhood that are the spiritual foundations of a democratic society, and the only possible basis for a world order of peace and good will.”

Here’s to Jesus, our wonderful leader and coach! It’s his birthday. Let’s celebrate!!

Peace is found in prayer.
Robert C. Frank