20. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

It has been reported that today’s inauguration will be the most viewed television event in history.  I have been watching and listening to the coverage all morning and I have been struck by a couple of moments so far, even before the speech and the official swearing in has begun.  First, the image of the current President, George W. Bush, greeting the Obama’s at the White House was stunning to me.  With all this is wrong with America (this is not a day for that commentary), this exchange of power, and in this case an historic exchange, is indeed astonishing.  The peaceful, and seemingly joyous transfer of power, is unique, inspiring and altogether fascinating.  In this case particularly, the new American President is a black man.  For the first time in history, America has promoted the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from etherial fantasy to concrete reality.  The theme, “Yes we can” has rung true and has validated the refrain of of Dr. King, “I have a dream today…”.  The image of President Bush taking Michelle Obama by the had and walking her into the White House was incredibly moving for me.  That is an image that will, no doubt, live on in our American psyche for ages to come.For those of us who define ourselves as conservatives, and for Americans of any stripe, we must recognize the  magnitude of this moment in our history.  The images of Rosa Parks, little Ruby from New Orleans, MLK Jr., and so many others have led us to a pivotal moment in our journey as a country.  We have moved from the cries against oppression to the clarion refrain of “opportunity” for all.In keeping with this moment, I thought it would be appropriate to offer, for today’s blog, an excerpt from Soul Storm (www.soulstormsite.com) which captures the life and message of Dr. King, and the power of a dream pursued.  This day, regardless of our political affiliation, stands as a monument to the power of a dream pursued and the thrill of realizing that dream.  Read, consider, pray for God’s continued blessing upon us, and pursue the dreams God has planted in your heart.  We were put here for a reason, let’s get after it!  The Change You Always Dreamed Of

Martin Luther King Jr. lived a dream life. It sounds odd, perhaps, but it is true. Though his life was cut short, this king of oratory lived his life calling for a better dream in America. His was one of the most-important voices in the history of our nation, and his legacy lives on forever. It was not an easy dream or an easy life to follow, but it was a life well lived. His was a life calling for radical change. In keeping with much of the research on change, many Americans did not want to change, and the change did not come easy. Eventually, however, the change did come. We have all seen the world through a different frame as a result King’s life and his passionate speeches, and the course of our nation’s story has been altered for the better because he was willing to be a change agent. King’s life and words offered us the opportunity and encouragement to embrace a new worldview.

Let’s take a close look at a few of those powerful words:

We have all heard the famous passages from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. But another of his speeches, which is lesser known, gives us a look at the foundation for his dream speech and dream life.

The night before his death, in his “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech, Dr. King closed with these words: “Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the Lord.”

These may be some of the most important of any of Dr. Martin Luther King’s words — and he spoke many important ones. They are important for the depth of spiritual courage and for their crystal-clear divine perspective. These words are rich with many lessons that offer us insight to how we make change and our course of action for living the “dream life.” Below are a few of the deep truths revealed in this brief excerpt from King’s speech.

1) Once we have seen the glory of the Lord, then, and only then, does life come into proper perspective. In light of the knowledge of God, we see ourselves as we are, we see the majesty of the creator, and we recognize the futility of all that does not derive its meaning and purpose in Him. If we are to have any power for change, it must come from outside of ourselves. Change, as the researchers point out, is very unlikely for the majority of us. Enabled, however, by a power beyond ourselves, change is attainable.

2) When we are living life for a purpose bigger than ourselves, the dream becomes the “the thing.” Even our own lives seem dispensable for the cause. The thought of death, while real, does not deter us from our passion for the fulfillment of the dream. Many in New Orleans and the surrounding areas are contemplating a new dream for the city. The unfortunate reality, however, is that most are beginning to call for a “life-as-usual” approach. The dream seems to be a desire to get back to the way things used to be. If we can embrace a dream beyond “normal,” beyond “the way it used to be,” then we can find passion for a pursuit worthy of our time, effort, and sacrifice. There does appear to be a great deal of rhetoric flying around about building New Orleans bigger and better, yet the outworking of that rhetoric is not quite living up to the dream at this point.

3) One glimpse of the mountaintop is enough to convince us of the sufficiency of the dream-giver, the one who actually created the mountain. He becomes our all in all. From the mountaintop, everything else looks so small. If we can gain a fresh understanding of God’s agenda for the human community, we will be on our way to building our cities and our nation better than ever. The Maker of the mountains has a dream for our communities that provides for the economic opportunity, educational enhancement, vibrant social initiatives, care for the poor and needy, and spiritual revitalization. With a holistic approach to rebuilding that is pointed toward the building of soul and structures, we have a much greater chance for success. Change research points this out as well.

4) Quality trumps quantity. As an investment broker of rare collectible assets, I have always told my clients that quality rather than quantity of assets should be the goal. Dr. King understood this was true of life. Longevity was not the ultimate aim; rather, the quest of the dream is what determined his essence. To live life well is the goal. To build well should be our goal. As we look toward rebuilding our cities and our lives, we must begin the process with an acknowledgment that quality of rebuilding is what counts. Some will suggest that we should rebuild everything. The reality is that a more strategic approach should be embraced with an eye toward shoring up the quality of those parts of New Orleans that really ought to be rebuilt.

5) When you know the “promised land” is secured in the future, worry and fear diminish. The knowledge that the ultimate dream will at some point be fulfilled is the soul’s anchor amidst any storm. Like Moses and so many others, King found his strength in the promise of victory ahead. The knowledge that the dream life you are building is a God-given vision assures you of the outcome. Some see the promise fulfilled here on earth, others are used to call out the dream and empower others to chase after it. In the end, the victory is for all. Knowing that God is smiling upon the building of your life settles the soul and gives grace amidst all obstacles that may come. Nothing can stop the man, woman, boy or girl who is pursuing God’s call for the future.

6) The desire to do the Lord’s will is enough. The Westminster confession tells us of the ultimate issue: to know God and enjoy Him forever. The two go hand in hand. Those who know Him enjoy Him. He really does give life and life abundantly. We tend to get caught up in the world’s agenda for obtaining happiness. The message given is that the pursuit of toys and pleasure is the road to happiness. In reality, these pursuits distract us and hinder us from obtaining the life God has for us. In exchange for the temporary, God’s offers us peace, contentment, and an internal life that apart from God we can never know. That is why no matter how high we climb and how much money we make, we will never be at rest apart from a knowledge of God. St. Augustine once wrote that our souls were created with a God-given void. In that place, a place only God can fill, He offers to place His Spirit. We will have no rest, says Augustine, until we find our rest in God.

7) If the dream is God-given, it must be pursued. As was the case for the nation Israel in the Old Testament, the life God calls us to is the only option if we want a sustainable future. To turn from God’s agenda for our life personally, as a city, as a nation, leads only to more misery. If we are to rebuild with the promise of a hopeful future, we must build according to His plan. In stark contrast to the lives of those already rebuilding the “old way,” we must pursue a new future. It is sad to hear that the first businesses re-opened in New Orleans were the strip clubs. Equally disturbing are calls for the city to embrace an expanded gambling district in New Orleans in an effort to “jumpstart” the economy. In a city notorious for crime, filth, immorality, drunkenness, and dirty politics, an embrace of an industry leading to more of the same is not the answer. If we fail to understand that a different way is best for our future, and if we miss God’s call for change, we are in for more destruction. It is incongruous for leaders to call for the help of the Church amidst disaster, and then turn from God’s message for life-building and community-forming once the panic has subsided. Similarly, those caught in the violent storms of life as a result of bad decisions cannot call on God and claim His name while pursuing the very activities that have led to their demise. His plan, His way, is the only way. The very pursuit of His plan is what will bring us fulfillment, purpose, poise, and passion — things we all crave. Dr. King’s life and speeches were characterized by a life filled with these values, and his call for change in America was eventually heard. Change is possible. A change for good is preferable. God offers us the means for change.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, our nation has become aware of the depth of the storm that still rages in our country regarding race and class. The looting, desperation, and revelations of the extent of poverty in one of America’s most-visited cities gave onlookers a tragic look at how much change is still needed in America. The changes we must pursue will not come overnight, and they will require a radical approach. In the end, however, these changes offer us a much brighter future. The changes accomplished through the efforts of Dr. King came at a great price, but the goal and the achievements were worth the struggle. All the difficulty, pain, loss, and sacrifice paid off in the long run. Our nation, as a result of the extreme changes called for in the battle for civil rights, is stronger, more diverse and much richer.

The changes God calls us to are always for our good. At times those changes require that we go through intense turmoil and loss. What we lose in the exchange, however, is always returned with much greater reward. When we move from the slavery of brokenness, division, and spiritual poverty, into the light of healing, community, and integrity, we always win. In the wake of disaster and displacement, God’s desire is to bring radical change into our lives. This change in values, priorities, location, profession, goals, and relationships will result in a future we could not have imagined.

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16. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

An essay Bruce was asked to submit some time ago was recently chosen for inclusion in a very ambitious book project.  Along with business, culture, social, spiritual, and political leaders (like Tony Blair, former Prime Minister), Bruce will be featured in a new work which challenges us all to work toward a better world.  Stay tuned in the days ahead for more details.  We at Optimus hope and pray your year is off to a fantastic start, and we pray that is will indeed be a year in which you grow to know God in a deeper way, and make a difference in the world.  Let’s aim big, aspire high, reach out, think deeply, give compassionately, and live this year to the full.Grace and Peace in the new year,Optimuslife.org 

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13. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

Disaster as a Turning Point: a tribute to Mamaw

“The bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to make the turn.”

— Anon

January 13, 2005, was a turning point, a critical moment. On that date I had to deal with a significant disaster in my life. This disaster came at a time when all around me was chaos, uncertainty, and pain. I was going through major transitions in my family, finances, and the call of God for my future. All the difficulties had been in place for some time, and the level of stress was enormous at the start of a new year. Yet somehow, I knew deep within me that in the midst of this storm God was at work. January 13, 2005 was to be a day in which all the elements of the storm would come to a head, and the beginning of a new day of hope would begin for me. “Unlucky thirteen” was to be a day of death in my family. “Mamaw,” the matriarch of our family, passed away and went on to be with her Maker. In her passing, I found pain and sorrow but also perspective.

Mamaw’s passing was not a shock to anyone in our family, and we were all about as “prepared” as we could be for her last day. She had been diagnosed with cancer three years prior, and was told she only had six months to live. We all expected this day would come many months earlier than it did, but as Mamaw was prone to do over and over again in her life, she thanked the doctors for their diagnosis, looked them squarely in the eyes and told them and us that she was in God’s hands and suspected she would be around a bit longer that anyone might assume. She proved herself and her God right, yet again. Mildred Findley was never one to place more faith in the wisdom of this world than in the truths she read in the scriptures every day. The many Bibles she had in her home were a demonstration to her source of trust. Each of them, of which I now have the last one she had been poring through, are a visible reminder of how she devoured the statutes of God, for they are full of notes, paperclips, and highlights.

Mamaw was not an accomplished academic, she was not a world traveler, she was not well known, she was not rich, and her contributions to life on this planet were not visible to most of the world. However, she lived a life of love and devotion to God and His call to grace and compassion. Mamaw rarely traveled more than a couple hundreds miles from her home. She was a simple woman prone to state things in a heart-felt country tone. While none of her daily sermons, anecdotes, or directives was recorded for posterity, her teachings are alive and well in the hearts of all of those who had the privilege of knowing her. To know Mamaw was to be loved, deeply.

Though I loved my grandmother a great deal, and though I knew who and what she was about, the full impact of just how important her contribution in my life was did not come until I had to prepare for her funeral. As I reflected upon this simple but profound life, I came to realize just how God used her to form me over the years. In my preparations for the sermon, I wept many tears, but not just tears of sorrow. The tears were coming from the great loss, yes, but also from the deep sense of gratitude to have had the blessing of God to grow up around this woman. Her life, I was now understanding in ways I had not before, had given me the foundation to withstand many of the intense tempests that have come my way. Mamaw’s life and death, a turning point for all who knew her, left a mark on me. Her legacy will live on.

What was this life about? What lasting good can really come from such a simple existence? Mildred Findley’s life was a humble one, but it was a life well-lived, and that’s the point. All of us want to know that our lives mean something, don’t we? I have heard it said that what your life really amounts to is not the dates on your tombstone, but the dash in between. The dates are on Mamaw’s tombstone, yet it is the dash that speaks so much to all of us who loved her. That dash was filled with grace amidst struggle, compassion amidst sickness, care for scraped knees, a cold washcloth on the forehead on sick days, big buckets of bubble gum, and tons of loving words. Mildred was a woman acquainted with the disasters of this world, and yet she did not find herself consumed with her own pain. Throughout this well-lived life, she gave of herself to others with abandon. She cared for the elderly with unceasing compassion, she showed great love to the many she cared for as they struggled with terminal illness, and she always, without reservation, pointed the sufferer’s gaze upward to a compassionate God. Time spent in Mamaw’s presence was always restoring. No one who showed up at her house needed an invitation, and all were welcome. To know Mamaw was to know you were loved, loved for just showing up. I will never forget the trips to the nursing homes when she would take me there to see Granny Findley. The huge Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations that were so full of food, fun and family, and the countless days she cared for me and fought for me remain in my soul. The sleepless nights she spent for months on end caring for Papaw when he was nearing his end, and the nights she stayed up with my mother as my step-father lost the battle with cancer at the age of only twenty-seven are etched in my soul as well.

In the days leading up to January 13, 2005, our family kept an around-the-clock vigil. Mamaw was coherent and involved with us until the last day or two.  It was staggering to see the peace, contentment, and certainty about her future that she demonstrated all the way through. Though we were there to comfort her, she was really the one comforting us. It was surreal. I think she hung on until she absolutely knew we were ready to move on even as she passed on to bigger and better things above. Literally, until the last day here on earth, she was full of grins, handing out treats to the kids (oh, that bubble gum!), and having all of us climb up in the bed next to her so she could love on us.

“Amazing love, how can it be?” I watched as she took her last breath. I held her in my arms and whispered to her that it was alright for her to move on. And as I sit here writing this with tears in my eyes, I can vividly remember those tangible moments. In those moments, ripe with the sweetness of God’s touch, I came to understand how living a life of value along the dash contributes to one’s ability to move on when all around is loss. In God’s scheme, loss is designed for a certain time, place, and purpose. Mamaw lived her life according to that design, she lived and loved like she knew where she was going, and she left a legacy for all of us to follow. My life was so full of difficulty even as I lay with her in those last moments. And as I whispered to her that all would be right, she was still thinking about me, and whispered back, “I love you, I am ready, you will be fine, God is going to give you a new start.” As Mamaw stepped across the neck of the enemy into God’s arms, she was still encouraging, loving, and leading the way for others. My life and my future are richer because of her extravagant love for others, which came from the matchless love of God shining in her soul. The strength of force of God’s call on my life was renewed as I watched my grandmother deal Death his final blow. She went out swinging and went upward with grace. Her courage in the face of disaster, her peace amidst the storm, her love throughout years of kingdom battles give me the strength to overcome the challenges life sends my way. Reflection upon her life has stirred me to remember that life is not about fame, money, attention, success, travel, and pleasure. Life is about how you love and impact others for God’s agenda. In the days since her death, God has lifted me and sent me in new directions with renewed passion for His purposes.

As Mamaw lay dying on the bed in my aunt and uncle’s home in Slidell, Louisiana (one of the many homes flooded by the waters of Katrina), the whisper of God came to me in a tangible way. It was as if I could hear the soft whisper of God telling me, “In this loss, Bruce, is the start of a new day.” This is a message that is true for all of us. Whether you have had the privilege to have a Mamaw in your life or not, God’s love reaches out to you in ways much like my grandmother reached out to me. He is faithful to send whispers of His grace if we are listening for His voice. Those whispers often come at unexpected and unassuming moments, but they do come. The God of the universe longs to make Himself known to you amidst all the seasons of your life. I recognize that all too many people in our world are without the kind of loving support I found in my grandmother. God is able, however, to give you strength and a network of loving and supporting people. Some have seen families disintegrate amidst the pain of broken relationships, others have lost close family members to illness, still others have seen those they love move away from to pursue the goals given to us by a mobile society chasing the all-alluring American dream. Whether the network of loving relationships and deep friendships has been there or not up to this point in your life, God stands ready and willing to bring you to a new day. If all appears lost for you, if you have given up hope of being loved or giving love, God can and will provide if you take him up on it. In the restoration of family relationships or through an authentic and open church community, God is able to meet you. If we will take the time to allow God to speak to us, even the worst of disasters are the means by which our God will move us on to greater things. No matter how strong the winds, no matter how deep the waters, no matter how severe the destruction, amidst all the storms of life God can bring newness, a hope, a future.

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7. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

Here is the link for the television show which aired earlier today!  Bruce’s interview is the third and final interview on the show.  You should be able to fast forward if you need to in order to get to the interview with Bruce.  Happy viewing!    …………….. http://www.lifestyle.org/article.php?id=37  

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7. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

Bruce will be on television nationwide today.  You can see the interview, which features him discussing God amidst Tragedy, on Trinity Broadcast Network, at 11:30am Central time.  The show is called Lifestyle Magazine. optimuslife.org 

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5. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

We rarely, if ever, send more than one email to our readers in a day, but today we beg your forgiveness for a second interruption to your life.  Actually, we hope the first email, the first blog of 2009, is more a help than an interruption, but you can decide that when you read it.This second email concerns an update we just received with regard to Bruce’s television interview which was recorded earlier in the year in Los Angeles.  The interview will air in two days, Wednesday, nationwide on TBN.  The details follow.Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) nationwide Wednesday January 7, 2009 at 9:30 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST) 

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5. January 2009 by BruceSmith.

Like many of you, over the holidays, I watched a number of movies.  Of those I watched, I think the one which captured me the most, emotionally speaking, was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  In the press build up for the movie the main theme was touted in  ”what if” terms.  What if you could live your life backwards?… this was the common tag-line for those reviewing the movie.  While that theme is certainly present, I am convinced the bigger idea strikes a much more poignant cord in each of us.  Essentially, in my view, the movie is about human longing, big life “moments”, opportunities seized, those missed, and our deepest desires, drives, and wishes.  The movie challenges the viewer to consider that life, in its splendor and horror, can and should be lived to the full.  While everything in the movie is certainly not of redeeming value, especially the clear lack of critical thinking and truth telling as it pertains to sexuality, there are yet many great lessons and thought provoking issues dealt with.   Whether it is my coming to an important mile marker in my life in the last couple of months, or if its just one of those seasons of intense reflection, I am not totally sure, but lately I have given a great deal of thought to who I am, what I am not, past hopes, current fears, and the unknown future.  Wrapped up in all of this is my grand, mostly unspoken, life “wish list”.  This is the list we all have, but too seldom reflect upon with the kind of focus we ought.  This is that deep and relentless pull to live a kind of life we have not as yet experienced.  This is the wish which too often goes unfulfilled in the human experience.  This is the nagging feeling that life has not given us all that we would have hoped for. So, what about this?  Are we doomed to live in a state of reflective angst?  Are we destined to live our lives with the background soundtrack always asking, “What if things were different?”  At 40, perhaps, I am beginning to understand that indeed I have missed some moments, dropped the ball at times, failed at certain things, and seen some wishes come and go unfulfilled, yet, I am also learning to savour the journey.  Amidst all the lost hopes and dreams, and the unrealized wishes (an intoxicating romance to last a lifetime, daily domestic bliss with my kids, another metric foot in physical stature, a life mission that tangibly changes the world and brings fame and notoriety, a Wimbledon victory, moral perfection, perfect faith, unwavering joy, unshakable peace, financial ecstasy, a best-selling book, a high-profile speaking tour, …), I am learning that life has offered so much and I am to take it all in and drink it up savouring each moment to the fullest.  Each moment this life offers is full of potential to “begin again” and to fully experience the splendor of existence.  I think this is the major reason I am so fond of photography.  This form of art seems to offer us the ability to capture, retain, and to experience again and again, those moments in life which are so full.  Benjamin Button drew me back into the process of capturing life’s moments and experiences in my soul and taking each one in as fully as I possibly can.  The moments with my kids (the thrills of watching them smile, succeed, hope, dream, love, give, … and the important moments of failure, sadness, uncertainty, and fear), the spark in the eye of another human being who is alive to life’s possibilities, the glory of a beautiful woman’s figure, the texture of a leaf, a snowflake, the majesty of a mountain, the wonder of a ballet, the soul-shaking horror of unthinkable evil played out in the news each day, the depth of pain which lingers in broken homes and broken hearts, the grace and statuary of a talented athlete, the wonder of creation, the wounds of war, the travesty of selfishness…  On and on, this life is full of experiences which, if truly taken in, enlarge our hearts, increase our compassion, fuel our drives, nurture our understanding, and grow our hearts and minds.  All of life, the good, the bad, the mundane, it all has a place in our journey.  None of it should be taken lightly.  The reminder of Benjamin Button, for me, and the 40 year mile-marker, have heightened for me, a truth I have attempted to embrace fully, but am now taking in even more.  That truth is simply this, life offers us a host of experiences.  The landscape of our souls is largely determined by how and if we respond to those realities with vigor and passion.  We must embrace the potential for failure while recognizing the opportunity for goodness.  In approaching each potential relationship we must remember that past failure does not prevent us from future joy.  Each moment presented to us in a day offers a world of new experiences.  The girl in the coffee shop who has lost her way could, in reality, have her heart lifted by our kind words or compassionate glance.  The son or daughter who has failed miserably could find himself or herself spurred on to greatness by our wisdom and grace.  The husband or wife in great need of encouragement or confidence can find what they need in our cheer-leading efforts.  Those with whom we do business with can see themselves challenged to live noble lives as we live and practice our business with a stern and impassioned resolve to lead and not follow the crowd. I am not sure what your wish list consist of today, but I am sure that God intends for you a life much more interesting that you could have ever imagined.  Amidst all of your broken dreams and unfulfilled desires stands the cross of Christ which is a symbol of abundant life exploding from the ruins of tragedy and the unthinkable.  Whether your life is characterized by a series of defeats or one win after another, pause and consider the depth and wonder of the moments which have been given to you.  Your life is but a vapor.  You are here for a short time and then gone.  Will you take it all in?  Will you love her fully?  Will you encourage him in inspiring ways?  Will you extend compassion which uplifts a hopeless heart?  Will you worship not only in church but also at the symphony, the ballet, the park, the zoo, the classroom, the boardroom, and the bedroom? When you look back on this curious thing we call life will you be able to say that you lived if fully?  Jesus has offered us that ability.  I would submit to you that to understand, experience, and thrive as we all wish, we must begin with the Man who suggested that in knowing Him we know life and that to the full.  He has said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”  To take this life in, and to live life to the full, truly experiencing every moment, begins with an understanding of why we are here, who we live for, and how life is defined.  This is where life begins and this is where your future opens up.  You will not get all you thought you wanted, but the journey is full of adventure, and you may just get more than you ever imagined.  We live forward, we cannot go back, but each moment is a moment to “start living again”.  Enjoy the journey,Bruce Smithoptimuslife.org 

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