Icon to Fatherhood

There was a story in the papers yesterday that was utterly heartbreaking. It was the story of a Father and child who died in a house fire.

Anthony, his wife Kelly and wee Nadine woke with smoke filling their house, they could not get down the stairs for the flames,.. but managed to reach the bedroom window. Anthony sat his daughter on the window sill while he helped his wife out the window doing his best to lower her as far as he could. He then reached for his daughter but she was gone. In the chaos she must of become confused and left the sill. Anthony stumbled through the house and eventually found her, but at that point it was too late to get back to the window, Anthony did his best carefully cradling his daughter in his arms protecting her from the flames. Tragically they both died in the blaze. Nadine was found still cradled in his arms without a mark on her.

“There was just no way he would have left without her”, Nadine’s aunt explained, “He saved his wife and tried to save his daughter,… protecting her right to the end.”

There is something about a Father protecting his child that is just deeply moving. I think Dads everywhere hope that they would act with this kind of courage to protect those entrusted to their care. I think every woman hopes that her man would show this kind of selfless leadership. I think every child carries the belief that their Dad is brave and smart – able to step in and solve the problems.

These kinds of hopes, instincts, beliefs just seem to be a part of the human makeup. The ancient stories from every culture attest to the universality of these kind of traits. Bravery, commitment to duty, and sacrificial love are given a place of honour amongst all peoples.

These kinds of hopes, instincts, beliefs remind us that life is ultimately about a mission to complete, a duty to fulfill, a calling to live up to.

These kinds of hopes, instincts, beliefs recognise the marvel of the Gospel story that reveals a God who loves his people with a sacrificial kind of love.

This is the lifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio

More than a Bit of Banter

We were sitting at the lights this morning waiting for the signal to turn right. A man in in bright yellow rainproof gear and high vis vest walked up and down the traffic trumpeting the headlines in an effort to entice motorists to lower their windows and part with a couple of euro in return for the day’s paper. It is a scene I have witnessed many times.

This morning a couple of ladies caught my attention. They were crossing the road and stopped on the traffic island for a bit of banter with the newspaper seller. There was a warmth and a light in their faces as they exchanged a few cheery words. I thought perhaps they would buy a paper but no, they just wanted to take a moment to chat and brighten up the day of man who is there in the elements every morning.

It was a long light so I sat and watched as they made their way along the footpath… and then they turned in to a church gate and disappeared into church.

Somehow I was not surprised to see these two ladies going to pray – there was something about them that spoke of a quiet inner confidence. I thought here they were starting the day – probably the way they start most days – with time before their creator. No doubt they have busy schedules to get on with… but there they were making time for God.. and somehow in their demeanor.. their disposition… there was a sign of the one who is, ‘the light of the world’.

Scripture tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

This is the LifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio, Passion for Life.

Trust, the Currency of Leadership

I am a sports fanatic… but I guess one reason I love sport is because we learn so much on the pitcth. Some years ago I had the opportunity to do a leadership training course in the San Bernardino mountains in California.  Every afternoon the fifteen of us doing the course got together for a game of volleyball. It was great fun and playing every afternoon for six weeks… well we got pretty good.

Well into the course we were challenged to a match by a group of visiting university students. Now those of us on the leadership course were all 15-20 years older than the students – and well we were keen to show that we still had a bit of gas in the tank – that we were still a force to be reckoned with.

The game got under way and it got competitive – made all the more so by the small crowd who gathered to cheer. During one rally the ball bobbed back and forth over the net a dozen times then Sam, one of our better players, leapt high into the air close to the net and smashed the ball giving the students no chance to reach the ball.. We started to whoop and high five — but then Sam put his hand up and stated — actually my hand touched the top net wire!!  This is verboten in Volleyball!

Well two things immediately happened – firstly we lost the point – but secondly Sam in some strange way became more trustworthy. Later in the game when their was a uncertainty over a line call, it was Sam’s voice that carried the authority to resolve the dispute.

Sam’s readiness to tell the truth when it hurt, established a bond of trust with all the players. Trust is one of those things that is built one layer at a time. Trust is the currency of leadership. When you have the trust of people – you can move projects forward – you can get others to take steps into the unknown. Trust takes time to build, and of course trust is fragile, it can be broken and lost.

It is on the pitch that we can learn some of the simple lessons that are a foundation for life.

This is the LifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio – Passion for Life.

Barefoot Lawyers

We looked last week at Chen Guangcheng. He is the Chinese human rights lawyer who has been in the news. Just to note again Chen was blinded after a childhood illness. He grew up illiterate but was eventually able to learn to read braille and went on to study Chinese law.

Chen got on the wrong side of the Chinese authorities when he filed a class action suit on behalf of the local women of his village, exposing the systematic use of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization in implementing China’s One Child Policy. He was eventually imprisoned for his actions under trumped up charges.

After serving fifty-one months in jail, he was placed under house arrest. In an effort to silence him, officials surrounded his home with guards, surveillance cameras and even installed a jamming device to prevent him from communicating with the outside.

As I explained last week, Chen despite the handicap of his blindness managed to escape and with the assistance of friends made his way to the US embassy in Beijing some 300 miles away.

Well I have just learned that Chen is part of what is called the “Weiquan Movement.” It’s a group of “lawyers, activists, intellectuals and ordinary citizens who aim to push the boundaries of reform by using China’s existing laws and courts to defend human rights.” Many of them are referred to as barefoot lawyers.. they are self-taught. The Weiquan Movement is overwhelmingly Christian. Li Subin, one of the movement’s best-known activists, says that he takes his inspiration from Proverbs 21:3, “to do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

This willingness to push has made them a target for Chinese officials. Like Chen, Li has served time in prison for his efforts on behalf of the poor and marginalized.

Throughout history we find inspiring examples of men and women who live for a whole lot more than the comforts of this world. People who are inspired by the words of the Gospel, ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Lets track with Chen Guangcheng and see how this unfolds.

This is the lifeblog and you are listening to Spirit Radio, Passion for Life

Rest… one of God’s best ideas

Rest, I have always just thought it is one of God’s best ideas! I mean think about it – every day we stop – climb into our beds and sleep for 7 or 8 hours.. – I think that is so wonderful.. I mean I suppose God could have designed us to run for a week on a night’s sleep… but no every day our body just sends us a message.. time to rest…!! I just love it!!

And of course today is Friday,… its nearly the weekend.. a chance to catch up on some rest… Sunday of course is given to us as a day of rest.

But it is one thing to have the time off – it is another thing to be able to enter into the rest… Too often we have time off but we are just plain restless! Here are three things that stop us enjoying our rest

A relationship with a friend, family member, work colleague is in a bad place.. inside we are churned up about it.. only way forward here is to go.. in humility and sort it out… be reconciled… you’ll come away dancing on your toes.. and able to relax

The second thing that stops us enjoying rest .. is anxieties and worries about the future.. concerns about finances… job security.. education of your kids.. and that is nature of life.. but the scripture counsels us to give our worries our concerns our burdens over to the Lord.. in fact best plan is … just give your future to God.. let him take charge.. he is big enough to handle it .. and then we can rest..

Third thing that stops us really resting .. is wrong doing.. we’ve done something that we shouldn’t have done.. we’ve blown it.. we have gone down some wrong path… inside we feel shame & guilt.. St James has some advice for us he says… confess your sins.. brutal huh.. take responsibility.. stick it in the open.. ask for forgiveness.. get right with God… and watch the burden disappear off your shoulders… this is key… and then you can enjoy the rest.

So don’t let a broken relationship, fear for the future, or undealt with sin rob you of true rest – take a step today to sort it out.

This is the Life Blog and you are listening to Spirit Radio.. Passion for Life

Chess Moves

I grew up playing chess against my Dad. What about a little chess encounter he might suggest and we would pull out the board and set up the pieces. In the early years Dad would often play without a Queen to kind of even things up.

There was always plenty of humour involved. When I had made a real blooper of a move, Dad would examine the board carefully and then enquire with a kind of wry smile, “Is that deep?”

I recently sat with one of my sons and had our first game of chess. At the outset, I explained the way the pieces all move, as of course there are distinct rules with the way each piece moves. The bishop moves only on the diagonal, the castle moves in straight lines, forward and backward, left and right, the knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces and moves two squares in one direction and then one square to the left or right.

It takes a while to really get a handle on it all. Over time chess players tend to develop certain styles or patterns, some develop their game around the attacking style of the knight. Others like to bring their Queen into the game early. I think it is a fascinating game, I love it. I once nearly missed a flight because I became so engrossed in a game of chess at the boarding gate.

Now just suppose you are sitting down to a game of chess.. and it is just getting interesting and then your opponent moves the castle along a diagonal path. (Remember Castles don‘t move on the diagonal). And when you patiently explain that the castle doesn’t move that way.. your opponent explains casually that this is a more liberated form of chess,.. and that rules are made to be broken.. At this point you explain that the game is made possible by the simple fact that each of the players moves according to definite rules.. without these rules.. the game just doesn’t work.. it is just not chess anymore.

Rules, help give definition to lots of things in life. Rules create boundaries that make so much of life work. Imagine driving to work if everyone decided for themselves what side of the road to drive on.

Children feel secure when the boundaries are clear. Work colleagues feel content when everyone is treated according to clearly understood protocols.

It is a strange quirk of our contemporary culture that we are too often slow to thank and support those who have the difficult job of upholding the rules, whether on the sport field, the church community or wider society. Wonder what we could do to change this?

This is the LifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio.. Passion for Life

Blind Man Escapes in the Night

41 year old Chen Guangcheng was born in China in 1971. Chen lost his sight while only a youngster as a result of a severe fever and consequently had only limited educational opportunities. He remained illiterate until  23 when he was finally able to enroll in a special school for the blind. He showed both determination and ability, initially studying Chinese medicine and then Chen went on to study Law.

Chen got on the wrong side of the Chinese authorities when he filed a class action suit on behalf of the local women of his village, against the local Chinese authorities exposing the systematic use of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization in implementing China’s One Child Policy. He was eventually imprisoned for his actions under trumped up charges. Released from prison in 2010 Chen has remained under house arrest.

In December 2011 Actor Christian Bale attempted to visit Chen along with a film crew from CNN, but was punched, shoved and denied access by the dozens of Chinese security guards. Bale explained that he wanted to show solidarity with Chen and support the cause. Numerous other visitors were rebuffed with the same animosity.

Chen is in the news again today because inspite of the challenges of being blind, Chen has in the last few days escaped through the cordon of security surrounding his rural farmhouse.  It is widely believed that he is now in hiding in the US embassy in Beijing though this has not been confirmed by any official source.

Chen lives his life with a clear sense of purpose, he is an inspiration. His first name, “Guang Cheng,” means “light” and “integrity,” He has been silenced for almost six years because the Chinese government views his assistance to the vulnerable as a threat. Chen’s desire for justice and freedom should put him firmly on the “right side” of history.

This is the LifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio Passion for Life

Humility and Drive

A few short weeks from now Katie Taylor will lace up her gloves and put her Olympic hopes on the line in a qualifying tournament in China. After the recent defeat of rising Irish star Michael Ward in a qualifying bout in Turkey, Katie won’t be taking anything for granted. She is an amazing athlete and in the last six years has won an incredible12 Gold Medals at European and World level.

Katie helped us launch Spirit Radio last January. I had a chance to chat with her, and in the time she was with us at the station, a couple of things stood out for me – firstly she was so down to earth, real, and helpful.. we stood around outside for about an hour on a cold January day releasing Doves while the photographers took reams of photos.. so I suppose you could use the word.. humility.. here was a World Champion.. just being helpful!

The second thing that stood out for me was the way Katie spoke and generally carried herself. She clearly is a person with tremendous drive and focus. I knew I was in the presence of a champion.

Michael Foley writing in the Sunday Times made a very interesting and perceptive comment. He notes that it is her Christian faith that ties these two sides of her personality together.  “The humility that allows her to treat every challenge with respect comes partly from her deep belief in an infinitely greater power. Her relentless drive reflects her desire to praise God through her talent.”

Humility and Drive give Katie Taylor the edge. And Katie is always quick to point out that it is her faith in God that is the ultimate source of her success.

Katie has her eyes set on the London Olympics where she hopes to win Gold,.. and we at Spirit Radio together with her legions of fans will certainly be cheering her on.

Check out this classic video featuring Katie.

This is the LifeBlog and you are listening to Spirit Radio Passion for Life

A Bigger Perspective

Millstreet’s Joanne O’Riordan was on the news last night. Joanne has a rare genetic condition and was born without arms or legs. She is a sparky lady who stole the heart of the nation when she spoke about her life on the Late Late Show last December.  Joanne is 15 and is the youngest of 5 children and describes her home life as pretty normal. ‘Me and my sister Gillian kill each other most of the time – but we are also great friends. This is a crazy house sometimes but it isn’t different to anywhere else.’

Despite having no limbs, Joanne insists she lives a ‘pretty normal life’ and loves nothing more than going to school and hanging out with her friends. Joanne loves the GAA and travels to see Cork play football most weekends. Joanne’s brother Steven is currently directing a movie about Joanne’s life called No Limbs No Limits.

Joanne imagines she will eventually get into journalism or politics. Some months ago it was Joanne who almost single-handedly caused the Govt to do a u-turn on plans to cut disability payments. She penned a letter to the Irish Examiner which appeared on the front page, in which she castigated Enda Kenny for going back on a promise to maintain support for the disabled. Joanne is in the news again because this time she has been invited to address the UN on ‘Technology and the Disabled’.

In an age obsessed with physical perfection and addicted to convenience, it is hugely helpful for us all to have people like Joanne who keep insisting we see a bigger picture, who help us as a wider community remember that we must make space for people who bring different gifts, different perspectives and have the need for different kinds of support.

Here in Ireland in the coming months, we are likely to hear many voices speaking on the issue of abortion. It is a good moment for us to reflect on how people like Joanne and the Australian Nick Vujicic who also has neither arms nor legs, enrich the lives of the whole community.

This is the LifeBlog on Spirit Radio

All the President’s Men

Though a youngster at the time, I still remember the political earthquake that was the Watergate Scandal. Forty years on, it is a piece of history that always makes me think about the resurrection of Christ.

The Resurrection. It is that part of our faith that goes way beyond common sense.. way beyond natural…  way beyond the golden rule of treating the other the way we would like to be treated.. It is that part of our faith that hangs on a totally supernatural event… the man Jesus who is publicly executed by the Romans rises from the dead… he then appears numerous times to his followers over 40 days and commissions them to bring the Good News of eternal life to people all over the world…

It is an extraordinary set of events that demands a response from us … We either dismiss it as a mad story dreamt up by religious enthusiasts…  or  we acknowledge that this man Jesus was no ordinary man and we put our trust in him to lead us into this ‘New Life’.

Charles Colson was one of President Nixon’s inner circle and at the heart of the Watergate Scandal. Fueled by political ambition he and a number of Nixon’s men paid criminals out of a slush fund – to commit a number of burglaries and to set up illegal wiretapping. When the story started to leak this same group of men attempted an elaborate coverup.  As the heat came on, one of the men turned and testified against President Nixon in the hope of receiving leniency.

Colson later remarked that the brightest, most ambitious men in the most powerful nation of the world would not make personal sacrifices to defend a lie. They all acted to save their own skins. The truth finds it’s way out.

Colson later became a Christian and used this story to illustrate that the twelve apostles were all eventually martyred for their faith. As he writes in an essay on the subject, “Twelve powerless men, who were facing not just embarrassment or political disgrace, but beatings, stonings, execution. Every single one of the disciples insisted, to their dying breaths, that they had physically seen Jesus bodily raised from the dead.

Don’t you think that one of those apostles would have cracked before being beheaded or stoned? That one of them would have made a deal with the authorities? None did.

You see, men will give their lives for something they believe to be true—they will never give their lives for something they know to be false.”

This is  the LifeBlog and You are listening to Spirit Radio, Passion for Life