There is a significant difference between getting the win and attaining victory. If the price of the win is our character, integrity and maybe even a bit of our humanity, I would suggest that we’ve missed “victory” all together. At the end of our lives, our winning percentage, or the number of trophies on our shelf, will not be the ultimate measure of our success. While we can rationalize that the ends somehow justify the means, the means we chose to gain those ends says everything about who we really are.
Archive for the ‘Opinions’ Category
Thought for the Day – Going for the Win
Posted in Commentaries, Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged character, integrity, success in life, trophies, victory, winning, winning percentage on December 3, 2016| Leave a Comment »
The Parable of the Ungrateful Son
Posted in Commentaries, Heart of "The Father", Opinions, Word Pictures, tagged blaming God, condition of the world, evil in the world, God's covenant, mankind on November 16, 2016| Leave a Comment »
There was once a generous father, who yearned to create a wonderful life for his son. So when the boy came of age, the father gave him a beautiful house to live in, which sat on many acres of prime land. He told his son that he could live there all the days of his life and that the only cost would be that of caring for the place. Though the son was excited, he reminded his father that he knew nothing of caring for land, or a house, or even for himself. His father let him know that he could call on him at any time, and that he would always make himself available. But he also assured the son that he would not intrude on his new life, and that he would only come when he was invited. To help him, he gave his son a large book that contained guidance on many of the questions that he anticipated he might have. The son was greatly encouraged by these things and was quick to embrace his new life.
In those first days, the son called on his father frequently, sometimes on multiple occasions within the same day. But as time passed the increment between those calls grew longer. Soon after moving into the house, the son took a wife, and they started a family. But within a short time weeds began sprouting in the fields, and the house began to fall into disrepair. Whenever the son called, his father would come quickly; but the younger man’s wife was not comfortable having her father-in-law around. Though he’d never said anything disparaging, she felt sure that he was judging her and them. She shared this suspicion with her husband, and he soon felt the same. On occasion the son would refer to the book his father had left for him, and though it was sometimes helpful, he soon decided that it was too big and cumbersome to deal with.
As more time passed, the land was overrun with brush, and there was no lush grass for the animals to eat. Parts of the once beautiful house were collapsing and no longer inhabitable. The children were sick from the unsanitary conditions, and his wife complained bitterly about the low quality of their lives. Most days, the man sat idly on the porch, wondering how things had turned out this way.
One day, a traveler came down the road and approached the son. He said that he’d heard a grand tale about a generous father, who had bestowed a great and extravagant gift upon his son. He said that he wanted to see these things for himself. But the son said, that he didn’t know such a man, and that all his father had given him was this rundown shack, which sits on this unfruitful soil. When the traveler suggested that at least his father had given him something of an inheritance, the son harshly replied that if his father was indeed the kind and generous man that he sought, he would have never allowed his son’s life to deteriorate to this point. At that, the traveler bid the son good day and moved on.
I would like to suggest that this is a metaphor for the Creator, and His creation. He created the earth, and gave it to mankind to do with it as they pleased. He made a covenant with them, and promised that He would make Himself available to anyone who called. He even authored a book to help us. But as time has passed, this beautiful gift has deteriorated significantly and for the most part we stubbornly refuse to call on Him. Within the story, the wife represents the earthly things which hold our affection, and the children symbolize the natural outcome of those affinities. While we can generally accept the notion of a God who will provide for us, we struggle to receive One who might also judge us. As a result, we’ve tossed out His book, or at least stuck it on a shelf, and we blame Him for the poor condition of our world. We say things like, “If He’s really such a loving God, why is there so much evil, and sickness, and death in the world?” I would suggest that it is simply the result of reaping what we as the human race have sown. Like the son in the story, we have not because we ask not. In the book of Proverbs it says that there is a way that seems right to a man, but that it ultimately leads to death.
10 Eccentric Artists that Became Personal Favorites
Posted in Entertainment/Music/Sports, Lists, Opinions, tagged Aimee Mann, Alan Parsons Project, Ambrosia, Blind Faith, Coolsville, Crowded House, Dire Straits, Donald Fagen, Genesis, Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, Mark Knopfler, Peter Gabriel, Ricki Lee Jones, Spencer Davis Group, Split Enz, Steely Dan, Steve Winwood, Tears for Fears, The Innocence Mission, Til Tuesday, Traffic, Voices Carry, Walter Becker on October 25, 2016| Leave a Comment »
- Ambrosia: People who’ve only heard their Top 40 hits have no idea what a brilliant and bizarre band this was. Their first album was engineered by Alan Parsons (of Dark Side of the Moon fame), who went on to produce their second LP (Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled) as well. After two records filled with symphonic pop opuses and medleys that wouldn’t seem out of place on a Broadway cast album, they turned to a sparkling jazz pop fusion for their most successful records Life Beyond LA and One-Eighty. The originality, musicianship and vocals on these four albums rank them amongst my favorites of all time.
- Steve Winwood: This talented singer has been around for decades and I’ve enjoyed his work through every phase of his career. Whether it was the blue eyed soul of the Spencer Davis Group (Gimme Some Lovin’), the eclectic improvisation of Traffic (Low Spark of High Heeled Boys), the rootsy blend of Blind Faith (Can’t Find My Way Home), or even the pop sheen of his solo work (Arc of the Diver), he’s proven himself to be one of rock music’s most enduring and talented vocalists.
- Ricki Lee Jones: Despite the popularity of her first hit, “Chuck E’s In Love”, it was really her appearance on Saturday Night Live, singing “Coolsville” that grabbed my attention. I don’t know too many other 15 year old boys who were mesmerized by her blues/jazz/funk/folk/beat poet blend, but something about her startling honesty resonated in my soul. All these years later, it still does.
- Dire Straits: Though Mark Knopfler and his band eventually became a hugely successful pop group, it was the rich textures and soundscapes of their non-radio songs (e.g. Water of Love, Follow Me Home, Romeo and Juliet, Telegraph Road, Brothers In Arms…) that really struck a chord with me. Perhaps their least commercially viable album, Love Over Gold was, for me, the pinnacle of their catalog.
- Crowded House: Born from the ashes of the successful 80’s band, The Split Enz, Neil Finn and his mates (occasionally including brother Tim) produced four memorable albums (Crowded House, Temple of Low Men, Woodface, Together Alone) of smartly written, skillfully performed pop music. Both witty and wistful, even twenty years removed, much of this music still sparkles.
- Peter Gabriel: After a sterling start with art rock pioneers Genesis, this multi-talented artist forged a highly successful career as a solo performer. His music was always original (Games Without Frontiers), sometimes peculiar (Shock the Monkey), frequently poignant (Biko, Don’t Give Up, The Book of Love) and consistently compelling (Solsbury Hill, San Jacinto, In Your Eyes, Blood of Eden).
- Til Tuesday: Though the band’s singer had the look of a punk rocker, and their first big hit Voices Carry was an MTV sensation, it was ultimately the unpretentious distinctiveness of lead singer Aimee Mann that made them memorable. After the stir caused by their debut release, their follow up albums Welcome Home and Everything’s Different Now were considered commercial failures. Yet, artistically they were both a giant leap in texture and tone. Upon the breakup of the band, Mann went on to have an admirable solo career.
- Tears for Fears: Though the band featured numerous talented musicians and collaborators, it was essentially the creative vehicle for singer/songwriter Roland Orzabal. Their 1982 debut The Hurting chronicled his painful childhood and largely featured a moody synthesizer sound, not unlike The Cure. Their second record, Songs from the Big Chair, featured a much less subdued tone and became a huge international pop hit. Orzabal continued his evolution with the soulful, and at times beatlesque, release Sowing the Seeds of Love, and a fourth release Elemental, which was essentially a solo album. Despite the changing styles, the music remained fresh and compelling.
- The Innocence Mission: This Pennsylvania based folk band featured husband and wife team Karen and Don Peris, who garnered a fair amount air time on Alternative radio stations in the early to mid-1990s. Though their records did not achieve platinum success, the hauntingly beautiful songs featured on their first three releases (The Innocence Mission, Umbrella, Glow) make them a standout amongst their contemporaries.
- Steely Dan: To call the musical musings of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker unique would be a vast understatement. Fagen’s distinctive vocal style, combined with wry lyrics, complex jazz influenced arrangements, virtuoso musicianship (e.g. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Jeff Porcaro), and pristine production values resulted in a sound that could not be duplicated. Though they seemed an unlikely pair for pop radio success, they managed to create a string of successful and memorable records that spanned the 1970s and 80s.
10 Things that Become Apparent When You Become a Parent
Posted in Commentaries, Lists, Opinions, Parenting / Family, tagged boundaries, do as I say, doting, fear, parenting, perfection, prepare, yelling on September 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »
- Every child is their own story. What works with one doesn’t necessarily work with another. Different things inspire them, motivate them, scare them, and hurt them. Though there may be some broad tenets that apply to all, each one requires a unique approach.
- Perfection cannot be the goal. No matter how hard we try, we will not be perfect parents; and demanding perfection from our kids simply makes them feel as though nothing they do is ever good enough.
- Boundaries are meant to keep kids safe, not to keep them from the “good stuff”. Though, as children, we all tested our limits; as parents, we cannot ignore the benefit of hindsight.
- Fear is a lousy teacher. Consistently playing on a child’s fear ultimately destroys their ability to function effectively.
- Our children’s perception of themselves is powerfully impacted by what we say to and about them. Giving voice to our fears, frustrations and disappointments can scar them for life.
- Consistently yelling at kids makes them hard of hearing. For survival sake, they simply begin to tune us out.
- “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work. We cannot hope to hold our kids to a standard that we ourselves do not adhere to.
- Though we naturally want to protect our children, it is also our job to prepare them for life without us. Finding the balance between those two things is a long and demanding process.
- No matter how doting, diligent and devoted we are as parents, our kids will face adversity, and they will make mistakes. We cannot be shocked when it happens, and we need to prepare them for those moments.
- Love covers a multitude of sins (yours and theirs). When combined with faith, it forms the only wild card that we have in our parenting deck.
5 Things I’ve Stopped Saying / 5 Things I Find Myself Saying Over and Over
Posted in Commentaries, Opinions, tagged God is in control, it's in God's hands, let it go, lucky, moral victory, no one can make you happy, shame, you're in my thoughts and prayers on August 29, 2016| Leave a Comment »
5 Things I’ve Stopped Saying
- “Shame on you!”: Though shame is a natural human emotion, I don’t think that it is ever my place to pronounce it over someone. For the spiritually minded, these words are a type of curse.
- “I am lucky”: I’m not really a big supporter of the idea that the fickle winds of fate just spontaneously blow in my favor. I actually sense that there is someone looking out for me, so I ascribe to the belief that, “I am blessed”.
- “There is no such thing as a moral victory”: In an era of “win at all costs”, this notion has become generally accepted; but for many human beings, a moral victory is the only kind they will ever experience. Like teaching a baby to walk, moral victories constitute the first small steps toward consistent success. People who don’t believe in such things often burn themselves (& others) out, trying to run before they’ve developed the ability to stand.
- “God is in control”: Though I’m a big believer that there is an all-powerful God residing up in heaven, my understanding is that He’s not the one pulling the strings down here on a daily basis. My reading of the Bible indicates that He gave the earth to mankind and that He only intervenes as we invite Him to. Ultimately, this is what makes prayer such a necessary and powerful tool.
- “I can’t help it”: Life has taught me that I probably can, if I really wanted to.
5 Things I Find Myself Saying Over & Over Again
- “No one can make you happy”: People can support us, love us, inspire us, and even enhance the quality of our life. But unless we determine within ourselves to find the joy, the beauty and the hope within our given circumstance, we will never be “happy”. The idea that it is someone else’s role to bring happiness into our life places tremendous pressure on our relationships, which often causes them to fail.
- “It is what it is”: Age has shown me that life comes at us however it chooses to. We may not like it, but it never seems to ask our opinion or permission. We can deny it, complain about it, feel sorry for ourselves… but eventually we just have to deal with it. It is what it is.
- “It’s in God’s hands”: This seems like a contradiction of my “God is in Control” thought, but it really isn’t. The longer I live, the more I recognize that things are out of my hands, so I quickly put them in God’s hands. Then I struggle mightily to stand in faith and leave them there.
- “Let it go”: Holding on to something poisonous makes you sick, and things like envy, greed, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, bigotry, frustration, depression… are ultimately toxic to our soul. Everybody sing it with me; Let it go, Let it go…
- “You’re in my thoughts and prayers”: I suppose that as Christianity has fallen out of favor within our culture it is no longer politically correct to mention prayer; as you now simply hear, “you’re in my thoughts”. And while it is nice to know that people are thinking about you, I’m not sure that it does much else. I’m still an advocate for calling on some heavenly intervention, and letting you know that I’m battling for you.
Bjcorbin's Blog 
Thought for the Day – Missed Opportunities
Posted in Christmas, Commentaries, Opinions, Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged C.S. Lewis, family gatherings, holiday season, opening old wounds on December 27, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Despite all the negative things that can be said about the holiday season, there is still a wonderful opportunity for encouragement, healing, and renewal whenever families gather together. Sadly, this potential generally goes untapped in favor of opening old wounds, indulging our appetites, and maxing out our credit cards. It reminds me of something C.S. Lewis observed, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.”
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