There seems to be a special grace that falls on the chronically ill among us: Folks who should be in the prime of their lives, having to cope with serious, life-threatening, and debilitating disease, often with a smile on their face and a lilt in their step that defies logic.

I remember my good friend Benny, who lost his five year long battle with cancer, never failing to cheer me up, no matter how bad HIS news was. He often said: "Everytime I think about my plight, I turn my thoughts to your sorry predicament, Jon, and then I don't feel so bad." We both laughed. And that was the point.

At this very moment, I know of folks who are better men than me looking a nearly-certain death sentence in the eye without a fraction of the complaining and griping and moaning that I effortlessly muster on almost any given day. Lord, have mercy.

And Lord have mercy on your sons and daughters who are in pain, and uncertainty, and in danger of not living to see their children grow up, much less their children's children. Help us to lighten their loads when we can, and give to us, a little of that special grace that they possess in abundance. Amen.

I encourage you to add your own name to the list of seriously ill folks below: Let us remember to pray for, and support them as needed:

1. Richard (cystic fibrosis)
2. Keith (brain cancer)
3. Todd (colon cancer)
4.
5.

I think we all need a few good surprises: unexpected love; a second chance when perhaps we didn't really deserve it; someone saying "yes," when in our mind's eye, we had already heard the door loudly slam.

Because life is busy and complicated: Most of us juggle many obligations and wear many hats, often knocking ourselves out to make things right, or as close to right as we possibly can for our friends and loved ones. And sometimes it all falls into place. And sometimes it doesn't.

You and I can become worn down - by disappointments and challenges, and difficult circumstances that we cannot control: illnesses, our deeply-felt losses, financial problems, betrayals, or simple indifference; the mindless chattering of the tube, the incessant calls of commercialism.

And then there is Christmas, the proof that God surely heard the collective groan of the universe - that everything is irretrievably messed-up, and on a good day never quite right, and there is surely no way out - and sent us a little baby, born in a stable, born of the virgin, to be our savior, and the savior of all mankind. Wow!

Jesus. The Christ-child. God with us. Light in the darkness. Forgiveness, in an unforgiving world. And bright hope for tomorrow. And life everlasting. And all that and more. And that folks, is still quite a surprise for most of us. And a good one at that. And for this let us give thanks!

"Lord Jesus, We're so glad you cared enough to come." AMEN.

I would like to thank the Munich Mass Choir for allowing me to participate in two sold-out concerts last weekend where I was soloist, and where they presented one of my choral compositions with a great deal of enthusiasm. The Spirit of the Lord is sovereign, and showed up in great power, especially on the Sunday evening concert, where people were touched in visible and palpable ways by the music and its message.

After the concert a kind lady came up to talk to me, briefly explaining that although from a protestant background, she had not even been in church in years, and how this evening had strangely rekindled her faith - long-sinced cooled - and also how she felt the Lord was telling us that our time here was short.

I also spoke with another friend who told me of two choir members who were present at the concert but had been unable to sing. One, a young man, still in his twenties who had recently been diagnosed with a serious form of brain cancer; and also of a woman in middle-age who had just had complex surgery for breast cancer. This brings reality home.

And this news, while sad, perhaps tragic in its own right, did not diminish the power of this concert's message - which is one of hope in the midst of hopelessness, and victory over circumstances that we cannot control, when we humbly turn these things over to the one who holds us, and all things in his tender grasp.

Let us remember that we are here to share the joys and sorrows of those whose lives we touch, and be willing and mindful to help care for, and sometimes even carry those who can no longer bear their own burdens. This is the heart of the gospel message, and always has been.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Whether... homeless, Black or White, Muslim or Jewish, Christian or atheist, rich or poor, white or blue collar, Democrat or Republican, gay or lesbian, genial or less so, addicted, or racist, or whatever..."Love Thy Neighbor, as Thyself." Amen.

The Lord Loses Nothing
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks © 2011

I
The Lord loses nothing
When we place it in his hands
Not our lives, our loves - our hopes and dreams
Our latest best-laid plans

He wraps them all in mercy
And hangs them on his cross
And from these, not a single thing ever is lost
Oh, my Lord, He loses nothing

II
The Lord loses no one
That we bring to him in prayer
Not the friends that walk among us
Or the souls in death's dark lair

He wraps his arms around them
And holds them to his breast
I still believe that come what may, He surely knows best
My Lord, He loses no one


Bridge:
When I think of all the things I've lost
It's hard to even count the cost
The loved ones who have long since passed
The wasted years that went so fast

But he takes it all and reconciles
The faulty starts, the failed tries
And all the while - he holds my hand

III
My Lord loses nothing
That I give him but my sin
He takes them on, and takes them on
And loses them again

He wraps them all in mercy
And hangs them on his cross
And my greatest joy is found
From all the things he has lost

Oh my Lord...

Well the news in Norway has left us all in shock. This nation has just suffered an attack on the scale of our 9/11 when adjusted for the relatively small population. Imagine that! That so many victims were young people leaves an additional burden on this proud and beautiful country. Lord, have mercy.

I received a letter from Better Life Children's Home in Kibwezi, Kenya this week as well, making an urgent appeal for assistance as the worsening drought in this part of Africa has left literally an entire region on the verge of disaster. People simply cannot feed themselves, and children, as we know, are invariably the most vulnerable among us. Let us do what we can to help.

One organization that is trying to help is - ABridgetoPeace.Org - non-profit organization in Bend, Oregon. I have been happy to assist these good folks with fundraising for this children's home in Kenya in the past. They are helping boys and girls, one life at a time. Please consider making a contribution to them, or the relief agency of your choice. And remember to pray for the people of Norway as they grapple with this great tragedy in their midst.

"Lord, Help to us keep our hands and hearts open to your children in need, Amen."

German, as any German will tell you, is not an easy language to make effective and pleasing rhyme patterns. Along this line, I have had the good fortune to work with a talented young man, Thom Schöne, and together we have worked on some successful translations of my texts.

This song, now decades old, speaks to the contentment that comes when one has finally met the person who becomes their soulmate: At Home with You, My Friend:

When the storm clouds fill the sky
You’ll be the one who keeps me safe
And when the winter winds blow cold
Well I’ll know a place where flowers bloom
And children laugh and the springtime never ends
And I’ll be home with you
At home with you, my friend

Und wenn die Wolken ziehen herbei
Bist du der Mensch, der mich befreit
Und wenn die Winterwinde wehen
Kenne ich einen Raum wo Blumen blühen
Und Kinder spielen, wo die Liebe sich erneut
Da ist mein Heim mit dir
Daheim mit dir, mein Freund

while he may be found
Call upon his name while he is near

Let the tearful child hear his voice
And the weary soul rejoice

Cause his thoughts and his ways
Are high above the earth
And his love and his grace
Are flowing down to show us what we're worth
So seek the Lord

is a going to the father.

the days we have on earth are few
some may have more than others
so be careful how you use
the gift of life, given to us - V. Hanks

What I have discovered, as I begin my sixth decade here on this planet called earth, is that invariably and inexorably, all things point in one direction - a return to that place from whence we came. A going home to the Father, the Giver of Life, the One who holds us, and all things, in his sure and tender grasp.

Our time here is marked by the relationships we enjoy, and sometimes bemoan. In our imperfect world, these lives that we touch and in turn are touched by, are fragile gifts - too often torn apart by greed and cynicism and indifference - and sometimes, these are our own failings. And even when hearts are tightly bound, through deep love and faithfulness and understanding, the time we have to spend together is rapidly withering, through, if nothing else, our own certain mortality. Lord, have mercy.

"Even so, Holy Lord, have mercy, and look with compassion on your frail children, as we look for that day, when all things will be restored through the great and eternal love of your dear Son, Jesus. Amen."

Rest in me
Rest in me
Lay your troubles down
And rest a while in me

For my yoke is easy
And my burden is light
So rest in me, rest in me
Rest in me

We've all seen the shocking scenes of destruction in Japan. Thousands have died, and many more, particularly the elderly and frail are still at risk, and have had their lives irreparably altered. We should remember to pray for these battered folks at this time.

And Japan, no stranger to nuclear holocaust, is still grappling with its current calamity. Approximately 65 years ago tens of thousands of innocents were sacrificed to America's new-found nuclear power. Through the intransigence of the Japanese military warlords, these atom-ized civilians could be added to the throngs of victims of Japanese brutality found throughout the Pacific theatre during this reign of terror, only to be ended by the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I mention this, in no way to draw parallels about the current suffering in Japan, but merely to point out that the weak and innocent among us are the ones who invariably bare the brunt of pain and suffering, while the rich and privileged and powerful - often the instigators - do not. It sort of reminds me of Jesus: the Innocent among us, taking the punishment that some of the rest of us could better lay claim to.

"Lord, Have mercy upon us, and help us to look with mercy on your children: 'Red and Yellow, Black and White; For they are precious in your sight.' Amen."

I'm Going Home
Words and music by Jonathan Hanks © 2011

v1
I'm going home to see my Momma
For she's the one who carried me
And when I'm there I'll talk with Papa
Like I did when I sat upon his knee

I'll find old friends and long-lost loved ones
And those who know my Christian name
I'll take my time, no need to hurry
I'm going home from where I came

v2
It's been a long and lonesome journey
I've taken turns I still regret
But when I see the home fires burning
Those bitter times I'll soon forget

We'll sit around the kitchen table
And laugh about the good old days
And share a song and count our blessings
Of how God led us on our way

Bridge:
Well, I may get there tomorrow
Or it may take a few more years
When I leave this world of sorrows
Don't waste time on needless tears - no more tears

v3:
I'm going home to see my savior
For he's the one who died for me
I'll take my place at his great table
Where we will spend eternity

We'll sing and shout the alleluias
When all the former things are past
And set our eyes upon King Jesus
Thank God I'm home; I'm home at last

The old joke is, that the good thing about prison ministry is at least you have a captive audience. Seriously, I had the good fortune to sing with a few of my friends lately for some prisoners here in Germany. It was a blessed experience.

In my limited excursion into this ministry, I have observed that in the beginning, the men are often rather suspicious, generally indifferent, and withdrawn. And yes, at times, even a little scary. By the end of our afternoon together, they are typically smiling, and open, and active participants in the performance, even out-singing all the choir members. What a change an hour can make in someone's life!

I believe we, here on the outside, are all much the same as well. We adults, not just children, need nurturing too. It is simply astonishing what can happen in someone's life when a little interest and attention and encouragement is shown: Books get written, operas composed, educations completed, families started, and the list goes on. And yes, lamentably, the corollary is also true.

There are numerous and frequent biblical stories and allusions to captivity, from the bondage of the children of Israel, up to and including those our own making: through ego, and greed, and indifference, we too build our own secure bunkers. The good news is that Jesus has come to set the captives free: Yes, from the penalty of sin, but also in helping us to breath the free air of selflessness and compassion and caring that becomes the marrow of the world, and salt of the earth.

"Lord, Help us to remember the prisoners held behind bars: Both those who should, and those who should not be there; and, help us to cast aside our own chains that keep us far from you and our neighbors. Amen."

Well, as we ponder the place of love in our world and in our own lives, I am reminded that the Apostle Paul, wrote, so eloquently nearly two thousand years ago that among the three pillars of nearly all spiritual thought - Faith, Hope, and Love - the greatest is love.

As we struggle daily with disappointments, small and great; and greed, our own, and the great cancer of our culture; and indifference, perhaps the one lasting moral contribution of the last century which has continued to thrive now well into the next, let us not forget that we are here to love. Imperfectly. And, of course, among our loved-ones. But sometimes, even oft, in the company of the wrong people: The ones who sorely disappoint us, and those who take but have trouble returning love, and in hindsight, even some folks who perhaps didn't deserve the best gift that we can ever give, ourselves.

"Lord, you who loved, even to the taking on of the sins of the whole world, including our own, help us to love, knowing that in so doing, we too, cover a multitude of sins. Amen."