Facebook celebrates its twentieth anniversary this week
It’s a phenom known as Facebook where lost friends are found and parallel paths cross again. It’s a treasure hunt unlike I’ve ever been on where I’m digging up names from back when.
It’s like I’m a detective. I am sleuthing online for a classmate I knew in high school and like magic they surface on my PC screen is a treasure more costly than jewels.
It’s amazing, addictive. It gives you a rush! One click of the mouse and you see what your friends are doing, have planned or regret or what, with the Lord’s help, they’ll be.
It’s a book club of members who are writing the book that keeps growing in length day by day. And while not a bestseller, (much better, it’s free) it has content for which gladly you’d pay.
It’s an online reunion without leaving home. You share pictures, advice, recipes. There’s no need to be lonely with Facebook around. Just log on and have fun. It’s a breeze.
This artistic caricature of Charles Osgood was done by an artist named Boyle
This morning I am mourning knowing Charles Osgood died. Uncle Charlie’s been a good and faithful friend. His “Sunday Morning” program both informed and entertained. And his “Osgood Files” helped our minds ascend.
I never would meet Charlie, but my neighbor Dave Ross did. In fact, Dave was his go-to substitute. Chuck’s witty commentaries would inspire what Dave did. Osgood was more than good. He was astute.
I loved his little pithy rhymes that never did grow old. This bow-tied grandpa played piano, too. I’ll miss that warm infectious smile he shared with faithful fans. So, thank you, Uncle Charlie, here’s to you!
Peace to your memory!
Check out this wonderful video tribute from Jane Pauley (his successor as host of CBS Sunday Morning):
A portrait of Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll
He’s a portrait of greatness. He’s picture of youth (even though he’s as old as I am). This gum-chewing shepherd of gridiron sheep is a passionate “prince of a man.”
He’s a cheerleading coach on the sidelines of life. He inspires with focus and hope. Another’s potential is the gift Pete unwraps. He’s a Sherpa on steep slippery slopes.
He is worthy of honor as he now departs from a city that claimed him with pride. He’s a Carroll that often brought joy to our world. But his leaving feels like someone died.
Life is precious, sacred, blest from the womb to final rest. God is in a child’s first breath or a grandpa facing death.
Special needs autistic son. Crippled daughter who can’t run. Those impaired in speech or sight. Those whose hearing isn’t right.
Those who can’t recall their name. Those with damage to their brain. Those in prison, addicts too. Those who think their options few.
Each life matters. Each has worth. Everyone on God’s green earth. Life is precious, sacred, blest from the womb to final rest.
* God’s green earth is a phrase I have borrowed from my neighbor and friend Michael Medved. This syndicated radio talk show host has a passion for caring for creation.
The Boys in the Boat book and movie provide us with spiritual insights on life
My wife and I crossed the finish line of 2023 by going to see “The Boys in the Boat.” Given the fact that the theater wasn’t far from the University of Washington campus and on the same weekend as the UW football team won the right to compete in the national championship, the atmosphere was electric.
Seeing the movie on the big screen reminded me of a lazy Saturday morning ten years ago when I had coffee with Daniel Brown (the author of the book on which the movie is based). My motivation in getting together with him was to have him sign a rowing poster for my brother. Marc had been a coxswain for the Seattle Pacific University crew team. During our visit, Daniel described the lengthy and complicated process it would take should his story ever make it to the big screen.
My brother’s experience at our alma mater was my first introduction to the sport of rowing. I was amazed at the arduous training and strict discipline required to compete at the collegiate level. And I was so proud of my kid brother who ran the five miles and worked out each day at 5am with his oarsmen. Although coxswains don’t need to be as physically fit as the rowers, Marc joined his team in their daily regimen in order to earn their respect. As a result of his willingness to endure the torturous training with them, they willingly took direction from his 5’6” 130 pound frame during competitions.
My next exposure to rowing came four decades later. I discovered that Carl Lovsted, one of the members of Mercer Island Covenant Church where I was pastor, had won a bronze medal in the 1952 Summer Olympics with the University of Washington four-man crew team. After some coaxing, Carl finally showed me his medal. I was impressed by his humble “aw-shucks” attitude toward such an amazing achievement.
And then in 2013 my wife and I read Daniel Brown’s just-released book about the UW rowing team winning a gold medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. After hearing the author speak, I asked for the privilege of meeting with him over coffee. Not only did Daniel arrange his schedule to meet with me, he directed me to the daughter of Joe Rantz about whom “The Boys in the Boat” is primarily concerned. Judy Rantz Willman willingly accepted my invitation to talk about her celebrated father at the retirement center where I was the chaplain.
A few years later when my friend Carl died, his family asked me to officiate the memorial service at the Conibear Rowing House at the University of Washington campus. I could not have been more honored. Directly above me was the Husky Clipper (in which the 1936 team had won Olympic gold) suspended from the ceiling.
My various exposures to rowing over the past five decades proceeded to play out on the walls of my memories as I watched George Clooney’s brilliant motion picture on the big screen. As I observed the themes in the film of overcoming adversity, self-denial and teamwork I couldn’t help but recognize similar themes I’ve read about and preached from in the New Testament.
In the Gospel accounts of Jesus and his disciples, we find another group of “boys in a boat.” Like the Husky crew of 1936, those first century fishermen struggled with individualism, pride and failure. Like the ragtag wannabees that UW coach Al Ulbrickson transformed into a winning team, the boys in the boat in which Jesus invested were an unreliable group of hotheads. They sought personal glory. And similar to Bobby Mock, the UW coxswain, the rabbi from Nazareth called out self-destructive tendencies and coached them to deny self that they might discover unity. Refusing to simply let them look out for themselves, Jesus repeatedly provided a rhythm of oneness He himself modeled.
In the book and in the movie, the Husky crew team experienced a unity that propelled them to victory much to Hitler’s chagrin. In the New Testament version of “the boys in the boat,” Jesus’ crew overcame their ego-driven personalities in a show of humility and service. Their devotion and discipline culminated in a movement that would shape the values of justice and morality that continue to be embraced two millennia later. It’s called Christianity.
My Rhymes and Reasons 