PEAK NOTES

Crocodile

My daughter McKenna is a huge animal lover. Thus, from time to time, she and I will sit down and watch a show off of her favorite network--Animal Planet. 

Last night we sat down to watch "Crocodile Hunter Diaries" which is a show that Steve Irwin (a.k.a. the "Crocodile Hunter") around as he runs the Australian Zoo.  It's actually a pretty educational show that really gives you a glimpse into what life is like behind the scenes at a major zoo. 

We all know that Steve Irwin died in a tragic accident with a ray last year.  We were pretty touched by his death in that the Crocodile Hunter was always a favorite show in our house.  I think he was a man who lived his passion and he was an amazing ambassador not only for reptiles, but for all animals God has created. 

During last night's episode (recorded in 2003), it was amazing to watch Steve Irwin deal with death of of their animals.  A ten your old fox named, Foxy.  It was amazing to watch in that his words were wise and powerful as he helped his staff deal with the death of an animal they loved.  "Death is a part of life." he said.  "Foxy led a good life and was loved and cared for far more than any other fox living outside of captivity."  "She was loved."  How powerful these words are from a man who would face his own death within three years after making these comments. 

McKenna and I ended up having a great conversation about the Crocodile hunter and about death.  We ended up talking about one of the great gifts of animals--the lessons they teach us about death.  The pets we love, the animals we care for, teach us how to respond to death and how death is a natural part of life.  When we face the death of a loved pet, it teaches us to grieve and to cope in a way that we will experience on a far greater level than with a mere animal. 

Some day, McKenna will likely have to deal with my own death.  Praise God that she has already learned to cope at her young age through animals we have had, and through the words of the Crocodile hunter. 

Here's a guy who passionately loved his animals.  Just watch him dealing with the death of one of his crocodiles: 

Battle

Our friend Tom Davis, from Children's hope chest is just about to return from Africa after a month of loving children who are orphaned from AIDS.  Tom didn't take this video, but this is a National Park that he and our friends the Flanegins were able to visit.  Watch this battle: 

Wow, does this battle represent the heart of parents towards their child.  We live in a world were our kids are under attack, from lions, crocodiles, and predators far more subtle, yet just as dangerous.  So often, parents just walk by hopelessly watching their children devoured.  It is time for parents to stand up and fight for their children.   

Wired

Some say I have a dangerous job--as a youth pastor.  Then I see a guy like this...

glumbert.com - High Power Job

I'll be honest with you.  I hate heights.  In fact, I am terrified when I even think about being up high.  I'll be honest with you again--I hate ropes courses.  That is one area of youth ministry that I can not stand.  In fact, I dread each year going down to Mexico because of the ropes course tower that we have to climb.  Now, to everyone else on the team, it is optional, but to me, as the youth pastor, I have to do it. 

Sometimes, you just have to do what you don't want to do--even if it means doing something you are terrified of. 

Is it worth it to go down to Mexico and build houses for people?  Absolutely.  Is it still worth it if it means climbing a 50 foot tower and hang on by a thread?  Absolutely. 

Violin

Pastor Matt Heard this weekend shared an amazing story.  It is about Joshua Bell, one of the top rated violin players in the world.  Joshua Bell plays a Stradivarius Violin worth over $4 Million.  He regularly plays to elite crowds in high price venues.  This past year he has played at the Library of Congress and recently played in Aspen, CO for a $100 a plate dinner.  He is world renowned as one of the greatest violin players alive. 

Recently, Joshua Bell, the violinist that people pay $100's to see, decided to try an experiment.  He took his $4 million Stradivarius violin and set up as a street musician playing for quarters in a Washington DC subway station.  Watch this video and see what happens...

Hundreds pass by.  Hundreds miss out on the treasure of hearing one of the greatest violinists alive.  Hundreds are so busy in their day that they can't stop to listen to a great gift.  Hundreds don't care.  That is until a few stop.  One woman in particular, who not only notices the beauty of the music, but recognizes him as the master musician who played at the library of congress. 

That woman will never forget that encounter in the subway station.  She recognized the treasure, stopped the business of her day, and enjoyed the wonder while so many missed out. 

What a great picture of life.  What a great picture of the wonder of our relationship with God.  What a great picture of what should the priorities in our lives, verses what we spend it on.