Friday Writings
Tim
Bacchus
30 August 2026
Each
of us — every human being — matters so very much in this world. The
influence of “you” or “me” as an individual is great, even beyond our
ability to comprehend. Often, when we look at our lives, we do just that — we
look at our lives through our own lenses and experiences. But if we could take a
step back — maybe even a hundred steps back — we would begin to see just how
deeply our lives actually influence the lives of others. The power that lies
within a person is propelled by personal choice. In each of our lives, there are
times when major decisions need to be made — decisions that have consequences,
for good or bad, for decades or even generations to come. But more often, we
make seemingly small everyday choices — underlying choices, if you will, that
hold great and at times unappreciated potential for true and lasting impact.
Whatever our situation in life may be, our underlying decisions become
directional. They determine whether we live as an island unto ourselves or as a
contributing part of the main. The world, at times, can cause us to feel as if
we’re disconnected on a far away remote island feeling that no one understands
and that we must look out only for ourselves. But this is false. We are
connected to one another. We each have the power to choose, the power to serve,
the power to influence.. Each of us is a piece of the continent, a part of the
main. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
22 August 2026
Carl
Gustav Jacob Jacobi was one of the world’s great mathematicians. Yet what made
him especially interesting was not only the discoveries he made but actually the
way he approached difficult problems. Jacobi believed that when trying to solve
a challenging problem, it helped to turn it around looking at it from the
opposite direction. He is credited with saying, “One must always invert.”
Decisions Matter, decisions matter. In other words, we often understand an
idea more fully when we consider not only what it is but also what it is not.
Take, for example, the attribute of charity. Paul, the ancient Apostle, taught
about this pure form of love by describing both what it is and what it is not.
Charity “suffereth long, and is kind.” It “rejoiceth in the truth” and
“beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all
things.” But Paul also taught that charity “envieth not,” “is not puffed
up,” “seeketh not her own,” and “is not easily provoked” (see 1
Corinthians 13:4-8). In other words, love is patient and kind; it is not proud,
selfish or resentful. The practice of inversion can help us understand not only
the things of this world but also the things of heaven. It can help us see our
lives, our relationships and even our trials from a higher perspective. At a
recent award ceremony, the guest of honor rose to speak. He chose his words
carefully, each phrase coming with great effort due to a condition affecting his
voice. He said, “I’m grateful to God for everything He has given me,
including my disease.” His faith and perspective inspired all who heard him.
In a sense, he had inverted his challenge. Instead of seeing only what his
illness had taken, he could also see what it had taught. That higher perspective
enabled him to move forward with faith, even amid great trial. May we seek to
more fully understand life’s problems by viewing them not only for what they
are but also for what they are not. As we do, we open our minds and hearts to
heaven. We begin to see our challenges in a new light — not only as obstacles
that interfere with our happiness but as opportunities to grow, to learn and to
progress. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
15 August 2026
Being
teachable doesn’t mean we bend to others’ opinions or that we must listen to
voices that degrade or provoke. It doesn’t equate to weakness, lack of
knowledge or inexperience. Rather, being teachable is a combination of positive
qualities. Attributes such as humility, patience, respect for others and the
ability not only to listen, but to listen to learn, combine to help us become
teachable. Like all worthwhile attributes, being teachable has a price — and
it also has a reward. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do the thing, and you
shall have the power; but they who do not the thing have not the power.”
The power to be teachable resides within each of us. Sometimes, however,
learning to be teachable may sting at first but ultimately can bring lessons
that endure and bless us deeply. Perhaps we’ve felt that sting ourselves when
we’ve received correction we didn’t want to hear or feedback we didn’t
seek (see Hebrews 12:6). These are moments when the walls of our pride can rise
quickly — almost defensively — blocking anything that might challenge us.
But in these moments, there is always a quiet opportunity to step back and ask,
“What can I learn? Why am I feeling this way? Would it be better to revisit
this tomorrow?” As we take time to ask ourselves questions like these, we
begin to lower our defensive walls, making room for wisdom’s sunlight to reach
us — teaching us in ways that come only when our hearts are open, when we are
teachable. May we learn to listen — and then listen to learn — trusting that
as we do, we will discover the quiet rewards that come from being teachable.
Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
8 August 2026
“Eliminate
distractions.”
When
you think about it, distractions are everywhere. From relentless notifications
to constant news and media, these and countless other enticements can occupy far
more of our time than they deserve. Without realizing it, we can be lulled away
from what matters most, becoming distracted by things that may feel significant
but are ultimately of little consequence. When we eliminate distractions,
we make room for the most important things to happen. As we conscientiously say
“no” to distractions, we really are saying “yes” to the things — and
the people — that matter most. As we strive to decrease the daily drumroll of
distractions, we do our part to ensure that God can more easily communicate with
us. He will not compete with the bustle and glitter of outside influences.
Instead, He patiently waits for us to make time for Him — to choose Him. As we
do, we hear His voice more clearly, feel His presence more fully, and recognize
His hand more readily in our lives. Please be Safe, Happy and have Peace.
24 July 2026
God
is love. He is our Father in Heaven, and we are His children. Because of this
truth, each of us — individually and collectively — matters so very much.
Our Eternal Father loves us beyond expression. Our souls are precious to Him. We
are His family.
Updated 24 July 2026