Friday, March 9, 2012

Palm Sunday


In three weeks most of the Christian world will celebrate Palm Sunday commemorating Christ's entry into Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion.  Last year I posted a poem I wrote titled "Christ's Triumphal Entry" and thought I'd post again this year.

 CHRIST’S TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
By
Lawrence M. Barry

That ancient day, so long ago
Our Lord rode mounted, grand and slow,
Into the town Jerusalem,
Into the throngs of waiting men.

The crowd rejoiced and gave Him alms
Of fresh cut leaves from desert palms,
Placed worshipfully along His way;
Their love reached out to Him that day.

“Hosanna to the Lord” they cried;
“Bless each of you” the Lord replied.
With one accord they welcomed Him
Into the town Jerusalem.

Centuries past, our day is here,
But still He lives to bring us cheer.
He stands prepared to do His part—
Triumphal entry into our heart.

Loving us with love supreme
He offers a celestial dream
Of peace and love within our home
And joy with Him when life is done.

He waits outside each person’s door
No matter if we’re rich or poor.
He knocks and calls as a gentle dove:
“Is there room in your home for the Master’s love?”

He wants to bless, His love He offers;
We need His help, His hand He proffers.
He knows us well and what we need;
He’s come to serve, to love, to feed.

While Christians wait for His return,
Christ waits for us to learn
That in a home that welcomes Him,
He will gladly enter in.

Let each of us, right here and now,
Within our hearts renew our vow
To love the Lord and serve Him well
That in our homes He’ll come to dwell.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

LESSONS FROM A PURPLE POPSICLE


To my six year old mind, it was a catastrophe of the highest order.  Later in life I came to see it as the beginning of wisdom. Let me explain. 
            Every school day my mother would give me 10 whole cents—a lot of money to any young boy back in 1949—to buy an ice cream bar during recess.  Sometimes it was vanilla covered with chocolate and nuts; other times it would be a 50-50 bar—part vanilla, part orange.  Either way, it was the highlight of my first grade academic day!
            One day the unexpected happened: they were out of ice cream bars.  Instead, they offered popsicles, a treat unfamiliar to me.  Undaunted, I selected a purple one—grape flavored and very tasty!
            Before I could finish, the recess bell rang.  Not wanting to waste this delicious treat, I returned to the classroom, lifted my desktop, and placed the partially eaten Popsicle inside;  I would finish it the next day.
            At day’s end, my mother asked her usual questions:
“How was school?” 
“Good.” 
“Did you buy an ice cream?” 
“No.” 
“Why not?” 
“They were out of them. They had popsicles instead; I had a grape one.” 
“Was it good?” 
“Yes, but I didn’t finish it.  I put it in my desk—I’ll eat the rest tomorrow.”
            And then my world came apart.  With a look of concern and words I’ll never forget, my mother said, “Larry, popsicles melt.” 
Oh.
OH, NO!  The enormity of what I had done came in a blinding flash of understanding.  Stunned, I stammered the first thing that came to mind: “I’m not going to school tomorrow!”
            Firmly and gently mother said, yes, I would go to school but she would go with me.   The next morning, with fear and trembling, mother at my side, I approached my desk. Lifting the desk top I saw the wooden Popsicle stick lying in a small purple puddle on top of my spelling book. 
            Mother helped clean up and after a few days this misadventure slipped into history.  Through the years and experiences that followed—high school, mission, college, marriage and career—I would often think of that purple popsicle and remind myself that things aren’t always what they seem. 
            With maturity gained from hindsight and frequent toe-stubbing, I have learned the importance of discerning “things as they really are, and…as they really will be.” (Jacob 4:13, The Book of Mormon) In some strange, wonderful way the lesson of the purple Popsicle has found meaning in every stage of my life.
            During my teens I learned that the most popular kids in school weren’t always helpful in maintaining the standards of behavior I had been taught at home and at church.
            As a missionary I learned that poor people, with little of the world’s riches, were often the most humble and receptive to the Spirit of the Lord.
            In college, I became aware that as attractive as many of the theories and philosophies of the world are, they cannot provide a true and perfect standard against which to measure life’s experiences nor give us a sure foundation upon which to make eternal decisions.  Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can do that.
            Similarly, while serving as an army chaplain, I was repeatedly reminded that the wicked ways of the world never bring happiness.  Countless times I saw lives and relationships damaged or destroyed as individuals chose worldly pleasures over those things that are “virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy.”  (13th Article of Faith)
            As a husband, a father, and a grandfather my “Popsicle lessons” continue to bless me.  I have learned that the “law of the harvest” is a true and eternal principle and that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7 KJV)—that it is giving and loving that guarantees us a sure bounty of peace and joy, not taking or using or abusing.
            I am grateful for the early lessons of the purple Popsicle which taught me while yet a youth that things aren’t always what they seem.

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Personal Mission Statement

Several years ago, while studying and teaching Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" I wrote a personal mission statement that reflected how I wanted to live my life.  I reviewed it this morning, found it still very relevant and current so thought I'd share it with you. 



MISSION STATEMENT
FOR
LAWRENCE M. BARRY


1.       I will live my life centered in Jesus Christ, rooted in His gospel, one hand grasping His, the other extended out to those in need.

2.       I will honor others, relating to the best in them from the best in me.

3.       I will be a safe harbor for those whose life's journey has become stormy.

4.       I will be fully supportive of Melba in her growth and the pace and direction in which she takes it.

5.       I will seek to love and respect all of me--physical, mental, emotional and spiritual--and will regularly self-renew in all four areas.

6.       I will pursue excellence in all areas of my life and to live my life as an offering to God.

7.       I will look for the good, the beautiful, the wonderful in my world, in all people, all cultures and in nature.

8.       I will work to bind up my family with temple covenants--past, present, and future--so there will be "no empty chairs".

9.       I will seek to develop a nurturing environment in every relationship, where lower impulses are subordinated to higher principles and where both of us can feel safe so that learning and growth can occur.

10.     I will seek to develop tenacity in service, genuineness in love, perspective in failure, and humility in success.