JIM LYON: The loss of 9 lives in Sunday's tragic Los Angeles helicopter crash reminds us all that we have but one day at a time. The small things that raise our blood pressure in ordinary life fade when we hold each day sacred as, perhaps, our last. Eternity always clarifies what matters...Kobe Bryant and his daughter were lost Sunday, but so were 7 others, including 3 members of one family (baseball coach John Altobelli--an Azusa Pacific grad--his wife, and daughter). Life is fragile for all is us, no matter what our status or means. #JesusPlease
- Jim, I am so glad to see your public response shaped in this way. I literally just clicked away from an article (from USA TODAY, I believe), which stated that Kobe Bryant was, “One of the most important people in the world.” Personally, I was saddened by the choice of words used. Not for myself, but for the other, less “important” lives which were lost in this tragic accident. Each of these individuals were “one of the most important people in the world” to someone! I’m quite positive that Kobe would have traded his life for his daughters if he had been given a choice. Wouldn't THAT have made HER one of the most important people in the world? We should always be careful what descriptions and definitions we throw around. This is one of the subtle reasons why the world views truth as subjective. Practically everything is now designed to be personally defined and individually applied. Unfortunately, this has managed to ever so slowly permeate throughout the Body of Christ as well. We almost talked on the phone once, Jim. I was counseling the parents of a suicidal youth and could not take your call. You left a voice mail. Then, at a CHoG convention years ago in OKC, I changed my name tag to read: Jim Lyon, General Director. I thought it was quite funny as I look nothing like you! That is until I turned around and BAM! There is Jim Lyon! RIGHT in front of me! I quickly sent up a prayer: “Don’t look at my name tag. Please, Lord, don't let him look at my name tag!” Suddenly, as if God decided to fix only me with His Holy Gaze... Jim Lyon looks at my name tag, looks up at me, and without skipping a beat, says: “Be careful wearing that around here; you might mistakenly get hurt!” Then with a smile, you patted my shoulder and continued on your way. I relate these things in order to show two instances in which as a “nobody, ” I was treated like I was someone...like I mattered, even when practicing a moment of silly humor. I stepped lighter and listened more closely for the rest of the convention. All because you practiced what you preach. We are ALL someone of importance to God, and we should begin to treat each other like it more consistently. The world would then take notice and many in critical need would once again be willing to “give the church a shot.” I know I did.