My Way

Reposted from Doug McWilliam

"I did it my way!"

I had trouble getting Frank Sinatra singing "My Way" out of my head.

I dislike this song more than I dislike most other songs. To me it’s just awful and yet it always ranks in the top ten of funeral songs. "The Lord is my Shepherd" ranks as the top hymn; depending on which list you care to look up.

I was so caught up with the song; why was it repeating in my mind? I decided to do some research, so I did it my way…. I found out that Frank Sinatra did not like this song, although it became his signature song, it was years before he was persuaded to record his version of it.

“Frank Sinatra hated “My Way”; Frank Sinatra’s daughter later revealed that he actually despised this song for two reasons. One is that, being his signature track, he couldn’t shake free of it. And secondly he perceived “My Way”, according to Tina Sinatra, as being “self-serving and self-indulgent”. In fact Mr. Sinatra, in his own words, was upset that such a song “became a kind of national anthem”.

Sure there will be many people who will love this song. As one of the top ten songs sung at funerals it sits in pride of place. Because that is what "My Way" about – pride.

It is self-centred and gives no credit to others who may have been influential in one’s life; for either good or bad. There is a line in the song; "Regrets I have had a few…" Well Frank Sinatra regretted this song.

But as I pondered; is this really the memory that someone would wish to leave when they part this mortal soil? For some it obviously is. I would have to say that standing before the throne of God they might have to have some explaining to do.

The bible has a point of view on this. It’s found in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 55, and verse 3:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

God’s way can be painful and it can hurt because God asks you to leave everything you have and follow him; and to do it My Way.

It’s going to be tough; it might cause you to doubt, it will challenge you. People may laugh and ridicule your motives and throw your history in your face. They might begin to mistrust your motives, you might lose some friends. You will be asked not to look over your shoulder and think that what you have left behind is better than what you’re going through or what the future might hold. There may be flash-backs that bring regret and sorrow, what "if’s", some "but’s". Old habits might rear up and bite you. New relationships are tricky particularly if there is misunderstanding caused by doing things on the new, My Way.

Being on My Way also lifts us up into a new kingdom where the meaning and purpose of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control shows… this is My Way.

Of course My Way is a loving fitting epitaph for all of us.

I can only think of one person who can without fear say, "I did it my way" – Jesus.

Wisconsin Employee Who Mishandled 500 Vaccine Doses Arrested, To Be Charged

Reposted from Kelly Fisher

The Wisconsin pharmacist who was fired for allegedly botching more than 500 of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Officials arrested the pharmacist on New Year’s Eve (December 31), accusing the employee of several felonies. Those include reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property, according to the Associated Press. The doses that were tossed out in the incident were worth around $8,000 to $11,000, according to police.

Awaiting formal charges, authorities have not named the employee as of Monday (January 4).

An internal investigation at the Advocate Aurora Health facility in Grafton, outside of Milwaukee, initially showed that the incident happened because of “unintended human error.”

Dozens of vials of the vaccine were removed from a refrigerator on Christmas Day (December 25) and not immediately placed back inside to refrigerate overnight.

Later, however, Aurora Health found that the employee “intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration,” a statement read. The employee was then fired.

“We continue to believe that vaccination is our way out of the pandemic,” the statement continued. “We are more than disappointed that this individual’s actions will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine.”

Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr confirmed on December 31 that the unnamed employee removed 57 vials containing enough doses for about 570 patients.

Take Up Your Cross

At the beginning of a new year, many of us make resolutions. Weight loss, getting out of debt, traveling more, or seeing friends more frequently are common resolutions to make on New Year’s Day.

This year, as expected, I’m the one who probably needs the weight loss resolution (grrrr…). But as a follower of Jesus, the most difficult resolution is more of a daily commitment than a yearly resolution. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” This means a different way of thinking and journeying through life. It means being so immersed in fellowship with Jesus that you constantly struggle with the “normal” of the world. It means interacting with neighbors, family, and strangers differently. It means speaking (and posting on social media) differently. It means letting go of things that would provide satisfaction or comfort that Jesus calls us to lay down. It’s really, really hard, entirely contrary to how we are conditioned to live after dwelling in the world for our entire lives. I think that is why Jesus inserted the word “daily” into his teaching here.

Hearing this message sung by dozens of believers in a choir is a great reinforcement, to help this message get deep within my soul. Here is the Brooklyn Tabernacle with Take Up Your Cross.

Rev. Dan Polecheck
Universal Life Church Ministries