End of year publications devote quite a bit of space to celebrity passings.
Astronauts, writers, movers and shakers. Entire lives efficiently summarized with one or two sentences about their "best known for" moments.
One of the true musical giants of our generation quietly passed this year and did not make the pages of Time. In fairness, he never performed at Madison Square Garden or Albert Hall (at least as far as I know).
Ed Doemland was a brilliant keyboardist and percussionist who worked out of the West Allis, Wisconsin area from 1963 until his death in August. I write "until is death" because even during my last visit with Ed in hospice - a few days before his passing - he was still busily notating melodies that would otherwise reach only a very exclusive, heavenly venue.
I can't summarize everything Ed accomplished because I saw only the part of him that so richly blessed my own life. I just watched the DVD tribute to another celebrity musician, George Harrison. In it, Eric Clapton observed that he always felt especially close to George. But at Harrison's passing, and as friends gathered to honor the ex-Beatle, Clapton was surprised at the diversity of people who felt just as close as he did to their friend. Not just musicians, but 'regular people', spiritual people, race car drivers, actors, business associates and family.
That's the same diversity of appreciation I saw for Ed.
I knew Ed as the kind man who taught me about church music. How to organize and lead musicians and congregations in meaningful worship. Ed was famous for his last-minute, printed lyric inserts and contemporary music arrangements. He often removed entire pews from the church to make room for guest musicians. On other occasions he simply called out hymn numbers for the congregation to turn to. And as a guitarist, Ed would frequently slip me new chords or lyrics during the sermon because it would "work better" with the preacher's message that day. When I started writing my own music, Ed was my biggest cheerleader, generously helping to notate music, and evening sitting in with my band for live performances and recording sessions.
Outside of our tiny congregation though, Ed was in constant demand. When he wasn't playing solo piano gigs at the best restaurants in town, he was sitting in with some of the top bands or playing timpani with the symphonic orchestra. His own music was published and he was widely recognized as a gifted pipe organ player.
But the outpouring of love for Ed wasn't limited to musicians. 40 years of high school science students pointed to his motivation and passion for knowledge as well. And many people recounted how they remembered his phone number digits. Simply the words... Kid Soda.
The others words I'll always remember are from the simple refrain to one of Ed's favorite original songs.
"We may all have different gifts, but the same Spirit. The same God working in us all !"
Ed always made me feel like my gifts mattered. And I think everyone else that got to know him felt that same acceptance and encouragement. It made a difference - and I hope I can continue to share what I learned from him.
You can probably summarize the "best known for's" of a lot of famous people in two or three sentences. But not Kid Soda.
And I've got a feeling that the story continues....wouldn't we all love to hear the session he's got going now!
I'll miss you Ed.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Do What He Tells You
This has been a very special Christmas season for me.
In the midst of so many troubling world events and culture shifts, the encouragement of Christ's coming has really touched my heart.
I've thought more diligently than most years about the courage and selflessness of Mary and Joseph.
Mary, who could easily have been stoned for her admission of pregnancy and Joseph, who could have condoned it. Beyond the miraculous birth itself, they someone survived a relocation to Egypt with an infant. This, at a time and place where resources were nil for the likes of them. They took personal responsibility in a way that few of us can fathom.
I was particularly moved by a line spoken by Mary's character in the movie, The Nativity, which I highly recommend and watch each year. Sitting next to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary wonders, "Why would God have chosen me? I am nothing."
It's just a movie line, but you can imagine the thought crossing her mind, "I am nothing."
I've wondered the same thing about my own redemption through Jesus' death on the cross.
I am nothing. A speck on the this earth and in the continuum of time. Truly a miserable sinner. And yet God loves me. Amazing.
There is another line spoken by Mary. Not a movie script. This one is documented in the Bible.
Mary says this to a few workers at a wedding in Cana.
"Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5
Perhaps the most insightful bit of advice ever uttered.
"Do whatever Jesus tells you."
Read the four gospels. Read the words of Jesus quoted by the apostle John in Revelation.
And then "Do whatever he tells you."
Mary and Joseph were probably the two most courageous, humble and selfless people in history (after their son). With all that could have been rehashed and aggrandized about inns, stables and wise men, Mary summarized the precursive nature of their roles with stunning simplicity,
"Do whatever he tells you."
Merry Christmas. What do you believe?
In the midst of so many troubling world events and culture shifts, the encouragement of Christ's coming has really touched my heart.
I've thought more diligently than most years about the courage and selflessness of Mary and Joseph.
Mary, who could easily have been stoned for her admission of pregnancy and Joseph, who could have condoned it. Beyond the miraculous birth itself, they someone survived a relocation to Egypt with an infant. This, at a time and place where resources were nil for the likes of them. They took personal responsibility in a way that few of us can fathom.
I was particularly moved by a line spoken by Mary's character in the movie, The Nativity, which I highly recommend and watch each year. Sitting next to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary wonders, "Why would God have chosen me? I am nothing."
It's just a movie line, but you can imagine the thought crossing her mind, "I am nothing."
I've wondered the same thing about my own redemption through Jesus' death on the cross.
I am nothing. A speck on the this earth and in the continuum of time. Truly a miserable sinner. And yet God loves me. Amazing.
There is another line spoken by Mary. Not a movie script. This one is documented in the Bible.
Mary says this to a few workers at a wedding in Cana.
"Do whatever he tells you." John 2:5
Perhaps the most insightful bit of advice ever uttered.
"Do whatever Jesus tells you."
Read the four gospels. Read the words of Jesus quoted by the apostle John in Revelation.
And then "Do whatever he tells you."
Mary and Joseph were probably the two most courageous, humble and selfless people in history (after their son). With all that could have been rehashed and aggrandized about inns, stables and wise men, Mary summarized the precursive nature of their roles with stunning simplicity,
"Do whatever he tells you."
Merry Christmas. What do you believe?
Jesus, Love and Crisis Pregnancy
I don't know what you'd expect to find at a crisis pregnancy center.
We've supported a local pregnancy care ministry for years, and this Christmas we delivered some items they'd requested in an update newsletter.
We parked our car right in front of their street-side doorway, adjacent to the barbershop, just across from the local pharmacy. Its a few blocks south of the state university extension campus, with over 20,000 students. A nearby high school had just let out and their kids noisily jostled by on the sidewalk as we unloaded the car
My wife and I made a few trips carrying items up the staircase and into the cheerfully windowed waiting room. The walls are painted a comforting shade of light blue, and the fresh scent of baby powder reminded me of our own daughter's long ago nursery.
We set up the new card table and chairs next to the play area with its basketful of toddler toys. Some of the women who come already have younger children.
It would have only taken several minutes for Sarah to walk us through the simple suite of rooms. But she also paused to describe a "typical" day in her ministry there. The first small room is lined floor to ceiling with wrapped packets of baby items. Sara noted that she sometimes receives cribs and basinets. She lovingly showed the hand-knitted receiving blankets that are made and donated by women from local churches.
In the next room was a clean, spare office with table and chair. Sarah explained that she meets women or couples to understand their need. Some have already given birth and are seeking items like those stored in the adjacent room. Others need a pregnancy test or are seeking an ultrasound (a licensed volunteer visits the center and uses the donated ultrasound system). Still others just need to talk, and Sarah listens.
Sarah offers to pray with her visitors and also provides bibles to those who are interested. Many are.
Some are "exploring options" and Sarah provides factual counsel on the baby created by conception - ultrasounds help to visualize what could otherwise be dismissed as tissue. Her newsletter is filled with names and photos of babies who her clients have chosen to birth.
I don't know exactly what happens in the other "pregnancy" centers that are funded with hundreds of millions of dollars from public taxes. Recent undercover video stings suggest that instead of wise, Godly counsel, some women at Planned Parenthood are simply enabled to abort on demand. Their ultrasounds aren't linked with open, candid dialog to support evidence of life that begins at conception. Planned Parenthood doesn't have Sarah.
Sarah listens and offers to help. She and the ministry provide reassurance, resources and hand-knitted blankets for the babies they pray to see born. Before we left, I helped Sarah position the sturdy new step stool we brought for the ultrasound table. There in the room of the cheerful second floor office that provides pregnancy care - and much more. I wonder what her ministry could accomplish, and how many lives might be saved, with a million dollars? Ten million dollars?
We believe in Sarah and the local pregnancy care ministry. What do you believe?
We've supported a local pregnancy care ministry for years, and this Christmas we delivered some items they'd requested in an update newsletter.
We parked our car right in front of their street-side doorway, adjacent to the barbershop, just across from the local pharmacy. Its a few blocks south of the state university extension campus, with over 20,000 students. A nearby high school had just let out and their kids noisily jostled by on the sidewalk as we unloaded the car
My wife and I made a few trips carrying items up the staircase and into the cheerfully windowed waiting room. The walls are painted a comforting shade of light blue, and the fresh scent of baby powder reminded me of our own daughter's long ago nursery.
We set up the new card table and chairs next to the play area with its basketful of toddler toys. Some of the women who come already have younger children.
It would have only taken several minutes for Sarah to walk us through the simple suite of rooms. But she also paused to describe a "typical" day in her ministry there. The first small room is lined floor to ceiling with wrapped packets of baby items. Sara noted that she sometimes receives cribs and basinets. She lovingly showed the hand-knitted receiving blankets that are made and donated by women from local churches.
In the next room was a clean, spare office with table and chair. Sarah explained that she meets women or couples to understand their need. Some have already given birth and are seeking items like those stored in the adjacent room. Others need a pregnancy test or are seeking an ultrasound (a licensed volunteer visits the center and uses the donated ultrasound system). Still others just need to talk, and Sarah listens.
Sarah offers to pray with her visitors and also provides bibles to those who are interested. Many are.
Some are "exploring options" and Sarah provides factual counsel on the baby created by conception - ultrasounds help to visualize what could otherwise be dismissed as tissue. Her newsletter is filled with names and photos of babies who her clients have chosen to birth.
I don't know exactly what happens in the other "pregnancy" centers that are funded with hundreds of millions of dollars from public taxes. Recent undercover video stings suggest that instead of wise, Godly counsel, some women at Planned Parenthood are simply enabled to abort on demand. Their ultrasounds aren't linked with open, candid dialog to support evidence of life that begins at conception. Planned Parenthood doesn't have Sarah.
Sarah listens and offers to help. She and the ministry provide reassurance, resources and hand-knitted blankets for the babies they pray to see born. Before we left, I helped Sarah position the sturdy new step stool we brought for the ultrasound table. There in the room of the cheerful second floor office that provides pregnancy care - and much more. I wonder what her ministry could accomplish, and how many lives might be saved, with a million dollars? Ten million dollars?
We believe in Sarah and the local pregnancy care ministry. What do you believe?
Monday, December 24, 2012
Can You Re-Tune That Piano ?
I'm converting some old cassette music tapes to .mp3 format.
One cassette is an album of original gospel songs I recorded with friends back in 1985.
This was a dream team of local artists who teamed up with me for the studio project.
Pat played flute, sax and clarinet. Jimmy on drums. Joe and Ed on keyboards. Jack on lead guitar and Larry on bass. Our combined expertise spanned jazz, fusion, rock, folk and sacred music. Their unique perspectives and talents pushed my simple acoustic guitar arrangements to an entirely new (and improved!) level.
Lesson number one for studio recording is to tune your instruments to a standard tone.
You may have heard orchestra's play that "A" tone as the violins tune before a concert.
Back then I just had a pitch pipe for one guitar string, and then I'd tune my other strings from there. But that wasn't efficient with all the other instrumentalists having to tune as well.
Larry the bass player had a new-fangled electronic "tuner" so we could play a note and a light came on to say you were in tune. Simple.
So before recording the ten basic song tracks we all tuned to Larry's box.
Eight hours of studio time later we were ready to begin the much longer process of adding solo instrument and vocal harmony tracks. About this time, the keyboard players convinced me that we needed a full "acoustic" sounding piano...not just the synthesized keyboard we'd planned to add on separate tracks. The studio's piano needed repair - but no problem, one of the guys had a 77 key upright that we could "carry in." We all had day-jobs of course, so it was another Saturday before we could haul in the upright and set up to record again.
One problem. The piano sounded "out of tune" as they started playing it with our recorded tracks.
Argh. A quick call to a piano tuner and some negotiations with the recording studio owner (since I was paying by the hour...).
Good news and bad news once the piano tuner arrive. Good news, the piano was in tune.
Bad news, our recording was slightly out of tune...enough to clash with the piano.
Why? Larry the bass player's tuner had not been properly calibrated to the music standard of "440 Hz for middle C."
We all tuned to Larry's box - we were in tune with each other - and we were all wrong. Since that day, for the last 25 years, I've been in the habit of asking fellow musicians, "are you tuned to 440?" And I carry my own tuner - set to the standard "440" of course.
The Bible is our spiritual calibration to "440." Sometimes we can start running with spiritual ideas that "sound right" amongst a small group of friends, family or even fellowships. But if these ideas clash with the bible...if you're not in tune with what Jesus said...then something is "off."
In our case, we had to either re-tune the piano to be "wrong" and in tune with our recording....or we could start over with the "right" tuning. We had drifted off the mark and impacted everyone involved.
You can't re-tune the Bible. God's Word is the standard. If our beliefs shift out of tune, we need to somehow come back - or start anew. The Holy Spirit within you will often sense the "dis-chord."
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change"
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
What do you believe?
One cassette is an album of original gospel songs I recorded with friends back in 1985.
This was a dream team of local artists who teamed up with me for the studio project.
Pat played flute, sax and clarinet. Jimmy on drums. Joe and Ed on keyboards. Jack on lead guitar and Larry on bass. Our combined expertise spanned jazz, fusion, rock, folk and sacred music. Their unique perspectives and talents pushed my simple acoustic guitar arrangements to an entirely new (and improved!) level.
Lesson number one for studio recording is to tune your instruments to a standard tone.
You may have heard orchestra's play that "A" tone as the violins tune before a concert.
Back then I just had a pitch pipe for one guitar string, and then I'd tune my other strings from there. But that wasn't efficient with all the other instrumentalists having to tune as well.
Larry the bass player had a new-fangled electronic "tuner" so we could play a note and a light came on to say you were in tune. Simple.
So before recording the ten basic song tracks we all tuned to Larry's box.
Eight hours of studio time later we were ready to begin the much longer process of adding solo instrument and vocal harmony tracks. About this time, the keyboard players convinced me that we needed a full "acoustic" sounding piano...not just the synthesized keyboard we'd planned to add on separate tracks. The studio's piano needed repair - but no problem, one of the guys had a 77 key upright that we could "carry in." We all had day-jobs of course, so it was another Saturday before we could haul in the upright and set up to record again.
One problem. The piano sounded "out of tune" as they started playing it with our recorded tracks.
Argh. A quick call to a piano tuner and some negotiations with the recording studio owner (since I was paying by the hour...).
Good news and bad news once the piano tuner arrive. Good news, the piano was in tune.
Bad news, our recording was slightly out of tune...enough to clash with the piano.
Why? Larry the bass player's tuner had not been properly calibrated to the music standard of "440 Hz for middle C."
We all tuned to Larry's box - we were in tune with each other - and we were all wrong. Since that day, for the last 25 years, I've been in the habit of asking fellow musicians, "are you tuned to 440?" And I carry my own tuner - set to the standard "440" of course.
The Bible is our spiritual calibration to "440." Sometimes we can start running with spiritual ideas that "sound right" amongst a small group of friends, family or even fellowships. But if these ideas clash with the bible...if you're not in tune with what Jesus said...then something is "off."
In our case, we had to either re-tune the piano to be "wrong" and in tune with our recording....or we could start over with the "right" tuning. We had drifted off the mark and impacted everyone involved.
You can't re-tune the Bible. God's Word is the standard. If our beliefs shift out of tune, we need to somehow come back - or start anew. The Holy Spirit within you will often sense the "dis-chord."
Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change"
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
What do you believe?
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Xmas Hymn #416
I was so happy to be back playing guitar at church this week!
Work and travel had kept me away the previous two weeks.
Sometimes I just breathe an "ahhhhhh...." to be back sharing music, especially with our stellar music director/keyboardist.
On some Sunday's she leaves the offertory song listed as "instrumental" and simply plays a piano or organ piece, which I really enjoy listening (or praying) to. We also team up and play piano-guitar duets if a particular song has elements that favor our instruments (i.e., not too many sharps or flats for the guitar player). On this Sunday we didn't have a song picked, so she would play a piano piece.
But as I listened to the sermon, I really felt moved to add some worship music. I picked up my hymn book, still opened to #412, the previous song.
Now realize, that immediately following the 10 - 15 minute sermon is our offertory....not a lot of time to choose new music and run it by my co-laborer and keyboardist in Christ!
A quick, silent prayer...."Lord, would you have anything in mind for us to play?"
The very quietest of Holy Spirit-nudges moved me to flip the pages forward (and not backward, though I can't explain how that was clear to me).
Somewhere in the background, as I began studying key signatures and chord structure, I heard some of the pastor's sermon. :-) He was speaking of God's ability to surprise us. We can't put God in a box of our own expectations, limiting what we believe He can accomplish. He is God after all.
Or something along those lines, I only had a few minutes left to look at music!
When I got to Hymn #416, it looked like it had good possibilities...chords and melody that I could sight-read (our music director can play anything!), and enough variety in the verse and chorus to give us something interesting to work with as an instrumental.
But now there were literally only minutes to spare. I had to stand up and walk out the side door to get back to the choir room and ask her. I waffled there in my chair for a few moments - was this really a good idea? But yes, I really sensed a Godly inspiration to do this.
At that very moment, our music director walked back in and handed me a note on her way back to the piano. Without reading it, I lifted up the hymnal and started pointing....I mouthed a few words...."I think I found a song" and she just pointed back to her note in my hand...all this as the pastor's post-sermon prayers were in progress before the offertory.
The handwritten note from our music director simply said..... "Hymn #416."
And we offered up some beautiful music to God.
"With man this is not possible, but with God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
What do you believe?
Work and travel had kept me away the previous two weeks.
Sometimes I just breathe an "ahhhhhh...." to be back sharing music, especially with our stellar music director/keyboardist.
On some Sunday's she leaves the offertory song listed as "instrumental" and simply plays a piano or organ piece, which I really enjoy listening (or praying) to. We also team up and play piano-guitar duets if a particular song has elements that favor our instruments (i.e., not too many sharps or flats for the guitar player). On this Sunday we didn't have a song picked, so she would play a piano piece.
But as I listened to the sermon, I really felt moved to add some worship music. I picked up my hymn book, still opened to #412, the previous song.
Now realize, that immediately following the 10 - 15 minute sermon is our offertory....not a lot of time to choose new music and run it by my co-laborer and keyboardist in Christ!
A quick, silent prayer...."Lord, would you have anything in mind for us to play?"
The very quietest of Holy Spirit-nudges moved me to flip the pages forward (and not backward, though I can't explain how that was clear to me).
Somewhere in the background, as I began studying key signatures and chord structure, I heard some of the pastor's sermon. :-) He was speaking of God's ability to surprise us. We can't put God in a box of our own expectations, limiting what we believe He can accomplish. He is God after all.
Or something along those lines, I only had a few minutes left to look at music!
When I got to Hymn #416, it looked like it had good possibilities...chords and melody that I could sight-read (our music director can play anything!), and enough variety in the verse and chorus to give us something interesting to work with as an instrumental.
But now there were literally only minutes to spare. I had to stand up and walk out the side door to get back to the choir room and ask her. I waffled there in my chair for a few moments - was this really a good idea? But yes, I really sensed a Godly inspiration to do this.
At that very moment, our music director walked back in and handed me a note on her way back to the piano. Without reading it, I lifted up the hymnal and started pointing....I mouthed a few words...."I think I found a song" and she just pointed back to her note in my hand...all this as the pastor's post-sermon prayers were in progress before the offertory.
The handwritten note from our music director simply said..... "Hymn #416."
And we offered up some beautiful music to God.
"With man this is not possible, but with God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
What do you believe?
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Mayan Deadline - Many Roads to Jesus ?
I used my cell phone GPS navigator to get from the hotel to my business meeting last month.
There were at least three possible GPS routes. One took roads through some farm land and another through a suburban town. The third crossed over between the two.
I chose the farm land GPS route because I wanted to avoid stop lights and traffic. My colleague was frustrated. He went through town and said there were more turns and traffic going his way. But he arrived. Some of our co-workers took a shuttle bus and didn't care which route their driver was taking, they were indifferent.
So we all took multiple routes and ended up at the same place.
However, arriving at the meeting place did not mean "entering the meeting."
There were lots of cars in the parking lot of the meeting place, but at the front door they asked for your company ID. This ID affirmed that you had previously understood and accepted our company guidelines.
Anybody could arrive and park, but there was only one acceptable way to enter.
Nobody said anything bad or intolerant of those choosing to park outside, but they remained separated for the duration.
People tell me there are "many routes to God."
They consider belief in Jesus as nothing more or less than GPS Route #3 on their cell phone.
I don't think they've thought it all the way through.
We're all going to arrive at the same place eventually. Death.
But that's nothing more than the parking lot outside heaven. An Almighty God can still ask for your ID.
The Bible explains that ID to be "Believer in Jesus as Savior". [John 14:6, Acts 4:12; Matthew 25]
Plenty of people in the parking lot....Believers in Jesus attend the meeting, according to the Bible.
You could just as easily claim that the ID will be Believer in Islam. Or, Believer in Tao. Believer in Vishnu, etc.
Or....All ID's welcome, of any kind. (Believer of nothing in particular).
It's our choice, and free will to do so. But you are making (not choosing is choosing) a Spiritual decision. When The Day comes, most people don't want to be in a parking lot somewhere, wishing they could go inside.
There was a burst of web site activity this week at peacewithgod.net One person after another joined the web chat stream asking, "Is the world going to end on Dec. 22?" because they had heard of the Mayan calendar ending. Some people I chatted with were sincerely frightened and seeking spiritual answers. They wanted immediate insight - for themselves, and some for their kids.
"How can I know....for SURE?" they asked me. Jesus. There is no waffling on that in the bible. Believe on the name of Jesus, and so be saved (Romans 10:13) from whatever end comes to your life, or to the world.
With the 21st of December, 2012 looming...many were eager to learn about Jesus. Today, on the 22nd, that sense of urgency will have diminished, but the choice is no less stark. Christianity's answer is the same as it was yesterday - Jesus loves you, and is ready to welcome you! (Revelation 3:20)
In the meantime, I'm really enjoying this route with the country roads...winding through fields of mercy, past groves of forgiveness and Grace. The breeze of Blessed assurance. It's not just the destination, its the journey that is also rich with blessings. When I finally do arrive, I can't wait to go in and meet Jesus.
I believe in Jesus. What do you believe?
Saturday, November 10, 2012
No Cross for You !
I am a Christian living in America.
In the years to come we will experience increasing levels of hostility and intolerence.
But my joy is trending up! Why is that?
Because I am even more clearly reminded to rely on God.
There is great joy in our daily bread - the unrestrained unfolding of God's plan.
While our culture asks us to compartmentalize Jesus - and keep Him far away from them -
We know that His power cannot be harnessed by ACLU donors or judicial nominees.
Praise....God!
I am encouraged and energized to share the Good News even more vigorously - and to not whine in the desert of our once great nation. This is the time to share Jesus.
Here is a great example, as reported by Angela Lu :
http://www.worldmag.com/2012/11/a_promise_kept
Excerpt:
In the years to come we will experience increasing levels of hostility and intolerence.
But my joy is trending up! Why is that?
Because I am even more clearly reminded to rely on God.
There is great joy in our daily bread - the unrestrained unfolding of God's plan.
While our culture asks us to compartmentalize Jesus - and keep Him far away from them -
We know that His power cannot be harnessed by ACLU donors or judicial nominees.
Praise....God!
I am encouraged and energized to share the Good News even more vigorously - and to not whine in the desert of our once great nation. This is the time to share Jesus.
Here is a great example, as reported by Angela Lu :
http://www.worldmag.com/2012/11/a_promise_kept
Excerpt:
After the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the ACLU, the veterans group figured that the only way to allow the cross to stand was to swap the federal land the cross was on with private land owned by the group. The 9th Circuit ruled the compromise faulty, and the case was taken to the U.S. Supreme Court
In 2010, high court ruled 5-4 that the land swap was permissible, with Justice Anthony Kennedy writing, “The goal of avoiding governmental endorsement [of religion] does not require eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm.”
James 1:2-8
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
What do you believe?
Restoring that Cable for God
Two years ago I accidentally cut the end off of an outdoor extension cord.
These aren't cheap. It was a heavy duty, thirty foot cord that I could use with outdoor lights and lawn tools.
I stored it on the garage wall and intended to buy a replacement plug - the kind where you re-trim the three wires and screw on the new plug end.
Other things came up and the damaged cable languished on that garage wall hook. I think I even bought an extra extension cord in the meantime when I needed some power.
Finally, after a year had passed, I remembered the cable during a hardware run and bought the replacement plug. Locating the now-dusty cable, I carefully trimmed the wires and reassembled the plug.
Pleased with myself for rescuing the cable, I uncoiled the rest of it and looked for a wall plug.
This is where I had to smile, in spite of myself.
My memory of which plug end to replace was incorrect. I now had a very nice outdoor extension cord with two, three-pronged plug ends. No receptacle! So I could plug it into the wall (on either end), but it was without use for its intended purpose of delivering electricity.
Nothing wrong with any of the components, and I could use it for something else - as cable to bundle cardboard or something - but not for electricity.
And that is how I am with some of the blessings and gifts God provides me. I know how to explain the gospel, but I often shy away from opportunities to do so. Maybe I'd be of more use just 'living' the gospel on a hook in the garage and hoping people will see the example and learn. But I know in my heart that I would not be applying the full intent of God's purpose. Ephesians 2:10
I took the extra time and patience to work with the extension cord. It would have been easier to just hang it back on the wall and ignore it, or throw it away. God knows better. He loves you and knows the purpose for your life. Ask Him!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
What do you believe?
These aren't cheap. It was a heavy duty, thirty foot cord that I could use with outdoor lights and lawn tools.
I stored it on the garage wall and intended to buy a replacement plug - the kind where you re-trim the three wires and screw on the new plug end.
Other things came up and the damaged cable languished on that garage wall hook. I think I even bought an extra extension cord in the meantime when I needed some power.
Finally, after a year had passed, I remembered the cable during a hardware run and bought the replacement plug. Locating the now-dusty cable, I carefully trimmed the wires and reassembled the plug.
Pleased with myself for rescuing the cable, I uncoiled the rest of it and looked for a wall plug.
This is where I had to smile, in spite of myself.
My memory of which plug end to replace was incorrect. I now had a very nice outdoor extension cord with two, three-pronged plug ends. No receptacle! So I could plug it into the wall (on either end), but it was without use for its intended purpose of delivering electricity.
Nothing wrong with any of the components, and I could use it for something else - as cable to bundle cardboard or something - but not for electricity.
And that is how I am with some of the blessings and gifts God provides me. I know how to explain the gospel, but I often shy away from opportunities to do so. Maybe I'd be of more use just 'living' the gospel on a hook in the garage and hoping people will see the example and learn. But I know in my heart that I would not be applying the full intent of God's purpose. Ephesians 2:10
I took the extra time and patience to work with the extension cord. It would have been easier to just hang it back on the wall and ignore it, or throw it away. God knows better. He loves you and knows the purpose for your life. Ask Him!
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
What do you believe?
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Andree Sue and Worldmag.com
I enjoy much of Andree Sue Peterson's writing for worldmag.com
She is one of those gifted writers who seems to effortlessly turn excellent prose with Godly insights.
Her recent post titled Key Turning Point got my attention. An unknown assailant damaged her car. An excerpt:
She is one of those gifted writers who seems to effortlessly turn excellent prose with Godly insights.
Her recent post titled Key Turning Point got my attention. An unknown assailant damaged her car. An excerpt:
"The keyer of my car (Is that a proper noun?) “never will speak word” to me about his rationale—which is perhaps a delightful collateral bonus for him, a milking it twice. Or perhaps he even forgot he did the deed five minutes later. Emperor Caligula once had a few seats of spectators at the arena thrown into the tiger’s pit because there were not enough condemned criminals and he was bored.
“In the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, … ungrateful, unholy, heartless, … without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
Keying is a very little thing that tells a lot. It is the silver serving trolley that rolls a couple of feet, unnoticed, on the Titanic. It is the old collie looking up from his nap a half hour before the tornado. It is the dead canary warning miners there is methane in the shaft. It shows, ahead of the pundits and philosophers, that civilization has taken a decisive turn."
What a spot-on insight concerning our culture. So many of the things we shake our heads at today--thoughtless selfish behavior, refusal to take personal responsibility--they are not just disturbing. They are early warnings of what has yet to manifest itself.
Sharing the Gospel is an eternal gift to the single lost lamb who hears and believes. It is also a gift to everyone who then shares community with that Holy Spirit-empowered person. Changed lives in Jesus bring with them God's love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, compassion. Not senseless destruction.
Help protect Andree Sue Peterson's car...share the Good News of Jesus.
What do you believe?
Paying for the Empty Lot
We were driving back from a family funeral last month and I heard an interesting insight on a local pastor's radio show. (sorry, we were out of signal range before hearing the name of the pastor!)
He made this simple observation:
There is construction going on in his town to build condo's on a vacant lot.
People who want to live there have already entered into contracts and put money down to "hold" their position.
He explained to the radio listeners that there is nothing there yet. It is a vacant lot. Maybe it has a great view or a prime location. But it takes a lot of faith to make such a financial commitment to something that doesn't exist.
He...and we... run into people all the time who can't get past the fact that God and heaven are "invisible." Heaven is a vacant lot. God is the unmet project owner.
What compelling confidence do we have to express a downpayment of faith and trust in God?
On the other hand, the upside is huge. Talk about a room with a view ! And an eternity with no condo fees. Plus, there are many immediate returns...blessings, peace, and guiding wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
People are naturally suspicious of deals that are "too good to be true." Grace must somehow seem like that.
But it's the real deal. I'm all in. Totally invested and trusting my eternal life in the name of Jesus.
Learn more about the compelling reasons at www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
He made this simple observation:
There is construction going on in his town to build condo's on a vacant lot.
People who want to live there have already entered into contracts and put money down to "hold" their position.
He explained to the radio listeners that there is nothing there yet. It is a vacant lot. Maybe it has a great view or a prime location. But it takes a lot of faith to make such a financial commitment to something that doesn't exist.
He...and we... run into people all the time who can't get past the fact that God and heaven are "invisible." Heaven is a vacant lot. God is the unmet project owner.
What compelling confidence do we have to express a downpayment of faith and trust in God?
On the other hand, the upside is huge. Talk about a room with a view ! And an eternity with no condo fees. Plus, there are many immediate returns...blessings, peace, and guiding wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
People are naturally suspicious of deals that are "too good to be true." Grace must somehow seem like that.
But it's the real deal. I'm all in. Totally invested and trusting my eternal life in the name of Jesus.
Learn more about the compelling reasons at www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
7 Word Message to God
I had just crested a hill on a lonely country farm road in Ohio, going about 50 miles an hour.
The two cars ahead of me suddenly stopped.
One had their blinker on, waiting to turn left, and the one immediately in front of me had to wait. There wasn't enough room for us to squeeze around on the right.
I was in a hurry, but you had to smile at the irony - a country road in the middle of Ohio farm country and I'm stuck in a traffic jam!
Just then, I looked up in my rear view mirror.
A large pickup truck had also just crested the hill behind me, and he was going way too fast!
I had only enough time to utter one sentence - and I remember it exactly,
"Oh my God, he won't have enough time to stop."
He didn't, and he slammed into the back of my sky blue Honda Accord, rearranging the trunk up to my driver's seat and sliding my car into the guy in front of me. All in a split second!
There were only seven words after I reflexively muttered, "Oh my God..."
He...won't....have....enough.....time....to......stop.
That was the best I could do in the moment when I could easily have been taken from this earth.
I was thinking back to that moment after reading a gospel account this week.
Right before Jesus died, he offered up one last sentence of about seven words as well (at least in the english translation of aramaic). Instead of my crass OMG, he more appropriately address his "Father,"
"Into....your.....hands...I....commend.....my.....spirit." Matthew 23:46
Seven words that blend humility, confidence in God's plan, and an awareness of the hereafter.
Quick, you have exactly one moment to assess your life and your relationship with God...and about seven words to summarize or express yourself to God. What would you say?
______......______......_____......_____......_______.....______.....______
Don't wait to see one of life's "trucks" racing into your rear view mirror. Have a more relaxed conversation with God today. Conversation with God is 'prayer.' Its liberating and reassuring.
You can get some good starter ideas here:
What do you believe?
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Gunflint Family Diamonds
My wife and I just had our prayers answered in an unexpected way.
When we travel on vacation, one of our prayers together is:
"Lord God, help us to see and appreciate all that you have created."
His creation was abundantly on display near the end of the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota and the adjacent Canadian Boundary Waters.
We were delighted by the Loon calls, wild flowers and crisp clear water. The comforting rustle of pine boughs that scented the ever present breeze. All recognizable as God's Creation.
But like I said, our prayers were still to be answered in an unexpected way.
Our hosts were Barb and Greg Gecas, 3rd generation proprietors of Heston's, a rustic resort along the shores of Gunflint Lake. We drove 500 miles to enjoy their lovely "Diamond Willow" cabin situated among the pines, within arms reach of the stunning granite rock shoreline.
There was much more to appreciate than nature and a cabin in the woods.
We were cheerfully greeted that first day by their college age daughter. Confident, kind and knowledgeable, she directed us to the Diamond Willow cabin ("down the road, take the Y to the left, canoes are ready to go on the beach").
Mom and Dad were out for the evening, but she is evidence that the next generation already knows how to make visitors feel at home.
Next day, mom Barb warmly added ideas to our itinerary for hiking and fishing, including maps and trail tips. One of those included a visit to Chik-Wauk museum at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
It's a jewel of a museum, chronicaling the pioneer spirit and resort life from the 20's to the present.
While there, an elderly gentleman quietly pointed to one of the historical captions about teachers in the then remote wilderness' school. "That was my mom," he humbly said to my wife. Bill Boissenin proceeded to tell us how his folks had started Trout Lake lodge and helped to build others in the area. That's him beside his folks in the picture.
He looks just like his dad now! After 28 years serving our country in the Navy, Bill is back home to the area he loved with his parents.
Just a few feet away in the museum we met Harriet Boostrom (Taus), one of 10 children who grew up at the Clearwater Resort her parents founded in the 1920's. Harriet lovingly described the hard work and fun of those days. This included sinking their potatoes in the lake during the winter...so that they wouldn't freeze. No "cellars" in that granite terrain!
And a real treat for me was to see the actual 1934 diary of Justine Kerfoot, a much loved and respected owner of the Gunflint Lodge, as well as a respected outdoors writer. One of Justine and husband Bill's children, Bruce, still helps to manage the Lodge since her passing in 2001.
The memory of Justine and her Gunflint Outfitters' partner, Janet Hanson, brought me full circle back to my own Dad. An avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Dad's trips had been outfitted through Justine and Janet's Gunflint business through the late 50's and early 60s. It was a glad day when I was finally old enough to join him on weeklong forays far beyond the "end of the Gunflint Trail."
Now, as Bill Boissenin, Harriet Boostrom-Taus and my own father move gracefully through their 80's, I was back with my own bride of 30 years to renew and share our love for this portion of heaven on earth. I felt it as we navigated our boat past hidden boulders in the river between Gunflint and Little Gunflint Lake. I heard my dad's voice as I tied the 3-loop slip knot and tossed the red and white spinner. Then again as I eased each fish we caught back into the lake so they could continue the cycle for future dad's, son's and daughters.
All this comprised the unexpected answer to our prayer. To see and appreciate what God has created. Not just nature.
Family.
It struck us both during the final Thursday night meal with Barb and Greg. Its their tradition to gather guests, neighbors, family and workers around the outdoor wood stove. While there we talked to our next door "cabin neighbors" and their two young daughters.
It encouraged us that they take time to read books and say prayers together before bedtime. We smiled as our other dinner mates laughed over the week's events and previous years' memories - memories that may be fondly shared by an 80 year old gentleman or lady at some distant Chik-Wauk reunion - there at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
I marvel at the creative brilliance of our Lord God. It is often in terms of what I encounter in nature. Crisp, clear water slapping against a rocky granite shoreline. The sweet smell of pine and the quick flash of a Blue Jay through the woods.
This week I marveled at God's creative artistry for family. Love. Nurture. Strength. Foundation. Continuity.
I have deep and abiding respect for all that He has created.
"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family." Acts 16:34
What do you believe?
When we travel on vacation, one of our prayers together is:
"Lord God, help us to see and appreciate all that you have created."
We were delighted by the Loon calls, wild flowers and crisp clear water. The comforting rustle of pine boughs that scented the ever present breeze. All recognizable as God's Creation.
But like I said, our prayers were still to be answered in an unexpected way.
Our hosts were Barb and Greg Gecas, 3rd generation proprietors of Heston's, a rustic resort along the shores of Gunflint Lake. We drove 500 miles to enjoy their lovely "Diamond Willow" cabin situated among the pines, within arms reach of the stunning granite rock shoreline.
There was much more to appreciate than nature and a cabin in the woods.
We were cheerfully greeted that first day by their college age daughter. Confident, kind and knowledgeable, she directed us to the Diamond Willow cabin ("down the road, take the Y to the left, canoes are ready to go on the beach").
Mom and Dad were out for the evening, but she is evidence that the next generation already knows how to make visitors feel at home.
Next day, mom Barb warmly added ideas to our itinerary for hiking and fishing, including maps and trail tips. One of those included a visit to Chik-Wauk museum at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
It's a jewel of a museum, chronicaling the pioneer spirit and resort life from the 20's to the present.
While there, an elderly gentleman quietly pointed to one of the historical captions about teachers in the then remote wilderness' school. "That was my mom," he humbly said to my wife. Bill Boissenin proceeded to tell us how his folks had started Trout Lake lodge and helped to build others in the area. That's him beside his folks in the picture.
He looks just like his dad now! After 28 years serving our country in the Navy, Bill is back home to the area he loved with his parents.Just a few feet away in the museum we met Harriet Boostrom (Taus), one of 10 children who grew up at the Clearwater Resort her parents founded in the 1920's. Harriet lovingly described the hard work and fun of those days. This included sinking their potatoes in the lake during the winter...so that they wouldn't freeze. No "cellars" in that granite terrain!
And a real treat for me was to see the actual 1934 diary of Justine Kerfoot, a much loved and respected owner of the Gunflint Lodge, as well as a respected outdoors writer. One of Justine and husband Bill's children, Bruce, still helps to manage the Lodge since her passing in 2001.The memory of Justine and her Gunflint Outfitters' partner, Janet Hanson, brought me full circle back to my own Dad. An avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Dad's trips had been outfitted through Justine and Janet's Gunflint business through the late 50's and early 60s. It was a glad day when I was finally old enough to join him on weeklong forays far beyond the "end of the Gunflint Trail."
Now, as Bill Boissenin, Harriet Boostrom-Taus and my own father move gracefully through their 80's, I was back with my own bride of 30 years to renew and share our love for this portion of heaven on earth. I felt it as we navigated our boat past hidden boulders in the river between Gunflint and Little Gunflint Lake. I heard my dad's voice as I tied the 3-loop slip knot and tossed the red and white spinner. Then again as I eased each fish we caught back into the lake so they could continue the cycle for future dad's, son's and daughters.
All this comprised the unexpected answer to our prayer. To see and appreciate what God has created. Not just nature.
Family.
It struck us both during the final Thursday night meal with Barb and Greg. Its their tradition to gather guests, neighbors, family and workers around the outdoor wood stove. While there we talked to our next door "cabin neighbors" and their two young daughters.
It encouraged us that they take time to read books and say prayers together before bedtime. We smiled as our other dinner mates laughed over the week's events and previous years' memories - memories that may be fondly shared by an 80 year old gentleman or lady at some distant Chik-Wauk reunion - there at the end of the Gunflint Trail.I marvel at the creative brilliance of our Lord God. It is often in terms of what I encounter in nature. Crisp, clear water slapping against a rocky granite shoreline. The sweet smell of pine and the quick flash of a Blue Jay through the woods.
This week I marveled at God's creative artistry for family. Love. Nurture. Strength. Foundation. Continuity.
I have deep and abiding respect for all that He has created.
"The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family." Acts 16:34
What do you believe?
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Hello God - I'm on Vacation Out Here
Every parent knows the simple pleasure of a phone call from their children.
When I lived out of state for awhile, I would call my dad from our various vacation destinations. He enjoyed "being there" with us and always encouraged me to call again on the next trip. He said it made him feel the fun of the vacation experience to get a first hand phone call while we were experiencing it ourselves.
This past week we got some texts and calls from our adult daughter while she was out west with her husband on vacation. We talk to her all the time when she's home, here in our area. So I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed getting some of the first hand insight during their trip. It literally made me smile and I felt a little of the vacation breeze even though I was still at work myself.
My dad wasn't making it up all those years. There's some special connection with your kids that makes even a vacation phone call come alive. Its the darndest thing !
God has over 6 billion kids out there. Working, suffering, recovering, vacationing, thriving, dying.
Every call out to him is appreciated.
Tell him where you are right now, if you plan to stay away longer, when you're coming home.
Let him know if you need anything. Make plans to get together and catch up again soon.
He is our Heavenly Father. You matter to Him. He likes it when you call, no matter where you are.
What do you believe?
When I lived out of state for awhile, I would call my dad from our various vacation destinations. He enjoyed "being there" with us and always encouraged me to call again on the next trip. He said it made him feel the fun of the vacation experience to get a first hand phone call while we were experiencing it ourselves.
This past week we got some texts and calls from our adult daughter while she was out west with her husband on vacation. We talk to her all the time when she's home, here in our area. So I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed getting some of the first hand insight during their trip. It literally made me smile and I felt a little of the vacation breeze even though I was still at work myself.
My dad wasn't making it up all those years. There's some special connection with your kids that makes even a vacation phone call come alive. Its the darndest thing !
God has over 6 billion kids out there. Working, suffering, recovering, vacationing, thriving, dying.
Every call out to him is appreciated.
Tell him where you are right now, if you plan to stay away longer, when you're coming home.
Let him know if you need anything. Make plans to get together and catch up again soon.
He is our Heavenly Father. You matter to Him. He likes it when you call, no matter where you are.
What do you believe?
Are You Out of Breath When You Pray?
Are you staying in shape?
I mean for prayer. Are you in condition? Ready to go? Able to help the team?
I thought about this during the 9 a.m. service today.
I play guitar at our church almost every week.
Our music director does all the hard work, choosing the music, lining up the vocalists, organizing the order of worship, etc.
For my part, I just have to show up ready to play. Have my guitars tuned and ready (six and twelve string), music in order, and spiritually ready to participate with our pastor and other members of the worship team.
But there's something few people know, other than my wife and daughter.
In order to play 11 - 12 different worship pieces and keep pace with a very talented keyboardist, I have to "stay in shape." I don't necessarily have to practice the exact songs for the upcoming week. But I do need to play my guitars regularly, play scales, shape various bar chords, finger pick a little and stay limber.
Nobody will know if I don't practice, and nobody asks. But there are ways to tell.
Maybe I'm too slow to change chords in a very fast piece. Or, a bar chord doesn't ring out clearly because I'm not holding all the strings down.
But what I notice most after a couple weeks of lazy preparation is that my fingers hurt!
All guitar players develop a protective callus at the tip of each chord-making finger. It also protects my right hand fingers from "finger picking." With ongoing practice it provides a welcome cushion from the cutting line of a very sharp guitar string. But once your fingers get sore - say halfway through a worship service - you really have to suck it up and play through. Or...you just don't play as well, and you've not provided a return on your talent (see Matthew 25 14-28).
I feel a similar twinge when I haven't been praying enough during the week. My prayers start to lose focus and they don't "ring out." And after too much prayer laziness, it makes my heart hurt.
Music is a gift to me. I never want to take it for granted. There is indescribable joy associated with worship music played well. Its worth a little practice to stay at my peak playing ability. Sore fingers are pretty good reminder when I slack off!
Same for prayer - God's gift to all of us, the reassurance and comfort of direct communication with a loving Father. Its worth my daily effort to stay in peak prayer condition...
What do you believe?
Saturday, July 14, 2012
This is Fresh Air - Not NPR
I couldn't believe what I was hearing on Teri Gross' NPR "Fresh Air" radio show.
A woman was describing her very personal and very moving spiritual experience with Jesus. She came across as balanced and thoughtful.
"Well," I thought, "Either we're going to find out that it was a very bland, no-God-involved conversion, or Teri is going to suggest other reasons for the life-changing turnaround."
But no. This bright, articulate radio guest continued to name Jesus as the source of her strength and confirmed her realization that God of the Bible loved her unconditionally, through her relationship with Jesus and his redemptive role on the cross to forgive her sins. And no mocking retort from Teri G. In fact, the host respectfully listened and gave her guest plenty of room to explain.
What? On National Public Radio?
Was I dreaming? Then I listened more closely to the radio host's voice. That's not Teri Gross... A quick glance to the radio panel explained everything. I had just returned from a 3 day business trip and my radio was still set to a Christian station from the other city. What I had assumed was one of six radio presets in my car (yes, I do have a preset for NPR...I love Prairie Home Companion!) was simply the last station played during my travels. No wonder a this woman was treated with grace and respect on air.
But isn't it interesting how strong that public "brand" image is for controlled content on programs like Fresh Air and NPR in general. "Public" airwaves are just about the last place you could possibly hear anything like a public profession of faith. Anti-faith, yes. "Neutral" secular humanism (faith-less), yes. All faith-except-Christianity is valid...yes. My 'radio ear' has been trained to expect this form of NPR-bias. That's why the other radio program dialog seemed so out of place to me.
Some of my extended family members would challenge me...'well, are you willing to hear every other religion get air time about their experiences just to see inclusion of your own perspective about Christianity?'
If it helps to get Christianity on the table in a fair and balanced manner, yes, definitely! People make their own decisions, but give them a fair representation of honest dialog. Sadly, that (fair and balanced) is not available on NPR.
Those are my thoughts. Nothing against Teri Gross overall, she's done some very entertaining interviews across the spectrum of people and topics she selects and supports. But see if you can start to predict what you will not hear on public radio 'dialog' and compare it to what you do hear (in addition to Garrison's gospel singing).
In the meantime, at least I discovered a decent radio station in that last city I just visited.
It was like a breath of...fresh air.
What do you believe?
A woman was describing her very personal and very moving spiritual experience with Jesus. She came across as balanced and thoughtful.
"Well," I thought, "Either we're going to find out that it was a very bland, no-God-involved conversion, or Teri is going to suggest other reasons for the life-changing turnaround."
But no. This bright, articulate radio guest continued to name Jesus as the source of her strength and confirmed her realization that God of the Bible loved her unconditionally, through her relationship with Jesus and his redemptive role on the cross to forgive her sins. And no mocking retort from Teri G. In fact, the host respectfully listened and gave her guest plenty of room to explain.
What? On National Public Radio?
Was I dreaming? Then I listened more closely to the radio host's voice. That's not Teri Gross... A quick glance to the radio panel explained everything. I had just returned from a 3 day business trip and my radio was still set to a Christian station from the other city. What I had assumed was one of six radio presets in my car (yes, I do have a preset for NPR...I love Prairie Home Companion!) was simply the last station played during my travels. No wonder a this woman was treated with grace and respect on air.
But isn't it interesting how strong that public "brand" image is for controlled content on programs like Fresh Air and NPR in general. "Public" airwaves are just about the last place you could possibly hear anything like a public profession of faith. Anti-faith, yes. "Neutral" secular humanism (faith-less), yes. All faith-except-Christianity is valid...yes. My 'radio ear' has been trained to expect this form of NPR-bias. That's why the other radio program dialog seemed so out of place to me.
Some of my extended family members would challenge me...'well, are you willing to hear every other religion get air time about their experiences just to see inclusion of your own perspective about Christianity?'
If it helps to get Christianity on the table in a fair and balanced manner, yes, definitely! People make their own decisions, but give them a fair representation of honest dialog. Sadly, that (fair and balanced) is not available on NPR.
Those are my thoughts. Nothing against Teri Gross overall, she's done some very entertaining interviews across the spectrum of people and topics she selects and supports. But see if you can start to predict what you will not hear on public radio 'dialog' and compare it to what you do hear (in addition to Garrison's gospel singing).
In the meantime, at least I discovered a decent radio station in that last city I just visited.
It was like a breath of...fresh air.
What do you believe?
Thursday, July 05, 2012
That Darn Vine in my Garden
There is this unbelievably evil vine in our patio garden.
It springs up from beneath a plant's shoots and extends a tendril.
It then literally wraps around an individual plant stalk from bottom to top. So intricately is it woven - like a rope strand - that you can't even see the deadly activity until you stand close - or until that plant stalk discolors and dies.
It is a very tiny, nondescript little vine when it comes out of the ground. It grows thicker as it encircles the plant stalk - think boa constrictor.
It does a lot of damage in a short period of time. I have to go out every day and look for signs of the new tendrils, hoping to tear them out before they latch on.
Sometimes I miss one and it blends in. Then there is no visible evidence until the plant or its flowers are in distress. At that advanced stage, even if I snip the vine and pull it from the plant, it rips off petals and new growth in the process.
Looking out on my patio right now, there are two identical plants. One was hit harder than the other and it actually looks distressed in comparison. Same amount of water and sunlight. One is stunted and discolored compared to the other, like its been through a battle.
I can relate.
I've got to stay vigilant and watch out for the tendrils of evil in this world.
Sometimes its not clicking on the provocative news photo. Other times it requires that I steer clear of family political debates that build resentment. Endless TV shows that waste my time and keep me from more purposeful work for God's kingdom. And etc.
There are times when small tendrils grow fast, and then ripping them out leaves me worn out and exasperated. But I have learned a simple truth - daily discipline is much more productive than periodic assessment and damage control. More of that, then.
The Good News? Not only does God forgive me when I ask (see 1John 1:9), but he also provides the joy in keeping watch:
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of Grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen." 1Peter 5:8-11
What do you believe?
It springs up from beneath a plant's shoots and extends a tendril.
It then literally wraps around an individual plant stalk from bottom to top. So intricately is it woven - like a rope strand - that you can't even see the deadly activity until you stand close - or until that plant stalk discolors and dies.
It is a very tiny, nondescript little vine when it comes out of the ground. It grows thicker as it encircles the plant stalk - think boa constrictor.
It does a lot of damage in a short period of time. I have to go out every day and look for signs of the new tendrils, hoping to tear them out before they latch on.
Sometimes I miss one and it blends in. Then there is no visible evidence until the plant or its flowers are in distress. At that advanced stage, even if I snip the vine and pull it from the plant, it rips off petals and new growth in the process.
Looking out on my patio right now, there are two identical plants. One was hit harder than the other and it actually looks distressed in comparison. Same amount of water and sunlight. One is stunted and discolored compared to the other, like its been through a battle.
I can relate.
I've got to stay vigilant and watch out for the tendrils of evil in this world.
Sometimes its not clicking on the provocative news photo. Other times it requires that I steer clear of family political debates that build resentment. Endless TV shows that waste my time and keep me from more purposeful work for God's kingdom. And etc.
There are times when small tendrils grow fast, and then ripping them out leaves me worn out and exasperated. But I have learned a simple truth - daily discipline is much more productive than periodic assessment and damage control. More of that, then.
The Good News? Not only does God forgive me when I ask (see 1John 1:9), but he also provides the joy in keeping watch:
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of Grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen." 1Peter 5:8-11
What do you believe?
Peace With God
Peace with God
Every day of my life as a Christian should include prayers and actions related to evangelism.
Jesus instructed us to:
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 20:19
Evangelism is non-denominational.
If I sincerely believe in the truth and value of Christian belief, I should "relay the information." Atheists and secular humanists do that all the time, and are often much more aggressive in their evangelism of beliefs. In short, I believe the message of Jesus' unconditional love is worth telling, just as they want people to believe there is no God. Every person reading this will eventually find out who was right.
For the past six years, I've blogged here about sharing my faith in everyday circumstances.
But honestly, I've been longing to do more purposeful evangelism. In fact, I've often prayed,
"Lord, please help me to encounter people with sincere curiosity about spiritual matters."
I love spiritual conversations, regardless of the outcome. I especially enjoy someone who has given serious thought to their spirituality, and is looking for comparative feedback and insight. Some people call them "seekers." I call them "open minded."
The Billy Graham organization has just opened the very door I had prayed for all these years.
Their new website, peacewithgod.net , has a very simple, clear explanation of the Gospel. And for sincere individuals, there is a chat feature to speak anonymously with members of the Billy Graham team and have their questions or concerns answered. I'm participating in training to become part of that online chat team, and I couldn't be more energized by this opportunity to enact Jesus' final instructions.
There is one particular scripture that the Billy Graham team has repeated throughout multiple training sessions I have attended over the years:
"But in your heart, revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." 1Peter 3:15
Evangelism with gentleness and respect. That's what the Bible calls for.
What do you believe?
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
Every day of my life as a Christian should include prayers and actions related to evangelism.
The concept of evangelism needn't be off-putting, or seen as aggressive.
It's simply the "preaching of the Christian Gospel or the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others with the object of conversion," according to Wikipedia.Jesus instructed us to:
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 20:19
Evangelism is non-denominational.
If I sincerely believe in the truth and value of Christian belief, I should "relay the information." Atheists and secular humanists do that all the time, and are often much more aggressive in their evangelism of beliefs. In short, I believe the message of Jesus' unconditional love is worth telling, just as they want people to believe there is no God. Every person reading this will eventually find out who was right.
For the past six years, I've blogged here about sharing my faith in everyday circumstances.
But honestly, I've been longing to do more purposeful evangelism. In fact, I've often prayed,
"Lord, please help me to encounter people with sincere curiosity about spiritual matters."
I love spiritual conversations, regardless of the outcome. I especially enjoy someone who has given serious thought to their spirituality, and is looking for comparative feedback and insight. Some people call them "seekers." I call them "open minded."
The Billy Graham organization has just opened the very door I had prayed for all these years.
Their new website, peacewithgod.net , has a very simple, clear explanation of the Gospel. And for sincere individuals, there is a chat feature to speak anonymously with members of the Billy Graham team and have their questions or concerns answered. I'm participating in training to become part of that online chat team, and I couldn't be more energized by this opportunity to enact Jesus' final instructions.
There is one particular scripture that the Billy Graham team has repeated throughout multiple training sessions I have attended over the years:
"But in your heart, revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." 1Peter 3:15
Evangelism with gentleness and respect. That's what the Bible calls for.
What do you believe?
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Breakthrough in the Checkout Line
For the past two years I would run into the same cashier at our company cafeteria.
I'm terrible with ages, but I'd place her early to mid-twenties. Outgoing, very confident individual.
From my first coffee purchase, I'd answer her standard "how are you doing today?" question with my usual, "better than I deserve," response.
I learned that from Pastor Steve Brown at a spiritual conference back in 1991 (not Dave Ramsey, although people ask me that - perhaps Dave got it from Pastor Steve?).
When she first asked what I deserved, I explained that all our blessings come from God as Grace, and not because of anything we do to "deserve it." In fact, I'm blessed "in spite of" how I've acted before God. That's what Grace is. Better than I deserve.
That got a cool reception from her two years ago and thereafter. In fact she would cheerfully talk about anything else. Weather, weekend activities, cooking. She even felt comfortable enough with our cashier-coffee drinker relationship to roll her eyes and say, "whatever," when I replied. Never a curious word or comment about spiritual matters in two years.
But I kept saying it. And she heard me say it to the other cashiers. "Better than I deserve."
About a month ago I bought coffee and told her I was moving across town to a different office.
She surprised me by saying that she was moving to another state for the summer to study with a well known chef.
We talked about her big step during the brief exchange of dollars and cents each day. Then "tomorrow" was the last day for both of us before our respective changes of venue.
As I walked up to her cash register, I was the first to ask, "how are you doing today?"
Her sly smile gave way to a blush as she said, "Better than I deserve."
It took a second for that to hit me and she saw the look of surprise on my face. Believe me, it was genuine, no-comeback surprise.
"I only said it because that's what you always say," she backpedaled, and then quickly changed the subject to travel plans and her new job.
If you added up all the seconds of check-out line conversation during the past two years, it probably totals an hour or three, tops. But she locked in on the most elemental building block of our Christian faith:
We are doing better than we deserve. Not works-oriented...Grace-oriented.
Who knows how God will add to that insight with other people or events in her life?
Who knows how many people are listening to what you say each day as they pretend indifference to the spiritual matters of life.
Maybe it doesn't matter...
What do you believe?
I'm terrible with ages, but I'd place her early to mid-twenties. Outgoing, very confident individual.
From my first coffee purchase, I'd answer her standard "how are you doing today?" question with my usual, "better than I deserve," response.
I learned that from Pastor Steve Brown at a spiritual conference back in 1991 (not Dave Ramsey, although people ask me that - perhaps Dave got it from Pastor Steve?).
When she first asked what I deserved, I explained that all our blessings come from God as Grace, and not because of anything we do to "deserve it." In fact, I'm blessed "in spite of" how I've acted before God. That's what Grace is. Better than I deserve.
That got a cool reception from her two years ago and thereafter. In fact she would cheerfully talk about anything else. Weather, weekend activities, cooking. She even felt comfortable enough with our cashier-coffee drinker relationship to roll her eyes and say, "whatever," when I replied. Never a curious word or comment about spiritual matters in two years.
But I kept saying it. And she heard me say it to the other cashiers. "Better than I deserve."
About a month ago I bought coffee and told her I was moving across town to a different office.
She surprised me by saying that she was moving to another state for the summer to study with a well known chef.
We talked about her big step during the brief exchange of dollars and cents each day. Then "tomorrow" was the last day for both of us before our respective changes of venue.
As I walked up to her cash register, I was the first to ask, "how are you doing today?"
Her sly smile gave way to a blush as she said, "Better than I deserve."
It took a second for that to hit me and she saw the look of surprise on my face. Believe me, it was genuine, no-comeback surprise.
"I only said it because that's what you always say," she backpedaled, and then quickly changed the subject to travel plans and her new job.
If you added up all the seconds of check-out line conversation during the past two years, it probably totals an hour or three, tops. But she locked in on the most elemental building block of our Christian faith:
We are doing better than we deserve. Not works-oriented...Grace-oriented.
Who knows how God will add to that insight with other people or events in her life?
Who knows how many people are listening to what you say each day as they pretend indifference to the spiritual matters of life.
Maybe it doesn't matter...
What do you believe?
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Apple Closes Door to Heaven
Even all-powerful Apple corporation can't close the door to heaven.
Howver, they can - and did - close the door of access to everyone's Apple photo galleries.
As of today, June 30, 2012, I can no longer upload and share photos from my Apple computer unless I am connected to their new iCloud service.
They gave me plenty of notice. For at least six months they've been telling me to move my photos to the new platform...or there would be consequences.
There have been monthly email reminders - very kindly stated facts, not threats:
"Don't forget."
"Time is running out."
"Once the conversion is made to iCloud you will have no access to gallery photos." etc.
Besides email, there have been ads and notices on their web site.
Bottom line, it would be very hard for me to claim that I did not understand the deadlline. I did.
And the instructions were simple to follow. Click here, acknowledge here.
It was even free if your software was up to date...identify yourself (your computer) and agree to proceed.
Still...I waited too long, the window of time closed, and not all my photos were migrated from my oldest Apple computer. It is now forever separated from the Cloud because of incompatibility. I called the store experts and they agree, with compassion, that I cannot get to the iCloud with photos from that computer. Ever.
Permanent separation.
I still have my computer. Still have my photo's and the memories they hold; but not the fellowship of sharing them with my loved ones and friends. I exist and they exist. But not together.
Why didn't Apple just design everything so I could keep my photo gallery and still have access to iCloud...if they're so smart?! Doesn't matter now -- they're Apple and that's how they did it. They say its better this way and they gave me every opportunity to participate.
You see the analogy, right?
Jesus is coming.
Eternal fellowship with Him and all who believe on His Name - its free. Its a click away.
Be sorry for your sins and acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.
Have eternal access. Not separation.
Sure you can choose to be on your own for eternity - but do you want to be?
You can't deny that you've been told. Everybody has, all around the world. And the offer ends upon His return. Doesn't matter if you would have designed the heaven-process differently, to your liking. This is how God is doing it, and He has said its best this Way.
I missed the Apple deadline, and its an inconvenience.
Don't you - or your family, or friends, or children, or spouse - miss the free gift of Grace and forgiveness. That...is eternal.
www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
Howver, they can - and did - close the door of access to everyone's Apple photo galleries.
As of today, June 30, 2012, I can no longer upload and share photos from my Apple computer unless I am connected to their new iCloud service.
They gave me plenty of notice. For at least six months they've been telling me to move my photos to the new platform...or there would be consequences.
There have been monthly email reminders - very kindly stated facts, not threats:
"Don't forget."
"Time is running out."
"Once the conversion is made to iCloud you will have no access to gallery photos." etc.
Besides email, there have been ads and notices on their web site.
Bottom line, it would be very hard for me to claim that I did not understand the deadlline. I did.
And the instructions were simple to follow. Click here, acknowledge here.
It was even free if your software was up to date...identify yourself (your computer) and agree to proceed.
Still...I waited too long, the window of time closed, and not all my photos were migrated from my oldest Apple computer. It is now forever separated from the Cloud because of incompatibility. I called the store experts and they agree, with compassion, that I cannot get to the iCloud with photos from that computer. Ever.
Permanent separation.
I still have my computer. Still have my photo's and the memories they hold; but not the fellowship of sharing them with my loved ones and friends. I exist and they exist. But not together.
Why didn't Apple just design everything so I could keep my photo gallery and still have access to iCloud...if they're so smart?! Doesn't matter now -- they're Apple and that's how they did it. They say its better this way and they gave me every opportunity to participate.
You see the analogy, right?
Jesus is coming.
Eternal fellowship with Him and all who believe on His Name - its free. Its a click away.
Be sorry for your sins and acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.
Have eternal access. Not separation.
Sure you can choose to be on your own for eternity - but do you want to be?
You can't deny that you've been told. Everybody has, all around the world. And the offer ends upon His return. Doesn't matter if you would have designed the heaven-process differently, to your liking. This is how God is doing it, and He has said its best this Way.
I missed the Apple deadline, and its an inconvenience.
Don't you - or your family, or friends, or children, or spouse - miss the free gift of Grace and forgiveness. That...is eternal.
www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Stay inside the Lines
Its a half mile drive into the industrial park where I work. You go past four or five other business entrances before you dead end at our company's cul de sac.
The curving road is about 4 car widths wide. Big enough for 2 cars side by side in each direction.
Here's the thing.
There are no painted road stripes or turn markings. Just this paved road in the industrial park.
Better said, there are no intentionally painted road stripes.
Very visible are the black tar seams poured between the concrete slabs that make it look like there are four distinct car lanes.
I chuckle to watch how closely a lone car will stay within these meaningless strips of black tar. Especially at the curve near the halfway point. I like to drive a straight line through this curve - the shortest distance between two points. But in my rearview mirror I'll see the next person meticulously trace an imaginary inside lane close to the curb. And sometimes someone in a rush will "shift lanes" behind me, trying to anticipate which "one" I'm going to choose.
It's liberating to know that I'm not constrained by imaginary boundaries like these other people are.
What are they thinking?
This must be how much of the world sees Christians and our biblical worldview.
Much of what guides us - from Jesus' teachings, to Paul's letters, Proverbs and the prophets - is not painted on the ground for everyone to see.
It may be so clear to us that we look like we're driving an imaginary line along the curb through the curve.
Forgive people without retaliating.
Give something without expecting something back.
Praise someone else's good work without drawing attention to your own.
They occupy those same lanes sometimes, certainly, but how liberating to know it is at their option.
Preserve the life of innocents.
Encourage and promote God's view of family unity.
Recognize the value of personal accountability.
Acknowledge a Creator of inconvenient Truth.
To some people, these look more like tar lines in the concrete, so they drive a different line through the curve. Some even chuckle when they see me in their rearview mirror.
As I drive home from our industrial park, I pull onto a tree-lined parkway for a mile or so.
The parkway is almost identical in overall width, but it is poured asphalt, with no concrete lines.
Everybody drives this parkway as though there are only two lanes, one in each direction.
They have no idea that in a nearby part of town there are other people driving like there are four.
How do you drive when there are no visible lines in the road?
The curving road is about 4 car widths wide. Big enough for 2 cars side by side in each direction.
Here's the thing.
There are no painted road stripes or turn markings. Just this paved road in the industrial park.
Better said, there are no intentionally painted road stripes.
Very visible are the black tar seams poured between the concrete slabs that make it look like there are four distinct car lanes.
I chuckle to watch how closely a lone car will stay within these meaningless strips of black tar. Especially at the curve near the halfway point. I like to drive a straight line through this curve - the shortest distance between two points. But in my rearview mirror I'll see the next person meticulously trace an imaginary inside lane close to the curb. And sometimes someone in a rush will "shift lanes" behind me, trying to anticipate which "one" I'm going to choose.
It's liberating to know that I'm not constrained by imaginary boundaries like these other people are.
What are they thinking?
This must be how much of the world sees Christians and our biblical worldview.
Much of what guides us - from Jesus' teachings, to Paul's letters, Proverbs and the prophets - is not painted on the ground for everyone to see.
It may be so clear to us that we look like we're driving an imaginary line along the curb through the curve.
Forgive people without retaliating.
Give something without expecting something back.
Praise someone else's good work without drawing attention to your own.
They occupy those same lanes sometimes, certainly, but how liberating to know it is at their option.
Preserve the life of innocents.
Encourage and promote God's view of family unity.
Recognize the value of personal accountability.
Acknowledge a Creator of inconvenient Truth.
To some people, these look more like tar lines in the concrete, so they drive a different line through the curve. Some even chuckle when they see me in their rearview mirror.
As I drive home from our industrial park, I pull onto a tree-lined parkway for a mile or so.
The parkway is almost identical in overall width, but it is poured asphalt, with no concrete lines.
Everybody drives this parkway as though there are only two lanes, one in each direction.
They have no idea that in a nearby part of town there are other people driving like there are four.
How do you drive when there are no visible lines in the road?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Back to the Garden 2012
"We are stardust. We are golden.
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden."
Joni Mitchell, "Woodstock" 1967
I love gardening and landscaping. But like everything else in my life right now, the amount of work needed to keep up seems overwhelming.
Spring clean up. Weeding. Trimming. Pruning. Edging. Mulching. I literally cannot get it all done.
Stress, guilt, argh !
At the root (no pun intended) of the problem is my desire to have the finished look. Today, right now. The entire yard, nice and tidy. Done for the season so that we can grill out on the deck or head to the lake for sailing. I just can't see the end point - it will never get done!
So, my garden-gloved bride and I devised a new approach this year. We're going to only work on one side of the house and yard per outing. We've acknowledged our limitations and accepted a plan that will continue cycling around the yard throughout the season.
The Truth is that we will never actually reach an "end point." Weeds are going to grow in our Black-eyed Susan's later this summer. Drought is going to require some targeted watering of the pines and magnolia bush.
We're going to enjoy the mostly caught-up and for-all-appearances 'done' look. But we know it won't be.
That is our Spiritual condition. Even if you thought it was mostly-caught-up or for-all-appearances 'done.' (never been there personally!!) There's weeding and pruning to be done - look around the entire yard.
Jesus said, "It is finished" when he paid the price of our Salvation. That part is done. But we are not 'finished' in our pursuit to be more like Him. He is worthy of our effort.
And don't despair at what needs to be done. You've got a garden-gloved partner there with you. He actually does the heavy lifting - and He doesn't take lunch breaks! Try working one side of the yard at a time. Then grill out or go sailing. Just don't neglect to continue work on the next section!
Its never done, but neither is it impossibly un-done.
What do you believe?
I love gardening and landscaping. But like everything else in my life right now, the amount of work needed to keep up seems overwhelming.
Spring clean up. Weeding. Trimming. Pruning. Edging. Mulching. I literally cannot get it all done.
Stress, guilt, argh !
At the root (no pun intended) of the problem is my desire to have the finished look. Today, right now. The entire yard, nice and tidy. Done for the season so that we can grill out on the deck or head to the lake for sailing. I just can't see the end point - it will never get done!
So, my garden-gloved bride and I devised a new approach this year. We're going to only work on one side of the house and yard per outing. We've acknowledged our limitations and accepted a plan that will continue cycling around the yard throughout the season.
The Truth is that we will never actually reach an "end point." Weeds are going to grow in our Black-eyed Susan's later this summer. Drought is going to require some targeted watering of the pines and magnolia bush.
We're going to enjoy the mostly caught-up and for-all-appearances 'done' look. But we know it won't be.
That is our Spiritual condition. Even if you thought it was mostly-caught-up or for-all-appearances 'done.' (never been there personally!!) There's weeding and pruning to be done - look around the entire yard.
Jesus said, "It is finished" when he paid the price of our Salvation. That part is done. But we are not 'finished' in our pursuit to be more like Him. He is worthy of our effort.
And don't despair at what needs to be done. You've got a garden-gloved partner there with you. He actually does the heavy lifting - and He doesn't take lunch breaks! Try working one side of the yard at a time. Then grill out or go sailing. Just don't neglect to continue work on the next section!
Its never done, but neither is it impossibly un-done.
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Sweet Aroma of Spring
We've been enjoying two weeks of heavenly Easter Lily fragrance in the house.
Sweet, pervasive, delightful, unmistakable.
I linger near the glass top table where the plant and its six blossoms dazzle my olfactory senses.
Amazing how incredibly pleasing this can be.
From the earliest days of our spiritual ancestry, God instructed Moses to use incense in worship.
Exodus 30:7
"and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations."
And in the new testament, Paul drew the fragrant comparison of our own lives before God,
2Corinthians 2:15
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
I want to believe that God can find something about my life that is as pleasing to Him as the pure fragrance of this lily is to me.
But as this scripture says, in Christ, we are just that.
What do you believe?
Sweet, pervasive, delightful, unmistakable.
I linger near the glass top table where the plant and its six blossoms dazzle my olfactory senses.
Amazing how incredibly pleasing this can be.
From the earliest days of our spiritual ancestry, God instructed Moses to use incense in worship.
Exodus 30:7
"and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations."
And in the new testament, Paul drew the fragrant comparison of our own lives before God,
2Corinthians 2:15
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
I want to believe that God can find something about my life that is as pleasing to Him as the pure fragrance of this lily is to me.
But as this scripture says, in Christ, we are just that.
What do you believe?
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Ready to Report?
Once a month I have to give a report to our division boss.
Its very unnerving.
I report our market share and provide an overview of key wins and losses.
No matter how prepared I think I am, our boss cuts right to the chase.
There's no glossing over, or sugar-coating the facts.
With just a few well-placed questions, he uncovers weak tactics or poor execution.
You'd like to say, "look at all the things we did right," but it doesn't matter if you've missed the mark.
He knows - and I know.
Some people believe that their judgement before God will be decided on the net balance between good and bad in their life.
I'm just not sure how well that conversation is going to go...
If He wanted to, could God get past the sugar-coating to reveal everything you'd like not to have shared in that final report?
Every lie, lust, cheat, self-serving, selfish act? On balance, with eternity the outcome, have you made or missed the mark so far?
God knows - and so do you.
That's why I'm so comforted by the promise of Grace.
No matter how much time you give me, I could never deliver even close to a promise of perfection. Which is exactly what God deserves in His Holy presence.
But Jesus walks me into the conference room and says, "I'll be presenting on his behalf today - and you can direct your questions to me." His Grace and Mercy trump my life of weak tactics and poor execution. He showed his love on the cross, when he died for me - and you. He rose again, our Savior.
Thank God.
What do you believe?
Its very unnerving.
I report our market share and provide an overview of key wins and losses.
No matter how prepared I think I am, our boss cuts right to the chase.
There's no glossing over, or sugar-coating the facts.
With just a few well-placed questions, he uncovers weak tactics or poor execution.
You'd like to say, "look at all the things we did right," but it doesn't matter if you've missed the mark.
He knows - and I know.
Some people believe that their judgement before God will be decided on the net balance between good and bad in their life.
I'm just not sure how well that conversation is going to go...
If He wanted to, could God get past the sugar-coating to reveal everything you'd like not to have shared in that final report?
Every lie, lust, cheat, self-serving, selfish act? On balance, with eternity the outcome, have you made or missed the mark so far?
God knows - and so do you.
That's why I'm so comforted by the promise of Grace.
No matter how much time you give me, I could never deliver even close to a promise of perfection. Which is exactly what God deserves in His Holy presence.
But Jesus walks me into the conference room and says, "I'll be presenting on his behalf today - and you can direct your questions to me." His Grace and Mercy trump my life of weak tactics and poor execution. He showed his love on the cross, when he died for me - and you. He rose again, our Savior.
Thank God.
What do you believe?
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Easter Moment
My Easter moment this year came while watching an old TV episode of Northern Exposure.
Maggie O'Connell's mother visits her in their make-believe rural town of Cicely, Alaska.
Maggie's TV mom is determined to have her daughter's life take a more interesting path than her own.
She uses a cliche or two to say, "be different, Maggie - be adventurous!"
And her bemused daughter retorts, "Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
It's the same with Christians and the unrelenting onslaught of our "lower 48" spiritual mothers.
They visit us in our homes and schools, dressed as news commentators and professors. They shake their heads over our boring beliefs and conservative world views.
"Be different, be adventurous," they admonish. "Break loose from your conventional religious trappings and experience something truly inspirational!"
"You have got to be kidding," I retorted today, the day after Easter.
"I believe in radical Grace. What could be more unconventional than the redemption of my sin-filled life by the atoning death of a Savior, foretold for centuries, and in great detail, by prophets? What inspires more than the realization that Jesus' own disciples were willing to die as martyrs, simply for saying he was the real deal? Who is taking the bigger leap - the person who hopes their good works outweigh their bad, or the person who realizes their only shot at salvation is through forgiveness and mercy ?
"Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
What do you believe?
Maggie O'Connell's mother visits her in their make-believe rural town of Cicely, Alaska.
Maggie's TV mom is determined to have her daughter's life take a more interesting path than her own.
She uses a cliche or two to say, "be different, Maggie - be adventurous!"
And her bemused daughter retorts, "Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
It's the same with Christians and the unrelenting onslaught of our "lower 48" spiritual mothers.
They visit us in our homes and schools, dressed as news commentators and professors. They shake their heads over our boring beliefs and conservative world views.
"Be different, be adventurous," they admonish. "Break loose from your conventional religious trappings and experience something truly inspirational!"
"You have got to be kidding," I retorted today, the day after Easter.
"I believe in radical Grace. What could be more unconventional than the redemption of my sin-filled life by the atoning death of a Savior, foretold for centuries, and in great detail, by prophets? What inspires more than the realization that Jesus' own disciples were willing to die as martyrs, simply for saying he was the real deal? Who is taking the bigger leap - the person who hopes their good works outweigh their bad, or the person who realizes their only shot at salvation is through forgiveness and mercy ?
"Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
What do you believe?
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