I took my dad out for breakfast the day before Thanksgiving. I told Dad that I had called his old Navy buddy, for whom I am named, to wish him a happy Thanksgiving. Dad's old pal had recently visited our home and I sent our group photo to him afterwards. My namesake let me know that the photo was now taped to the refrigerator door and it made him happy to think about our recent fellowship.
My dad listened to my update on his friend, and thoughtfully said, "It's nice to know you're on somebody's refrigerator."
I was going to let it go at that. Then the words sunk in a little more and I thought about the pictures that we've put up on our refrigerator over the past years. My mom on one of her "good days" during her cancer battle. My daughter and her fiancé during the engagement. Nieces and nephews for graduation or sports.
And honestly, it felt good to know I was "on" the refrigerator door at my namesake's home.
One of the magnets holding up pictures on our refrigerator is a Lamb next to a stained glass cross, representing the "lamb of God." Another depicts a man praying with his young son and the words, "Choose this day whom you will serve."
It's from a bible scipture that says,
"As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord." Joshua 24:15
God doesn't need recognition from us. His universe isn't going to be impacted one way or another by a magnet on a refrigerator.
But in whatever way we remember Him each day, a prayer of thanks or a raised hand of worship, I believe he probably likes being remembered "on the refrigerator" of our hearts.
What do you believe?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Gospel Pass Completions
I grew up during the Packer Glory years (think Bart Starr, not Brett Favre), so I've a history of watching good, competitive football.
My favorite type of pass play is when the quarterback throws to a point downfield where the receiver has not yet arrived. For tense moments, it appears as though there is a missed route. The ball is heading toward empty field and the play will be wasted on an incomplete pass. Then at the last second, with the ball still hanging in the air, the receiver shifts direction. All of a sudden, their path and the path of the ball converge on the same point and...hurrah! Pass completed.
How did that happen?
When you watch the replay from an overhead angle, its fascinating to see how accurately the pass is directed to its destination, and how deftly timed is the arrival of the receiver. Beautiful.
If the quarterback has thrown the ball to the planned spot, then he has successfully done his job - whether the ball is caught or not. The quarterback can't run the route for the receiver. If the receiver is too slow to respond, or gets caught up in the other players, they may miss the catch. But it isn't a "bad throw," it is a "missed catch."
Still, the entire team shares the disappointment.
Evangelism - sharing the good news about Jesus - is like that.
We are aiming the word of God out into the world. We need to accurately and precisely deliver the goods as planned. The Bible is our playbook.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone who should believe in Him will have eternal life." John 3:16
People are heading toward the gospel - toward eternal salvation - from countless different directions. I've heard of many diverse routes downfield; so complicated, crowded and tragic that I can't even imagine. But the gospel arrives where it is intended, often just in time. If we've done our job.
A perfect spiral is spoken accurately, in God's words, just as he planned it - not with our wobble or flair in the throw.
We can't catch it for the other person - but we can make sure it lands Right in their hands.
What do you believe?
My favorite type of pass play is when the quarterback throws to a point downfield where the receiver has not yet arrived. For tense moments, it appears as though there is a missed route. The ball is heading toward empty field and the play will be wasted on an incomplete pass. Then at the last second, with the ball still hanging in the air, the receiver shifts direction. All of a sudden, their path and the path of the ball converge on the same point and...hurrah! Pass completed.
How did that happen?
When you watch the replay from an overhead angle, its fascinating to see how accurately the pass is directed to its destination, and how deftly timed is the arrival of the receiver. Beautiful.
If the quarterback has thrown the ball to the planned spot, then he has successfully done his job - whether the ball is caught or not. The quarterback can't run the route for the receiver. If the receiver is too slow to respond, or gets caught up in the other players, they may miss the catch. But it isn't a "bad throw," it is a "missed catch."
Still, the entire team shares the disappointment.
Evangelism - sharing the good news about Jesus - is like that.
We are aiming the word of God out into the world. We need to accurately and precisely deliver the goods as planned. The Bible is our playbook.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone who should believe in Him will have eternal life." John 3:16
People are heading toward the gospel - toward eternal salvation - from countless different directions. I've heard of many diverse routes downfield; so complicated, crowded and tragic that I can't even imagine. But the gospel arrives where it is intended, often just in time. If we've done our job.
A perfect spiral is spoken accurately, in God's words, just as he planned it - not with our wobble or flair in the throw.
We can't catch it for the other person - but we can make sure it lands Right in their hands.
What do you believe?
No Topaz at Cartier
The four of us were window shopping in downtown Chicago and wandered past Cartier's window.
On a lark, I pushed through the door and walked into the brilliantly lit, glittering showroom.
Case after glass case of sparkling gems cascaded across the spacious, high ceilinged room.
"What are you doing?!" my wife whispered hurriedly. "We can't afford anything in here!"
"Relax," I smiled. "You're window shopping in Chicago, it can't hurt to browse the best."
She shrugged reluctantly, and we drifted toward the nearest display case.
Within seconds, an impeccably dressed sales person appeared behind the case and took stock of her prospects.
She couldn't have been too encouraged by our off the rack department store-brand coats, but her smile seemed genuine.
"Welcome to Cartier's, may I help you?" she asked easily.
I was about to murmur, "just browsing," but then a thought occurred to me.
My bride of 25 years had been admiring some simple topaz rings of late. Why not benefit from the knowledge of an expert at Cartier's? We couldn't afford anything they'd have, but that's how you learned.
"We were hoping to see something in a topaz ring," I said cheerfully.
The genuine Cartier smile cracked just a little and the sales person said in a lower voice,
"Cartier's doesn't carry topaz."
Doh! A more worldly person would have known that you don't go to Cartier's for something as common as topaz.
Then, in a more conciliatory tone, she offered, "would you like to look at our blue sapphires instead?"
I was quickly dragged from the store by my mortified wife. She and my daughter and her finance had a good laugh at my expense - and I had a good laugh too. Honestly though, it wasn't the sales lady's fault - and she answered in a very fair, honest manner. Plus, she offered an alternative for me to consider, or not. Overall, no harm done!
Isn't that how some people wander into, and then out of, our churches - or even conversations of spiritual matters like salvation?
"I would like to see something of a god that has no defined moral standards"
"Can you show me something spiritual that will celebrate sin without consequence?"
"I'm looking for a consistent moral philosophy without mention of a higher power.. "
Like the lady at Cartier's, my helpful smile cracks a little when I have to say,
"We don't offer that in Christianity...but would you like see something in redemption and Grace, through Christ?"
It's so much more valuable than what they were looking for - and yet, some will turn away to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, and unfairly, they may even blame Christianity for not advocating what they want to believe.
Cartier's is an imperfect analogy of course. There is nothing exclusive or expensive about Christianity. All are welcome. Poor, rich, sinful, sad.
But we can't place things in the Christian showcase that don't belong there.
It's God who decides what He alone offers. He's catalogued it clearly in the Bible. If you're searching, why not window shop at a few local churches and ask the pastors to explain anything for which you have questions.
I'm still smiling over my encounter at Cartier's, maybe you'll have an even better story to tell.
What do you believe?
On a lark, I pushed through the door and walked into the brilliantly lit, glittering showroom.
Case after glass case of sparkling gems cascaded across the spacious, high ceilinged room.
"What are you doing?!" my wife whispered hurriedly. "We can't afford anything in here!"
"Relax," I smiled. "You're window shopping in Chicago, it can't hurt to browse the best."
She shrugged reluctantly, and we drifted toward the nearest display case.
Within seconds, an impeccably dressed sales person appeared behind the case and took stock of her prospects.
She couldn't have been too encouraged by our off the rack department store-brand coats, but her smile seemed genuine.
"Welcome to Cartier's, may I help you?" she asked easily.
I was about to murmur, "just browsing," but then a thought occurred to me.
My bride of 25 years had been admiring some simple topaz rings of late. Why not benefit from the knowledge of an expert at Cartier's? We couldn't afford anything they'd have, but that's how you learned.
"We were hoping to see something in a topaz ring," I said cheerfully.
The genuine Cartier smile cracked just a little and the sales person said in a lower voice,
"Cartier's doesn't carry topaz."
Doh! A more worldly person would have known that you don't go to Cartier's for something as common as topaz.
Then, in a more conciliatory tone, she offered, "would you like to look at our blue sapphires instead?"
I was quickly dragged from the store by my mortified wife. She and my daughter and her finance had a good laugh at my expense - and I had a good laugh too. Honestly though, it wasn't the sales lady's fault - and she answered in a very fair, honest manner. Plus, she offered an alternative for me to consider, or not. Overall, no harm done!
Isn't that how some people wander into, and then out of, our churches - or even conversations of spiritual matters like salvation?
"I would like to see something of a god that has no defined moral standards"
"Can you show me something spiritual that will celebrate sin without consequence?"
"I'm looking for a consistent moral philosophy without mention of a higher power.. "
Like the lady at Cartier's, my helpful smile cracks a little when I have to say,
"We don't offer that in Christianity...but would you like see something in redemption and Grace, through Christ?"
It's so much more valuable than what they were looking for - and yet, some will turn away to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, and unfairly, they may even blame Christianity for not advocating what they want to believe.
Cartier's is an imperfect analogy of course. There is nothing exclusive or expensive about Christianity. All are welcome. Poor, rich, sinful, sad.
But we can't place things in the Christian showcase that don't belong there.
It's God who decides what He alone offers. He's catalogued it clearly in the Bible. If you're searching, why not window shop at a few local churches and ask the pastors to explain anything for which you have questions.
I'm still smiling over my encounter at Cartier's, maybe you'll have an even better story to tell.
What do you believe?
Inventing a Universal Hybrid Religion
A stranger at our Christmas party offered me a fascinating spiritual insight.
I had been discussing spiritual matters with family members and we were comparing notes on various religious worldviews.
It was a very thoughtful and engaging conversation, though we did not agree on certain essentials.
For example, I believe we can enter into an eternal relationship with God through His Grace - His willingness to offer unconditional love and forgiveness, asking only that we believe on the name of His Son Jesus - who died on the cross to pay my sin penalty.
In that light, Christianity is a gift to receive, and not a prize to earn.
Others shared worldviews that were based on merit, or "works" that, if balanced heavier in the "good" over a lifetime would tilt a higher power's scales toward salvation. We also discussed the definition(s) of salvation.
And of course, another option was to believe in no god at all, and simply do good for good's sake.
Drawing clarity and distinction between the worldviews as we did made it easier to see that they are indeed different. You cannot believe one and then the other at the same time. We agreed that people have the right to choose their worldview, and we accept friends/family who believe differently than we do.
That's where the stranger spoke up. He did not subscribe to any of the particular spiritual beliefs we mentioned. In fact, he chafed at the notion of having to choose from our proposed alternatives.
"Why not take the things that you can all agree on and build from there?"
I hear and read that a lot. It's proposed by popular entertainers, bloggers, politicians and songwriters.
It has an innocent ring of neutrality and inclusiveness. Combine the "best" so we can all agree without division.
But who decides the "best?" That's the rub.
In the versions of this that I've come across, the best ideas are benign and universal. Do good, don't steal, don't kill and respect others.
But the same people who would include these concepts of good would also exclude anything uniquely spiritual. For example, you cannot name a god of any definition. Perhaps a personal and unnamed "higher power" could be invoked, but they say that begrudgingly and with the disparaging aside that "some people need that for comfort..."
In the end, what the stranger at our gathering proposed was simply to add a distinct and separate worldview. Call it the "greatest hits" worldview, combining what he liked best of other belief systems and excluding what he disliked. Most notably disliked, I surmised, was the accountability of a Living God.
The stranger, or anyone else, can call the greatest hits approach benign and neutral, but I believe it is a slippery slope. Sooner or later when you take away the Spiritual insights and guidance of a loving God, you end up making choices that are selfish and self-serving. Ironically, that's when the benign neutrality hurts somebody else.
You've a free choice subscribing to that worldview, but I don't recommend it.
What do you believe?
I had been discussing spiritual matters with family members and we were comparing notes on various religious worldviews.
It was a very thoughtful and engaging conversation, though we did not agree on certain essentials.
For example, I believe we can enter into an eternal relationship with God through His Grace - His willingness to offer unconditional love and forgiveness, asking only that we believe on the name of His Son Jesus - who died on the cross to pay my sin penalty.
In that light, Christianity is a gift to receive, and not a prize to earn.
Others shared worldviews that were based on merit, or "works" that, if balanced heavier in the "good" over a lifetime would tilt a higher power's scales toward salvation. We also discussed the definition(s) of salvation.
And of course, another option was to believe in no god at all, and simply do good for good's sake.
Drawing clarity and distinction between the worldviews as we did made it easier to see that they are indeed different. You cannot believe one and then the other at the same time. We agreed that people have the right to choose their worldview, and we accept friends/family who believe differently than we do.
That's where the stranger spoke up. He did not subscribe to any of the particular spiritual beliefs we mentioned. In fact, he chafed at the notion of having to choose from our proposed alternatives.
"Why not take the things that you can all agree on and build from there?"
I hear and read that a lot. It's proposed by popular entertainers, bloggers, politicians and songwriters.
It has an innocent ring of neutrality and inclusiveness. Combine the "best" so we can all agree without division.
But who decides the "best?" That's the rub.
In the versions of this that I've come across, the best ideas are benign and universal. Do good, don't steal, don't kill and respect others.
But the same people who would include these concepts of good would also exclude anything uniquely spiritual. For example, you cannot name a god of any definition. Perhaps a personal and unnamed "higher power" could be invoked, but they say that begrudgingly and with the disparaging aside that "some people need that for comfort..."
In the end, what the stranger at our gathering proposed was simply to add a distinct and separate worldview. Call it the "greatest hits" worldview, combining what he liked best of other belief systems and excluding what he disliked. Most notably disliked, I surmised, was the accountability of a Living God.
The stranger, or anyone else, can call the greatest hits approach benign and neutral, but I believe it is a slippery slope. Sooner or later when you take away the Spiritual insights and guidance of a loving God, you end up making choices that are selfish and self-serving. Ironically, that's when the benign neutrality hurts somebody else.
You've a free choice subscribing to that worldview, but I don't recommend it.
What do you believe?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Actually See Jesus at Christmas ?
I know its Christmas, but I have to work backward from an Easter memory.
There was a Holy Thursday tradition at my boyhood church. Parishoners would take turns praying in the sanctuary throughout the entire evening, up until Good Friday services the next day. You would sign up for 30 min. or an hour to pray and "keep watch." It was a reminder of Jesus' admonition to the apostles before he was taken captive,
"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:37-38
My dad had one of the first "watches" of that Thursday evening (right after the church's potluck dinner...), and so I could accompany him for a few minutes if I agreed to be quiet and respectful while he prayed. Still very young, I asked him to explain our purpose that night in the quiet of the church. I understood prayer and church services, but not the details of Jesus' arrest and trial. Somewhere in my dad's patient explanation, he said something about us "keeping watch for Jesus." With a natural curiousity I whispered, "do you mean we'll actually see him right here in our church?"
Of course we didn't "actually see him" that night - nor has anyone else here on earth for the past 2,000 years.
But that first evening in Bethlehem...
I just know there was a shepherd boy somewhere who had heard his dad talking about God. Maybe at home or in the synagogue. Maybe his dad would have taken his young son along in the cool desert evening to watch over the flock.
The kind father would have patiently explained the power and majesty of God - and of God's promise to send a long awaited Messiah.
"Do you mean we'll actually see the Messiah right here in our fold?" the boy might have wondered, as I did in our church.
For some shepherd boy and his dad near Bethlehem that night, the answer was a spectacular...yes!
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:10-20
They "actually" saw Him, the Savior of the world, come to live among us, so that we could all know that He truly understands this world and what we experience. Though I didn't see him that night in our own church, I know that Jesus is real, and that shepherds did indeed see him that first evening near Bethlehem. Someday I will actually see Jesus in heaven - and my shepherd friends too! What a glorious day it will be !
What do you believe?
There was a Holy Thursday tradition at my boyhood church. Parishoners would take turns praying in the sanctuary throughout the entire evening, up until Good Friday services the next day. You would sign up for 30 min. or an hour to pray and "keep watch." It was a reminder of Jesus' admonition to the apostles before he was taken captive,
"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:37-38
My dad had one of the first "watches" of that Thursday evening (right after the church's potluck dinner...), and so I could accompany him for a few minutes if I agreed to be quiet and respectful while he prayed. Still very young, I asked him to explain our purpose that night in the quiet of the church. I understood prayer and church services, but not the details of Jesus' arrest and trial. Somewhere in my dad's patient explanation, he said something about us "keeping watch for Jesus." With a natural curiousity I whispered, "do you mean we'll actually see him right here in our church?"
Of course we didn't "actually see him" that night - nor has anyone else here on earth for the past 2,000 years.
But that first evening in Bethlehem...
I just know there was a shepherd boy somewhere who had heard his dad talking about God. Maybe at home or in the synagogue. Maybe his dad would have taken his young son along in the cool desert evening to watch over the flock.
The kind father would have patiently explained the power and majesty of God - and of God's promise to send a long awaited Messiah.
"Do you mean we'll actually see the Messiah right here in our fold?" the boy might have wondered, as I did in our church.
For some shepherd boy and his dad near Bethlehem that night, the answer was a spectacular...yes!
"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:10-20
They "actually" saw Him, the Savior of the world, come to live among us, so that we could all know that He truly understands this world and what we experience. Though I didn't see him that night in our own church, I know that Jesus is real, and that shepherds did indeed see him that first evening near Bethlehem. Someday I will actually see Jesus in heaven - and my shepherd friends too! What a glorious day it will be !
What do you believe?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Favorite Wedding Memory
It was a beautiful wedding day.
Full of love and joy, with the sparkling thread of God's Grace throughout.
It was the day we had prayed for our daughter and son-to-be, having asked God to help us enjoy it fully, in whatever ways the actual details played out.
Breakfast the day before at our favorite diner. The owner/waitress asked with a knowing smile, "tomorrow's the big day, isn't it?"
My daughter and I looked back on how so many divine appointments had led to the college she chose, the dorm mate she befriended, and that girlfriend's best buddy from back home...who turned out to be Mr. Right. Not love at first sight, mind you. But years of friendship, maturity, growth - even a breakup - before discerning God's plan.
That breakfast conversation is at the heart of what comforts me in seeing these two wed. There is a clear recognition of God's willingness to participate in our lives should we let him. No illusions of perfection - or expectation of a bump-free future; just faith and trust in Him first. That is my father's blessing for these two - that God will lead them as they learn to listen and discern, together.
Everything after that breakfast - just the two of us - was one happy moment after another. Cutting fresh flowers for 25 vases at the hall. The entertaining rehearsal preview with our dear friend and pastor. An Italian buffet for the out of towners at our cousin's restaurant. Wedding day hair do's and last minute program organizing at the house. Heart-stopping joy at the vision of our little girl in her grown-up princess gown. Confidence when I placed her hand in his, that he really does understand just how precious she is to us. Quiet pleasure as the ceremony went forward, recognizing fully the unity and fellowship of all our gathered friends and family. Bigger smiles still as the newly married couple literally shone with the different Light of a Blessed union. Dancing the father-daughter dance to the words of a song I'd written for the toddler version of this stunning beauty.
That's how I'll explain my favorite wedding day moment. I have to take you back to the 5 year old I once knew. It was a warm summer evening and we'd won a goldfish at the parish festival. She was clutching that plastic bag in one hand and mine in the other. I lifted her up onto the carousel pony and stepped back down to watch her ride through the night. In my memory, there is the soft glow of the golden carousel lights, blurring the background as I focus on her and the pony. She's smiling and happy, not a care in the world, one hand clutching that goldfish - still looking back at me every time the carousel circles past.
It was that same look I saw on the lovely young woman in the princess dress - looking back at me across the banquet hall.
That's my favorite wedding day memory. A father can't fare better than that.
Full of love and joy, with the sparkling thread of God's Grace throughout.
It was the day we had prayed for our daughter and son-to-be, having asked God to help us enjoy it fully, in whatever ways the actual details played out.
Breakfast the day before at our favorite diner. The owner/waitress asked with a knowing smile, "tomorrow's the big day, isn't it?"
My daughter and I looked back on how so many divine appointments had led to the college she chose, the dorm mate she befriended, and that girlfriend's best buddy from back home...who turned out to be Mr. Right. Not love at first sight, mind you. But years of friendship, maturity, growth - even a breakup - before discerning God's plan.
That breakfast conversation is at the heart of what comforts me in seeing these two wed. There is a clear recognition of God's willingness to participate in our lives should we let him. No illusions of perfection - or expectation of a bump-free future; just faith and trust in Him first. That is my father's blessing for these two - that God will lead them as they learn to listen and discern, together.
Everything after that breakfast - just the two of us - was one happy moment after another. Cutting fresh flowers for 25 vases at the hall. The entertaining rehearsal preview with our dear friend and pastor. An Italian buffet for the out of towners at our cousin's restaurant. Wedding day hair do's and last minute program organizing at the house. Heart-stopping joy at the vision of our little girl in her grown-up princess gown. Confidence when I placed her hand in his, that he really does understand just how precious she is to us. Quiet pleasure as the ceremony went forward, recognizing fully the unity and fellowship of all our gathered friends and family. Bigger smiles still as the newly married couple literally shone with the different Light of a Blessed union. Dancing the father-daughter dance to the words of a song I'd written for the toddler version of this stunning beauty.
That's how I'll explain my favorite wedding day moment. I have to take you back to the 5 year old I once knew. It was a warm summer evening and we'd won a goldfish at the parish festival. She was clutching that plastic bag in one hand and mine in the other. I lifted her up onto the carousel pony and stepped back down to watch her ride through the night. In my memory, there is the soft glow of the golden carousel lights, blurring the background as I focus on her and the pony. She's smiling and happy, not a care in the world, one hand clutching that goldfish - still looking back at me every time the carousel circles past.
It was that same look I saw on the lovely young woman in the princess dress - looking back at me across the banquet hall.
That's my favorite wedding day memory. A father can't fare better than that.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Dad to Daughter - Don't Go Too Far Away
I've written several songs about my darling daughter over the years.
The one I find myself humming late into the evening these days is, "Don't Run Too Far."
Wrote it one lovely day when she was a toddler. We had so much fun at that age, and everything was new.
But even then I knew a time would come when she would move on from our home and our family of three.
She's ready now. A bright, shining light in this world - full of love and joy and kindness - just as capable with an apple pie recipe as she is on the golf course or snorkeling a coral reef, and of course playing the piano with me at church.
The world is better for having her. Her world is better for having found her husband-to-be, the son we never had.
Our world is complete for having them both in our now family of four.
Little girl, remember the unconditional love we've always shared - from here to the stars, no matter what - and I know there is even more to see and do, just,
Not too far away...
Don't Run Too Far (lyrics)
Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…
Better not go up those steps all alone
Let’s sit down here while I’m talkin on the phone
You’re so small and its such a big old home
You've got to be careful, when you’re on your own
Careful – where you roam…
Let’s get out of the kitchen we might break that jar
Snuggle over here and strum your daddy’s guitar
I’ll change the chords and you can hum a few bars
With those looks and that talent, they’ll want to make you a star!
We can go outside now, but be sure to stay close to me
No need to go in the street – there's not much there to see
Lots to do in our own yard, toss a ball or just run
If you’re laughing that much, I know we must both be having fun...
It’s a sleepy little girl that will let me rock her in my chair
Tug at your ear, hold on tight to your bear
I'll read you a story if you've got some secrets to share
And then those eyes get so heavy, and you're drifting off somewhere...
It’s a feeling I know, deep down inside my heart,
I’m sad and lonely thinking ‘bout a day when we must part
A someday that comes for your own life to start
When you won’t need to hold onto your daddy in the dark…
So,
Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…
Copyright 1987
The one I find myself humming late into the evening these days is, "Don't Run Too Far."
Wrote it one lovely day when she was a toddler. We had so much fun at that age, and everything was new.
But even then I knew a time would come when she would move on from our home and our family of three.
She's ready now. A bright, shining light in this world - full of love and joy and kindness - just as capable with an apple pie recipe as she is on the golf course or snorkeling a coral reef, and of course playing the piano with me at church.
The world is better for having her. Her world is better for having found her husband-to-be, the son we never had.
Our world is complete for having them both in our now family of four.
Little girl, remember the unconditional love we've always shared - from here to the stars, no matter what - and I know there is even more to see and do, just,
Not too far away...
Don't Run Too Far (lyrics)
Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…
Better not go up those steps all alone
Let’s sit down here while I’m talkin on the phone
You’re so small and its such a big old home
You've got to be careful, when you’re on your own
Careful – where you roam…
Let’s get out of the kitchen we might break that jar
Snuggle over here and strum your daddy’s guitar
I’ll change the chords and you can hum a few bars
With those looks and that talent, they’ll want to make you a star!
We can go outside now, but be sure to stay close to me
No need to go in the street – there's not much there to see
Lots to do in our own yard, toss a ball or just run
If you’re laughing that much, I know we must both be having fun...
It’s a sleepy little girl that will let me rock her in my chair
Tug at your ear, hold on tight to your bear
I'll read you a story if you've got some secrets to share
And then those eyes get so heavy, and you're drifting off somewhere...
It’s a feeling I know, deep down inside my heart,
I’m sad and lonely thinking ‘bout a day when we must part
A someday that comes for your own life to start
When you won’t need to hold onto your daddy in the dark…
So,
Baby, don’t run too far away
Stay where I can see you, let me watch you play
You can go off some other day
Baby don’t run too far away
Baby don’t run – too far…
Copyright 1987
Lord, Make Us One
Almost 30 years ago I wrote a song for my soon-to-be-bride and then sang it as she walked down the aisle.
This Fall, the vocalist at our church will sing it before my daughter's wedding.
I still call my wife Bride, and she still calls me Groom.
The love of Jesus still makes the two of us One.
Lord, Make Us One (lyrics)
We have waited all our lives
For this person, who would realize
All of the joy we’ve held inside
And we walked down many roads alone
Until this gift of love was shown
Now we’ll walk into the life He’s made
He has made this day with all its blessings
Brought an end to second guessing
Now we’ll seal His bond with golden bands
Its golden bands and holding hands
With this person who is your best friend
Moments only we will understand
Understand all the gifts we have and
The richness which will always last
Understand what I feel when I see you
I see you in me and me in you
Promises forever true
Made before the Lord because we know:
With Him we are three as one
By Him will our work be done
For Him have our lives together come
Lord, make us one… together,
You and I... forever
You and I, no one can sever now…
What the Lord has smiled upon today,
You and I are on our way
You and I at last begin today...we’re on our way.
Copyright 1981
What do you believe?
This Fall, the vocalist at our church will sing it before my daughter's wedding.
I still call my wife Bride, and she still calls me Groom.
The love of Jesus still makes the two of us One.
Lord, Make Us One (lyrics)
We have waited all our lives
For this person, who would realize
All of the joy we’ve held inside
And we walked down many roads alone
Until this gift of love was shown
Now we’ll walk into the life He’s made
He has made this day with all its blessings
Brought an end to second guessing
Now we’ll seal His bond with golden bands
Its golden bands and holding hands
With this person who is your best friend
Moments only we will understand
Understand all the gifts we have and
The richness which will always last
Understand what I feel when I see you
I see you in me and me in you
Promises forever true
Made before the Lord because we know:
With Him we are three as one
By Him will our work be done
For Him have our lives together come
Lord, make us one… together,
You and I... forever
You and I, no one can sever now…
What the Lord has smiled upon today,
You and I are on our way
You and I at last begin today...we’re on our way.
Copyright 1981
What do you believe?
Thursday, September 30, 2010
St. Joseph Basilica - San Jose Masterpiece
I just uncovered a jewel of San Jose, California.
One hundred or so of us were in town for a business meeting. We stayed right downtown on the square.
For two days we had meetings in a very nice Technology Museum complex, complete with IMAX theater.
There was also an Art Museum next to our hotel property, and I think people had a few meetings there this morning as well.
When the driver first delivered us from the airport on Monday, I could see a large, white rotunda about one block over. "What's that?" I asked.
"I think its part of the art museum," he said.
Hmm..looked like there were crosses at the top, but I couldn't be sure from that angle.
"Oh yeah, that's right," he said, 'it's some church." Ok.
A Google search from my room quickly revealed that the "church" was a basilica - a particularly special cathedral, first built in the 1700's..
Of all the things we did during our two day gathering - lunches in the Tech Museum, dinner at the winery on the mountain. Of everything I read in the hotel literature about nightlife, restaurants and local attractions. Nobody ever said, "...and make sure you don't miss the basilica."
We had people in our group visiting from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sure, they've all got their centuries old Spiritual structures. But wouldn't someone encourage you to visit Notre Dame, Westminster Abby, The Blue Mosque or the Taj Mahal if you happened to be one block over on the square?
With our meetings over and my ride to the airport still 90 minutes away, I walked into the basilica for the 7:30 a.m. service this morning.
About 20 other people joined me under that huge dome I'd seen on Monday. It was no IMAX. No cushioned chairs, HD video or surround sound. Just an octagonal, wood altar. Huge, hand painted murals. Poignantly crafted sculptures. Gold leaf edging. Inspiration and revelation.
And we offered up - in unison, from memory - we twenty strangers spread out under all this priceless, God-glorifying art - prayers that had been first conceived 1700 years ago. Not from the 1700's, when this church was built. From the fourth century and earlier.
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory. Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest!"
Three simple objects on a minimalist, flat altar with no digital augmentation. Bread, wine and the Bible.
"I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
Humble words first spoken by the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave. And we repeated them, we, once slaves to sin.
I really enjoyed our business meeting - the fellowship of my friends and sharing new ideas. But nothing I've done in business these past 30 years even compares to the power of 30 minutes in the presence of God at St. Joseph's basilica in San Jose. That 'church' on the other side of the art museum, just off the square. Tell your friends.
What do you believe?
One hundred or so of us were in town for a business meeting. We stayed right downtown on the square.
For two days we had meetings in a very nice Technology Museum complex, complete with IMAX theater.
There was also an Art Museum next to our hotel property, and I think people had a few meetings there this morning as well.
When the driver first delivered us from the airport on Monday, I could see a large, white rotunda about one block over. "What's that?" I asked.
"I think its part of the art museum," he said.
Hmm..looked like there were crosses at the top, but I couldn't be sure from that angle.
"Oh yeah, that's right," he said, 'it's some church." Ok.
A Google search from my room quickly revealed that the "church" was a basilica - a particularly special cathedral, first built in the 1700's..
Of all the things we did during our two day gathering - lunches in the Tech Museum, dinner at the winery on the mountain. Of everything I read in the hotel literature about nightlife, restaurants and local attractions. Nobody ever said, "...and make sure you don't miss the basilica."
We had people in our group visiting from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sure, they've all got their centuries old Spiritual structures. But wouldn't someone encourage you to visit Notre Dame, Westminster Abby, The Blue Mosque or the Taj Mahal if you happened to be one block over on the square?
With our meetings over and my ride to the airport still 90 minutes away, I walked into the basilica for the 7:30 a.m. service this morning.
About 20 other people joined me under that huge dome I'd seen on Monday. It was no IMAX. No cushioned chairs, HD video or surround sound. Just an octagonal, wood altar. Huge, hand painted murals. Poignantly crafted sculptures. Gold leaf edging. Inspiration and revelation.
And we offered up - in unison, from memory - we twenty strangers spread out under all this priceless, God-glorifying art - prayers that had been first conceived 1700 years ago. Not from the 1700's, when this church was built. From the fourth century and earlier.
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory. Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest!"
Three simple objects on a minimalist, flat altar with no digital augmentation. Bread, wine and the Bible.
"I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
Humble words first spoken by the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave. And we repeated them, we, once slaves to sin.
I really enjoyed our business meeting - the fellowship of my friends and sharing new ideas. But nothing I've done in business these past 30 years even compares to the power of 30 minutes in the presence of God at St. Joseph's basilica in San Jose. That 'church' on the other side of the art museum, just off the square. Tell your friends.
What do you believe?
New Wheel Alignment
I took my car into the shop for a much needed wheel alignment. If I took my hands off the steering wheel, it would quickly drift out of my interstate lane. As long as my hands were on the wheel I could hold the car steady, but it was a surprisingly strong tug to the side. It had not started that way. At first, It would drift slowly enough that I had time to respond. I could reach for my coffee or fiddle with the radio. But as the alignment got worse, I really had to watch it. I could quickly endanger myself, or anyone driving in the lanes beside me.
That's how Spiritual matters go for me sometimes. At first I'm going through a time where I'm in daily or hourly contact with God. Praising Him, praying to Him, interceding for friends family. Reading a little scripture before work, bible study with the guys on Tuesday morning.
But then I start drifting a little. It's not like I immediately swerve off the road. But I miss a church service on Sunday because I'm on vacation. Then I sleep in and miss bible study, or start late at work and can't read the daily devotional. Then instead of praying on my way home, I listen to a news podcast or music.
In just a few days, or weeks, I'm not staying in the centerline. Pride starts to creep in, impatience or jealousy flare up. It starts affecting the people in the lanes next to me, too. I'm not praying effectively for friends who asked, or encouraging my family's Spiritual activity. I inevitably find myself worrying about matters that rightly belong in God's worthy hands. Which takes even more of my attention off the Spiritual matters God has entrusted to me.
That's when it's time for an alignment! Getting right with God to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I've neglected proper upkeep and maintenance of His gifts. Ready for Holy Spirit adjustment. It's surprising how fast He takes care of it - no appointment necessary, and no charge. I wish it would last forever, but I must be driving a lemon...
What do you believe?
That's how Spiritual matters go for me sometimes. At first I'm going through a time where I'm in daily or hourly contact with God. Praising Him, praying to Him, interceding for friends family. Reading a little scripture before work, bible study with the guys on Tuesday morning.
But then I start drifting a little. It's not like I immediately swerve off the road. But I miss a church service on Sunday because I'm on vacation. Then I sleep in and miss bible study, or start late at work and can't read the daily devotional. Then instead of praying on my way home, I listen to a news podcast or music.
In just a few days, or weeks, I'm not staying in the centerline. Pride starts to creep in, impatience or jealousy flare up. It starts affecting the people in the lanes next to me, too. I'm not praying effectively for friends who asked, or encouraging my family's Spiritual activity. I inevitably find myself worrying about matters that rightly belong in God's worthy hands. Which takes even more of my attention off the Spiritual matters God has entrusted to me.
That's when it's time for an alignment! Getting right with God to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I've neglected proper upkeep and maintenance of His gifts. Ready for Holy Spirit adjustment. It's surprising how fast He takes care of it - no appointment necessary, and no charge. I wish it would last forever, but I must be driving a lemon...
What do you believe?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Seeing Wind Beneath Eagle's Wings
We startled a bald eagle during our hike along Lake Michigan last Sunday.
It was a large adult, hard to tell whether male or female. We estimated the wing span at well over six feet across. Females are actually the larger bodied of bald eagles, so a more experienced bird watcher would have known for sure.
After only a few graceful sweeps of powerful wings, the eagle settled into a gently banked glide. I was too slow with my camera to get the shot, but we figured she would swing back toward shore.
For the next 10 minutes or so, we watched this beautiful creature ride the wind.
Not that you could see the wind. Since she was rising up over the huge lake, there were no trees swaying or limbs bending to add perspective. There was only the slow spiraling path of this giant bird, wings extended and locked. She flew on and up, with confidence and purpose unknown to us.
Although unseen, we could easily trace the busy air currents around her. The eagle would bank and slowly spiral up, like someone ascending the nearby lighthouse staircase. Then she leveled out until the next updraft took her curving up and up and up.
Soon she was disappearing from view, a hundred yards up, two hundred yards out over the big lake, then further, a black cursor being typed across the backdrop of clouds. Then she was gone, only an unseen trail of wind-crafted spirals left in the sky.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8
What do you believe?
It was a large adult, hard to tell whether male or female. We estimated the wing span at well over six feet across. Females are actually the larger bodied of bald eagles, so a more experienced bird watcher would have known for sure.
After only a few graceful sweeps of powerful wings, the eagle settled into a gently banked glide. I was too slow with my camera to get the shot, but we figured she would swing back toward shore.
For the next 10 minutes or so, we watched this beautiful creature ride the wind.
Not that you could see the wind. Since she was rising up over the huge lake, there were no trees swaying or limbs bending to add perspective. There was only the slow spiraling path of this giant bird, wings extended and locked. She flew on and up, with confidence and purpose unknown to us.
Although unseen, we could easily trace the busy air currents around her. The eagle would bank and slowly spiral up, like someone ascending the nearby lighthouse staircase. Then she leveled out until the next updraft took her curving up and up and up.
Soon she was disappearing from view, a hundred yards up, two hundred yards out over the big lake, then further, a black cursor being typed across the backdrop of clouds. Then she was gone, only an unseen trail of wind-crafted spirals left in the sky.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8
What do you believe?
30 years ago - Guest Blogger's Ferry Story
In response to my last post about the car ferry, an older gentleman sent this response. Read on to learn the Spiritual connection of the two posts. I call these types of events, "divine appointments."
----------
From the Guest Blogger:
"It was a fall day and my Mother and I were heading north for a relaxing weekend. We left the city at noon, and soon decided to break away from interstate traffic and take the car ferry river crossing instead.
We found ourselves peacefully alone as we left the interstate, and the rolling wooded bluffs were beautifully dressed in brilliant yellows and reds of autumn. All of a sudden our privacy was invaded by one, and then two-then six cars bumper to bumper headed in the opposite direction. We were about five miles from the Ferry and I guessed that these cars must have just left it from the dock on our side of the river. That meant it would leave without us because of where we were.
In past visits to use the Ferry it seemed that I always arrived at the landing just as it was leaving, or it was on the far shore. I could not really remember being able to just drive up to the ramp and board the Ferry without waiting.
Then I remembered I had heard someone say the Ferry was equipped with a C.B. So I reached for my C.B. mike and called out "Break 19 for the Ferry Captain, I'm on the south bank five miles out, do you have a copy?" A voice came back, "Yes I do, what are you driving?!' "A Nova with a small utility trailer" I answered.
The voice came back "Yes I have room, where are you now, what's your 20?" I responded, "I am on top of the bluff and I can see the wayside and the drive to the dock."
Again the voice came back, "We have room for you, we are waiting, come right on aboard."
We turned the corner and drove onto the boat landing road. There was the Ferry fully loaded, except for one spot on the left side. Without hesitation I drove up the ramp and onto the Ferry. I could see the Captain, the person who had been only a friendly, responding and an encouraging voice just minutes before, smiling down on me from his control room. I gave him a wave and, as I stopped my car and turned off the ignition, the gate of the Ferry closed behind me, and we were on our way.
It was a most pleasurable ride across the big river. I watched the roll of the waves, and scanned the colorful wooded shorelines. Happy children were excitedly running about the deck as smiling parents relaxed and watched in perfect peace. It was like the world had come to a full stop and we were in a place all our own away from the pressures and rush of every day life. I thought, "Perhaps heaven might be much like this." And not too many miles away the interstate traffic was flying away at it 55 MPH plus clip.
As I leaned on the rail, my Christian background caused me to reflect a bit deeper into this beautiful moment. In a sense, my callout on the C.B. to the Ferry Boat Captain was not much different than a callout to God. I had been in this same situation before, arriving at the dock just as the Ferry was leaving the shoreline.
Unfortunately, I arrived without the proper equipment or preparation to call out to be taken along…and I had been left behind.
I could not see the Ferry this time, yet I had the faith it was out there somewhere and close by. I was truly blind, yet I could see. There was an opening for me, yet it was for me to take advantage of it. I decided to ask, and I received. I was called aboard because I believed and let it be known that I wanted to be taken along. Then, I was able to witness the beauty around me, and the happiness of those that were already aboard. We were no longer strangers; we were friends on a friendly sea.
And it all happened because my Mother and I choose to leave the fast lane, the main stream of life. We had decided to turn off, stop, and smell the roses along the way:
Praise ye the way of the Lord.
----------------
Guest Blogger ? My Dad, writing 30 years ago about his own encounter at the car ferry, traveling with my Grandma, now passed on to Jesus. Seems it's a message that God doesn't mind telling more than once...
What do you believe?
----------
From the Guest Blogger:
"It was a fall day and my Mother and I were heading north for a relaxing weekend. We left the city at noon, and soon decided to break away from interstate traffic and take the car ferry river crossing instead.
We found ourselves peacefully alone as we left the interstate, and the rolling wooded bluffs were beautifully dressed in brilliant yellows and reds of autumn. All of a sudden our privacy was invaded by one, and then two-then six cars bumper to bumper headed in the opposite direction. We were about five miles from the Ferry and I guessed that these cars must have just left it from the dock on our side of the river. That meant it would leave without us because of where we were.
In past visits to use the Ferry it seemed that I always arrived at the landing just as it was leaving, or it was on the far shore. I could not really remember being able to just drive up to the ramp and board the Ferry without waiting.
Then I remembered I had heard someone say the Ferry was equipped with a C.B. So I reached for my C.B. mike and called out "Break 19 for the Ferry Captain, I'm on the south bank five miles out, do you have a copy?" A voice came back, "Yes I do, what are you driving?!' "A Nova with a small utility trailer" I answered.
The voice came back "Yes I have room, where are you now, what's your 20?" I responded, "I am on top of the bluff and I can see the wayside and the drive to the dock."
Again the voice came back, "We have room for you, we are waiting, come right on aboard."
We turned the corner and drove onto the boat landing road. There was the Ferry fully loaded, except for one spot on the left side. Without hesitation I drove up the ramp and onto the Ferry. I could see the Captain, the person who had been only a friendly, responding and an encouraging voice just minutes before, smiling down on me from his control room. I gave him a wave and, as I stopped my car and turned off the ignition, the gate of the Ferry closed behind me, and we were on our way.
It was a most pleasurable ride across the big river. I watched the roll of the waves, and scanned the colorful wooded shorelines. Happy children were excitedly running about the deck as smiling parents relaxed and watched in perfect peace. It was like the world had come to a full stop and we were in a place all our own away from the pressures and rush of every day life. I thought, "Perhaps heaven might be much like this." And not too many miles away the interstate traffic was flying away at it 55 MPH plus clip.
As I leaned on the rail, my Christian background caused me to reflect a bit deeper into this beautiful moment. In a sense, my callout on the C.B. to the Ferry Boat Captain was not much different than a callout to God. I had been in this same situation before, arriving at the dock just as the Ferry was leaving the shoreline.
Unfortunately, I arrived without the proper equipment or preparation to call out to be taken along…and I had been left behind.
I could not see the Ferry this time, yet I had the faith it was out there somewhere and close by. I was truly blind, yet I could see. There was an opening for me, yet it was for me to take advantage of it. I decided to ask, and I received. I was called aboard because I believed and let it be known that I wanted to be taken along. Then, I was able to witness the beauty around me, and the happiness of those that were already aboard. We were no longer strangers; we were friends on a friendly sea.
And it all happened because my Mother and I choose to leave the fast lane, the main stream of life. We had decided to turn off, stop, and smell the roses along the way:
Praise ye the way of the Lord.
----------------
Guest Blogger ? My Dad, writing 30 years ago about his own encounter at the car ferry, traveling with my Grandma, now passed on to Jesus. Seems it's a message that God doesn't mind telling more than once...
What do you believe?
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Two Will Reach the Ferry and One Not
We ate lunch at the little diner across from the ferryboat pier. The big Great Lakes boats were swallowing about twenty cars per trip, plus a few bike riders and hikers. Cars and SUV's were lined up about a quarter of a mile waiting their turn to cross.
It was fun to watch all the activity from our table near the big picture window. Some people were trying to catch a quick meal before the next boat arrived. From our vantage point we pieced together some of the dialog unfolding on the sidewalk outside. Young couples and families were debating their options. Go inside and chance it? Or stay near the pier and be ready to go?
Our waitress caught on to what we were doing and shook her head with a friendly laugh.
"You wouldn't believe how some people act when they're caught inside and the boat is loading."
And how was that, we asked?
"Well, some people just run out of here without eating and say they changed their mind. Some ask us to package it up, to go."
"But, the loading doesn't really go that fast," I reasoned, "surely they can judge the boats arrival time and know whether there's time to eat or not."
"That's just it," she gently instructed me, "they don't know. How many people have timed a ferryboat for sure? And the other cars will drive right past their car on the dock and leave them for the next round. Don't think they won't."
People scurrying about to make sure they could board a boat to an island they would return from in a few hours. Jogging back to their cars, running to the ticket window. It seemed comical to us, in part because we could so easily gage the movement of the ferryboat and the number of cars to be unloaded, then loaded.
The end was clear and definable. But the people on the dock couldn't see the whole picture.
The Bible tells us that there will be a clear and definable end of time.
God has the only vantage point from which to judge exactly when this will actually occur.
But there's no need to scurry about.. Jesus taught that anyone believing on His name as God's Son would depart with him and arrive in heaven. You get the ticket, AND...you can continue with your everyday activities, even coffee at the diner, until He's ready.
But like that world weary waitress, I've a feeling that God see's many people trying to cut it too close on the dock.
"I'm not quite ready to decide on Jesus yet. Maybe one more meal, one more belief system, one more peek at the ferryboat to be sure."
The time will come. Two will be on the pier, and one in the restaurant. Where will we be?
Matthew 24:39-44 (NIV)
That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
What do you believe?
It was fun to watch all the activity from our table near the big picture window. Some people were trying to catch a quick meal before the next boat arrived. From our vantage point we pieced together some of the dialog unfolding on the sidewalk outside. Young couples and families were debating their options. Go inside and chance it? Or stay near the pier and be ready to go?
Our waitress caught on to what we were doing and shook her head with a friendly laugh.
"You wouldn't believe how some people act when they're caught inside and the boat is loading."
And how was that, we asked?
"Well, some people just run out of here without eating and say they changed their mind. Some ask us to package it up, to go."
"But, the loading doesn't really go that fast," I reasoned, "surely they can judge the boats arrival time and know whether there's time to eat or not."
"That's just it," she gently instructed me, "they don't know. How many people have timed a ferryboat for sure? And the other cars will drive right past their car on the dock and leave them for the next round. Don't think they won't."
People scurrying about to make sure they could board a boat to an island they would return from in a few hours. Jogging back to their cars, running to the ticket window. It seemed comical to us, in part because we could so easily gage the movement of the ferryboat and the number of cars to be unloaded, then loaded.
The end was clear and definable. But the people on the dock couldn't see the whole picture.
The Bible tells us that there will be a clear and definable end of time.
God has the only vantage point from which to judge exactly when this will actually occur.
But there's no need to scurry about.. Jesus taught that anyone believing on His name as God's Son would depart with him and arrive in heaven. You get the ticket, AND...you can continue with your everyday activities, even coffee at the diner, until He's ready.
But like that world weary waitress, I've a feeling that God see's many people trying to cut it too close on the dock.
"I'm not quite ready to decide on Jesus yet. Maybe one more meal, one more belief system, one more peek at the ferryboat to be sure."
The time will come. Two will be on the pier, and one in the restaurant. Where will we be?
Matthew 24:39-44 (NIV)
That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. [42] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. [43] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
What do you believe?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ingrid Bergman and Gaslight
You know from past posts that I enjoy classic movies. Clever dialog, innovative lighting techniques, easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys...
I did pause to smile at what I thought was overacting in "Gaslight," the classic Hitchcock mystery I just watched.
In it, Ingrid Bergman is slowly being driven mad by her husband. The cad wants poor Ingrid sent off to hospital so he can search the attic for priceless jewels that her aunt hid there.
In a climatic scene, after he finds the jewels and is caught red handed, the unraveling husband snivels to her,
"You have to understand, it's like a sickness, I had to have them above all else!" or words to that effect.
I almost laughed out loud. Almost.
In black and white movie lighting, the jewels he's found look dull and lifeless in his grubby hands.
Beside him, despite all her onscreen torment, is this exquisitely intelligent, well mannered and beautiful woman.
And he had a sickness for those jewels ?! Are you kidding me?
What man in his right mind would trade such crass materialism for such a vibrant, loving creature?
"Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34
What person in their right mind would trade bland, monochromatic philosophy for the vibrant, Living God?
Who could value salvation based on their own sense of merit above freely given, redemptive Grace?
Why would anyone choose to avoid repentance in the Light, just so they could continue to struggle in Darkness?
Are you kidding me? It almost makes the guy with the jewels look pragmatically well-intentioned.
Almost.
What do you believe?
I did pause to smile at what I thought was overacting in "Gaslight," the classic Hitchcock mystery I just watched.
In it, Ingrid Bergman is slowly being driven mad by her husband. The cad wants poor Ingrid sent off to hospital so he can search the attic for priceless jewels that her aunt hid there.
In a climatic scene, after he finds the jewels and is caught red handed, the unraveling husband snivels to her,
"You have to understand, it's like a sickness, I had to have them above all else!" or words to that effect.
I almost laughed out loud. Almost.
In black and white movie lighting, the jewels he's found look dull and lifeless in his grubby hands.
Beside him, despite all her onscreen torment, is this exquisitely intelligent, well mannered and beautiful woman.
And he had a sickness for those jewels ?! Are you kidding me?
What man in his right mind would trade such crass materialism for such a vibrant, loving creature?
"Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34
What person in their right mind would trade bland, monochromatic philosophy for the vibrant, Living God?
Who could value salvation based on their own sense of merit above freely given, redemptive Grace?
Why would anyone choose to avoid repentance in the Light, just so they could continue to struggle in Darkness?
Are you kidding me? It almost makes the guy with the jewels look pragmatically well-intentioned.
Almost.
What do you believe?
Friday, August 06, 2010
Lincoln - A Good Politician
Imagine a casual conversation with a stranger at the bus stop.
You're sitting across the street from a statue of Abraham Lincoln and you comment on what a transformational role he played in world history.
"Well, he was a good man and effective politician, certainly," comments the stranger.
"And much more than that," you clarify, sensing some reticence on the stranger's part. "Lincoln boldly stood for human rights and freedom, to the very point of his own assassination. All this, after persevering from very humble beginnings to become a wise leader and hold the republic together through a civil war. That's been affirmed by millions of people still paying their respects at his tomb for over one hundred years."
"As I said," the stranger repeats with no hint of cynicism or disrespect, "I believe he was a good man and politician. However, I don't think it's provable or important that he was assassinated. In fact, I'm sure another of his followers was actually killed that night at Ford's theater. It may even be one of them in his tomb. And really, whether he played a pivotal role in the civil war is much debated. Lastly, we'll never know of his family origins exactly - poor or rich - and I suspect his mother may have been rather promiscuous. That said, I do hold his father up as a man who knew how to raise a good child. Indeed, I hold his father in very, very high regard."
His father in high regard? After a conversation like this, I couldn't help but question whether we were talking about the same Abraham Lincoln. How could things so significant and well documented as his death by gunshot be deflected and reinvented? Not acknowledging the defining moments of the son, how could this stranger have any credible familiarity with Lincoln's father?
"If anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins," 1John 2:1
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form," Colossians 2:9
"I and the Father are One," John 10:30
Most people would consider my Lincoln story silly, because who would try to remake Lincoln - and his family - in this outrageous way? Isn't it demeaning, even insulting to Lincoln's memory, to think that labels like "good man" and "effective politician" could mask the intent to rob him of his true nature and accomplishments?
I regularly dialog with people - even friends and family - who very adamantly maintain that they pray to the Father of Jesus. "We all pray to the same God," they tell me, with the required exception that Jesus was merely an historical figure of merit. Sure, he was probably a good man and philosopher - maybe even a prophet. But that "Son of God, born of a virgin, crucified on a cross for sins, raised from the dead, redeemer of believers, stuff...certainly not. But does it really matter, they ask, if we can agree that he was a good man and philosopher? We can unite over our deep respect for his father, can't we?
I still love and enjoy people with whom I disagree, but I don't sincerely think we're talking about the same family.
What do you believe?
You're sitting across the street from a statue of Abraham Lincoln and you comment on what a transformational role he played in world history.
"Well, he was a good man and effective politician, certainly," comments the stranger.
"And much more than that," you clarify, sensing some reticence on the stranger's part. "Lincoln boldly stood for human rights and freedom, to the very point of his own assassination. All this, after persevering from very humble beginnings to become a wise leader and hold the republic together through a civil war. That's been affirmed by millions of people still paying their respects at his tomb for over one hundred years."
"As I said," the stranger repeats with no hint of cynicism or disrespect, "I believe he was a good man and politician. However, I don't think it's provable or important that he was assassinated. In fact, I'm sure another of his followers was actually killed that night at Ford's theater. It may even be one of them in his tomb. And really, whether he played a pivotal role in the civil war is much debated. Lastly, we'll never know of his family origins exactly - poor or rich - and I suspect his mother may have been rather promiscuous. That said, I do hold his father up as a man who knew how to raise a good child. Indeed, I hold his father in very, very high regard."
His father in high regard? After a conversation like this, I couldn't help but question whether we were talking about the same Abraham Lincoln. How could things so significant and well documented as his death by gunshot be deflected and reinvented? Not acknowledging the defining moments of the son, how could this stranger have any credible familiarity with Lincoln's father?
"If anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins," 1John 2:1
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form," Colossians 2:9
"I and the Father are One," John 10:30
Most people would consider my Lincoln story silly, because who would try to remake Lincoln - and his family - in this outrageous way? Isn't it demeaning, even insulting to Lincoln's memory, to think that labels like "good man" and "effective politician" could mask the intent to rob him of his true nature and accomplishments?
I regularly dialog with people - even friends and family - who very adamantly maintain that they pray to the Father of Jesus. "We all pray to the same God," they tell me, with the required exception that Jesus was merely an historical figure of merit. Sure, he was probably a good man and philosopher - maybe even a prophet. But that "Son of God, born of a virgin, crucified on a cross for sins, raised from the dead, redeemer of believers, stuff...certainly not. But does it really matter, they ask, if we can agree that he was a good man and philosopher? We can unite over our deep respect for his father, can't we?
I still love and enjoy people with whom I disagree, but I don't sincerely think we're talking about the same family.
What do you believe?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Through the Glass Darkly
This past winter (which isn't that long ago where I happen to live) we chose a really, really cold Sunday to go visit this beautiful old church. Stupid-cold, we call it. As in, you have to be stupid to leave your house to go out in the cold. There we were, jogging along the sidewalk and up the steep steps to the huge, creaking doors. As soon as we shivered our way into the sanctuary, I realized something was wrong. Everything looked uncharacteristically dull.
The open expanse of the main church and rotunda were recognizable. The main altar and sermon pulpit stood out from the background as well. Even the pastor's robed shape, though blurred, was discernible against the contrast of gleaming gold candles.
But I missed a lot. I knew from past holiday visits that there were many specific Bible events depicted in the art. Live plants and trees are arranged to complement and soften the mammoth architecture. Thoughtfully placed statuary of Jesus and the saints bring a third dimension into view.
I could see it, but I couldn't. I appreciated the wonderful worship and community, but it was an incomplete experience whether viewed blurred or more crisply through photo-grays with anti-glare protection.
"Now we see in a mirror, darkly, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12
Many people have health related vision problems that cannot be corrected in this life, but that's not the message.
Me, I could have braved a little personal discomfort to dispel the darkness and fully engage in what God provided there.
Even then - even with all the wonderful glory of senses and season clearly revealed - God's coming glory will make even that seem like a dim reflection.
As though we saw the most spectacularly enriching events of this life in a mirror, darkly.
To know fully, and to be fully known.
For that, I would gladly run back to the car for my glasses. Even in the stupid cold of our winters.
For that, I would believe on the name of Jesus.
What do you believe?
Dang! I'd forgotten to take off my sunglasses. My prescription lenses would work fine, but I'd miss the festive, bright colors of the Advent season. No way I was going back to the car, so I had a dilemma. Wear sunglasses in church to see accurately, or take them off to drink in the fuzzied colors of marble, mosaic and paint? I took them off and it was an interesting experience.
The open expanse of the main church and rotunda were recognizable. The main altar and sermon pulpit stood out from the background as well. Even the pastor's robed shape, though blurred, was discernible against the contrast of gleaming gold candles.
But I missed a lot. I knew from past holiday visits that there were many specific Bible events depicted in the art. Live plants and trees are arranged to complement and soften the mammoth architecture. Thoughtfully placed statuary of Jesus and the saints bring a third dimension into view.
I could see it, but I couldn't. I appreciated the wonderful worship and community, but it was an incomplete experience whether viewed blurred or more crisply through photo-grays with anti-glare protection.
"Now we see in a mirror, darkly, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12
Many people have health related vision problems that cannot be corrected in this life, but that's not the message.
Me, I could have braved a little personal discomfort to dispel the darkness and fully engage in what God provided there.
Even then - even with all the wonderful glory of senses and season clearly revealed - God's coming glory will make even that seem like a dim reflection.
As though we saw the most spectacularly enriching events of this life in a mirror, darkly.
To know fully, and to be fully known.
For that, I would gladly run back to the car for my glasses. Even in the stupid cold of our winters.
For that, I would believe on the name of Jesus.
What do you believe?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Compassion for Burn Victims
I had quite a scare with our propane gas grill last weekend.
The grill was still hot when I had to swap an empty tank. Somehow there was enough residual propane in the connector hose to blow out, ignite and flash back over my face and arms.
My beard and hair were singed and my face and arms immediately turned a bright and painful shade of red.
Very fortunately for me, the worst pain and swelling was over in about 36 hours. Since then I've been applying antibiotic ointment and tending to the few remaining blisters.
It could have been worse. A lot worse.
I immediately had much, much more compassion for truly serious burn victims. I just never realized. As I laid awake that first night my heart was breaking to think of families in burn wards and their terrible struggle to recover or endure. Especially parents agonizing over their children. It was not difficult to pray heartfelt prayers for people unknown to me. I could better appreciate their condition, even though I was spared the worst of it.
Jesus really did experience our condition. He walked around in sandals and lived without plumbing. He saw what it was like to have sin burst back in your face without warning. He actually suffered the insults and hatred of people whom he knew were miserable in their own right. He was not spared the worst of it.
God knew what mankind would say, sooner or later. "How can a higher power have any idea what we are going through? How can she have any sense of this pain, that heartbreak, those diasters, or these failures?"
Jesus is the Word made flesh. God among us. The ultimate act of a supreme being willing to take hold of genuine compassion.
I felt my flesh burn last weekend and believe me, I understand it a lot better than I did the day before.
Jesus put his flesh on a cross and let them drive nails through it after they'd beaten him bloody for performing miracles and preaching forgiveness.
I think he understands us a whole lot better than we like to think he does.
What do you believe?
The grill was still hot when I had to swap an empty tank. Somehow there was enough residual propane in the connector hose to blow out, ignite and flash back over my face and arms.
My beard and hair were singed and my face and arms immediately turned a bright and painful shade of red.
Very fortunately for me, the worst pain and swelling was over in about 36 hours. Since then I've been applying antibiotic ointment and tending to the few remaining blisters.
It could have been worse. A lot worse.
I immediately had much, much more compassion for truly serious burn victims. I just never realized. As I laid awake that first night my heart was breaking to think of families in burn wards and their terrible struggle to recover or endure. Especially parents agonizing over their children. It was not difficult to pray heartfelt prayers for people unknown to me. I could better appreciate their condition, even though I was spared the worst of it.
Jesus really did experience our condition. He walked around in sandals and lived without plumbing. He saw what it was like to have sin burst back in your face without warning. He actually suffered the insults and hatred of people whom he knew were miserable in their own right. He was not spared the worst of it.
God knew what mankind would say, sooner or later. "How can a higher power have any idea what we are going through? How can she have any sense of this pain, that heartbreak, those diasters, or these failures?"
Jesus is the Word made flesh. God among us. The ultimate act of a supreme being willing to take hold of genuine compassion.
I felt my flesh burn last weekend and believe me, I understand it a lot better than I did the day before.
Jesus put his flesh on a cross and let them drive nails through it after they'd beaten him bloody for performing miracles and preaching forgiveness.
I think he understands us a whole lot better than we like to think he does.
What do you believe?
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Unclog the Worldview Filter
Back in our previous home, we had to buy a new air conditioning system, or "heat pump" as things are done south of the snow belt.
I've always been diligent about home maintenance like air filter replacement. A clean filter keeps the air flowing (you stay cooler), keeps the condensing coils clean (the system works more efficiently), and extends the equipment life (doesn't have to "work" as hard).
After a few months with the new system, I notice the air conditioner cycle ran longer than it should. Then I noticed frost build-up on the condenser coil. I called the equipment company and the first thing they asked was, "have you changed the air filter?"
"Of course," I answered, "once a month like clockwork, but it hasn't been the least bit dirty - that can't be the problem."
Imagine my surprise when the technician came out to the house, walked up to the system and pulled out a very dust covered and clogged air filter. He gave me a questioning look, aware of how adamantly I claimed to clean it.
"But that's not the air filter I've been replacing," I said with an embarrassed blush. "It's over here." And I slid out a pristine looking air filter to regain some credibility.
"That's from the old system," he explained with mild amusement. "They should have explained that the new unit bypasses that old filter. That's why you've got this one." He meant the filthy clogged one that was inefficiently overworking the system.
I could have changed that other filter every day and every hour, but it would never have protected the AC equipment, or kept our home in proper condition. I had to stop the clogging dust and debris where it came in and would do the damage. First, I had to know where to find it; then I had to deal with it. And from that point on, the "old" filter was actually irrelevant.
That's very much how my life changed upon reading the Bible and beginning a more personal relationship with God.
Until then, I thought my worldview efficiently filtered out good from bad. But that worldview filter was not in the right place. It was favorably placed where I accepted information and decision flow from university life, a relativistic church home, public media, movies and my favorite song writers. So when I did a self-check, the filter seemed to be in great shape. My lifestyle and decisions were consistent with the worldview filter I'd fashioned. Why then did I sense a spirtual disconnect? Why was I having to work harder to find God's presence in my life?
When I started reading the Bible and committing my spiritual life more accountably to prayer and community, it was if the technician (Holy Spirit) said, "You've had your attention on the wrong air filter; you should be looking over here."
And He was right.
Good and bad, valued and value-less. Mercy and Grace. Temporary and eternal. My worldview filter was incapable of detecting these contrasts with objective clarity.
What spiritual purity did exist in my life had to fight its way past all kinds of conditional dust and debris. My outlook was getting more clogged as each year went by. Thank God there were people willing to tell me I had my eye on the wrong air intake for spiritual matters.
Jesus said,
"You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." Luke 16:15
I don't need a worldview that justifies me before men or women, but before God.
What do you believe?
I've always been diligent about home maintenance like air filter replacement. A clean filter keeps the air flowing (you stay cooler), keeps the condensing coils clean (the system works more efficiently), and extends the equipment life (doesn't have to "work" as hard).
After a few months with the new system, I notice the air conditioner cycle ran longer than it should. Then I noticed frost build-up on the condenser coil. I called the equipment company and the first thing they asked was, "have you changed the air filter?"
"Of course," I answered, "once a month like clockwork, but it hasn't been the least bit dirty - that can't be the problem."
Imagine my surprise when the technician came out to the house, walked up to the system and pulled out a very dust covered and clogged air filter. He gave me a questioning look, aware of how adamantly I claimed to clean it.
"But that's not the air filter I've been replacing," I said with an embarrassed blush. "It's over here." And I slid out a pristine looking air filter to regain some credibility.
"That's from the old system," he explained with mild amusement. "They should have explained that the new unit bypasses that old filter. That's why you've got this one." He meant the filthy clogged one that was inefficiently overworking the system.
I could have changed that other filter every day and every hour, but it would never have protected the AC equipment, or kept our home in proper condition. I had to stop the clogging dust and debris where it came in and would do the damage. First, I had to know where to find it; then I had to deal with it. And from that point on, the "old" filter was actually irrelevant.
That's very much how my life changed upon reading the Bible and beginning a more personal relationship with God.
Until then, I thought my worldview efficiently filtered out good from bad. But that worldview filter was not in the right place. It was favorably placed where I accepted information and decision flow from university life, a relativistic church home, public media, movies and my favorite song writers. So when I did a self-check, the filter seemed to be in great shape. My lifestyle and decisions were consistent with the worldview filter I'd fashioned. Why then did I sense a spirtual disconnect? Why was I having to work harder to find God's presence in my life?
When I started reading the Bible and committing my spiritual life more accountably to prayer and community, it was if the technician (Holy Spirit) said, "You've had your attention on the wrong air filter; you should be looking over here."
And He was right.
Good and bad, valued and value-less. Mercy and Grace. Temporary and eternal. My worldview filter was incapable of detecting these contrasts with objective clarity.
What spiritual purity did exist in my life had to fight its way past all kinds of conditional dust and debris. My outlook was getting more clogged as each year went by. Thank God there were people willing to tell me I had my eye on the wrong air intake for spiritual matters.
Jesus said,
"You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." Luke 16:15
I don't need a worldview that justifies me before men or women, but before God.
What do you believe?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Praying for Christopher Hitchens
My first couple months of Junior High were miserable.
There was this clique of roughneck kids who instinctively knew I was easy prey. Like nature's predators, they probably sensed my discomfort and fear. The "smart" kid who just wanted to stay out of trouble and be left alone. So they knocked books out of my hands between classes, taunted me, and made threatening gestures. I got shoved a few times, and though nobody actually hit me, the psychological blows were enough to give me nightmares and a sense of dread every morning on the way to school.
Eventually, I found my niche in athletics and music. The roughneck kids lost their interest in me, and I, my concern for them.
About 6 years ago, after we'd moved back in state, I had occasion to hire a lawn care company. It was a particularly dry summer and I stopped to chat with the person applying fertilizer. It only took a second to recognize one of my chief tormentors from those miserable school days. He recalled my athletic success, and neither of us mentioned the rest. He still seemed a bit rough in language and manners as we briefly discussed the interim decades. Our attention turned to the tormented lawn and I politely pressed him for better results in the months to come. The lawn didn't improve, and by the next spring I had hired a different service.
I dwelled on my decision a little bit, reasoning that it had nothing to do with his presence on the account. The lawn soon rebounded and I didn't given my decision much thought for the next few years.
But last year was another dry one and last fall I told the ‘new’ lawn care company to shape up and revive the sickly looking turf by this coming fall. I realized that I gave them more generous recovery time than I'd given the last company and account manager. It gave me pause. Had I really let my long ago hurt influence something so petty as lawn fertilizer? Was that turning the other cheek? Honestly, I'm really not sure, though the lawn does look better now.
Tonight, I listened to a radio interview with Christopher Hitchens. He's a bright, articulate and witty columnist. A conservative, by the way. He's also the author of "God is not Great," a maddeningly manipulative diatribe on God and religion from his atheist point of view. His many radio and webcasted debates with Christian representatives are thoroughly provocative and enjoyable, partly because he's so well spoken and cogent in his dismissively misguided positions. He's a modern day bully and tormentor of people who are not confident or prepared enough to meet him head on.
Tonight though, I'm praying earnestly for Christopher Hitchens and I hope you'll do the same.
He's got cancer. He's undergoing treatment, but he is concerned that they found it later than is best for assured recovery.
I'm praying for his full recovery, no different than I would for any other friend. Cancer is no good for anyone to suffer through and I'd wish it on no person. Separately, I'm also praying for his salvation, cancer recovery or not. I sincerely hope that Christopher Hitchens will have a chance to receive and appreciate the love of God, whom he does not believe exists. I have no question of my own sincerity on this one. It's heartfelt and real. God is for everyone. Even for a man who has done his best to intimidate and divert other people from their relationship with the Creator.
Tonight, Christopher Hitchens has done me a favor. I'm not just praying for him. I'm praying for the roughneck kids who gave me nightmares and dread all those years ago. I’ve never thought to do that. I might not do anything about the lawn service change - but I’ll be awake tonight to pray blessings and prosperity for that kid who tormented me.
What do you believe?
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Tornado in our Town
My daughter and I stood out on the front porch and watched a lightening storm last month.
It was an amazing light show, spanning one horizon to the other. At times you could trace the zig zagging bolts from the sky right down to the ground. Thunder boomed continuously and a steady summer rain was silouted against the street light. We just leaned against the porch rail and enjoyed the extravaganza.
About the time that mosquitos corraled us back into the house, we heard the local storm siren.
"Is that for a warning or a watch?" I asked my daughter.
She went up to bed, and I clicked on the TV weather channel. Red and purple blotches covered our entire dopplar radar map, which was nothing new. But I had never seen the little red circles clustered over an area before. The weather man calmly explained that radar considered those to be circling air masses that either looked like, or were tornados. And like little red balloons, they were drifting right towards our part of the map. Like thousands of people, I watched transfixed as the circles made there way closer toward our home. The gentle summer rain turned ugly and our trees bent and whirled in the confused air mass outside.
Just one town away, more than one hundred homes were lost. Miraculously, no one died.
Usually I sleep right through a storm. Had it not been for the siren or TV, I would have had no idea how close we came to our poor neighbors' fate in the next town.
I wonder what else I've slept through while others suffer personal tragedy in the next town, or neighborhood, or office. Last month, our neighbor across the street quietly packed up their belongings and moved out of state. They gave us a few things and we exchanged contact info. Only after they made the move did we learn that they were going through bankruptcy, just as he retired from his job. How long had the little red circles been drifting over their lives as we slept, oblivious to their troubles, across the street? We'll never know.
I'm going to try and pray more diligently for my neighbors. For problems known and unknown, spoken and unspoken. Around here, people are taught to run to the basement when tornados approach, so we get separated at the peak of danger. Maybe I need to hang out on the porch more - when we're just talking about the weather, instead of hiding from it.
What do you believe?
Friday, July 02, 2010
Safe with my Dad
I took my first wilderness canoe trip with my dad when I was 10 years old.
We portaged our canoe and camping supplies three different times before settling in on a remote Canadian fishing lake.
When we crawled into our sleeping bags and the gas lantern hissed out, I remember falling into an exhausted, but contented sleep.
I had no concerns for the next day's weather or food. I didn't fret or wonder if we could ever thread our way back through the myriad twists and turns of islands and open water back to our starting point. My dad knew what to do. He had everything taken care of.
Or so it seemed to a ten year old. Years later as I started to lead trips of my own, I learned that his easy going confidence came from good planning, reliable equipment and a safety-first brand of common sense. He made it look easy, and I put my full trust in him. When you really think about it though, peril was never far away. Bear attacks happen to prepared people. Bad storms or fires can roar through and crush reliable equipment. My dad's strength shielded me from those worries, but the risks were no less real.
I watched a documentary of the Apollo astronauts last month. They had gorgeous archived film footage of the blue marble sphere of our earth.
We take lots more for granted every day on this planet than I ever did as a kid on those wilderness trips with my dad. Our earth is tilted precariously at an angle that rides the literal edge of destruction between seasons around an explosive gas ball. We're way more than three portages deep into this universe. One degree here or there and we freeze or burn. Carbon gases are laughable compared to a rogue sunspot.
But I have deep confidence in my Father in Heaven, the Lord my God.
He is my shield and protector. I believe in his plan. While storms rage and vicious predators lurk, I draw comfort from His wisdom and strength.
Listen though - this part is important: I do not stray far from Him in camp.
As smart and strong as my dad was, he could do nothing for me if I were to wander off into the woods on my own. I kept within earshot. He taught me to establish visual landmarks that would lead me back if I got confused on a trail. There were some things, like navigating fast water in a canoe, that you simply did not do alone.
I stick within a prayer's distance of God. He renews strength and comfort when I return to camp each Sunday. I try never to enter dangerous waters of temptation on my own. Keep the Bible compass nearby. And there are established landmarks of Salvation and Grace if I get confused on the trail.
Not everyone had a role model like my dad, but everyone has a Father who loves them and will get them there and back.
What do you believe?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
My Cab Driver and Jesus
True story, this is the conversation I had with my cab driver just last week in Boston. He was driving me to Logan airport and I guessed his accent as Russian. He laughed easily.
Driver: Not even close, my friend. Much farther south.
Jesusworldview (JWV): Middle East?
Driver: Algeria, it is in North Africa.
JWV: I know the geography, my father was stationed in Morocco during the war. He loved it there and made many friends.
Driver: It is a beautiful area.
JWV: I've read recent articles that Morocco is expelling Christians. What do you think of that?
Driver: This is not true!
JWV: I've read the articles, you've not heard any of this?
[Read Time article here, or search online for "Morocco Christian" ]
Driver: These things are said by the media. In my country we have a very beautiful Church, Notre Dame. You must see it if you come. We even have Jews. We have no problem.
JWV: But that is under Sharia law?
Driver: No! No Sharia law. We are, what is word? We are moderation.
JWV: Moderate?
Driver: Yes! Very moderation. Listen my friend, you go to a street corner in my country, you will see beautiful women, no scarves, no head covering. Very sexy. No trouble.
JWV: Well, let me ask you this. If I go to a street corner in your country and wave my bible, and say, 'Jesus is the Son of God,' will there be trouble?
[Long pause]
Driver: Well, you may not want to do that. But why would you? Listen, it is not Saudi Arabia. There, they would not like this. But listen, we respect Jesus. He was a prophet. We say he was a good man.
JWV: Well, you may say that, but the Koran says differently. The Koran says he was not crucified on the cross and was not born of a Virgin.
Driver: No, we believe he is a good man, a prophet. Listen, have you read the Koran?
JWV: I have. The sura says he did not die on the cross and a later one that he was not the Son of God. Is that right? [note: Sura 4:154-158 and Surah 4:171]
Driver: He is a prophet, a good man. We believe he is returning.
JWV: But a prophet cannot lie, and Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Is he a liar?
Driver: He did not say that. He was a good man, a prophet.
JWV: If he was a good man, he would not lie, and he claimed to be the Son of God. I believe that is true - that he is the Son of God.
[We continued in this circular logic for several minutes; eventually driving into the airport, where he asked me what airline to stop at. We pulled over and I paid him.]
JWV: I have read the Koran, have you read the bible?
Driver: No, I have never had a bible.
JWV: If I give you my bible, would you read it?
Driver: I would read it, sure.
With that, he pulled my suitcase out of the trunk. I dug my pocket bible out of my backpack and handed it to him. Without hesitating, he held out his hand to shake mine. I smiled and said, "I enjoyed talking to you, I hope we'll meet each other again." He smiled back and nodded his head. It was a warm, thoughtful smile.
"Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked.
"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." Acts 8:30-31
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Who gets the lifeboat?
An atheist, a Darwinist and a Christian survive their unfortunate plane crash in the middle of the freezing, churning ocean.
They quickly assess the situation and their unsettling alternatives: Just one of them can practically fit onto the single, precariously floating piece of wreckage. With hypothermia and sharks closing in, only one of them will survive.
"I would dearly love to live and spread the Gospel," admits the Christian. "It's possible that many more people could learn of God's love and have an eternal life in heaven, if I were to meet them and share my faith in the years to come."
The other two start to retort, but the Christian holds up her hand to quiet them.
"Still, I'm in a better state than you two are. At least I know that in death I'll be assured of my heavenly home, thanks to God's Grace and my belief in Jesus. So, as much as I love life, I yield my place to both of you. Perhaps there is still time for at least one of you to get right with your Maker."
Not to be outdone, and before the other survivor can speak through chattering teeth, the atheist speaks up.
"I, too, would dearly love to live, if for no other reason than to refute everything you say and believe about 'god.' I would gladly spend all my remaining time and money just to follow wherever you go and cast doubt upon anyone weak minded enough to listen to you."
A wave crashes over his head and he spits out a mouthful of salty brine.
"But by you forfeiting your place," he shouts above the wind, "you save me the trouble. Let us both perish and we will soon learn who is right, after all."
It takes only a moment for the Darwinist to seize his chance and scurry onto the unsteady piece of wreckage.
"Thank goodness!" he cries out. "While you two were blathering, I stayed focused on what matters more than anything else - survival! Now my genes will survive and yours will not. Even more important, my ideas will go forth and inform others of the truth of evolution. Who knows, because of this horrendously close call, my body may even now begin to transform and pass along an inclination to survive long periods in the ocean. I may become the precursor to a line of humans with gills to breath and a thicker layer of skin to stay warm. Forgive me if I have no remorse for your passing, but natural selection has rightly done its job in deeming me fittest to survive. And survive I will--me and generation upon generation of my kind."
Another wave crashes, pushing the atheist closer to the Christian. Despite the peril, he looks her in the eye and chokes out a few more words.
"Alas, the dignity of your own decision has made this insipid lout seem all the more unworthy. Would it offend you greatly if I were to reach up and pull him back into the waves to die beside us?"
She gasps and slips below the water, but the atheist bravely reaches down and pulls her back up.
"Not all all," she manages to sputter in reply. "In fact, we should still have a few moments left to speak of forgiveness."
"Very well," the atheist shouts, reaching up to take hold of the Darwinist's leg, "but I am no more interested in forgiveness now than I was during the rest of my life."
A flash of lightning cracks ominously overhead.
"Not for you," she replies, a smile barely formed on her frozen lips.
"You mean..." he smiles back in one final, accepting, enlightened moment of understanding.
"Yes," she sighs peacefully, "because I was about to do the same thing."
And less than a minute later, with the thunderous crash of a gigantic wave, three new souls were greeted by the warmth of heaven.
What do you believe?
"That not the way we play it"
I know this is an imperfect analogy. There's nothing remotely game-like about the seriousness of Spiritual matters. But I think, therefore I write...
We had out of state guests visiting last weekend. After two busy days visting local sites, we decided to spend a quiet evening at home.
I suggested an easy-to-learn card game that works well with a larger group. Two of our five visitors recognized the game by a different name and soon the cards were shuffled and ready.
We briefly explained the object of the game to the others.
"Oh, that's not the way we do the scoring," one guest said, as I explained the point system.
We compared notes and the basic outcome would be the same, so confusion resolved.
Several other times during the game we stopped and discussed for the same reasons,
"That's not how we learned it," or "that's not the way we play it back home."
But each time we cordially worked through the detail, realizing that our differences didn't actually alter the game's core purpose or outcome. In fact, some of their traditional elements were very appealing to me. I'd even like to incorporate some of their ways the next time I play.
The apostle Paul encouraged,
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:3-6
The Bible instructs us to be humbly considerate...while remaining true to our core beliefs.
If our guests were to have said, "We play this with 32 pieces resembling medievel characters on an 8 by 8 checkered board," they would have described a totally different game and core outcome. If they had said, "We play the very same game by the very same name, but in addition to the deck of cards, we must also have domino's and dice on the table," I would be wary and scrupulous to determine whether the same name masked critical differences.
My belief in Christ is rooted in His own words of encouragement and instruction in the Gospels of the Bible.
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism."
Give thoughtful and prayerful consideration when people speak of a different Way.
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Customer Service Discipleship
I'm an Apple computer fan. Ipod(s), Mac-mini, Itunes, iPhoto...they're all part of my Apple digital lifestyle.
I've been especially complimentary of Apple service. Tech's I've spoken to on the phone have been pleasantly helpful. Even the local Apple store - though impossibly crowded - has provided reasonably trouble-free experience...until last week.
Walking past tables full of i-ware and i-shoppers, I headed straight for a blue shirted salesperson. He greeted me and I explained my need for a document scanner.
"We don't sell them here," he advised quickly.
Ok, I said, I had wanted to make sure I purchased something that was Apple compatible.
"You might want to look at Best Buy or Office Max, something like that," he offered indifferently.
Any Apple software revisions coming soon that might affect scanner features?
"None that I know of."
Within 2 minutes I was off Apple's shiny hardwood floors and back in the mall. I felt worse off than when I had walked in. At least on the way in I had hope. Here was a place built on solutions and collaboration. But somehow I had asked a question not solved with the use of Apple i-anything. I had wondered into an i-nostic zone of sorts and been summarily redirected back to the world "out there" in the i-less mall.
In fairness to Apple, I've had similar experiences with Google staffers on work projects. Instead of calling back to return phone messages, they send an email telling me where to click on the Google site for further information. But, that's why I called a human being...
Uh-oh.
Are we doing the same thing to people who have Spiritual questions?
What if people walking into our churches aren't exactly "ready to buy?" (ready to decide) Maybe they just have questions and want to talk something through. Sure, you can sign up for a 1:1 session with the Apple Store's "Expert Bar." It's free.
But maybe I'm too shy to sign up for that bible class. Or maybe I've mustered all my courage just to walk onto the churches hardwood floors, filled with hope - because this is the place that has answers to my non-digital lifestyle (I can visit Apple for the digital part).
But then the church service representative (usher, greeter, musician, pastor?) that I encounter can't think of a single outreach group or audio tape to address my paricular need -- will I find myself back out in the parking lot faster than an Apple sales person can deflect a scanner question?
Each one of us (I'm the musician) has to be ready to meet, welcome and help the person walking into the door of our church, or bible study, or neighborhood.
They're not always going to ask for the plan of Salvation. It might start with a question about software compatibility and support services...
What do you believe?
Friday, April 02, 2010
Servants, Guitars, Church Parking Lots
I've been playing church music since I was in the 6th grade.
Back then we had to haul a bass violin from the school and back again. What a workout!
Fortunately for me, electric guitars came into favor and I only had to carry the slim silver case and a small Fender amplifier.
Over the years, it became two acoustic guitars (Martin 6 string and 12 string), a keyboard (so my daughter could play) and an ever changing assortment of microphones, cables, speakers and mixers. Oh, and the music. Those binders are heavy!
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love making music for the Lord. It's a privilege. A gift. I've known more sublime moments of Spiritual connection to God in the midst of fellow musicians than on my knees in the pew.
Four decades of this now and the weekly load in and load out just goes with the territory. And our current church music department is the best ever. I have only to carry the two acoustic guitars and my music bag. Everything else is in the church. (Thank you Jesus!)
That's why I was a little surprised on Palm Sunday last week.
I was standing beside my car, slipping one guitar case onto my back (its a soft-pack case) and preparing to pick up the other case and the music bag.
I had to stop and juggle for a second because I also had my suit coat and tie on a hanger. I don't usually bring that, but we had a family baptism to attend after the service.
Just then I heard a voice ask me, "Could you use some help?"
I was about to say no (hey, I didn't even have an amplifier), but I was running late so why protest? I turned briefly to this older gentleman to gage his carrying capacity. I handed him the 12-string guitar and locked up the car.
It wasn't until we started walking toward the church that I realized this thoughtful person was my Senior Pastor! We had a nice chat and he amiably went the entire way from the lot, through the side lobby, down the hallway and into the music room. What a kindness!
I've been attending this church - my favorite of all time - for seven years now. No one has ever walked up to me before and asked if I needed help. But our newest, 'highest' church official did.
His role model, Jesus of Nazareth, said:
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28
What do you believe?
Everest - Name above all Names
Walk into a cafe in just about any city around the world and ask,
"What would you say is 'The' mountain of all mountains?"
Most, if not all would answer "Mt. Everest." At 29,000 feet, it is the highest, grandest peak in the world.
Serious climbers would enjoy a debate about its challenges compared to other mountains.
K2, for example, is considered a tougher technical climb - it requires more mountaineering skill and training. Only 200 have summited K2.
But it is not Everest.
Annapurna has a higher death rate of climbers, almost half of those trying to summit have died (46%) and only 130 have made it.
But it's not Everest.
Everest is the name above all names when it comes to mountains. There is only one highest peak in the world. Its name is Everest.
The bible says of Jesus,
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:9-11
It's good to discuss and debate what we believe and why we believe it. Some believe that a relationship with God through Grace, based on unmerited mercy and forgiveness, is too easy. They find more tangible satisfaction seeking God through their works, or through principals of discipline and thought.
In some ways, I believe they'd rather risk Annapurna's failure rate than summit Everest.
What do you believe?
Friday, March 12, 2010
I Remember Jesus
One night I was very, very sick.
I had a fever and lay motionless, miserably studying the yellow light that spilled along the edges of my varnished bedroom door.
Comfort broke through my misery along with the light each time my mom came in to check on me. Her hand felt cool on my forehead and she encouraged me as mother's do. I can still sense what her presence was like beside me. If I were an artist, I could draw the scene in minute detail.
That took place almost 50 years ago. Half a century.
My Grandmother gave me a vivid account of the time she was weeding the family garden in Nebraska and her sister accidently struck her in the head with a hoe. The weather and events of that day played back to me through Grandma's recall like HD TV. That happened almost 100 years ago. A century.
The Apostle John wrote his personal account of Jesus' ministry within 40 - 60 years of the resurrection. The Apostle Paul's memoirs (epistles) earlier than that.
Last month we visited a special museum exhibit of the Dead Sea scrolls. These ancient fragments were discovered in the 1940's near Qumran, on the West Bank of the Jordan river. As it turns out, the Qumran scrolls date back 2,000 years and demonstrate that texts of the Hebrew bible from the middle ages match closely their predecessors of the previous millenium. In short, nothing's been lost in the translation...literally.
Accompanying the exhibit were also copies of early New Testament bible texts. I was surprised to learn that there are copies of Paul's letters in existence that are dated - with some debate - to the late 3rd century. That's the late 200's.
If my daughter lives another 75 years and gives her daughter the account of my grandmother's memorable day in the family garden, it will be as fresh as Paul's record of early Christianity.
My mother's soothing words. Grandma's vivid recollection of the warm blood spilling down her head.
John and Paul had even more stimulous and reason to capture detailed and accurate accounts of their historical record.
"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, be we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2Peter 1:16
What do you believe?
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Free Fitness Equipment
I was striding across the main floor of our three story atrium at work.
It's nice, simple architecture with lots of light, a couple of conversation couches and a tree or two.
As I exited to the corridor, a sheet of white paper on the wall caught my eye,
Free Exercise Equipment
This was not an employee bulletin board where you might expect to see personal items for sale or trade. It was the middle of a corporate space, with scotch tape holding the paper to an elegant strip of tastefully stained walnut.
Free Exercise Equipment
I read it again and tried to get the context. It was on a wall immediately adjacent to the open atrium stairway. It's 3 stories of granite steps held in place by an artfully positioned suspension system. For a moment, I considered climbing the stairs just to see what kind of exercise equipment must be on display two floors up.
Then it dawned on me and I smiled. The stairs were the free exercise equipment. You don't need an expensive healthclub membership to climb stairs at work or anywhere else. It's free. What a clever way to associate productive value with something already in our midst.
Free Life-Coach Manual
That got me to thinking - what other titles or printed tent cards might we place next to a Bible?
Free Relationship Restoration Guide
Sometimes people hear or see the word "Bible" and immediately recoil or get suspicious. What is it going to make me do ? What am I going to have to change?
But there is so much comfort and reassurance and affirmation in the Bible. God loves us where we are at - foot of the stairs or top of the stairs.
Free Map to Hope, Joy and Love
I usually take the stairs in that atrium anyway. I'm accustomed to it. It takes a little extra time and cardio, but its more refreshing than standing in an elevator. I actually feel better after taking the stairs. Not everybody thinks so. They might need a little coaxing. Or a maybe just a different way of thinking about it.
It's still the same set of stairs, but once you try it, you're surprised that someone had to talk you into it.
What do you believe?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Me, Worship and Cary Grant
Every year we watch a few favorite old Christmas movies including "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant. In this movie, David Niven, the bishop, is obsessed with funding and building a new cathedral.
Cary Grant, an angel, arrives to answers the bishop's prayers. But in the end, the major donor decides instead to give the money to the poor. Shocked and crestfallen, the bishop asks the angel,
"What about my cathedral? That's what I prayed for!"
Cary reminds him that what he actually prayed for was 'guidance,' wrongly assuming that God shared the bishop's personal drive to 'have' a cathedral.
In my marketing world, we've come through a period of promising people to have things "their way." I saw a huge, building sized banner at a recent tradeshow that promised professional attendees they could, "Get the results...your way," not unlike the old hamburger commercial.But there is a notable shift in that kind of messaging. In today's gritty environment of cost savings and cutbacks, it appears greedy and unseemly to put a me-need before a value-based outcome need.
A friend reminded me that we might soon see that same shift in spirtual expectations.
It's not uncommon for people to measure church-going satisfaction by what they 'get out of it.' I include myself in the millions of people on any given Sunday who have stayed home or gone for a drive because I just didn't 'feel like' sitting in church that day. Me, me and...me.
But idealizing and repeating the perfect Sunday experience for our own pleasure and fulfillment isn't the goal of worship. We are so fortunate to have a God who desires relationship with us. So blessed to have a communication channel of prayer, and a reference book of scripture. It's God who is worthy of our worship. We "get" to come into contact with Him. If that's inconvenient or tiresome on any given Sunday - or before saying Grace at our next meal - or prayers at the end of the day...then there's a DVD-ready lesson from the bishop in Cary Grant's Christmas movie: Its about us giving God the glory.
"And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment; to bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10
What do you believe?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Raised Hands are Waiting
In my marketing job, I do a lot of work trying to locate and identify customers who are 'ready to buy.' We ask questions, take surveys and even track what types of email our prospects respond to. It's a very laborious process!
A much more productive technique is to contact customers who have self-declared that they are ready to buy. This bypasses all my detective work and gets right to the person who has specific questions and decision points. We say they've "raised their hand" by filling out a "contact us" form on the internet. Or they click on a Google ad. If I search for "buy speakers" and then click on the Bose ad, you can bet I'm already in the market--so talk to me!
That's how I look at the people who knock on my door or stop me on the street corner to talk about spiritual matters. These are people who have already 'raised their hand' for spiritual inquiry. I don't have to be politically correct or beat around the bush. They are already in the market.
Unfortunately, many of them have bought into the wrong product.
They may be in a cult, or have been convinced that their salvation relies on works rather than redemption and Grace.
I don't ignore them as solicitors...I steer my way directly into their path.
I like nothing better than 15 minutes with two people and their pamphlets on my front porch.
Rather than argue over confused theology, I simply take the invitation of their inquiry to explain the Gospel of Grace. "You and I are sinners. Jesus died to redeem our sins. We can have forgiveness and eternal life by believing on His name." And repeat, perhaps with prayer and reference to Ephesians 2:8-9 or Romans 10:9, until they take their leave.
From there, God does the heavy lifting. If they are open to the Truth, it will set them free of whatever else has enslaved them.
Look, some of the people that call out from the street corner are actually my brothers and sisters in Christ. They are boldly proclaiming Jesus and I love it ! I smile and encourage them.
But take a closer look from now on - before you slam the door or say something derisive. Are you dis-missing an annoying cultist, or missing the raised hand of someone seeking Truth, who has yet to meet Jesus?
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14
What do you believe?
Gas Lamp Evangelism
We took a ferry boat from St. Thomas to get to our campground site on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We packed little (cheap) for this guys 'winter' camping trip. The national park there provided cooking utensils and a few other items for our tent site.
One very pleasant surprise was an LP gas tank with a 2-mantle lantern, mounted on a pole beside our picnic table. We learned in a hurry that inky darkness blankets the forested island, especially with no "city glow" from the horizon.
All you had to do was open the LP valve and light a match beside the cracked glass lantern top.
With good humor, we realized that our rusty lantern had only one broken mantle on the dual gas spigot, but we lit it anyway. It glowed reddish orange and cast a few dark shadows within a few feet, but not much else.
The next day we told the park office and by nightfall there were two new lantern mantles on the same crusty apparatus. We lit the mantles and for a few glorious seconds our entire site was bathed in clear, bright light.
Three grown men cheered spontaneously on an island in the middle of the ocean! Hurrah!
Then the lantern sputtered. Then one mantle burned out and the other glowed its same dismal reddish orange from the night before.
It was late, and only a few more days on the island anyway. We could navigate by flashlight. We were also very aware that only a few hundred miles to the north, people were suffering horrendous life and death issues in the earthquake aftermath. Our needs were miniscule.
I went ahead and told the park office, and upon returning to the site later, we found a brand new, shiny lantern with two fresh mantles on our old LP pole. I tentatively placed a match to the globe and cheery bright light spread over our little patch of dirt and tree roots.
What nice fellowship we had at that picnic table for the remaining few evenings. And how much easier it was to see our way around trees, equipment and packs.
You can get by with a dismal red glow and convince yourself that it is sufficient; it may even sputter brightly for a brief moments now and then. But once you see the real Light, you recognize the counterfeit is a poor substitute.
Jesus said, "If the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:23
What do you believe?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Golden Doodle Preaching ?
We attended church at the beautiful downtown basilica this morning.
Much of the basilica worship experience is what you would expect at a cathedral of this import.
The organ music is superb. The cantor and choir voices are angelic. The visual backdrop of marble and mosaic majestically transcends the bland, carpeted super-churches of suburban sprawl. All in attendance were worshipful and respectful (except maybe those two restless gradeschoolers in the pew behind us...).
On another level I was disappointed. While the preacher at our mid-morning service had a very calm, soothing voice, I heard no passion for the gospel. No energy. No enthusiasm. He sounded like the guy I'd want trying to resolve a contract dispute. Smart, well studied, non-aggressive.
I'm a little embarrassed to share the next image that crept to mind, but it's true.
A sister in law has one of these new hybrid dogs. Part golden retriever and part poodle. Golden Doodle, they call him. Very, very sweet companion. Calm, quiet, even tempered. He pads into the room, doesn't jump on you and never barks. As a matter of fact, he is so bland, that after a few minutes you wonder what his role could be with the family. Almost like a rented pet. No evident basis for commitment on either side. Neither hot nor cold. Of course that's not a fair assessment to make in such a short visit to another church, and I repented.
As we departed the basilica we walked over to the huge creche scene. It's rough hewn wood beams occupy several steps of the side altar and the figures are probably half scale. We marveled at the wonderful expressions carved uniquely into each face. Mary's joy. Joseph's relief. The shepherd boy's reverence. A little village girl's delight. All eyes on the baby Jesus. And each one - in their wordless, lifeless form - exuded the stupendous miracle of God's incarnation and redemption. More than humans had this morning.
Jesus deserves better from us than passive Gospel Golden Doodles. Even an artist's masterpiece - no matter its divine inspiration - cannot fully embody our personal testimony of God's love.
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:17-20
What do you believe?
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