Sunday, August 05, 2012
Are You Out of Breath When You Pray?
Are you staying in shape?
I mean for prayer. Are you in condition? Ready to go? Able to help the team?
I thought about this during the 9 a.m. service today.
I play guitar at our church almost every week.
Our music director does all the hard work, choosing the music, lining up the vocalists, organizing the order of worship, etc.
For my part, I just have to show up ready to play. Have my guitars tuned and ready (six and twelve string), music in order, and spiritually ready to participate with our pastor and other members of the worship team.
But there's something few people know, other than my wife and daughter.
In order to play 11 - 12 different worship pieces and keep pace with a very talented keyboardist, I have to "stay in shape." I don't necessarily have to practice the exact songs for the upcoming week. But I do need to play my guitars regularly, play scales, shape various bar chords, finger pick a little and stay limber.
Nobody will know if I don't practice, and nobody asks. But there are ways to tell.
Maybe I'm too slow to change chords in a very fast piece. Or, a bar chord doesn't ring out clearly because I'm not holding all the strings down.
But what I notice most after a couple weeks of lazy preparation is that my fingers hurt!
All guitar players develop a protective callus at the tip of each chord-making finger. It also protects my right hand fingers from "finger picking." With ongoing practice it provides a welcome cushion from the cutting line of a very sharp guitar string. But once your fingers get sore - say halfway through a worship service - you really have to suck it up and play through. Or...you just don't play as well, and you've not provided a return on your talent (see Matthew 25 14-28).
I feel a similar twinge when I haven't been praying enough during the week. My prayers start to lose focus and they don't "ring out." And after too much prayer laziness, it makes my heart hurt.
Music is a gift to me. I never want to take it for granted. There is indescribable joy associated with worship music played well. Its worth a little practice to stay at my peak playing ability. Sore fingers are pretty good reminder when I slack off!
Same for prayer - God's gift to all of us, the reassurance and comfort of direct communication with a loving Father. Its worth my daily effort to stay in peak prayer condition...
What do you believe?
Saturday, July 14, 2012
This is Fresh Air - Not NPR
I couldn't believe what I was hearing on Teri Gross' NPR "Fresh Air" radio show.
A woman was describing her very personal and very moving spiritual experience with Jesus. She came across as balanced and thoughtful.
"Well," I thought, "Either we're going to find out that it was a very bland, no-God-involved conversion, or Teri is going to suggest other reasons for the life-changing turnaround."
But no. This bright, articulate radio guest continued to name Jesus as the source of her strength and confirmed her realization that God of the Bible loved her unconditionally, through her relationship with Jesus and his redemptive role on the cross to forgive her sins. And no mocking retort from Teri G. In fact, the host respectfully listened and gave her guest plenty of room to explain.
What? On National Public Radio?
Was I dreaming? Then I listened more closely to the radio host's voice. That's not Teri Gross... A quick glance to the radio panel explained everything. I had just returned from a 3 day business trip and my radio was still set to a Christian station from the other city. What I had assumed was one of six radio presets in my car (yes, I do have a preset for NPR...I love Prairie Home Companion!) was simply the last station played during my travels. No wonder a this woman was treated with grace and respect on air.
But isn't it interesting how strong that public "brand" image is for controlled content on programs like Fresh Air and NPR in general. "Public" airwaves are just about the last place you could possibly hear anything like a public profession of faith. Anti-faith, yes. "Neutral" secular humanism (faith-less), yes. All faith-except-Christianity is valid...yes. My 'radio ear' has been trained to expect this form of NPR-bias. That's why the other radio program dialog seemed so out of place to me.
Some of my extended family members would challenge me...'well, are you willing to hear every other religion get air time about their experiences just to see inclusion of your own perspective about Christianity?'
If it helps to get Christianity on the table in a fair and balanced manner, yes, definitely! People make their own decisions, but give them a fair representation of honest dialog. Sadly, that (fair and balanced) is not available on NPR.
Those are my thoughts. Nothing against Teri Gross overall, she's done some very entertaining interviews across the spectrum of people and topics she selects and supports. But see if you can start to predict what you will not hear on public radio 'dialog' and compare it to what you do hear (in addition to Garrison's gospel singing).
In the meantime, at least I discovered a decent radio station in that last city I just visited.
It was like a breath of...fresh air.
What do you believe?
A woman was describing her very personal and very moving spiritual experience with Jesus. She came across as balanced and thoughtful.
"Well," I thought, "Either we're going to find out that it was a very bland, no-God-involved conversion, or Teri is going to suggest other reasons for the life-changing turnaround."
But no. This bright, articulate radio guest continued to name Jesus as the source of her strength and confirmed her realization that God of the Bible loved her unconditionally, through her relationship with Jesus and his redemptive role on the cross to forgive her sins. And no mocking retort from Teri G. In fact, the host respectfully listened and gave her guest plenty of room to explain.
What? On National Public Radio?
Was I dreaming? Then I listened more closely to the radio host's voice. That's not Teri Gross... A quick glance to the radio panel explained everything. I had just returned from a 3 day business trip and my radio was still set to a Christian station from the other city. What I had assumed was one of six radio presets in my car (yes, I do have a preset for NPR...I love Prairie Home Companion!) was simply the last station played during my travels. No wonder a this woman was treated with grace and respect on air.
But isn't it interesting how strong that public "brand" image is for controlled content on programs like Fresh Air and NPR in general. "Public" airwaves are just about the last place you could possibly hear anything like a public profession of faith. Anti-faith, yes. "Neutral" secular humanism (faith-less), yes. All faith-except-Christianity is valid...yes. My 'radio ear' has been trained to expect this form of NPR-bias. That's why the other radio program dialog seemed so out of place to me.
Some of my extended family members would challenge me...'well, are you willing to hear every other religion get air time about their experiences just to see inclusion of your own perspective about Christianity?'
If it helps to get Christianity on the table in a fair and balanced manner, yes, definitely! People make their own decisions, but give them a fair representation of honest dialog. Sadly, that (fair and balanced) is not available on NPR.
Those are my thoughts. Nothing against Teri Gross overall, she's done some very entertaining interviews across the spectrum of people and topics she selects and supports. But see if you can start to predict what you will not hear on public radio 'dialog' and compare it to what you do hear (in addition to Garrison's gospel singing).
In the meantime, at least I discovered a decent radio station in that last city I just visited.
It was like a breath of...fresh air.
What do you believe?
Thursday, July 05, 2012
That Darn Vine in my Garden
There is this unbelievably evil vine in our patio garden.
It springs up from beneath a plant's shoots and extends a tendril.
It then literally wraps around an individual plant stalk from bottom to top. So intricately is it woven - like a rope strand - that you can't even see the deadly activity until you stand close - or until that plant stalk discolors and dies.
It is a very tiny, nondescript little vine when it comes out of the ground. It grows thicker as it encircles the plant stalk - think boa constrictor.
It does a lot of damage in a short period of time. I have to go out every day and look for signs of the new tendrils, hoping to tear them out before they latch on.
Sometimes I miss one and it blends in. Then there is no visible evidence until the plant or its flowers are in distress. At that advanced stage, even if I snip the vine and pull it from the plant, it rips off petals and new growth in the process.
Looking out on my patio right now, there are two identical plants. One was hit harder than the other and it actually looks distressed in comparison. Same amount of water and sunlight. One is stunted and discolored compared to the other, like its been through a battle.
I can relate.
I've got to stay vigilant and watch out for the tendrils of evil in this world.
Sometimes its not clicking on the provocative news photo. Other times it requires that I steer clear of family political debates that build resentment. Endless TV shows that waste my time and keep me from more purposeful work for God's kingdom. And etc.
There are times when small tendrils grow fast, and then ripping them out leaves me worn out and exasperated. But I have learned a simple truth - daily discipline is much more productive than periodic assessment and damage control. More of that, then.
The Good News? Not only does God forgive me when I ask (see 1John 1:9), but he also provides the joy in keeping watch:
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of Grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen." 1Peter 5:8-11
What do you believe?
It springs up from beneath a plant's shoots and extends a tendril.
It then literally wraps around an individual plant stalk from bottom to top. So intricately is it woven - like a rope strand - that you can't even see the deadly activity until you stand close - or until that plant stalk discolors and dies.
It is a very tiny, nondescript little vine when it comes out of the ground. It grows thicker as it encircles the plant stalk - think boa constrictor.
It does a lot of damage in a short period of time. I have to go out every day and look for signs of the new tendrils, hoping to tear them out before they latch on.
Sometimes I miss one and it blends in. Then there is no visible evidence until the plant or its flowers are in distress. At that advanced stage, even if I snip the vine and pull it from the plant, it rips off petals and new growth in the process.
Looking out on my patio right now, there are two identical plants. One was hit harder than the other and it actually looks distressed in comparison. Same amount of water and sunlight. One is stunted and discolored compared to the other, like its been through a battle.
I can relate.
I've got to stay vigilant and watch out for the tendrils of evil in this world.
Sometimes its not clicking on the provocative news photo. Other times it requires that I steer clear of family political debates that build resentment. Endless TV shows that waste my time and keep me from more purposeful work for God's kingdom. And etc.
There are times when small tendrils grow fast, and then ripping them out leaves me worn out and exasperated. But I have learned a simple truth - daily discipline is much more productive than periodic assessment and damage control. More of that, then.
The Good News? Not only does God forgive me when I ask (see 1John 1:9), but he also provides the joy in keeping watch:
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of Grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen." 1Peter 5:8-11
What do you believe?
Peace With God
Peace with God
Every day of my life as a Christian should include prayers and actions related to evangelism.
Jesus instructed us to:
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 20:19
Evangelism is non-denominational.
If I sincerely believe in the truth and value of Christian belief, I should "relay the information." Atheists and secular humanists do that all the time, and are often much more aggressive in their evangelism of beliefs. In short, I believe the message of Jesus' unconditional love is worth telling, just as they want people to believe there is no God. Every person reading this will eventually find out who was right.
For the past six years, I've blogged here about sharing my faith in everyday circumstances.
But honestly, I've been longing to do more purposeful evangelism. In fact, I've often prayed,
"Lord, please help me to encounter people with sincere curiosity about spiritual matters."
I love spiritual conversations, regardless of the outcome. I especially enjoy someone who has given serious thought to their spirituality, and is looking for comparative feedback and insight. Some people call them "seekers." I call them "open minded."
The Billy Graham organization has just opened the very door I had prayed for all these years.
Their new website, peacewithgod.net , has a very simple, clear explanation of the Gospel. And for sincere individuals, there is a chat feature to speak anonymously with members of the Billy Graham team and have their questions or concerns answered. I'm participating in training to become part of that online chat team, and I couldn't be more energized by this opportunity to enact Jesus' final instructions.
There is one particular scripture that the Billy Graham team has repeated throughout multiple training sessions I have attended over the years:
"But in your heart, revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." 1Peter 3:15
Evangelism with gentleness and respect. That's what the Bible calls for.
What do you believe?
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
Every day of my life as a Christian should include prayers and actions related to evangelism.
The concept of evangelism needn't be off-putting, or seen as aggressive.
It's simply the "preaching of the Christian Gospel or the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others with the object of conversion," according to Wikipedia.Jesus instructed us to:
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 20:19
Evangelism is non-denominational.
If I sincerely believe in the truth and value of Christian belief, I should "relay the information." Atheists and secular humanists do that all the time, and are often much more aggressive in their evangelism of beliefs. In short, I believe the message of Jesus' unconditional love is worth telling, just as they want people to believe there is no God. Every person reading this will eventually find out who was right.
For the past six years, I've blogged here about sharing my faith in everyday circumstances.
But honestly, I've been longing to do more purposeful evangelism. In fact, I've often prayed,
"Lord, please help me to encounter people with sincere curiosity about spiritual matters."
I love spiritual conversations, regardless of the outcome. I especially enjoy someone who has given serious thought to their spirituality, and is looking for comparative feedback and insight. Some people call them "seekers." I call them "open minded."
The Billy Graham organization has just opened the very door I had prayed for all these years.
Their new website, peacewithgod.net , has a very simple, clear explanation of the Gospel. And for sincere individuals, there is a chat feature to speak anonymously with members of the Billy Graham team and have their questions or concerns answered. I'm participating in training to become part of that online chat team, and I couldn't be more energized by this opportunity to enact Jesus' final instructions.
There is one particular scripture that the Billy Graham team has repeated throughout multiple training sessions I have attended over the years:
"But in your heart, revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." 1Peter 3:15
Evangelism with gentleness and respect. That's what the Bible calls for.
What do you believe?
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Breakthrough in the Checkout Line
For the past two years I would run into the same cashier at our company cafeteria.
I'm terrible with ages, but I'd place her early to mid-twenties. Outgoing, very confident individual.
From my first coffee purchase, I'd answer her standard "how are you doing today?" question with my usual, "better than I deserve," response.
I learned that from Pastor Steve Brown at a spiritual conference back in 1991 (not Dave Ramsey, although people ask me that - perhaps Dave got it from Pastor Steve?).
When she first asked what I deserved, I explained that all our blessings come from God as Grace, and not because of anything we do to "deserve it." In fact, I'm blessed "in spite of" how I've acted before God. That's what Grace is. Better than I deserve.
That got a cool reception from her two years ago and thereafter. In fact she would cheerfully talk about anything else. Weather, weekend activities, cooking. She even felt comfortable enough with our cashier-coffee drinker relationship to roll her eyes and say, "whatever," when I replied. Never a curious word or comment about spiritual matters in two years.
But I kept saying it. And she heard me say it to the other cashiers. "Better than I deserve."
About a month ago I bought coffee and told her I was moving across town to a different office.
She surprised me by saying that she was moving to another state for the summer to study with a well known chef.
We talked about her big step during the brief exchange of dollars and cents each day. Then "tomorrow" was the last day for both of us before our respective changes of venue.
As I walked up to her cash register, I was the first to ask, "how are you doing today?"
Her sly smile gave way to a blush as she said, "Better than I deserve."
It took a second for that to hit me and she saw the look of surprise on my face. Believe me, it was genuine, no-comeback surprise.
"I only said it because that's what you always say," she backpedaled, and then quickly changed the subject to travel plans and her new job.
If you added up all the seconds of check-out line conversation during the past two years, it probably totals an hour or three, tops. But she locked in on the most elemental building block of our Christian faith:
We are doing better than we deserve. Not works-oriented...Grace-oriented.
Who knows how God will add to that insight with other people or events in her life?
Who knows how many people are listening to what you say each day as they pretend indifference to the spiritual matters of life.
Maybe it doesn't matter...
What do you believe?
I'm terrible with ages, but I'd place her early to mid-twenties. Outgoing, very confident individual.
From my first coffee purchase, I'd answer her standard "how are you doing today?" question with my usual, "better than I deserve," response.
I learned that from Pastor Steve Brown at a spiritual conference back in 1991 (not Dave Ramsey, although people ask me that - perhaps Dave got it from Pastor Steve?).
When she first asked what I deserved, I explained that all our blessings come from God as Grace, and not because of anything we do to "deserve it." In fact, I'm blessed "in spite of" how I've acted before God. That's what Grace is. Better than I deserve.
That got a cool reception from her two years ago and thereafter. In fact she would cheerfully talk about anything else. Weather, weekend activities, cooking. She even felt comfortable enough with our cashier-coffee drinker relationship to roll her eyes and say, "whatever," when I replied. Never a curious word or comment about spiritual matters in two years.
But I kept saying it. And she heard me say it to the other cashiers. "Better than I deserve."
About a month ago I bought coffee and told her I was moving across town to a different office.
She surprised me by saying that she was moving to another state for the summer to study with a well known chef.
We talked about her big step during the brief exchange of dollars and cents each day. Then "tomorrow" was the last day for both of us before our respective changes of venue.
As I walked up to her cash register, I was the first to ask, "how are you doing today?"
Her sly smile gave way to a blush as she said, "Better than I deserve."
It took a second for that to hit me and she saw the look of surprise on my face. Believe me, it was genuine, no-comeback surprise.
"I only said it because that's what you always say," she backpedaled, and then quickly changed the subject to travel plans and her new job.
If you added up all the seconds of check-out line conversation during the past two years, it probably totals an hour or three, tops. But she locked in on the most elemental building block of our Christian faith:
We are doing better than we deserve. Not works-oriented...Grace-oriented.
Who knows how God will add to that insight with other people or events in her life?
Who knows how many people are listening to what you say each day as they pretend indifference to the spiritual matters of life.
Maybe it doesn't matter...
What do you believe?
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Apple Closes Door to Heaven
Even all-powerful Apple corporation can't close the door to heaven.
Howver, they can - and did - close the door of access to everyone's Apple photo galleries.
As of today, June 30, 2012, I can no longer upload and share photos from my Apple computer unless I am connected to their new iCloud service.
They gave me plenty of notice. For at least six months they've been telling me to move my photos to the new platform...or there would be consequences.
There have been monthly email reminders - very kindly stated facts, not threats:
"Don't forget."
"Time is running out."
"Once the conversion is made to iCloud you will have no access to gallery photos." etc.
Besides email, there have been ads and notices on their web site.
Bottom line, it would be very hard for me to claim that I did not understand the deadlline. I did.
And the instructions were simple to follow. Click here, acknowledge here.
It was even free if your software was up to date...identify yourself (your computer) and agree to proceed.
Still...I waited too long, the window of time closed, and not all my photos were migrated from my oldest Apple computer. It is now forever separated from the Cloud because of incompatibility. I called the store experts and they agree, with compassion, that I cannot get to the iCloud with photos from that computer. Ever.
Permanent separation.
I still have my computer. Still have my photo's and the memories they hold; but not the fellowship of sharing them with my loved ones and friends. I exist and they exist. But not together.
Why didn't Apple just design everything so I could keep my photo gallery and still have access to iCloud...if they're so smart?! Doesn't matter now -- they're Apple and that's how they did it. They say its better this way and they gave me every opportunity to participate.
You see the analogy, right?
Jesus is coming.
Eternal fellowship with Him and all who believe on His Name - its free. Its a click away.
Be sorry for your sins and acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.
Have eternal access. Not separation.
Sure you can choose to be on your own for eternity - but do you want to be?
You can't deny that you've been told. Everybody has, all around the world. And the offer ends upon His return. Doesn't matter if you would have designed the heaven-process differently, to your liking. This is how God is doing it, and He has said its best this Way.
I missed the Apple deadline, and its an inconvenience.
Don't you - or your family, or friends, or children, or spouse - miss the free gift of Grace and forgiveness. That...is eternal.
www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
Howver, they can - and did - close the door of access to everyone's Apple photo galleries.
As of today, June 30, 2012, I can no longer upload and share photos from my Apple computer unless I am connected to their new iCloud service.
They gave me plenty of notice. For at least six months they've been telling me to move my photos to the new platform...or there would be consequences.
There have been monthly email reminders - very kindly stated facts, not threats:
"Don't forget."
"Time is running out."
"Once the conversion is made to iCloud you will have no access to gallery photos." etc.
Besides email, there have been ads and notices on their web site.
Bottom line, it would be very hard for me to claim that I did not understand the deadlline. I did.
And the instructions were simple to follow. Click here, acknowledge here.
It was even free if your software was up to date...identify yourself (your computer) and agree to proceed.
Still...I waited too long, the window of time closed, and not all my photos were migrated from my oldest Apple computer. It is now forever separated from the Cloud because of incompatibility. I called the store experts and they agree, with compassion, that I cannot get to the iCloud with photos from that computer. Ever.
Permanent separation.
I still have my computer. Still have my photo's and the memories they hold; but not the fellowship of sharing them with my loved ones and friends. I exist and they exist. But not together.
Why didn't Apple just design everything so I could keep my photo gallery and still have access to iCloud...if they're so smart?! Doesn't matter now -- they're Apple and that's how they did it. They say its better this way and they gave me every opportunity to participate.
You see the analogy, right?
Jesus is coming.
Eternal fellowship with Him and all who believe on His Name - its free. Its a click away.
Be sorry for your sins and acknowledge that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and Life.
Have eternal access. Not separation.
Sure you can choose to be on your own for eternity - but do you want to be?
You can't deny that you've been told. Everybody has, all around the world. And the offer ends upon His return. Doesn't matter if you would have designed the heaven-process differently, to your liking. This is how God is doing it, and He has said its best this Way.
I missed the Apple deadline, and its an inconvenience.
Don't you - or your family, or friends, or children, or spouse - miss the free gift of Grace and forgiveness. That...is eternal.
www.peacewithgod.net
What do you believe?
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Stay inside the Lines
Its a half mile drive into the industrial park where I work. You go past four or five other business entrances before you dead end at our company's cul de sac.
The curving road is about 4 car widths wide. Big enough for 2 cars side by side in each direction.
Here's the thing.
There are no painted road stripes or turn markings. Just this paved road in the industrial park.
Better said, there are no intentionally painted road stripes.
Very visible are the black tar seams poured between the concrete slabs that make it look like there are four distinct car lanes.
I chuckle to watch how closely a lone car will stay within these meaningless strips of black tar. Especially at the curve near the halfway point. I like to drive a straight line through this curve - the shortest distance between two points. But in my rearview mirror I'll see the next person meticulously trace an imaginary inside lane close to the curb. And sometimes someone in a rush will "shift lanes" behind me, trying to anticipate which "one" I'm going to choose.
It's liberating to know that I'm not constrained by imaginary boundaries like these other people are.
What are they thinking?
This must be how much of the world sees Christians and our biblical worldview.
Much of what guides us - from Jesus' teachings, to Paul's letters, Proverbs and the prophets - is not painted on the ground for everyone to see.
It may be so clear to us that we look like we're driving an imaginary line along the curb through the curve.
Forgive people without retaliating.
Give something without expecting something back.
Praise someone else's good work without drawing attention to your own.
They occupy those same lanes sometimes, certainly, but how liberating to know it is at their option.
Preserve the life of innocents.
Encourage and promote God's view of family unity.
Recognize the value of personal accountability.
Acknowledge a Creator of inconvenient Truth.
To some people, these look more like tar lines in the concrete, so they drive a different line through the curve. Some even chuckle when they see me in their rearview mirror.
As I drive home from our industrial park, I pull onto a tree-lined parkway for a mile or so.
The parkway is almost identical in overall width, but it is poured asphalt, with no concrete lines.
Everybody drives this parkway as though there are only two lanes, one in each direction.
They have no idea that in a nearby part of town there are other people driving like there are four.
How do you drive when there are no visible lines in the road?
The curving road is about 4 car widths wide. Big enough for 2 cars side by side in each direction.
Here's the thing.
There are no painted road stripes or turn markings. Just this paved road in the industrial park.
Better said, there are no intentionally painted road stripes.
Very visible are the black tar seams poured between the concrete slabs that make it look like there are four distinct car lanes.
I chuckle to watch how closely a lone car will stay within these meaningless strips of black tar. Especially at the curve near the halfway point. I like to drive a straight line through this curve - the shortest distance between two points. But in my rearview mirror I'll see the next person meticulously trace an imaginary inside lane close to the curb. And sometimes someone in a rush will "shift lanes" behind me, trying to anticipate which "one" I'm going to choose.
It's liberating to know that I'm not constrained by imaginary boundaries like these other people are.
What are they thinking?
This must be how much of the world sees Christians and our biblical worldview.
Much of what guides us - from Jesus' teachings, to Paul's letters, Proverbs and the prophets - is not painted on the ground for everyone to see.
It may be so clear to us that we look like we're driving an imaginary line along the curb through the curve.
Forgive people without retaliating.
Give something without expecting something back.
Praise someone else's good work without drawing attention to your own.
They occupy those same lanes sometimes, certainly, but how liberating to know it is at their option.
Preserve the life of innocents.
Encourage and promote God's view of family unity.
Recognize the value of personal accountability.
Acknowledge a Creator of inconvenient Truth.
To some people, these look more like tar lines in the concrete, so they drive a different line through the curve. Some even chuckle when they see me in their rearview mirror.
As I drive home from our industrial park, I pull onto a tree-lined parkway for a mile or so.
The parkway is almost identical in overall width, but it is poured asphalt, with no concrete lines.
Everybody drives this parkway as though there are only two lanes, one in each direction.
They have no idea that in a nearby part of town there are other people driving like there are four.
How do you drive when there are no visible lines in the road?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Back to the Garden 2012
"We are stardust. We are golden.
And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden."
Joni Mitchell, "Woodstock" 1967
I love gardening and landscaping. But like everything else in my life right now, the amount of work needed to keep up seems overwhelming.
Spring clean up. Weeding. Trimming. Pruning. Edging. Mulching. I literally cannot get it all done.
Stress, guilt, argh !
At the root (no pun intended) of the problem is my desire to have the finished look. Today, right now. The entire yard, nice and tidy. Done for the season so that we can grill out on the deck or head to the lake for sailing. I just can't see the end point - it will never get done!
So, my garden-gloved bride and I devised a new approach this year. We're going to only work on one side of the house and yard per outing. We've acknowledged our limitations and accepted a plan that will continue cycling around the yard throughout the season.
The Truth is that we will never actually reach an "end point." Weeds are going to grow in our Black-eyed Susan's later this summer. Drought is going to require some targeted watering of the pines and magnolia bush.
We're going to enjoy the mostly caught-up and for-all-appearances 'done' look. But we know it won't be.
That is our Spiritual condition. Even if you thought it was mostly-caught-up or for-all-appearances 'done.' (never been there personally!!) There's weeding and pruning to be done - look around the entire yard.
Jesus said, "It is finished" when he paid the price of our Salvation. That part is done. But we are not 'finished' in our pursuit to be more like Him. He is worthy of our effort.
And don't despair at what needs to be done. You've got a garden-gloved partner there with you. He actually does the heavy lifting - and He doesn't take lunch breaks! Try working one side of the yard at a time. Then grill out or go sailing. Just don't neglect to continue work on the next section!
Its never done, but neither is it impossibly un-done.
What do you believe?
I love gardening and landscaping. But like everything else in my life right now, the amount of work needed to keep up seems overwhelming.
Spring clean up. Weeding. Trimming. Pruning. Edging. Mulching. I literally cannot get it all done.
Stress, guilt, argh !
At the root (no pun intended) of the problem is my desire to have the finished look. Today, right now. The entire yard, nice and tidy. Done for the season so that we can grill out on the deck or head to the lake for sailing. I just can't see the end point - it will never get done!
So, my garden-gloved bride and I devised a new approach this year. We're going to only work on one side of the house and yard per outing. We've acknowledged our limitations and accepted a plan that will continue cycling around the yard throughout the season.
The Truth is that we will never actually reach an "end point." Weeds are going to grow in our Black-eyed Susan's later this summer. Drought is going to require some targeted watering of the pines and magnolia bush.
We're going to enjoy the mostly caught-up and for-all-appearances 'done' look. But we know it won't be.
That is our Spiritual condition. Even if you thought it was mostly-caught-up or for-all-appearances 'done.' (never been there personally!!) There's weeding and pruning to be done - look around the entire yard.
Jesus said, "It is finished" when he paid the price of our Salvation. That part is done. But we are not 'finished' in our pursuit to be more like Him. He is worthy of our effort.
And don't despair at what needs to be done. You've got a garden-gloved partner there with you. He actually does the heavy lifting - and He doesn't take lunch breaks! Try working one side of the yard at a time. Then grill out or go sailing. Just don't neglect to continue work on the next section!
Its never done, but neither is it impossibly un-done.
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Sweet Aroma of Spring
We've been enjoying two weeks of heavenly Easter Lily fragrance in the house.
Sweet, pervasive, delightful, unmistakable.
I linger near the glass top table where the plant and its six blossoms dazzle my olfactory senses.
Amazing how incredibly pleasing this can be.
From the earliest days of our spiritual ancestry, God instructed Moses to use incense in worship.
Exodus 30:7
"and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations."
And in the new testament, Paul drew the fragrant comparison of our own lives before God,
2Corinthians 2:15
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
I want to believe that God can find something about my life that is as pleasing to Him as the pure fragrance of this lily is to me.
But as this scripture says, in Christ, we are just that.
What do you believe?
Sweet, pervasive, delightful, unmistakable.
I linger near the glass top table where the plant and its six blossoms dazzle my olfactory senses.
Amazing how incredibly pleasing this can be.
From the earliest days of our spiritual ancestry, God instructed Moses to use incense in worship.
Exodus 30:7
"and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations."
And in the new testament, Paul drew the fragrant comparison of our own lives before God,
2Corinthians 2:15
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
I want to believe that God can find something about my life that is as pleasing to Him as the pure fragrance of this lily is to me.
But as this scripture says, in Christ, we are just that.
What do you believe?
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Ready to Report?
Once a month I have to give a report to our division boss.
Its very unnerving.
I report our market share and provide an overview of key wins and losses.
No matter how prepared I think I am, our boss cuts right to the chase.
There's no glossing over, or sugar-coating the facts.
With just a few well-placed questions, he uncovers weak tactics or poor execution.
You'd like to say, "look at all the things we did right," but it doesn't matter if you've missed the mark.
He knows - and I know.
Some people believe that their judgement before God will be decided on the net balance between good and bad in their life.
I'm just not sure how well that conversation is going to go...
If He wanted to, could God get past the sugar-coating to reveal everything you'd like not to have shared in that final report?
Every lie, lust, cheat, self-serving, selfish act? On balance, with eternity the outcome, have you made or missed the mark so far?
God knows - and so do you.
That's why I'm so comforted by the promise of Grace.
No matter how much time you give me, I could never deliver even close to a promise of perfection. Which is exactly what God deserves in His Holy presence.
But Jesus walks me into the conference room and says, "I'll be presenting on his behalf today - and you can direct your questions to me." His Grace and Mercy trump my life of weak tactics and poor execution. He showed his love on the cross, when he died for me - and you. He rose again, our Savior.
Thank God.
What do you believe?
Its very unnerving.
I report our market share and provide an overview of key wins and losses.
No matter how prepared I think I am, our boss cuts right to the chase.
There's no glossing over, or sugar-coating the facts.
With just a few well-placed questions, he uncovers weak tactics or poor execution.
You'd like to say, "look at all the things we did right," but it doesn't matter if you've missed the mark.
He knows - and I know.
Some people believe that their judgement before God will be decided on the net balance between good and bad in their life.
I'm just not sure how well that conversation is going to go...
If He wanted to, could God get past the sugar-coating to reveal everything you'd like not to have shared in that final report?
Every lie, lust, cheat, self-serving, selfish act? On balance, with eternity the outcome, have you made or missed the mark so far?
God knows - and so do you.
That's why I'm so comforted by the promise of Grace.
No matter how much time you give me, I could never deliver even close to a promise of perfection. Which is exactly what God deserves in His Holy presence.
But Jesus walks me into the conference room and says, "I'll be presenting on his behalf today - and you can direct your questions to me." His Grace and Mercy trump my life of weak tactics and poor execution. He showed his love on the cross, when he died for me - and you. He rose again, our Savior.
Thank God.
What do you believe?
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Easter Moment
My Easter moment this year came while watching an old TV episode of Northern Exposure.
Maggie O'Connell's mother visits her in their make-believe rural town of Cicely, Alaska.
Maggie's TV mom is determined to have her daughter's life take a more interesting path than her own.
She uses a cliche or two to say, "be different, Maggie - be adventurous!"
And her bemused daughter retorts, "Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
It's the same with Christians and the unrelenting onslaught of our "lower 48" spiritual mothers.
They visit us in our homes and schools, dressed as news commentators and professors. They shake their heads over our boring beliefs and conservative world views.
"Be different, be adventurous," they admonish. "Break loose from your conventional religious trappings and experience something truly inspirational!"
"You have got to be kidding," I retorted today, the day after Easter.
"I believe in radical Grace. What could be more unconventional than the redemption of my sin-filled life by the atoning death of a Savior, foretold for centuries, and in great detail, by prophets? What inspires more than the realization that Jesus' own disciples were willing to die as martyrs, simply for saying he was the real deal? Who is taking the bigger leap - the person who hopes their good works outweigh their bad, or the person who realizes their only shot at salvation is through forgiveness and mercy ?
"Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
What do you believe?
Maggie O'Connell's mother visits her in their make-believe rural town of Cicely, Alaska.
Maggie's TV mom is determined to have her daughter's life take a more interesting path than her own.
She uses a cliche or two to say, "be different, Maggie - be adventurous!"
And her bemused daughter retorts, "Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
It's the same with Christians and the unrelenting onslaught of our "lower 48" spiritual mothers.
They visit us in our homes and schools, dressed as news commentators and professors. They shake their heads over our boring beliefs and conservative world views.
"Be different, be adventurous," they admonish. "Break loose from your conventional religious trappings and experience something truly inspirational!"
"You have got to be kidding," I retorted today, the day after Easter.
"I believe in radical Grace. What could be more unconventional than the redemption of my sin-filled life by the atoning death of a Savior, foretold for centuries, and in great detail, by prophets? What inspires more than the realization that Jesus' own disciples were willing to die as martyrs, simply for saying he was the real deal? Who is taking the bigger leap - the person who hopes their good works outweigh their bad, or the person who realizes their only shot at salvation is through forgiveness and mercy ?
"Mom - I'm a bush pilot...in Alaska!"
What do you believe?
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christmas Movie List 2011
The Nativity Story has moved up to number two on my favorite all-time Christmas Movie list, right after Cary Grant in "The Bishop's Wife."
This bumps Zefferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" nativity down to number four, followed by
Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck
A Christmas Carol (Albert Finney version only, please)
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Ron Howard
Both "Miracle on 34th Street" versions are great - 1994 with Sir Richard Attenborough and 1947 with Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood.
But like "Its a Wonderful Life" I don't really need to watch them every year.
If you were counting, that leaves a gap for Movie #3.
A few years ago I noticed a 1945 "film short" added to the Christmas in Connecticut DVD.
"Star in the Night" is a 22 minute lesson in the true meaning of Christmas.
Set at a simple road side diner out west on Christmas Eve, you can' believe how much story telling gets done in less than a half hour.
It's worth buying the Barbara Stanwyck movie just to enjoy "Star in the Night."
Merry Christmas !
What do you believe?
This bumps Zefferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" nativity down to number four, followed by
Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck
A Christmas Carol (Albert Finney version only, please)
White Christmas with Bing Crosby and
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Ron Howard
Both "Miracle on 34th Street" versions are great - 1994 with Sir Richard Attenborough and 1947 with Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood.
But like "Its a Wonderful Life" I don't really need to watch them every year.
If you were counting, that leaves a gap for Movie #3.
A few years ago I noticed a 1945 "film short" added to the Christmas in Connecticut DVD.
"Star in the Night" is a 22 minute lesson in the true meaning of Christmas.
Set at a simple road side diner out west on Christmas Eve, you can' believe how much story telling gets done in less than a half hour.
It's worth buying the Barbara Stanwyck movie just to enjoy "Star in the Night."
Merry Christmas !
What do you believe?
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Make the Nativity Personal
After 30 Christmas's, my wife and I finally found a Nativity scene we'd like to have in our outdoor display.
Like most home projects, it quickly grew beyond the original scope. The figures had to be placed in a backdrop of course. The backdrop had to be weatherproofed. The figures themselves, sealed with varnish. Some monofiliment fishing line to hold everything in place (we live on a windy hill). And straw to fill in all the gaps.
Something I'd not counted on - how personal it got to work so closely with Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
I know, just painted, mass produced figures! But it took hours to prepare and paint and place. It slowed my Christmas rush down to a tempo where I could absorb some of their reality.
Stark, simple people with very little to protect them from the elements, and no assurance of what was to come.
Excepting their faith in God's promise.
Many years ago I wrote a song that we'll sing this year on Christmas Eve.
One verse finds the Innkeeper recalling this:
"They did not complain as they settled down,
I reached for the gate to go back to town.
But then - she took my hand, and I saw her eyes
They were calm and quiet, they were warm and wise.
The night stood still, and I felt her peace,
A feeling I wished would never cease..."
Maybe its silly and sentimental, but I felt a little of that as I finished working and started to head back into the house.
I wanted to stay with them a little longer. Keep watch. Bask in the grace and peace they'd have needed - the gift of God's love.
Anyway, that's that. They're out there in the cold rain now - those artificial figures, with nothing to protect them but a thin coat of varnish and some wet straw. And you know what?
I wish I could have done more.
It really is more than a just a holiday on the calendar....isn't it?
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Missing Link? Faith and Biblical Truth
With my engineering and marketing background, I'm intrigued by cause/effect relationships we see in every day life.
Sometimes you'll see an interesting article about the statistics or analysis of how one thing seems directly related to another.
For example, people living in sunny geographies tend to suffer less depression than those in consistently cloudy/overcast areas.
Other direct cause and effect relationships are more difficult to prove outright, so they are called "hypotheses" from the Greek origin for "proposition."
In that context, although some professionals hypothesize that eating dark chocolate might be healthy (deliver healthy antioxidants), the health benefit could be offset if you eat too much of it to the detriment of the sugar and calories.
A more complex hypothesis is that people with optimistic, positive attitudes tend to live healthier lives. You could debate/study whether they are optimistic because they are healthy, or healthy because they are optimistic, etc.
My hypothesis:
"The strength of a Christian's spiritual faith is in direct proportion to their belief in biblical truth."
Without statisical proof, I've based my proposition on many conversations with friends, family and strangers.
The trend I've seen is that stated faith can be shaken in anyone's life. Lose your job, get cancer, have financial trouble.
Some people steep their faith in prayer and worship, others in community support. There's no single best mix to strengthening and cultivating our faith.
My premise is that the strength of the faith we do have is at its strongest when rooted back in the scripture that God provides.
Biblical truth explains that God will not abandon us, will not tease or toy with us, and will always forgive a repentant, humble heart.
Faith that cannot follow its unraveled (or unraveling) thread back to scripture will struggle and perhaps founder. Not so when we can read, study and meditate on tangible solutions that God has literally placed in our hands.
"But not all accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:16
The strength of a Christian's spiritual faith is in direct proportion to their belief in biblical truth.
What do you believe?
Sometimes you'll see an interesting article about the statistics or analysis of how one thing seems directly related to another.
For example, people living in sunny geographies tend to suffer less depression than those in consistently cloudy/overcast areas.
Other direct cause and effect relationships are more difficult to prove outright, so they are called "hypotheses" from the Greek origin for "proposition."
In that context, although some professionals hypothesize that eating dark chocolate might be healthy (deliver healthy antioxidants), the health benefit could be offset if you eat too much of it to the detriment of the sugar and calories.
A more complex hypothesis is that people with optimistic, positive attitudes tend to live healthier lives. You could debate/study whether they are optimistic because they are healthy, or healthy because they are optimistic, etc.
My hypothesis:
"The strength of a Christian's spiritual faith is in direct proportion to their belief in biblical truth."
Without statisical proof, I've based my proposition on many conversations with friends, family and strangers.
The trend I've seen is that stated faith can be shaken in anyone's life. Lose your job, get cancer, have financial trouble.
Some people steep their faith in prayer and worship, others in community support. There's no single best mix to strengthening and cultivating our faith.
My premise is that the strength of the faith we do have is at its strongest when rooted back in the scripture that God provides.
Biblical truth explains that God will not abandon us, will not tease or toy with us, and will always forgive a repentant, humble heart.
Faith that cannot follow its unraveled (or unraveling) thread back to scripture will struggle and perhaps founder. Not so when we can read, study and meditate on tangible solutions that God has literally placed in our hands.
"But not all accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:16
The strength of a Christian's spiritual faith is in direct proportion to their belief in biblical truth.
What do you believe?
Friday, December 02, 2011
Sin Tents
I just attended a large trade show at Chicago's McCormick Place.
I saw this large, retangular white tent assembled outside the West Hall. Like they have at outdoor wedding receptions.
I wondered what special topic would draw people out into the chilly November weather?
Then later that day I saw a similar white tent assembled at the opposite end of the convention center.
What, in heaven's name...?
Trying in vain not to be too obvious, I stole a long look at the people jogging from the convention exit to the tent and back again. They didn't look too happy about braving the cold. Their determined expressions carried a hint of defeated resignation.
Then I got it, of course! Smokers!
Even at a convention with a heavy contingent of healthcare professionals, some percentage were still willing to make the walk of shame to an outside smoking tent. And back again.
(wait a second while someone helps me pluck this plank from my eye...)
I thought, wouldn't it be awkward if God had special tents placed outside where we all had to go and conduct our personal sins?
What if I had to make the walk of shame out to the "selfish tent" and then over to the "wasted talents" tent. Even worse if the "covet what others have" tent was all the way on the other side of my neighborhood.
Sheesh, I would be mortified for people to see how much time I was spending in tents!
True, I'll bet some people have finally quit rather than walk out to the designated smoking areas where they work or shop. Others probably just work around it and smoke when they can, maybe not as often.
Its like that with sins that displease God. Sometimes I know that no one is looking, so its easier to slip up.
I'm definitely on better behaviour when I think people might be paying attention to which of the tents I frequent most.
Ideally, I'd rather there be only one tent for convenience sake. Then I could more readily admit the truth about my sins and short comings right out in the open. Maybe commiserate with the other sinners and together we could help each other be more accountable to God's plan. And seek God's forgiveness.
We could call that shared tent a church.
That's what is meant to go on at church. Not to sin - but the acknowledgement that we're there because we sin. It's our sin addiction. It's the habit(s) that are so hard to break. Even with rules and consequences.
Jesus died for me because I inevitably end up wandering into tents where I have no business being.
I'm sure I have that in common with my friends and family in the big tent we call church.
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and Grace. That I am not made to stand in the cold November wind by myself as you shepherd me back from my shortcomings.
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2Corinthians 5:1
What do you believe?
I saw this large, retangular white tent assembled outside the West Hall. Like they have at outdoor wedding receptions.
I wondered what special topic would draw people out into the chilly November weather?
Then later that day I saw a similar white tent assembled at the opposite end of the convention center.
What, in heaven's name...?
Trying in vain not to be too obvious, I stole a long look at the people jogging from the convention exit to the tent and back again. They didn't look too happy about braving the cold. Their determined expressions carried a hint of defeated resignation.
Then I got it, of course! Smokers!
Even at a convention with a heavy contingent of healthcare professionals, some percentage were still willing to make the walk of shame to an outside smoking tent. And back again.
(wait a second while someone helps me pluck this plank from my eye...)
I thought, wouldn't it be awkward if God had special tents placed outside where we all had to go and conduct our personal sins?
What if I had to make the walk of shame out to the "selfish tent" and then over to the "wasted talents" tent. Even worse if the "covet what others have" tent was all the way on the other side of my neighborhood.
Sheesh, I would be mortified for people to see how much time I was spending in tents!
True, I'll bet some people have finally quit rather than walk out to the designated smoking areas where they work or shop. Others probably just work around it and smoke when they can, maybe not as often.
Its like that with sins that displease God. Sometimes I know that no one is looking, so its easier to slip up.
I'm definitely on better behaviour when I think people might be paying attention to which of the tents I frequent most.
Ideally, I'd rather there be only one tent for convenience sake. Then I could more readily admit the truth about my sins and short comings right out in the open. Maybe commiserate with the other sinners and together we could help each other be more accountable to God's plan. And seek God's forgiveness.
We could call that shared tent a church.
That's what is meant to go on at church. Not to sin - but the acknowledgement that we're there because we sin. It's our sin addiction. It's the habit(s) that are so hard to break. Even with rules and consequences.
Jesus died for me because I inevitably end up wandering into tents where I have no business being.
I'm sure I have that in common with my friends and family in the big tent we call church.
Thank you Jesus for your mercy and Grace. That I am not made to stand in the cold November wind by myself as you shepherd me back from my shortcomings.
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2Corinthians 5:1
What do you believe?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The fish are hitting! So I'm Leaving...
We were out on this remote Canadian lake and the fish were hitting!
I had just caught and released a 30 inch pike and my dad had one on his line.
We were totally focused on the moment and the exhilaration of success.
My daughter, on the other hand, was staring out at the dark clouds rolling in and she eventually convinced us to pull over to shore.
It wasn't easy for her to do. We had traveled16 hours and hauled gear across two portages to get there.
You do not give up on a run of fish like that!
Another time my dad and I had hiked up to a remote bass lake and discovered a small wooden skiff on shore.
We rowed off shore for a ways, and with darkness closing in and mosquitos devouring us, we were reeling in bass after bass. I can't remember which one of us finally convinced the other to head back to shore and find our way down the trail in the dark. But man, they were hitting!
"Jesus said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.'
Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down our nets.'
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simons partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid, from now on you will be fishers of men.' So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.'" Luke 5:5-11
They left everything to follow him. Not only were the fish hitting, it meant a boost to their livelihood right when they needed it.
You could say, 'big deal, it was just some poor fisherman, nobody would do that in today's world.'
My son has a friend who just graduated from a well-known university with a very marketable degree. At a time when her peers are starting to haul in their nets with the anticipated career catch, she is leaving it all behind to follow Jesus. As a missionary, she'll live on a modest stipend, half a world away from her family with no perks. Her job is to tell people - from a different culture, whom she doesn't know - that the Good News of Jesus will bring them eternal life.
She's left everything, right when they were hitting.
For somebody like me, who couldn't even be dragged away from sport fishing when a dangerous storm was about to roll through, I can't imagine what it means to leave your nets when the unknown is nothing but service to the unseen Son of God.
But I'm thankful that this young woman and her friends are willing to do so. And I'll be praying for her from the safety of shore.
What do you believe?
I had just caught and released a 30 inch pike and my dad had one on his line.
We were totally focused on the moment and the exhilaration of success.
My daughter, on the other hand, was staring out at the dark clouds rolling in and she eventually convinced us to pull over to shore.
It wasn't easy for her to do. We had traveled16 hours and hauled gear across two portages to get there.
You do not give up on a run of fish like that!
Another time my dad and I had hiked up to a remote bass lake and discovered a small wooden skiff on shore.
We rowed off shore for a ways, and with darkness closing in and mosquitos devouring us, we were reeling in bass after bass. I can't remember which one of us finally convinced the other to head back to shore and find our way down the trail in the dark. But man, they were hitting!
"Jesus said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.'
Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down our nets.'
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simons partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid, from now on you will be fishers of men.' So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.'" Luke 5:5-11
They left everything to follow him. Not only were the fish hitting, it meant a boost to their livelihood right when they needed it.
You could say, 'big deal, it was just some poor fisherman, nobody would do that in today's world.'
My son has a friend who just graduated from a well-known university with a very marketable degree. At a time when her peers are starting to haul in their nets with the anticipated career catch, she is leaving it all behind to follow Jesus. As a missionary, she'll live on a modest stipend, half a world away from her family with no perks. Her job is to tell people - from a different culture, whom she doesn't know - that the Good News of Jesus will bring them eternal life.
She's left everything, right when they were hitting.
For somebody like me, who couldn't even be dragged away from sport fishing when a dangerous storm was about to roll through, I can't imagine what it means to leave your nets when the unknown is nothing but service to the unseen Son of God.
But I'm thankful that this young woman and her friends are willing to do so. And I'll be praying for her from the safety of shore.
What do you believe?
Monday, November 14, 2011
How Sweet the Name of Jesus
With temps in the 50's, I decided to set up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday.
I know! Still a week before Thanksgiving!
It was a nice excuse to be outside and really -- the weather can turn on a dime up here.
Better now than with frozen hands and arctic winds later!
One of our lighting traditions is to spell out the reason with one of those long, continuous tube lights.
Its flexible, about half an inch thick, and you can curve it into cursive script letters. Looks like red neon tube.
This isn't easy, mind you. The whole process probably looks comical to my neighbors across the street.
First I take one end of tube and anchor it to our front-yard trellis with a small tie wrap.
Then I painstakingly shape each letter, leaving a "space" of tube in between.
It's a challenge to spell the whole word, maintain the letter proportions across the trellis and not run out of red tube!
Since I had my face pressed up against the trellis to tinker with the tie wraps, I wondered how the overall effect appeared from the street.
One of the neighbors was out for a walk, so I called over to her, "how are the letters, can you make it out?""
"Oh sure!" she smiled, "It looks good!"
"But can you tell what it spells?" I asked again, still tugging suspiciously on the "e" and a curiously misshaped "s."
"It says, "Jesus,'" she smiled again and walked on.
Jesus.
I have to tell you. The name of "Jesus" sounded so good to me in the quiet autumn air.
Full, and sufficient. Like I'd heard the perfect prayer and there was nothing to add to it.
Like it was my favorite song and there was no need to play it again.
Jesus. How sweet the name...
"How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds,
And drives away her fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest."
By John Newton, 1725 - 1807
What do you believe?
I know! Still a week before Thanksgiving!
It was a nice excuse to be outside and really -- the weather can turn on a dime up here.
Better now than with frozen hands and arctic winds later!
One of our lighting traditions is to spell out the reason with one of those long, continuous tube lights.
Its flexible, about half an inch thick, and you can curve it into cursive script letters. Looks like red neon tube.
This isn't easy, mind you. The whole process probably looks comical to my neighbors across the street.
First I take one end of tube and anchor it to our front-yard trellis with a small tie wrap.
Then I painstakingly shape each letter, leaving a "space" of tube in between.
It's a challenge to spell the whole word, maintain the letter proportions across the trellis and not run out of red tube!
Since I had my face pressed up against the trellis to tinker with the tie wraps, I wondered how the overall effect appeared from the street.
One of the neighbors was out for a walk, so I called over to her, "how are the letters, can you make it out?""
"Oh sure!" she smiled, "It looks good!"
"But can you tell what it spells?" I asked again, still tugging suspiciously on the "e" and a curiously misshaped "s."
"It says, "Jesus,'" she smiled again and walked on.
Jesus.
I have to tell you. The name of "Jesus" sounded so good to me in the quiet autumn air.
Full, and sufficient. Like I'd heard the perfect prayer and there was nothing to add to it.
Like it was my favorite song and there was no need to play it again.
Jesus. How sweet the name...
"How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear!
It soothes her sorrows, heals her wounds,
And drives away her fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest."
By John Newton, 1725 - 1807
What do you believe?
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Cancer Statistics Daunting but Overshadowed
I take cancer seriously.
Family members have passed away, and some currently struggle with the brutal disease and its heartbreaking impact.
We frequently have requests for prayer and support.
Thank goodness for research, medical advances and all the people who contribute to the cause.
It seems there is always a weekend run/walk event or other charity efforts to help. I gladly contribute and have walked along, too.
What surprised me this week was a statistic.
8 million deaths
40 million deaths
Cancer is reported as the leading cause of death in the world.
It takes an enormous toll. Some say one of three people will contract cancer in their lifetime.
But it is not actually the leading cause of death in the world.
Cancer is responsible for 8 million deaths per year.
Abortion is responsible for more than 40 million deaths per year, worldwide.
Cancer is the leading cause of non-elective death.
Abortion is the leading cause of elective death.
What struck me most when I compared the two is our collective drive throughout the world to defeat cancer.
We are all committed and compassionate about finding cures and treatments.
We gladly donate time and money to this worthy cause.
Every one of us wants to spare the lives of our friends and family.
If we could flip a switch tomorrrow and save 8 million lives, worldwide, from cancer death, woudn't we?
Absolutely - that's exactly what we're all researching, donating and walking and praying for.
What if you could flip a switch and save 5 times that many lives in a year?
40 million lives.
In a ten year span....that's the poplulation of the United States, or Japan, or Indonesia...
I believe we should speak candidly and openly about reversing the statistic that is reponsible for the most deaths worldwide.
Definitely pray, and even organize a walk or two.
What do you believe?
Family members have passed away, and some currently struggle with the brutal disease and its heartbreaking impact.
We frequently have requests for prayer and support.
Thank goodness for research, medical advances and all the people who contribute to the cause.
It seems there is always a weekend run/walk event or other charity efforts to help. I gladly contribute and have walked along, too.
What surprised me this week was a statistic.
8 million deaths
40 million deaths
Cancer is reported as the leading cause of death in the world.
It takes an enormous toll. Some say one of three people will contract cancer in their lifetime.
But it is not actually the leading cause of death in the world.
Cancer is responsible for 8 million deaths per year.
Abortion is responsible for more than 40 million deaths per year, worldwide.
Cancer is the leading cause of non-elective death.
Abortion is the leading cause of elective death.
What struck me most when I compared the two is our collective drive throughout the world to defeat cancer.
We are all committed and compassionate about finding cures and treatments.
We gladly donate time and money to this worthy cause.
Every one of us wants to spare the lives of our friends and family.
If we could flip a switch tomorrrow and save 8 million lives, worldwide, from cancer death, woudn't we?
Absolutely - that's exactly what we're all researching, donating and walking and praying for.
What if you could flip a switch and save 5 times that many lives in a year?
40 million lives.
In a ten year span....that's the poplulation of the United States, or Japan, or Indonesia...
I believe we should speak candidly and openly about reversing the statistic that is reponsible for the most deaths worldwide.
Definitely pray, and even organize a walk or two.
What do you believe?
Tolerance for Christians in Iran?
In Iran, and other neighboring countries in the region, you cannot choose your spiritual beliefs, they've been chosen for you.
There is lots of talk about co-existence with the likes of Christianity and Judaism, but its just talk.
When the rubber hits the road and someone publically declares their free will differently, it can be met first with community intimidation, and through their court system with a death sentence:
Dateline Iran: Article by Jamie Dean of Worldmag.com
"During a final day of hearings in an Iranian court on Wednesday, officials gave Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani a final ultimatum: Recant your Christian faith or face the possibility of execution. Nadarkhani refused to recant.
That sets up a grim prospect for the husband, father of two young children, and pastor of a 400-member congregation in the city of Rasht. The Iranian court could decide as early as this week whether to find the Christian guilty of apostasy and carry out a sentence of death by hanging."
We are quick to say that this is only happening among the "extremists." But similar court systems are being proposed for export to other parts of the world, including the USA. They are not benign, multi-cultural experiments. They are based on the same principles used to condemn Youcef Nadarkhani.
While we don't need to over-react or disrespect other people's views--it is ok to ask tough questions.
My question for today: What is at the core of these laws that can lead to Christian persecution in the hands of extremists?
What is at the core of our laws here where we do not imprison and execute people for free choice of spiritual beliefs?
At least in the short term, let's export the latter as opposed to importing the former.
Update on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011
U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the conviction of Youcef Nadarkhani and calling for his release:
“Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people. That the Iranian authorities would try to force him to renounce that faith violates the religious values they claim to defend, crosses all bounds of decency, and breaches Iran’s own international obligations.”
What do you believe?
There is lots of talk about co-existence with the likes of Christianity and Judaism, but its just talk.
When the rubber hits the road and someone publically declares their free will differently, it can be met first with community intimidation, and through their court system with a death sentence:
Dateline Iran: Article by Jamie Dean of Worldmag.com
"During a final day of hearings in an Iranian court on Wednesday, officials gave Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani a final ultimatum: Recant your Christian faith or face the possibility of execution. Nadarkhani refused to recant.
That sets up a grim prospect for the husband, father of two young children, and pastor of a 400-member congregation in the city of Rasht. The Iranian court could decide as early as this week whether to find the Christian guilty of apostasy and carry out a sentence of death by hanging."
We are quick to say that this is only happening among the "extremists." But similar court systems are being proposed for export to other parts of the world, including the USA. They are not benign, multi-cultural experiments. They are based on the same principles used to condemn Youcef Nadarkhani.
While we don't need to over-react or disrespect other people's views--it is ok to ask tough questions.
My question for today: What is at the core of these laws that can lead to Christian persecution in the hands of extremists?
What is at the core of our laws here where we do not imprison and execute people for free choice of spiritual beliefs?
At least in the short term, let's export the latter as opposed to importing the former.
Update on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011
U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the conviction of Youcef Nadarkhani and calling for his release:
“Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people. That the Iranian authorities would try to force him to renounce that faith violates the religious values they claim to defend, crosses all bounds of decency, and breaches Iran’s own international obligations.”
What do you believe?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
My Bike and the Oncoming Truck
As my bicycle coasted toward an intersection on a local country road, I looked both ways for oncoming traffic.
I was going to turn left onto the state highway from my side road.
When you're riding a road bike like mine, the bike shoes are "clipped in" to the pedals for maximum power. Its easy to unclip and put your foot on the pavement, but whenever possible you like to keep your momentum and safely roll through a low-traffic intersection.
I spotted an oncoming truck about 200 yards down the highway.
You've probably faced the same decision while merging your own car into traffic.
Does the speed of the oncoming truck afford me time to enter, or wait?
You are consciously and unconsciously weighing a multitude of data points.
Speed of the truck on this particular road?
My own traction and ability to accelerate?
Any surprise vehicles coming from the other direction?
Wait or proceed? Decide, or decide not to decide?
I rolled through, crossed the centerline and merged onto the paved shoulder with plenty of margin before the truck whooshed by.
Its mostly a matter of convenience when you're merging into traffic. We're in a hurry and don't want to be behind that truck.
What about the oncoming truck that is the end of times?
How fast is it going and how much time do you have to make eternal decisions, or wait at the intersection?
What are the data points we have for the speed at which our lives, or the world, are about to whoosh by?
Jesus said,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you...this will result in your being witnesses to them..." from Luke 21: 10-18
The truth is, none of us can judge how fast its coming, not the day nor the hour, but the data points are ominous.
Before it does, get out in front with your faith - push the pedals, hit the accelerator.
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. As the Scripture says, 'anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'" Romans 10:9-11
On August 20 - 21 I'll be at Rock the Lakes with the Billy Graham organization to share the gospel with anyone who has decided not to wait at the intersection.
What do you believe?
I was going to turn left onto the state highway from my side road.
When you're riding a road bike like mine, the bike shoes are "clipped in" to the pedals for maximum power. Its easy to unclip and put your foot on the pavement, but whenever possible you like to keep your momentum and safely roll through a low-traffic intersection.
I spotted an oncoming truck about 200 yards down the highway.
You've probably faced the same decision while merging your own car into traffic.
Does the speed of the oncoming truck afford me time to enter, or wait?
You are consciously and unconsciously weighing a multitude of data points.
Speed of the truck on this particular road?
My own traction and ability to accelerate?
Any surprise vehicles coming from the other direction?
Wait or proceed? Decide, or decide not to decide?
I rolled through, crossed the centerline and merged onto the paved shoulder with plenty of margin before the truck whooshed by.
Its mostly a matter of convenience when you're merging into traffic. We're in a hurry and don't want to be behind that truck.
What about the oncoming truck that is the end of times?
How fast is it going and how much time do you have to make eternal decisions, or wait at the intersection?
What are the data points we have for the speed at which our lives, or the world, are about to whoosh by?
Jesus said,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you...this will result in your being witnesses to them..." from Luke 21: 10-18
The truth is, none of us can judge how fast its coming, not the day nor the hour, but the data points are ominous.
Before it does, get out in front with your faith - push the pedals, hit the accelerator.
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. As the Scripture says, 'anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'" Romans 10:9-11
On August 20 - 21 I'll be at Rock the Lakes with the Billy Graham organization to share the gospel with anyone who has decided not to wait at the intersection.
What do you believe?
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Rock the Lakes !
Rock the Lakes coming to Milwaukee in August.
Click here to link to Billy Graham web site, then scroll down page and you'll see a video clip for Rock the Lakes Milwaukee.
I pray that a wave of God's love and salvation will surge from the lake shore and cover our entire city, in Jesus' name, Amen.
What do you believe?
Click here to link to Billy Graham web site, then scroll down page and you'll see a video clip for Rock the Lakes Milwaukee.
I pray that a wave of God's love and salvation will surge from the lake shore and cover our entire city, in Jesus' name, Amen.
What do you believe?
Monday, August 01, 2011
Who Can I Rely On ?
I was reading this missionary guy's account of the stressful conditions surrounding his work in Asia,
"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
This happened - that they might not rely on themselves, but on God.
Paul the Apostle wrote that two thousand years ago.
Paul said that God "has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us."
He wrote that in the present tense, that God "has" delivered (rescued) and "will" deliver (continue to) rescue.
WIth such a strong sense of God's immediacy and involvement, its no wonder that Paul said, "On him we have set our hope."
Recognizing the value of his entire community's confidence in God, Paul also encouraged his friends' ongoing Spiritual support..."as you help us by your prayers."
Paul and his friends faced hard, gritty times - scarce food, working multiple jobs, living in tents made by hand, paying taxes to governments rife with corruption and greed. Who says the Bible isn't relevant to our present day world?
"This happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
2Corinthians 1:9-11
What do you believe?
"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
This happened - that they might not rely on themselves, but on God.
Paul the Apostle wrote that two thousand years ago.
Paul said that God "has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us."
He wrote that in the present tense, that God "has" delivered (rescued) and "will" deliver (continue to) rescue.
WIth such a strong sense of God's immediacy and involvement, its no wonder that Paul said, "On him we have set our hope."
Recognizing the value of his entire community's confidence in God, Paul also encouraged his friends' ongoing Spiritual support..."as you help us by your prayers."
Paul and his friends faced hard, gritty times - scarce food, working multiple jobs, living in tents made by hand, paying taxes to governments rife with corruption and greed. Who says the Bible isn't relevant to our present day world?
"This happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.
Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."
2Corinthians 1:9-11
What do you believe?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Cowboys, Aliens, Redemption
We went to see the new Cowboys & Aliens movie. It's a pretty good shoot-em-up film, with a few creatures from outer space tossed in for good measure.
Also in the mix is a "preacher" who isn't caricatured as weak or corrupt.
In one scene he is a Good Samaritan to a wounded stranger. Tending wounds with compassion and no questions asked.
In another quickly passing segment, one of the characters questions whether God will help him - taking into account his past sinful ways.
The preacher encourages the man by saying,
"God doesn't care about who you were...he cares about who you are..."
It's a rare moment of redemptive encouragement in today's Hollywood culture.
We believers know that there's an ever deeper level of spirituality left unsaid - we're all in need of a Savior to actually turn the corner of repentance.
The preacher's matter of fact confidence in God's mercy and forgiveness is a welcome topic for post-movie conversation with our friends and family. Whether lost or found.
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1Corinthians 6:11
It's not about who you were...its about who you come to be in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of God.
What do you believe?
Also in the mix is a "preacher" who isn't caricatured as weak or corrupt.
In one scene he is a Good Samaritan to a wounded stranger. Tending wounds with compassion and no questions asked.
In another quickly passing segment, one of the characters questions whether God will help him - taking into account his past sinful ways.
The preacher encourages the man by saying,
"God doesn't care about who you were...he cares about who you are..."
It's a rare moment of redemptive encouragement in today's Hollywood culture.
We believers know that there's an ever deeper level of spirituality left unsaid - we're all in need of a Savior to actually turn the corner of repentance.
The preacher's matter of fact confidence in God's mercy and forgiveness is a welcome topic for post-movie conversation with our friends and family. Whether lost or found.
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1Corinthians 6:11
It's not about who you were...its about who you come to be in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of God.
What do you believe?
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Integrity in an Alaskan Top Hat
There were no credit cards involved. No pre-paid cruise ship vouchers.
When we stepped ashore in Skagway, Alaska, we simply looked for the gentleman in a stove pipe top hat.
Dyea Dave was waiting at the end of the dock. He soon dispatched us with one of his staff drivers to pick up our rail passes and head toward the White Pass mountain depot in a shuttle bus.
We had hoped to actually make the drive with Dave himself, but his driver gave us an adequate narration of the various mountain passes and wildlife sitings.
The only glitch occurred as we departed the shuttle two hours later at Canadian Customs.
Dave's bus driver quoted a higher fee - almost double - than we had discussed two months earlier with Dave.
We were in a quandary. There was no official quote, we'd found Dave directly from his web site phone number. He'd suggested we transact on the actual travel day because bad weather might force us to cancel. To his credit, we wouldn't be out the ticket price if we decided not to go. Now, as we hurried to catch the train, Dave wasn't there, we didn't have cell phone coverage, and the Custom's agent looked a bit impatient. We paid the higher fee.
A few hours later, back down the mountain in Skagway, I called Dyea Dave's cell phone and explained the situation. Had we misunderstood the fee?
"That's not right, she made a mistake, where are you now?" Dave asked, with sincere concern. "I'm driving right over."
Within the hour, Dave had refunded our overpayment and given us a personal drive through town complete with apology.
He could have chalked it up to "miscommunication" or "increases in fuel prices."
Instead, Dave simply referred back to our original conversation and his commitment to service. There was no question of the outcome.
Jesus said,
"Simply let your 'yes be yes,' and your 'no,' 'no.'" Matthew 5:37
You don't need a pre-paid voucher with integrity like that.
What do you believe?
When we stepped ashore in Skagway, Alaska, we simply looked for the gentleman in a stove pipe top hat.
Dyea Dave was waiting at the end of the dock. He soon dispatched us with one of his staff drivers to pick up our rail passes and head toward the White Pass mountain depot in a shuttle bus.
We had hoped to actually make the drive with Dave himself, but his driver gave us an adequate narration of the various mountain passes and wildlife sitings.
The only glitch occurred as we departed the shuttle two hours later at Canadian Customs.
Dave's bus driver quoted a higher fee - almost double - than we had discussed two months earlier with Dave.
We were in a quandary. There was no official quote, we'd found Dave directly from his web site phone number. He'd suggested we transact on the actual travel day because bad weather might force us to cancel. To his credit, we wouldn't be out the ticket price if we decided not to go. Now, as we hurried to catch the train, Dave wasn't there, we didn't have cell phone coverage, and the Custom's agent looked a bit impatient. We paid the higher fee.
A few hours later, back down the mountain in Skagway, I called Dyea Dave's cell phone and explained the situation. Had we misunderstood the fee?
"That's not right, she made a mistake, where are you now?" Dave asked, with sincere concern. "I'm driving right over."
Within the hour, Dave had refunded our overpayment and given us a personal drive through town complete with apology.
He could have chalked it up to "miscommunication" or "increases in fuel prices."
Instead, Dave simply referred back to our original conversation and his commitment to service. There was no question of the outcome.
Jesus said,
"Simply let your 'yes be yes,' and your 'no,' 'no.'" Matthew 5:37
You don't need a pre-paid voucher with integrity like that.
What do you believe?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Searching for Jesus ?
The Billy Graham ministry has hit a home run with their new evangelism site:
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
The videos and simple question/answer format are short and to the point - perfect for people using the internet.
I'm going to volunteer to support this!
What better way to use the internet than to affirm God's love for all people, to the ends of the earth.
What do you believe?
http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/
The videos and simple question/answer format are short and to the point - perfect for people using the internet.
I'm going to volunteer to support this!
What better way to use the internet than to affirm God's love for all people, to the ends of the earth.
What do you believe?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Spiritual Leads
A friend asked me what volunteer counselors do when all the people come forward at a Billy Graham evangelistic event.
After listening to the person's intentions and explaining the gospel, I said, we pray with the person.
Before departing they then have the option to complete a follow-up card. Later, other Billy Graham volunteers will match their name and locality to the closest church (even a denomination if they specify one). A church member will then contact the new believer and invite them to a service.
"Oh!" my friend exclaimed, "It's like a Spiritual 'lead.'"
We're both marketers, so I immediately knew what he meant.
When we send out information about our business services, or meet people at symposiums, we give them the opportunity to submit follow-up info. That way we can match the new inquirer with a local company contact for follow-up.
It's called a "lead," because there is still more to do. You have to contact the person, engage them, listen and build a relationship.
That's what churches are supposed to do whether the Billy Graham team is in town or not.
Christian discipleship doesn't stop with a profession of faith, it continues with learning and fellowship.
When Jesus met Andrew, he didn't have a nice conversation and then walk off.
He said, "Come, and you will see," and spent the day with him. John 1:39
A complete relationship with God doesn't occur in a single evening at church or an evangelist's meeting -- but it can Lead to it!
What do you believe?
After listening to the person's intentions and explaining the gospel, I said, we pray with the person.
Before departing they then have the option to complete a follow-up card. Later, other Billy Graham volunteers will match their name and locality to the closest church (even a denomination if they specify one). A church member will then contact the new believer and invite them to a service.
"Oh!" my friend exclaimed, "It's like a Spiritual 'lead.'"
We're both marketers, so I immediately knew what he meant.
When we send out information about our business services, or meet people at symposiums, we give them the opportunity to submit follow-up info. That way we can match the new inquirer with a local company contact for follow-up.
It's called a "lead," because there is still more to do. You have to contact the person, engage them, listen and build a relationship.
That's what churches are supposed to do whether the Billy Graham team is in town or not.
Christian discipleship doesn't stop with a profession of faith, it continues with learning and fellowship.
When Jesus met Andrew, he didn't have a nice conversation and then walk off.
He said, "Come, and you will see," and spent the day with him. John 1:39
A complete relationship with God doesn't occur in a single evening at church or an evangelist's meeting -- but it can Lead to it!
What do you believe?
News of Jesus Returning
Is Jesus coming back?
There are lots of headlines and predictions about Jesus returning this weekend.
I remember a similar news cycle surrounding a little book entitled,
"88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988"
That author quickly transitioned to false-prophet status on New Years Day, 1989.
Missing from the jokes and bemused perspective of "those wacky Christians" are a few more timeless questions, like:
Does it matter whether or not Jesus does come back?
Did Jesus happen to weigh in on the subject?
Personally, I'm glad to welcome His return. The apostle Paul said,
"In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2Peter 3:13
Jesus said,
"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21 1-4
Jesus gives you additional details of his return in Matthew, Chapter 24; Mark, Chapter 13 and Luke, Chapter 21.
God has graciously provided thousands of years for anyone of their own free will to accept him.
Every day that goes by is one more opportunity to tell someone else the good news of His love.
Whether this weekend or 100 weekends from now - the lead story of every article could be: "God provided one more day of reconciliation in advance of Jesus return."
Paul said this:
"As I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ....but our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.." Philippians 3:18-21
What do you believe?
There are lots of headlines and predictions about Jesus returning this weekend.
I remember a similar news cycle surrounding a little book entitled,
"88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988"
That author quickly transitioned to false-prophet status on New Years Day, 1989.
Missing from the jokes and bemused perspective of "those wacky Christians" are a few more timeless questions, like:
Does it matter whether or not Jesus does come back?
Did Jesus happen to weigh in on the subject?
Personally, I'm glad to welcome His return. The apostle Paul said,
"In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2Peter 3:13
Jesus said,
"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21 1-4
Jesus gives you additional details of his return in Matthew, Chapter 24; Mark, Chapter 13 and Luke, Chapter 21.
God has graciously provided thousands of years for anyone of their own free will to accept him.
Every day that goes by is one more opportunity to tell someone else the good news of His love.
Whether this weekend or 100 weekends from now - the lead story of every article could be: "God provided one more day of reconciliation in advance of Jesus return."
Paul said this:
"As I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ....but our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.." Philippians 3:18-21
What do you believe?
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Billy Graham Training
The Billy Graham team is holding training sessions for volunteer counselors in my town.
We're all preparing for the "Rock the Lakes" festival in August.
This is the second time I've attended the training, having volunteered at the mega-four day Cincinnati event in 2002.
Billy and his son Franklin actually broke attendance records for the new football stadium that year!
But the Billy Graham approach isn't about big numbers. They stress humility, gentleness and respect. And they start at the very basic elements of Christianity.
"Why believe?"
Here's how the training class prepares us with a simple acronym, PPRR.
Plan
God has a plan for your life, of love and peace.
"We have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1
"I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly" John 10:10
Problem
But we are initially separated from God's intended relationship by sin - things we do that displease God.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Remedy
In His Love for us, God himself provides the solution to our problem.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
This is the beauty of Christianity, God is waiting for our humility, not our perfection.
"For we are saved by Grace, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, not by works, lest anyone boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Receive
Saying yes to Jesus is saying yes to God's plan for our eternal relationship with him.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be children of God." John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
This is the boldest statement of all for Christianity - you never have to wonder about life after death.
Jesus defeated death for all who believe - we can know we have eternal life in Christ.
I am so looking forward to the opportunity to share this good news with my neighbors at Rock the Lakes.
And with anyone else who asks the reason for my hope in God's plan.
What do you believe?
We're all preparing for the "Rock the Lakes" festival in August.
This is the second time I've attended the training, having volunteered at the mega-four day Cincinnati event in 2002.
Billy and his son Franklin actually broke attendance records for the new football stadium that year!
But the Billy Graham approach isn't about big numbers. They stress humility, gentleness and respect. And they start at the very basic elements of Christianity.
"Why believe?"
Here's how the training class prepares us with a simple acronym, PPRR.
Plan
God has a plan for your life, of love and peace.
"We have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1
"I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly" John 10:10
Problem
But we are initially separated from God's intended relationship by sin - things we do that displease God.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Remedy
In His Love for us, God himself provides the solution to our problem.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
This is the beauty of Christianity, God is waiting for our humility, not our perfection.
"For we are saved by Grace, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, not by works, lest anyone boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Receive
Saying yes to Jesus is saying yes to God's plan for our eternal relationship with him.
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to be children of God." John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
This is the boldest statement of all for Christianity - you never have to wonder about life after death.
Jesus defeated death for all who believe - we can know we have eternal life in Christ.
I am so looking forward to the opportunity to share this good news with my neighbors at Rock the Lakes.
And with anyone else who asks the reason for my hope in God's plan.
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
My Bible Brothers
I challenged our family to read through the Bible's New Testament by the end of June this year.
(I'm about halfway as of this writing, have to kick it in gear!)
There was just enough time to breeze through Philemon while my plane taxied to the airport terminal last week.
Part of the Apostle Paul's introduction caught my eye and brought out the yellow highlighter pen:
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because i hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, my brother have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
From Paul's letter to Philemon
I have been so fortunate to stay in touch with a great network of brothers (and sisters) these past 25 years.
These are the Bible study pals from church who show up without fail every Tuesday at 6:30 a.m..
They are the guys from another state and our previous home, who still get together for annual camping trips when we can.
It's the three new colleagues at work who have been joining together before work or over lunch for fellowship and scripture reading.
And the many, many people I've only known for a brief season of prayer & praise - a neighbor, a co-worker, a musician, a fellow traveler.
I hear and see their faith in the Lord Jesus. More importantly, I experience their faith as encouragement, with great joy.
It is because these brothers in Christ, whether I've known them 25 years or 25 months, are active in their faith - making it real - and thereby refreshing the heart of this Believer.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.
What do you believe?
(I'm about halfway as of this writing, have to kick it in gear!)
There was just enough time to breeze through Philemon while my plane taxied to the airport terminal last week.
Part of the Apostle Paul's introduction caught my eye and brought out the yellow highlighter pen:
"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because i hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, my brother have refreshed the hearts of the saints."
From Paul's letter to Philemon
I have been so fortunate to stay in touch with a great network of brothers (and sisters) these past 25 years.
These are the Bible study pals from church who show up without fail every Tuesday at 6:30 a.m..
They are the guys from another state and our previous home, who still get together for annual camping trips when we can.
It's the three new colleagues at work who have been joining together before work or over lunch for fellowship and scripture reading.
And the many, many people I've only known for a brief season of prayer & praise - a neighbor, a co-worker, a musician, a fellow traveler.
I hear and see their faith in the Lord Jesus. More importantly, I experience their faith as encouragement, with great joy.
It is because these brothers in Christ, whether I've known them 25 years or 25 months, are active in their faith - making it real - and thereby refreshing the heart of this Believer.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers.
What do you believe?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Now I Have Told You
Mary and Mary Magdalene went to Jesus' tomb on the third day and an angel appeared to them. He showed them the empty tomb.
"Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.'
Now I have told you." Matthew 28: 7
This is one of those sections of the bible that I have read more times than I can count. But I don't recall that last line of the angel's ever hitting me like it did this Holy Week..
The angel said: "Now I have told you."
You know the rest of the story. The two women bravely returned to the skeptical disciples and confirmed that Jesus had risen.
No one forced them to do that.
Matthew's text explains that they were "afraid yet filled with joy" as they ran to tell the others. They ran.
The angel explained what they should do, but he didn't coerce them in any fashion. There was no hint of "tell them, or else...."
He just said, "Now I have told you" and they took it from there.
I'm not doing enough to tell the people around me that Jesus has risen. And I certainly don't run to get it done.
Why are we not showing any sense of urgency to let people know this fabulous news:
Jesus died on the cross for your sins. He rose again and defeated death.
You can repent and believe in Jesus, and so defeat death for all eternity.
You will receive abundant blessings and a deep sense of peace as you follow Jesus (life won't be perfect, but it will hold together a whole lot better with Jesus!).
It doesn't cost you a thing.
"Now I have told you."
What do you believe?
"Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.'
Now I have told you." Matthew 28: 7
This is one of those sections of the bible that I have read more times than I can count. But I don't recall that last line of the angel's ever hitting me like it did this Holy Week..
The angel said: "Now I have told you."
You know the rest of the story. The two women bravely returned to the skeptical disciples and confirmed that Jesus had risen.
No one forced them to do that.
Matthew's text explains that they were "afraid yet filled with joy" as they ran to tell the others. They ran.
The angel explained what they should do, but he didn't coerce them in any fashion. There was no hint of "tell them, or else...."
He just said, "Now I have told you" and they took it from there.
I'm not doing enough to tell the people around me that Jesus has risen. And I certainly don't run to get it done.
Why are we not showing any sense of urgency to let people know this fabulous news:
Jesus died on the cross for your sins. He rose again and defeated death.
You can repent and believe in Jesus, and so defeat death for all eternity.
You will receive abundant blessings and a deep sense of peace as you follow Jesus (life won't be perfect, but it will hold together a whole lot better with Jesus!).
It doesn't cost you a thing.
"Now I have told you."
What do you believe?
Billy Graham - Rock the Lakes
Franklin Graham visited Milwaukee last week to kick off preparation for Rock the Lakes.
This is a great opportunity to see and share God's love in a wonderful outdoor setting.
Dates are August 20-21 in Veteran's Park.
Visit billygraham.org/Milwaukee to learn more.
Or call 877 907 9111 for details.
I last volunteered for a Billy Graham crusade in Cincinnati in 2001 or so.
The entire process of preparation and participation was a great joy.
I encourage you to attend and bring friends and family.
What do you believe?
This is a great opportunity to see and share God's love in a wonderful outdoor setting.
Dates are August 20-21 in Veteran's Park.
Visit billygraham.org/Milwaukee to learn more.
Or call 877 907 9111 for details.
I last volunteered for a Billy Graham crusade in Cincinnati in 2001 or so.
The entire process of preparation and participation was a great joy.
I encourage you to attend and bring friends and family.
What do you believe?
Then We Will Believe in God
My wife and I attended Palm Sunday services at a church across town.
It was so beautiful. Floor to rafter glass walls and lots of Light!
They read a very interesting section of Matthew's Gospel, the crucifixion of Jesus.
"Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their head and saying, 'you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!
Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!
Let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him." from Matthew 27: 39-42
I listened to the those words and smiled at the irony!
If God will do it my way - then I will believe.
"If he comes down from the cross then we will believe."
In effect, they were saying, 'stop what you are doing (humbly redeeming the world of sin) and fulfill our expectations for a 'god.'
This same impertinence is what I hear over and over and over again in our own time.
People think nothing of establishing their own limits or qualifications for an acceptable god (idol).
It's upside down. The question they - and we - should have asked was,
"How may we repent and come to know God and His plan for our lives?"
Not, 'how may we shape a god who accommodates our lives as we choose to live them.'
I asked, and then found God's answers in the rest of Matthew's gospel...
What do you believe?
It was so beautiful. Floor to rafter glass walls and lots of Light!
They read a very interesting section of Matthew's Gospel, the crucifixion of Jesus.
"Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their head and saying, 'you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!
Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!
Let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him." from Matthew 27: 39-42
I listened to the those words and smiled at the irony!
If God will do it my way - then I will believe.
"If he comes down from the cross then we will believe."
In effect, they were saying, 'stop what you are doing (humbly redeeming the world of sin) and fulfill our expectations for a 'god.'
This same impertinence is what I hear over and over and over again in our own time.
People think nothing of establishing their own limits or qualifications for an acceptable god (idol).
It's upside down. The question they - and we - should have asked was,
"How may we repent and come to know God and His plan for our lives?"
Not, 'how may we shape a god who accommodates our lives as we choose to live them.'
I asked, and then found God's answers in the rest of Matthew's gospel...
What do you believe?
Who Crucified Jesus ?
You did.
Who crucified Jesus?
I did.
Authorities sent Jesus to the cross for being a rebel.
He preached forgiveness and mercy - a liberating mix of redemption and grace that autocratic leaders still find threatening today.
He was sent to the cross for being a rebel.
But he endured the cross so our sins could be forgiven.
There is no need for redemption if there is no sin.
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Coloassians 1:19
Who crucified Jesus...what do you believe?
Who crucified Jesus?
I did.
Authorities sent Jesus to the cross for being a rebel.
He preached forgiveness and mercy - a liberating mix of redemption and grace that autocratic leaders still find threatening today.
He was sent to the cross for being a rebel.
But he endured the cross so our sins could be forgiven.
There is no need for redemption if there is no sin.
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Coloassians 1:19
Who crucified Jesus...what do you believe?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Church Relic - Spine of Christ ?
I spent this past week in Versailles, just outside Paris.
We took an evening dinner cruise on the Seine and a friend pointed out historical landmarks including the Louvre, Notre Dame and of course the Eifle tower.
In the course of her narrative she mentioned a few lesser known churches. One in particular, she observed, even had a famous relic retrieved by an earlier French King. As she recalled, it was the "spine of Christ."
My natural inclination was to continue listening to her kind descriptions. Afterall, there are countless relics in churches all over the world. Who knows which fragments are real and which are not. Even a local Basilica near our home has what they claim to be a piece of the One True Cross. Anyway, it was not an evening for debate, but of fellowship and beautiful Parisian views.
When I returned home, I recapped the week's events for my family and included reference to the "spine of Christ" relic.
My daughter immediately said, "Oops, that's not right."
In the instant she said that, I finally made the same connection and thought, "Oh my. Jesus' resurrected body left behind no bones of any kind, let alone his spine!"
What an opportunity for evangelism I had missed! How simple to have asked my host, "Are you sure they meant the spine of Christ? That would be at odds with the Christian belief that he arose from the dead." There were hundreds of ways I could have said that. I was thinking like a tourist, not a Believer. (Happily, my daughter is more on the ball than I am !)
A quick online search revealed several mentions of "spine" and "Christ" in Paris. But they refer to the crown of thorns. Evidently the connecting fragments to the thorns are called "the spine." Somehow my friend must have mixed what she heard about churches, relics and Christ, to misunderstand the "spine of Christ's thorns" to be "the spine of Christ." It is now my turn to respond back to her and ask if that is indeed the case. There is still an opportunity for the Gospel to be shared.
Matthew 27:29
"They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!""
What do you believe?
We took an evening dinner cruise on the Seine and a friend pointed out historical landmarks including the Louvre, Notre Dame and of course the Eifle tower.
In the course of her narrative she mentioned a few lesser known churches. One in particular, she observed, even had a famous relic retrieved by an earlier French King. As she recalled, it was the "spine of Christ."
My natural inclination was to continue listening to her kind descriptions. Afterall, there are countless relics in churches all over the world. Who knows which fragments are real and which are not. Even a local Basilica near our home has what they claim to be a piece of the One True Cross. Anyway, it was not an evening for debate, but of fellowship and beautiful Parisian views.
When I returned home, I recapped the week's events for my family and included reference to the "spine of Christ" relic.
My daughter immediately said, "Oops, that's not right."
In the instant she said that, I finally made the same connection and thought, "Oh my. Jesus' resurrected body left behind no bones of any kind, let alone his spine!"
What an opportunity for evangelism I had missed! How simple to have asked my host, "Are you sure they meant the spine of Christ? That would be at odds with the Christian belief that he arose from the dead." There were hundreds of ways I could have said that. I was thinking like a tourist, not a Believer. (Happily, my daughter is more on the ball than I am !)
A quick online search revealed several mentions of "spine" and "Christ" in Paris. But they refer to the crown of thorns. Evidently the connecting fragments to the thorns are called "the spine." Somehow my friend must have mixed what she heard about churches, relics and Christ, to misunderstand the "spine of Christ's thorns" to be "the spine of Christ." It is now my turn to respond back to her and ask if that is indeed the case. There is still an opportunity for the Gospel to be shared.
Matthew 27:29
"They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!""
What do you believe?
Praying for friends in Japan
Please pray for the people of Japan; for safety, recovery, comfort, reassurance and hope.
We have friends there and you may as well. It must seem an impossible situation to overcome.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
What do you believe?
We have friends there and you may as well. It must seem an impossible situation to overcome.
Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
What do you believe?
Let's Pray
We have a simple way of starting prayer at our house.
Someone says, "let's pray." (One of the pastors at our church used to say, "Okie dokie, let's pray," but that's another story.)
It doesn't take a whole lot of commotion to get started. You need have nothing fancy to say. Whatever comes from the heart - and Holy Spirit - after "let's pray," is enough for God to work with. We end by saying, "...in Jesus' name, Amen."
"Please watch over our gathering.
Please bring our daughter and son safely home from their travels.
Please guide our decision in this matter." In Jesus' name, Amen.
I've been through a particularly pressure-filled time at work lately. In one of my meetings last week I dearly wanted to start by saying, "let's pray," because I truly felt inadequate to the task at hand on my own. I didn't say it, of course. It would have been inappropriate in the work setting and I have no quarrels with that. But political correctness is also censoring religious free speech and thought in my non-work, public settings - in the formerly free United States. Activists proactively block us from praying "in Jesus name" at public events.
My own job stress will pass. There are much worse pressure-filled situations throughout the world today. Dangerous, shooting the civilian population-type situations. Overthrowing the government situations. Elected officials refusing to participate in established democratic processes of the republic-type situations. Even the stress of heartbreaking natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamais.
But coincident with many of these dangerous places where people are firing on their constituents, they have also dictated that submission to one particular prophet is law - and it is literally life threatening to pray "in Jesus' name." They burn churches, and murder converts. That goes way beyond the simmering decorum of our USA secular political correctness.
A word of caution though, both ideologies are aggressively intent on eliminating the same practice. What prevents one from becoming more like the other?
Let's pray.
What do you believe?
Someone says, "let's pray." (One of the pastors at our church used to say, "Okie dokie, let's pray," but that's another story.)
It doesn't take a whole lot of commotion to get started. You need have nothing fancy to say. Whatever comes from the heart - and Holy Spirit - after "let's pray," is enough for God to work with. We end by saying, "...in Jesus' name, Amen."
"Please watch over our gathering.
Please bring our daughter and son safely home from their travels.
Please guide our decision in this matter." In Jesus' name, Amen.
I've been through a particularly pressure-filled time at work lately. In one of my meetings last week I dearly wanted to start by saying, "let's pray," because I truly felt inadequate to the task at hand on my own. I didn't say it, of course. It would have been inappropriate in the work setting and I have no quarrels with that. But political correctness is also censoring religious free speech and thought in my non-work, public settings - in the formerly free United States. Activists proactively block us from praying "in Jesus name" at public events.
My own job stress will pass. There are much worse pressure-filled situations throughout the world today. Dangerous, shooting the civilian population-type situations. Overthrowing the government situations. Elected officials refusing to participate in established democratic processes of the republic-type situations. Even the stress of heartbreaking natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamais.
But coincident with many of these dangerous places where people are firing on their constituents, they have also dictated that submission to one particular prophet is law - and it is literally life threatening to pray "in Jesus' name." They burn churches, and murder converts. That goes way beyond the simmering decorum of our USA secular political correctness.
A word of caution though, both ideologies are aggressively intent on eliminating the same practice. What prevents one from becoming more like the other?
Let's pray.
What do you believe?
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Meet Together with God
About 3 or 4 Sundays every year, my wife and I head to the lake with our Bibles and drink coffee while we sit by the shore and read.
I admit it - we're skipping church.
We're the first to agree that this is not what God intended - although not just because of what the 4th Commandment says.
In the letter to the Hebrews, the New Testament writer reminds the early church:
Hebrews, Chapter 10
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Note to self from that passage: Do not give up meeting together (as some are in the habit of doing).
Good passage to mention when friends decline your invitation to church ("I don't really go for organized religion - I have my own way of doing that....")
I heard a radio preacher read that verse from a Bible that translated "not giving up meetng together" as "do not forsake the community..."
And Paul looked to the church community for example:
1Timothy 3:15
"if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
We don't need to choose a particular denomination for our friends, but we should encourage each other to join and participate in the community of Believers. We're stronger together !
What do you believe?
I admit it - we're skipping church.
We're the first to agree that this is not what God intended - although not just because of what the 4th Commandment says.
In the letter to the Hebrews, the New Testament writer reminds the early church:
Hebrews, Chapter 10
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Note to self from that passage: Do not give up meeting together (as some are in the habit of doing).
Good passage to mention when friends decline your invitation to church ("I don't really go for organized religion - I have my own way of doing that....")
I heard a radio preacher read that verse from a Bible that translated "not giving up meetng together" as "do not forsake the community..."
And Paul looked to the church community for example:
1Timothy 3:15
"if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
We don't need to choose a particular denomination for our friends, but we should encourage each other to join and participate in the community of Believers. We're stronger together !
What do you believe?
Packers, Superbowl, Rodgers and Jesus
Nice article about Superbowl Champion and Greenbay Packer, Aaron Rodgers - written by Mark Darnall & Bruce Darnall on Athletes for Action website.
An excerpt here:
(by Mark Darnall & Bruce Darnall)
"Rodgers looks to his father as a model—one who exemplifies humility, integrity and honoring his elders. “I use that model as I relate to my friends and family, my teammates and coaches,” Rodgers says. “I want them to see that I really love and care for them as individuals. I try to build relationships. I feel if you are not personally invested in the people you spend every day with, then you are missing out on building a relationship and wonderful life experiences. That is what I like about Jesus: Jesus is about relationships.”
A verse that is special to him is John 10:10: “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” Rodgers summarizes, “The Lord is my Rock. He has always been there, always present at good times and bad; and to me when I feel His presence, my life is full.”
What do you believe?
An excerpt here:
(by Mark Darnall & Bruce Darnall)
"Rodgers looks to his father as a model—one who exemplifies humility, integrity and honoring his elders. “I use that model as I relate to my friends and family, my teammates and coaches,” Rodgers says. “I want them to see that I really love and care for them as individuals. I try to build relationships. I feel if you are not personally invested in the people you spend every day with, then you are missing out on building a relationship and wonderful life experiences. That is what I like about Jesus: Jesus is about relationships.”
A verse that is special to him is John 10:10: “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.” Rodgers summarizes, “The Lord is my Rock. He has always been there, always present at good times and bad; and to me when I feel His presence, my life is full.”
What do you believe?
I feel guilty about your guilt
A friend and I had a healthy debate about how to share the gospel with a young adult we know.
I thought it fine to convey a sense of urgency, because we never know what tomorrow brings. My friend thought we should plant seeds but wait longer to talk about a personal commitment. In the end, my friend did proceed to meet the young adult and explain personal salvation, but felt my comments had "guilted" her into it, rather than encouraging her to seek God's timing.
I did second guess myself about being overly aggressive, but still felt there's never a bad time to explain the Gospel. And my friend second guessed herself because she realized she could have spoken up about the gospel more often, before I ever mentioned it. We both acknowledged our flaws in this - and give God the Glory for whatever He accomplishes amidst our imperfection!
In true e-fashion, we "texted" parts of our conversation on this, while the apostle Paul wrote about a similar experience to his friends on parchment. It sounds familiar!
2 Corinthians Chapter 7 verses 8-10
"Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
What do you believe?
I thought it fine to convey a sense of urgency, because we never know what tomorrow brings. My friend thought we should plant seeds but wait longer to talk about a personal commitment. In the end, my friend did proceed to meet the young adult and explain personal salvation, but felt my comments had "guilted" her into it, rather than encouraging her to seek God's timing.
I did second guess myself about being overly aggressive, but still felt there's never a bad time to explain the Gospel. And my friend second guessed herself because she realized she could have spoken up about the gospel more often, before I ever mentioned it. We both acknowledged our flaws in this - and give God the Glory for whatever He accomplishes amidst our imperfection!
In true e-fashion, we "texted" parts of our conversation on this, while the apostle Paul wrote about a similar experience to his friends on parchment. It sounds familiar!
2 Corinthians Chapter 7 verses 8-10
"Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
What do you believe?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Jesus on the Refrigerator
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?
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?
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?
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