My Sister--My Bride and I are in summer prep mode. That means determining what needs to be done in the house, in the yard/gardens, to our vehicles, for our summer vacation, etc. etc. It also means looking at what is a priority and what we can afford and then going from there. So far so good. We both have similar ideas of what actually is a priority and both have similar thoughts on what we can afford so when it comes time for deciding and doing, we should be able to be good stewards of all that the Lord has blessed us with.
Immediate projects are kitchen curtains and painting my son's bedroom and both will get done very soon. My wife might need to sew and I will likely be painting walls and hanging curtains here very soon. We are ready for a summer of productivity! (Now just bring us the warmer weather please!)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Dipstick o' My Soul
I'm not very mechanical. I'm not the guy who tinkers with the car. I CAN fill it with gas and change a tire or bulb, but lift up that hood and I'm limited. Add wiper fluid? I can do it. Radiator fluid? I can do it. Jump start the car? I can do it. Check the oil or transmission fluid? I can do it. But that is about as far as it goes. I can pull out that dipstick and read the evidence that my engine needs oil, but I've got to take it somewhere to get that done. Of course, nowadays, these new fancy cars can email you their own diagnostics and tell you what needs to be fixed, but I like the old dipstick. It was your chance to pretend to be a grease monkey. You get a rag and you get under the hood and get a little dirty, even if you had no clue what anything else was, you could at least tell if you needed oil by looking at that dipstick.
Our tongues are very similar to dipsticks you know. They reveal a lot about our inner workings, what's in our heart and soul and on our minds, even to those with no training or skills in human psychology. James viewed the tongue this way:
James 3:1-12 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Many of us try and "tame our tongues." We make a conscious effort to say the right things and avoid saying the wrong things. We take "speech" classes and we rehearse what we will say for interviews and presentations so that our tongues make the right impression. In the end though, our tongue reveals our inner being. It speaks curses, words of hate, evil thoughts, and the like. It can't be tamed. Just as a the dipstick can't put oil in my car, nor can my tongue change what's in my heart. It reveals what is there.
So can it be tamed? Are we adrift in the sea of life with an evil rudder that sets us on a course to destruction no matter which way the prevailing winds are blowing?
(Tune in Next Week for Answers)
Our tongues are very similar to dipsticks you know. They reveal a lot about our inner workings, what's in our heart and soul and on our minds, even to those with no training or skills in human psychology. James viewed the tongue this way:
James 3:1-12 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Many of us try and "tame our tongues." We make a conscious effort to say the right things and avoid saying the wrong things. We take "speech" classes and we rehearse what we will say for interviews and presentations so that our tongues make the right impression. In the end though, our tongue reveals our inner being. It speaks curses, words of hate, evil thoughts, and the like. It can't be tamed. Just as a the dipstick can't put oil in my car, nor can my tongue change what's in my heart. It reveals what is there.
So can it be tamed? Are we adrift in the sea of life with an evil rudder that sets us on a course to destruction no matter which way the prevailing winds are blowing?
(Tune in Next Week for Answers)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Pew Poetry
Here I sit inside my church, upon a padded pew
Pastor stands up at his perch, a sermon he doth spew
My muscles twitch and my head gives a lurch, will he ever be through?
For the ending my ears ever search, but its like he's started anew
It is not his message that I besmirch, its the lack of point-getting to.
For all my pastors, past, present and future, with all respect, humility, and love. Offered as a reminder that the average attention span of those of us in the pews is only about 6-8 minutes and getting shorter by the year!
Pastor stands up at his perch, a sermon he doth spew
My muscles twitch and my head gives a lurch, will he ever be through?
For the ending my ears ever search, but its like he's started anew
It is not his message that I besmirch, its the lack of point-getting to.
For all my pastors, past, present and future, with all respect, humility, and love. Offered as a reminder that the average attention span of those of us in the pews is only about 6-8 minutes and getting shorter by the year!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Dads & Daughters
Well, we were back at it this morning bright and early for the second-to-last week of Men's Fraternity (the first year that is). Today's focus was on Dads & Daughters and how to raise a Real Woman. Only two of the men in my small group have daughters, so were the other three of us left out?
A) I'm married to a Real woman so much of today's info was helpful in my relationship to my sister, my bride.
B) I have sisters and a mom and again, same is true from A
C) As a part of the body of Christ, I have many, many daughters that I am called upon to help raise up as real women (isn't this why we the congregation have a role in the baptism liturgy?)
D) I am raising sons...who someday may raise daughters of their own.
So, yes, even those of us without daughters in the nuclear family sense of the word benefitted greatly from today's discussion. The hilight was the notion of dad's "dating" their daughters. My initial gut reaction to that was to think "inappropriate" but when you get right down to it, we only think of it as inappropriate because we equate dating with a sexual relationship, not a healthy and communicative bonding of male and female. It is up to dads to help their daughters learn HOW to relate to men. By dating our daughters, we model for them appropriate behaviors, develop in them an appropriate sense of trust and bonding with men that will help them as they go out and date their male peers one day. Who would we rather have teaching our daughters about male/female relationships, their dads or their male peers (aka teenage boys)? Powerful stuff today. I pray for strength to support my brothers with daughters as we all attempt to raise them up to be real women of God.
A) I'm married to a Real woman so much of today's info was helpful in my relationship to my sister, my bride.
B) I have sisters and a mom and again, same is true from A
C) As a part of the body of Christ, I have many, many daughters that I am called upon to help raise up as real women (isn't this why we the congregation have a role in the baptism liturgy?)
D) I am raising sons...who someday may raise daughters of their own.
So, yes, even those of us without daughters in the nuclear family sense of the word benefitted greatly from today's discussion. The hilight was the notion of dad's "dating" their daughters. My initial gut reaction to that was to think "inappropriate" but when you get right down to it, we only think of it as inappropriate because we equate dating with a sexual relationship, not a healthy and communicative bonding of male and female. It is up to dads to help their daughters learn HOW to relate to men. By dating our daughters, we model for them appropriate behaviors, develop in them an appropriate sense of trust and bonding with men that will help them as they go out and date their male peers one day. Who would we rather have teaching our daughters about male/female relationships, their dads or their male peers (aka teenage boys)? Powerful stuff today. I pray for strength to support my brothers with daughters as we all attempt to raise them up to be real women of God.
Dads & Daughters
Well, we were back at it this morning bright and early for the second-to-last week of Men's Fraternity (the first year that is). Today's focus was on Dads & Daughters and how to raise a Real Woman. Only two of the men in my small group have daughters, so were the other three of us left out?
A) I'm married to a Real woman so much of today's info was helpful in my relationship to my sister, my bride.
B) I have sisters and a mom and again, same is true from A
C) As a part of the body of Christ, I have many, many daughters that I am called upon to help raise up as real women (isn't this why we the congregation have a role in the baptism liturgy?)
D) I am raising sons...who someday may raise daughters of their own.
So, yes, even those of us without daughters in the nuclear family sense of the word benefitted greatly from today's discussion. The hilight was the notion of dad's "dating" their daughters. My initial gut reaction to that was to think "inappropriate" but when you get right down to it, we only think of it as inappropriate because we equate dating with a sexual relationship, not a healthy and communicative bonding of male and female. It is up to dads to help their daughters learn HOW to relate to men. By dating our daughters, we model for them appropriate behaviors, develop in them an appropriate sense of trust and bonding with men that will help them as they go out and date their male peers one day. Who would we rather have teaching our daughters about male/female relationships, their dads or their male peers (aka teenage boys)? Powerful stuff today. I pray for strength to support my brothers with daughters as we all attempt to raise them up to be real women of God.
A) I'm married to a Real woman so much of today's info was helpful in my relationship to my sister, my bride.
B) I have sisters and a mom and again, same is true from A
C) As a part of the body of Christ, I have many, many daughters that I am called upon to help raise up as real women (isn't this why we the congregation have a role in the baptism liturgy?)
D) I am raising sons...who someday may raise daughters of their own.
So, yes, even those of us without daughters in the nuclear family sense of the word benefitted greatly from today's discussion. The hilight was the notion of dad's "dating" their daughters. My initial gut reaction to that was to think "inappropriate" but when you get right down to it, we only think of it as inappropriate because we equate dating with a sexual relationship, not a healthy and communicative bonding of male and female. It is up to dads to help their daughters learn HOW to relate to men. By dating our daughters, we model for them appropriate behaviors, develop in them an appropriate sense of trust and bonding with men that will help them as they go out and date their male peers one day. Who would we rather have teaching our daughters about male/female relationships, their dads or their male peers (aka teenage boys)? Powerful stuff today. I pray for strength to support my brothers with daughters as we all attempt to raise them up to be real women of God.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Back Home Again
It is so rare I get to go back and attend the church I grew up in, that I was baptized and confirmed in and where I first participated in active ministry as a volunteer in youth and social ministry areas, even served on the church council. I was there this past Easter Sunday for the 9am service. We got there about 10 minutes early (its hard to get the boys ready any sooner) and knew we were in trouble by the lack of parking (compounded by the 9" snow fall and plowed drifts taking up 20% of the available parking to start with.
So we got inside and had to wait for the choir to process in at the start of the service (they filled the narthex to the point you couldn't get in). Once they were in, we got relegated to 2nd to last row of steel chairs in the back of the narthex. The was a pole blocking our view of the sanctuary, and also a glass wall and anyone wanting to use the bathroom blocked us as well as the bathroom in the narthex was actually closer to sanctuary than we were. The ushers managed to piece together a few bulletins for those of us relegated to the back of the narthex, and eventually found a few extra hymnals for us.
Keeping in mind we had our 3 and 4 year old sons with us, my wife and I and also my older sister who had joined us, tried to keep them still. This is a struggle even in a pew at our own church towards the front where all the action is, and we knew this wasn't going to bode well. The 4 year old actually did great. He even sat on my lap for most of the sermon and asked me questions about some of the words he heard like "What was a tomb?" The 3year old wasn't up to though. My wife saw in the bulletin that the nursery was availabe and she took him downstairs only to return with him a few minutes later. No nursery on account of no volunteers. The woman sitting behind us (in the very last row of chairs against the back wall of the narthex) said she didn't mind his squirming but if we wanted, she had a key to the nursery and could open it for us. She did so and my wife took the 3year old down and was soon joined by a few other parents in similar situations.
During some of the songs, the speaker in the ceiling above us was loud with organ and that helped us narthex participants to sing in the accoustical nightmare of the low ceilinged narthex, but every once in a while the speaker would short out or switch from stereo to mono or something that caused it to be much softer and our voices would likewise fade to whispers. We made it through and even managed to get communion about 20 minutes or more after they started serving. We then returned to our chairs for the conclusion of the service (benediction and final hymn) only to be blocked by several members standing in the narthex who had come in for the 11am service to make sure they got a pew seat (it started in 20 minutes so I don't blame them) .
In the end, we worshiped. If worship was all about me, I would say that was a horrible experience, but, worship is all about us coming together as a body of Christ to fear and love our God and hear His Word and sing praises to him. Whether I was in a pew in front of the lecturn or in a steel chair in the back of the narthex, I was able to worship, and my sons were able to hear "He Is Risen" and ask about it and hear some hymns of praise and in the end...we worshiped our Lord on Easter Sunday with the whole body of Christ and it was good
So we got inside and had to wait for the choir to process in at the start of the service (they filled the narthex to the point you couldn't get in). Once they were in, we got relegated to 2nd to last row of steel chairs in the back of the narthex. The was a pole blocking our view of the sanctuary, and also a glass wall and anyone wanting to use the bathroom blocked us as well as the bathroom in the narthex was actually closer to sanctuary than we were. The ushers managed to piece together a few bulletins for those of us relegated to the back of the narthex, and eventually found a few extra hymnals for us.
Keeping in mind we had our 3 and 4 year old sons with us, my wife and I and also my older sister who had joined us, tried to keep them still. This is a struggle even in a pew at our own church towards the front where all the action is, and we knew this wasn't going to bode well. The 4 year old actually did great. He even sat on my lap for most of the sermon and asked me questions about some of the words he heard like "What was a tomb?" The 3year old wasn't up to though. My wife saw in the bulletin that the nursery was availabe and she took him downstairs only to return with him a few minutes later. No nursery on account of no volunteers. The woman sitting behind us (in the very last row of chairs against the back wall of the narthex) said she didn't mind his squirming but if we wanted, she had a key to the nursery and could open it for us. She did so and my wife took the 3year old down and was soon joined by a few other parents in similar situations.
During some of the songs, the speaker in the ceiling above us was loud with organ and that helped us narthex participants to sing in the accoustical nightmare of the low ceilinged narthex, but every once in a while the speaker would short out or switch from stereo to mono or something that caused it to be much softer and our voices would likewise fade to whispers. We made it through and even managed to get communion about 20 minutes or more after they started serving. We then returned to our chairs for the conclusion of the service (benediction and final hymn) only to be blocked by several members standing in the narthex who had come in for the 11am service to make sure they got a pew seat (it started in 20 minutes so I don't blame them) .
In the end, we worshiped. If worship was all about me, I would say that was a horrible experience, but, worship is all about us coming together as a body of Christ to fear and love our God and hear His Word and sing praises to him. Whether I was in a pew in front of the lecturn or in a steel chair in the back of the narthex, I was able to worship, and my sons were able to hear "He Is Risen" and ask about it and hear some hymns of praise and in the end...we worshiped our Lord on Easter Sunday with the whole body of Christ and it was good
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Share, Fair...Don't Care!
My boys are working on sharing their toys with each other. This weekend we celebrated my older son's 5th birthday with the family and he got a few gifts and his younger brother got a couple of things as well to keep things "fair" for he who struggles with understanding that notion. A few tantrums, pokings, sluggings, wrestling matches, and out-and-out brawls later, and progress seems to be being made. They now have a total of 4 different pirate ships, including the officlal Pirates Who Don't Do Anything boat and one boat that is tub friendly. Tonight they managed to play with all them and share their favorite character figurines and even take a bath together without...too much anyway...fighting. Usually, the attitude is, I don't care if you want me to share, its MINE! I don't care if it is not fair, its mine!
We are working on improving that attitude. How to make my sons care for their brother and their neighbor? Part one is modeling the appropriate behavior myself. Need to work on that in the days and weeks ahead
We are working on improving that attitude. How to make my sons care for their brother and their neighbor? Part one is modeling the appropriate behavior myself. Need to work on that in the days and weeks ahead
Monday, March 24, 2008
What's Gonna Work?
My kids enjoy a show called Wonder Pets and its theme song has a question and answer refrain of "What's Gonna Work?" with the unison response of "TEAMWORK!" All I have to say to my younger son is "What's gonna work?" and he will automatically sing out "teamwork!"
That was my sister--my bride and I today. She packed, I loaded. She handled the boys, I drove the car and soon enough we were back home after a weekend up at my childhood home and a visit to my parents (and the more importantly, the boys grandparents). It worked well. We were so on track that the potty breaks before we left lasted the full 4 hour drive and we never needed to stop for a potty break on the way back.
What's gonna work? Teamwork of course and God has fitted us together as an efficient and powerful team. God is truly good...ALL THE TIME!
That was my sister--my bride and I today. She packed, I loaded. She handled the boys, I drove the car and soon enough we were back home after a weekend up at my childhood home and a visit to my parents (and the more importantly, the boys grandparents). It worked well. We were so on track that the potty breaks before we left lasted the full 4 hour drive and we never needed to stop for a potty break on the way back.
What's gonna work? Teamwork of course and God has fitted us together as an efficient and powerful team. God is truly good...ALL THE TIME!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Road Trips
I've always been a fan of long road trips. Despite the my son now asking "are we there yet?" or the repeated warnings of this being the last chance to the use the restroom for several hundred miles, road trips are great family fun. One thing that is especially nice about them is you that, at least when everyone is awake and not plugged into an MP3 player or watching a DVD, you get a chance to converse with those in the vehicle with you. The longer the trip, the more you get a chance for discussions. This was especially true in Biblical times, when you had to walk from place to place (and may be true again seeing what the price of gas is lately). Walking makes every trip a long trip, and not a single radio station was around back then to fill that time. One example of such a Biblical road trip took place on THE EASTER SUNDAY, on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and is recorded in Luke chapter 24 beginning with the 13th verse:
Now that same day [Easter Sunday] two of them were going to a village called Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. [Luke 24:13-16]
OK. So here you have these two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus, not any of the original twelve mind you, just some ordinary followers of Jesus. The topic of conversation just happens to be the events of that first Easter weekend so long ago. These two are walking along, discussing and questioning each other about Jesus and what happened to Him, and suddenly, they are joined by Jesus the Messiah Himself! One thing we learn right away is that if you hold a Bible study meeting and only 1 student shows up...by all means have the Bible study cause 2 is more than enough!
He (Jesus) asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them named Cleopas, asked him "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" [Luke 24:17-18]
It never fails. you start a conversation with Christ and you have to explain EVERYTHING to the one person who already knows what is going on! Or is it that we just don't seem to trust that the Lord knows ALL the details that WE know! I mean, WE are the ones who were THERE!
"What things?" (Jesus) asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." [Luke 24: 19-21]
Just when we get our hopes up that Jesus is about to deliver US from OUR troubles, we seem to get let down. Jesus does not seem to deliver US according to OUR plan or OUR schedule! If he would just let us win that lottery, get that big raise, or make our enemies disappear, WE would be able to serve Him so much better!
"In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." [Luke 24:22-24]
We've all been there. Stuck in the upper room while SOMEBODY ELSE has a great revelation or have stood by while that person who worked in accounting hit the multi-million dollar jackpot in the lottery and quit their job the next day. So...of course we go and check it out. We go and buy OUR tickets and...NOTHING!
He (Jesus) said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [Luke 24: 25-27]
I admit it. On more than one occassion Jesus THE Christ has point blank called me foolish and slow of heart. In fact, it happens almost daily, whenever I try to fit Him into MY plan, rather than just follow His, I usually wind up with an "O Foolish One" to the back of my head.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [Luke 24: 28-31]
That wonderful moment! The Lord opens your eyes to His awesome plan and you marvel to yourself about just how brilliant and awesome God truly is and just how foolish you tend to be.
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. [Luke 24:32-35]
When Christ opens our eyes to His plan, we just have to share the story with others, no matter how tired we felt prior to that moment, suddenly we have new found vigor. After walking the full seven miles to Emmaus, and even stating "the day is almost over," these two found the energy to hurry back to Jerusalem to share their good news that very night. Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross, dying to pay OUR penalty and then rose from the dead on that wonderful Easter Sunday, and still found the time to join a couple of travelers on a long road trip. Don't think Jesus has time for you and your worries? "O foolish one!" Christ redeemed you on the cross, and will reveal His plan for you if you just stop and ask Him to. Not sure how? Hmmmm. How bout we go for a walk and ask some questions about this Jesus?
Now that same day [Easter Sunday] two of them were going to a village called Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. [Luke 24:13-16]
OK. So here you have these two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus, not any of the original twelve mind you, just some ordinary followers of Jesus. The topic of conversation just happens to be the events of that first Easter weekend so long ago. These two are walking along, discussing and questioning each other about Jesus and what happened to Him, and suddenly, they are joined by Jesus the Messiah Himself! One thing we learn right away is that if you hold a Bible study meeting and only 1 student shows up...by all means have the Bible study cause 2 is more than enough!
He (Jesus) asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them named Cleopas, asked him "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" [Luke 24:17-18]
It never fails. you start a conversation with Christ and you have to explain EVERYTHING to the one person who already knows what is going on! Or is it that we just don't seem to trust that the Lord knows ALL the details that WE know! I mean, WE are the ones who were THERE!
"What things?" (Jesus) asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." [Luke 24: 19-21]
Just when we get our hopes up that Jesus is about to deliver US from OUR troubles, we seem to get let down. Jesus does not seem to deliver US according to OUR plan or OUR schedule! If he would just let us win that lottery, get that big raise, or make our enemies disappear, WE would be able to serve Him so much better!
"In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." [Luke 24:22-24]
We've all been there. Stuck in the upper room while SOMEBODY ELSE has a great revelation or have stood by while that person who worked in accounting hit the multi-million dollar jackpot in the lottery and quit their job the next day. So...of course we go and check it out. We go and buy OUR tickets and...NOTHING!
He (Jesus) said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. [Luke 24: 25-27]
I admit it. On more than one occassion Jesus THE Christ has point blank called me foolish and slow of heart. In fact, it happens almost daily, whenever I try to fit Him into MY plan, rather than just follow His, I usually wind up with an "O Foolish One" to the back of my head.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [Luke 24: 28-31]
That wonderful moment! The Lord opens your eyes to His awesome plan and you marvel to yourself about just how brilliant and awesome God truly is and just how foolish you tend to be.
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. [Luke 24:32-35]
When Christ opens our eyes to His plan, we just have to share the story with others, no matter how tired we felt prior to that moment, suddenly we have new found vigor. After walking the full seven miles to Emmaus, and even stating "the day is almost over," these two found the energy to hurry back to Jerusalem to share their good news that very night. Christ took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross, dying to pay OUR penalty and then rose from the dead on that wonderful Easter Sunday, and still found the time to join a couple of travelers on a long road trip. Don't think Jesus has time for you and your worries? "O foolish one!" Christ redeemed you on the cross, and will reveal His plan for you if you just stop and ask Him to. Not sure how? Hmmmm. How bout we go for a walk and ask some questions about this Jesus?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Are We There Yet?
We made it in at about 11:50pm to Grandma & Grandpa's. Boys did great on the road though the younger one managed to get chocolate bunny all over his face, hands, pillow, shirt, booster seat, seat belt, etc. etc. No snow till this morning and it is a good thing we made the decision to drive up late last night as we are getting clobbered with snow here this morning.
Now, our boys have never been the "Are we there yet?" types but last night my older one (who will be 5 in a couple weeks and will celebrate that this weekend with the family) asked "how much longer?" a couple times. When we stopped at for a potty break at a truck stop at 11pm, both boys asked if we were at Grandmas?
I anticipate the "Are we there yet?" barrage in future roadtrips.
Good Friday to you all and have a blessed and Happy Easter as we celebrate our Savior's death upon the cross to pay the price for our sins and ultimately rising again on the 3rd day so that we might all have eternal life.
Now, our boys have never been the "Are we there yet?" types but last night my older one (who will be 5 in a couple weeks and will celebrate that this weekend with the family) asked "how much longer?" a couple times. When we stopped at for a potty break at a truck stop at 11pm, both boys asked if we were at Grandmas?
I anticipate the "Are we there yet?" barrage in future roadtrips.
Good Friday to you all and have a blessed and Happy Easter as we celebrate our Savior's death upon the cross to pay the price for our sins and ultimately rising again on the 3rd day so that we might all have eternal life.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Ready To Roll
Well. The original plan was to head up north to Grandma/Grandpa's on Friday morning. Reports up there were anticipating snow Friday so we have decided to make the 3-1/2 hour trip tonight, getting in around midnight (I was giving a test in my class tonight so no way of getting on the road any earlier than about 8pm)
So it was home at lunch to meet the wife to get the van ready and get my stuff packed so she could have the van loaded and the boys ready to go when I get home tonight.
We'll be ready to roll and hopefully beat the snow
So it was home at lunch to meet the wife to get the van ready and get my stuff packed so she could have the van loaded and the boys ready to go when I get home tonight.
We'll be ready to roll and hopefully beat the snow
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Combined Effort ~ Community over Competition
Our Saturday night community group met after we worshiped together on Saturday evening and enjoyed some of our favorite take-and-bake pizzas. After we ate, we broke from our usual routine to join together and fill over 1600 Easter eggs with candy, gifts, and Biblical messages of hope and salvation for the Easter Egg hunt the next day. My 4 year old stood between two men, one old enough to be his dad, the other old enough to be his grandad (that's right, 3 seperate generations and the only link between them was the Body of Christ) and for close to an hour, they filled eggs with candy and passed them down so they could be sealed with tape. I was working at a different table most of the time and my wife was not working at that table either. It was an amazing thing to see a combined effort like that. My son was the only one there who would actually get a few of those pieces of candy the next day at the hunt, but here they were on a Saturday night, having been spiritually and physically fed, joining together as a community, as God's family, to do a simple task that might just spread the gospel message to a boy or girl or family from our community. They weren't concerned with the generational differences represented at that table, they were just there to fill eggs so families from our church could have a faith and fun filled activity the next day and likewise members of the community who might not have a relationship with Jesus, but might pause and hear a message of hope and truth that might lead them to salvation by grace through faith themselves. I thnk my son had just as much fun standing there filling eggs as he did the next day hunting for them and opening them. It is such a joy when we can put the competitive world aside and join together as a community in a combined effort. The Body of Christ is an awesome gift, and I am saddened whenever people argue that faith is a solo thing or that they believe in God but not His church. They clearly don't know what they are missing or what a blessing to their own faith the Body of Christ can be.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tale of Two Toddlers
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." last night at the library. My wife and I took both boys to story-telling time at our public library which has a wonderful Children's library department with great programs. The 4-year old sat through story after story until the reader ran out of books and then he and the sole remaining other listener demanded re-readings of several of the previous books!
Our 3-year old WAS NOT the sole remaining other listener. In fact, where his brother could be left alone too sit on the floor and listen to stories about mice for a half-hour, the three-year old lasted only a half-minute and then only in my tight clutches seated on my lap. One boy attentive...a ready listener. One boy inattentive...a ready for-anything-else type! The 3-year old has no library voice. He has no library patience. He has no library skills or manners. And yet, I spent a half-hour with him in the library while his brother happily attended story time. Finally, the reader ended story-time and we went downstairs, checked out our books and headed for home. I changed the 3-year old into his pajamas and read him some books (NOW HE's ATTENTIVE) and turned off the light and closed his door.
"...It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done: it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." And yes, I did sleep well last night!
Our 3-year old WAS NOT the sole remaining other listener. In fact, where his brother could be left alone too sit on the floor and listen to stories about mice for a half-hour, the three-year old lasted only a half-minute and then only in my tight clutches seated on my lap. One boy attentive...a ready listener. One boy inattentive...a ready for-anything-else type! The 3-year old has no library voice. He has no library patience. He has no library skills or manners. And yet, I spent a half-hour with him in the library while his brother happily attended story time. Finally, the reader ended story-time and we went downstairs, checked out our books and headed for home. I changed the 3-year old into his pajamas and read him some books (NOW HE's ATTENTIVE) and turned off the light and closed his door.
"...It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done: it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." And yes, I did sleep well last night!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Take My Wife...Please!
Ah, the old Henny Youngman standard one-liner. Granted it is an old stale joke, but wherein lies its initial humor? It is stale cause we all get it! So why do we all get it? What is it about marriage that makes that joke funny? Is it our focus on the aggravations and struggles of marriage as opposed to the joys and triumphs of marriage? My wife and I are quickly approaching the conclusion of our eighth year, about to embark on our ninth year of marriage and beyond the humor of Henny Youngman, I don't want anything or anyone to take my wife from me. We are joined as one so if I offer for someone to "Take my wife...please" I'd be saying to them, "take my LIFE...Please!" I'd gladly offer it to save her but I would never offer her to save myself.
For me, it is better stated like this:
Take My Wife????? PLA-EASE! (as in NO WAY JOSE!)
For me, it is better stated like this:
Take My Wife????? PLA-EASE! (as in NO WAY JOSE!)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Mister Roberts & Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday begins our celebration of Holy Week. A remembrance of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem which would bring about radical change and end His death upon a cross and His descending into hell. From darkness, to sorrow, and then the next week begins with the ultimate triumph of Easter and a risen Savior who paid the price and redeemed us, so that we too might have eternal life. Palm Sunday always reminds me of that Henry Fonda film, Mister Roberts. Not to be a spoiler, if you haven't seen the film and want too (something I recommend), don't read any further till you have seen it.
In the movie Fonda' character struggles with being "victorious." He cannot see how supervising cargo on a ship in the backwaters of the Pacific is helping the US war effort during World War II and he longs to "get into the action." During most of the film, he battles on his own and the crew's behalf against the only enemy they seem to have, their oppresive captain played by James Cagney. That battle involves the symbol of a palm tree and Mister Roberts is secretly awarded by his crew, the fictional "Order of the Palm" for action "above and beyond the call of duty" and the crew is even able to grant Mister Roberts his wish and get him transfered to the front lines of the Naval battle of World War II in the Pacific on board of combat ship where he will ultimately be killed by a kamikaze.
On that Palm Sunday long ago, the faithful gathered as Jesus entered the city and shouted "HOSANNA!" and laid Palm branches before Him as He went. The word had become one of praise but literally meant "SAVE WE PRAY!" or "SAVE US!" In the movie Mister Roberts, the crew likewise exclaims SAVE US, and Mister Roberts sacrifices himself to get the crew liberty. In our lives, we cry out SAVE US to our savior, Jesus the Messiah, who sacrificed Himself upon the Cross to pay the price necessary for us to be redeemed. Jesus gives us liberty from our sins and the penalty of death that sin brings. Just as the crew in the film said, "Thanks, Mister Roberts," we daily offer praise and thanks to our loving Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah, shouting HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
In the movie Fonda' character struggles with being "victorious." He cannot see how supervising cargo on a ship in the backwaters of the Pacific is helping the US war effort during World War II and he longs to "get into the action." During most of the film, he battles on his own and the crew's behalf against the only enemy they seem to have, their oppresive captain played by James Cagney. That battle involves the symbol of a palm tree and Mister Roberts is secretly awarded by his crew, the fictional "Order of the Palm" for action "above and beyond the call of duty" and the crew is even able to grant Mister Roberts his wish and get him transfered to the front lines of the Naval battle of World War II in the Pacific on board of combat ship where he will ultimately be killed by a kamikaze.
On that Palm Sunday long ago, the faithful gathered as Jesus entered the city and shouted "HOSANNA!" and laid Palm branches before Him as He went. The word had become one of praise but literally meant "SAVE WE PRAY!" or "SAVE US!" In the movie Mister Roberts, the crew likewise exclaims SAVE US, and Mister Roberts sacrifices himself to get the crew liberty. In our lives, we cry out SAVE US to our savior, Jesus the Messiah, who sacrificed Himself upon the Cross to pay the price necessary for us to be redeemed. Jesus gives us liberty from our sins and the penalty of death that sin brings. Just as the crew in the film said, "Thanks, Mister Roberts," we daily offer praise and thanks to our loving Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah, shouting HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!
Friday, March 14, 2008
When All Else Fails...
As a former Marine Korean-Linguist, I spent much of my young adulthood in Korea. One of the favorite stories of that time was an attempt being made at discussing some forgotten matter of import with our host South Koreans on of the mountains I was on. My Korean (nor my team chief's) was up to par to discuss this particular matter and none of our Korean counterparts' English abilities were working either. Finally, we came upon an avenue of communication. One of the Korean's was quite fluent in French and one of the non-Korean speaking members of our small Marine team had just happened to be the son of a missionary that had spent much of his childhood in Africa in an area where French was a primary language. So our team chief would tell him in English, he would translate that into French. The French speaking Korean soldier would translate the French into Korean for his skipper who would answer in Korean and the process would reverse until the issue was resolved. Were we able to communicate with our Korean counterparts? Absolutely...just not always how our superiors might think we were.
'm always reminded of this story when I see someone trying to gain the attention of a fish by tapping on the glass of the tank as this seems to be the default mode of fish-human communication, we tap, they swim
'm always reminded of this story when I see someone trying to gain the attention of a fish by tapping on the glass of the tank as this seems to be the default mode of fish-human communication, we tap, they swim
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Men as Marthas
Last night was the final Lenten dinner of the Lenten season as we prepare to enter Holy Week this coming Palm Sunday. Each of the Wednesday night dinners preceding the Lenten worship service was "sponsored" by a different area of ministry within the church, and this last one was up to us men of Men's Fraternity. Last year, we had grilled out as Lent came a little later in the spring and it was warmer (although we were surprised by the 50 degree temps we had that day, maybe we could have grilled out again this year). We served sloppy joe's and some various side salads (potato, baked beans, cole slaw, etc.) and there was no shortage of Martha's in the kitchen or on the floor preparing, serving, or cleaning up. In fact, a few even commented to me that we had the highest turnout of ANY of the ministry areas in terms of volunteers helping out.
We all seemed to enjoy our time getting to be Martha's so that others might get to enjoy their Mary time at the Master's feet, or at least relax and enjoy a meal and fellowship prior to entering the worship together as the body of Christ
We all seemed to enjoy our time getting to be Martha's so that others might get to enjoy their Mary time at the Master's feet, or at least relax and enjoy a meal and fellowship prior to entering the worship together as the body of Christ
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Being Home Sick Leaves Me Homesick
Being ravished by a virus kept me bed-ridden all weekend this past week. That meant no church on Saturday and no community group after church either. So as I lay in bed on Saturday evening wondering if the sinus pressure and junk filling my head and chest would every go away, I was at home. In fact, I was in the single most comfortable place in my home, my "comfort zone" that is the bed that my wife and I share, and better still, especially when one is sick, I had it all to myself! My wife had fed me before she went to church that night and I had my water and even a TV. So why was I homesick? No, not longing for the good old days of a bunkbed in my parents home...I was homesick for...my home. The home that the body of Christ creates as fellow members of God's family gather together to worship, study the Word, and break bread (both the body of Christ in Sacrament of Holy Communion during the worship service and sharing a meal together as a family afterwords). I missed seeing my family again. I missed singing with them, praying with them, sharing stories of the week with them, sharing a meal with them, and discussing the Word with them.
I'm homesick. I long to see them again this Saturday. Can't wait to leave my house so I can go home.
I'm homesick. I long to see them again this Saturday. Can't wait to leave my house so I can go home.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Problematic Pronouns
My sons are constantly adding to their extensive vocabularies and they both can put together some complex sentences with fairly decent grammatical acumen. The most noticeble struggle they have is gender-specific pronouns. Tonight my oldest and I had this conversation in the hallway:
Him: "Mommy! Mommy!"
Me: "Your mom is busy, what do you want?"
Him: "I'm looking for mom, where is he?"
Me: "In the kitchen!"
Apparently the gender of the pronoun matters little to a child, while the gender of the parent matters a great deal to them! Mommy's are a real problem solver, he's the favorite. So be it. (Yes, I said gender neutral IT!)
Him: "Mommy! Mommy!"
Me: "Your mom is busy, what do you want?"
Him: "I'm looking for mom, where is he?"
Me: "In the kitchen!"
Apparently the gender of the pronoun matters little to a child, while the gender of the parent matters a great deal to them! Mommy's are a real problem solver, he's the favorite. So be it. (Yes, I said gender neutral IT!)
Monday, March 10, 2008
My Sister--My Bride, My Nurse
I am happy to say that these Monday posts about my wife have already bore excellent fruit. As I was sick in bed all day Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday...my wife had compassion on me and took wonderful care of her patient. I got meals and drinks and mediciines all prepared with loving care. The best was the bologna sandwiches on the fresh-out-of-the-oven multi-grain loaves with lettuce & mustard....mmmmm. A little sustinance to restore my physical being, crafted with care by the one God has blessed me with to be my help mate, my sister--my bride. How I love her so! Thank you God for finally putting me back on the road to recovered health but especially for giving me such a beautiful and compassionate nurse, who finally has a decent bedside manner to go with her soft touch!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
When Washing Whites Works Well
Ah, laundry. It piles up and piles up and never seems to get completely done. Everyone has there own preferences and tricks, favorite detergents, be they powders or liquids, and don't even get me started on folding technique (my wife and I are fast approaching our 8th anniversary and still cannot agree on how to properly fold a bath towel!). Careful practice would say that we separate the colors from the whites. Oh, there's those commercials that try to convince us that their detergent allows us to mix it all up and the whites will stay white and colors stay fast...but we all know never to trust an advertisement! So we stand there on the cement floor near the basement floor drain by the light of a single bulb separating piles on the floor or in baskets or hampers. What constitutes an actual white varies too, but in the end, we do an outstanding job of separating all the whites out and we load up the empty washing machine with nothing but whites, turn the knob to HOT regular wash add your detergent, maybe some bleach if so inclined, and press on. The rush of water pouring into the body of the machine indicates its working and we can get back to folding until some time later, after wash, spin, rinse, and spin again and open the lid to prepare to load those damp whites into the dryer or into a basket to take to the laundry line to hang dry and we see it almost instantly. Even by the dim light of the single bulb in our basement laundry area we can tell the whites are no longer white. Our socks are pink! Our t-shirts are pink! Our wife's favorite white Capri pants are pink! Wait a minute. We spent all that time separating the colors out and still we have pink whites! We unload the entire washer and still can't find anything but pink whites. We then reach our hand under that plastic guard toward the top by the lid and there, stuck on the side of the washer is a toddler's red sock. We recognize it instantly. It's twin has been sitting on top of our son's dresser for weeks waiting for its mate to make its way back from the laundry room to be paired up and finally to return to the top drawer. You didn't fail to separate it out. It had been stuck there since the last round of reds!
1 Corinthians 5: 6b-7 (NIV) "Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Just like the yeast working its way through the whole dough, a tiny little red sock you failed to remove from the machine can turn your whites pink! The Bible passage is exhorting us to remove the yeast (sin) from our dough (our lives) so that we can be ourselves...CHRISTIANS....those that are saved by grace through faith in Jesus the Messiah. When we as Christians fail to purge ourselves from sinful habits and behaviors, our whiteness, our holiness, our reflection of the Holy One who died for us is turned pink. It is sometimes easier for us to eliminate the big red sweater (sins like adultery, murder, stealing) in our laundry pile of life but then fail to see that tiny speck of a red toddler sock hidden away (sin of coveting, anger, etc). Want the whitest whites? Eliminate all your sinful habits, and then use the ultimate detergent, the blood of Christ, our Passover lamb and savior to make you clean by grace through faith.
1 Corinthians 5: 6b-7 (NIV) "Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Just like the yeast working its way through the whole dough, a tiny little red sock you failed to remove from the machine can turn your whites pink! The Bible passage is exhorting us to remove the yeast (sin) from our dough (our lives) so that we can be ourselves...CHRISTIANS....those that are saved by grace through faith in Jesus the Messiah. When we as Christians fail to purge ourselves from sinful habits and behaviors, our whiteness, our holiness, our reflection of the Holy One who died for us is turned pink. It is sometimes easier for us to eliminate the big red sweater (sins like adultery, murder, stealing) in our laundry pile of life but then fail to see that tiny speck of a red toddler sock hidden away (sin of coveting, anger, etc). Want the whitest whites? Eliminate all your sinful habits, and then use the ultimate detergent, the blood of Christ, our Passover lamb and savior to make you clean by grace through faith.
Friday, March 7, 2008
When Daddy's Sick
My older son was out sick a couple days this week and though he was feeling better this morning, his illness found its way to me, so daddy is sick today.
Of course, that meant daddy was still in bed this morning instead of heading out to work which was a little confusing to my younger son. He came into our room and saw me lying in my bed and said "What are you doing daddy?"
"Daddy is sick" I responded
"'Where are you going daddy?"
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying home in bed today." I responded and he left the room. He returned a short time later.
"OK, Daddy you stay home in bed today and get some rest" he ordered.
"Gotcha" I responded.
Hopefully he won't find out I brought the laptop into bed and posted to the blog today...I might be in trouble when he gets home.
Of course, that meant daddy was still in bed this morning instead of heading out to work which was a little confusing to my younger son. He came into our room and saw me lying in my bed and said "What are you doing daddy?"
"Daddy is sick" I responded
"'Where are you going daddy?"
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying home in bed today." I responded and he left the room. He returned a short time later.
"OK, Daddy you stay home in bed today and get some rest" he ordered.
"Gotcha" I responded.
Hopefully he won't find out I brought the laptop into bed and posted to the blog today...I might be in trouble when he gets home.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Simon Says
Being a child of 70s & 80s pop culture, I remember a show called Battle of the Network Stars which regularly featured a Simon Says competiton directed by Lou Goldstein. He was a master of getting even the most focused player to follow his actions, even when he would say "Simon Says" cause he would say something like "Simon Says lift your leg" but he would raise his arms getting the contestants to follow his actions rather than his words.
This morning in Men's Fraternity one of the most profound learning moments came when it was pointed out that our sons will leave our home primarily having learned "the life we showed them." Those are potent words to a "do as I say, not as I do" dad that I often am. Am I living a life like Lou Goldstein, instructing one way while my actions betray a different motion. My object is not to eliminate contestants, but raise up two sons, so am I setting a shining example or leading them to sorrow while exhorting them to go the other way.
The nice thing about Lou's tricks was it was all just a game. The contestants could have a good laugh about being stymied by the master "Simon." My son's lives are not a game and I'm no Simon. It is up to me to rise each day and give myself to God and live out that model for my sons to follow. With God's help may I do that each remaining day I have.
This morning in Men's Fraternity one of the most profound learning moments came when it was pointed out that our sons will leave our home primarily having learned "the life we showed them." Those are potent words to a "do as I say, not as I do" dad that I often am. Am I living a life like Lou Goldstein, instructing one way while my actions betray a different motion. My object is not to eliminate contestants, but raise up two sons, so am I setting a shining example or leading them to sorrow while exhorting them to go the other way.
The nice thing about Lou's tricks was it was all just a game. The contestants could have a good laugh about being stymied by the master "Simon." My son's lives are not a game and I'm no Simon. It is up to me to rise each day and give myself to God and live out that model for my sons to follow. With God's help may I do that each remaining day I have.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Fear is a Terrible Companion
In a small I've had ever since my time up on the DMZ of Korea back in the 1980s are many favorite bits of inspiration and motiviation in the form of poetry, quotes, short essays, prayers, and many Bible verses. One of the anonymous bits in the book is as follows:
"Fear is a terrible companion. It poisons every joy, and takes away the pleasure of any possession. One who lets fear and worry dominate his life can never come within sight of happiness. Faith in God and trust in His protecting love will cast our fear and bring in courage and joy."
This is not Luther's "We should fear and love God..." exhortation framing all meaning in our understanding of our faith. That fear of "awe" and "respect" is a reliable companion and is itself always the companion to loving God. No, the frightening, terrifying, and often paralyzing fear is the one that is the terrible companion. It keeps us from acting. So how do we help each other to overcome it? By being there for each other!
You've heard the expression there are "No Atheists in Foxholes" because in moments of tremendous fear, no one wants to be all alone. My sons want us around when they are scared of the dark, a nightmare, a spider, and will cling to their mother and I until the fear subsides. Public service announcements teach kids to stand up to bullys by banding together, forcing the bully to face a united front of several rather than the one-on-one weaker opposition.
God likewise calls us to band together as a church, as a body of Christ. One of the many blessings of that precious gift God has provided us is the very fact of numbers. We should fear and love God while fearing no evil. If we see our brother or our sister paralyzed into passivity by fear, we should stand by them, building them up with confidence and encouraging them to overcome their fears. Fear IS a terrible companion. A companion though can help us overcome a terrible fear, and whereever two of us are gathered, there HE will be also! Courage and strength! Time to get together and wipe out fear!
"Fear is a terrible companion. It poisons every joy, and takes away the pleasure of any possession. One who lets fear and worry dominate his life can never come within sight of happiness. Faith in God and trust in His protecting love will cast our fear and bring in courage and joy."
This is not Luther's "We should fear and love God..." exhortation framing all meaning in our understanding of our faith. That fear of "awe" and "respect" is a reliable companion and is itself always the companion to loving God. No, the frightening, terrifying, and often paralyzing fear is the one that is the terrible companion. It keeps us from acting. So how do we help each other to overcome it? By being there for each other!
You've heard the expression there are "No Atheists in Foxholes" because in moments of tremendous fear, no one wants to be all alone. My sons want us around when they are scared of the dark, a nightmare, a spider, and will cling to their mother and I until the fear subsides. Public service announcements teach kids to stand up to bullys by banding together, forcing the bully to face a united front of several rather than the one-on-one weaker opposition.
God likewise calls us to band together as a church, as a body of Christ. One of the many blessings of that precious gift God has provided us is the very fact of numbers. We should fear and love God while fearing no evil. If we see our brother or our sister paralyzed into passivity by fear, we should stand by them, building them up with confidence and encouraging them to overcome their fears. Fear IS a terrible companion. A companion though can help us overcome a terrible fear, and whereever two of us are gathered, there HE will be also! Courage and strength! Time to get together and wipe out fear!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Stick in the Mud
My younger son (3yr old) is quite the stubborn lad at times. If he doesn't get what he wants, be prepared for a stomp, a dropping of the chin as he looks at his feet (and if he's really adamant) you get the full on drop in place onto his bottom with an audible "Harumph!" As a parent, it can get frustrating. It can also be quite humorous, especially when the stubborn fit isn't keeping you from getting to work on time so it isn't really adding to your personal stress. Its at those times, you know, when I'm not being selfish and have all day to be daddy (albeit a mean one who doesn't give in to the wants and desires of his kids), that I think about me and my relationship with my father, God. Oh how I'm a stick-in-the-mud like my youngest at times. "No! God, I"m not budging on this till you give in to MY will!" I'm sure God likewise gets frustrated with me and gets His chuckles as well. Of course, God has taught me over the many years that in the end He is always right and he just waits me out till I move my stick out of the mud and start to do His will again. I use the wait it out method too. Even if it means being a few minutes behind schedule as in the end, my son will give up the fight and walk in my will, which is my Father's will. May God continue to bless me with healthy boys and guide me as I raise them up in the faith, yet may they continue to be a mirror to my own faith that I might also walk the walk, not just talk the talk to them
Monday, March 3, 2008
Outnumbered Three to One
While I was serving with the US Marines, I spent several winters up on the DMZ in Korea. At that time, the DMZ area was predominately US Army territory and one of the main units up there was the 1st of the 506 Infantry. There motto was 'Stands Alone" and as they would salute our vehicles as we would prepare to cross over Freedom Bridge, they would always shout it aloud...STANDS ALONE!
I'm sure that is how my wife feels at times. She stands alone in our house as its sole female occupant. EVERY SINGLE THING that goes wrong in our house (that she isn't responsible for herself) is the fault of a male. Oh it may be me. It may be my older boy. It may be our baby. But no matter what, if she didn't do it, a male did! She especially isn't very fond of our bathroom habits (which is why I have my own bathroom in the basement). Apparently my sons need to spend more time on the range as their marksmanship has come into question.
If she asks "who made this mess?" we safely assume it wasn't her and then of course its the males fault. If she says "what happened in here?" we safely assume she doesn't really know and of course its the males fault. You get the idea. Men, like all of God's fallen people, are not perfect. In my wife's world, she sees our imperfections amplified by 3x and to her, it must seem like men are simply incapable of any good at all. Of course, you would think that she would give up, throw in the towel and abort the mission to love and honor me and nurture and love our sons...and yet she loves us all the more. Despite our three-fold magnitude faults, she try-tries again...which is why we all love her so!
I'm sure that is how my wife feels at times. She stands alone in our house as its sole female occupant. EVERY SINGLE THING that goes wrong in our house (that she isn't responsible for herself) is the fault of a male. Oh it may be me. It may be my older boy. It may be our baby. But no matter what, if she didn't do it, a male did! She especially isn't very fond of our bathroom habits (which is why I have my own bathroom in the basement). Apparently my sons need to spend more time on the range as their marksmanship has come into question.
If she asks "who made this mess?" we safely assume it wasn't her and then of course its the males fault. If she says "what happened in here?" we safely assume she doesn't really know and of course its the males fault. You get the idea. Men, like all of God's fallen people, are not perfect. In my wife's world, she sees our imperfections amplified by 3x and to her, it must seem like men are simply incapable of any good at all. Of course, you would think that she would give up, throw in the towel and abort the mission to love and honor me and nurture and love our sons...and yet she loves us all the more. Despite our three-fold magnitude faults, she try-tries again...which is why we all love her so!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
L-ecrtifying Witness
Am I prepared to actively witness? Am I prepared to "GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS?" Last night in our community group as we discussed the sermon and the Word of truth it was based on we were challenged with that very question. What would I say? God is surely going to give me opportunity to witness, but am I ready? Have I made the preparations? Many of us have emergency kits in our cars with water, blankets, flares, snacks, etc. Many of us will plan a trip down to the very mile including when and where we will stop, pre-booking our rooms in hotels and finding out what restaurants are available at each exit on the expressway...we are prepared for the trip! We nightly set an alarm so that we are prepared to wake up in the morning and not be late (we even can set an alarm on the coffee pot so it is prepared by the time we meet the day). We study for tests. We till before we plant. We (at least usually) check the cabinet for necessary ingredients before we start a recipe in the kitchen. So, the real question is do we likewise prepare ourselves for those chance moments of witness. What if God gives me a Philip and the Ethiopian opportunity tomorrow (see Acts 8:26-39)? Will I be ready?
I once got ready, but have let those preparations gather dust in my mind and heart so that they might not be ready tomorrow. I've not even utilized those preparations when given the opportunity. Yesterday was a wake up call. I've got to go boldly where I haven't gone before. I'm making my preparations. It is simple as remembering the letter "L":
LIFE ~ God created all life and God made you and I in His own image
LOVE ~ God loved what He created and saw that it was good
LAW ~ God loved us so much He gave us a guideline to keep us good, keep us safe, keep us His
LONER~ I thought I knew better. I was confident in my OWN abilities and made my OWN way
LOST ~ On my own, I quickly got lost. No matter which way I turned, I had no direction
LOVE ~ God still loved me. He loved me so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus the Messiah to die for me. My loner ways were sinful and created a gulf between me and God and Jesus paid the price, did the work, fulfilled the LAW so that I might be saved
LIFE ~ On the third day, Jesus rose and I am now saved, by Grace through Faith, and will have eternal life.
It is my outline for witness. I need only to plug in my personal story as it fits the outline (as all of our lives do). I'm ready for witnessing now. I'm prepared. May God grant me opportunity, and the courage to act in that opportunity.
I once got ready, but have let those preparations gather dust in my mind and heart so that they might not be ready tomorrow. I've not even utilized those preparations when given the opportunity. Yesterday was a wake up call. I've got to go boldly where I haven't gone before. I'm making my preparations. It is simple as remembering the letter "L":
LIFE ~ God created all life and God made you and I in His own image
LOVE ~ God loved what He created and saw that it was good
LAW ~ God loved us so much He gave us a guideline to keep us good, keep us safe, keep us His
LONER~ I thought I knew better. I was confident in my OWN abilities and made my OWN way
LOST ~ On my own, I quickly got lost. No matter which way I turned, I had no direction
LOVE ~ God still loved me. He loved me so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus the Messiah to die for me. My loner ways were sinful and created a gulf between me and God and Jesus paid the price, did the work, fulfilled the LAW so that I might be saved
LIFE ~ On the third day, Jesus rose and I am now saved, by Grace through Faith, and will have eternal life.
It is my outline for witness. I need only to plug in my personal story as it fits the outline (as all of our lives do). I'm ready for witnessing now. I'm prepared. May God grant me opportunity, and the courage to act in that opportunity.
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