As I sat in a coffee shop this morning…I had the privilege to watch a young lady, who was blind, learning to navigate the cross walk system with traffic lights. Her ability to walk down the sidewalk was aided by an older woman who seemed to be teaching her to use the cane…but the challenge came at the actual light. She located the curb…but stood through what seemed like at least 2 complete cycles of the crossing lights. All the while, the older woman stood silent, arms gently crossed waiting quietly observing…and then she stepped around in front of this young lady and began to share what seemed to be all the options presented to her young friend. She motioned that she could cross in one of two directions… or what the curb and crosswalk feels like through the cane…and then, she motioned to her ears…this young lady was dependent upon her ears to let her know when it is safe to walk…either by the beeping of the sign…or perhaps at the prompt of her guide or another courteous crosser…This time, the guide stepped to the side, where the young lady gently grabbed her by the arm, and the two crossed… together.
This young lady’s ability to maneuver through town had three key elements: Her ability to hear well, recognition of what she was feeling (through her cane) and her willingness to let another walk beside her yet take the lead. In all that I first considered her blindness…I recognize she is learning new ways to “see” her path clearly.
What an inceredible lesson for Christians! We are navigating through life with God traveling this journey with us, but do we recognize it? Or better yet…are we willing to admit how blind we really are? Do we trust more or less in what we see or what the world is revealing to us? With God… we are freed to a new means of navigating or seeing our journey. We can exercise a greater sensitivity (hearing) to what God is saying to us through “His Word” (1 John 1:5-7). We are also blessed with the prompting of the Spirit (feeling) and learning to discern his Holy guidance (Gal 5:25)… and finally, we are invited to walk along side Christ by taking his arm (leading)…to share a journey , well rested and unloaded of our burdens (Matt 11: 28-29).
God is inviting us to consider our “blindness”… our ability to maneuver through this life, and recognize that not only is he is granting us the gifts to learn new ways to “see” more clearly...but his willingness and desire to travel this journey with us... "I once was blind but now I see..."
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cycling is part Enjoyment...part Health
As spring has turned out to be early summer around here…I have had a wonderful time getting out on my bicycle. It has been very enjoyable as well as a great boost to my health kick. In a little less than 3 weeks, I have logged 220 miles on everything from paved trails( limited to walkers, runners and bikers) to flat country roads, and from hilly inland roads to some incredible coastal drives (along a couple of Lake Michigan bays). I have cycled alone and with a good friend…and from building up my speed/endurance, to the pure enjoyment of a leisure tour and even for some quality fellowship. My cycling is becoming an integrated part of my journey in life.
Of course I am able to see the physical benefits of my cycling—my cardio has improved greatly which is a great partner to the strength and core training I have been working on. Getting out in the sun allows me to enjoy the vitamin D production which makes my disposition “sunny” as well. This makes for a wonderful cycle of my enjoyment assisting the growth of my health…which in turn is enhancing my enjoyment… and the cycle goes on!
As I reflect back over the last few weeks, I realized how my physical cycling is also representative of spiritual cycling. As a believer, I recognize the road of life I travel, while narrow (Matt 7:14), traverses a wide variety of life ranging from divinely intimate moments, to those incredibly hilly or “deserty” (yes...I made that word up) times which requires greater endurance and focus, and even through some of the most Godly inspired and beautiful experiences I could ever imagine. And I further recognize that my journey goes through times of traveling alone with God as he deepens my relationship with him, as well as journeying with others as he broadens my relationship with him.
I see that not only is it physically healthy to cycle….but spiritual cycling is healthy as well. My spiritual health is built through growing my worship, discipleship and outreach which enhances the true joy of my journey with Christ…in turn grows my worship, discipleship and outreach…which in turn enhances the joy…and the spiritual cycle rolls on.
So as I cycle…both physically and spiritually…I praise my Heavenly Father for the enjoyment and the growth…which is healthy for my journey in this life…and for eternity! Amen
Of course I am able to see the physical benefits of my cycling—my cardio has improved greatly which is a great partner to the strength and core training I have been working on. Getting out in the sun allows me to enjoy the vitamin D production which makes my disposition “sunny” as well. This makes for a wonderful cycle of my enjoyment assisting the growth of my health…which in turn is enhancing my enjoyment… and the cycle goes on!
As I reflect back over the last few weeks, I realized how my physical cycling is also representative of spiritual cycling. As a believer, I recognize the road of life I travel, while narrow (Matt 7:14), traverses a wide variety of life ranging from divinely intimate moments, to those incredibly hilly or “deserty” (yes...I made that word up) times which requires greater endurance and focus, and even through some of the most Godly inspired and beautiful experiences I could ever imagine. And I further recognize that my journey goes through times of traveling alone with God as he deepens my relationship with him, as well as journeying with others as he broadens my relationship with him.
I see that not only is it physically healthy to cycle….but spiritual cycling is healthy as well. My spiritual health is built through growing my worship, discipleship and outreach which enhances the true joy of my journey with Christ…in turn grows my worship, discipleship and outreach…which in turn enhances the joy…and the spiritual cycle rolls on.
So as I cycle…both physically and spiritually…I praise my Heavenly Father for the enjoyment and the growth…which is healthy for my journey in this life…and for eternity! Amen
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Year of Shock and Awe in Reflection
Shock and Awe1 is a war doctrine developed by Ullman and Wade that is best described as … “the use of overwhelming power, dominant battlefield awareness, dominant maneuvers, and spectacular displays of force to paralyze an adversary's perception of the battlefield and destroy its will to fight.”
In many ways…the last year or so of my journey seems like it has been impacted by a form of spiritual Shock and Awe. On the relational front…today marks the passing of one year since the dissolution of my 20+ year marriage. In terms of my journey…this came as what would have appeared to be a fork in the road where I was being forced to take the only open path that would be unfamiliar at best and a deep sense of loss and regret at worst. Other relationships became stressed to the point of near breakage, loss of family and friends seemed to move me further away from the well paved roads I had become accustomed to and onto narrower and pothole spotted paths.
Ministry has also been impacted by this Shock and Awe. After two decades of being actively involved in a church, with the last year and a half as the Pastor, I bid farewell to the church, as new leadership was necessary and a personal friend of mine was called as the church’s new minister. My journey moved onto uncharted one lane graveled paths. Followinge this transition, the ministry opportunities I was so assured and affirmed that existed and could use a “quality guy like me” seem to have ripened and been harvested by others…or have been camouflaged by the unfamiliar scenery I have traveled. And as I, and others on my behalf, continued to pray for answers to specific positions …the uncomfortable “no” has been the dominant prayerful reply.
With all that should have (and sometimes momentarily did) paralyzed me and destroyed my will to fight…I have experienced a greater form of Shock and Awe that is for me and not against me. In one of my first blogs, I recognized I had an “uncomfortable peace” along this journey…and through all its twists, turns, narrowing and terrain changes…one thing was constant…God had never left me nor forsaken me. I was constantly reminded of how much he loved me through his prayerful comforts during my laments. He's been faithful to travel this journey…even into the “desert”, where I felt the greatest aloneness and furthest away from His green pastures and still waters…God never abandoned me…his Word and Spirit comforted and guided me. He renewed and deepened friendships that have offered encouragement and prayer out of their own journey experiences. God also brought new people with incredible servant hearts, who have shared their lives and cared for me with the love of Father.
I know on my own… or even with strong encouragement, I would have never chosen many of the paths in this journey…but as I reflect…I recognize that it’s not as important to see how the journey has been changed by the paths…but how God has changed me by the journey down those paths. This is the start of a new year…I pray I will be open to the Shock and Awe only God can and willingly affords me…as I am blessed to continue this Faith Journey I find myself on!
1. Harlan K. Ullman and James P. Wade, Shock And Awe: Achieving Rapid Dominance (National Defense University, 1996), XXIV.
In many ways…the last year or so of my journey seems like it has been impacted by a form of spiritual Shock and Awe. On the relational front…today marks the passing of one year since the dissolution of my 20+ year marriage. In terms of my journey…this came as what would have appeared to be a fork in the road where I was being forced to take the only open path that would be unfamiliar at best and a deep sense of loss and regret at worst. Other relationships became stressed to the point of near breakage, loss of family and friends seemed to move me further away from the well paved roads I had become accustomed to and onto narrower and pothole spotted paths.
Ministry has also been impacted by this Shock and Awe. After two decades of being actively involved in a church, with the last year and a half as the Pastor, I bid farewell to the church, as new leadership was necessary and a personal friend of mine was called as the church’s new minister. My journey moved onto uncharted one lane graveled paths. Followinge this transition, the ministry opportunities I was so assured and affirmed that existed and could use a “quality guy like me” seem to have ripened and been harvested by others…or have been camouflaged by the unfamiliar scenery I have traveled. And as I, and others on my behalf, continued to pray for answers to specific positions …the uncomfortable “no” has been the dominant prayerful reply.
With all that should have (and sometimes momentarily did) paralyzed me and destroyed my will to fight…I have experienced a greater form of Shock and Awe that is for me and not against me. In one of my first blogs, I recognized I had an “uncomfortable peace” along this journey…and through all its twists, turns, narrowing and terrain changes…one thing was constant…God had never left me nor forsaken me. I was constantly reminded of how much he loved me through his prayerful comforts during my laments. He's been faithful to travel this journey…even into the “desert”, where I felt the greatest aloneness and furthest away from His green pastures and still waters…God never abandoned me…his Word and Spirit comforted and guided me. He renewed and deepened friendships that have offered encouragement and prayer out of their own journey experiences. God also brought new people with incredible servant hearts, who have shared their lives and cared for me with the love of Father.
I know on my own… or even with strong encouragement, I would have never chosen many of the paths in this journey…but as I reflect…I recognize that it’s not as important to see how the journey has been changed by the paths…but how God has changed me by the journey down those paths. This is the start of a new year…I pray I will be open to the Shock and Awe only God can and willingly affords me…as I am blessed to continue this Faith Journey I find myself on!
1. Harlan K. Ullman and James P. Wade, Shock And Awe: Achieving Rapid Dominance (National Defense University, 1996), XXIV.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
HE IS RISEN….HE IS RISEN INDEED?
For most churches on this Easter Sunday…the responsive statement will be uttered with upturned faces and broad smiles…”Jesus is Risen… He is Risen Indeed!” And as somewhat usual to my processing…I had to ask… “INDEED? REALLY?” Are you sure? Webster defines the word INDEED as without a doubt, truly or unquestionably.
Part of my question came from this early Easter morning…my study took me through the last few days of Christ’s Journey here on earth through the eyes and heart of the Apostle John…who was otherwise known as the “Disciple Jesus Loved.” What powerful imagery and story as John navigates us through the last supper with Jesus washing his disciples feet, the breaking of the bread one last time, Judas falling prey to Satan and betraying Jesus, the trial, and his crucifixion. And through all of this time, we see how different people reacted- Peter at one point being protective by cutting off the ear of Malchus…then in just a few hours…he was denying the fact that he even knew Jesus at all. Caiaphas the high priest and Pilate the Roman Governor-both acting tough toward Jesus…but neither wanting to exact the death penalty justice the Jewish mob wanted. And then we have the women and the disciple Jesus loved-willing to risk their own lives…were “front row” during the crucifixion. Not to mention Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both “closet” followers to this point, openly taking responsibility for Jesus’ body and its preparation for burial. I am sure if you could have asked any of these people…the only “INDEED” would be uttered in response to his death!
And then, on the third day after this heinous event…the world was changed…”JESUS IS RISEN” was confessed not by a man… but first by the empty tomb…as witnessed by Mary Magdalene followed by Peter and John. It took two angels and Jesus himself for his disciples and those close to him to even tender the thought that he had conquered death and was very much alive and well and with them…INDEED! I love John’s “note ” at the end of chapter 20,
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in his name.”
Jesus’ death and resurrection was done on all of our behalf…a free gift from God so that no one could ever mistake he or she might just be good enough…or work hard enough to earn it on their own! His death and resurrection opened the door to eternity…we are invited to enter that life in his name as we believe Jesus is the Christ…the Son of God. When we do…our lives…so much louder than any voice can ever, proclaims the truth…”JESUS IS RISEN … HE IS RISEN… truly…without a doubt…unquestionably…INDEED…INDEED…INDEED!!!
A truthfully Happy Easter to you all...INDEED!
Part of my question came from this early Easter morning…my study took me through the last few days of Christ’s Journey here on earth through the eyes and heart of the Apostle John…who was otherwise known as the “Disciple Jesus Loved.” What powerful imagery and story as John navigates us through the last supper with Jesus washing his disciples feet, the breaking of the bread one last time, Judas falling prey to Satan and betraying Jesus, the trial, and his crucifixion. And through all of this time, we see how different people reacted- Peter at one point being protective by cutting off the ear of Malchus…then in just a few hours…he was denying the fact that he even knew Jesus at all. Caiaphas the high priest and Pilate the Roman Governor-both acting tough toward Jesus…but neither wanting to exact the death penalty justice the Jewish mob wanted. And then we have the women and the disciple Jesus loved-willing to risk their own lives…were “front row” during the crucifixion. Not to mention Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both “closet” followers to this point, openly taking responsibility for Jesus’ body and its preparation for burial. I am sure if you could have asked any of these people…the only “INDEED” would be uttered in response to his death!
And then, on the third day after this heinous event…the world was changed…”JESUS IS RISEN” was confessed not by a man… but first by the empty tomb…as witnessed by Mary Magdalene followed by Peter and John. It took two angels and Jesus himself for his disciples and those close to him to even tender the thought that he had conquered death and was very much alive and well and with them…INDEED! I love John’s “note ” at the end of chapter 20,
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you may have life in his name.”
Jesus’ death and resurrection was done on all of our behalf…a free gift from God so that no one could ever mistake he or she might just be good enough…or work hard enough to earn it on their own! His death and resurrection opened the door to eternity…we are invited to enter that life in his name as we believe Jesus is the Christ…the Son of God. When we do…our lives…so much louder than any voice can ever, proclaims the truth…”JESUS IS RISEN … HE IS RISEN… truly…without a doubt…unquestionably…INDEED…INDEED…INDEED!!!
A truthfully Happy Easter to you all...INDEED!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Chosen, Holy and Dearly Loved!
Have you ever read something and then found as you re-read it, you are impacted differently and more profound? I had that kind of experience awhile ago as I prepared for a sermon. I had selected Colossians 3:12-17 as the text to talk about what Godly qualities look like in our lives. Little did I know the first nine words and an illustration I had chosen would continue to work on me long after the sermon. Verse 12 starts like this…
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved…”
The more I read it…the more it sank in of how special each one of us is to God. He hand picked us. God chose you and me…we are not leftovers. We are hand picked by God because he created us…he knows us intimately. We are holy or set apart for special work. God makes us holy because that is how special his kingdom work is...and if it is special to him...then we need to be special to accomplish it...and that is Holy. And last but definitely not least…we are dearly loved. Not just loved like a favorite ice cream flavor...but dearly… a heart moving kind of love. God desires an intimate relationship with us because he dearly loves us.
As I was wrestling with this renewed view of Colossians 3:12, I came across a story told by a great preacher, Fred Craddock, about Ben Hooper. Ben Hooper was the governor of Tennessee in the early 1900's. Ben was an illegitimate child born in a small town. The identity of his father was common knowledge, but left unspoken in public. Ben's mother was unchurched, but for some reason, Ben felt drawn to attend church. One time Ben attended a revival meeting with a fiery preacher. Ben enjoyed the service, but as usual he tried to slip out after the service so as not to draw attention. As he was leaving, the preacher called to him over the crowd, "Hey, I know you! I can see the resemblance." Ben was horrified. The preacher must have known his background and was going to embarrass him in front of all these people. “I know you! You're a child of God. Now go and act like who you are." Ben Hooper recognized that night that God had Chosen him, set him apart as Holy and he was Dearly Loved by God.
We all have our issues, but if Ben Hooper can appreciate his heavenly father's love...we could do well to remember that we are his children..CHOSEN, HOLY, and DEARLY LOVED!!!
Verse of the Week:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved…”
The more I read it…the more it sank in of how special each one of us is to God. He hand picked us. God chose you and me…we are not leftovers. We are hand picked by God because he created us…he knows us intimately. We are holy or set apart for special work. God makes us holy because that is how special his kingdom work is...and if it is special to him...then we need to be special to accomplish it...and that is Holy. And last but definitely not least…we are dearly loved. Not just loved like a favorite ice cream flavor...but dearly… a heart moving kind of love. God desires an intimate relationship with us because he dearly loves us.
As I was wrestling with this renewed view of Colossians 3:12, I came across a story told by a great preacher, Fred Craddock, about Ben Hooper. Ben Hooper was the governor of Tennessee in the early 1900's. Ben was an illegitimate child born in a small town. The identity of his father was common knowledge, but left unspoken in public. Ben's mother was unchurched, but for some reason, Ben felt drawn to attend church. One time Ben attended a revival meeting with a fiery preacher. Ben enjoyed the service, but as usual he tried to slip out after the service so as not to draw attention. As he was leaving, the preacher called to him over the crowd, "Hey, I know you! I can see the resemblance." Ben was horrified. The preacher must have known his background and was going to embarrass him in front of all these people. “I know you! You're a child of God. Now go and act like who you are." Ben Hooper recognized that night that God had Chosen him, set him apart as Holy and he was Dearly Loved by God.
We all have our issues, but if Ben Hooper can appreciate his heavenly father's love...we could do well to remember that we are his children..CHOSEN, HOLY, and DEARLY LOVED!!!
Verse of the Week:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Bridge
Over the last few years, my travels for seminary had me traveling around Minneapolis. One main road to drive was Interstate 35W which was the scene of one of the biggest traffic tragedies in the history of American transportation. The scene was the bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in the middle of Minneapolis. It tragically collapsed during rush hour on August 1, 2007. AND YES, I drove over the old bridge before it fell. During the fall of 2008, I had the privilege to drive over the new bridge. In a little over thirteen months the debris was cleared and a new bridge engineered and constructed. It is amazing that in the midst of a tragedy of that proportion, something incredible rose from it. The new bridge is longer and wider, expandable (light rail capabilities), and is state of the art with 323 sensors to monitor the load limits, flex of the structure, and structural integrity. They also had weekly “sidewalk meetings” to update the community and had 1800 elementary students participate in the “casting the future” program which taught them the science of “new concrete” at a mobile classroom right at the bridge site.
So what does a bridge in the middle of Minneapolis have to do with our faith journey? This bridge is a prime analogy for all the “bridges” or relational connections in our lives. We travel daily down the roads of relations within our families, work, and pleasure and with our church family. Some of those relational bridges are strong and properly maintained, others are deteriorating and there are still others on the brink of collapse and we don’t even know it. To take a lesson from the 35W Bridge, we should take inventory of our relationships…through prayer and honest communication, we inspect the integrity of structure of the relationship. If there is damage, we can make the necessary repairs before it crashes (Eph. 4:29-32). If there are broken relationships, we need to clear the debris, and work with God to design a new relational bridge built of forgiveness, grace and love (Col. 4:12-14). And as this work is being done…emulate the new bridge construction by installing sensors such as accountability partners who can speak into your life,get into the bible to be able to see what quality relationships consist of, and continually press into the Holy Spirit as our greatest accountability sensor and contact to the bridge engineer and constructor…GOD.
It is vital for our faith journey to include honest inventories of our relationships and to ensure the work is done to keep us a healthy part of the body...with Christ as the head so we are able to move forward…Sharing the life and love of the Father with each other and with a world that is so desperate for healthy bridges to God!!!
Bridge Verse for this week:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
So what does a bridge in the middle of Minneapolis have to do with our faith journey? This bridge is a prime analogy for all the “bridges” or relational connections in our lives. We travel daily down the roads of relations within our families, work, and pleasure and with our church family. Some of those relational bridges are strong and properly maintained, others are deteriorating and there are still others on the brink of collapse and we don’t even know it. To take a lesson from the 35W Bridge, we should take inventory of our relationships…through prayer and honest communication, we inspect the integrity of structure of the relationship. If there is damage, we can make the necessary repairs before it crashes (Eph. 4:29-32). If there are broken relationships, we need to clear the debris, and work with God to design a new relational bridge built of forgiveness, grace and love (Col. 4:12-14). And as this work is being done…emulate the new bridge construction by installing sensors such as accountability partners who can speak into your life,get into the bible to be able to see what quality relationships consist of, and continually press into the Holy Spirit as our greatest accountability sensor and contact to the bridge engineer and constructor…GOD.
It is vital for our faith journey to include honest inventories of our relationships and to ensure the work is done to keep us a healthy part of the body...with Christ as the head so we are able to move forward…Sharing the life and love of the Father with each other and with a world that is so desperate for healthy bridges to God!!!
Bridge Verse for this week:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
River of Life-Living Water
A couple of years ago, I worked a local youth camp for kids. It was a rewarding experience with quality content and of course we also had a lot of fun…horseback riding, swimming, crafts, campfires, music and food. My favorite was the opportunity to take a group of youth floating down the local river on tubes.
It was a sunny day and we had about a 1-1 ½ hour tubing trip through beautiful and quiet forest lands along this near pristine waterway. It was a great time of reflection and relaxation for me…even surrounded by a group of 9 others. What was amazing from most of the groups including mine, were the complaints about the river and the trip. It was too cold, too slow, too many trees, too shallow...too, too, too. As if by complaining, something miraculous could happen…such as adding hot water to make it just right, or installing strategically placed jets to speed it up, or a crew would trim back all the foliage… and oh yea…the river would be dredged so some of us don’t bump our rumps. With all these miraculous upgrades meeting everyone’s satisfaction, we would have little more than a long Jacuzzi tub. The truth of all this is the river is what it is…it is living water… it does what it does, goes where it goes and flows where it will.
Our life journey has that kind of influence. In the book of John, Jesus speaks of “Living Water” or “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (chapter 4). In chapter 7, he speaks of “flowing rivers of living water” in regards to the Holy Spirit.
Wouldn’t it be great to be free enough in our faith journey that we could take afloat in the “River of life” and find joy in the ride, allowing the water of God to do what it’s going to do, go where he wants it to go, and know the source of our water flows straight from his thrown. Come on in and enjoy the water…”The Living Water of God”.
Verse of the week:
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb …”. Rev. 22:1
It was a sunny day and we had about a 1-1 ½ hour tubing trip through beautiful and quiet forest lands along this near pristine waterway. It was a great time of reflection and relaxation for me…even surrounded by a group of 9 others. What was amazing from most of the groups including mine, were the complaints about the river and the trip. It was too cold, too slow, too many trees, too shallow...too, too, too. As if by complaining, something miraculous could happen…such as adding hot water to make it just right, or installing strategically placed jets to speed it up, or a crew would trim back all the foliage… and oh yea…the river would be dredged so some of us don’t bump our rumps. With all these miraculous upgrades meeting everyone’s satisfaction, we would have little more than a long Jacuzzi tub. The truth of all this is the river is what it is…it is living water… it does what it does, goes where it goes and flows where it will.
Our life journey has that kind of influence. In the book of John, Jesus speaks of “Living Water” or “spring of water welling up to eternal life” (chapter 4). In chapter 7, he speaks of “flowing rivers of living water” in regards to the Holy Spirit.
Wouldn’t it be great to be free enough in our faith journey that we could take afloat in the “River of life” and find joy in the ride, allowing the water of God to do what it’s going to do, go where he wants it to go, and know the source of our water flows straight from his thrown. Come on in and enjoy the water…”The Living Water of God”.
Verse of the week:
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb …”. Rev. 22:1
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Crash Zone: The Sequel
I don’t usually like sequels because they rarely measure up to the original. And just recently I found a greater appreciation for that fact. I experienced the “Crash Zone: The Sequel” this last week. A few years ago, I had the unpleasurable privilege of encountering the original “Crash Zone”. Countless hours were spent by myself along with "real and wannabe" experts trying to avoid it. Unfortunately, my computer landed square in the “Crash Zone” with over ten years of ministry (letters, calendars, forms, brochures, mailing lists, etc.) silently disappearing without even a whimper from my hard drive. The original Crash Zone actually had some good results…my computer was cleaned of all those unnecessary “pre-loaded” programs and old files clogging up my directories while brand new virus protection was in place to keep my computer safe.
This time, the "Crash" wasn’t quite as devastating. Unlike the original "Crash", I was able to back up my documents, pictures, and sermons prior to my computer starring in the sequel. Praise God for “jump drives”! And this time, my computer only required to be restored back to its original settings and some reloading of some software.
So what do my computers crashing have to do with a faith journey? Our Original “Crash” comes when living our lives by our own rules doesn't work and neither does our seeking help from others who are in their own "Crash Zone". Then, when all else fails, we accept our crash and we are cleaned and made new in Christ.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The bad “preloads” of our growing up is exchanged with perfect programming of God’s Grace. The old files of our selfish lives are renewed through Christ’s love. And our new life in Christ is protected from worldly “viruses” through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
And may this serve as a reminder to us “mature Christians”, that if we are not careful, we can star in our own “Crash Zone: the Sequel”. We find ourselves broken, a bit like King David, begging God to “create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us.” (psalm 51:10). This might be a good time to “back up” and refresh our system. Take time with God to embrace his Grace in your life and to again hand over our selfish habits. Express the joy of Christ’s love in your relationships and renew your attention to the Spirit’s protection from the worldly viruses we face daily.
While our original “Crash Zone” is one we never would want to repeat…we must stay attentive and work at “backing up” our relationship with God so that when we are faced with the “Crash Zone: the Sequel”… we aren’t in the starring role!
The “Back up” scripture this week:
…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…Eph. 3:17b-18
This time, the "Crash" wasn’t quite as devastating. Unlike the original "Crash", I was able to back up my documents, pictures, and sermons prior to my computer starring in the sequel. Praise God for “jump drives”! And this time, my computer only required to be restored back to its original settings and some reloading of some software.
So what do my computers crashing have to do with a faith journey? Our Original “Crash” comes when living our lives by our own rules doesn't work and neither does our seeking help from others who are in their own "Crash Zone". Then, when all else fails, we accept our crash and we are cleaned and made new in Christ.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The bad “preloads” of our growing up is exchanged with perfect programming of God’s Grace. The old files of our selfish lives are renewed through Christ’s love. And our new life in Christ is protected from worldly “viruses” through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
And may this serve as a reminder to us “mature Christians”, that if we are not careful, we can star in our own “Crash Zone: the Sequel”. We find ourselves broken, a bit like King David, begging God to “create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us.” (psalm 51:10). This might be a good time to “back up” and refresh our system. Take time with God to embrace his Grace in your life and to again hand over our selfish habits. Express the joy of Christ’s love in your relationships and renew your attention to the Spirit’s protection from the worldly viruses we face daily.
While our original “Crash Zone” is one we never would want to repeat…we must stay attentive and work at “backing up” our relationship with God so that when we are faced with the “Crash Zone: the Sequel”… we aren’t in the starring role!
The “Back up” scripture this week:
…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…Eph. 3:17b-18
Monday, February 22, 2010
Updating...It's A Good Thing
As you might summize...it has been a while (almost 90 days actually) since my last posting. I have been in a part of my faith journey that required my attention to not only be present in each moment...but to also experience the journey over an extended period of time. So over the next weeks, it is my hope to share some of my writings of previous journey adventures as well as my recent ones. The below writing came during my time God had me journeying through seminary...
I own several atlases. Some are small for traveling and others are huge print to better see the small towns and roads that exist in each state. Each atlas has a large number on it to identify the year it is produced…that got me wondering…does that much change that we have to continually update an atlas? Are there new towns popping up all over the country…or are there that many new roads that didn’t existed…and how about all those population recorded in the back…is it really necessary to change an atlas? Apparently updates have their place...an important place.
Case in point, while I was in seminary, I would travel from Michigan to Minneapolis twice a year. I love to drive, so my mode of travel was my vehicle and to say the least…my first experience crossing Wisconsin was interesting. I used a 2004 atlas to plan my route and even consulted with a couple of people who were quite familiar with the travel to the Twin Cities. They all agreed that while Wisconsin 29 was the best east/west route, however they also confirmed the major connection problems around Wausau and Eau Claire which were identified on my trusty atlas. So I plotted a safer route which may have taken me a bit out in the “boonies” on a two lane road…but it would not hinder my travels. During my stay in the Twin Cities, one of my new classmates informed me that Wisconsin 29 had actually been redone and now it was a straight shot through Eau Claire and that the highway department was finishing a beautiful exchange in Wausau and 29 when completed will be a wonderful 4 lane (and sometimes 6 lane) highway across Wisconsin. Had I taken a little time to update, I would have found the updated information about my journey that would have saved me some time in the "boonies".
And just an FYI to you techie geeks…(note-this is before I owned a GPS) GPS’ have need to be updated too. In a future blog…I will share about how my GPS almost landed me in the middle of a lake!
So yes, updating has its place…such as in our faith journey. If we don’t take time to update our spiritual lives…we can get stuck in some old ruts or possibly grow stale. One place we can update is getting into the Bible. It is a miraculous work of God that can update our spiritual and emotional lives as we read, re-read, meditate, study, share and live it. The more we grow…the deeper we able to appreciate and understand his message of hope, his tireless pursuit of a living relationship with his people, the blessings and issues of obedience and a greater appreciation for the grace he offers us…and that is an Updating that helps our faith journey be one worth experiencing!
Your fellow sojourner,
Paul
Updating verse of the week:
Do Not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is..his good, pleasing and perfect will."Romans 12:2
I own several atlases. Some are small for traveling and others are huge print to better see the small towns and roads that exist in each state. Each atlas has a large number on it to identify the year it is produced…that got me wondering…does that much change that we have to continually update an atlas? Are there new towns popping up all over the country…or are there that many new roads that didn’t existed…and how about all those population recorded in the back…is it really necessary to change an atlas? Apparently updates have their place...an important place.
Case in point, while I was in seminary, I would travel from Michigan to Minneapolis twice a year. I love to drive, so my mode of travel was my vehicle and to say the least…my first experience crossing Wisconsin was interesting. I used a 2004 atlas to plan my route and even consulted with a couple of people who were quite familiar with the travel to the Twin Cities. They all agreed that while Wisconsin 29 was the best east/west route, however they also confirmed the major connection problems around Wausau and Eau Claire which were identified on my trusty atlas. So I plotted a safer route which may have taken me a bit out in the “boonies” on a two lane road…but it would not hinder my travels. During my stay in the Twin Cities, one of my new classmates informed me that Wisconsin 29 had actually been redone and now it was a straight shot through Eau Claire and that the highway department was finishing a beautiful exchange in Wausau and 29 when completed will be a wonderful 4 lane (and sometimes 6 lane) highway across Wisconsin. Had I taken a little time to update, I would have found the updated information about my journey that would have saved me some time in the "boonies".
And just an FYI to you techie geeks…(note-this is before I owned a GPS) GPS’ have need to be updated too. In a future blog…I will share about how my GPS almost landed me in the middle of a lake!
So yes, updating has its place…such as in our faith journey. If we don’t take time to update our spiritual lives…we can get stuck in some old ruts or possibly grow stale. One place we can update is getting into the Bible. It is a miraculous work of God that can update our spiritual and emotional lives as we read, re-read, meditate, study, share and live it. The more we grow…the deeper we able to appreciate and understand his message of hope, his tireless pursuit of a living relationship with his people, the blessings and issues of obedience and a greater appreciation for the grace he offers us…and that is an Updating that helps our faith journey be one worth experiencing!
Your fellow sojourner,
Paul
Updating verse of the week:
Do Not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of what God's will is..his good, pleasing and perfect will."Romans 12:2
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