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Thursday, 30 July 2009
Friends,
REALLY foggy ride this morning. My driveway is about 75 feet long and when I opened my garage this morning to hop on my bike at 530am, I couldn't see the street! I believe that is about 0.00013 mile visibility.
So off I rode...into the fog.
By the time I returned though, the fog was starting to lift and I could actually see my whole street...sun was rising...and the outlook for the day looked good...maybe even great.
When you ride in the fog, you have to respond even more quickly to the stuff that jumps out at you...rabbits...deer...big fat cars! But when the fog burns off, it's a lot easier to see the distance...the obstacles...the beauty.
Christ says, "I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you." John 13:15
When I read this verse early this morning, I thought of the many people out there riding around in the fog...of life...trying to make decisions...look forward with hope...and figure out how to pedal onward.
As I chose my attitude for the day while biking, I said to myself: set an example today to reach out into the fog and help someone...maybe just one person.
I think Christ needs us to be examples. We don't need to be perfect...none of us are..me especially...but I can help someone through the fog today. My hope is to do more things right today than I do wrong. To set an example to those who need one.
Can you do that with me?...for those who are hurting...helpless...ill...and hungry?...maybe it's just listening...forgiving...feeding...or laughing.
Set an example today as Christ did for us....and watch the fog burn away.
Lord, help me burn off the fog for someone else so they can see again. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Friends,
Sometimes it's important to laugh. As yesterday I spent time dwelling in anger (you'll have to read that post on Facebook, didn't email it out), today I choose a bit of laughter.
One of my personal heroes, Jayce Grefrath, sent me a note this past weekend to keep me grounded and laughing. He told me that when things get overwhelming, read 2 Kings 2:23-24. My guess is that you, like me, do not have that one memorized. It reads: Another time, Elisha was on his way to Bethel and some little kids came out from the town and taunted him, "What's up, old baldhead! Out of our way, skinhead!" Elisha turned, took one look at them, and cursed them in the name of God. Then, two bears charged out of the underbrush and knocked them about, ripping them limb from limb—forty-two children in all!
I don't know the deep theological background to this one. And truthfully, I don't even care to. Because today when I read it again, it just makes me laugh. Much like my Confirmation verse that my dad gave me: Deuteronomy 23:1! Sometimes maybe we have to laugh a bit more, and if our faith can be a part of that, even better.
Please laugh a little today.
It's healing. It's real. It keep us grounded that there are some time which we will probably never figure out...like 2 Kings 2.
Lord, crack me up please. Amen
Still in One Peace, (unlike those boys in 2 Kings)
ps
(and no, that wasn't really my confirmation verse!)
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Friends,
I was talking to a mom friend of mine this morning and we were sharing stories of the crazy traumas and heartaches our kids gave to us even before they were born due to health scares. Both situations turned out fine and the kids were healthy. But it was amazing that, years later, we both remembered so clearly the pain, the worry and the anxiety it caused. She, especially as a mom, went through an enormous trial dealing with that. In fact, all moms go on this prayer-filled journey with their kids-to-be....even deeper than a dad could imagine.
The hoping, the dreaming, the physical changes to make it all happen, the love without seeing...the potential. Amazing love.
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15
It's odd that I didn't read this verse first thing this morning. But only after experiencing that conversation and the hi's and low's of the day, was I reminded that there is the Love of Another that is even greater than this mom's love for her kids.
So I know there are many of you out there today who are hurting....and feeling alone...and looking for answers...and saying goodbye...and trying to heal...and feeling forgotten.
I need you to know today, that there is One that will not forget you! It doesn't fix everything, but it might make it a bit easier.
Lord, help us never forget what we have experienced together and how that love will hold me! Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Friends,
The Bible verse that I've been ruminated on all day (that my peeps from the Moravian Church send every day to my email) was this one: Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
Awesome verse! I've had this great image in my head all day of standing at a crossroads...like in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and the crew are heading to OZ or something like that. But this crossroads has a bunch of smart people, including Jesus, around it who are sharing all sorts of good advice and council. Great biblical image.
'Cept here's the problem. For the first 15 verses of this chapter, Jeremiah is just spouting off about how screwed up the Israelite people have been, how they've messed up everything and aren't even embarrassed about their mistakes. Then right after 6:16, where we're given this great path to follow, it reads: But the Israelites said: "We will not walk in it!"
Yikes! I'm totally an Israelite sometimes! Everyday, I try and pull my heart, mind and feet together and walk....and many times I have just walked down the path I want to walk myself, for myself.
I wish I could hear the voices of truth LOUDER. I wish the ancient path was illuminated with bog old obnoxious strobe lights. I wish they would smack me upside the head once in awhile and pull me by the ear, like my Aunt Ronnie used to do when I was a kid, because sometimes I'm too Old Testament Israelite-ish!
Many of you are standing at that crossroads next to me today...everyday...every decision...every transition...every question mark filled phone call. It's not an easy place. Sometimes you think you're right and still trip up. You can follow your heart and still mess up. You can listen to your brain and still get yourself in trouble.
But listen O Israelites....there is a voice on ancient paths that have been walked before...there is a good way...there is rest. There is excitement. There is purpose. There is strength. There is hope. There is reconciliation. There is forgiveness. I guess that's what the journey is all about.
That ancient path is there. Listen. Look. And when you sense that direction...that new beginning...that relationship...that love...that purpose...walk. And you fill find rest for your soul!
Lord, speak up dude and could you turn the lights up on that path?! Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Wednesday, 08 July 2009
Friends,
I love when I'm working with a large group of kids or teenagers at camp or at the schools! Their energy and excitement brings me energy!
It's always fun to start off with some high movement/experiential stuff...where I have them running around like crazy people, all fired up and spazzed out. Then, I'll sit them down and begin to explain what it is we're trying to accomplish that day together and start giving some instructions. In my head, I've got five things I need to tell them before they can begin and accomplish whatever we're trying to do successfully. Maybe it's something like this: (1) get in groups of four; (2) introduce yourself to those people and share your name and your favorite TV show; (3) start to...blah blah blah...and so on.
But here's what happens....as soon as I say, "Alrighty then...I've got a few things to tell you, so just chill for awhile until I get through it all. First, you're going to get in groups of four people......" Then you know exactly what happens....all 100 kids start moving and talking and linking up and laughing and not touching/matching up with girls if they are 4th grade boys due to contaminates....and chaos sparks in under 2 seconds.
They are excited. Great things have been happening. They want to move forward because they know that there is the potential that the next thing might be pretty fun too. But, we all know, until you figure out where you're going, the excitement is better kept channeled.
Patience.
It's a four-letter word at times. (Like "door"...or "home"..or ...oh not those four letter words...the other ones)
Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16
Jeremiah got excited when he knew that something good was happening. His connection to the Lord and the work of God in the midst of life was hard but good, tricky and yet fulfilling. The excitement brought joy. But the patience to hear the plan and the direction and to not get too ahead of himself was important. If Jeremiah kept running forward without hearing all the directions, he probably would have fallen flat on his face.
Patience.
Do you have something exciting going on?
Change with potential?
New relationships?
Transitions?
Looking toward college...first job?
Meeting someone that came into your life seemingly out of nowhere?
Your kids are doing new and amazing things?
They are all good...and can be great...but have patience as you get into those transitions. Jesus continued to tell his disciples many times after he healed someone or did some cool Messiah-ish thing..."Boys, patience...chill. I've got more to show you and a bigger purpose."
So today...be excited. Be passionate. Be looking forward with your calling. Be exploring the depth of newness.
But be patient. There might just be a few more directions you need to hear.
Lord, help me chill...and listen to you. Amen
Still in One Peace,
ps
Monday, 06 July 2009
Friends,
I had a great conversation with a friend last night about temptations and I'd like to continue kicking it around.
It started because I had to make up with my lawn! Many of you know that there is one place of peace and control in my life where I can make the little lines and patterns with my mower and it brings me a weird sense of peace. Sometimes I even feel like I can tune enough of the other voices in my head out so that I can hear God's direction.
Anyways, last week due to the perfect storm: cool temps, the right amount of rainfall and me being out of town for 7 days, my lawn grew to US Open rough heights. So I gave in...I cheated on my lawn with another lawn mower! I borrowed my friend's riding mower, due to it's ability to bag instead of my normal mulching, and you know what all broke loose!
After I scalped her in spots and clumped up in others, my lawn was contemplating a separation.
All because I gave into the temptation...of another!
So last night, I made it up to her...stage 3 organic treatment with a bouquet of grub repellant! Do I know how to sweep her off her feet or what?
There are lots of temptations that you and I face everyday. They come with and around the boundaries that are put up for our own good. Some are suggested/mandated (depending on where you are at on your faith journey I guess) by God. Some from society. Some from this thing called conscience and integrity.
I agree with the "idea" of boundaries. But man are they a pain in the butt from doing what feels good in the moment. So maybe that's the point. Unfortunately, I've crossed a bunch of boundaries in my story...and none of them worked out for the good of self, others or the world! And I regret many of them. All felt OK in the moment, but messed up the bigger picture!
So I guess life/faith is bigger than the moment, eh!
My smart friend said, "Love is so much stronger than temptation!". They are so right! No matter where you are at with this thing called "faith," I think we can all agree that love enters into every moment of our lives...even into the temptations and boundary problems as the antithesis of those moments of weakness.
I'm sure there are a whole bunch of boundaries that you and I are tempted to cross everyday! It would be great...for awhile...but the purpose of love is not just to forgive the boundary crossings, but to build up the borders to keep those temptations from winning out.
Jesus says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) That's great news, but it's certainly not permission giving to allow temptation to overwhelm us. It means that in our weakest moments, there is One who has the power to carry us through the trials and keep us on the right side of the boundary.
Some of you might call it a battle between good and evil or God and Satan...whatever...I don't care about the language.
I just know my lawn would have been better off if I didn't screw up in the first place!
Lord, help me in my weakness. Amen
Still in One Peace!
ps
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