The Pity-Party That Never Got Off The Ground!

Well its the fourth day since She Who Can Only Be Loved's Florida vacation and my sleeping patterns are all messed up - I go to bed late, I wake either extremely early or barely in time to make it to the office 'on time.' This past Wed. a good friend was incarcerated, and I probably won't get to visit him until the first of next week; last night God decided to call to his side a lady from our church; and my wife's mom is in the hospital with a torn Aorta. So real early this morning I put in motion these plans for a big pity-party. I used to be an expert at scheduling them, and my execution was sometimes brilliant if I say so myself. [Of course, no one else will, that's a part of the celebration right?] There were going to be these big sweet-sour tears, piles of emails expressing sympathy, with me of course on centre stage. I'm fully convinced everything would have gone as planned but Jesus showed up - immediately that changed things! One of the scripture stories I had prayed this morning had this line, 'Peace, be still' and all of a sudden it didn't seem to apply so much to a historical turbulent storm in the Bible but to my planned homemade tears.[so much for that recipe, I've used it before and it always seemed to somewhat productive] Then I began to hear a voice whispering questions, 'Don't you think I can take care of 'Our' friend in prison, I specialize in that or have you forgotten in the midst of focusing on yourself?' 'Oh, the lady 'Our Father' called to his side, what's with getting all upset about that, place a speed bump in your agenda for today or this weekend?' This recipe of tears you're so pleased with, have you thought of adding a thorn or two, maybe throwing in some leather and for seasoning how about some iron?' As for your good wife's mother's torn Aorta, ever heard of the Great Physician, she's trusting in him - give her a call, you'll hear it in her voice. 'Eutychus, I think your pity party is a bit premature, or to be directly honest, its ridiculous.' Why don't you start rejoicing that you are free in so many ways, that I've joined you in ministering to others, that your good wife is being renewed and refreshed, and everything is my control ... oops think I pushed a button there with the word 'control' didn't I? ... Really all you need to worry about today is to be Obedient! .... oh, could you do something with that ugly blue banner that says, 'Woe Is Me?,' and I'm not real excited that you took out of context the prophet's words in your weak attempt to use him as a supporter. On the shelf in your heart there is a banner I brought with me, a bright gold one from that story you prayed earlier this morning, it says, 'PEACE!'

PRIMAL: A reader's analysis

A reader's analysis of 'PRIMAL:A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity' by Mark Batterson. Multnomah Books. Colorado Springs, Colorado 2009 ISBN: 9781601421319
Mark is also author of the delightful bestselling book 'In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day.' I found that book refreshing and perhaps even more challenging than PRIMAL was. I'd like to begin this analysis in a somewhat crazy fashion by first of all sharing with you the authors last paragraph. 'This book is an invitation to be part of something that is bigger than you, more important than you, and longer lasting than you. Its an invitation to be part of the next reformation. It's an invitation to be part of a primal movement that traces its origins all the way back to ancient catacombs where our spiritual ancestors were martyred because they loved God more than they loved life. Amo Dei.' I love authors that challenge me to think bigger than before, and I certainly want to be part of a 'primal reformation! While reading this book I copied down each page number in the front of the book that I had either underlined some sentences on or written notes beside, and time forbids me to catalog and comment on all of them in this blog. Yet the temptation to at least list a few is too overpowering and so within the structure of the book I will list a few. PREFACE: 'I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced.'[p.3] We often discuss how culture has influenced and in many ways shaped the church, yet I have to ask if most of that influencing/shaping has not been too readily adopted by the church because it takes less energy[commitment] to assimilate something than to evaluate it and sometimes take a stand against it. PART I: The Heart of Christianity. In this section the author talks about the superiority of 'emotional intelligence' to mental intelligence and one sentence that stood out to me was, '...as we grow in our love relationship with God, we begin to empathize with God. We feel what He feels.'[p.23] and when we begin to feel as God feels we begin to look differently at our neighbors, we begin to act differently towards our neighbors and we become more willing to sacrifice for our neighbors. The author then goes on to PART II: The Soul of Christianity. In this part the author talks about how Scripture illuminates our hearts and are often kaleidoscopes to our world. '...and yo never read the same verse of Scripture the same way twice. And that is a testament to its divine Author. The Spirit who inspired the writers of Scripture thousands of years ago is the same Spirit who illustrates readers today. And His illumination of Scripture is based on His intimate and infinite knowledge of your personality, your circumstances, your dreams, your doubts, your history and your destiny.'[p71] Never have I read Scripture taking into account that its message would be revealed to me because of so many variables taking place at that moment in my life. It is such a joy to know that one can read and reread the same Scripture and each time receive a unique and fresh application. 'When we open the Bible, it's like God opens His mouth.'[p.72] 'If we're not being fed it's our fault. I'm afraid we've unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches.'[p.75] 'We dissect Scripture instead of letting Scripture dissect us. We approach it like a textbook analyzing its words...'[p.80]
'We're already educated way beyond the level of our obedience.'[p.83] PART III: The Mind of Christianity. In this section the author begins with a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes, 'A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original shape.'[p.89] In this section the author reminds us how important it is to always, up until the day we leave this earth, be allowing God to stretch our mind, to expand our understanding, especially of Him. 'If you fail to use your mind, it atrophies. And when the mind atrophies, the soul shrivels.'[P.94] We must always have a holy curiosity! 'The quest for the lost soul of Christianity is a quest driven by questions.'[96] There is no question that God cannot handle, there is no question God fears we might ask; perhaps it we who are afraid to ask instead, to ask questions we won't like the answers to, or ask questions that might lead to other questions we'd rather not think about. The author, who also loves science, reminds us that faith and science need not be in competition, but both are avenues to completing the journey to find God's plan for our lives. 'I wonder if our certainties actually expose our insecurities.'[p.101] In the final section PART IV: The Strength of Christianity, the author points out that energy is the strength of Christianity. Putting feet to our faith, for James was right when he wrote, 'faith is not faith unless it is accompanied with works. This last section was probably the most marked up part of the book for me so I'm going to really limit myself to one quote because I believe it summarizes the author's writing, and also because I found it so powerful and humorous. 'God loves the smell of your sweat. It stinks to high heaven, but it's a sweet aroma. Your sweat is sacred incense. God loves it when we break a sweat serving his purposes. Our energy turns into beautiful melodies and its music in God's ear. It's also the way we build sweat equity in His kingdom.'[p.134] I had to put the book down and literally wipe the tears from my eyes so that I could see to read the book. How does that happen, my stinky smelly sweat rising to the heaven as a sweet smelling fragrance? WOW. Well now comes the tough part, I've got to stop thinking and start working! ENJOY, this book is worth more than the time and money you will spend to own it.

A Brand New Discipline.

This week I started a new discipline of every day praying the Rosary beads with Protestant prayers. I am both blessed and enriched by the effects of this new discipline, its not that I've discovered prayer, but a new tributary that enriches my communication with God. First it reminds me, bright and early, who I am and who He is, I need that because during the day there are times when I get so full of who I think I am; and I suspect most of us do, its a matter of admitting it. Full not only of how well we might think we are, but full of trying to figure out why things happen to us. And when I am tempted to put self first the often repeated phrase, 'Our Father' rings out reminding me, and then when I'm tempted to give into temptation of any nature the words 'give me' come flooding back into my consciousness, for I have repeatedly asked him to give me daily bread that will strengthen me to do His will and give me courage to resist evil. Its a bit hard to hold grudges, to judge, and to act without grace when I have asked for God's grace in measure to the grace I'm giving others who may offend me or my beliefs. Even though this is the first week of this discipline already the serenity and peace are building up reinforcements that will make this discipline a regular part of my life far into the future; and I am sure my daily perspective is daily experiencing unconscious attitude adjustments. Already in the course of praying specific scriptures the Spirit will bring to mind needs of others, and I will pause-in-place, and speak a prayer for them. This discipline is not becoming routine [as many people claim taking communion every week becomes routine]but is taking on a holy presence. I used to wake up in the morning wondering 'what new needs or old issues are facing me today?' 'who needs my help today, or whose help do I need to seek?' or 'what headlines will be framing today's issues?'...etc. But now the chief concern is 'how long will it take me to get dressed and to the office so I can hold the prayer beads in my hands and begin again praying the scriptures and listening to the Spirit lead me into a holy time?

The other day the Telegraph.co.uk, in an article by Stephen Hough, mentioned that a newly published book about Pope John Paul II mentioned that he regularly flogged himself with a leather belt. Since I am not going to throw any stones, I must agree that there were some concepts expressed by the author of this issue that I tend to agree with, however his concluding statement, 'Either way, I'm sure that Karol Wojtyla doesn't care now. He would be as unconcerned about such new revelations as he would our reaction to them....' caused me to think, the Pope would be distressed that one his personal habits in his relationship with God distracted from people's focus on their own discipline of relating to Christ. If you're interested in the article, though I would advice you to read it without judging is www.blogs.telegrah.co.uk/culture/stephenhough/ ..or simply go to www.drudgereport.com has a great day.

Oliver Stone's latest

Perpetual conspiratist Oliver Stone's latest venture into Mythland finds him proclaiming 'Adolf Hitler was enabled by Western bankers.' Though I have yet to find something[anything] Stone has ever said to agree with, I do enjoy his work in the sense that it challenges me to examine why I believe what I believe. I am dismayed that one of my favorite tv sites, the Discovery channel, will be hosting his upcoming 10part-documentary, although I will do my best to waste my time and probably watch it. Stone's contention that Hitler was a 'product of his era' was what drew my attention; it seems that progressives [another word for extreme liberals] are always wanting to place the blame on someone else, hence the public is getting tired of Obama's refusal to begin accepting his responsibility for our economy. Being a product of our era means we are not entirely [if at all for that matter] to blame for the choices we make. By contending that Hitler was 'enabled' Stone essentially is saying that the evil Hitler loosed upon the world would never have happened, or at the least been as devastatingly horrible as it was without the backing of the West money. Another way of viewing this venture is that Stone is a bit hypocritical [that's no news] in the sense that it is Hollywood that buys his myth-making and makes it profitable for him to spew his speculative, mostly unsub-stantiated garbage on an unsuspecting, gullible public. Would he be so passionate about getting his work out if he didn't get handsomely rewarded for it? Having said all that there is a message in this for me, 'am I willing to be responsible for the choices I make that are greatly influenced by others? ... 'Do I succumb to the tempation to blame others for the circumstances of my life? 'Who do I blame when I am called to account at the that final summation before God? FAith is about being responsible, accepting criticism and wisely allowing it to teach me when in error and on the others hand placing into the context of my love for God compliments I might receive. It seems we live in a culture, a world, too reluctant to stand up for what is 'right,' and we wait for someone braver to pick up the standard then we will follow them, albeit usually at a distance that is comfortable. Perhaps Oliver Stone is only doing what he truly believes in when he defends people like Fidel Castro, Hitler, Stalin and even Joe McCarthy? Maybe I need to believe as passionately in what I consider right as he does in what he considers right? I reluctantly congratulate Mr. Stone on his willingness to stand against the tide of public opinion; or maybe I'm wrong, perhaps he's not standing against the tide so much as he is revealing it ... either way it interesting to say the least.

Raining WHITE!

Just got a call from the good wife, and she and her little sister have safely arrived in Florida, and it is snowing WHITE SAND! So they will probably be sending a good part of the rest of the day resting on that white sand - they both more than deserve the r&r.

A 'RIGHT' Weather forcast!

Last night I took my wife 4 1/2 hours[one way] to Indianapolis so she could join her sister this morning in a flight to Florida. Its a working vacation for her sister and my wife is along for bonding support, sun and rest. We knew going down that the weather report predicted there would be snow and freezing and sure enough, just outside Indianapolis, for once the weather forecasters were right on, go figure. I got her safely to her hotel and was on the way back out of the city when the roads started glazing over with a mixture of wet snow and cooling temperatures. People who are familiar with such winter cocktails know it is an extremely wise move to be cautious and drive more slowly; while those who drive according to how it looks or are in a hurry with a false sense of confidence become traveling hazards. It really didn't look that bad, just a light, steady falling of snow and a somewhat cantankerous wind.It's almost as though the falling temperatures and the driving wind were mixing the elements before they hit the pavement; and less cautious drivers began to become more dangerous than the mix itself. I stopped counting the number of cars in the ditch, those facing the wrong way on one way highway lanes, and accidents when I reached the number 6. Then about 20miles from home, I cam across an extremely serious accident, with a parent and child pinned in the front seat of a compact that looked like its front end began and stopped at the firewall. The emergency vehicles were arriving not far behind me, as I heard their sirens and saw their flashing lights; never before had police vehicles been so welcome to these stranded drivers probably. I was going to stop and pull over, but figured I would only add congestion to the already narrowing passage around the accident, and then in my eagerness to help become an obstacle to the professions seeking to relieve the situation. The roads were like an ice rink ... and the accident happened on a curve in the road. Only a couple miles further down the road I cam upon a couple of semi's barreling along as though the elements were of little account to them, so I flashed my emergency lights and brights at them, hoping to at least make them consider slowing down, for if they didn't they would undoubtedly have to chose between touring a field tearing down trees, or slamming into those already bent and broken? what a choice. As I was contemplating the supposed recklessness of other drivers in such weather the Lord reminded me of how I often treat life carelessly. How I observe signs along this journey that say, 'slow down, things are not as they appear,' or 'caution: danger up ahead,' and surge on ahead as though the signs were meant for someone else! How many of my accidents in life could have easily been avoided had I only observed and listened, if I had taken into consideration the consequences of my choices ... many I suppose, more than I want to meditate on right now, or any time for that matter. I can't do anything this morning about last night's weather except give thank that I was protected, and thank my old age for the wisdom to realize every moment in life is to savored, and the next moment looked forward to. Well, I'm home alone for the major part of this week,
and so this blog will probably find more writings; I hope the good wife has a more wonderful time than she could ever imagine - little in life can compete with family; even when it isn't your husband, ha. She'd get a chuckle out of that one, but she doens't read this blog. Have a great day.

'Taught by a Teen'

Today I did something I've never done in almost 30yrs of ministry - I went on a 5 hour touring trip with a teenager preparing for getting his license. He needed about 17 driving hours before he qualifies for his driving license and his parents okayed me to take him driving; so we went to Fort Wayne, INd. which is about 2hrs from our home town. The whole trip took us from 8:30Am to 2PM. I was amazed by his attention to details, and his determination to stick to the speed limit; even when we got on the freeway he was careful to watch his speed. Interestingly we passed more state policemen today than I've seen in months! Arrivng in Fort Wayne I treated him to the best chicken in the land - CHIC-FIL-A. Then we drove around the inner city for awhile, giving him experience both in light, easy flowing traffic and sometimes bumper to bumper traffic from light to light. Overall it was a good experience; he never panicked or lost his cool, and surprisingly, since I really would rather drive than be a passenger, I felt quite comfortable on my side. My prayer is that when he one days gets his license the aora of being in control, and without any adults in the car he will continue to remember not only the rules of the road, but always be cautious. I guess in some ways this experience was a stretch for me also, not only in being a passenger but hopefully sharing grace. He made a statement early on that set me back, because sometimes we adults forget about the influence we have over those who are younger, he said, 'never thought I'd see the day when I'd go on a road trip driving my pastor around.' That statement was worth the trip - and I'm sure it will give me less hesitation should any other teen ask for the same favor. God really does appear unexpectantly sometimes.

Bumped by Beads!

I've been reading an interesting journal by Pastor Ed Dobson, who used to pastor the Calvary Baptist Church, a church next to Cornerstone Univ. in Grand Rapids. Though I'm a pastor in a different denomination I have been to their Christmas program a couple of times and enjoyed it.
Pastor Dobson, suffering from ALS, decided after retiring to on a year's quest doing what he felt
Jesus would REALLY do. Its an amazing journey, and I'm taking my time reading the book, making comments and thoroughly enjoying the little challenges of his journey. The most recent one was when he was observing the Jewish Sabbath and in the night had to go to the restroom, and just as he was about to switch the light on he remembered that activity would break his sabbath observance, so he got up and fumbled to the restroom in the dark. Now that may not seem like such a big deal normally, but when you're not used to it it becomes an issue; as I read his delightful account it seems that his faith, his discipline is truly being challenged.
Being quite a bookworm I am often challenged by others perspectives, but rarely do I say, 'this I must definitely do,' however that happened to me yesterday. Last week in a staff meeting we were talking about Ed's book and his being challenged, in his heart. to pray the Rosary I remembered that last year someone at given me a rosary. Now this is an 'old' rosary, our middle daughter, whose family is Roman Catholic would 'love' to own it ....[its staying with me] was that personal association that drew me closer into Ed's experience. So late last night after I arrived home I went on a search for it. Its wasn't in my office where I thought it was, and obsessed now with finding it I determined I wouldn't go to sleep until I did ........... and with, I suspect some divine assistance, I found it. With Rosary in hand, and Ed's journal entry, I got on the Internet to look how a protestant might pray the rosary. I found a good website, and so today I'm going to earnestly map out the prayers for my rosary. Also if a people of a different faith can intentionally pray five times a day, its seems little for me to intentionally pray with these beads as helps three times a day. I'm excited by all of this, and hopefully as I learn to discipline myself to this new experience, one day, once I get past the ritual aspect I will find my prayer life improving and, and perhaps somewhere in the days I have left someone else will be influenced as I've been. Aside from one staff person, I am intentionally keeping this discipline under wraps so that it can be more personal, but I feel it necessary that at least one person knows the course I've set out on so that I can, and that individual believe me will, keep me accountable. Let me add this is no coincidence for a couple of years ago 'The Lord's Prayer' was the topic of the Bible Study at our district's Family Camp. It was incredible to sit under the teaching of a retired prof who had written a couple of books on the Lords Prayer....I have almost a dozen books on the Lords Prayer sitting on my work table, and even preached a couple sermons on it, these are some of my most treasured books, one of them being written by a pastor who preached about the Lords Prayer in a bombed out church in Germany during WWII[and its wasn't D.Bonhoeffer]. Little did I know that that summer the seeds for this journey were already being sown. So I look forward to journaling thoughts and experiences along the way, and your thoughts will certainly be like light posts along the way.
'The Year of Living Like Jesus' [My Journey to Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do], Ed Dobson. Zondervan Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI 2009
ISBN 9780310247777

Here is an article from USA today that is very informative about the book and the author ... www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-01-01-jesus-year_N.htm ... ENJOY.

All the Birds............!

Over the holidays the birds received TWO new bird feeders, and we know have more birds in our backyard than in the nine years we've lived here. I love to sit in my wife's office and watch them out the windows; most of them are yellow finches I think, one of these days I'll go to the library and get a bird book and identify them, there has also been a cardinal hanging around. I know its going to cost me a little money for feed, but I do feel good about being able to provide them seed during the winter. Its just that now I'll have to find the cheapest 'bulk' prices.

Quite a Day!

It's been quite a day to say the least .... got two wisdom teeth pulled, hope that doesn't have too much effect on what little brain power I have left, and the partial put in the same day! I have a wonderful dentist, who knows how to make sure the only pain I feel is remembrances from years ago. Also today I read the book, 'same kind of different as me!' This book was powerful, and that's an understatement; to try to summarize it would not even come close to defining it so I'm going to just give you a quote from the back cover the book; several times the tears flowed freely as I read about how two people, on totally different ends of the spectrum of life learned how to not only get along but learn to trust and believe in each other because of the love of a woman who believed in both of them! Here's the quote from the back cover: 'A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotteon in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to a world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it' ........... if you'd like your life to be a little richer and your relationship with your fellow man a little more blessed - read this book!
Hall, Ron and Denver Moore. 'Same Kind of different as me.' Nashville, TENN.
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 978-0-8499-1910-7