feet

Recently I changed my desktop background to a picture taken from a family photo shoot with one of the men from our church.  It’s a casual one, the six of us just sitting on the ground leaning against a wall.  I have found myself looking warmly at it and in the spirit of the tale of ProfessorAgassiz’s fish, noting ‘new’ aspects each time.   This time was our feet. 

Seated, means the soles of our feet are the first things the camera captures…not the most beautiful site.  Worn. Discolored.  The LAST thing most want captured in a photo.  As I looked at it, I was reminded of a truth of Proverbs, that actually is a repeated theme (almost 100 times) in the book of wisdom: the ‘path’ or ‘way’ we take in life.  Do a study on it.  It’s a good one.  As I stopped and looked down the row from Aubrey on the far left, to Caleb on the far right, I realized we all had taken different paths to that ‘say cheeeeeeze’ moment Saturday morning, but even more so in life.

Recently, someone gave me a verse.  Someone I haven’t spoken to in probably seven or eight years, and even then rarely did.  Yet, the God of the univese deemed it important enough to whisper into this dear lady’s heart a much needed word for a pastor across town.  It was Habakkuk 3:19 and yes, of all things it speaks about ‘feet’.  The verse is now memorized in my heart; but then I only ‘knew’ it…thankful to Judy, it’s now a part of my spirit.  Habakkuk 3:^19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Moving beyond the picture, I’ve taken a few weeks to examine this verse and I’m sure will continue for the ‘rest of my days’.  Three things have resonated in me: God’s sovereignty over our lives.  Our feet being able to navigate new, adventurous and yes, difficult places.  And, HE being the great ‘enabler’ along our path.   There’s more to this fish, but those three things have been enough to bless my socks off…no pun intended.

Take a look at your feet today.  They tell alot about your life – and God is the one we want directing and enabling them to go where He wants them to go.  What an incredible God we serve.

Knowing self

It’s becoming almost a mantra to me.  I look for opportunity to talk to someone about it.  I remember the morning it sunk into my heart.  It even has a note jotted next to it in my bible…that means significance to me.  And, after just reading two chapters in Louie Gigglio’s “I am not but I know I Am” it becomes a little more precious at this very moment. 

It came from the lips of John the Baptist, early in the story of Jesus’ ministry.  It was pointed out to him that ’the guy’ he had been talking about (Jesus) was doing what he was known for (baptizing) over on the other side of the river.  I’m sure they were looking for some kind of response – anger, wrath — at least frustration to come over John!   Instead, his answer was not only compelling, but ageless and so very needful to any Christ-follower.   He answered them, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.”   Simple enough. 

John went on to remind them he had said he wasn’t the Messiah; but, more like an attendant in a wedding that gets really excited when the groom is about to appear.  And that he understood the moment at hand, pointing to Jesus.  He then added, “That joy is mine, and it is now complete.  He must become greater; I must become less.”  

What I love about this is John’s self-awareness; a central focus of many today.  But, John’s is different.  His was holy.  Consecrated.  Rooted firmly in God, not ‘self’.  John knew who God made him to be.  He was totally satisfied with it and actually found fulfilling joy in who he was in relationship to his Creator.  In his self-awareness he even wanted to be diminished (a Christian concept), that His Creator might increase even more in the eyes of others (another Christian concept). 

At times, I’ve wished I could write like Gigglio or Lucado.  Perform music like Matthews or Dylan.  Have a mind like Zacharias or Packer.  And of course, throw a spiral like Warner or Marino.  But, true joy is found in being just who God made you to be and living it to the fullest…and all for His glory and purpose.  Nothing can compare.  John had it right.

rhythm

More touchdowns than incompleted passes pretty much tells it all. Kurt Warner had virtually the ‘perfect’ game for a qb last Sunday (29-33/379 yds/5 tds…if only history would repeat itself again in just a few hours as the Cardinals face the Saints!) The word used repeatedly by commentators was ‘rhythm’… “The man has his offense in rhythm.”

Having returned from an incredible trip to East Africa last Sunday night, to get to my tv and see the contest was paramount…yes, I’m a die-hard Cardinals fan. Having flown and sat in airports for the prior 30 hours, knowing the game was being played as I crossed over the midwest, only accentuated the ‘fan’ in me. Funny how awake I was when we dropped our luggage and turned on the dvr!

Monday morning my own rhythm came into play, sorta like a sledge hammer. Having taken many missions trips through the years, the past six days have only heightened the reminder of something God put within all of His creation: rhythm.

We work, sleep, eat, play, exercise, study, grow – you name it – all in need of rhythm. The principle of the Sabbath is God’s way of deeming rhythm in our lives. Crossing ten time zones in a matter of a few hours is a fresh reminder – boy do our bodies/minds/spirits need rhythm!

For me, the warm apple cider vinegar/agave sweetener began that first morning (a true delicacy…you should try it.).  The nights’ sleep have been ‘interesting’, but I think yesterday and today I awoke a little more in sync. The exercise will begin next Monday. It’s all about rhythm.

In this New Year, hopefully you’ve already started some good rhythms in your life. Rhythm is about discipline. It’s about us getting into sync with something God placed within us for our good and the good of others around us. I’m especially excited for the 2010 vision at RMCC this year — one way to establish new spiritual rhythms for our church.  I pray anyone who takes the time to read this blog hits your rhythm for God in 2010. It’s a great way to live!

Keeping it on Jesus

I’m looking forward to a second run with my huddle group in the new year.  It looks like us six guys will be meeting again for a weekly breakfast and discussing C.S. Lewis’s classic, “Mere Christianity.”  Having read it over 25 years ago, it was interesting to peruse it again recently.  Alot had slipped from my memory of it.

Standing out, in his opening comments, was his intent to stay far away from ‘all that divides’ the body of Christ.  Catholic to Pentecostal, the man was determined to deal with the essentials and let the rest be addressed in someone else’s forum.  As well, as with any book, the author’s context is central.  With a World War raging, I find it interesting that he was writing to unite, not divide.  He was determined to keep it on Jesus.  Just on Jesus. 

Recently, in sharing communion with our church I made mention of that fact.  No matter the Christian ‘faction’ we belong to and adamantly subscribe to its particular doctrinal stance, the receiving of the elements brings us back to what unites all who share faith in Christ.  Oh yes, the application of that moment has staunchly divided church from church throughout this age; but that lone moment when Jesus lifted the bread and the cup, instituted what remains the perfect place of ‘return’ for all who believe.  In obedience to His command, we all return to glory in  His cross, expressing faith in His substitionary work for our sins.  How uniting it is.  All over the world.  All who believe in Him unto salvation.   

Moments ago, I spent a wonderful hour with my daughter on some doctrinal/theological questions.  The particular subject is a passion of mine, and how fun to share with her on that level!   Yet, what a reminder of all that divides this great ‘Vine’ with its many ‘branches’. 

This time of year, those who believe in Jesus have plenty to unite over.  His light needs to shine purely as ever into the darkness.  The Word becoming flesh, is another of those central of all Christian truths.  Really, those opening fourteen verses of John’s gospel should be the message of all the various branches of our faith.  If only we could keep it on Jesus.  Just on Jesus.

annual fear factor

In anticipation of our middle daughter’s return from college for Thanksgiving, we’ve decided to get Christmas decorations up early.  So, last Friday I psyched myself up for the annual ‘hanging of outside lights event’.  For some, it would be a piece of cake. For me, I get to experience an overwhelming ‘cat on a hot tin roof’ feeling…enough to land me on the psychologist’s couch.  After standing, surveying, psyching myself up for the second story level – I went for it. 

Actually, it went quite well.  I made yet another personal discovery to make next year’s seemingly more plausible — and after finishing, went into the house quite proud of myself.  The next morning though, something was awry…like really bad awry.  Every muscle in my upper back and neck felt …just wrong.  Even my ‘glutes’ ridiulously felt the sting of the day before.  The strangeness lasted all day, and thanks to some Ibuprofen, prayer and stretching I made it through the weekend services.   Four days later, the effects are still slightly there.

Only later it dawned on me, last year yielded the same results.  Both mornings after, I felt the pain.  Crazy!  But again, I realized just how fearful I am on the edge up that roofline, reaching over with clip and strand in hand.  Every muscle must tense up way beyond what they are used to, so they decided again to let me know their wrath about 18 hours later. 

We are living in fearful times for most.  Unless you just choose to avoid reality altogether and live ‘free’, the truth is, uncertainty plagues our collective tomorrow.  But, here is where faith and God’s Word are ever-relevant.  Fear is a common theme to the Bible’s addressing of life.  Everybody will experience fear!  Yet, trust is the ever-present reality for the follower of God.  Not just any faith, or any trust; but, both must be firmly directed in God.  Nothing in our tomorrow will surprise Him.  We are constantly reminded to follow Him in faith, not fear;  trust, not despair.  We can live all tensed up today with the effects tomorrow, or relax and trust and know He will be there, as He is here with us right now.   The choice is ours.

passion

Have you ever read a quote that just sticks with you?  This simple statement by psychiatrist Keith Ablow seems to just keep proving itself ever since I heard it months ago: arena of familia“It’s tough to maintain passion in an arena of familiarity.”  

We talk  alot about our passions today, but it could be because as a culture, ours spring leaks quite easily.  It has become so common to move on from a marriage, a friendship, a job, a church — you name it.  Often what began with marked passion flutters away over time.  How tragic.

C.S. Lewis dubbed, ‘chronological snobbery’ as one generation always thinking it is better than those previous to it.  Actually, I think the reverse is true in this case.  Could it be that the abundance of prosperity of my generation has created this tendency to lose our passions so quickly, compared to our grandparents that came through the Depression?  Why else would it seem they were so much more steadfast in their commitments?  How else did they hold to their passions? 

Dr. Ablow blames ’familiarity’ and I see a link.  What was special to own for my grandfather, technology has many times made entirely disposable for me.  Go to the store and buy another one.  How sad this crosses from the ‘material’ into the ‘spiritual’ and ‘relational’. 

I challenge you to consider your greatest passions.  Consider how ‘familiarity’ might sap their energies.  And strategize how to prevent this from happening to those most important of relationships, especially those things that relate to eternity.   Stick to your commitments!  Don’t lose your passion!  You will be rewarded in the end.

My first blog…

As I pulled away from the shadow of the Diamondbacks stadium and onto I-10 East, my eyes caught a building.  It was surreal…

That early morning I glanced to my left I thought, “Yep, that will be my first blog.”  Midnight had just passed, my oldest daughter had an hour or so earlier pulled away in the limo, now a married woman and I was driving the rental truck full of ‘accessories’ back to our home for early return the next morning.  What a day – no week – no month(s) it had been! 

The tall building that caught my eye is one I’ve often fondly looked at as I drove by the 7th street exit into downtown Phoenix.  That early morning it especially stood tall as I remembered holding Whitney for the first time there just over 21 years ago.   The thought of how quickly the path from that day to this, was overwhelming.  Where did the days go?

This week, part of my bible reading has been in Ecclesiastes.  A great book on life, reflection, philosophy, earthly and eternal things all rolled into one.  That morning was like reading my own personal ‘ecclesiastes’ in a moment’s flash.  Life goes by so quickly.

What do I take from this?  Three old adages, I suppose.  One, I grew tired of all the people that would tell me right in the middle of a major ‘public display’ by one of our girls, ”Enjoy those years. You can’t get them back!”  Though I did, I wish I had even more now.  Second, enjoy the seasons.  When we’re young we just don’t get it.  But, as we grow older we recognize the multiple seasons life provides, under God’s grace, and how valuable each is.  Third and most important, moments like that glance to my left that early Sunday morning just remind me of how incredibly faithful God is over the course of our lives.  It’s a journey, not a sprint, and full of grace after grace as we walk with God.