On Jet- Skis and Shared Suffering (Part One)

2003- A beautiful summer day on Lake Oconee- My sister and her husband had invited our family to their home on the lake for a day of fun and sun. There was swimming off the dock, there was eating- There was boat riding, there was eating- There was tubing, and well there was more eating- I tell you it's like a mini vacation anytime we can steal away and visit these wonderful people. The sky was blue, the sun was hot and the water had just the right tinge of coolness to bring delightful sensations of bliss as we drifted on floats off the end of the dock. Then there was the Jet-Ski. I had never ridden a jet ski before- The thought of zipping around the lake- A cool breeze in my face was....... Well........... I just had to try it. The ride was everything I imagined- There was the speed- A pure adrenaline rush- There was the sense of flying- Freedom and Danger all rolled into one-

It was a blast!

Our daughter Rebecca, who was 13 at the time- After seeing her dad cut the fool on that Jet- Ski contraption- Just had to give it a go for herself.

Didn't I do a blog before on how it was dangerous to follow Dad?

Anyway, after some brief instructions- Far too brief- She hopped on and away she went- Heading into a deep long cove- The intention was that she turn quickly back toward the main body of the lake- The turn never happened- And so she quickly dissappeared around a sharp bend in the cove. We could hear the engine of the jet-ski for only another moment or so before even that sound faded into silence. After another minute or so- Still no Rebecca- No Jet Ski sound- Nothing. How can I describe the feeling that came slowly at first- But more and more quickly washed over me in those moments.

She was gone-

My baby was gone-

Disappeared-

She should have been out of that cove by now-

Why had I ever let her- Where was she? What if.......... Panic, Fear and Dread sprang to life in my heart. Bill (my brother-in law) and I quickly jumped into his boat and began to ease back into the cove to find my lost daughter. He tried to reassure me- "The engine probably just cut out Charles" - Yes- that's what must have happened- The engine had just cut out- Rebecca would be there waiting for us around the next bend- Yes- the engine just cut out I told myself. By now every foot we crept forward in that narrowing cove- Not seeing my beautiful, precious daughter- Just made the fear grow in my gut- Like some sort of slow but powerful poison.

She had to be alright- We would find her-

She had to be alright.

Hebrews 2:14-18 (Excerpts) Since the children have flesh and blood, Jesus too shared in their humanity............ He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God............Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

I wonder now-

If as Jesus was suffering on that agonizing cross-

He not only carried the pain of my sin-

But He also carried the Suffering of that day-

And so many other days like it-

For so much suffering humanity.

I know that somehow He was with me that day-

Not just for comfort-

But also in my very suffering-

Agonizing there with me -In me

Maybe this is the key for us in enduring those brutal times-

Somehow, to draw on the Life of Jesus-

That Life now in us-

And so somehow to live out His Trust in the Father-

Even to the point of death.

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for identifying with not only my sin, but also my pain and fear.

Thank You for living through that time with me-

Thank You for carrying me in it.

Lord God Almighty help me to always come to my Jesus for all the Life I need.

Amen

Don't be such a Whiner or Striver or Whiner or Striver or............

My life is not as I would arrange it. My story is not as I would write it. I do not have the perfect job. My children don't follow my script for their lives. I don't have enough money to do what I want. My wife does not always cooperate with plans. I do not have the physical prowess or the body I would like to have. I do not have the status my ego craves.

Whine, Whine, Whine...............

What a whining little egocentrical fool I can be- Sometimes I whine so much I become disgusted with myself. Why can't I have more of a positive attitude?

Whoa...... Isn't that amazing-

I can even whine about what a Whiner I am!

So what am I to do? What is the cure for my condition? Maybe I should settle for discontentment- After all, It is what it is............Right? Maybe I should just resign myself to never having all I want. Or............ Maybe I should fight it- Maybe I should make my plans- Do everything in my power to manipulate them into being. You know the mentality don't you? I can do anything- I am the Master of my domain- If I can believe it, I can achieve it- How about shifting from......

Whine, Whine, Whine....................

to Strive Strive, Strive...........

Truthfully........

I've spent alottttttttt of time in my life striving-

And while it is definitely more productive than whining-

In the end-

All my striving has only led to a different sort of misery-

Certainly not the Life Jesus won for me-

The Life God meant for us.

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples,

"If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross and follow Me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.

It's time for a new way of Life-

Away with the whining and striving-

Away with all the complaining and manipulation.

It's time to take hold of the Great Paradox-

It's time to forget trying to write my own story-

It's time to forget trying to take His place as the center of the story.

It's time to die into Christ-

It's time to let His Life and Love be lived out through me.

More and more I am coming to see-

Little by little-

Bit by bit-

This is where I can find the life I long for.

Holy Spirit lead me deeper into Jesus today-

Lead me deeper into Life.

Amen

On Love, Lust and Desire

It was a beautiful truck. The first time I saw it I was riding down Hwy 80 out of Statesboro toward Savannah. Midnight blue with the perfect striping package and Moon Roof- It sat right up front at the roadside Used Car Dealership- The figure $9,999.00 was painted right there on the tinted windshield. Four Wheel Drive- Tires so big I swear the thing could have floated if I had wanted it to double as a fishing boat. This Red Neck's dream sat up so high off the ground I think my poor wife would have needed a ladder to make it into the passenger seat.

I was in lust!

I drooled over that truck- It consumed me........... As much or more than I had ever let any woman capture my imagination. From the moment I saw it I had to have it- That truck was the answer- Everything in my world would be right- If I could just have it as my own. Blinded to anything but my own desire- My own sense of urgency- My devious little mind immediately went to work- Scheming- How could I convince my sweet wife Julie that this was just what we needed?

Mishandled Desire is a dangerous thing.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Ah....... Delight yourself in the Lord.

Enjoy Him.

Live in the reality of His Goodness.

Embrace His tender mercies.

Unite to His Heart in His Love for people-

The people He brings around us....... even today.

Relax in His care.

Take in the fullness of His creation-

The wonder of Crystal Blue Sky -

The Power of a Thunderstorm.

Take joy in the touch of a friend.

Yes....... Delight yourself in the Lord- Today!

Lust blinds-

It creates a sort of tunnel vision-

It narrows our world-

Shrinks our world-

I miss so much when I am in lust.

Love -

Love for God-

It opens vision.

It is a strange paradox-

The more I am consumed with Christ-

Delighting in Him-

The more my vision seems to open to all He has made me for.

In all this-

This delight in my Creator-

Somehow the desires of my heart seem to find their fulfillment.

Lord Jesus, Father in Heaven, Holy Spirit

Lead me into the way of delighting in You today.

Lead me into a deeper Love and Appreciation for Who You are and what You are doing in and around my life today.

Lead me into a deeper appreciation for Your Grace and Beauty.

Help me more and more to take hold of the life that is truely Life.

Amen

Oh, by the way-

In case you're wondering-

Julie said no to the truck.

A Poem

I have only ever written a couple of poems in my life- This is one of them- A Fearful Calling Oh this thing in me- Bandying about my heart- Longing for Eternity- Reaching for Light in the dark. What is it? This desperate desire- What is it? Some fearsome fire. Light calls out to me- Consuming, pure light- Just now- I am but the moth Fluttering to it’s height. What is it? This call to the Light- What is it? This beckoning to what’s bright. Look! It is my Father, The one whose image I bear- Look! It is Abba Father Waiting…………. Calling ……... Just there. He beckons quietly- Come home my son- Come now- Die into Me- And we will be one. What is it? This desperate desire- What is it? This Great Consuming Fire. Come Home my son.............. Come Home.

Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock-

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door-

I will come into him

and sup with him

and he with Me.

Thank You Great Father for Your calling to our hearts and you promise of Life.

Amen

You Shouldn't Go Out There (Part 2)

It really seemed like a good idea at the time- You know- Fling caution to the wind- Go for it- Answer the call to Adventure and Wildness and......... Well.....................Life.

It is a strange thing to be floating upside-down in a kayak, in a rushing river.

So how did I end up there? Bottom side of my boat up- Thinking- If I don't remember that wet-exit thing- I'm Done.

Matthew 14:28-31 "Lord if it is you" Peter said, "Tell me to come to you on the water". Jesus answered, "Come". So Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, he was afraid and began to sink.

Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him....."

Ignoring the instructor, I had paddled hard for the fast water- "The Chute".

I started fine- thinking I would ferry a bit into the chute-

Then peel out into the fastest part of the current to ride the whitewater the hundred yards or so down into the calmer river below.

Then...........

In the midst of the turn to peel out into the rapid, I had the oddest feeling that the boat was somehow beginning to slide out from underneath me.

It felt like slow motion, but insantaneous-

All at the same time-

And there was nothing I could do to stop it-

In that split second I couldn't see anything but the rushing water-

Panic and Desperation-

Both rushed in together to consume me-

Along with an angry river.

God's calls-

At one point in our lives we would answer-

We would fling caution to the wind-

For the promise of Adventure and Wildness and Life-

His Life-

A Life of Bold Enterprises of Faith and Love for the Kingdom.

Ah, but then something shook us-

Maybe the wind or the rushing water-

Maybe a bad experience or naysayers-

Maybe we even ended up sinking or upside down-

Lost in panic and desperation-

We took our eyes off Jesus.

It doesn't take much to lose heart-

To resign ourselves to a life of safety.

Ephesians 5:14 " Wake up, O' Sleeper-

Rise from the dead

and Christ will shine on you"

Do you hear it? Can you sense God's Call?

Can you feel the hand of Jesus reaching down to "Catch" you?

As you recognize Him on the shore are you ready to cast all else aside and throw yourself into the water again to get to Him?

He is waiting there and just like Peter-

He will give you a charge-

"Feed My lambs- Take care of My sheep- Feed My sheep"

It's time.

Father God, help me to recognize all Your calls to Life today- Help me to rise from my slumber and follow You into the Life You have won for me. Help me to cast the scales of callousness and defeat off my eyes and to see rightly-

Help me to see.

Awaken my heart again- the Good Heart You have created in me through the Love of Jesus.

Move in us all for the Courage to follow our Captain- Our Lord Jesus.

Holy Spirit lead us into all these things today- Deep into Jesus.

Amen

You Shouldn't Go Out There

At certain times of the day when there is a high demand for electricity in the Augusta area there is huge rush of water over the Savannah Rapids Spillway. In that rush of water there is one particular spot where the water comes over in mighty torrents. Just there, an especially fast stream of whitewater below the spillway is created that feeds out over the next couple hundred yards into the beautiful Savannah River.

That rush of water- That was what I wanted!

It had been a fruitful but tiring morning as my friend Rich and I had spent the previous four hours honing our paddling skills on the placid waters of Lake Richardson. Our Kayaking Instructor had been patient, but firm as she lended us her tutelage on skills such as Ferrying, Eddying and something called a Wet Exit.

I was going to need that "Wet Exit" skill.

Finally, after a good morning and a quick sandwich we loaded the Kayaks and headed to the river. We put in just below the Spillway and after a bit of Paddling, Eddying and Ferrying in some of the calmer water closer the the shore I looked over at our instructor and declared,

"I want to go out there"

Pointing to the fastest part of the river- the fun part- the part that would give the perfect fix to an adrenaline junkie.

It was calling me-

Beckoning me forth-

Into Irresistable Life!

"You shouldn't go out there" were the last words I heard our Instructor say as I had already begun to paddle toward the torrent of bubbling mayhem.

John 21:7 Then the Disciple whom Jesus Loved said to Peter,"It is the Lord". The moment Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord"....... he jumped into the water (To go to Jesus).

I rush to so many things in my search for Life-

But there is one thing-

One Irresistable, Wonderful Call -

People may say-

You shouldn't go out there, but..........

I hope anytime I see- We see-

It is the Lord-

We will fling ourselves out onto Him-

Even following Him into a torrent of bubbling mayhem-

A wild and dangerous world-

To do battle-

To take ground for His Kingdom.

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you;

And when you pass through the rivers they will not overflow you.

Father God, Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus-

Give us courage today to fling ourselves out on You-

To Trust You with all our Hearts- So that we are able to take ground for Your Kingdom today as we go about the business You set before us-

Loving You by Loving People.

Amen

Life is Opposed

Why is it hard to get out of bed in the mornings? Why is it hard to stay in shape? Why do we have to toil in our jobs- Even many times in good jobs? Why do we struggle in relationships?

Why can't Life just be................ Easy?

I think for me one of the great traps of the enemy I have fallen into is the notion that as a Christian my life should be easy. Even as I write that last line the Holy Spirit brings into my mind the absurdity of the thought. How did I ever get the idea that if I just did the right things- You know- Daily Devotionals, Church, Tithe, Treat others well...........and on and on........ I would somehow be guaranteed this easy, happy, care free life? I think of Jesus warning- "In this world you will have trouble" I think of the Call to Be Strong in the Lord- To Put on the Full Armor of God- To Stand Firm- To be Strong and Courageous.

Guess what Charles- Courage and Strength are not needed for a life of ease!

Oh now don't get me wrong-

I have not resigned myself to a life of misery-

I have not given up on the Abundant Life Jesus has won for me-

But.................

I think I finally may be realizing

I am going to have to fight for the Life I long for.

Maybe the fight itself is a part of the Abundant Life.

It is a Worthy Battle-

A Transcendent Cause He has brought us into.

God has not saved us so that we may retire to a life of ease-

God has saved us so that we can join the Battle.

Love is opposed-

Life is opposed-

The Kingdom of God in this World is opposed-

Ah, but the Gospel-

Christ has Overcome-

Take Heart- Christ has Overcome

Romans 8:11 And as the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us-

That same God who raised Christ from the dead will also give Life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit Who Lives in us.

In the words of Eldredge-

There is an Adventure to live guys-

There is a Battle to fight-

There is a Beauty to rescue-

A Kingdom to be Restored-

Let's stay in the fight!

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God-

Come to life in us today to be Strong and Courageous-

To Stand Firm-

To Love Well-

To Rise Up in the place you have put us-

To take ground for Your Kingdom.

All Praise be to You our Captain and our King.

Amen

A Strange Invitation

1990- Shaggy headed and in dire need of becoming presentable- I saw a sign that instantly grabbed my attention- Especially the attention of the miserly part of my brain that has been disproportionately developed through a lifetime of poverty- Or just plain cheapness- Take your pick!

Hair Cuts - $5.00

Yes! Just what the doctor ordered.

As I walked into the shop, I noticed two Barber Chairs-

One Barber-

And to my good fortune-

Only 1 customer whom the old Barber was busily snipping away at.

As I sat to wait my turn, I smiled and greeted the crusty old Barber-

To which he politely nodded with nary a word spoken.

As I sat patiently, I began to take notice of this man's skill and demeanor.

Studying his face a bit-I couldn't help but notice his concentration as he earnestly went about his task-Expressionless and silent-Exposing nothing that might betray any hint of emotion.

One thing I did note however, as he pulled out a straight razor to finish up the back of the neck of his current victim- uh customer- was what appeared to be a light brown stain around the corners of his mouth.

The origin of this anomaly was soon made clear -

As he put the finishing touches on a quite nice haircut-

This elderly "stylist" leaned forward and projected a healthy dose of brown tobacco juice about 3 feet into a nearby trash can.

My newfound Barber then proceeded to go around to the rear of his now vacant chair-

Look directly at me for the first time- Smile broadly-

A tobacco laden, brown toothed smile that will be etched into my memory for time immemorial-

And still without a word spoken-

Pat the back of the chair 3 times as if to say- Your Turn.

Ah- the moment of truth!

Should I cut and run?

Should I accept the invitation into this man's care?

Should I trust this venerable old character with a set of clippers for my head and a straight razor around my neck?

Luke 5:27-28 After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow Me" Jesus said to him and Levi got up, left everything and followed Jesus.

Did you get that?

Left everything and followed Jesus-

Everything.

How strange it must have been to Levi-

A man dedicated to a way of life that was the antithesis of all that Jesus represented-

To hear and receive this invitation from Jesus.

Come to think of it- It's pretty strange for all of us.

A little like the smiling old Barber-

Who looks a bit strange to me-

But handles his business great with skill and care-

He invites me to trust him-

Put ego and neck on the line and be amazed at what He can do.

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- I will trust you today. I will follow you. Move in me Holy Spirit so that I go deeper into Jesus today. Move in me to live a Loving, Courageous, Faithful, Hopeful Life today- Your Life in me.

Amen

Loyalty (Part 2)

I love Weddings- The Pageantry- The Beginning of a new life together- Two Becoming One- The Uniting of Hearts and Lives- The Celebration- The food- The Beauty of a Bride and her Court- The Groom at his best- Stong and True- Did I mention the food? I wish I would get invited to more Weddings- Maybe I need to become a Wedding Crasher! That's it- that's the answer- I'll be a Wedding Crasher! Well.............. maybe not. Anyway- As I was pondering over this business of Loyalty, I suppose it was only natural (or maybe Supernatural) that the Holy Spirit would bring Weddings up into my conscious thoughts- Particularly the exchanging of vows. You remember them don't you?

The promise to love, honor, cherish and keep

In sickness and in health

Forsaking all others

Keeping only to your Beloved

All the days of your life

Forsaking all others

Now there's the rub-

A great source of difficulty in the Christian Life.

Does God place this same call on my life in my loyalty and devotion to Him?

Loyalty to my Father in Heaven may mean forsaking people-

At least it may feel like we are forsaking them.

Luke 14:26 Jesus said, " If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes even his own life- he can not be My disciple."

Hard words-yet read on.......

1 John 4:20 If anyone says he loves God yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, can not love God whom he has not seen.

Okay now, wait a minute-

Which is it- What's it gonna be?

How about this-

My truest Loyalty to Him is lived out by sharing His Love and Life with People.

I can only be Loyal to Him by Loving them-

With His Love.

Maybe there are times when I have to fall back on this "tough love"-

Times when my loyalty to Him feels like being forsaken to them.

John 3:16 For God so Loved the World (People- All People) that He gave His Only Begotten Son............

If I believe this is truely where God's Heart is-

In the restoration of His people-

In the salvation of His people-

Then maybe it's time to entrust some of these people I love into the hands of a God who Loves them infinitely more than I can comprehend or imagine. Maybe my loyalty to Him is the best way to love them.

Lord Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit- Thank You for even giving me the ability to love anyone at all. Move in me to entrust You with the lives of those You have brought my way. Enable me to Love them truely by Loving You.

Amen