Obedience.......Really?

John 14:15

Jesus said

“If you love me you will obey what I command”

“On the line”

“Set……………Go”

As a basketball coach

I have barked that command to my players thousands of times.

Sometimes they would jump to attention………

Ready to go……

Ready to get it done!

Other times…..

Well other times they seemed to have to think about it…..

To gather up all their resolve…..

To set their minds on what was good…..

To recall their love for the game so that……

So that they might become energized…..

Energized to set aside personal comfort for ………..Love.

It’s tough to be commanded.

It’s tough to be pushed out of comfort.

They didn’t like it a lot.

I don’t like it much myself.

So why then……

Why obey?

Because we are supposed to?

Because it’s our duty?

Honestly…… I need more.

And truly…..

I believe there is a higher calling……

A higher calling that spurs me towards obedience.

Obedience from the heart.

Why obey?

It’s simple really……

Love and Trust.

Guys,

How about it…..

Let’s obey His commands.

Let’s trust Him today so that…..

Christ in us can love through us.

John 15:11

Jesus said,

“I have told you this so that

My Joy may be in you and

Your Joy may be complete.”

All praise be to You Jesus for the Life You have given us

Amen

Yes......and so.....Hope Turned to Love

1 John 4:10

This is Love…

Not that we Loved God,

But He first Loved us and sent His Son

As an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

As soon as she said yes……

Hope turned to Love.

I remember…..

Being a senior in high school…...

Cruising the hallways between classes….

Hangin’ with the Fellas

When…….

There she was……

I had seen her before….

I had talked to her…..

I had even given her a ride home once……..

But now…..

This time……

Something was different.

She was different.

Her eyes…..

Her smile……

Her laugh…….

Her……. Beauty.

Hope began to rise……

I wondered……

Does she see me?

Would she talk to me?

Could she possibly be interested……

In me?

Now I want to  tell you all-

I wasn’t exactly a ladies’ man-

I had been burned a few times-

There’s nothing quite like the pain of rejection…..

To shake a man’s confidence.

Should I or shouldn’t I….

What if she said no……

Is it worth the risk……

I was so lonely….

She was so……

Everything….

Everything good.

Maybe I should just talk to her….

Yeah that’s it……

I’ll just talk to her a little…..

Check her out.

That would be safe….right?

I asked my best friend what he thought……

“Talk to her Charles……

You better talk to that girl”

I can still hear him in his broken Chinese English.

Okay then…….

Here goes.

Hey.

Hey, she smiled as she fiddled with her locker.

How’s it going?

Great- Headin’ to class.

Oh….. yeah, me too.

I was wondering….

You know……. there’s a basketball game this week….. at A.C.

I was thinking I might go….. and I wondered…….maybe if you might like to go….. with me…..

I mean I understand if you’re busy and all, but you know… I was wondering….

Yes

As soon as she said yes……

Hope turned to Love.

I think it’s like that with God.

We notice Him.

We have questions.

We see His Beauty in the Life of Jesus.

We see how He operates in the World.

We see His Power.

He’s such a mystery……… Even dangerous.

We feel somehow…… He’s maybe even beyond us.

Friends who know Him encourage us…….

But……….

I mean look at Him…..

He’s so…..

Everything…..

Everything good……

And I’m not.

I mean…….I hope that He might notice me…...

I hope that He might care for me……

But is it worth the risk?

I mean….. I have been burned before.

And yet…..

There He is…..

Smiling…… Inviting….

“I have what you’re looking for Charles”

“I have……. Life”

Okay then……

Here goes…….

Father…..

Will You have me…..

Will You have me to be Your own…..

Yes

And as soon as He says yes….

Hope turns to Love.

1 John 3:1

How great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us….

That we should be called the children of God.

Thank You Father for…..

Yes.

I Love You Jesus.

Amen

Psalms 112 Fear and Love

Psalm 112 Excerpts

¹ Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord……….

⁷ They will have no fear of bad news;
   Their hearts are steadfast,

Trusting in the Lord. ………

Their hearts are secure; They will have no fear……..
…….. But the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

What are you afraid of?

Put a different way………

What carries weight in your life?

Or……

What do you take seriously?

Personally, I have a great fear of……..

Failure…..

Embarrassment…….

Being seen as weak…….

Not being taken seriously……..

By  mere men.

I have wasted a great deal of energy in this life worrying.

Worrying over…….

Fearful of……….

What men would think of me.

It has paralyzed me at times…….

I wonder if it’s even possible to Love men

As long as we……..

Fear men.

Dominated by a fear of men,

Our longings will come to nothing.

Ah……. but Living from a fear of God-

God who is Good,

God who Loves me,

God who is able to do more than I can ask or imagine…..

Living from the Power and Love of The One who lives in me and through me……

Oh, living from that place……

Yes, Living from that place where we no longer fear men….

Yes, Living from the fear of God......... maybe……

Just maybe……..

We can truly Love men.

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

Move deeply  in me today to live from a fear of You

To live from the weight of Your Glory

So that I am empowered to Love the people You bring my way.

Amen

Can You Imagine?

Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My Thoughts higher than your thoughts" says the Lord.

Can you imagine trying to explain the love you have for another person-

Say your wife or girlfriend or.....

Better yet your children to............

Let's say a cat?

I would say a dog-

But I wonder sometimes if maybe we might be better off having the Canine species explain love to us than us presuming to explain love to them!

Ah but cats-

Aloof, independent and an "I can take you or leave you" air about them that reminds me so much of myself.

Yep, cats- now theres a challenge.

Next time you get a chance take a cat aside and spend some time trying to explain how you feel about someone you love to such a creature and let me know how that works out for you.

Hmmm..... maybe our best hope with a cat is not so much to explain how we love someone special in our lives to the feline, but instead to let our prized pet know how much we love it....er him.....her..... oh whatever.

Yes sir buddy-

That might be our best hope for getting through to a cat.

It must be a little like that for God with us-

The infinite God explaining His Love to us finite folks.

I mean really- Can it be done with words?

Do we even have words that can give expression to His Thoughts of us?

Can you imagine the words?

Maybe not.

Ah...... but if ever there was an expression to us of His thoughts about us-

I think maybe the best place to look is to Jesus.

And if there has ever been one moment-

One moment in all of time that is the pinnacle of His thoughts about us-

That moment is comemorated today-

Good Friday-

The Cross.......

Oh how He Loves us- Oh how He Loves us-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BetW_6vtNU&feature=related

Can you imagine?

1 John 3:1 How great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us-

That we should be called Children of God-

For that is what we are.

Father, thank you for loving me beyond imagination-

Jesus, thank you for bringing me the Love of the Father-

Spirit, thank you for opening the eyes of my heart even a little to comprehend such things.

Amen

Choices- Living in Conflict

Chocolate or strawberry- This movie or that- Chinese or Mexican- The necklace or the ear rings- The Warm up suit or the Jeans today- To have your cake or to eat it-

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Why does life have to be so complicated? Wouldn't it be better if there were only one clear choice- Only One Right thing to do in every situation?

Easier, Yes-

Better-

I don't know.

What about the choice between Love and Truth- Now there's a tough one! You know what I mean don't you? Think of the classic question of every wife to her husband-

"Honey, tell me-

Do these pants make me look fat?"

Careful fellas!

Now think of the times when friends or family go wrong- Seriously wrong- Confrontation or Tolerance? Preserve Relationship or Stand for Holiness? Tough huh? It's so easy to take a stand for Holiness in the abstract- Or if I am talking about some distant relationship- Or when I am talking about someone else-

But what about when standing for Holiness-

Will jeapodize a close relationship-

Or bring on some persecution?

Is there a way to do both? Can we stand for Truth- Holiness- Yet still preserve relationship?

Can we have our cake and eat it too?

Maybe yes- Maybe no.

(How do you like that for decisiveness?)

Remember- Relationship is always a two party undertaking. I can not control another person's responses- Oh maybe I can try to manipulate to get what I want- But the other person will do what they will do. I wish I could tell you I have it all figured out- I wish I could come up with a magic formula to live by- One that always makes everything come out right- And not only come out right- But with no conflict in the process. I haven't found it. I do have some ideas- Some Maybes. Maybe I can try to speak Truth- In Love Maybe I can Love my enemies- That is- Treat them kindly- Be patient with them- Keep no record of wrongs- Bless them- Pray for them- Be Humble towards them- Maybe, because Jesus is in me I can treat those- Those who trample God's Holiness- As He has treated me- As I trample His Holiness- Maybe I can live out the Holiness of God- By pouring out His Grace- Even when I don't feel particularly Loving.

So what's it gonna be?

Hold to Truth-

People be damned

or

Cling to relationships-

While compromising Truth?

Choices, Choices, Choices- Oh, but wait a minute.......... What if Loving God by Loving people- Is Truth- And Conversely- Loving People by Loving God- Is also Truth. Please make no mistake in all this- My First and Last Loyalty is to God- To my Lord and Saviour Jesus- And the Holy Spirit Who has come to lead us. I am just coming to believe more and more- That Loyalty to Him- To the One and Only Triune God- Looks like loving people-

Matthew 5:44-45 Jesus said,

" Love your enemies-

Pray for them-

That you may be sons of your Father in Heaven.

He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good-

He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God-

Be powerful in us today to choose You-

To look to You in all we think, say and do-

So that all may see Your Glory-

Your Great Love and Your Goodness

As You pour Yourself out through our lives-

The lives of those who Love You.

Amen

Mosh Pits and Christianity

My son Matthew loves hard core dancing-
If you are not familiar with that style-
I think it essentially involves something called a mosh pit-
A mass of humanity strewn together-
Arms and legs flailing about wildly-
Some rythmically and some not so rythmically-
In such close proximity to one another-
There can not help but be some contact.....errr...collisions.
Matt came home from a hard core show (concert) recently and said to me,

"Dad,

I got kicked in the leg,

hit in the face,

a busted lip and

almost knocked out"

"It was great!"

Alrighty then........
More and more I am agreeing with the statement, "Youth is wasted on the young" :)
At any rate-
When Matt said this-
There was such a smile on his face-
Such a brightness about his eyes-
I couldn't help but think-

My son just gave the perfect description of the Christian Life-

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy,

my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds

Pure Joy-

Now that's bold in the face of trials.
Yet.........

What is it about a mosh pit that can inspire pure joy-
In the face of a busted lip and almost being knocked out?

I might be wrong-
But somehow I think in the case of the mosh pit-

(I have never experienced one)

There must be a sort of joy.......
In being lost in the moment.

There must be some sense........
That the pain fades into nothingness-
As the dancer is lost in his freedom of expression.

I wonder............

Can we get there in the Christian Life?

Can we get to a point where the trials fade into nothingness?

Can we get to a point where we are so consumed with Christ-

So lost in the expressions of the Glory of God in our lives-

So confident in His Grace towards us-

His Love for us...........

That we can live the life of freedom-

The life He has won for us-

The Life of abandon and boldness in Love?

No one would ever venture into a mosh pit out of a sense of duty-

No-
They go to dance-

They go for the freedom-

They go for the Life!

Father God,

Bring me into the Joy of Life today-

Your Life in me.

In the midst of the trials-

Rise up in us to be the expression of Your Glory-

To be the expression of Your Love.

Fill us Holy Spirit

to all these good ends.

Praise, Honor and Glory be to You.

Amen

My Beloved

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! Today marks mine and Julie's 31st Anniversary and I thought maybe another attempt at poetry might be in order. Please bear with me, but this one is for my wife!

My Beloved

My beloved comes near

Smiling wistfully

Beautiful smiles

Smiles that drive away

All that I could ever fear

Oh Father in Heaven,

What is this You have done

To give me such a gift

The gift of my beloved one

My beloved , I am captured

Captured by your eyes

Eyes so deep and brown

I am lost in wonder and surprise

Oh Father in Heaven,

What is this You have done

To give me such a gift

The gift of my beloved one.

Mark 10:7-9 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother

and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.'

So they are no longer two, but one.

Therefore what God has joined together,

let man not separate."

All Praise, Honor and Glory be to the One who has joined me to Julie.

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.

Loyalty

Ally was a good dog. She was a Black Lab we bought as a puppy to help our son Matthew overcome his fear of dogs.........................It worked. Matthew fell in love with that puppy as we watched her grow into a 125 lb dynamo of feet, tail and drool. Now as much as she bonded with Matthew and Rebecca..... and even me- The most powerful connection into our family came with my wife Julie. Julie was the one who walked her, played with her, loved on her and yes even overfed her. I can tell you there was more than once that I envied the love my wife gave that dog- But I shouldn't have been surprised. Julie is like that- A warm, loving, kind woman who can live it out with the best of 'em. Couple that with Ally's love for Julie- Always smiling (Yes I said smiling-Ally had an awesome smile), Always happy to see Julie, Always pouring out unbridled affection for my wife. I imagine there were times Julie wondered why I couldn't have been more like Ally.

With Ally there were no divided loyalties.

She knew who loved her best.

She would choose Julie over all others.

At any sign of threat She would defend Julie for all her worth- Transforming from a sweet adorable pooch- To an incredible display of fury that led many a stranger to ask, "Is your dog safe?"

Ally was a picture of Loyalty.

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus said, " The first command is this- The Lord your God is one.....Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is like it- Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

I wish I could say my own loyalty to my Lord- Father, Son and Spirit- was as pure as Ally's to her Mistress. With Ally it was simple- She knew who loved her best- She knew where her best hope of anything good was coming from. She embraced that and attached herself to my wife in ways that expose my own devotion as paltry.

Her displays of Love for Julie were extravagant.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Forgive me for my divided heart, forgive me for forgetting who Loves me best. Forgive me for not trusting You- for complicating what is simple in an effort to manipulate my own way. Father God, today- because You are in me and have given Life to my dead heart- I will love You, trust You and follow You in all I do. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Rise up in me today so that this will be true of my life- Unite my heart to Your great Heart so that all that comes out of me today flows from Love for You.

Amen

What you see is what you get-Really!

2003- Family Picture Day at Church- You know- the time when everyone comes in to have pictures taken for the church directory. I look back at that picture now- the smiles- our Sunday best clothes- Our closeness as we huddled together to capture the memory of............... I was running late and driving like a fool. The woman in front of me began to inch forward as the light turned green, but came to a sudden stop when she saw an ambulance out of the corner of her eye. Me- I was in such a hurry- I had jumped right up on her as she pulled away- when she stopped- I couldn't................ Crunch........... I can't believe this I thought to myself- what idiot starts and then stops suddenly as they pull away at a Green light? Julie (my wife) was spitting mad. By the time I got to the church with news of my wreck, we had missed our appointment and had to go to the end of the line. On top of that, she and my then 13 year old Rebecca were at war over how to dress for the Family Church picture. Matthew didn't help matters- As a typical 9 year old he wasn't exactly a paragon of patience as he relentlessly asked over and over and over, "How much longer Mom- how much longer?"

So what was Real?

The idyllic posed family portrait of beautiful people who have it all together

or

The boiling cauldron of anger and frustration underneath the smiles?

I suppose there is a bit of reality- of Truth- in both.

I look back now, I do see 4 broken people and I do know the back story, but even in that brokenness we were-we are- a family.

If nothing else- at least the pose shows a Love for each other.

It is a Love that binds our hearts together even in the boiling cauldron.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all else, Love each other deeply, for Love covers a multitude of sin

In truth, the whole episode pushes me to think about what Love really is.

We certainly had to find our way past the notion of love being a feeling.

None of us felt particularly loving about each other at that point.

Some might say we were just posing for the camera-

Propogating a lie- trying to cover up our ugliness.

Maybe there was a bit of that for the outside world.

Maybe there was a bit of posing going on-

But with each other- No Way!

None of us tried to hide our frustration with each other.

None of us lived in the illusion that we had it all together.

So what about this deep Love that covers a multitude of sin?

In a way I think the picture is a real expression of it.

At it's core, this smiling, happy looking picture is the reality of us-

Our Family- choosing to set aside our brokeness-

Our anger and ill tempers with each other-

Setting all that aside- for just a moment- to say,

"Hey, I know you're screwed up-

I know you're apt to make my life a little difficult-

I know all that- but I am not going anywhere."

"I'm in this picture and I choose to Love you all."

Lord Jesus, Thank You for our family- Our messed up broken family. Thank You that You have empowered us with Love that covers a multitude of sin. Father work out Your Great Heart for us- through us- in all our days together and apart.

Amen

Body Surfing

Summer Time in the South.....
Ninety-nine degrees in the shade.......
With humidity that can be worn as an outer layer of clothing.

Thunder Storms every afternoon and ........
The Beach!
The cool breeze skips up off the ocean......
With the faint whisper that says......
"Nahhhh, you're not getting burned......
You're hardly even pink"

Sand everywhere....
Hot sand to run across like a ballerina on opening night......
Sticky sand that cakes onto sunscreen......
Sand in shoes and Sand in shorts..............
But it's alright......
We're talking Beach Sand!

And then there's the ocean......
You know.....
The warm white foam that feels so good as it swirls up around your ankles......
But somehow turns a little chilly as you get knee deep......
Then gets downright icy as you slide in up to your belly button.....
Before finally gathering the nerve to take the plunge......
The plunge that feels ooooohhh....... sooooo....... good.

I gotta tell you guys.....
For me the very best of it all......
The coup de gras if you will.....
Has to be the waves.

The bigger the better.
I'm talking
Save the women and children.....
Hold on to your hat type waves.
Waves made for one thing only......
Body Surfing.

I can't tell you how much I love body surfing.
The exhilaration of timing and catching a wave just so...........

All that Power......

That rushing white tipped breaker of pure energy.....
Sweeping me away toward the shore.
This must be what Superman feels like.....
When he leaps into the air to fly.

Yes......
I'm Superman!

2Timothy 1:7.......
God has given us a Spirit of Power and of Love.........

Galatians 5:22-25 
But the Fruit of the Spirit is 
Love, Joy, Peace, 
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, , 
Gentleness and Self- Control............
Since we live by the Spirit, 
Let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

There are times in my life
When I catch hold of the Power of the Spirit just so........
Times when I am right in step with the Spirit of God............
Times when that rushing white tipped breaker of pure energy sweeps me along towards.........
Well....... Heaven.
Times when I am fully alive in the Kingdom of God-
Even here in this place.

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- 
Thank You for those moments of Pure Heaven- 
Thank You for even a glimpse of the Life to come. 
Move me more and more into step with You
So that this Life I long for- 
This life that is Life- 
This abiding in You .....
Becomes my daily reality.

Amen

On Cell Phones, Practicality and Pride

Vacation- Beach Time with family- This weekend specifically with my wife's family. Now, I will tell you close quarters for extended periods of time with anyone can be difficult-but there is real potential for fireworks when you're talking about In-Laws. All that being said- honestly- for the most part I really do enjoy these folks. They are a conglomeration of humanity-People who I am not really sure would ever get together other than the fact that they are bound by blood. Actually it's more than that- they are bound by a committment to each other that goes beyond shared interests. Even in the midst of their differences they really do love each other.

Maybe that's the reason God gives us these blood ties to people we might otherwise never have much to do with. It is a great opportunity to come out of ourselves and share life. Maybe family is where we are supposed to learn to do that.

At any rate, I'm not quite sure where this comes from, but there is scarcely a time when I am in the presence my dear, sweet Sister-in-Law (the one from Memphis in case you read this) that she doesn't ask me if I have gotten around to getting a cell phone yet. I truely believe the dear woman is convinced that some dark, moonless night- out on a cold and lonely road- my car is going to breathe it's last- And there I will be- stranded- lost forever in the clutches of- you guessed it- The Psycho Dentist Monster(Check June 18 blog). I can not tell you all how many strange looks I get when my friends or people I meet for the first time ask me for my cell number and I announce- Uh......... sorry- I haven't moved into the 20th (or is it the 21st) century yet.

"Oh no- you poor man- how do you survive?

What will you do if................"

Honestly, these good hearted folks have me wondering- What's wrong with me? Why have I not caved in? Why have I not joined modern civilization with all it's wonderful convenience and marvelous communication capability? I wish I had a good answer................. As I think about it- I suppose the truth is I might just be too cheap. In fact, I think it just might be a combination of the curse of Male Pride and Generational Poverty all wrapped into one. Let me explain- In my upbringing all purchases were examined from one major perspective- Do we really need this thing? You have to understand- We did not have money to spend on things that were not really, I mean really, really, really needed. Now combine that with my Male Ego constantly creeping in to say, "Charles, you can't let them know you need anything- you can't ask for help- that will just expose how weak you truely are". I know, I know- It's incredibly stupid and really messed up, but in those classic words of today's culture..............."It is what it is". I do think I am getting better

1 John 3:1 "How great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called Children of God"

It's strange- all of this reminds me of the episode in Mark 14 with Jesus being anointed by the woman at Bethany. You remember- Jesus is having dinner with his disciples and some religious types and in comes this woman- This woman who procedes to break a very expensive bottle of perfume- and in an extravagant display of love and humility she uses the perfume to anoint Jesus- pouring it out on Him to honor Him before the crucifixion. All those around Him are caught up in a tizzy saying things like,"Why do You allow such waste- We could have fed the poor for an entire year with the money that perfume brought". Ah, but this woman- this woman who had no thought of practicality at the time- Her only thought was Love- Love for the Man who had saved her- The One who had lifted her out of hopelessness and judgement- It was pure Love on lavish display with nary a thought of what was practical.

Lord Jesus, Father God, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit- make me like this woman- So capture and captivate my heart with Love for You and the people you bring my way that I simply forget what is practical- just for a moment- So that I am able to set aside pride- just for a moment- and then another and then another................

Move powerfully in me to pour out the Love that You have poured in-

Help me to pour it out wrecklessly- so that all the world may see Your Life and Your Love.

Amen

Wrecklessness

Late July 2004- Vacation at Amelia- Riding the Trail at Fort Clinch State Park-

It was a syrupy, muggy Wednesday evening and to top off a fantastic beach day I had set out on mountain bike ride. The adventure was to cover the 8 mile trail of dunes and swamp and mossy oaks that make up the beauty of Fort Clinch. Julie and the kids had driven over to the Park's beach area. They had their own adventure in mind- enjoying an end of the day stroll in the warm waves of the Atlantic looking for sharks teeth. As I got along into my ride, I have to admit- I was riding somewhat cautiously- navigating the single track trail in such a way as to stay in control and not get hurt. A good time, but not really the thrill a man in midlife crisis would call memorable. Ah, but then those immortal words of some base jumper I had heard on ESPN the day before came rushing into my mind.............

"You know you can't have any real fun unless you're willing to break a bone!"

Oh my goodness- Do I have to tell you what happened next as I pushed my speed to the limit over the ensuing series of undulating turns and dunes?

As I lay on the ground tangled up in my bike-

It took a few seconds for me to realize something was not right-

The pain was not immediate- but waited to expose itself- pouncing on me with full force as I tried to make my way to my feet.

Broken hip- Surgery in Jacksonville, Florida- Vacation over-

Two months out of work- Nine month recovery-

Pain on rainy days now 6 years later.

What an idiot.

Wait a minute you say- What about the guy I read about yesterday who poo-pooed the "better to be safe than sorry" philosophy of life.

Come on- make up your mind Welch- what's it gonna be-

A daring life of risk taking- depending on God or.................. Play it Safe?

There is a fine, but clear line between courage and stupidity

I have come to believe that line is Love.

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what Love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Maybe this is the best way to evaluate risk- Is the risk for the sake of Love- Is it for the sake of God's Glory- Is it for the sake of the people He brings our way?

Am I willing to be hurt for the sake of another? Will I risk it-or- Should I play it safe?

Jesus was continually ready to put Himself at risk for the Glory of His Father and the sake of others- Yet He was never wreckless for the sake of a thrill or personal glory.

John 7 (Excerpts) Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take His Life............"for Me the right time has not yet come."

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit- Keep me from foolishness and vanity- Give me Wisdom and Courage so that I never shrink away from risk for the sake of Love.

Amen

Strangers in a Strange Land

"Go Bullit Go!"

Rebecca squealed as she wildly flung her little 5 year old body back and forth on the newest member of our family. It was early Christmas morning in 1995- Bullit was a plastic Rocker Horse set up on powerful springs that when rocked hard back and forth the way my daughter was that morning- The rider could actually go airborn. It was Pure Joy- She was in heaven!

Fast forward June 2010-Julie and I were in the car- her driving- me riding and running off at the mouth. There was tension- I don't know where it came from- or at least right now I can not tell you it's source- but it was there-probably something silly- at least in my mind- but tension none the less- it was there- it was real. A far cry from pure Joy. On the radio was the Steven Curtis Chapman Song- "Heaven is the Face". What a great song- a song where he describes Heaven as he reflects on his fairly recent loss of his adopted daughter through a tragic accident. As I listen to the song- a little nonchalantly- there comes a lyric that reaches out and grabs me by the throat, reaches down deep into me and seizes my heart-

Heaven is a place with "No More Enemy"

I do not think we begin to understand or take seriously the devastation our Enemy brings to bear on us every moment of every day.

Right there- in that moment of Tension and Truth- it was like a revelation- an opening of my eyes to the reality of my own sinful nature and my wife's own sinful nature with an enemy standing there pouring gasoline on our smoldering embers.

An effort the divide our hearts-

To steal our peace with one another-

To destroy any joy we might find in one another-

And get this- he never rests.

Matthew 16:15-18 Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." .............Jesus replied,"on this Rock, I will build My Church and the Gates of Hell will not stand against it."

I so look forward to the day when the last enemy of the Life I long for has fallen- Sin- Death- The Devil himself- all gone- all put away- the onslaught over- finally able to live with Love and Joy and Peace unopposed. In the mean time, I pray-

Lord God Almighty, rise up in me for power to stand against my Enemy, my own sin nature and the corruption of this world's kingdom so that I might be a part of advancing Your Great Kingdom. Thank You for even small glimpses of the Love and Joy You bring into our lives. Amen

Medication

1982 or there abouts- Summer time- June or there abouts- Ponce de Leon Mall- St. Augustine Florida- Selling Toy Airplanes- It seems like another lifetime- maybe just a bad dream. Ah, but real it was and there is nothing quite like the pain of an abscessed tooth to burn the time into my memory. Honestly, I don't know if there has ever been another time in my life I have been in more pain- yet needed to function- to perform well in fact. Money was short and I needed to come through- I needed to have a good- no, a great week- selling those silly styrofoam gliders to all the beach combing tourist I could convince their own quest for happiness was only a Toy Airplane purchase away! Still..............

I had to do something about this pain- ANYTHING that would give me some relief!

What about you (and me still for that matter)- What are we doing with our own pain? How are we managing it- the dissappointments- the losses- the failures- the cutting words that have left deep and festering wounds.

Is Tylenol enough? If not Tylenol, how about Alcohol, or Work, or Achievement, or Soap Operas, or Pornography, or Romance Novels, or Prescription Drugs, or Food, or Religion, or ...........................Choose your Medication.

What am I using to escape my Pain?

The way I see it there are 2 kinds of Medication.

Both are really important in their own way.

There is Medication that helps me get through- that helps me manage my pain.

Think of Perkocet (misspelled I think) or Zoloft- neither promises a cure, but both are critical to help us manage pain as we go through a healing process.

Then there is Medication that actually heals.

Think of Antibiotics or Chemotherapy- neither gives you any sort of on the spot relief- in fact the Chemo really makes you "feel" worse for a while- right? And yet these Medications go to the core- they attack the sickness rather than treating the symptoms.

Two Questions

Is my Christianity more about pain management or healing?

How much have I looked to other things to give me some relief- some escape even- from those deep places of hurt in my Heart?

Isaiah 61 Excerpts "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me (Jesus)......to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners......to comfort all who mourn.......to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise to replace a spirit of despair.........They will be a planting of the Lord for the display of His Splendor.

Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Father God, Great Counselor- Thank You that You have promised healing, that You have promised rest for the weary, that You have promised not to allow more on me than I can bear. I come to You Lord for relief and yes for healing. Strengthen me to go through Your Healing. Give me Courage to go into those painful places in my life. Father God, be a surgeon if need be to cut out all that festers and steals my Life and Joy. All Praise be to You Most High God. Amen

Birthdays (For Julie)

Happy Birthday! It is amazing to think that just those few short years ago you were simply a desire in your Mom and Dad's hearts. Ah, but take a simple yet beautiful desire........ Add a bit of Love.......... and VOILA....... You have it- One of the most wonderful lives to ever come into existence! And yet...... even before all that.............. God knew you- He purposed you - He had you in mind as a demonstration of who He is-

In you He has shown forth a bit His Glory-

His Grace- His Character- Yes even His Love and Goodness.

You have indeed been "Fearfully and Wonderfully" made. I am so glad God imagined you. John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God- Children born not of natural descent nor human decision nor a husbands will- but born of God. Another Birthday! Born Again! Born of God- His Life infused into our frailty. His substance- Even the Life of Jesus- Yes the amazing, wonderful, wild, extravagant Life and Love of Jesus birthed in us. I see it in you- I see it in people all around- even in this broken world. Maybe especially in this broken world. Thank You Father in Heaven that You have purposed us. Thank You for finding us when we were lost- for bringing us home to Yourself. Thank You for our Rebirth into Yourself. Thank You especially for Julie- the one You have made for me- The one You have brought me into union with. Thank You that we have received You. Help us to believe in Your Name more and more everyday. Help us all to live out being born of You. Amen

Listening

My wife gave me a hard poke in the leg and a glare that said it all. "You have gone over the edge again Charles- in your passion to make your point- you have been hard and condemning". Mind you now, this was in Sunday School - and I later told her I thought I had been reserved as I had really only said about a third of what was on my mind. Thank you Lord for small mercies like hard pokes in the leg!

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Sometimes I do a good job listening- hearing what others have to say. Sometimes I genuinely want to understand someone else's thoughts and feelings- but I have a long way to go with this.

Proverbs 18:2 "A fool (me) does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions"

One of Jesus most common sayings after offering up difficult teaching was, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear".

Lord God, give me ears to hear and a heart intent on listening.

As a teacher I make my living with words- I can be pretty good at helping others understand difficult concepts by guiding them with my words. There is a great sense of satisfaction when someone gets something I have been trying to get across. Words are a way of life for me. Add to that- that there are certain things I am passionate about or I have pondered over and reached a conclusion about and watch out- I can easily become overbearing and hard with my words, scarcely listening at all. Now I realize there are times when strong words need to be delivered with Passion, but like so many things in Christian life there are few hard fast rules- except maybe becoming aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and listening for His lead in it all. Maybe that is what listening to others will teach me in my day by day face to face interactions- the habit of quieting down and intentionally listening for God's lead- To become that way in my prayers. Father forgive me. Move in me to become a good listener. Move in me to serve others- to become truly empathetic by listening- and really hearing their hearts. Help me to know when my words are more about defending my position than really offering help in Love. Amen

Got any Bites?

I can not tell you how badly I wanted to go fishing......... but, alas no- my older brother would have none of it- no matter how much I pleaded. You see I was 5 years old and he was 14. I would hear from him and others all the time about how much fun it was to "hang the big one" - To fight him in until you had your prize- a fat slick cat fish or a monster carp that could get as big as.......well really big. The saddest part of it all was the fishing hole was so close- we lived about 100 yards or so from the Augusta Canal in my "growing up" years- a virtual mecca of fish, muskrats, crawdads and moccasins- but it was off limits to me. Mama always said a little boy could get hurt up there. I know my teenaged brothers were always secretly ecstatic when they could escape a little 5 year old snot nosed pest and get about the adventure of the great outdoors. Ahhhh, but my brother William- Simply leaving me home wasn't enough for him- No he had his own special ways of tormenting a little brother who took away his prized " baby of the family" status. You see William was a trickster, and I was on the wrong end of one of his all- time best. This particular beautiful Summer day he had cooked up a "mess of dough balls" the night before and talked incessantly about the Ji- Mongous Carp he was going to catch with his special recipe. Oh, but he felt sorry for me- you know that I had to stay home because Mama thought it was so dangerous- but he could fix all that- He had a plan- I was going to get to fish today!

Yessssss!!!!

Imagine my surprise when William unveiled his plan by taking me to the back of our little 4 room house to the bath room. Rod and reel in hand and a small bag of dough balls- he proceeded to bait up the hook and drop it right down into the toilet bowl- He then let out a section of line and you guessed it - Flushed the toilet. Well......... yes the bait and line dissappeared..... and yes as he explained- we were really only a short ways from the canal........ and of course our toilet flushes always emptied directly into the canal anyway - so what was the difference. According to William all I had to do was be patient and soon enough his wonderful dough ball would work it's magic. Who knows what I might be able to catch- just be patient he reminded me as he skipped out the front door on his way to his own fishing trip! I Corinthians 15:14 and 19 If Christ has not been raised our preaching is useless and so is your faith.......... If only for this life we have faith in Christ we are to be pitied more than all men. (or a little boy who thinks he will catch a fish from the toilet) Oh the wonder of it all- Christ has indeed been raised- the tomb is empty and I have His life in me. It is a life that unites me to my Father- My Creator- and brings me deep into the life I long for.

He was no trickster- He is a Truth Teller

Just ask Stephen as he is being stoned- Just ask Paul as he is being beaten and in chains under Roman Gaurd- Just ask John as he rots away on the Isle of Patmos- Just ask Mary as she comes to an empty tomb- Just ask Thomas as he feels the wounds- Just ask Peter as he hanged upside- down not counting himself worthy to share the fate of his Master

Just ask me- a little boy who never caught a fish that day, but who has felt the Love of a Saviour- Oh the sweet Love of Jesus poured into my broken heart. Life has never been the same.

Father in Heaven, Friend Jesus, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Three in One- Holy Triune God- Do not let me be jaded by the tricksters of this world. Please continue to show Yourself Faithful and True to all of us who place our Faith in You for the life we long for. Amen