The Life to Come

I Love Weddings!

This morning I took off on yet another adventure on my bicycle-
This time I stuck to the pavement however-
At least for a while-
I navigated my way from my home some 10 miles to a path that runs along side the Savannah River-
The Canal Tow Path.
At the point where the Tow Path begins there is a Community Center that sits high up on the bank of the river. This center has come to be known as Savannah Rapids Pavillion. The Pavillion is positioned in an exquisite spot that looks down over the river for an incredible view of a spillway with a waterfall that tumbles into gentle rapids. As I picture it in my mind, I realize how inadequate my writing skills are to describe such beauty.

Over the years,

the Pavillion has become a favorite spot for many a young couple to launch out into their own great adventure of a lifetime together.

Well this morning-
if only for a fleeting moment-
I was privileged to witness one such beginning.
Ah, the excitement of the wedding party as they made their way toward what I pray would be a wonderful celebration of Love for a lifetime. The Groom and groomsmen were pictures of strength as they walked confidently toward the life-changing moment. As the Bride came into view, in all her splendor, I was drawn back in time 30 years to the moment I first glimpsed my Julie on our wedding day.

She was Beautiful-

Radiant-

Incredible beyond words!

I thank God for the memory of her smile as she approached our moment-
The moment of pledging our hearts to one another-
I don't think I will ever forget that smile.

 I Love Weddings!

Revelation 19:7 and on- Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory for the Wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen bright and clean was given her to wear. The angel said, "Blessed are those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb".

Thank You Father in Heaven for the Wedding to come-

for the celebration to come-

for the life to come.

Thank you for my marriage here and now to such a wonderful, beautiful, woman.

Thank You that our Love has brought forth life-

for our children.

Thank You for how weddings remind me of the life to come with You-

my Eternal Bridegroom.

Amen

It is written,

" Behold now the dwelling of God is with men

and He will live with them- they will be His".

He Who is seated on the Throne has said,

"Behold, I make all things new".

All praise be to You my Lord Jesus for the Life You have won for us.

Amen

PLAY TOGETHER!

I have been blessed to coach some very talented athletes- Guys who could do things on the court that simply blow me away. Athleticism through the roof- skills honed and refined by hours of sweat and pain on courts of hardwood or playgrounds of asphalt. As strong as any particular player might be, I have never seen any one guy who could play the game alone. Think about the NBA Slam Dunk Contest- the displays of individual Athleticism and Creativity can be incredible, but how much of that can you watch before losing interest? On the other hand there is nothing quite like watching a group of talented guys (or girls) come together in such a way that all are giving themselves to the larger purpose- Sacrificing themselves..........yet finding themselves all at once...

It is a beautiful thing.

Just like athleticism and skills only have real meaning in the context of a team- the Christian Life can only find it's fulfillment in the context of Community. Christianity is a Team Sport. Take a look at the scriptures- God starts out by saying it is not good for man to be alone Ecclesiastes tells us two are better than one-a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken Jesus had His twelve and an even closer group of three. God Himself exists in Community- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Church is a body of believers. Think about it- 1st John tells us God is Love- If that is so then Love by it's nature must exist in the context of relationship- Intimate, honest, authentic relationship. Being made in the image of God means we are made to Play Together. I do not believe we have much hope of really knowing God- Of truly uniting to His Heart- on our own. I am reminded of Jesus great prayer for us in John 17-My prayer is...that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You- may they also be in us. Father God, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit- Triune God- Three in One, move in me today and ever more to search out, take hold of and cling to Your body- the Church. Bring me into meaningful, intimate and deep relationships that reveal Your Heart and Your ways to me. Move me through those relationships to Love You with a more real and deeper Love- Teach me how to Love through those people you bring into my life. In the precious name of my Saviour, Amen.

Play Smart

I coached a young man at one point in my career that no one could ever possibly criticize for not playing hard. When this kid hit the floor, he was a whirling dervish- arms flailing wildly in every direction- a blur of motion and energy who was totally committed to every play as if it might be his last time ever touching a basketball................ and if it were............ He was determined to go out in a blaze of glory. Unbridled Passion can be a dangerous thing. When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the message, "The Kingdom of Heaven is near" His warning to them was, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, therefore be shrewd as snakes, but as innocent as doves" Shrewdness harnesses and directs passion. There is direction behind the energy. Play Hard- Yes!!!!!!!! But Play Smart as well. So what does it mean to live the Christian life shrewdly........... to Play Smart? Jesus told a parable in which He commended another man for the shrewd use of his master's wealth to win friends for himself- Jesus goes on to tell us that we should use worldly wealth in such a way that when it is gone we will be welcomed by many friends into eternal dwellings. Did you get that- The shrewd use of energy, resources, cleverness, power and position in this world is connected to having many friends in Heaven. The Christian Life is meant to be lived with Passion- Shrewd Passion, that makes every move based on an eternal perspective. This will not be the last time I touch the ball. I do not need to go out in a blaze of glory. This life is about much more than this life. Father God be in me to live for You with passion and conviction- always with an eye toward the reality of eternity. Give me wisdom- even shrewdness- as I manage all that You have given me in this world so that there are many friends to welcome me into Your Eternal Dwellings.

PLAY HARD!

The locker room was always a little hyped before a game. It was a time when senses were keen- everyone was a little on edge- We knew we were about to enter conflict- about to be challenged and tested. I so admire athletes- their willingness to risk- to put themselves on the line everytime they step on to the court- their success or failure right there for the world to see. It is such an act of courage to say- this is who I am- this is my best- I hope it will be enough, but even if it is not, I will compete. I wrote it on the board in big letters before every game. PLAY HARD! It is that sense that as a competitor I am completely immersed in playing the game. Every second I am on the court my focus and concentration is on playing the game. It is the state of being totally in the moment and task at hand. In a sense it is a time athletes are more alive- more engaged with life than any other. If you just wanted to watch the game you could come sit by me on the bench. PLAY HARD! It was one of our three keys to vistory- no matter what the final score. A question- What does it mean then to PLAY HARD in this thing called the Christian Life? Is it about following the rules? Is it living up to expectations? Is it accomplished in doing good? No I don't think these are the things Jesus is calling us to. These are all good things, but I don't see myself finding life in these things in the same way the athlete finds so much of his satisfaction in the exultation of competition. No, when I think of PLAY HARD, actually, Jesus' words in John 15 come to mind. "Abide in Me" I love that word," abide"- I get a sense from it of finding myself always in Jesus- of having all my life, thoughts, decisions, actions, desires, plans, hopes, dreams.......... you name it- flowing out of vital relationship with Him. That- I think- is what it means to PLAY HARD in the Christian Life. Father, today move in me to bring my relationship with Jesus to bear on every thought, feeling, word and action that comes out of me. I pray that every relationship I have be grounded in You. Because You are in me Jesus, today I will do my best to be Loving, Encouraging, Hopeful, Faithful and Courageous. Amen.

Finding Life in the strangest ways

Everyone comes to life with hopes and dreams- a burning desire for happiness- for prosperity - maybe even acclaim- the desire to be respected, admired, and remembered. The desire to be taken seriously- to establish myself- to make a name for myself- to feel validated. I have heard that self preservation is the most powerful human instinct. I wonder if this goes beyond physical self preservation and extends to ego preservation and name preservation for eternity? I have felt it so often myself. It has motivated so many of my own efforts- this desire to make my mark- to be well thought of and yes remembered. Matthew 16:24-25 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 my sake will find it. It's all so backwards- so foreign to my instincts. I think I know how to arrange my own happiness- I think I know how to achieve weght and respect in this world. Pursue the things I want- comfort, pleasure, respect- in fact I will demand my due respect- you can't treat me that way- don't you know who I am? Make plans- use my cleverness or position or raw power to get what I want........... It is a Godless way to live- some have called it practical agnosticism. Then along comes Jesus, talking about losing my life for Him. Trust me Charles- You trust Me for your hope of eternal life- why won't you trust Me for your life in this world- why won't you immerse yourself- lose yourself in Me? I have come to bring you Life. I have come to give you a new name-why won't you give up trying to save the old one? It is so strange- this way of Jesus. To find MY life I must give up looking for it. I must surrender my name-my identity. Strange or not, it is His call and He is worthy. Father God, Lord Jesus, Friend Jesus, Precious Holy Spirit- Make Your way clear for me today- Move in me for the courage and Love to lose myself in You- I will do my best minute by minute to be lost in You- to live out of Your presence in me. Amen.

why do i have to be right?

What is it about me that not only has to be right- but goes a step beyond - to the place that you must agree with me? Why do I hold to my position so fervently? Is it because I really want you to get the truth- my truth- or......... Am I afraid I might be somehow diminished or less in control if I don't have it all figured out? Is it because of my own insecurity that I feel threatened by your questions? Sometimes-Yes many times, but............... There is Truth. There are things worth dying for. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord. He was born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead and buried. He descended into hell, on the third day He rose from the grave- He ascended into Heaven, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting- Amen Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.......... Love your neighbor as yourself. God is Good. Christ died for me. God's Word is true. God is able. God Loves me. These are bedrocks- Much of the rest is open for debate. It's funny- even (especially) that last statement can lead us into contention. Father, help me in truth and humility, out of Love, to hold to what You want me to hold to and let go of my NEED to be right. Amen

Disruptions and Disturbances

Copperhead! My friend Jim was riding about 10 yards ahead of me on the single track mountain bike trail when I noticed him swerve just a bit to the side to avoid the brilliantly colored coils right in the middle of the trail. I too was able to avoid the snake- passing by quickly to it's right...... but if you know me...... you know I can never resist an opportunity to get a better look at a snake. I grew up close to the river and as a teen would spend countless hours tromping in the woods, fishing and you guessed it....... catching snakes. Anyway, back to story- I immediately pulled my bike over and rushed back to get a better look. What I saw next was nothing short of amazing- What we thought was a snake turned out to actually be 2 snakes in the middle of .....well.....making baby snakes! In fact these 2 were actually quite intent on making baby snakes- so much so that when we scooped one up on the end of a branch to toss it off the trail- the other was so joined to it- that even with one snake's entire body weight dangling, they did not seperate. These snakes refused to be disrupted or disturbed! So here's the question- What is God doing to disrupt or disturb me these days? Is there anyhing I am so connected to- so intent on- that even though it's for my own good- God's disruptions are ignored? (It is not good- for snakes or riders- that snakes would be copulating on well used bike paths) Am I taking heed of His disruptions and disturbances? His disruptions can come in seemingly small ways. One of my students comes by when I am in the middle of lunch. I read something like Matthew 5:44 where Jesus tells me to Love my enemies. Or there may be larger disruptions God allows. Sickness, Job Loss or Problems with my kids. I tell you- I am often so intent on my own way that God must really disturb me - do or allow a drastic disruption- to get my attention- to get me to do the work that leads to wholeness and healing and finding the life He has for me. Many times- no truthfully most times- I would really rather be left alone- even if the next thing that comes down the path might run me over. Father in Heaven- Lord Jesus- Do what You will to disrupt me- move me- into a more committed recovery from my addiction to sin and self and pride. Thank You for disturbances and disruptions. Move in me for the courage to examine, surrender and repent. Amen