Do I HAVE To?

Luke 22:41-42       He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. He said, “Faher, if it’s Your will, take this cup of suffering away from me.  However, not my will but Your will must be done.”

How many of us have had a spouse, parent or loved one say something like “Hey we need help at…” and your first reaction is to cringe, avoid eye contact and quickly come up with a reason not to get involved?

I’m typing this part one-handed because I’m raising my hand as high as I can and thinking yep, I’ve done it and yep, I’ve seen it. At least once a month, our church will ask for volunteers for one of many missions out into the community.  A lot of the time, it’s only a one-time thing for maybe an hour or 2 on a Saturday.  I look over at my wife and one of will say, “I don’t care”, or “do we have anything scheduled?”.  The funny thing is, most of the time, (with the exception of marching band season and an occasional work event) we really don’t have anything planned, yet we so very rarely put our names down to volunteer.

On the rare occasion that we do commit to something, and it’s time to go, we, (ok I) hem and haw, then complain about not wanting to do it and just making myself miserable.  I’ve not backed out, but I’ve come up with some doozy excuses.  Thankfully, Jesus had a better spirit about the task set before him. Imagine how different life would be if instead of accepting it, he knelt down and said “You know I’ve been thinking about this whole crucifixion thing, and I’m not feeling so good – not to mention there’s a heck of a party going on, and I’m not going to make it.”

The sacrifices we make to help others can never be what He made for us on that cross, but we each can make a difference in a life. All we have to do is acknowledge that little voice in the back of our heads the next time we’re asked to help out and submit to His will. “Father, let us hear Your voice, understand Your will and let us act and not run. Amen”

My Father My Friend

John 15:15  I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you.

I suppose I’m lucky, while as I’ve explained at least once before I’m fairly young in my formal Christian life, it was clear from a very young age that there was a Creator, God who looked down upon us. He was there to have a conversation, although my early teachers made it seem as though it should be a very formal style of communication.

As I grew older, I found myself moving away from those teachers, but I still found some time to have a conversation with God. Those talks strayed far away from that formality I’d been taught.  I can remember times that I’d have something hanging over me and I’d grab a big soda and head out for a drive.  I’d talk to Him about work, friends, life and even girls.  Anything and everything was fair game on one of those drives.  It’s during that time I realized God was more than the Creator – He was and He is – my friend.

I’ve not always cultivated that friendship, and in fact, I’d say I’ve probably expected a bit too much and taken advantage of that relationship from time to time. I’ll be honest, for a time I walked away from my friend.  Oh I knew He was there and I even checked in now and again, but I stopped having the conversations only one friend could have with another.

Looking at my life, I can’t imagine Him not being there then, now, or going forward. My Father, my Friend, is with me no matter what.  He’s there to listen to my aimless ramblings or to help solve a mystery of life.

Instead of ending this with a short prayer, I’m going to ask that sometime today, when you’re by yourself, you have a conversation with God just like you would a friend. Talk to Him about your day, your kids, and spouse – whatever is on your mind

He wore shorts to church!?

I can only imagine the reaction if our pastor stood in front of the congregation in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops.  I would wager a guess there’d be more than one person leaning over and whispering in outrage “he wore SHORTS to church!”  I’m also pretty sure that the reaction would change little in most churches today.

Now imagine if a stranger walked in front door Sunday, maybe a bit road weary, a face that’s not seen a razor in a few days maybe weeks, dust and dirt from the road covering his hair and clothes.  How would he be received, not how should he be received but just how would he be received?

I suspect that there might be a couple of people who’d come up to shake his hand and welcome him, but just as before there’d probably be even more people leaning over and whispering.   Yet if you think about it, Jesus would have been that man 2000 years ago; he would have been “unkept” even considered “dirty”.  Who are we to judge simply on appearance?  I’m not saying the next homeless person you see is Jesus, likely they are not, but what if it were?

A little story, one day when I was working as an insurance agent out in the field, I was having a bad day, a bad week,…let’s face it I wasn’t enjoying my work at all.  Not only was it not what I wanted to be doing, but what I was doing wasn’t truly keeping my family fed or a roof over their heads.  That day was filled with prayers and questions.  Finally in a bit of sarcasm I said, “God, I know I’m not supposed to ask but I can’t figure out Your plan for me, why am I here?  What am I supposed to be doing?  Please give me some kind of answer.”  I went on to say, “You gave Moses a burning bush, why can’t You give me a burning bush too?!”

As I worked through my day, I was brought to an apartment complex.  In the front entry there were some seats and it wasn’t uncommon for people to be chatting there with friends.  This day as I walked in there was an older gentleman.  He wasn’t well kept and quite honestly, the smell coming off of him was pretty overwhelming but as I walked in I said “hi” as most would in passing.  He smiled and said hello.  There was still so much life in that man but it was hidden.  I mentioned something about the weather and we began to talk.  We talked about sports, family and suddenly he looked at me and said “trust that you are headed in the right direction, He has a plan for you”.  I smiled and said thank you telling him that I had been questioning that grand plan today.  He smiled again and simply said “Trust in Him!”

I thanked him and let him know I had an appointment upstairs.  I signed in at the security desk, right next to where this conversation had taken place. I went up for my appointment but found that no one was home.

I’d been upstairs not more than 10 minutes, plenty of time to consider over and over again my conversation with the gentleman.  I decided I wanted to tell him thank you again.  I got downstairs and signed out and asked the security guard where the older gentlemen that I had talked with was.  Security told me that there had not been anyone sitting where I’d pointed all day.

I looked around the building for a bit but to no avail.  I had a few clients in that building, so I was there a couple of times a week but never saw this man again.

God gave me that burning bush, but instead of leaves branches and flames He’d sent me a man, man with His words, assurance and yes even comfort for that particular stretch of my journey.  If I’d just walked past this man, not engaged him in conversation, I’d never had a glimpse of God’s amazing wisdom.  As you walk along the path don’t turn away from the shorts and flip flops…don’t let the dirt and unshaven face keep you from Him today.

I Want…

Philippians 4:19   My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus.

I was at the store earlier this week and seemed to follow a couple and their pre-school aged child down each aisle. As I did, I had the opportunity to see the interaction between the child and the parents.

We’d not made it out of the produce section when I heard “Mommy, I want some grapes!”. In the cart went grapes. Next we were going past the deli and “Daddy I want cheese!” A few passes of the slicer later and in flopped a package of cheese. Down the soda isle, yet another demand. Next chips and another demand, they looked at the child and then each other. I heard the father say “I don’t think you need those”. The tears started and I heard a little voice say, “You don’t love me?” The parents tried to explain that it wasn’t that they didn’t love them but that there were many snacks already in the cart – plus what they had at home.

As a parent, it’s difficult not to give your child everything they ask for and think they need, if you’re capable of giving it to them.  But as a parent, you also know you must do what is best for the child and usually ‘everything’ isn’t the best. As the child matures, they grow to understand the difference between a want and a need.

I suspect our relationship with our heavenly father is very similar. I can remember times I’d go to Him and ask for everything – thinking I needed it, when really, it was simply something I wanted. And when I didn’t get it, I’d start to question if He was with me and if He still loved me.

As I’ve grown older, wiser, and my relationship with God has deepened, I’ve come to see the difference. It doesn’t mean I still don’t ask for an “Xbox-one” now and again. No, I still ask, (I’m still a child in this relationship) but as I mature, I understand more and more that everything I want isn’t always everything I need.

“Father God, I am Your child and I’m going to ask You for things I think I need. Help me to understand that I don’t always need what I ask for and You will always provide me with the things I truly need. Amen”

SQUIRREL!!!

Proverbs 15:23    To give an appropriate answer is a joy; how good is a word at the right time!

It’s been a few summers ago.  I woke up well before the sun had broken the horizon. I was awake and didn’t want to hang out around the house. I made up my mind I was going to head down to the lake for the day to do a little fishing.

I was excited – I went out to the kitchen to make a fresh pot of coffee while I threw on some clothes and grabbed my gear. I walked out to the kitchen, only to find that the coffee pot had puked grounds and coffee all over the counter. Something obviously either wasn’t in the right place or it was clogged. I didn’t let it phase me, I just cleaned up the mess and decided to stop by a convenience store on the way out. I was going to stop anyway, because I needed ice and some gas for my Jeep.

I made my stop and I was headed south, music playing loud and thoughts of crappie danced in my head. I got about 20 miles south, only to find that construction had the road down to 2 lanes. Not a big deal, I’m still making good time, the sun was barely visible. Then, out of nowhere, well actually from the driveway of the old farm house, comes a tractor and a truck with its flasher on, they’d pulled out in front of me!  Hitting the brakes and screaming in my head (or maybe actually out loud), “there is not another person within a mile behind me!”, I continued on my way.

Still I’m headed south, making time – just much, MUCH slower. It’s ok, I’m headed fishing. For the next 7 miles, at no more than 15mph, I followed a green tractor and a mid 80’s pickup truck. The sun was a bit higher in the sky when they finally turned, but I was still excited and now could get back up to highway speed. I only had about 30 miles to go.

I get to the lake, find a spot to park, grab my pole, my tackle box, bait and head the lake. First case, I snag a stick just below the water. I cast a couple of more times and snag the log to which the stick was attached. After tying on another hook and baiting it, I attempt to cast out again, only to find that there was huge bird’s nest (for those that don’t fish, imagine a bunch of string in a huge tangle) in my open-face reel.

I’m now officially discouraged – no I’m mad, ding dang it – I just wanted to fish a bit and look how this has turned out!  Anyway, I’m cleaning out the reel and notice a squirrel chattering on a branch maybe 50 feet from me. I can’t see what it’s yelling at, but it did catch my attention. All of a sudden, a second squirrel comes running down the branch. The first squirrel, startled, jumps in the air but instead of landing on the branch, it falls into the water. As it’s falling it’s spread out like it’s trying to grab the air to stop itself. The 2^nd squirrel is looking down and chattering, I’d say laughing, because I know I was.

After I dried my tears, I realized God had given me a laugh and the peace I’d been looking for. I cleared out the reel and finally got back to fishing and had a great day.

God puts the right word in our lives – it may be a co-worker, a spouse, your child, a song, or even a squirrel grasping for air, but it’s there. Who knows, you might even be a squirrel for someone today.

“Father, thank you for our friends and family who bring joy into our lives each day. They are a wonderful gift of love from You. Amen”

A Guided Tour

Proverbs 16:9   People plan their path, but the Lord secures their steps.

I can remember a few times when I’ve gone on vacation where I’ve not been responsible for transportation. Either we’ve hopped on a train to go from one point or another, or I’ve enjoyed a bus tour of an area.

Specifically, I can remember going to South Dakota one summer. I’d done some research and found a company that would pick us up at the hotel and shuttle us to several different locations such as Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands.  That day was absolutely one of the most amazing days I’ve spent.

I could simply look out the window and enjoy the scenery – I didn’t have to worry about directions or parking. The fees covered admission.  It was so relaxing.

A friend and I were talking about life and the plans that God has for us. We agreed that it is very difficult to give up the control and let God take the reins.  That conversation made me think about the bus tour I enjoyed, and I realized that during the times that I’d given up control and relied on God, I’ve had a chance to look out the window and enjoy the scenery.

It’s not always clear where He’s leading us – quite frankly there are times it’s not clear that He’s even with us –  but He’s not ever left our side. When there’s a time where the directions aren’t clear and you don’t know where or which way to turn – give it to Him.  To whom better could you turn over the tour?

“Father, I’m going to turn over my life to you.  I may grab it back from time to time, but please be patient with me. I know you’ll never leave my side.  Amen”

My Tummy Hurts

John 3:30 He must increase and I must decrease

It’s been some time since my son has told me, “Daddy, my tummy hurts.”, but when I’d hear this phrase, I’d go through a series of questions to decide if maybe he’d eaten something that isn’t agreeing with him, been around a friend who was sick, or maybe trying to avoid a lesson or test. Then again, there were times that it’s just that he didn’t feel well and he need a little comforting and tender loving care to nurse him back to health.

I think we’ve all had a day where we just don’t feel our best – or maybe the day’s just a bit off-kilter. I can tell you I’ve run into a few days like that were my “tummy hurt”. Looking back, it’s not until later that I’ve realized it was on those days that maybe I’d tried to make it more about me rather than making it more about Father God.

Maybe I forgot to say good morning and thank Him for the day, or maybe forgot to spent a few moments in prayer or thank Him for the cup of coffee I held in my hand. In reality, what I did was make Him less a part of my day rather than more. It doesn’t take long to get me squared back up once I’ve come to that realization. While I don’t tell him my “tummy hurts”, I will take a little time in His loving embrace to be nursed back to health.

If you’re having one of those days, stop and take a moment to rest and tell Him, “Father, I am sorry. I need you in my life. I need Your comfort and love. Let me make my day more about You and less about me. Amen”

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad…

Hebrews 13:6 This is why we can confidently say – The Lord is my helper and I won’t be afraid.  What can people do to me?

I hope “wolf” came to your mind when you ended the above title. If you think about that classic children’s story, those little pigs are in a bad way and honestly, they have every reason to be scared.  If I had a hunter like the wolf on my trail, I think I’d be a bit nervous.  It wasn’t until they found protection of brick that they could finally rest and feel safe.

You know, sometimes it can feel like we have a wolf on our tails – whether it be because you’re not getting along with your best friend and/or spouse, or maybe it’s the bills and you’re a bit behind.  Could it be something at work or with your children?

No matter the single or combined cause, we’ve all had a time in our lives where it feels as though that wolf is breathing down your back and you just need to find refuge – a house made of bricks with a sturdy door to hide behind.

God can be that refuge – that brick house and sturdy door – and we all have a key. Find a quiet spot and simply go to Him in prayer.  Ask Him for help to bring peace into your life, and safety from those things that you fear.  Then you too can sing, “Who’s afraid of the big bad…”

Share with us your fears, your concerns. We will pray for, and with, you.

Trash-Talking

Proverbs 13:1   A wise son listens to the discipline of his father, but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.

I heard a pastor on the radio use this verse to build an entire sermon on how children should respect their parents. I’ve heard good Christian folk pull this one out of their back pocket during difficult times.  But, let’s break this verse down.

The wise son listens to the discipline of his father. First, I think we can exchange ‘smart’ for wise, remove son and insert ‘child’.  Now, when you first look at it, it’s pretty easy to point at this and say, “see look, if you want to be smart, you must listen to what I have to say”.  But if you stop and really think about what it’s saying, that finger should quickly start pointing back to you.  We are all God’s children and He gives us wonderful direction (discipline) in His book and in our day-to-day lives. Problem is, we may not always be listening.

Now the second part, but a mocker doesn’t listen to correction.  Mocker isn’t a word we use very often.  We might say Johnny is mocking Sue, but were not going to go to Johnny and call him a mocker, so let’s change it to trash-talker.   If you apply this as I did above, to a discussion with your child, that pointing finger is flying up quick, but you better stop it before it gets all the way up because you’re going to wind up pointing at yourself.  We’ve all been around someone who tends to degrade, make fun of, or simply dismisses what we say – a trash-talker.

So if we put it back together and change it up to fit with today’s conversations, it might sound something like… The smart or intelligent child (you me and everyone) listens to the Father about the changes we should make because if we don’t, then we’ll wind up being trash-talkers.

Hmmmm…it’s funny, if you think about it and the conversations you’ve had with God, they are eerily similar to ones we’ve had with our own children or parents. How easy is it to turn off God and not listen to His gentle course corrections? And where does that put us?  Not ‘smart’ because we wind up being the trash-talker.  Thankfully, our heavenly Father is forgiving, loving, understanding and full of grace.    All it takes is “Father, I’m sorry I’ve not listened, but I will start now. Give me open ears and an open heart to hear you.  Amen”

A Lantern

Matthew 5:16   In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Torches, lanterns and flashlights have all been used to light man’s way throughout history. I’ve used a campfire or a Coleman lantern more times than I can count to find my way to my tent or the bathroom.  Funny thing is, I’d never stopped to consider how important that light is in my journey.

Just about as often as I’ve used a flashlight to find my way, I’ve used the lanterns God has put into my life to get back on the path. I’ve been so fortunate to have some absolutely amazing men and women come into my life to direct me and guide me through some of life’s greatest struggles.

One of those lanterns was extinguished in the last week, and I realized that I never did say thank you for the light he shared with me. Through his examples as a father and husband, by his faith and belief in the One Great Architect of the universe, and through his presence in my life with a warm smile and a strong and supportive hand in friendship and brotherly love, he lit my path.

He, as well as all those who have lighted my path in past, will be missed. I am eternally grateful for role they had in shaping the man that I am. I thank my Father for putting them along my path so that even when I get lost I can find my way back to Him.  Finally, I pray this “Father, let me be a lantern shining brightly so that others might see their path to You and all the good You do. Amen!”