Take a Flying Leap

*If you visited this post earlier and the link did not work - sorry. It works now - I think.

Hey, today I am going to invite you to take a flying leap -
over to "Prodigal Jon's" site: Stuff Christians Like to check out yesterday's post on Living Better or New.

I like this site because it is replete with sarcasm and stuff that is funny to people that grew up immersed in church.

Yesterday's post hit me. And judging from the comments, I am in good company.

Contrast

As long as I can remember, I have loved cold and gray days.

I think I hit upon one reason for that on recent cool and blustery fall morning: I had to go to work a little early that morning so it was still very dark when I left, but I could easily see the winds playing havoc with the limbs of the trees. I drove over to my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law's home to pick up a precious package.

It is a not-so-well kept secret that on two days of every week I stop by on my way to work, to pick up a breakfast "snack". On Tuesdays the fare is a seared English muffin with an egg and cheese inside. Sometimes during the holidays and on days when the folks are feeling particularly liberal with their prosperity, my muffin will also be graced with a slice of ham.

On Thursdays, it's a grilled cheese.

I tell you it gets me through my week. On numerous occasions I have found my attitude suddenly spinning into a positive direction when I remembered it was either Tuesday or Thursday.

Anyway, on that dark and early morning I found the inside of their home to be a wonderful contrast to the harsh elements outside. Everything there said: "warm & cozy"... the kitchen was bright and warm and busy feet were springing back and forth. The smells of coffee and breakfast lingered in the air tantalizing my senses... I think the radio was on, playing a local AM station. Everyone was fresh and smiling.

I realized that day, that it's not so much that I love cold, gray days; as much as I love the contrast provided by shelter.

I love cold weather. I get so excited with our 1.34 annual snowfalls of measurable precipitation in this part of the country. But what I really like about snowy days -or cold, wet days for that matter - is that I can enjoy them from a vantage point of warmth and safety.

A crackling fire in the fireplace and a warm cup of hot chocolate - that's the perfect contrast for a mean day outside.

We need contrast in order to appreciate things.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-8a says "Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. . . "

A glorious sunrise is so much more inspiring when it follows a dark and stormy night...

Home-cooking can best be appreciated only after one has had to eat out for a lengthy period of time...

Rest is so precious when one has been deprived of it for some time....

"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" - that's the marvel of contrast.

In the recent election, the Republicans lost - in great part- because they offered no real contrast.
One of the indictments against Christians today as that there is no real difference... the maladies that plague the world are prevalent among the churched as well.

God called us to be "salt and light" ... to provide contrast by the flavor we bring and the enlightenment we reflect. In so doing we explain the kingdom of heaven with our lives.

I have begun reading "Of Plymouth Plantation", William Bradford's account of the Puritans.

This little band was cast about in Europe, trying to find a place in which they could just live without the constant badgering of the people around. After persecution arose heavily in England they purposed to move to the Netherlands. There they arrived in a land with strange customs, the people spoke an odd language. The Puritans had little or no money and very little prospect of finding work since the trades were different from that of their home.

After about a dozen years there they had left quite an impression on the locals. Bradford says one magistrate commented on what few complaints he had received about these people during their stay.

Like Daniel who displayed an "excellent spirit" - these godly people explained the kingdom of heaven by providing a stark contrast with their lifestyles.

On their journey over to the New World, these poor people were often taunted and tormented by the hard seamen. But they won many over with their diligent kindness.

I am grateful for their timeless example of Christ-like character.

If you are like me, and you find that sometimes you are clumsy and backward about sharing the gospel - maybe it's more important to keep in mind that we can explain a great deal about Christ and His effect on the world simply by living day to day for Him.

This season, may we bring warmth to every cold room, flavor to every empty place and bright light to the gray days.

In short, may we display the contrast of the kingdom.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

"Thank You" Seems So Small

Veteran's Day 2008

To those of you that have donned the uniform of the American Military... thank you.

To those of you that have hazarded your life in the service of our freedom ... thank you.

To those of you that have endured - and are enduring -the absence of a family member, friend, husband or wife so they could go away and serve this country ... thank you.

To those of you that are trying to continue on with something of a normal life after being told that loved one is not coming back . . . we remember you today. And say "thank you".


This is a video clip from a recent local Exchange Club meeting, honoring veterans of World War II. I feel such a deep indebtedness to these men.

The thing is, the same spirit that compelled those men and women into military service during WWII, is alive today in the hearts and devotion of our world-class, all volunteer military!

I feel that same sense of indebtedness to the young men and women defending my freedom today in Iraq, Afghanistan and the world over.

Thank you!

Looking for a City

This post is related to our personal journey.

There is a lesson in here and writing about it may benefit no one but R. and I... but if you can get any good out of it- you are welcome to it.

Today I read a Psalm that I have read many times before, I have referred to it several times while teaching. It's sort of a familiar friend.

But today it suddenly fit where we are right now.

Before I talk about it, let me tell you a little about where we are right now:

For months now (maybe years) R. and I have been what we can only describe as restless. We have been searching.

We have attended - and been heavily involved in our home church for -more than -the near twenty years we have been married. But we have become restless there.

For the past eight years, she and I have led a Sunday school class - called the Rhema Class. It has been an amazing experience for us. The class is made up of wonderful folks: people that will act as if the class is interesting - even if it's not; and people that are strong in prayer.

Last week, we resigned. No bitterness - no ugly scenes. I told them the turmoil we were in and that I did not have answers or even a proper explanation. And they were supportive.

See what I mean, it's a great bunch!

R. and I just felt that we should take another step and be free to listen and do whatever He wants us to do.

Now, that provides a little backdrop. This is where the Psalm comes in.

Psalm 107 provides several interesting and true-to-life scenarios or situations in which people find themselves and in each case - God provides.

There is a recurring phrase - "Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

It's about taking heart during crisis situations because of the potential for God to work on our behalf!

Here is the passage that fits us right now:

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;

They found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.

And He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Psalm 107:4-9 NKJV

Okay, so we are not expecting to move to another city. But we are potentially looking for the same things you go to a city for - education, food and sustenance, justice, work, other provisions.

As we watch and await God's leading, these are the things we hope to find in the ministry in which He involves us.

And while we have felt a little "desolate" and "solitary" at times, we believe that Christ will bring us to the place He has for us at this time.

This scripture was one of those -"It's okay - I know what's going on!" sort of messages for me.

I am so glad He cares enough to send those types of messages our way - through a word of encouragement from someone, or a song or written word - or sometimes through an old familiar scripture.

To Cast a Solitary Vote

When many of you are reading this it will be election day.

I hope that, if you haven't already, you will think and pray and go vote.

The privilege is a sacred one -it did not come cheap.

When this nation was in its embryonic stage, the founders knew the importance of a vote.

Two days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Delaware delegation seemed to be at an impasse. Read and McKean were preparing to vote on whether to declare independence from Britain or not. Read was not in favor of going that far - McKean was in favor. McKean sent a message to another member of the delegation who was away serving other duties with the state militia - Caesar Rodney.

Rodney had lived a live of civic service and had served the people of Delaware in many offices. When he received the note from McKean, he knew he must do his part to see that Delaware voted for liberty!

Caesar Rodney was said to be in failing health. On his face was a cancerous growth that he was neglecting because of his civic obligations; he was also suffering from asthma.

Yet he mounted his horse and made the eighty mile journey.

He arrived just as the closing arguments were being presented and though covered in mud and fatigued - he cast his vote for liberty.

I was doing a quick internet refresher on this subject and noted that one writer pointed out that the vote wasn't even close, so Rodney's vote didn't make that much of a difference.

What an example for us in this day of short-sighted politics and fragile, upper-crust politicians.
How much self-sacrifice would our leaders be willing to make?

Now that I think of it - I have taken nearly every opportunity possible (and even created some opportunities) to whine about standing in line for over and hour to vote last week

{By the way - I did tell you about that didn't I....}

Caesar Rodney stands tall as a symbol of the spirit that drove the founding of this nation - and though seemingly dormant for now - I believe that spirit still lurks sleepily beneath the surface.


Sources: http://www.state.de.us/facts/history/rodnbio.htm

Local Politics

I well remember my "challenge" from yesterday - to keep things in "thankful" mindset.


But I want to relate something that is back in the political realm - only different. I think a couple of events have tempered some of my angst about all the possible political scenarios that are out there.

A "Speaker of the House" - Tip O'Neil I think - once said that "all politics is local".


I experienced something of that a couple of times last week.


Once was on Tuesday night. The Christian school my children attend has an opportunity to purchase some property in hopes of building a new school there. Before that process can go very far, the land must be rezoned.


Well the final hearing on re-zoning was held last Tuesday night before our county Board of Commissioners. Quite a few folks showed up in support of the proposal, I was among them.


Having arrived a little late, I did not receive an agenda so I did not know that there were three hearings ahead of ours. Each time and new hearing began, I would look around and try to figure out where the opposition was sitting. And in each case I was checking people out to see if they might be there to oppose our request.


I saw an older guy with a book of maps, that I later learned was a "soil study" - I hoped he was not opposing us.


Finally, all the other hearings were over and it was our turn. Our appointed speakers spoke.


There was opposition but they were so kind and spoke so favorably about the school that you could hardly tell.


I believe it was an example of the favor of God!


The hearing was declared over and our request was approved. The commission also took into the account, the concerns of those neighbors in opposition and indicated that they would also be addressed. So after we left the meeting room, I spoke with some of the people in opposition and told them how much I appreciated their kind approach. I had a few moments of pleasant conversation and connectedness with one particular couple.


This was an example of the beauty of how this system of government - inspired by God and composed by our Founders - works.


I am thankful (there - I met the challenge!) for this opportunity to see local public discourse at work.


Next, was my early vote on Friday evening. I have already written about that experience but what struck me as I waited in that long line that snaked in seemingly endless undulations around that old civic center, was the congeniality of the people there.


I know that the campaigns have been rather bitter - but I didn't see that rancor among the constituents in line. I didn't spot resentful eyes peering around the room and sizing up the vote... it was just people participating in a sacred rite - a civic duty - the honorable deed of selecting the leadership of this nation.

I heard conversations about high school football, trick or treating, work and the like, but not much about politics except to wonder at the turnout.

This country is alright and there are still good people that make up this miracle of a nation.

November, You Are Welcome!

It's a new month and one of my favorites.

The main reason November is one of my favorite months is because it contains Thanksgiving Day... the other holiday.

Thanksgiving remains very special to me. I think I like it because it is an exclusively American Holiday - oh other nations may celebrate a Thanksgiving Day, but ours is built around the stories that are uniquely American.

It is also a holiday with a distinctly Christian theme - which may be one reason it seems to be passed over by many. The day is all about pausing to give thanks to God. We cheapen it when we refer to it as "Turkey Day" as if food provided the significance of the event. Or when we focus just on football or the prelude to Christmas.

I am challenging myself to two things this season:

- First, I would like to start now and read, Of Plymouth Colony, by Governor William Bradford. Every couple of years, I check that book out of the library around this time of year and will read portions of it. But thanks to R. and the Christian Book Distributor's organization - I now have my own copy and so I would like to read the entire story. I will need to start that one right away.

- Secondly - and you can help me with this one - I want each and every post this month to be given from a perspective or attitude of thanksgiving.

Now I know that could be monotonous. I remember when we had to write and present speeches in the 5th grade on the subject of "Freedom in America" - or something like that.

There was a guy in our class named "Champ" whom I and my friends detested. I never picked on other kids very much - more times than not, I was in the position of the "pickee" rather than the "picker". But I felt justified in picking on Champ at times because he was so effected. He was a great fan of the television show "Bewitched" and would blink and snap his fingers(since he couldn't wiggle his nose like Samantha) as if he were snapping out of existence those that rose against him.

Anyway, Champ gave his speech and he did it from memory... he just presented a list: I am glad that in America I have freedom of speech; I am glad that in American I have freedom of worship; I am glad that in America I have freedom to eat ice cream...or this or that... on and on he went as we all groaned.

So I do not intend to present lists of things I am Thankful for, but I do hope to present everything through the filter of thankfulness.

And I would like to ask YOU to let me know if I step out of line.

I voted yesterday - Ab, AA and I braved the line for nearly one and one-half hours to cast our votes, so I feel some sense of closure about the election. At least my lot has been cast.

If things don't go the way I want them to, I will possibly find it difficult to be Thankful - but that is where the challenge of this month's challenge will come into play.

Incidentally, back in Mrs. Thornhill's fifth grade class - all the guys had to do their speeches over - except for "Champ" and some other nameless peon. She said it was because they were the only two boys that had made an attempt to present their speeches from memory. I think it was more likely her way of helping out a boy that the other guys wouldn't befriend.