"They say that death causes clarity.
To see everything as it should be.
Well, I have seen death and he's seen me.
We wave as we pass by on the street."
-Mark Mills
I've seen a lot of death in this new year. (And that's not just the recent rash of celebrity deaths that seem to take more and more of my childhood away!) Several good friends have either died, or had some one close die, in just the last couple of months. With each one, I realize that my own death is just as easily close as any I see. I've faced serious health issues in my adult life, after each one, sticking out my tongue and saying "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah-nah!", at least in the light.
Facing a crises can fundamentally change a person, and I'm no different.
1. Always a worrier, I now worry just a little less.
2. Important issues change their priority, some dropping out of sight entirely.
3. I'm more likely to say out loud what I used to keep to myself, because as my doctor told me "When you've faced down death, you don't have time for the B.S. any more!"
4. I've learned that there is nothing more solid on earth than my wife's love, and I can trust in that love always.
5. I've learned that I can trust and lean on God for all things, and the more I lean on Him, the more love He gives, and the more I then thirst for His love. A beautiful cycle that only grows stronger.
6. And I find strength in surrender.
This is not a post for sadness, but joy. Friends who have passed we long for, but their arrival into Glory is more beautiful than words. Daily I'm reminded of my own mortality, but the clarity it brings, and the love I've found, make me better than I ever could have hoped to be otherwise. All in all, life is a pretty sweet ride.
Psalm 23
Monday, January 30, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
Inauguration Day 2017
From the Book of Common Prayer:
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the
love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The election has come and gone. A peaceful transition of power is underway, something that is unique and vital to our form of government. As Christians, we are called on, specifically, to pray for those that are in authority, because they (Democrat or Republican, Blue Meanie or Oompa Loompa) have been placed there by the hand of God. (Romans 13:1)
Just as God is no respecter of persons, neither is he a respecter of politics. Regardless of who you voted for, we have a president in office. It is our job to pray for him, not to do our will, but that he will be led to do the will of God. It is our job to pray for our country, not for our vision of right or wrong, but God's vision of his "light on a hill, that cannot be hidden".
May God bless the U.S.A.
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that, being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this State (or Commonwealth), and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the
love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The election has come and gone. A peaceful transition of power is underway, something that is unique and vital to our form of government. As Christians, we are called on, specifically, to pray for those that are in authority, because they (Democrat or Republican, Blue Meanie or Oompa Loompa) have been placed there by the hand of God. (Romans 13:1)
Just as God is no respecter of persons, neither is he a respecter of politics. Regardless of who you voted for, we have a president in office. It is our job to pray for him, not to do our will, but that he will be led to do the will of God. It is our job to pray for our country, not for our vision of right or wrong, but God's vision of his "light on a hill, that cannot be hidden".
May God bless the U.S.A.
Friday, January 6, 2017
The Three Wise Dudes
Melchior - Gentlemen, thank you for coming! But why are there just two of you?
Caspar - Because no one else would give up a good night's sleep to listen to your ravings, Melchior.
Balthazar - And why are we here in the middle of the night, instead of our soft warm beds?
M - Look to the sky...over there...and tell me what you see.
B - Sooo Dramatic!
C - OK, I'll bite. Sky, stars. Same as at the beginning of time, same until time's end. Again, why are we here, Melchior?
M - Look to that one star, the bright one.
B - So, it's bright. It's just the north star. No, wait, that's the eastern sky. Then maybe a planet or sun we hadn't noticed?
C - You could have told us this in the morning. Why now to tell us of a star?
M - Because it is not A star, it is THE star.
C - (pause) The one from the Jewish prophecies.
M - The same.
B - How are you sure?
M - I've been watching the sky since this star appeared. It did not move into place, it appeared. And since then, as the other lights have moved and danced across the sky, THIS star took a different path, straight and true. And for the last week, has not moved at all. This is the place. We follow the star, we find the KING!
All of this is conjecture, of course. What we know from scripture is that men came from the east, sidetracked to King Herod's palace, found Jesus, gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and after a warning dream, dodged Herod on the return trip. (Which did not make Herod a happy boy.) Everything else is tradition and supposition. That these men were not Jewish is probable, but they may have had servants who were, thus their knowledge of the prophecy of a Messiah/King.
Jesus is not a God of just Jews, or just Christians, but is a God of all. John 3:16 says "God so loved THE WORLD.". He was not here for just a subset of society. We are not seen by God as the classes and groups we have placed ourselves and others in. Our only two classifications are "All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." and "Those who are born of water & spirit.". Remember, too, that being part of the latter doesn't exclude you from the former! Treat all as God's creation. Love all as your bother/sister. Seek God, and offer the gift of yourself. And try not to let Herod catch you!
Caspar - Because no one else would give up a good night's sleep to listen to your ravings, Melchior.
Balthazar - And why are we here in the middle of the night, instead of our soft warm beds?
M - Look to the sky...over there...and tell me what you see.
B - Sooo Dramatic!
C - OK, I'll bite. Sky, stars. Same as at the beginning of time, same until time's end. Again, why are we here, Melchior?
M - Look to that one star, the bright one.
B - So, it's bright. It's just the north star. No, wait, that's the eastern sky. Then maybe a planet or sun we hadn't noticed?
C - You could have told us this in the morning. Why now to tell us of a star?
M - Because it is not A star, it is THE star.
C - (pause) The one from the Jewish prophecies.
M - The same.
B - How are you sure?
M - I've been watching the sky since this star appeared. It did not move into place, it appeared. And since then, as the other lights have moved and danced across the sky, THIS star took a different path, straight and true. And for the last week, has not moved at all. This is the place. We follow the star, we find the KING!
All of this is conjecture, of course. What we know from scripture is that men came from the east, sidetracked to King Herod's palace, found Jesus, gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and after a warning dream, dodged Herod on the return trip. (Which did not make Herod a happy boy.) Everything else is tradition and supposition. That these men were not Jewish is probable, but they may have had servants who were, thus their knowledge of the prophecy of a Messiah/King.
Jesus is not a God of just Jews, or just Christians, but is a God of all. John 3:16 says "God so loved THE WORLD.". He was not here for just a subset of society. We are not seen by God as the classes and groups we have placed ourselves and others in. Our only two classifications are "All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." and "Those who are born of water & spirit.". Remember, too, that being part of the latter doesn't exclude you from the former! Treat all as God's creation. Love all as your bother/sister. Seek God, and offer the gift of yourself. And try not to let Herod catch you!
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Christmas Date - 1984
Occasionally, I'll read my horoscope, just for the fun of it. I don't believe they can predict my future, but sometimes the generic statements contain a germ of truth. Earlier this week, mine read...
You work in the world of the mind, and you play in the world of the heart. One person brings these two worlds together, and that's a beautiful relationship.
This is one they got so right. Many Decembers ago, I had just finished working with a particular church as music minister, and a Sunday School class there asked me to come to their Christmas party. It was a college age class (I was a little old for it), but I had been wanting to join them, and thought it was a good opportunity. Trouble was, I barely knew anyone in that class.
Well, almost anyone. There was this one girl that I knew from my old school, back when she was 10 and I was 15, and we rode the same bus. Cute kid, used to like to pick on me. Then I noticed that she was at this church, she, her mother and father. They would sit in the forth row, and she and her mother would make faces at me while I was trying to lead the singing without laughing.
So I asked if she would come with me to help me get acquainted with more of the class, to fit in. December 18, 1984. The day my life forever changed for the better, even if I didn't know it then. She took up being in a relationship with a MUSICIAN, which is like suicide, and worse yet, a CHURCH MUSICIAN, which is like slow torture THEN suicide. She made me a better man than I had ever hoped to be. She has stood by me, even when I may not have been entirely worthy. She has been there and seen me through some pretty tough times health wise, more than any woman should have to. She has loved me, comforted me, encouraged me, been strength and hope and love for me. And I hope to have been able to give all this to her as well. My life is complete, because she completes me.
I wish for everyone this kind of love. The love of a person you can trust intimately with your hopes, dreams, heart and soul. Such a love IS out there for everyone.
1. It is always there in God's love.
2. You should always love yourself, just as God loves you.(It's hard to love our neighbor as ourselves, if we don't love ourselves as God loves us!)
3. If you share love with others, the right person will share it back!
One last thing before I go, Merry Christmas to all!
You work in the world of the mind, and you play in the world of the heart. One person brings these two worlds together, and that's a beautiful relationship.
This is one they got so right. Many Decembers ago, I had just finished working with a particular church as music minister, and a Sunday School class there asked me to come to their Christmas party. It was a college age class (I was a little old for it), but I had been wanting to join them, and thought it was a good opportunity. Trouble was, I barely knew anyone in that class.
Well, almost anyone. There was this one girl that I knew from my old school, back when she was 10 and I was 15, and we rode the same bus. Cute kid, used to like to pick on me. Then I noticed that she was at this church, she, her mother and father. They would sit in the forth row, and she and her mother would make faces at me while I was trying to lead the singing without laughing.
So I asked if she would come with me to help me get acquainted with more of the class, to fit in. December 18, 1984. The day my life forever changed for the better, even if I didn't know it then. She took up being in a relationship with a MUSICIAN, which is like suicide, and worse yet, a CHURCH MUSICIAN, which is like slow torture THEN suicide. She made me a better man than I had ever hoped to be. She has stood by me, even when I may not have been entirely worthy. She has been there and seen me through some pretty tough times health wise, more than any woman should have to. She has loved me, comforted me, encouraged me, been strength and hope and love for me. And I hope to have been able to give all this to her as well. My life is complete, because she completes me.
I wish for everyone this kind of love. The love of a person you can trust intimately with your hopes, dreams, heart and soul. Such a love IS out there for everyone.
1. It is always there in God's love.
2. You should always love yourself, just as God loves you.(It's hard to love our neighbor as ourselves, if we don't love ourselves as God loves us!)
3. If you share love with others, the right person will share it back!
One last thing before I go, Merry Christmas to all!
Friday, December 9, 2016
More on New Mexico - Patterns
It is amazing to see the mountains in New Mexico. Being a product of the Appalachian side of the country, I thought all mountains were green and crowded together. Thick and covered with luscious growth and trees bumping up against each other. then there is New Mexico. The first thing that hit me was the openness of the sky. Clear as far as you could see, and you could see forever. that brings me to the next thing I noticed. How immense everything is. It's like everything got super sized. I did, at first, miss the color that is the Smokies. Most of the color in those mountains are just different tones of beige. As I was ready to get my scoff on, I began to notice patterns in the rocks. Swirls and gashes and etchings created by oceans long since vanished. Each stone behemoth a potter's creation, with the prints of the masters hands visible in the finished product. Each one unique, each one beautiful. Each a testament of God's creativity.
Both mountain ranges were created through pressure. One by the pressure of the earth's crust, one by oceans carving and tearing and washing away. Both are left as distinctive, beautiful creations. We too are shaped by the pressures and events of our lives. Each of us individual, distinctive, beautiful. For beauty lies not in perfection, but in the scars and wounds of our lives. It is there where God reaches down, and touches us, heals us. It is there His hand print is visible. In the patterns of our souls.
Be proud of the person you are. You have been made a beautiful creation by the Master creator, with the touch of His own hand. His intimate, loving hand. Dwell in the love He has given.
Both mountain ranges were created through pressure. One by the pressure of the earth's crust, one by oceans carving and tearing and washing away. Both are left as distinctive, beautiful creations. We too are shaped by the pressures and events of our lives. Each of us individual, distinctive, beautiful. For beauty lies not in perfection, but in the scars and wounds of our lives. It is there where God reaches down, and touches us, heals us. It is there His hand print is visible. In the patterns of our souls.
Be proud of the person you are. You have been made a beautiful creation by the Master creator, with the touch of His own hand. His intimate, loving hand. Dwell in the love He has given.
Friday, December 2, 2016
A Holiday Wedding!
Please forgive the delay between posts! I've been quite busy over the Thanksgiving holiday, including traveling to New Mexico for a family vacation, and to officiate my brother-in-law's wedding, an incredible honor! It was a wonderful time for us, as we don't get nearly enough time with that part of the family. (It did seem a little odd, however, to have everyone watching the Vanderbilt/Tennessee game, and not be the only Vandy fan in the house! Great game - GO 'DORES!!) Which brings me to my musings today.
Weddings have been around almost as long as humans have inhabited the planet.
Boy meets Girl,
Boy hits Girl over the head with club.
Boy drags Girl into cave by hair.
And they lived happily, ever after.
The End.
Except it isn't the end. After all this time, people still get married every day. Why would such an antiquated system still be used in today's modern world?
It comes down to the meaning of TRUE love. Not just a love of attraction, although attraction is not a bad thing in itself. (If attraction is based solely on beauty, however, it's lust, not attraction. Good rule of thumb from Billy Graham - If you look once, it's admiration, If you Keep On looking...) True love changes your focus, changes your priorities, changes you. This is how Paul describes it in 1st Corinthians 13: 4-8
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
When two people feel that way for each other, nothing short of marriage will honor their commitment to each other, It is when two people both can say "I want to give you my heart, soul, hopes and dreams" and both can say "I want to take your heart, soul, hopes and dreams, and cherish them as my own" that marriage is justified. It is just such love that represents how much Jesus loves us. He gives himself totally, freely. He asks that we give Him our heart, soul, hopes and dreams, not to become empty slaves, but so that He can protect and nourish us, so that our heart, soul, hopes and dreams can be fulfilled. This is why true love needs marriage in today's world. This is why we, in this world, need Christ's true love.
Faith, Hope, and Love abide; these three, but the greatest of these is Love.
and...
GO 'DORES! (also Go UNM Lobos, but that's another story!)
Weddings have been around almost as long as humans have inhabited the planet.
Boy meets Girl,
Boy hits Girl over the head with club.
Boy drags Girl into cave by hair.
And they lived happily, ever after.
The End.
Except it isn't the end. After all this time, people still get married every day. Why would such an antiquated system still be used in today's modern world?
It comes down to the meaning of TRUE love. Not just a love of attraction, although attraction is not a bad thing in itself. (If attraction is based solely on beauty, however, it's lust, not attraction. Good rule of thumb from Billy Graham - If you look once, it's admiration, If you Keep On looking...) True love changes your focus, changes your priorities, changes you. This is how Paul describes it in 1st Corinthians 13: 4-8
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
When two people feel that way for each other, nothing short of marriage will honor their commitment to each other, It is when two people both can say "I want to give you my heart, soul, hopes and dreams" and both can say "I want to take your heart, soul, hopes and dreams, and cherish them as my own" that marriage is justified. It is just such love that represents how much Jesus loves us. He gives himself totally, freely. He asks that we give Him our heart, soul, hopes and dreams, not to become empty slaves, but so that He can protect and nourish us, so that our heart, soul, hopes and dreams can be fulfilled. This is why true love needs marriage in today's world. This is why we, in this world, need Christ's true love.
Faith, Hope, and Love abide; these three, but the greatest of these is Love.
and...
GO 'DORES! (also Go UNM Lobos, but that's another story!)
Friday, November 11, 2016
God Bless Us, Every One!
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
Last night, I crossed something off my bucket list. I went to see a one man show of "A Christmas Carol" (my favorite book of all time), performed by Gerald Dickens, the great, great grandson of Charles Dickens. It was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be. I also had the chance to talk with Mr. Dickens for about 5 minutes or so, and it was a wonderful conversation. If you should ever have the chance, your should see him perform. It is well worth it.
I've loved "Christmas Carol" ever since I first saw the Alistair Sims movie version as a child. When I read the book as an adult, it's story hit me so strongly, I've read it at least once a year ever since. It has everything a story could want...Drama, Humor, Conflict, Resolution. But there is something more to this tale than the story itself. It questions the lives we lead, not just for ourselves, but with and for those around us. Closing ourselves up, rather than reaching out. Thinking we are keeping others out, so that pain cannot come in. In reality, closing the pain within our own walls, never letting it out.
In the closing Stave, Scrooge sees his redemption is in treating his fellow man with compassion and love. That is where the verses above, I think, take on such great meaning. The election season has been a brutal one, flaming the passions of many. That has just been the final torch light, however, to growing tensions and passions over the last few years, both in America and beyond. In our fight for our own selfish rights, we have often trampled on others, without even casting a glance down. Taking a stand is right, and necessary, but to do so as Christians ALSO requires " compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...".We must " let the peace of Christ rule " in our hearts. Our peace, our healing, comes by loving as Christ has called us to love. Re-read those verses above. It does not call to deny your faith, nor does it call to ignore your beliefs. It says, in simplest terms, to love.
If we can bring ourselves to love others, as Jesus has loved us, then it will be truly said that we've kept Christ in our hearts, every day of the year. We will have turned to Him, and away from our wicked ways. And then at last, God will heal our land. God will bless us, every one.
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