the olive press

Relocation

2006-09-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

http://web.mac.com/goz/iWeb/hsministry/
TheOlivePress/TheOlivePress.html

Mostly Good

2006-01-30T19:46:00.000-08:00

I use the word “good” to describe anything from the weather, to tacos to morality and ethics. Most of the time I speak of "good" as a relative idea. I think, "I am not that bad, I am better than that guy over there.” The problem is when I use my relative defination of what is "good" in my encounter with God. I assume that because I am “mostly good” or better than another I am acceptable to God. There is a great danger in evaluating my life and concluding that "I am not that bad," therefore I must be acceptable to God. My "goodness" relative to God is real bad.

Simply put, my offence to a “good” God is the fact that I am not “good.” Why is this an offense? Because in the beginning God created man and woman in his image. We of all creation were created to bear the very image of God. It is in humanity that the glory of God’s character is to be displayed. His Mercy and compassion, his grace and love his and HIS GOODNESS. Since Genesis 3 mankind no longer reflects perfectly the beauty of God’s character. Sure there are glimpses of it in humanity but at best they are like roadside bathroom mirror reflections of God’s glory. All mankind, once image bearers of the beauty of God’s glory, has gone it’s own way leaving a dirty and distorted picture of God in the faces of His highest creation.

So the next time that someone asks, "how you are doing?" Don't just thoughtlessly reply, "good."

Might I suggest something like, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

or if that seems too thoughtful perhaps a smile and a "mostly good" would be appropriate.

John 5:39

2006-01-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me;”

In the midst of a sharp rebuke Jesus utters these words to Jews upset with Him for healing a man on the Sabbath. I am reminded that I can know a lot about God and still not know God. I can even have much of his words committed to memory and still miss the One whom these very words speak. Might it be said that God is not so concerned with what I know but who I know?

Revelation 3:20

2005-12-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

Following a week of Vacation Bible School at Church, Tami overheard the greatest conversation between our two youngest in the back seat of the van. It went something like this,

SAM: “Hey Emma, do you know that your heart has a door in it.”
EMMA: “Yeah?”
SAM: “Yeah. You can open it right up and let Jesus inside.”
EMMA: “Yeah?”
SAM: (after a contemplative pause) “I wonder what it looks like in there.”
EMMA: “Yeah”
SAM: “I bet it’s gross.”

Isaiah 40:8

2005-11-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.

Imagine Church

2005-11-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

Imagine a church where we can watch the preacher on a big screen, maybe even two screens, up close and focused on his face so we do not miss a single expression. Personal with out a person.

Imagine a church where the we can email the paster if we want to tell him how great the message was or if we have a specific questions, and one of his staff will quickly reply.

Imagine a church where we could buy or maybe rent the tape of Sunday’s lesson if we happen to miss a Sunday church service.

Imagine a church where we could simply go the archives of great video lessons long after our preacher is gone.

Imagine a church where we could cut into the message with appropriately placed announcements or “commercials.”

Imagine a church where we could edit the video of the preacher if he speaks to long or makes a verbal blunder.

Imagine a church where we could simply drive up in our cars and tune into a radio station and listen to the message as we watch on gigantic screens.

Imagine a church where we could simply have our offering direct deposited so as not to worry ourselves about missing a service.

Imagine a church where we could simply send our support for the poor and the Red Cross could distribute it as it sees fit.

Imagine a church where we could put in a CD and sing to the music of the most talented musicians. All we would have to do is press pause for a time of prayer.

Imagine a church where worship was via headphones distributing different styles of music according to individuals preference.

Imagine a church where we could be part of online chat rooms to discuss how we are hurting and share our burdens and even pray for one another via cyberspace.

Imagine a church that would not have to assemble together to worship. This is not a church. The very word speaks of gathering and assembling together. A church that does not gather? What church?

Concerning the Scriptures II

2005-10-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

1. God, who is Himself Truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order thereby to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God's witness to Himself.
2. Holy Scripture, being God's own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it affirms, obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God's pledge, in all that it promises.
3. The Holy Spirit, Scripture's divine Author, both authenticates it to us by His inward witness and opens our minds to understand its meaning.
4. Being wholly and verbally God-given, Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God's acts in creation, about the events of world history, and about its own literary origins under God, than in its witness to God's saving grace in individual lives.
5. The authority of Scripture is inescapably impaired if this total divine inerrancy is in any way limited or disregarded, or made relative to a view of truth contrary to the Bible's own; and such lapses bring serious loss to both the individual and the Church.

-The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978)

Concerning the Scriptures

2005-10-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

“Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable [Rom. 1:17-20; 2:14]; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation [John 17:3; 1 Cor. 1:21; 2:13-14]: therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church [Heb. 1:1-2]; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.”

-The Westminster Confession of Faith (1643-1646)

Was Jesus a High School Pastor?

2005-10-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

I realize that Jesus ministered to all ages of people but it seems that those with whom he spent most of his time and teaching on were younger.

Consider this:
The common age of primary education was from 6/7 years old until the age of 15. After which the exceptional and bright students would continue in their secondary education learning at the feet of a rabbi in one of the academies. Those who did not continue on in their education would look to their fathers to learn the family trade. This is were Jesus finds at least some of the men that he eventually calls to follow him or “learn” from him. Peter, Andrew, James and John were all doing the family business when Jesus calls them to be his disciples. How long had they been out of school? Perhaps only for a few years.

There is an interesting passage in Matthew 17:24-27 in which Jesus and his disciples travel to Capernaum were they run into those whose job it was to collect the temple tax. What follows is a crazy miracle about a fish with money in it’s mouth and a lesson that Peter would not soon forget regarding family and taxes.

What is interesting, however, is that it is only Peter and Jesus who are approached about the temple tax. Now it could be that the other disciples had already paid, or that the Gospel writers simply focus on Jesus money-fish miracle. It must at least be considered that the other 11 men who were following Jesus were simply under the taxable age, which according to Exodus 30:13 was 20 years old. It is quite possible that the disciples of Jesus, with the exception of Peter, were between the ages of 16 and 19.

In the words of Paul to a young man. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe,” (1 Timothy 4:12).

In the words of goz, “it is possible that being a high school pastor is more noble and strategic than many really even consider.”

The Purpose of Jesus

2005-10-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

I read recently the statement, from a self-proclaimed spokesman for a new kind of church, a statement regarding Jesus that concerns me greatly.

He was asked in an interview, "You're pretty critical of many Christians' focus, emphasis on personal salvation after death. Why is that?"

His response,
"The church has been preoccupied with the question, "What happens to your soul after you die?" As if the reason for Jesus coming can be summed up in, "Jesus is trying to help get more souls into heaven, as opposed to hell, after they die." I just think a fair reading of the Gospels blows that out of the water. I don't think that the entire message and life of Jesus can be boiled down to that bottom line."

So perhaps I have not given the Gospels a fair reading. In just a cursory reading of the Gospels Jesus himself says, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

This is dangerous thinking. Let's not be enamored by the "new" because we are rightly frustrated with the "old." Let's be cautious to seek biblical reformation of the church and not put our words in the mouth of our savior.

Please save me from the Church Incorporated!

2005-10-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

Words (reprinted)

2005-10-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Words are God's primary means for communicating truth to his creation. There is a movement away from words in recent times, a movement to images and music and experience. While all of these are powerful in effecting emotion, it is the word of God that communicates the life changing truth that saves us.

I am not suggesting that we ought not communicate with creativity or visually. I desire that students come to worship and experience God. However, Jesus said that those who worship the Father must worship him in spirit and TRUTH. Truth is communicated with words. Let us not neglect the public reading of the Word of God. Let us be diligent in the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. For it is the Word of God that judges our hearts.

It is true that we are more and more a visual society. Pictures and movies are powerful communication tools to pluck the heart strings of this people. This is all the more reason for to teach the truth with words. People need to understand who they are worshipping. People need to understand the truth before they can accept it.

Our ears have become dull to words. We use them so wastefully. There has been no economy in our use of language. We are deaf then to the Words of God unless the Spirit of God makes our hearts alive to listen and be changed.

Imagery or Idolatry?

2005-09-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

"While communicating the truth verbally through spoken word and music, we carry a passion to engage our God-given senses. We desire to worship with an emphasis on the symbolism and imagery that garnishes the heritage of our faith… we never want to forget."
-An Emerging Church Website

"because of their deep spiritual hunger, postmodern people are refusing false dichotomies and flawed choices in worship. instead, they are seeking worship that is "deep, broad, and high," or as leonard sweet describes the postmodern ethos, worship that is "E.P.I.C" (experiential, participatory, image centered and connected)."
-Another Emerging Site

***Did they say "Image Centered"? I thought worship is supposed to be "God centered".

“Whatever we may think of religious art from a cultural standpoint, we should not look to pictures of God to show us His glory and move us to worship; for His glory is precisely what such pictures can never show us.”
-An Old School Theologian

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
-Exodus 20:4-6

***I think that there are questions that we need to be asking in our effort to worship God with passion and freedom. How is God worshipped? Have we crossed a line? What is the line?

To Build or Not to Build

2005-09-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

That is the question that was asked me this morning. What is my vision for building a new High School Facility? Because "money follows vision." Andy Stanley said that, or at least that was what I was told. Can I picture the mobs of students that will come to Christ at the concerts and overnights? Can I give them a projected number?

I humbly requested that we might use the same money to free up people to to minister to students. We pay nothing currently for the homes that we meet in on Wednesday nights. It's crazy, people in the church just offer their homes for us to use, some even make dinner for us. But we want to build a place that High School student can call "home." Is there really any replacement for actually meeting in people's homes, sitting in their living rooms and singing in their hallways? Is their any better way to communicate that the church is not a building but that we are the people of God wherever we meet?

Your Church

2005-09-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

I came to my office this morning and found a magazine in my box called, "your church." Subtitle, "Helping You with the Business of Ministry Since 1955." Is that when this all this crap started started, 1955? This particular issue has "Articles on Time Management, Electronic Giving, Stage Lighting, and other helpful topics." Where is the magazine with articles on "Worship, Sacrificial Giving, The Illumination of the Holy Spirit and other Soul Searching Topics." Needless to say I filed my "Annual Guide to Church Products and Services" appropriately.

Headless Horseman

2005-08-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

Like the Disney cartoon "The Tale of Sleepy Hollow." I feel sometimes that the church has become the terror of an insecure world, tormenting the thoughts of men and woman with her passion and zeal for influence. All the while she looks ridiculous riding around with a pumpkin for a head. Isn't Christ the head of the church and isn't his goal to restore men and women to the image of God and isn't the means by which He accomplishes this GRACE? Not coorporate influence or money.

I can't get no satisfaction

2005-05-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

Something is not right. Something is broken and wanting. My mind is occupied with the noise of life, and only in moments when volume fades and solitude creeps does the sound of my own heart make its voice known. It is not a loud or even moderate cry but more like a subtle, sad whimper. It is the sound of squeaky doors in haunted houses, hidden most of the time by the din of shallow conversations and earthly obligations. I wonder if this is what the Holy Spirit interprets for the Father, the deep heart groans of lost children who, in moments at dusk, realize how lost we really are. Something is missing. Something is unfinished and incomplete inside of me. There is a hole, a deep echoing cavernous pit in my soul. Like I said most of the time I ignore it. I pretend to be happy, and feign meaning and purpose. It seems that no matter what I do I cannot chase this emptiness away.

I thought that if I could be the good at something, then I might find some kind of reprieve. Perhaps relationship, nakedness, sex and intimacy might fill up what I am missing. In every attempt I find myself still wanting. What Solomon reflects I have since embraced, “Vanity of vanities, All is emptiness.” Or as the Rolling Stones put it, "I can't get no satisfaction."

The Problem with the Church

2005-05-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

Talk of the church has become my pastime. “Do you want to know what frustrates me about the church,” I begin. I qualify my statements and couch them in questions. After all I am not so arrogant to suppose I have all of the answers. “I am just looking for what honors God.” That sounds so thoughtful in a spiritual sort of way. “We need to get back to the early church...” I idealistically explain to others who thoughtfully stroke their chins and nod in approval. “The problem with the church is...” I rant I blog I talk about what I don’t like, what I do not prefer.

I have discovered that talk about the church is juicy, I can go on for hours. I have been deceived into believing that such talk is safe. I take freedom in my speculations and gossip because there is no face to my attack, just a ambiguous blob of misguided people. “If I could just help them see that things should not be this way,” I arrogantly presume to have a clue.

Perhaps the problem with the church is me. I can’t help but think that what ought to occupy my time and conversation is the Lord of the church not defining acceptable, relevant worship services and pretending to care more about the church than the One who refers to her as His Bride.

Graduation Day

2005-05-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

Today is graduation day. I wonder if I will feel different tomorrow? My Dad and sister are coming all the way from California to see me dress up in funny clothes and be knighted by the appropriate academics. I read one time that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. Oh to be as foolish as God.

Dad says that he is proud of all that I have accomplished. It has been such a long time since I have thought of things in that way. I don’t feel as though I have done anything. It is more as if we a celebrating the end of a season than the accomplishment of some great feat. I remember the hold that wanting to please others had on me. The ghost of such thinking still visits from time to time. I have long been redeemed from the chains of expectation and the labor for favor. Grace has set my enslaved heart free. Grace has rescued my heart to Thee.

There will be a party to celebrate tomorrow. A lot of people will come by my house and say “congratulations.” I will smile and say, “thank you” a hundred times with the most sincerity that I can muster. I am thankful, thankful to be finished after only eleven years of study, and yet I don’t feel done. There is still so much to do and learn. There is still so much that I do not know, that I have not thought about. I suppose that this graduation day is more like a mile marker at the beginning of a long road trip. There will be others that come.

Rejoice

2005-05-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

“Rejoice.” This seems like such shallow command. How can Paul command joy? It’s like that bumper sticker that reads, “Smile God loves you.” Thanks for that. Am I supposed to pretend that things are simply happy and wait for some kind of relational euphoria to overtake my soul? Am I supposed to choose to be ignorant to spare my heart the agony of understanding?

What is this, Sunday School? Am I seven years old, that the teacher wipes the tears from my eyes saying “Smile now, God loves you,” after an older kid has made it pretty clear that he does not “love me” by pushing off of the slide at the playground? Paul’s command has the air of Kleenex words and Band-Aids on scraped knees. It hardly seems like sage-like wisdom in light of serious disagreement in the church. Our playground scuffles have become real life pain that begs for a more serious solution than “smile God loves you.”

Maybe I am missing something. Is it possible that I have misunderstood what it means to have joy? Have I too closely related it to my emotions?

The word means to rejoice or to be merry. It means to be glad. How can I choose to be glad? It takes a thoughtful shift in my perspective. If this world and is sufferings and pain are all that there is then joy is at best momentary and improbable. But…if there is something more, say life after death, a creator, a savior, someone who will one day make right the injustice of this world, well then perhaps there is meaning and purpose and the possibility of gladness. Paul tells us that the place of our joy is in the Lord. Outside of him there is no hope, no reason to be glad.

Joy is the absence of fear that comes with embracing the fact that God is sovereignly in control of the details of my life. Sometimes it displays itself in singing, dancing, shouting but may also be shown in peace, rest and calm.

The Offering of Worship

2005-05-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

I was thinking this morning as the offering was passed in church that I had nothing to put into the basket. No one made me feel bad about this. My initial thought was we give every other week as Tami writes a check. I think this morning that I missed something by not having something to give. I wonder if I should break up our giving to every week so that I can participate as the offering comes by. It would be the same amount of money but I wouldn’ t miss out on part of the worship service. Giving is part of the worship service. It is a good part. It is when I thoughtfully and prayerfully give to God what is valuable to me.

To Be Known

2005-04-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I want to be known. Sometimes I think about how people will remember me or how friends would describe me. I am very consumed with what people think of me.

Sometimes I think that it would be cool to be famous. Cameras would follow me and people would comment on things that I wear and who is seen with me at important events, concerts or movie premieres. I would act as though I did not even notice the cameras and the flashes. I would smile and have quiet conversations about trivial things while others looked on wanting to be me.

I think that I am funny in a charming and intelligently witty way. I wonder if others would describe me as funny or just stupid.
I once saw a guy who would swallow billiard balls and barf them back up. David Letterman called him “the great regurgitator.” That would be a cool thing to be known for in a disgusting kind of way.

I want to be known for my great ideas. I need to be recognized as someone who has contributed something significant. I want people to notice and affirm me. Paul wants us to be known as being forbearing. That sounds like a lame thing to be known for. I would rather have people say, “he’s so cute,” or “he is so creative,” or “he is such a deep thinker.” It just doesn’t sound as cool to have someone say, “he is so forbearing.”

“How would I describe goz?” “Well, I think that he is forbearing…in a cute, creative, deep sort of way.” LAME.
What does Paul mean forbearing? It is a word that is pretty hard to communicate with just one other word in translation. Some have used the word meek or “gentle.” But even these spiritual sounding words leave something out of what Paul meant. One writer defines forbearing this way, “considerate courtesy and respect for the integrity of others which prompts a person not to be forever standing on his rights.”

The Beautiful Things

2005-04-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Paul writes that there are things that are noble and worth of praise and these are things that ought to occupy our minds. He makes a list which can be summed up as thinking beautifully. There is beauty in people. Beauty is one of those things that I do not completely understand. To the extent that people are made in the likeness of God they are beautiful. Some are a little more polished that others but all have beauty.

We automatically go to the surface of things. We look at the paint job and are fooled by what is under the hood. Paul is challenging us to see as God sees to look beneath the skin and the appearance of things and find the good, true and beautiful things in the people that we live with.

If I were to ask you to make a list of things that annoy you about someone close to you the pen would fly across the page. What about if I asked you to write down the gifts and abilities and beautiful ways in which that person displays the character of God. Pause… These are things that ought to jump out to us, the things that must become obvious to us if we are to live in harmony and unity among imperfect but redeemed people.

I don’t think that Paul is advocating a blind ignorance in assessing people but a hopeful optimism believing the best, putting arrogance aside and confessing our self-righteous judgments. We do not know the motives of men, therefore we must make mistakes evaluating with the grace of God.

Larry King and Jesus

2005-04-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

I was watching Larry King the other night after church. I heard the president of the American Atheists say that there was never a person such as Jesus Christ. It seemed to me like a bold, uninformed statement. I thought to myself, “how can she say this?” Even if you don’t believe the Bible is true and that much of it’s contents are the revision of the church, how can someone just say that Jesus never lived?

I supposed that she would soon denounce the existence of others that we have so ignorantly taken for granted. What about that whole moon landing was it just a video? I thought about writing her and asking for her confirmation regarding my place in history. There is nothing threatening about me or Napoleon. It is of little consequence that either of has lived, but someone with the apparent influence of Jesus Christ, well that is another matter.

I wonder if it is at all possible to convince someone of the existence of God who begins with the shadow in their heart of not wanting to believe. I am more and more convinced that people are not argued into the kingdom of heaven, it is not about evidence and reason it is about choice and will. Jesus once talked about men preferring to live in darkness rather than having their inconsistencies and shortcomings revealed by the light. (my paraphrase of John 3:19-20).

I suppose that even a historical Jesus in an ironic way cannot make it into historical existence in the mind of an atheist.

Jesus Don't Let the Wolf Come

2005-03-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

I turned on the cartoons for my two youngest kids 5 and 3 years old. This was an attempt to occupy them while I took a few minutes to shower. After about 5 minutes they came in the bathroom and told me that they had turned off the TV because the shows were bad. I asked, “What was bad?” Apparently they had changed the channel to search for better cartoons than the one I had left them to watch, and stumbled upon a movie scene in which a little girls was about to get eaten by a wolf. Frightened by the scene they turned off the TV. I was impressed more however by the conversation between my two children that followed.

They left the bathroom and stood outside of the door. As I combed my hair I overheard them talking. Sam said, “I hope that I don’t have dreams about that wolf.” Emma replied, “I don’t want dreams either.” Sam said, “I am going to pray right now, Jesus please don’t let the wolf come in my dreams and don’t let me have to go to sleep in mommy and daddy’s bed. Amen.” Emma quickly followed, “Jesus, please don’t let the wolf come when I go to sleep either and not to go to bed with daddy and mommy.”

I believe that these are the prayers that our Father in heaven hears and delights in. As I delighted in how cute they sounded, Our Father in heaven loves Sam and Emma turned to him with their simple request. Perhaps my prayer should have followed with, “Father please forgive me for leaving my children alone to watch TV.”

From a Friend

2005-02-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

Noli nothis permittere te terere

Welcome to the Church

2005-02-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the church. Please come and listen to the sermon and donate weekly. Please do not get up, sit, watch, enjoy as others make sure you are comfortable. Please give all of your complaints to an elder or the senior pastor and he/she will make sure that they are followed up on by an investigative committee. Please email your frustrations/concerns and do not forget to carbon copy at least three other people. Please register with you favorite elder any names of pastors or teacher that you do not like. It may take a few times before you get the desired result so do not give up. A little consistent nagging by the right people $$ will go a long way.

We need more managers. The crowd is too big. Who will count them? Who will make sure that each complaint is listened to? Who will service so many consumers. Make no idealistic mistake they do not need leadership they need costumer service. They do not need vision they need management. They do not need direction they need confirmation. They do not need a shepherd they have the sermon tapes, they need more information.

The Executive Pastor is my supervisor I shall not make a mistake. He makes me work extra hours and counts my results. He holds me accountable and reminds me of the procedures and policies. He reminds me that I walk through the valley of the shadow of death and that I ought to fear if there are not enough people following me. Fear and guilt are his guidance. He prepares my goals and objectives and reminds me that my position depends upon them. Surely guilt and fear, discouragement and depression will follow me all of the days that I am here. O Lord how long will I dwell in this house? Please not forever.

Winter Finally

2004-12-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

This sky looks cold, steal and grey. There is no break or variation. It is flat, bare void of anything warm. Silhouette are the limbs of naked ash trees as they stand unmoving and unafraid of the chilling reality of the weather that surrounds them. The hills are a soft frozen yellow sea of grass that has long been asleep, it's warm colors hidden deep in the ground, awaiting some future resurrection.

The birds continue bold and with out feeling occasionally greeting a limb for a view of anything that might become breakfast on the frosty carpet below.

Breath can be seen, the warmth of life and blood is visualized in the vapor puffing from the mouths of those walking by. Two of them stand outside, mouths smoking as they speak and laugh. They are bundled in padded fat jackets, hats that reach down over their ears and dark gloves that cause their hands to appear more like paws than the warm agile hands of humans. Why are they outside? Perhaps it is to feel the bite of the air. Maybe for no other reason than to test the ability of the winter fashions that so stylishly pad their stay puff frames. Maybe because they simply want to live the winter while it lasts.

There is no color, only shades of color. Grey is mixed with everything. Even the yellow of the hibernating grass is a grey-yellow. The trees are a grey-brown and the street is a grey-grey.

Winter Finally.

Words

2004-04-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

Cookies for Breakfast

2004-02-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

I choose to do the things that I desire. I desire some things more than others. Not all things bring the same fulfillment. Different things bring different satisfaction and fulfillment. I tend to do those things that bring immediate pleasure or satisfaction. I eat cookies for breakfast. I look lustfully at an image.

Is pleasure that is immediate wrong? Is fulfillment always found in waiting for pleasure? What is the ultimate consequence of the pursuit of the immediate? I am usually left sick or wanting more. The pursuit of the immediate negates the realization of the ultimate.

If I choose lustful thoughts I give up loving relationships.
If I choose cookies for breakfast I give up healthy life.
If I choose sleep I give up productivity.
If I choose angry words I give up forgiveness and restoration.
If I choose TV I give up thinking and the developing of my mind.
If I choose credit I give up thoughtful stewardship and financial freedom
If I choose self I give up God.

How easy it is to choose the immediate. For every short term desire there is a long-term consequence. I cannot have them both. What do I desire more? How do I choose what is better when faced with the desire of the immediate? Understanding this does not remove the desire for the immediate. It may, however, replace it with a desire that is stronger for those things that are yet future.

Hurry Up and Wait

2004-02-19T22:34:00.000-08:00

I think sometimes that I run so fast and never really get anywhere. It’s like there is grease underneath my feet and my legs just keep pumping while my feet continue to slide. I find myself speeding to work and home. Have you ever tried to drive the speed limit? It is a practice in disciplined patience. It is almost more dangerous in our city to drive what is posted than to go with the flow. Where is the flow going so fast? What is so important? Perhaps it is procrastination that has caused this hurried life. Perhaps we have said, “yes” to more than we can possibly do. Are you over committed? What have you said “no” to in the last week? We could probably fill a notebook with the things that we have said “yes.”

As I reflect upon the life of Jesus I do not recall our Lord hurrying anywhere. He traveled day by day. He encouraged his disciples not to be anxious for tomorrow. Upon receiving news of the sickness that had befallen his friend Lazarus Jesus waits to go to him. This was to the questioning of his disciples and even Martha as he approaches the home upon the death of his friend Lazarus. Jesus finds time in the morning and the evening to pray. He continually makes time to be alone with his Father. He sneaks away or he sends the disciples on ahead.

How is it that I am in such a hurry and my Lord never hurried anywhere? How is it that I cannot find time to spend with God and Jesus made it a daily time? How is it that I cannot say “no” to any good thing and our Lord could understand all things in the light of God’s timing and plan? I then seem to spend all of my time on all the wrong things. I have no day of rest or Sabbath. I spin and spin.

My babies are little boys and a girl. When did this happen? Who is raising them? What influence or effect have I had upon their lives? Will is 6 now. He is in first grade. When have I had time to be his dad? When will I slow down enough to love and to lead my own children?

John 11:9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 “But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”