Monthly Archives: December 2013

Is doing what seems to be right a good idea?

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“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”Judges 21:25

Imagine a society where everyone did what seemed right in their eyes. One thinks traffic laws should be obeyed; another thinks those laws should be bent to the particular situation. One determines it is okay to seize the opportunity presented to them regardless of the effects on others. What is right in these situations is determined relative to what each person stood to gain.

Especially since the advent of ‘situational ethics’ across our country’s college campuses in the 60s and 70s, we’ve seen a turn toward relativism and tolerance toward everything except that to which we are intolerant: no crosses in a Veteran’s cemetery, no nativities on display, “God” is allowed but “Jesus” is not. Songs about Kwanza and Hanukkah are allowed but not songs about Jesus. Just this week, a Wisconsin school insisted that the words to Silent Night be changed in the school concert, to remove the religious references.

A few months back, Pope Francis’ interview with atheist Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari was perceived by some to indicate a turn toward relativism: a belief that everyone must indeed do what is right in their own minds. Asked if there is a single vision of good, and who decides, Francis says:

“Each of us has a vision of good and of evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is good . . . Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place.”

What do you think? Would the world be a better place if everyone moved toward what they thought is good? Can we coexist peacefully in a society that was truly tolerant of differing beliefs? Can we maintain our adherence to what we each consider to be right while demonstrating extraordinary respect of each other as we each seek to discover and better understand the truth that is always true? Can you imagine ‘peace on earth’ without this?

A new name

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Periodically, God gave his people new names. For example he renamed Abram, Abraham. Likewise, he gave the new name of Sarah to Abraham’s wife, Sarai. Jacob became Israel. Jesus renamed Simon to be Peter or Cephas, “the rock.” Why did God change their names? It seems that usually it was accompanied with a new identity for that person. It could be that you were named for a purpose, that your name represents the deeper hopes and aspirations your parents had for you at the time of your birth.

Take a moment to reflect on how you have grown in your relationship with God over the years and to consider the years you have remaining. Do you sense God calling you in a new direction or to the same path with greater devotion? What ‘new name’ do you sense God might bestow upon you to represent your remaining years on this earth, or at least the next chapter of your life? Might it be Faithful One, Steadfast Warrior, or The Man/Woman of Prayer? Might it be simply, yet magnificently, Child of God, The One Who Sees, Patience, or Student of the Word? Perhaps Counselor, Teacher, Peacemaker, Persevering One, or Light of the World. (The truth is Jesus called all his followers to be the light of the world.)

As you reflect on your life accomplishments and the character for which you are known, perhaps it is time to take on a new name. I’m not suggesting you go to the courthouse and fill out new identity papers. But consider the name (the character) that God is calling you to be. It may not be to DO more things, but it likely will have to do much with who you are called to BE. This ‘name’ has great meaning. If it is given to you by God, your new ‘name’ will define who you are called to be in Christ. It may be the new name you are given in heaven.

“…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:20b

Advent – Why did Jesus come to earth?

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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”” Luke 2:8-10

Shepherds watching over their sheep…it sounds so quaint, these kind, respectable men being responsible leaders, upstanding citizens… Or were they? It seems that history would paint biblical shepherds in a different light as outcasts, those on the fringe of society. And yet God chose to appear before these men, rather than those of high standing. The angel of the lord, in the fullness of God’s glory, presents make the most important proclamation to the likes of them. Why? Because God’s love and truth is intended for all who would receive it. How like God to reveal himself and his purpose through those the world rejected. How like God to give us this as an example, that we too would reveal God’s love and amazing grace with those in our lives that ALL may know of his truth and grace.

How many ways and with how many people can you think of to share the REAL reason for Christmas with this season? GOOD news for ALL people!

Are you ready for a rest?!

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One week before Christmas: Is the tree decorated, lights up? Christmas cards sent out, gifts purchased and wrapped? Christmas meals and activities planned? Whew! Sounds like you are ready for a rest! But as you lie your head down, do more to-do lists pop in your head? Where oh where can you find rest?

During this last year with leukemia I’ve gone through phases where certain medications were needed to manage one condition but at the cost of my sleep. And there have been other times, like now, when the medications made me too sleepy, and very little ‘awake’ time for activity. Then there were those exasperating times when two medications were needed, one keeping me wired and awake and the other making me drowsy. It is quite the balancing act! And where do we find real rest?

It seems the answer is both simple and evasive. Jesus says simply, “Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden. And I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Coming to Jesus involves leaving the rest of the world, our worries and preoccupations, our ambitions, our lists, even our pain, behind. Interesting, how we sometimes cling to these thoughts that we know are robbing us of peace. It involves suspending all this for a season, while we allow ourselves to drift into God’s presence.

What does that mean to you, to drift into God’s presence? Perhaps you can imagine an overcoat you have where every pocket is overfilled with plans and worries. As you intently hang up that coat in the closet and shut the door, can you see yourself walking away and trusting the outcomes of those concerns to God? That is the path to God’s presence.

Can you feel yourself warming to his presence as you lie down and contemplate how faithful God is, or the nature of his everlasting love for you? Can you let your muscles relax as you realize that no day, no matter how stressful it had been, has ever completely overcome you. You’ve made it through every one of them! Can you feel a gentle smile form on your face as you start listing everything for which you are thankful? I think it is a very long list once you start! These too are paths to God’s presence.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

Let your mind rest in the thought of this goodness.

How confident are you?

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Do you consider yourself a confident person? It is not necessarily a bad thing. I think the great Apostle Paul was a confident fellow. He could boast of his knowledge and training. He could boast of his persuasive talk and skillful debates. He could even boast of his self-sufficiency, not relying on others to help him. But yet he concludes that “If I boast, I boast in the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17

Paul recognized that all good things come from God, including the skills and abilities and opportunities he was given. And Paul recognized too, as we sometimes might when life takes a sudden turn, that all we have can quickly disappear: health, wealth, friends and family, possessions, even the breath we breathe. Confidence in our abilities, our knowledge, and our strength might not be a good thing, but confidence in God is indeed a good thing. God never fails at what he sets to achieve, he never abandons his Word or his faithful followers. Because God is completely faithful (his compassions are new every morning), we are blessed to place our confidence in him.

What is it that you are trusting to accomplish by your skills, talents, knowledge and strength? What is it that would better be entrusted to God alone?

“Blessed is he who trusts in the lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7

Everlasting Love

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It seems our human minds are unable to fully grasp the concept of eternity, that which has no beginning or end, that which has always and will always be. No fear, we will someday have some better comprehension of this when we step from this life to our eternal one.

Perhaps you have seen the illustration of a very long rope, one that realistically might expand the circumference of an auditorium where you sit. A rope which imaginably extends beyond the auditorium to encircle the entire building. In fact, imagine such a rope that proceeds to encircle every building in your town, and then every town in your state, and every state in your country, before it then crosses borders to do the same in every country of the world, every planet and moon in our solar system, and every galaxy in the universe…and beyond! That is a very long rope, but truthfully it just keeps on going without end.

And back in the auditorium where you sit, you notice in one spot on this rope there is tied a knot. It is not a very large knot. In fact, compared to the size of the rope, it might not be noticeable at all. And then it occurs to you…you are the knot and God is the rope with no beginning and no end. This small knot represents your entire life. Now your life may be 70 or 80 years long, maybe more. Even if it is 120 years, it is a small portion of the rope that spans the eternity that is God. And then you contemplate his words to you:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4

“I have loved you with an EVERLASTING love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

In this quiet moment you see your life in view of an eternal timeline you still cannot comprehend. But you realize that everything you do and think, and everyone whose life you touch has meaning. You can’t allow yourself to sink into self-pity, longing for what was, or bemoaning what is that discourages you now. All you can grasp is a gracious God who loves you with an everlasting love.

And in this “eternity moment” you determine how you will respond to such a love today, right now, and for a lifetime. You are loved and you are called to live a meaningful and satisfying life.

End of the year medical update

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People keep asking, so I gather it is about time for a near end of the year medical update on my leukemia. Really there is not a lot of news to report, one year after diagnosis and eight months after stem cell transplant. I was able to get off the steroids and insulin and also maintain an appetite this time. We don’t know why the tremendous increase of fatigue causing me to sleep more than half of each day and attenuating muscle pain. It could be side effect of the blood thinner or GVHD. Doctors are unable to determine. I am able to pull it together to meet with folks for an hour or two, so I gather it will resolve with time. Marcia is a good encourager when it comes to exercise and getting into the community.

My other symptoms are minor in comparison to what others are going through at this time and the doctors are quite happy overall with the progress. (“You are still alive, that is good, yes?”) They remind me that it is a long process and regardless, vital childhood vaccinations will not be completed for 18-24 months. The doctors are doing an admirable job at managing the amount of GVHD that manifests itself. They do this largely through medication, and then another medication to manage the effects of the first one, etc. 🙂

As I have commented often before, this unexpected journey has allowed Marci and I to discover blessings we would never have found on another path. Suffering is seldom a welcome stranger. but if it comes to your door, do not be too quick to dismiss it. It is often key to us discovering our real purpose in life.

Never enough flashlights?

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I am generally NOT a compulsive buyer. In fact, with our plans to move to Bolivia when God allows, we have been in a nonspending mode for the last two years. That said, there is something that calls to me when flashlights go on sale. Maybe it’s a guy thing but it seems you can’t have too many flashlights. I have “just in case” flashlights in each car, in the storm shelter areas of the house, by the bed, etc.

Our grandchildren love playing “flashlight tag” so having a supply of batteries on hand is always a good idea, or better yet those windup flashlights. And because their borrowed flashlights often end up buried in sofa cushions or behind a large piece of furniture, it is always good to have some extras available. At the urging of my wise wife, I haven’t bought ANY flashlights this year; instead I gathered up a pile of used flashlights (excluding the ones that got lost) and determined which ones worked, which needed batteries, and which needed new bulbs. So we are again ready for electrical outages or more games of flashlight tag.

It’s interesting how games sometimes imitate life. In flashlight tag you try to hide in the darkness until someone exposes you with their light…once exposed you are ‘out’ until the next round. I wonder how often we adults ‘hide’ in the darkness of our busyness and the pursuit of our short-lived games. We put off the things which would bring us real joy in exchange for those that offer short-lived distraction. But unlike flashlight tag, being exposed by the True Light doesn’t cause us to lose. Rather, God’s light exposes the illusion of darkness and the fullness of real joy available to us. It convicts us of our wrongdoing and wrong thinking and leads us to walk in the light that frees us. And all we need to do to ‘recharge’ is to draw close to him and spend time in his presence. No batteries needed. No more flashlights either. Let’s not take “flashlight tag” into real life. Instead, walk in the real light and enjoy fellowship with each other and with God.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
1 John 1:5,7

Advent – waiting in obedience; seeking God’s will

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The angel of the Lord came to Mary and spoke the prophecy to her. She would give birth to the savior of the world. “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38

There is much that confounds me about Luke’s accounting of the prophecy of Jesus’s conception and birth. The angel appears to Mary and she doesn’t freak out. She accepts that it is the angel of the lord. He says she will give birth even though she remains a virgin. She asks about this but readily accepts the incredulous explanation. And she responds with such faith, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

I completely believe this account and yet still find Mary’s faith so remarkable and such an every-day reality. I find it likely you and I might have been taken more off guard and perhaps with more to say about the events that were to pass. I mean, an angel of the lord comes to your door. What is YOUR reaction?

As we discussed before, God looks for “FAT” followers, that is, those who are Faithful, Available, and Teachable. Especially in this advent season let us find ourselves actively seeking God’s presence throughout each day, faithfully waiting for the revelation of his plan for us, and in obedience to his call. Let’s have the attitude of “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

“You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13