Hope for 2011

Robert has not been in church for several years and was telling me his story, "Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking about God and what He wants me to do. Church is hard because I'm turned off by the legalism, all the talk about change without doing anything..."

He shared a desire to find a place that is real, to make a difference in the world, and to personally make some progress in his marriage and relationship with God.

As I pondered his words, the opposite reality of most people's experience hit me - local church community marked by pride and pretense, self absorption and spiritual stagnancy (known by the simple "h" word).

Jesus hates hypocrisy, always did. Maybe because hypocrisy always chokes out hope...

Yes, He comes to make wrong things right. And thankfully, Jesus is merciful because every local church community is imperfect, because we are all imperfect.

I've seen glimpses of HOPE in recent years. We've made some progress but have a long way to go. Humility and love are still the twin victors over pride, pretense, self-absorption and stagnancy.

Another friend shared how his life started to change when he humbled himself and started letting Jesus deal with his stuff. That humility was in response to God's love.

I love the way the Message Version translates Romans 2:4 "God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change."

That is the place where HOPE is found! ...relationship with Jesus together with imperfect people, all of us experiencing God's kindness, taken firmly by the hand and led into radical life-change!

As we walk into 2011 may we at SHV and other local church communities experience more of this kind of HOPE and LIFE! And may we be the people where guys like Robert find a place.

December memories

We were shooting baskets after school at my grandparent’s house, something we did most every day. The air was crisp and the competition fierce on that December afternoon. I was in 3^rd grade and playing “horse” against my uncle.

Fred was my dad’s brother, about 20 years older than me. With Down’s syndrome, he was mentally and emotionally at a first grade level. Fred was a fierce competitor. Every time he made a basket I would yell “Swish!” and he would gleam. He loved to shoot the ball, and didn’t like to pass (ever).

His fingers were webbed together at birth, and they had only succeeded in partially separating them. As a result, he held the ball in the palm of his hand and kind of shot-putted it toward the basket. He had grown quite proficient after countless hours of shooting.

If I ever commented on one of my shots, or shot more than once, he would grunt and ask me to pass him the ball. Whenever we finished the game, I would tell him he was the “CHAMP,” something he never grew tired of hearing.

Fred wanted to play ball even when it was freezing. He had an unbelievably high pain threshold. And he had a knack for inflicting pain if I teased him too much (and he caught me).

Those were amazing times, hour after hour shooting baskets, chasing the ball down the driveway. Just thinking about Fred’s smile brings tears to my eyes.

Every Christmas was a special time, as Fred got way more presents than everyone else, and no one was jealous. There was a particular joy in seeing him happy. Almost like the best of God’s creation was getting a small portion of the treatment he would receive for all eternity.

Fred went to be with Jesus a couple years ago, as my mom was singing over him “Jesus loves Fred, this I know…”

This Christmas I’ll reflect on the gift of Jesus, and how He was so present in those times of shooting hoops with Fred.

The Rock that is Higher

Have you ever felt basically unsettled...?

Like whatever can be shaken is being shaken? It can be exhausting. Things that used to matter become insignificant when fatigue takes over.

Over the last few months it seems like everyone I know is going through it... I've been hit with it and sometimes don't know whether its my stuff, or just the storm rolling through.??

Finding strength and comfort in times like this, that's the challenge!

Psalm 61:2 says "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe."

I've pondered the phrase "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." A rock speaks of strength and stability. I love what Charles Spurgeon relays about this in the Treasury of David:

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I see thee to be my refuge, sure and strong; but alas! I am confused, and cannot find thee; I am weak, and cannot climb thee. Thou art so steadfast, guide me; thou art so high, uplift me. There is a mint of meaning in this brief prayer. Along the iron bound coast of our northern shores, lives are lost because the rocks are inaccessible to the shipwrecked mariner. A clergyman of one of the coast villages has with immense labour cut steps up from the beach to a large chamber, which he has excavated in the chalk cliffs; here many mariners have been saved; they have climbed the rock, which had else been too high for them, and they have escaped. We have heard of late, however, that the steps have been worn away by the storms, and that poor sailors have perished miserably within sight of the refuge which they could not reach, for it was too high for them: it is therefore proposed to drive in iron stanchions, and to hang up chain ladders that shipwrecked mariners may reach the chambers in the rock. The illustration is self interpreting. Our experience leads us to understand this verse right well, for the time was with us when we were in such amazement of soul by reason of sin, that although we knew the Lord Jesus to be a sure salvation for sinners, yet we could not come at him, by reason of our many doubts and forebodings. A Saviour would have been of no use to us if the Holy Spirit had not gently led us to him, and enabled us to rest upon him. To this day we often feel that we not only want a rock, but to be led to it. With this in view we treat very leniently the half unbelieving prayers of awakened souls; for in their bewildered state we cannot expect from them all at once a fully believing cry. A seeking soul should at once believe in Jesus, but it is legitimate for a man to ask to be led to Jesus; the Holy Spirit is able to effect such a leading, and he can do it even though the heart be on the borders of despair. How infinitely higher that we are is the salvation of God. We are low and grovelling, but it towers like some tall cliff far above us. This is its glory, and is our delight when we have once climbed into the rock, and claimed an interest in it; but while we are as yet trembling seekers, the glory and sublimity of salvation appall us, and we feel that we are too unworthy ever to be partakers of it; hence we are led to cry for grace upon grace, and to see how dependent we are for everything, not only for the Saviour, but for the power to believe on him.

It would be hard to say it any better than that.

Father, lead us to Jesus, our Rock, every day and every hour. And help us drive in the iron stanchions of faith and diligent prayer, to hold the ladder for others and for ourselves. Thank you for your goodness! Lord have mercy...

Handel's Messiah

I always thought classical music was something you endured in the doctor's office, I never enjoyed it (nor appreciated it). My wife liked it and actually played it on the piano. She had a few songs memorized and it was amazing she could play them by ear, but I still didn't care for the music itself.

Then in 1993 we traveled to Germany where we were doing a conference with some friends. I was beginning to have a new appreciation of history. Many houses and buildings were older than the United States...

We were staying in a small village with windows tilted open, when on a crisp Sunday morning we were awakened by the sound of church bells. Then a string quartet began to play. It was beautiful! Now I had done a 180, and was wondering if the people in the village were appreciating this music.

Fast forward a few years and we went to a performance of Handel's Young Messiah at the old McNichol's Arena in Denver. As June and I sat in the nose-bleed seats, I was overcome by the words being sung.

The music was beautiful, but I felt as though a bolt of lightning pierced my soul when I heard the words "But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire..." The words from Isaiah 40 were describing the coming of Jesus, and the music reflected the tone of awesome reverence. Tears streamed down my face, thinking about the unmatched glory of Jesus.

Since that evening, I've fallen in love with Handel's Messiah. It tells THE story in music, the most popular oratorio of all time.

I'm looking forward to sharing about it these next 5 weeks at Smoky Hill Vineyard.

Coincidence?

The doorbell rang, wasn't expecting anyone, didn't want to answer it (being the introvert). The guy asked if I was Blake (my son), said he was here for the piano advertised on craigslist...

Blake had picked up this piano a couple months ago for free, it has been sitting in our garage, and now was giving it away for free. Blake wasn't around so we went out to the garage to have a look.

Turns out he is a musician, short version - was playing on a cruise ship for over a year, met his future wife there, got married and they are pregnant with their first child. And he is excited about teaching his kid the piano.

I was immediately struck by his positive attitude, smiling, recounting the struggles of a musician's life. I commented "You seem to be so positive, what's up with that?" He said "Well, everybody's got it hard and you have to look on the bright side..."

So we loaded the piano into the back of his Subaru, just the two of us. It is small but easily 500 lbs., I'm wondering about the possibility of a hernia, but we get it in okay.

As we talk, I'm praying "Lord, do you want me to talk to him about you?" We talk some more, and I pray "Lord, is this you doing something? I know you love this guy but do you really want me to bring it up. He's a musician, and even though positive is probably jaded toward anything religious." Yes, all this is going on in my mind during our conversation...

So I finally get the courage to ask him "Do you have any spiritual belief?" He says hesitantly, "I'm kind of a Christian..." He went on to talk about attending church sporadically as a kid, doesn't go anymore cause he is usually playing gigs late on the weekends. His wife attends regularly and comes home to tell him "I prayed for you today."

Then he shared about his mom being hurt by her church years ago, they had condemned her when she divorced, and it made him angry. Recently, he had played with a band hired out by a small church on the west side of town. That church was the same denomination as the one his mom had been hurt by - creeped him out and upset him.

By now I'm seeing how much God loves this guy and wants to break through all the junk and show him. All my discomfort has quickly faded in the intersection of God's love and a young man who is longing to know his life counts, and that God sees him.

So I said "I don't think this is a coincidence, you coming out here for this piano.... Can I pray with you?" He said "Sure!" (which always surprises me), and I just invited God to touch him and lifted him, his family, passions and gifts to Jesus. Pause. God showed up with His peace.

As he drove off, I thought someone has been praying for this guy. How many times has he been around followers of Jesus who shied away from talking with him about what really matters (just like I do in soooo many situations)??

Craigslist, cruise ships, pianos, doorbells, musicians, stories, etc. What a privilege to see and experience God breaking in with His love.

This wasn't a coincidence for him, and it wasn't a coincidence for me.

Noah

We just returned from 3 wonderful days with our first grandson Noah Gregory, born to son Levi and his beautiful wife Katie on October 8. Wow, what a time! Exhilarating, refreshing, staggering, invigorating, revitalizing. Felt every one of them. Katie took this pic of Levi, June holding Noah, and me.

On our last night Levi wanted to have a time of worship together. As he banged out a passionate worship song on guitar in

their small living room, tears streamed down Katie's face, June had her arm around me, I was holding Noah, doesn't get much better. Levi sang part of Psalm 84:

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God..."

The singing and guitar were delightful, and reeeally loud... What amazed me was Noah just slept peacefully against my chest.

I thought... Noah has heard Levi and Katie worship before - for nine months of pregnancy and every day at home after his birth :)

Thank God for the gift of Noah, for life, and the amazing ways He revives us!

Healing and Community

A friend of mine, Gerald Martinez, is in the middle of the greatest challenge of his life...

You may know of Gerald from Extreme Home Makeover where they helped rebuild and renovate their home and outreach center. He and his wife Leisa have given their lives to serving the poor in an area called the "WarZone" in Albuquerque.

Just this year Gerald discovered he had Hepatitis C. His liver was almost completely destroyed and from a blood test found his viral load (number of viruses in the blood) was at 5 million. The church prayed for him that week, and the count went down to 500k. He then started an experimental drug treatment along with intensive prayer.

For several months he was wiped out during the treatment. He was averaging 20 hours of sleep a day. He went through lots of soul searching, looking at what is most important in life and thinking about what would happen to his family if he were to die and go to be with Jesus.

Every Sunday he went to worship services and people would gather around him and pray for healing. What an amazing picture of community. He told me they would lay hands on him, plead with God for healing, worship together, and weep. Gerald told me how hard it was to be weak and to receive when he had always gone 100 miles an hour and taken care of everyone else.

Just 2 weeks ago Gerald was scheduled for a blood test which would determine his progress and whether treatment could continue. His viral load needed to be below 5k...

On the Sunday before, they celebrated communion in which they prayed the blood of Jesus would cleanse and heal Gerald's blood...

The tests came back, and his level was at 24. Two-four! The nurse said "I've never seen anything like this before..."

What a powerful picture of God's healing love through community (the real life Extreme Home Makeover)! Gerald poured in to community his whole life, now those people were there for him. They prayed for him, worshipped with him and wept with him.

Sadly, I see many people in crisis who are isolated with no faith community, no one to pray, worship, weep and walk with them.

Gerald isn't out of the woods and wanted me to ask for continued prayer, especially for his liver and kidneys to be healed and restored. Please join us in praying for complete recovery!

And THANK GOD for His healing which flows through community!

Yelling Kids

Last week we were walking out of Wal-Mart, and immediately heard the shrill cries of a boy around 5 years old. He wasn’t in any danger, he was mad at his dad who clearly was not giving him something he wanted. The dad was putting groceries away, glancing at his son with a mix of irritation, exasperation and learned helplessness…

I see this almost every time I’m at the store. Kids screaming, yelling, pouting… Parents many times seem oblivious, having long ago hit the “off switch,” sporadically shushing and snapping back “you stop it!”

I find it interesting to observe just how long things will go until the inevitable takes place – mom or dad GIVE IN, to everyone’s delight. Some times I want to give in for them, just so it will stop. Sad thing is the child is learning WHAT THEY WANT IS MOST IMPORTANT, and the way to get it is MANIPULATION.

Whatever happened to learning the virtues of respect, patience and “you don’t get everything you want”?? When I was growing up, yelling always got me something, but never what I wanted...

It is true when it comes to parenting (and most of life) the most loving thing to do is usually the hardest thing to do.

Methods of discipline have changed with the advent of more empathy and encouragement. Typically more love and understanding is a great addition! Sadly, discipline is all but missing from the equation. And discipline is what brings humility - prerequisite for maturing into the person God made us to be. As such, it is a sign of real love.

Check out these verses from Hebrews 12 (Message Version) “At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.”

A few months ago my wife was reading a quote to me that blew me away. It was from William Law’s classic “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life: the Spirit of Love.” If you want to take a few moments to ponder these words (and wade through the language differences from 1728), you might be blown away and motivated anew as I was.

The first temper that we try to awaken in children, is pride; as dangerous a passion as that of lust. We stir them up to vain thoughts of themselves, and do everything we can to puff up their minds with a sense of their own abilities. Whatever way of life we intend them for, we apply to the fire and vanity of their minds, and exhort them to everything from corrupt motives. We stir them up to action from principles of strife and ambition, from glory, envy, and a desire of distinction, that they may excel others, and shine in the eyes of the world. We repeat and inculcate these motives upon them, till they think it a part of their duty to be proud, envious, and vain-glorious of their own accomplishments.

And when we have taught them to scorn to be outdone by any, to bear no rival, to thirst after every instance of applause, to be content with nothing but the highest distinctions, then we begin to take comfort in them, and promise the world some mighty things from youths of such a glorious spirit.

And after all this, we complain of the effects of pride; we wonder to see grown men actuated and governed by ambition, envy, scorn, and a desire of glory; not considering that they were all the time of their youth called upon to all their action and industry, upon the same principles. You teach a child to scorn to be outdone, to thirst for distinction and applause; and is it any wonder that he continues to act all his life in the same manner? Now if a youth is ever to be so far a Christian, as to govern his heart by the doctrines of humility, I would fain know at what time he is to begin it: or, if he is ever to begin it at all, why we train him up in tempers quite contrary to it?

Haiti Trip

We flew into Port Au Prince a little over a week ago, with everyone craning their necks to see the city. I think almost everyone on the plane was there for some sort of relief work. Some had t-shirts marking the occasion, like “Village Community Church – Haiti Mission 2010.”

I was traveling with 7 other pastors, hosted by Convoy of Hope, the organization we had partnered with since the earthquake that had killed 220k and left 1 million homeless on January 12.

Back in January I did some research to make sure we partnered with someone in Haiti who could do effective work for the long haul. I found Quisqueya Chapel, a local church, had become a DAILY distribution point for Convoy of Hope, serving 4k meals, water, tarps, tents, hygiene kits, etc. I was powerfully impacted finding several old clips of Pastor Carl and Ann Olssen and the church faithfully serving and praying for Haiti and equipping people to follow Jesus. I hoped to meet them on this trip.

One of the most impacting stories we encountered was of Ernst, our security guard. In the earthquake Ernst had lost his 10-year-old daughter Gabrielle in the rubble. After frantically searching and yelling out her name he heard her cries from under the collapsed concrete and rebar. Ernst reassured her he would get her out, as they talked back and forth. He dug for 72 hours and finally pulled Gabrielle to safety.

We met Ernst at the airport along with the team from Convoy of Hope. He was surprised when we told him we’d read his story. He lit up at when we mentioned his daughter’s name and said “Yes, that’s my daughter!” (photo: Ernst at right, Kelo on left)

Traveling throughout Port Au Prince and surrounding remote villages in the mountains we saw so many desperate people. We visited several orphanages and schools (all connected with local churches). We got to talk to people, hear their stories and pray for them. The poverty rate was above 80% before the earthquake so you can imagine the scene of thousands standing around all day every day with nothing to do…

Ernst’s story symbolized to me what God is doing in Haiti (and in Colorado). His kids are trapped beneath the rubble of brokenness and separated from Him. Some of us don’t even know we are trapped. He is doing all He can to rescue us. He will not stop.

And if we have become “free” He is calling us to join Him on His rescue mission to others

Yes, I did get to meet Pastor Carl and thank him for the work he has faithfully done over the years. (photo: Carl on the right) He was so filled with joy. It was as though I was meeting a modern day hero - humble, unassuming, who has given his life to serve Jesus on His rescue mission.

We'll continue to send teams and resources to Haiti, as well as the other places we are working with in the world.

For more info on how you can be a part, connect with our Missions and Outreach Pastors Kenny and Carla Kneezle and/or go to our "support the mission" link on this website.

Catholic/Jewish Wedding

We recently attended our neighbor's daughter's wedding, unusual in that a Catholic Priest and Jewish Rabbi shared the officiating.

Basically everyone was Jewish on the groom's side and Catholic on the bride's.

We walked in 5 minutes before the wedding and they were installing the Chuppah (Hoopa) which is the canopy used in Jewish wedding ceremonies. One website describes the Chuppah as a symbolic reminder:

The Chuppah reminds us of the events on Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the Torah from God. Even though the Jewish nation accepted the Torah wholeheartedly, God insisted that they also keep the Torah out of fear, as well as out of love. This was done by lifting the mountain over their heads and stating that if the Jewish nation does not accept the Torah, the mountain will be dropped on them.

So too, one must enter the wedding covenant with immense love and also a sense of fear. Not a fear of what's coming, but rather a sense of reverence for the holiness of marriage.

Pretty cool! Rabbi Buzz communicated this reality very clearly and with conviction.

The guy next to me let me know he is Jewish and gave a little commentary throughout the service...

The first part of the service was led by the Catholic Priest, a very gentle-spirited man who was personable. He explained what was going on as the service progressed.

I found it interesting that during the responsive Scripture readings and prayers, no one on the groom's side participated (except for Rabbi Buzz and the groom's mother who was visibly praying the Lord's prayer).

A small boy in front of us spent most of the ceremony trying to annoy the teenage girl sitting next to him. He did a great job.

Rabbi Buzz was very direct with the couple, challenging them with the sacred nature of their vows and commitment. He was the kind of guy you'd love to have over for dinner and hear him tell stories.

It was beautiful to see people from 2 backgrounds come together and honor one another's traditions.

On the other hand it seemed like an impossible charge - to be totally devoted to their faith and to honor and respect one another's faith???

Both Catholicism and Judaism call for absolute devotion to their central tenets. How can you do that as a couple? Maybe it can, but I've never seen it work (in couples who are devout). Each faith calls for followers to be a part of their community, training, rituals, traditions, raising of the children, etc. It just seems logical that one partner would have to yield to the other and not be devoted to their own tradition for this to work.

Toward the end of the ceremony the guy next to me let me know that Rabbi Buzz didn't have his own congregation so I would have to "calibrate accordingly." I think he meant Rabbi Buzz was "less than" a real Rabbi but I was impressed.

The service concluded with the drinking of the cup and breaking of the glass by the groom, a symbol of renouncing everything of the past and entering a new life together.

Meaningful vows, powerful symbols, new beginnings, new challenges. Lord have mercy...

Equipped to navigate hardship

It seems like in every season of history, a particular aspect of God's nature is being highlighted. You can't go anywhere without hearing that same theme. Some 40-50 years ago, a sweet emphasis on the goodness of God began to ring out. It was like cool, refreshing water for a people tainted by extreme legalism. God was reminding us of His great love and His care for His people. He wanted us to know that He provides, He can be trusted, He has your best interests at heart and He answers prayer.

Like anything God highlights, we tend to take it to extremes…

One of the early “preachers” of the message of God’s goodness used to say “The LACK of money is the root of all evil.” “Forget about the pie in the sky, get yours here and now.” “God wants to get you out of the ghetto and into the getmo!”

This fit right in with prosperity messages about God wanting to give you ALL the desires of your heart. Missing was the Biblical call to align ourselves with the desires and will of God, and to abandon selfishness and greed.

I remember complaining to a wiser old man about things not going according to the desires of my heart and he said "Whatever made you think this was all about what you want?" Ouch! But I desperately needed to hear it.

Many begin to believe following Jesus was about getting an upgrade into a faster, prettier, more popular version of you. Faith became a magic formula - "just speak it and it will happen!"

I heard one guy teach if a child died, it was because the parents lacked faith. SICK!

Over the years I’ve seen many disillusioned people bail out on their faith because of beliefs like this when encountering hardship. One person I know wasn't physically healed after praying "the right prayer" and gave up on praying.

Sadly, we’ve done a poor job of equipping people to follow Jesus through hard times. We’ve equated God’s blessing with lack of hardship, rather than nearness of His presence. We’ve wrongly judged people by their possessions versus their depth of character.

We do need reminders that God is good. And we need His Word to provide beacons of truth in dark times.

When I think of being equipped to navigate hardship, I am reminded of the following:

• He is intimately acquainted with our ways.
• He loves to answer prayer (though not always in the way I'd like).
• He works everything together for good.
• What the enemy intends for evil, He turns to good.
• He uses suffering to teach us He is WITH US in the valley of the shadow of death.
• He uses hardships to bring to bring to death our pride.
• He uses blessing to awaken us to His goodness and love.
• He blesses us so we can in turn bless others.
• He brings His glorious presence into our imperfections and brokenness (versus eliminating them).
• He provides peace when anxiety over possessions would rule us.
• He gives joy when the ashes of defeat are still visible.

Finally, a steady diet of reading larger sections of Scripture (versus select passages) can provide great comfort and a sound mind. I'm think I'm finding both...

Looking at Job

In times of suffering where can we look? Many look to the story of Job, as he obviously suffered greatly and wrestled with the hard questions.

BTW, many of my thoughts on Job come from reading Gregory Boyd's observations in his book "Is God to Blame?"

Here are a few of those thoughts:

Job was written to highlight the encounter in heaven while leaving characters and events on earth in the dark, showing that suffering is sometimes caused by things about which people know nothing.

Job and his friends were of the "blueprint worldview" - that God is behind (rather than against) Job's losses and suffering.

Job's friends therefore state that he should actually be happy and accept his plight as discipline from God (5:17-18)

They insist that if Job "learns his lessons" that he will get back his protection and blessing (5:19-20, 22, 24-27)

You can see why we use "Job's comforters" to indicate people we'd rather not have around =)

Job views God as being his adversary rather than his advocate (10:8, 16, 20; 16:7-9, 30:21)

God answers, never acknowledging He is the one behind Job's suffering, but rather, appealing to factors in creation to explain why Job can't understand suffering (chapters 38-41)

Job spoke honestly in the middle of his suffering, and God answered with what Job needed to know - mostly addressing why Job couldn't understand his suffering and perhaps most importantly correcting Job's image of God.

When God is done talking Job confesses "I have uttered what I did not understand", states that he can now see God clearly, "You instruct me... no my eyes see you", and repents (42:3-4)

What if...

Job's repentance was connected with his faulty perception of God and the causes of his suffering, including his original confession "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away" (1:21)??

God wants us to view suffering as not always caused nor desired by Him?

There are factors we will never understand?

Suffering is not always a part of God's discipline (compare Hebrews 12:7-11 and John 9:1-3)?

Some suffering is the horrible reality of living in a fallen and broken world (John 16:33)?

Some is caused by poor choices (Galatians 6:7-8), some a part of ongoing kingdom conflict (Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Thessalonians 2:18), and some a precursor to blessing (John 9:1-3)?

I gather from looking at Job that God is not always the author (nor desirous) of our suffering. And that no easy answers await us. Our sin marred all of creation, we're in a spiritual battle, and as a result this world is largely messed up.

About the time I think I’ve got some aspect of suffering figured out, I discover I’m wrong.

What I hold on to is that God is good, and works everything together for good.

Responding to Suffering

Patti was in her early 30's, married with a five year old daughter, and in the final stages battling a brain tumor. We were specifically asking God to heal her, many were praying, but her physical condition was worsening.

She said to me, "The way I see it, I have 2 choices. Either I can believe God is good, or I can believe God is really good and worship Him." I sat there stunned at her faith and refusal to do anything other than trust.

We watched her battle the cancer. She wrestled with the thought of leaving her family behind, but she expressed comfort in knowing it would be temporary. And she worshipped.

There were so many evidences of God's nearness and comfort, and at the same time there weren't many answers. Why was God allowing this? Why take her at such an early age? How could He be touching her so powerfully with joy and peace and not with physical healing?

Right at the very end, Patty's sister and parents were staying at the house, all helping care for Patty along with her husband. Patty's sister was struggling in particular with her own faith in God. She was awakened one night by the sound of singing. She thought it was a stereo outside but got up to look around and there was no one there. She tried to go back to sleep but heard it again. As she lay there in bed it just got louder.

She then saw, like a vision, some of her loved ones who had died and gone to heaven were on the other side of a shoreline, they were the ones singing. She ran down and awakened her parents to describe the scene and the song. They were overwhelmed with joy as she gave descriptions of loved ones, some she had never seen before. She hummed the song she was hearing and they told her it was from the hymn Ring the Bells of Heaven. These are the words:

Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For a soul, returning from the wild!
See, the Father meets him out upon the way,
Welcoming His weary, wandering child.

Glory! Glory! How the angels sing:
Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!
’Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,
Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

Wow!!

A few days later Patty passed from this life to join those awaiting her arrival in heaven.

Though questions may remain in suffering, I want to have an attitude like Patty - "God is really good and I'm going to worship Him." And I want to be more in touch with the reality of eternal life - where the kingdom of heaven is breaking in...

Unhelpful responses to suffering

I was a teenager when my grandfather was in the hospital for the last months of his life, struggling with emphysema, never quite able to catch his breath. His eyes were darting around, never comfortable (like anyone who can't breathe). I kept asking him if he needed anything and he would look at me, shaking his head slightly, obviously irritated.

Finally, I asked if he just wanted me to sit quietly with him. He smiled and nodded, as though I'd come across the secret he'd been wanting me to know. A sense of relief overtook me. It was as though my anxiety had been taking some of his breath away. And I can still remember just looking at him. It was as though I was beginning to see him - his desperation, his loneliness, his heart. And I began to be aware of how much God really loved him and was so near.

How we respond to suffering can be quite unhelpful, as I've learned the hard way...

Here are some of the worst things we can say to others:

"God only gives us what we can handle, so He must've known you were a strong person"

"The Lord gives us grace to handle whatever comes our way"

"I know exactly how you feel"

"I know somebody who went through something like what you're going through" (followed by sharing someone else's long story)

"God must have needed them in heaven" or "God must have needed another angel"

"It must have been the Lord's will" which implies He desired this to happen.

Again, none of these is helpful.

Our sincere desire to help, mixed with the need to alleviate our own discomfort produces responses like this. We mistakenly think correct information will remove suffering.

Like if we could only "download our file" into someone else's grief, their "operating system" would be greatly improved. People don't need downloads or forwards, they need someone to be with them.

Think of the most quoted Psalm, the one most people pick in their time of loss. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.... Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You help me understand all the reasons why I'm here." No! It is "for You are WITH me."

The Lord my Shepherd, Jehovah Rohi in Hebrew. What a beautiful picture of His tender care when we like vulnerable sheep are in desperate need.

We need to experience Him being "with us" so we can "be with" others. We need a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The most helpful response to other's suffering is just what we need - "I'm so sorry" without trying to fix people. Healing comes from the Good Shepherd. Just reading the Scripture out loud to another without trying to explain it (it is amazing how the Holy Spirit can bring comfort through His Word).

The depth of love in a relationship can sometimes be seen in what is unsaid, savoring closeness without being invasive, asking questions, listening, being un-rushed and tuned in.

In the next few posts I'm going to keep looking at the issue of suffering...

s p a c e

I've been pondering the value of space...

Not just physical space, but mental, spiritual and emotional space. It seems such a rare and unexplored commodity, it could be seen as the final frontier.

Recently I read "a life of hurry can become superficial. When we rush, we skim the surface, and fail to make real connections with the world or other people." (Carl Honore)

• According to one poll, the average working parent spends twice as much time on email as playing with their children.
• In Japan, parents now book their kids into twenty-four hour "child-minding" centers.
• In a poll of British adults, 1/2 said their hectic schedules had caused them to lose touch with their friends.

Alexis de Tocqueville blamed the shopping instinct for messing up the pace of life: "He who sets his heart exclusively upon the pursuit of worldly welfare is always in a hurry, for he has but a limited time at his disposal to reach, to grasp, and to enjoy it." He said that in the 1830's, scary!

It seems that Sabbath has more benefit than just a day off work. We have been wired to operate most effectively when we have space. If we miss out on sleep, down-time between activities, regular days off, and stuff that renews us, fact is, we simply miss out and our bodies let us know by eventually getting sick or crashing.

I know my levels of creativity and effectiveness suffer greatly when there is no space.

I'm all for the latest in technology. But sadly I can find myself enslaved to "time-saving" devices. Many times I've started to unscrew something only to spend 15 minutes looking for my cordless drill (hidden away in one of my son's "projects"). I could have used a regular screwdriver, but why do that when I can be saving time.?!

One thing I've worked on this past year is spending some time alone with God when I'm not doing anything. I am focusing on Him and thinking about Him, but I'm not reading, talking or writing. To "be still and know that I am God" is not very easy, and to just "be with" Jesus can be quite uncomfortable.

However, I never come away from those times without being more aware of God's transcendence and feeling refreshed.

I can't imagine the branch on the vine producing any more fruit by stressing out.

Father, help me to understand the way you've made me so I can bring glory to Your Name.

You are the Good Shepherd. Empower me to sprint when I need to, to lie down when you're making me lie down. Help me to muse upon your goodness during every activity, by quiet streams of water and in heavy traffic. Help me to be still and know that you are God. And grant me courage to say "no" to busyness, so I can say "yes" to your leadership. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Fishing, friends and refreshing

I just returned from a great week with my friend in Missouri. We grew up fishing farm ponds in SE Kansas, painting houses, golfing and learning how to follow Jesus (not necessarily in that order).

When we moved to Colorado in 1983, he and his wife bought a little fishing resort in Branson.

Here are a few things I was hit with in hanging out with him:

• he loves to fish
• he's the kind of friend who would do anything for you
• he enjoys helping others - taking young people in to their home, guiding on the lake, caring for his family, serving at church, championing the less fortunate
• his family is one of the kindest and closest knit I know
• he's a great cook who always has the latest techniques for making fish and wild game taste amazing
• and he loves to fish

When we were in high school he wanted to buy this lake property (great fishing lake) so he could build some places for people to stay and get refreshed. That didn't work out, but the dream came true shortly thereafter. He loves to build "places" for people to enjoy.

The other interesting thing about my friend is that he is an off the charts introvert. He doesn't like big parties. He would just as soon take one person out on the lake versus sit around in a group and talk.

Just imagine what it is like when we're in a boat together. Long and extended periods of silence :) We eventually get around to talking about what is going on, and we rarely leave any topic untouched.

It seems like that is true of every great relationship when you're comfortable with someone. Like music, sometimes it is the notes you don't play that make the music awesome.

We caught lots of fish, over 100 in about 15 hours of fishing (it helps when your friend becomes a fishing guide).

And just like old times, one of us was typically exclaiming "oh man, I can't believe I missed that bite. I think he was huge..."

Here is to friends who follow God's dreams -- serving others by using their gifts and making a place for them.

Imperfect people

After our first week in the Book of Esther, a friend asked me “So what’s up with Esther having 75k people killed at the end of the story?” He had read ahead, specifically referring to chapter 9 in which it states, “They gained relief from their enemies by killing 75,000 of them.”

What a great question, and it begs for more than I can respond to in this blog. But here is a short reply.

One of the things we have to realize when reading the Bible is that human weakness is portrayed throughout. Even the heroes of the Bible (like Esther) were imperfect. They do great things for God, then, they do something off the wall.

Many times the Bible is silent in terms of commentary. In other words, the author of Esther does not say her actions were over the top, that power got to her head and she should not have pushed for an extra day of killing her enemies. We’re left to wonder about her motivation, and what God thought about it.

Esther was an imperfect Jewish girl, elevated to the position of Queen of Persia. Against Jewish laws she had sex with a pagan king, married him, did not practice many ritual laws, and kept her faith private. I’m guessing she wrestled with all of this but I’m not sure how much.

However, God used her in a mighty way to spare the Hebrews from annihilation.

The Bible is still a story of redemption history, how God was and is intervening in this imperfect world and ultimately will set everything right.

When reading the Bible, we have to be careful to avoid interpreting silence on a matter as validation. We have to guard against putting people on pedestals as though God were endorsing their every action. Only when it clearly states they were doing what God asked and it is consistent with the overall teaching of the Bible do we embrace it as an example to follow.

We look to Jesus, who was in himself the exact representation of the Father. He fulfilled the law of God perfectly. He also reinterpreted much of the law, revealing the intentions of God (“you have heard it said…, but I say unto you…”).

So in the Esther story, we read through the lenses of “loving your enemies” and “praying for those who persecute you” and “entrusting yourself to God.” We rejoice in God’s deliverance and we leave judgment in His hands.

We can learn from Esther’s courage, from Mordecai’s character, and from God’s sovereign hand in working everything together for good. And with God’s help, the whole counsel of Scripture, and being in loving community, we can sort through understanding what applies to us.

And we can avoid putting people on pedestals by realizing gifting does not validate behavior. What a hard lesson to learn...

Incompatible?

Recently I updated my computer’s operating system, only to result in my printer not working. Come to find out the printer company had not written new drivers to coincide with the release of this new operating system. I discovered this after researching computer forums (fun stuff), several tech support calls (my most favorite thing), buying a new printer that was compatible (supposedly), returning that printer, doing more research, and finally getting a printer that works splendidly.

BTW, I am the IT guy in my house. The hours are long and the pay not so good.

Technology is such a time saver, until it doesn’t work. The reality is that in a time of diversity and rapid change, incompatibility is standard fare.

In our current series in the Book of Esther I’ve been reminded of this reality in following Jesus. Jesus was incompatible with 2 groups of people – the people who thought He was taking this God thing a bit too far, and the religious folks who thought He should join them in being mean.

It seems we get to engage in the same struggle… The Bible clearly points to this.

Peter said “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.” 1 Peter 4:4 NLT

Paul said “The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Message

On the other hand Paul said “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.” Romans 14:1 NASB

And Jesus said (the Message Version paraphrase) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.” Matthew 7:1-2 Message

It seems to me that the challenge is to live in the radical middle: so in love with Jesus that people accuse you of being foolish, and so in love with people that others accuse you of being too accepting.

Living in the radical middle means you will be incompatible with those content to live a life lacking in love (for whatever reason). The drivers just won’t work.

However, Jesus understands and is able to resolve the hardest of situations. He did that with me, as I originally believed loving God shouldn’t go too far…

At the very least (and most important) He gives a peace which surpasses our understanding and helps us endure incompatibility.

So the next time I find myself in a similar conflict, I purpose to keep moving toward the radical middle. I want to let my love for God and my love for people grow to uncomfortable depths.

And I will keep praying that everyone updates their software to work with MAC.

Uncertainty

It was 1988, and we just found out “we” were pregnant. We’d been married for 6 years and had a four-year-old son. The timing just didn’t seem ideal…

I was in the middle of a “God, what are you doing in my life?” season. I was agitated, frustrated, filled with self-doubt, afraid of making a wrong decision, feeling pressed from every side. You know, one of those times everything looks okay outwardly but inwardly you feel like you're sinking?

I had been in my job for a few years - counseling, pastoring, training lay people to counsel, learning the ropes in ministry… I was getting acclimated with bizarre as the standard fare.

I was fresh out of seminary where we were taught to “integrate” psychology and theology. I had 3 counselees who were satanic ritual abuse victims, and several others in serious condition. They weren’t much in need of what I had written about integration, but were desperate for some relief and healing.

There was some progress in people’s lives, which was very gratifying, but at the same time I had this nagging sense something wasn’t right. It wasn’t what I was doing that was wrong, it was that God was preparing me for new orders (little did I know).

I learned that God uses the air of uncertainty to draw us into a place of readiness to hear His call. It is amazing how disarray precedes order.

Most of the time it has meant staying put and reordering us internally.

But this time was different...

With the mounting internal struggle, June and I began to pray daily for God to show us His will, "Was I missing something?" I felt like the young eaglet being taught to fly by the mother bringing back thorns to the nest.

So we started the process of exploring other options for a ministry position. Then June got pregnant. If we were to change positions we would lose our insurance and surely God wouldn’t want us to do something that could put us in a place of risk or cost us financially.?

But as we stepped forward everything came together. A new position opened miraculously. We were able to transition rather smoothly.

We got on the “We have no insurance baby plan” - a flat rate of $1,700 at Rose Hospital for prenatal care and birth ($10 a diaper at the hospital not included).

We were freaked out but excited. Everything went surprisingly well and we had a new beautiful blond-haired blue-eyed boy (recessive gene thing).

Our small group leadership team shocked us by collecting a special offering that paid for the birth of our son. Wow. At every turn God provided.

After 3 years we were launched again back into the area of Aurora we had left. Everything that hadn’t made sense about the timing and our struggles now made sense.

Sometimes we’ve navigated uncertainty pretty well. Other times, we’ve done more freaking out… But God has always been faithful. All three of our sons were born in a time of uncertainty, and coincided with great blessing. And every season of uncertainty has brought a strengthening of what matters most.

We don't plan on having any more babies, but we do plan on trusting the Lord with all our heart, not leaning on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledging Him, knowing He WILL direct our paths.