Posted on May 12, 2008 at 6:39am.
We sang a song this weekend in services “I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue. Where else can I go”. I was swept up in worship, moved by the honest to goodness truth laid out in melody as we surrendered that sentiment to Him. Today, there is no stellar band, no crowds of vocals, but the clear and present reality for me as I face my day, my life, my stuff - that I need you to Jesus, to come to my rescue. A different slant on another great song - give me Jesus. May God be pleased at this days end that we sought Him, that we relied on Jesus as we faced whatever this day unfolds.
Posted on May 8, 2008 at 9:23am.
Sort of been dreading mothers day this year. My mom has been gone for two years now, and initially after she had left this world whenever I thought of her I really didn’t feel all that sad. I felt so thrilled for her - no longer weak, no longer a shell of who she was in the prime of her life. I thought of her healthy and happy with Jesus. Whenever she would come to mind I immediately thought how incredibly blessed I was to have a mom, who along with my dad, gave me a wonderful childhood and a great launch into life. Though in recent months, I have felt more dramatically the loss of her presence. A few months back I actually started dialing (punching, no one dials anymore) the numbers to call and tell her something that I thought would crack her up, and realized she can’t be reached. I miss the woman. She was no saint, but she came awfully close at times in the way she cared and loved her husband and her five boys. I miss all the deep stuff, the real grit of our relationship, but what I find myself missing more in recent days is all the common stuff. I had a flashback last weekend as I came in the back door at home and got a wiff of Lemon Pledge. My mom would make spaghetti and meatballs every Saturday night, so on Saturday afternoon when you came into the house the first thing that hit you was the smells of lemon and tomato sauce, usually all the windows were open as she routinely aired out the house (what with a house full of boys that was a necessity) and to to top it off she would have the lid open to the stereo/hifi as Perry Como and Andy Williams would be turned up to just before static volume to serenade her as she cleaned, singing off key and in full voice. That was all mock-able material as a teenager, and Lord knows we mocked, but is the stuff I miss today.
Posted on May 7, 2008 at 1:39pm.
I had to get my eyes checked again, because I can’t see. A few years back I went out and bought a large print Bible so I could preach without my reading glasses. Last year I started preaching with reading glasses and my large print Bible. Sitting in the dark reading an eye chart this week the doctor said flippantly - its a shame how those birthdays keep marching across your eyes. I have a prescription for stronger bifocals - yippee! I am not the only person getting older. My pal Paul, Mr. Big House Worship, turned 40 this week. Another one has crossed over. It reminded me of one other staff member who turned 40, a long long time ago. Take a look at Jimmy at Dream-week the year he turned 40. I won’t tell you the year.
Posted on May 7, 2008 at 9:41am.
I have spoken with so many folks this week who have needed to be reminded that God is present. In a community our size there is a heap of hurt that can very easily keep us from the reality that God is exactly that - present. Jesus is near, and the Holy Spirit has not moved - but remains within. Our Christian-ese has implied mis-truths. We do not invite Jesus into our day, or to be present in our midst, or even to attend our services. We recognize that He is present. Oh that today, no matter what heap of mess is at our feet, we would acknowledge His presence, and that the truth of His presence would bring the very peace our hearts yearn for. ( “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” - Jesus)
Posted on May 4, 2008 at 5:55am.
I was sitting out on my patio early this morning with Paisley, our half breed, and enjoying an amazing cup of coffee, just listening to the sounds of morning. My backyard has been a work in progress. We moved in ten years ago, and just last year I turned my efforts to this mass of space and shade. I spent a ton last year on shrubs and perennials, not knowing we were heading for a drought. I was convinced I had lost pert near most of what I planted, but this morning I sat there sipping away with surprise as the hosta and ferns made their way out of that hard dry soil to the light of day. Not only did they emerge, but with new growth, they seem fuller and healthier. I wondered how much new growth has taken place in my life this past year, I wondered if God were sitting there enjoying the morning and watching me rise for another day, if He sees any resemblance in me, to what I saw this morning. I sure hope so.
