Posted on December 19, 2011 at 6:43am.
This time of year heightens the reality within our relationships. It seems to give us permission to be even more expressive in conversations, cards, and gifts. For the first in my adult life my dad is coming for Christmas and I got a little carried away yesterday shopping for an 88 year old man’s stocking. It seemed like a very odd role reversal to be wrapping toothpaste, socks and underwear for my dad (TMI), but it was a hoot. Though we live in different states the years have drawn us closer, and I am extra excited, in fact our family is thrilled to have Pop Pop here for Christmas. Likewise, the holidays reveal what is not right, what is broken. And this week is going to be really hard in the lives of some friends whom we love, for the expectation of joy, warmth, and closeness only reveals a greater hurt and distance. Only God can bring the healing. I know that. I have experienced it. Pleading with the Father for a work that only He can do.
Posted on December 18, 2011 at 6:48am.
Worship. What is this really? In a couple of hours I will be involved in worship services, but what does it mean to worship? Is it the music, or how much I connect with that? The preaching? The gathering together with others who believe what I believe? The conversations in the courtyard? How will I know if I have worshipped today? Perhaps the answer is simple. Like the Magi who bowed down and worshipped, they simply recognized Jesus for who He is. That can happen in song, sermon, and conversation, but all of that is still an outflow of heart and mind. Recognizing again this morning who Jesus is, and desiring to keep this truth at the forefront of all the activities that will unfold today
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 7:16am.
I realized after praying for a bit this morning that I had launched into a litany of requests, a whole lot of “asks”. I climbed onto the Father’s lap and rattled through a list of all the things I want Him to do, just like so many kids at the mall will do today. And I don’t feel shamed by these requests, for to pretend that they are not there is only a mental game that discounts the reality that God already knows my heart, and what is on it. I may have gotten it in reverse today, but this list acknowledges who He is, for no one can provide the movement and involvement in the lives of others and my own that I am requesting from God. God, and God alone remains the ultimate source of power, change, and comfort. And so I ask, and will continue to ask.
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:53am.
We love the whole idea of Immanuel, God being with us. We love this because no matter what we are facing, no matter what comes into our lives, and no matter what is taken from us - we are not alone. When all earthly support fails, and it does, there is this comforting reality that we cling to - the presence of God. It is probably the greatest comfort in this human existence. We offer it to others when there is literally no other truth that will touch their pain, and we remind ourselves of the same when the bottom falls out. God being with us ( I am with you always, even to the end of the age) is profoundly comforting, but if you allow this truth to resonate a bit, this truth is profoundly compelling as well. God is with us, He knows us and is more intimately acquainted with us than any friend,sibling or spouse. He knows the secret thoughts, motives, and behaviors that have been kept from sight. The tragedies of sin and moral failings of our lives don’t just happen in the spur of a moment, they begin in the ever small places within us, and having room to grow in secret they appear on the scene eventually with a sense of surprise to others, but not to us, not really. We are not alone, nothing is secret, there is no private place that is not known by Immanuel. Comforting and compelling.
Posted on December 13, 2011 at 7:05am.
One home, one to go. Though I absolutely love this chapter of life with the girls out of the house, I absolutely love having them come home. Yesterday our oldest finished her last final and drove through TN and is upstairs asleep in her bed. It’s a good feeling. Praying for the other little munchkin to finish her papers and finals this week and head for the homeland on Friday. This chapter feels like a win win, great to have them out, great to have them home.
