“Don’t worry about it,” Logan snarled. “I owe ya.” With that, he shook each of the Caterpillar’s hands, bowed deeply and raced out of the room and out of the dilapidated building. He didn’t run far before he smelled something familiar. He extended his metal claws when he turned toward a familiar face.
“Corpse Flower,” Logan said matter-of-factly. “I could smell your rotting flesh and garbage a mile away. And what’s with the tutu?”
The tall, gray humanoid-sunflower mutant shook with maniacal laughter and extended a petal appendage toward Logan.
“You owe me, Logan!” Corpse Flower screamed. “You owe me!”
Logan circled. “Yeah, I owe you. I didn’t bury you when I had the chance.” With that, Logan leaped on Corpse Flower, and, with claws slashing, severed it in half.
“Logan! You owe…” it screamed again before its voice faded away to a whisper.
Logan jumped off and retracted his claws. “I’m not a gardener,” he told Corpse Flower’s remains. He then noticed an official-looking piece of paper in one of Corpse Flower’s petals. Logan picked it up and read. A shudder came over him. He read “Services Rendered – FTD - $345.12.”
Logan instantly remembered the funeral and the flowers for that enemy he respected in Germany the year before. He had forgotten to pay the bill. Stinky ol’ Corpse Flower was the florist. He was a nasty enemy but he knew his bouquets.
“Darn, bub,” he said sadly, staring at Corpse Flower. “I guess I did owe ya.”
Logan sat sadly with his fallen enemy as the noonday sun beat down upon them both. With Corpse Flower’s rotting stench and Logan’s mutant sweat, it made for a horrific odor. It drew onlookers who kept a safe distance.
Friday, September 07, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
One finger...
I had surgery to see what was causing some weird abnormality. I almost chickened out of the surgery. I’ve never had a surgical knife touch my body before. I haven’t had to. I know lots of women so much younger than me who have. Big surgeries. Stuff that they get put to sleep for. The doctor put my finger to sleep. It’s more like a needle delivering a hard concussion to the finger. It hurts just for second or two. Then it’s lights out. Just a small part of me, anyway.
I sang worship songs in my head. Revelation Song. Your Holiness Surrounds Me. No reason for those songs in particular. Just because I had used them to lead the prior worship service. It helped. It always helps when I’m at the dentist. I ignored the sounds of the surgery. Even when I was tempted to look at what was happening. I didn’t look. Not even one little peek. I listened to their voices, instead. They talked about what they were doing, the doctor and his assistant. They talked about the surgery. They gossiped. It was funny. “You are beauty and light, no darkness at all…”
The doctor put a bandage on me. Then he printed a prescription for a strong painkiller. Then he told me to schedule a follow up appointment. He said goodbye and left the room. After I left I made the appointment and waited for my husband to pick me up. I was emotional. I needed him. So much.
Since then I have been in a haze from the painkiller. I have been kept awake from searing pain. I have been frustrated with my inability to do much of anything. I have spent way too much time online and far too little time in the shower. I have tried to cope with not serving my family by baking and cooking. I have looked at recipes with sadness. I have been scared and anxious. I have cried. And I have been reminded that this will get better. My husband and kids have shown me that they can serve me by helping out. My friends have been very caring toward me. Someone else offered to lead worship this past Sunday. And my finger will get better in time. I know this because I talked to the doctor on the phone and he said it would. I’ll take his word for it.
"If one part (of the body of Christ) suffers, every part suffers with it..."
1 Corinthians 12:26a
Glory
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
What if?
Our daughter is heading to France in less than three months. She will be gone for a month.
While there she will help out at a Christian youth camp with whatever they ask of her. It will be fun. It will be exciting. But it's also a little scary. On her end, Elizabeth is faced with a million questions and anticipation. On our end, we're watching our oldest step out in obedience and experiencing what God has for her halfway around the world. This is more than just hanging out at a camp in Alps for a month. Elizabeth has had going over to France on her heart for years. Now it's going to come to pass.
Glory and I talked a little last night about the upcoming trip. With a far-away look in her eyes, she softly asked "what if...?" There have been a lot of what ifs lately, more so after we hit the purchase button on Travelocity and secured Elizabeth's tickets. What if she decides to stay over there? What if she gets sick? What if she meets a special someone? What happens to her there or afterward are big questions, but it's really out of our hands. What we know is what she's going through right now.
What if?
That probably is one of the most often asked questions.
Be it far from me to suggest that my wife is the only worrier in the family. My grandmother called me a "worry wart." I guess I have been predisposed to worry most of my life. I have to be reminded all the time that I have very little or no control over things.
Our friends the Macys are in Nepal as I write. They heeded the call to minister to Tibetans several years ago. Instead of Tibet, they ended up in Germany for several years, ministering to Tibetans. Now they are moving to Nepal. What if they didn't go to Germany because it wasn't what they really wanted at the time? What would they have missed out on as God prepared them for Nepal? Looking back now, they would have missed out on unique appointments that affected them and influenced others.
Our friend Jodi is battling cancer. I see her pictures all the time. She's got a great attitude and fearless disposition. What if Jodi didn't have such a great attitude and didn't choose to live in the face of the unknown? How would that effect her friends and family? Anyone who has gone through such a thing knows the answer to those questions. The what ifs are pointless.
There are things that are out of our control. There are things we can't see. And trying to control them is a fruitless exercise.
I shared with Elizabeth the other night James 4:13-15: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”
With so much out of our control in such a short life, it's just best to acknowledge that God has it under control.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Who is God? If He is who He says He is, we shouldn't worry about a thing.
What if?
I don't know. God knows.
And that's OK.
- Bill
While there she will help out at a Christian youth camp with whatever they ask of her. It will be fun. It will be exciting. But it's also a little scary. On her end, Elizabeth is faced with a million questions and anticipation. On our end, we're watching our oldest step out in obedience and experiencing what God has for her halfway around the world. This is more than just hanging out at a camp in Alps for a month. Elizabeth has had going over to France on her heart for years. Now it's going to come to pass.
Glory and I talked a little last night about the upcoming trip. With a far-away look in her eyes, she softly asked "what if...?" There have been a lot of what ifs lately, more so after we hit the purchase button on Travelocity and secured Elizabeth's tickets. What if she decides to stay over there? What if she gets sick? What if she meets a special someone? What happens to her there or afterward are big questions, but it's really out of our hands. What we know is what she's going through right now.
What if?
That probably is one of the most often asked questions.
Be it far from me to suggest that my wife is the only worrier in the family. My grandmother called me a "worry wart." I guess I have been predisposed to worry most of my life. I have to be reminded all the time that I have very little or no control over things.
Our friends the Macys are in Nepal as I write. They heeded the call to minister to Tibetans several years ago. Instead of Tibet, they ended up in Germany for several years, ministering to Tibetans. Now they are moving to Nepal. What if they didn't go to Germany because it wasn't what they really wanted at the time? What would they have missed out on as God prepared them for Nepal? Looking back now, they would have missed out on unique appointments that affected them and influenced others.
Our friend Jodi is battling cancer. I see her pictures all the time. She's got a great attitude and fearless disposition. What if Jodi didn't have such a great attitude and didn't choose to live in the face of the unknown? How would that effect her friends and family? Anyone who has gone through such a thing knows the answer to those questions. The what ifs are pointless.
There are things that are out of our control. There are things we can't see. And trying to control them is a fruitless exercise.
I shared with Elizabeth the other night James 4:13-15: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”
With so much out of our control in such a short life, it's just best to acknowledge that God has it under control.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Who is God? If He is who He says He is, we shouldn't worry about a thing.
What if?
I don't know. God knows.
And that's OK.
- Bill
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Heaven and Hell: A good dose of perspective
I love the Pacific Northwest, but I have to say, the rain of this winter got me down in the dumps.
The other day while running I remember getting panicky while watching yet another cloud bank roll in and vomit out more raindrops. When would this end? Anyone around here would tell you that we haven't dried out in two years. It's just been wet, wet, wet. The ground is soggy all the time. The killer moss is overtaking everything. Squirrels look demonic as they scurry up grotesque lichen-encased trees. It's horrible in this dark corner of hell. What could top this off? A tsunami? Mount Baker exploding and laying down a thick layer of lava. Yes! Bring it on! Put us out of our misery. I've been wanting to tell wandering tourists who stop me for directions, "Welcome to Hell's outhouse."
But wait. Yesterday, spring seemed to finally say, "Yes, I am here." And while pruning our spruce trees yesterday afternoon, I felt myself snap out of it. I felt...nicer, calmer.
While running last night, it actually felt warm. I saw others out walking, biking and jogging. People had smiles on their faces. People were greeting friends on the street, yelling over the traffic when they would get together and have that weekend BBQ. There was even a car full of young people pulled over by a cop. Believe it or not, that was a good sign. People are getting out more. I heard laughter and cheering. I wasn't even bothered by the bleeding blister on my heel.
There are clouds in the sky as I write but there is a yellow orb in the sky, too. Day two of change. I want to chase my kids in the yard. I want to release all the Chihuahuas from the animal shelter and throw Frisbees for them. I want to hug everyone and share my food with them.
Our famous tulips here are ready to bloom. The daffodils already are out in full color. We're watching the buds of apples and plum trees take shape. And we already can taste the blackberries and blueberries that are in abundance in our Garden of Eden. People from all over the Northwest are making their way to our corner of Paradise to see what's so special about this place.
So, maybe life isn't as bad as it seemed a couple of weeks ago.
What a difference a little good weather makes.
-Bill
The other day while running I remember getting panicky while watching yet another cloud bank roll in and vomit out more raindrops. When would this end? Anyone around here would tell you that we haven't dried out in two years. It's just been wet, wet, wet. The ground is soggy all the time. The killer moss is overtaking everything. Squirrels look demonic as they scurry up grotesque lichen-encased trees. It's horrible in this dark corner of hell. What could top this off? A tsunami? Mount Baker exploding and laying down a thick layer of lava. Yes! Bring it on! Put us out of our misery. I've been wanting to tell wandering tourists who stop me for directions, "Welcome to Hell's outhouse."
But wait. Yesterday, spring seemed to finally say, "Yes, I am here." And while pruning our spruce trees yesterday afternoon, I felt myself snap out of it. I felt...nicer, calmer.
While running last night, it actually felt warm. I saw others out walking, biking and jogging. People had smiles on their faces. People were greeting friends on the street, yelling over the traffic when they would get together and have that weekend BBQ. There was even a car full of young people pulled over by a cop. Believe it or not, that was a good sign. People are getting out more. I heard laughter and cheering. I wasn't even bothered by the bleeding blister on my heel.
There are clouds in the sky as I write but there is a yellow orb in the sky, too. Day two of change. I want to chase my kids in the yard. I want to release all the Chihuahuas from the animal shelter and throw Frisbees for them. I want to hug everyone and share my food with them.
Our famous tulips here are ready to bloom. The daffodils already are out in full color. We're watching the buds of apples and plum trees take shape. And we already can taste the blackberries and blueberries that are in abundance in our Garden of Eden. People from all over the Northwest are making their way to our corner of Paradise to see what's so special about this place.
So, maybe life isn't as bad as it seemed a couple of weeks ago.
What a difference a little good weather makes.
-Bill
Monday, March 26, 2012
Truth
Truth doesn't have much meaning these days, it seems. What is true today will not be true tomorrow. Just look at our political environment. Our government can create a law or pass an ordinance based on something that someone perceives as true. A generation later that "truth" may not be accepted as such any longer. Truth, it seems, changes with the wind.
Perhaps there are few things that meet that criteria. But the honest truth should not be subject to someone's interpretation. The one thing that does is the fundamental truth of Christianity: The person of Jesus.
It quite apparent that there are those, most perhaps, who are not too keen on the absolutes, or essentials, of Christianity. And that is where we find more and more people opposed to these truths and the most important truth of all.
Pilate asked Jesus the definition of truth when Jesus said: "Everyone is of the truth hears my voice." -- John 18:37
The Truth was standing before Pilate. Pilate then said to the ones wanting to kill him that he found no fault in Jesus. Ah, but others did because of who He said He was.
And who did He say He was?
"I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. no one comes to the follow except through me." -- John 14:6
That's quite hardcore.
And quite dividing.
The question "What Would Jesus Do?" is a question that has become abused in our culture. From those who don't even believe in Jesus it is used to corner a professed believer, often to "remind" that believer that they are to be loving and accepting and not judgmental. From the believer, it is used to make one stop to question purpose and check the heart. But in Matt. 10:34, Jesus said he came to bring division, simply because of who He is. Our acceptance of Him as Lord will divide even a person's family. I see this to some degree in my extended family. I see the more violent reactions to this truth in places like the Middle East and China where, truly, one risks his or her life to declare allegiance to Christ.
In our country, Christians spend a lot of time immersed in pop culture, trying so hard to make our message palatable to the public. Truth is: we can't. All we end up doing is having the public mock our faith. Look recently at the football quarterback Tim Tebow. It was weekly sport for people to ridicule him. It had nothing to do with the Heisman Trophy winner's ability or inability to play at the pro level. He was unabashed about his faith. That rankled people and he took abuse for it.
That is the line in the sand. It really doesn't matter our views on a variety of issues, really. When the basis of those beliefs are rooted in truth, and that is proclaimed as such, it does create division.
I have in the past been told by people, to the effect, "well, if that works for you..." Yeah, it works for me. And it should for you, too. Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus took my sin and nailed it to the cross. Jesus says to take up my cross and follow him. In essence, I need to come to him and die. There's no good on me. And there's no other way to be reconciled to God. I can't even keep my checkbook balanced on a regular basis. How can I do anything consistent to merit God's favor? It's Jesus and Him alone.
It's a narrow road. It's tough. But it's the Truth.
Perhaps there are few things that meet that criteria. But the honest truth should not be subject to someone's interpretation. The one thing that does is the fundamental truth of Christianity: The person of Jesus.
It quite apparent that there are those, most perhaps, who are not too keen on the absolutes, or essentials, of Christianity. And that is where we find more and more people opposed to these truths and the most important truth of all.
Pilate asked Jesus the definition of truth when Jesus said: "Everyone is of the truth hears my voice." -- John 18:37
The Truth was standing before Pilate. Pilate then said to the ones wanting to kill him that he found no fault in Jesus. Ah, but others did because of who He said He was.
And who did He say He was?
"I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. no one comes to the follow except through me." -- John 14:6
That's quite hardcore.
And quite dividing.
The question "What Would Jesus Do?" is a question that has become abused in our culture. From those who don't even believe in Jesus it is used to corner a professed believer, often to "remind" that believer that they are to be loving and accepting and not judgmental. From the believer, it is used to make one stop to question purpose and check the heart. But in Matt. 10:34, Jesus said he came to bring division, simply because of who He is. Our acceptance of Him as Lord will divide even a person's family. I see this to some degree in my extended family. I see the more violent reactions to this truth in places like the Middle East and China where, truly, one risks his or her life to declare allegiance to Christ.
In our country, Christians spend a lot of time immersed in pop culture, trying so hard to make our message palatable to the public. Truth is: we can't. All we end up doing is having the public mock our faith. Look recently at the football quarterback Tim Tebow. It was weekly sport for people to ridicule him. It had nothing to do with the Heisman Trophy winner's ability or inability to play at the pro level. He was unabashed about his faith. That rankled people and he took abuse for it.
That is the line in the sand. It really doesn't matter our views on a variety of issues, really. When the basis of those beliefs are rooted in truth, and that is proclaimed as such, it does create division.
I have in the past been told by people, to the effect, "well, if that works for you..." Yeah, it works for me. And it should for you, too. Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus took my sin and nailed it to the cross. Jesus says to take up my cross and follow him. In essence, I need to come to him and die. There's no good on me. And there's no other way to be reconciled to God. I can't even keep my checkbook balanced on a regular basis. How can I do anything consistent to merit God's favor? It's Jesus and Him alone.
It's a narrow road. It's tough. But it's the Truth.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Worshipping at the Super Altar
"The Golden Cash Cow had the body of the great cows of ancient Egypt. And the face of Robert Tilton, without the horns." -- Steve Taylor
My wife and I were among the few who didn't go to church yesterday. We were on our way home from our wedding anniversary weekend. But while on the way home I told my wife that I had a confession to make: Had the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks been in the Super Bowl this year, I might have been at church, too. Or at least I would have poked my head into the sanctuary to see what was going on. But my teams didn't get in and so I didn't even glance at yesterday's national televised worship service.
With more than one-third of our nation's population tuning in, there were a lot of people at church yesterday.
The Super Bowl has become our nation's annual church gathering. What other event can guarantee to get us all in one place, excited about one thing and take communion with a big bag of Doritos? We raise our hands, shout in jubilation over victories, and cry in disgust over the opposing team's foothold in our hopes and dreams. Heck, this year the service had Madonna leading the choir on the stage. How appropriate. Thousands of fans across the country even packed real churches to watch their second worship service of the day on the big screen. The Super Bowl is a huge four-act passion play that brings us all together.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all about having some fun and enjoying time with friends and loved ones over a common interest. But, I have to say, the more I read about this year's version of the annual gathering, complete with a completely idolatrous halftime show and sexually-charged commercials, the more I am glad I missed it. For a few years now, too, the networks on which the game has aired has had to apologize for what people had been watching. But then it happens again the following year. It's an opportunity for corporations and famous individuals to push the boundaries of decency as far as it can until we don't care anymore. And it seems that we don't care. After all, it's the Super Bowl. And it's all about fun.
And it's all about a sermon about money that, for once, people don't mind hearing.
It's ironic that for the past year a vocal segment of our society has talked about being part of the 99 percent and hating the wealthy one percent. Those evil people with money, including a current candidate for national office, shouldn't be able to have all that money, they say. Laws need to change so their money can belong to everyone else, others say. Even some famous one-percenters have duped us into thinking that they even believe their fellow one-percenters are the worst of the worst simply because they have more money than them.
But on one particular Sunday every year, people don't seem to mind that those filthy rich millionaires possess what the rest of us never will as long as they keep us entertained for a few hours in their cathedral of avarice. We'll gladly put something in their collection plate. If we can't be like them, we might as well watch them and wish we were them.
But maybe I'm just upset my teams didn't make it to Super Sunday.
Who won, anyway?
Bill
Friday, January 06, 2012
Coming to a doorstep near you
My family and I love to travel. We do. We like to load up the van and take off for parts unknown and familiar, bagging a 4,000-mile trip over a couple of weeks. We like to see the people we know and love and also see the sites of which most people just see pictures.
Because of a few life-changing events in 2011, we have determined to bring our friends in a little closer to us. Our van will get gassed-up and tuned up this summer and take us on a multi-thousand mile trip. Could be 5,000. Could be 8,000. We may only get to go halfway across the country, or perhaps we’ll get to the East Coast. We don't know yet. But it should be fun, exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.
Recently I read about a lady who decided to personally see all 300-plus people on her Facebook friends list. She did it last year and spent more than $30,000 getting the job done traveling the world. What made her trip more remarkable was that she struggles with depression and, prior to her road trip, spent the vast majority of her time housebound, and scared to even leave her home. What a big step to leave under such constraints. And what a show of devotion to friends that she would get out of her bubble to see them.
But such devotion doesn’t have to be shown to someone who lives 2,000 miles away. Perhaps there’s someone across town you don’t spend as much time with anymore. Perhaps they live just an hour away. What is their friendship worth to you? Perhaps it’s time to just invite them over for coffee. Perhaps you can just drop in on them.
I believe with our social media saturated culture, we have perhaps a distorted idea of true friendship. We may have a lot of friends per se, but do we really know them? Would we ever see them? Are they really friends or acquaintances? Granted, we all have acquaintances -- those who we don't mind having in our lives but keep at a distance for some reason or another. But what about those we have broken bread with, cried with, went camping with, grew up with or stood alongside with during a significant life event? What about those we say we love but haven't seen in 20 years and don’t expect to any time soon? Are those friends worth the sacrifice of reconnection? Does a phone call, text, poke or IM just not getting the job done anymore? Do things really bridge the divide? Perhaps it's time to hit the road and see these people, in the flesh.
And that's what we plan on doing in 2012. We long to see our friends face to face. And I can't wait for the bonding that will happen in our family when we again ride together across this country. Those are the things that we build in our children so that they will learn the value of relationships and eventually learn to go the extra miles for those they will soon know and love.
Bill
Because of a few life-changing events in 2011, we have determined to bring our friends in a little closer to us. Our van will get gassed-up and tuned up this summer and take us on a multi-thousand mile trip. Could be 5,000. Could be 8,000. We may only get to go halfway across the country, or perhaps we’ll get to the East Coast. We don't know yet. But it should be fun, exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.
Recently I read about a lady who decided to personally see all 300-plus people on her Facebook friends list. She did it last year and spent more than $30,000 getting the job done traveling the world. What made her trip more remarkable was that she struggles with depression and, prior to her road trip, spent the vast majority of her time housebound, and scared to even leave her home. What a big step to leave under such constraints. And what a show of devotion to friends that she would get out of her bubble to see them.
But such devotion doesn’t have to be shown to someone who lives 2,000 miles away. Perhaps there’s someone across town you don’t spend as much time with anymore. Perhaps they live just an hour away. What is their friendship worth to you? Perhaps it’s time to just invite them over for coffee. Perhaps you can just drop in on them.
I believe with our social media saturated culture, we have perhaps a distorted idea of true friendship. We may have a lot of friends per se, but do we really know them? Would we ever see them? Are they really friends or acquaintances? Granted, we all have acquaintances -- those who we don't mind having in our lives but keep at a distance for some reason or another. But what about those we have broken bread with, cried with, went camping with, grew up with or stood alongside with during a significant life event? What about those we say we love but haven't seen in 20 years and don’t expect to any time soon? Are those friends worth the sacrifice of reconnection? Does a phone call, text, poke or IM just not getting the job done anymore? Do things really bridge the divide? Perhaps it's time to hit the road and see these people, in the flesh.
And that's what we plan on doing in 2012. We long to see our friends face to face. And I can't wait for the bonding that will happen in our family when we again ride together across this country. Those are the things that we build in our children so that they will learn the value of relationships and eventually learn to go the extra miles for those they will soon know and love.
Bill
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
January Stinks
"Fish and visitors smell after three days." -- Benjamin Franklin
My wife and I have long joked about our nemesis, January.
January is pretty sure of itself. It knows that everyone wants to see it. It makes December feel bad, especially right after Christmas. I mean, December just gives us a rip-snorting good time with presents and holiday cheer when January starts knocking on December's door, threatening to kick it out.
And when January comes blowing in on the first, evicting December with its songs, toasts and parties, everyone welcomes it with open arms.
"Oh, January, we thought you'd never get here!" they cry.
Those seeking change snuggle sickly up to January: "Oh January, thank you for giving us a second chance."
And January smugly takes in all the attention. Like a politician, it promises much and predicts great things. It smiles and kisses our babies and makes big speeches about good times to come. And, fresh from Christmas, we salivate for more good times that only December can give, and expect second helpings of holiday heapings from January.
But, oh how quickly our devotions change. We start seeing through January's slick promises. We quickly start realizing that January is, in fact, a thief. It kicked December to the curb and didn't expect to get caught. When the taxman comes, we call for January to help us but it's silent. When the one pound we lost on the second turns into three pounds gained on the third, we cry for help. But January turns a deaf ear. When happiness with friends on Dec. 31 turns into heartache over tragedy, we ask why. And January doesn't give an answer.
No, my friends. Here on Jan. 4, we see January for what it is. January is not a team player. January in and of itself does not fulfill one of its shallow promises. January doesn't keep away the trials, pains, hard work and dedication the way it promised. January, really, does nothing.
January stinks.
- Bill
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Going Home and Living
"This world is not my home. I'm just passing through." - Larry Norman.
Our friend died on Wednesday night. His family told us that the time of Christmas singing and communion that we and some other friends had at his house last Sunday after church was a blessing for him and them, too. Now, he's receiving a lot more of that. And on the eve before Christmas, I can't think of a better Christmas gift than to see the Gift we all have been waiting to open.
Our family is spending Christmas with friends in California. It took a full day to get here, over 1,000 miles, in the fog, in the dark, bypassing accidents and animal carcasses, catching a few winks at a rest area, eating bad road food, multiple bathroom breaks and finally contending with bumper-to-bumper California traffic. All that to spend a few happy days with friends over the holidays.
And it's all worth it for a Merry Christmas with loved ones.
At this point, we are quite sure that our friend, just shy of his 70th birthday, would say the pain and discomfort over the past weeks was worth it to spend Christmas with his Savior.
Merry Christmas, Sonny.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Bill
Monday, December 19, 2011
More from the precipice
"Jesus wept." - John 11:35
Everyone knows or knows of the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus displays His humanity after seeing the grief people feel over the fear and loss of a loved one. Jesus also was moved by the fact that Lazarus was dead.
There's nothing wrong with expressing sadness over things that are beyond our control. Currently, I am wrestling with my emotions and thoughts over watching a friend embracing his last days. And that causes me to ever ponder my end. I don't believe that it shows a lack of faith or belief that God is capable of doing whatever He wants, unless, of course, we are like those in verse 37 of this chapter: “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” That's akin to saying, "I know you're capable of doing anything, God, but you must have been lying down on the job for this one." Let's understand, we can't pick and choose what we think God sees and doesn't see. He does see us and knows what goes on. Everyone knows the 23rd Psalm. They not just pithy words that are written: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear for you are with me."
Jesus understood our greatest fear. He showed His compassion throughout the Gospels through this subject. He wanted to know us and to die for us. He is not cold, calculated and mean. In Luke chapter seven, Jesus was moved with compassion over another scene where a woman was having her dead son being taken out of the house. But He proved his power by raising the son from the dead.
Those two passages of Jesus' interactions with people at the moment of their greatest fears fill me with hope. God can do whatever He wishes. If He wants to heal someone, He can. If He wants to raise someone from the dead, He can. But I also understand that there will come a time when healings don't happen, when temporary relief can no longer delay the inevitable. For that, I have to hope in this: God sees death for what it is: It is a separation of the spirit from its earthly house. In short, at the time of death, our spirit is released to where it will permanently reside. If I really think about it, especially in light of scripture, my soul knows this to be true. I am just renting this body. The best is yet to come.
"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." I Cor. 5:1.
I want to see this place and find out what God has for me. What a step that will be when I finally am given that permission.
Bill
Friday, December 16, 2011
Stepping into the Great Unknown
"There’s a step that we all face alone, an appointment we have with the Great Unknown." – Bob Hartman.
Much has been said and written about dying. What I have to write about it is nothing new and I am quite sure that there are many people out there who can pontificate about the subject with far more eloquence than me.
But death is a raw subject that is meant to be discussed in a raw way. There’s no other way to discuss it than in matter-of-fact openness. It happens to every one of us and there is no escape from it.
My friend Sonny is going home today to die. He has end-stage cancer and it’s inoperable. Yesterday while in his hospital room, I asked him what the doctors are saying, meaning how much time does he have left, etc. I was hesitant from being blunt as I normally am around Sonny for the sake of those in the room who many not share such openness about the subject. He said to me and his relatives in the room that everyone wants to tiptoe around the subject, but stated that the truth of the matter is that he’s dying and he’s OK with that. Over the past year as he has dealt with his cancer, he said that dying isn’t the problem but has been more contemplative over God using him in the lives of others. I will say with a certainty that Sonny’s humility and courage has made a permanent mark in my life.
No, death is not the problem. It’s an open door to eternity. For those who will get upset reading this to argue with me about proof of an afterlife, I will say believe what you want. But whatever you do believe about death still requires faith. My faith is in Jesus who died and rose again, so what is there to worry about? But I still need to have faith and believe that when I breathe my last and the lights go out, that my existence will go on. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,” Paul wrote in II Corinthians 5:8. If there is a God then I have to believe that He has all aspects of life covered from birth to death. And I would rather cling to a hope that God will hold my hand during that time than to just be afraid not knowing what to expect, or that life is going to go on without me. If God has been with me through other times in my life, why would the end of my final chapter be any different?
Honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around it all right now. But I don’t need to be concerned with that right now. For Sonny, God is revealing Himself to him and granting him that special measure of grace to get him through the most difficult thing in life. That’s why he can say with confidence and a smile that he’s dying, and he’s accepted that because Jesus is waiting for him. And for that I am encouraged. With Him waiting, what is there to fear?
Monday, June 20, 2011
The finisher's medal
"Are you going to win, Dad?" my five-year-old son asked me as I got my running gear prepared the night before I ran a half-marathon a couple of days ago. I told him I would do my best. "I hope you win," he said over and over.
I ran the half marathon in 1:52:53, my fastest time yet among the three I've done over the past year.
I like running. I missed it so much when I didn't run for 15 years, until September 2009. Now I am the older runner. I've never fit the bill of a star runner. I know my limitations. For me it's not about getting to the finish line first, but getting there having done my best, using all my strength and endurance and hopefully learning from mistakes in training and performance and getting better and reaching, not just making, difficult but worthy goals.
Running is such a great analogy for the Christian life. Paul used it in his letters. When that day comes when I have breathed my last, I just want to hear Jesus say "Well done." At that point, to even have made it to His presence would be joyous. I am running to win the ultimate prize.
I noticed when I was heading into the finish line (with my legs feeling increasingly like lead weights) I had salt foam bubbling out of the bottom of my shorts by my left thigh. That was weird. I was sweating like a racehorse! Now, it's kind of icky, but it also was really kind of cool. Can I really push my body to its limits? What does that look like? What will happen when I run a marathon in 14 weeks? I'd better not see that salt foam for that could spell disaster and could find myself being too dehydrated. Nevertheless, it's strangely fun to experiment, make some corrections to hydration and training and see where that takes me.
When my family saw me come in 27th out of 78 runners, I told my son I beat a lot of people but again stressed that I just wanted to do my best -- and I did. He saw my finisher's medal and I put it on his neck. In fact, each of my kids took turns wearing the medal, sharing in their dad's success. I ran well, and that was the important thing.
I ran the half marathon in 1:52:53, my fastest time yet among the three I've done over the past year.
I like running. I missed it so much when I didn't run for 15 years, until September 2009. Now I am the older runner. I've never fit the bill of a star runner. I know my limitations. For me it's not about getting to the finish line first, but getting there having done my best, using all my strength and endurance and hopefully learning from mistakes in training and performance and getting better and reaching, not just making, difficult but worthy goals.
Running is such a great analogy for the Christian life. Paul used it in his letters. When that day comes when I have breathed my last, I just want to hear Jesus say "Well done." At that point, to even have made it to His presence would be joyous. I am running to win the ultimate prize.
I noticed when I was heading into the finish line (with my legs feeling increasingly like lead weights) I had salt foam bubbling out of the bottom of my shorts by my left thigh. That was weird. I was sweating like a racehorse! Now, it's kind of icky, but it also was really kind of cool. Can I really push my body to its limits? What does that look like? What will happen when I run a marathon in 14 weeks? I'd better not see that salt foam for that could spell disaster and could find myself being too dehydrated. Nevertheless, it's strangely fun to experiment, make some corrections to hydration and training and see where that takes me.
When my family saw me come in 27th out of 78 runners, I told my son I beat a lot of people but again stressed that I just wanted to do my best -- and I did. He saw my finisher's medal and I put it on his neck. In fact, each of my kids took turns wearing the medal, sharing in their dad's success. I ran well, and that was the important thing.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Eating Your Spinach
Spinach just happens to be one of those amazing power foods that packs a lot of nutrients into one serving. Spinach is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Niacin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. In other words, it's just that healthy!The downside of spinach is the taste. It has a deep earthy flavor that some adults and kids alike find off-putting. But if we are to be good stewards of our bodies then finding ways of incorporating good nutritious food like spinach into our diet is essential.
Enter the smoothie! Smoothies are a fun easy way to get lots of good stuff into our diets without sacrificing flavor and enjoyment. Just take this recipe, for example. The spinach gets blended with a banana and wheat germ or flax seed for an added boost of fiber. When it's all ready to pour into a glass the spinach is still there but the banana is the only thing you can really taste. And I did let my kids try this and they loved it.
Banana Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
•1 whole Banana, Sliced
•1 cup Packed Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
•1 cup Soy Milk Or Skim
•1 teaspoon Ground Flax Seed Or Wheat Germ
•½ cups Crushed Ice
Directions
Combine ingredients into a Magic Bullet or blender. Blend for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Serves one.
Glory
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Pineapple Avocado Gazpacho
I LOVE everything pineapple. Pineapple juice, fresh pineapple, pineapple upside-down cake, pineapple salad, pineapple Hawaiian shirts! And I LOVE almost everything avocado. Avocado guacamole, avocado salsa, avocado smoothies, avocado bread (but NOT avocado green refrigerators - I did say almost).But putting pineapple and avocado together in a chilled soup was a little daring, for me, but I am more willing to take the leap when I think about all the health benefits of pineapples and avocados. For instance, pineapple is a great low-calorie food at just 50 calories per 100 grams, or about 1/2 cup. It is high in Vitamin C and is a great digestive aid, especially if eaten between meals as a snack. Avocado is also a wonderful health food, as avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid.
So I dare you to try this recipe and tell me if you're as surprised at how tasty it is as I am!
Pineapple & Avocado Gazpacho Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh pineapple
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 to 1 jalapeno pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 lime
- sprouts (sunflower sprouts are the best) or cilantro for a garnish
Directions:
1. Remove the seeds and chop the jalapeno pepper. Wearing gloves is a great idea when you do this so that you don’t risk your fingers burning, and be careful not to touch your face or eyes until you remove the gloves and wash your hands!
2. Squeeze the juice of one lime into a blender and add 1 cup of pineapple, half an avocado, half the jalapeno pepper and the sea salt.
3. Blend the mixture well.
4. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and mix in the remaining finely chopped 1 cup of pineapple, half an avocado and half the jalapeno pepper.
5. Add a little water if you prefer a thinner soup, but I like my gazpacho thick.
6. Garnish with the cilantro or sprouts and make sure the soup is chilled!
Glory
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Yumminess of God
When describing my personal study to our oldest I referred to the "yumminess of God." She laughed with me as I continued to talk about how many times God's goodness and provisions are expressed with terms like taste, sweet, hunger, satisfy. It's pretty telling, especially when words like fruit and harvest are used, that God fully intends to meet, not only our need of him, but also our desires.This is by no means a comprehensive list, as there are certainly more references than this in all of scripture. But feast on these verses and see how God is truly good and can satisfy all our needs and desires.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Psalm 119:103
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 24:14
In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
Proverbs 27:7
A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.
Psalm 107:9
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:36
He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities.
Psalm 146:7
He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners.
Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
John 6:35
Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
God, You are good and You give us good things, not only for our health and wholeness but also for our enjoyment and pleasure. Open my eyes to Your Word every day so that I can see that You alone can satisfy my deepest longings and desires, that my greatest need for comfort is found in You. Help me to be faithful in seeking You first to satisfy me and fill me. Forgive me of my sinful craving for things that are temporary and will not last. Even my desire to be physically fit is fleeting and not of eternal value. But desiring Your presence and spending time in deep heartfelt worhip of You, Lord, is forever! Thank You for this revelation!
Glory
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Dishwashing Dates and Rocking the Chore Charts
After several frustrating weeks of dishes piled in the sink, laundry piled on chairs, and shoes, books, and toys piled in the corners of various rooms I decided that our system of designating chores was just not working. Everything was on one page and, while it might have worked if everyone was over the age of 30 and understood how to read it, it just looked like no one was working together. Shared activity is very important to our family, be it special outings or simply hanging out at the fire pit. So I decided that that needed to be incorporated into our chore schedules.So I sat down at the laptop and came up with three distinct areas of housekeeping that could be accomplished within the day, even around school and other responsibilities. The pages are "laminated" (with packing tape) so names can be circled off with a dry erase marker for the current day's jobs. The main key is shared jobs and working together. Many hands make light work, right? I believe this nurtures relationships and fosters a sense of teamwork. Cooperative attitudes are encouraged and built up and not one person is left to feel like they're doing everything all the time.
And those "Dishwashing Dates"? Well, for me, washing dishes has never been especially pleasurable but knowing that two days out of the week I wash dishes with Bill makes it something to actually look forward to, like a special date at the kitchen sink! This is also shared, now, and the girls will end up washing dishes with each other or with either Bill or me. It gives us a chance to catch up on their lives and address any problems in a calmer manner.So far this has been working well and will need revision as our children get older. But, for now, we are enjoying the closeness that this brings to our family.
Glory
Monday, April 04, 2011
Spring Break Activities for a Rainy Day
Spring Break, here at the haven, is getting off to a soggy start. That's what we get for living in NorthWest Washington! So, with this in mind my search for Spring Break ideas resulted in these ten great activities that will keep our kids busy having fun.Creative Party Buzz has these top 10 suggestions for Spring Break boredom busters!
1. Put on a Show — Gather the gang and challenge them to stage a play or show off in a talent contest. If they are stuck for ideas, have everyone put their best suggestion in a hat (including you) and draw an idea at random.
2. Get Busy with a Mini-Field Trip — Visit one of your local indoor attractions, such as the bowling alley, skating rink, Laser Tag, indoor pool, climbing wall or even the library. Lots of places offer special events and rates during Spring Break.
3. Get Your Game on! — Raid the game cabinet and find a family favorite to play. Start a puzzle or get active with a game of Twister or Wii.
4. Bring Your Favorite Outdoor Activity Inside — Keep everybody moving by playing a game of Nerf basketball, indoor bowling (roll a rubber ball down the hall to knock over some empty bottles), or beach ball volleyball. You can also come up with lots of fun games using balloons, such as seeing how long you can keep it in the air, or playing monkey in the middle.
5. Have a Treasure Hunt — Make up some clues for your kids to follow to hunt around the house for a hidden treat.
6. Do a craft — Paint, color, make play clay, blow bubbles, or gather up some random bits and pieces and see what your kids’ imaginations can come up with!
7. Exercise — Sometimes a rainy day calls for burning off some extra energy. Break out your exercise videos and get moving. Many cable networks offer lots of exercise shows on demand, or you can usually check out an exercise DVD at your local video store or library.
8. Get Cooking! — Plan a meal or special recipe as a family. Take a trip to the grocery and buy what you’ll need, then come home and work together to prepare your menu. When it’s time to eat, put out your best tablecloth, good china, and some candlelight and enjoy your kitchen creation!
9. Build a Fort — Break out all the cushions, pillows and blankets and build a giant indoor fort. When it is made, pull in your sleeping bags, a special snack, and some flashlights, and cuddle up with a great book.
10. Let it Rain! — Who cares if it’s raining…button up your overcoats, pull on your galoshes, and go play oustide! Run, splash and fool around. Then when everybody is done, gather for a wam bath or some hot chocolate and cookies.
Have a Wonderful Spring Break!
Glory
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Fruit Dip Gone Healthy
"Can we have dessert?"
I hear that every day, sometimes a dozen times a day. I'm not joking. Our kids love dessert.
And who doesn't? Are any of us really so mature that we don't eyeball the candy racks, bakery shelves, and cookie aisles once in awhile?
Curbing the sugar craving, however, is a skill that is already difficult for grown ups, let alone a hopping toddler or preschooler whose tastebuds are hardwired for sweet. And the seasons don't help matters one bit, either. Shortly after the Christmas sugar rush is the allure of Valentine's chocolates, then minty St. patties, then Easter egg-shaped sugar-bombs, then a full Summer of any sweetened milk, yogurt, juice, fudge that can be frozen. Tummy ache, yet? And I haven't even started in on Halloween candy and bountiful Thanksgiving baking.
So, knowing what I know about my children, they like fruit enough to eat it as a snack or as part of their lunch but for dessert? That's a little trickier so I have to either cut it all up into a fruit salad or bake it into something that can be topped off with ice cream. That kind of defeats the purpose of sugar reduction, though. So what solution did I come up with?
Enter Agave.
"Agave nectar or syrup is the juice of the agave plant, which is filtered and heated (raw agave syrup is heated only to 118 degrees F) to create a syrup of a consistency slightly thinner than honey. Agave syrup contains some nutrients including iron and calcium. Unlike white sugar, no animal products are used in filtering. Agave syrup is mainly fructose and glucose though ratios vary from 56% to 92% fructose depending on the agave variety. Because of the high fructose content, agave nectar doesn't raise your blood sugar as much as most other sweeteners."
So, turning fruit into a presentable dessert is actually very easy:
Agave Fruit Dip
1 8 oz pkg low fat cream cheese, or neufchatel cheese, softened
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a deep bowl and blend with handmixer until smooth. Chill until ready to serve with apple wedges, banana slices, whole strawberries, or other crunchy fruit.
"Yes, we can have dessert!"
Enjoy!
Glory
I hear that every day, sometimes a dozen times a day. I'm not joking. Our kids love dessert.
And who doesn't? Are any of us really so mature that we don't eyeball the candy racks, bakery shelves, and cookie aisles once in awhile?
Curbing the sugar craving, however, is a skill that is already difficult for grown ups, let alone a hopping toddler or preschooler whose tastebuds are hardwired for sweet. And the seasons don't help matters one bit, either. Shortly after the Christmas sugar rush is the allure of Valentine's chocolates, then minty St. patties, then Easter egg-shaped sugar-bombs, then a full Summer of any sweetened milk, yogurt, juice, fudge that can be frozen. Tummy ache, yet? And I haven't even started in on Halloween candy and bountiful Thanksgiving baking.
So, knowing what I know about my children, they like fruit enough to eat it as a snack or as part of their lunch but for dessert? That's a little trickier so I have to either cut it all up into a fruit salad or bake it into something that can be topped off with ice cream. That kind of defeats the purpose of sugar reduction, though. So what solution did I come up with?
Enter Agave.
"Agave nectar or syrup is the juice of the agave plant, which is filtered and heated (raw agave syrup is heated only to 118 degrees F) to create a syrup of a consistency slightly thinner than honey. Agave syrup contains some nutrients including iron and calcium. Unlike white sugar, no animal products are used in filtering. Agave syrup is mainly fructose and glucose though ratios vary from 56% to 92% fructose depending on the agave variety. Because of the high fructose content, agave nectar doesn't raise your blood sugar as much as most other sweeteners."So, turning fruit into a presentable dessert is actually very easy:
Agave Fruit Dip
1 8 oz pkg low fat cream cheese, or neufchatel cheese, softened
1/2 cup agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a deep bowl and blend with handmixer until smooth. Chill until ready to serve with apple wedges, banana slices, whole strawberries, or other crunchy fruit.
"Yes, we can have dessert!"
Enjoy!
Glory
Monday, March 28, 2011
My Old Cookbook: Old Fashioned Baked Beans
My mother has two copies of this cookbook by Meta Given, one well-kept edition which was discovered in a used bookstore and another well-used copy which has been in her kitchen for decades. The pages are stained with the ingredients that have been a part of our mealtimes since I can remember. It may not be the only cookbook she owns but there is something so comforting to any domestic chef to have a dog eared and tattered friend who's seen a thing or two sitting in the kitchen offering advice and instruction on feeding bodies and souls. I have a copy of that same book so for me it's also like having my mother working alongside me. I like that feeling.So, today, there is Meta Given's Old Fashioned Baked Beans on the menu, with a few personal tweaks.
2 lbs. dried navy beans (I use pinto with satisfactory results)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon salt
4 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup ketchup
pinch black pepper
*I left out the salt pork from this recipe simply because I didn't have it
My method: Sort beans and place in large pot. Cover with 2 inches water. Bring to a boil on stove. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Return to Dutch oven; add 4 qts. water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are almost tender. Drain and reserve liquid. Combine beans with the remaining ingredients. Transfer to two ungreased 2-1/2-qt. baking dishes or bean pots. Add 1-1/2 cups reserved cooking liquid to each casserole; stir to combine. Cover and bake at 325° for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until beans are as thick as desired, stirring occasionally. Add more of the reserved cooking liquid if needed. Yield: 16-18 servings.
Enjoy!
Glory
Monday, March 14, 2011
Don't Be Afraid {repost}
{February 22, 2010}
The family and I were at the beach at Waldport, Oregon, this weekend. With the blue sky, relatively calm ocean waves and very little wind, we wondered if this really was the latter part of February or May. This is not winter in the Northwest to be sure.
Before we left for home on Sunday, we walked on the beach one last time. The kids ran and played and we drank in the sounds and smells of the beach before we had to head home. I had the kids close their eyes to listen to the waves. I told them to take a deep breath and smell the saltiness of the air. I asked them to remember these moments. When they are in their beds at night waiting for sleep to come, they could remember these times on the beach and retreat back to them.
The Oregon coast is one of our favorite places. We get the spectrum of emotion when visiting. We see the ocean at its angriest in early winter. In the summer, the ocean sometimes pitches a fit but it mostly behaves like a toddler frolicking, kicking around and having a good time. The ocean this weekend was a little flirtacious, teasing us but really meaning no harm.
But in a brief display of might, the teasing ocean yesterday wasn't anything one would want to mess with. It was with that background that I read a little from Mark 6: 48-51:
48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified. "Immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down."
While reading, I asked Murron, our seven-year-old to imagine being on a boat in the waves, being afraid, and then seeing a ghost, and being more afraid, but then realizing it was Jesus, who said to not be afraid. Watching the waves, it wasn't hard imagining what I would do in that situation.
But when God says not to be afraid, He means it. If He made the winds and the seas, then there really shouldn't be anything to fear. It's a constant lesson. But to actually obey the Lord and not fear when things appear to be out of control would be a great thing. Until then, or at least while trying, I'm still begging the Lord to get in the boat with me. I don't want to be out in the storm alone.
Bill
The family and I were at the beach at Waldport, Oregon, this weekend. With the blue sky, relatively calm ocean waves and very little wind, we wondered if this really was the latter part of February or May. This is not winter in the Northwest to be sure.
Before we left for home on Sunday, we walked on the beach one last time. The kids ran and played and we drank in the sounds and smells of the beach before we had to head home. I had the kids close their eyes to listen to the waves. I told them to take a deep breath and smell the saltiness of the air. I asked them to remember these moments. When they are in their beds at night waiting for sleep to come, they could remember these times on the beach and retreat back to them.
The Oregon coast is one of our favorite places. We get the spectrum of emotion when visiting. We see the ocean at its angriest in early winter. In the summer, the ocean sometimes pitches a fit but it mostly behaves like a toddler frolicking, kicking around and having a good time. The ocean this weekend was a little flirtacious, teasing us but really meaning no harm.
But in a brief display of might, the teasing ocean yesterday wasn't anything one would want to mess with. It was with that background that I read a little from Mark 6: 48-51:
48He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50because they all saw him and were terrified. "Immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' 51Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down."
While reading, I asked Murron, our seven-year-old to imagine being on a boat in the waves, being afraid, and then seeing a ghost, and being more afraid, but then realizing it was Jesus, who said to not be afraid. Watching the waves, it wasn't hard imagining what I would do in that situation.
But when God says not to be afraid, He means it. If He made the winds and the seas, then there really shouldn't be anything to fear. It's a constant lesson. But to actually obey the Lord and not fear when things appear to be out of control would be a great thing. Until then, or at least while trying, I'm still begging the Lord to get in the boat with me. I don't want to be out in the storm alone.
Bill
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