So the Question Is?

So I come in from my walk, it is late in the day and I hear my beloved on the phone in the bedroom but I can see she has already begun to make dinner.  It looks like I am having meat loaf or something resembling meatloaf. I am somewhat confused.  I love her meatloaf, especially when she makes it with green chilies. I assume she is handling green chilies because I can see a blue rubber glove in a plate. Or is she handling something else? The possibilities run through my mind.

Possibly she is trying a new "filler" in the meatloaf other than crackers. I know people have to cut back and watch their budget these days but I didn't think we were doing that badly...
Maybe she got confused in watching the Food Network and the Animal Planet....
Maybe she is making this meatloaf for the dogs...
Maybe she is getting even with me for...oh well, the reasons are too numerous to count....
It is possible the Milk-Bones were on sale for a really good price...
It could be I'm barking up the wrong tree in trying to figure it out.

So the question is: do I eat the meatloaf?

Maybe I should just ask her?

Ohhhh, she was walking the box of dog biscuits to the back door to give the dogs a treat when the phone rang. She SAID she just set the box down on the counter when she was on the phone.

Perfectly reasonable explanation. Do I trust her?

Of course I do. The meatloaf was delicious.

You simply can't always take things at their face value. There is often a "back-story" that even if it doesn't justify a thought or an action at least gives a reason  or an insight in to why people do the things they do. Even the Bible teaches us, "....do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."  I John 4

John goes on in the chapter to explain that what you believe about Jesus is the way to "test the spirits." Of all the many voices calling for your attention, money, and influence; your body, soul, and mind; your vote, your time, and your loyalty, who do you trust? See what the people, organizations, and institutions do with Jesus.  Do they trust Him as Lord and Savior? Do they see Him as the Incarnate Son of God, fully God and fully human? Do they show obedience and growth in Christ-like character? Or is He seen as simple a good teacher, a moral leader, a kind religionist? Trust the ones who trust him, Be careful what you chew on, some things have bones in them.

Now excuse me, I'm due at the vet's to pick up some heartworm meds.

Cos

The Sweet Spot

Yes, it is that time again when a young man's fancy turns to spring training.  What did you expect me to say? It is time for America's past time. No, not political campaigns, baseball. Pitchers are honing their skills with grip pressures, arm angles, core exercises and repetition. Hitters are doing the same kinds of things with their bats to try and hit the ball on the sweet spot of the bat for maximum distance and control. The sound of a 90 mph ball hitting the sweet spot on a bat swung at 85 mph with an exit speed of 105 mph is unmistakable. The sound itself causes the heart to leap for the batter, the manager and the whole dugout. It sings potential, hope, and succe$$. The same sound causes the gut to tighten, the mouth to form words of lament, the head to fall, the feet to kick dirt to the battery of pitcher and catcher. Ah, the sweet spot, one team greatly desiring it, one team trying to avoid it, at least for three outs.

Where exactly is the "sweet spot" on a baseball ball? It is actually, scientifically possible to point it out on each bat. Bat manufacturers and other "sports scientists" work with Newton's laws of motion, density levels of different woods, vibration algorithms, swing speeds and other factors to pinpoint the sweet spot on bats.  The hard variable to factor is the human batter. Each swing is a little different in speed, angle, and force. The formulas sports scientists can use (E=0. 5x mv2 or F=M x A) regarding mass, force, acceleration change in real-life situations. Of course, this is one of the appeals of baseball, you never know when the .186 batter, hitting eighth will hit the sweet spot and send the ball over the wall. By the way, roughly speaking--the sweet spot is about 6 to 8 inches down from the end of the bat, off grain, mid-diameter.

Have you ever wondered if there is a sweet spot spiritually? Where is the perfect spot for growth in Christlikeness that balances the inner meditations with outward vital service? Where does the relationship deepen in Christ to the point of an intimacy without losing touch with the hurts, needs, and fellowship with other humans? Is there a spiritual sweet spot that balances time with believers and time with unbelievers? Is there a way or a formula for balancing the reading of the Word of God with the living out its truths in the everyday world? Where is that sweet spot between being and doing, faith and works, contentment in the relationship with Jesus and being driven to share Him with the lost? Where is the sweet spot of doing justice in a hate-filled, cruel, broken world and longing for our heavenly home?

These are all questions I cannot answer for you but they are all question every Christian should ask with a dozen more of which we could and should consider. This I know, you will never find the sweet spot by not grappling with these kinds of questions. You will never come close to it by not studying the word, by not pushing yourself beyond comfort zones to serve, by not being open to the Holy Spirit's leading, prodding, and stretching you in your relationship to Him and service in His name. The church has identified inner, outer, and corporate disciplines that help us find our sweet spot spiritually. (see Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline). Not any us will become perfect in any of these but we can mature, grow, become more, and when needed, less as we walk with Christ.

I don't really know if there is a "sweet spot" spiritually. There are too many moving parts and variables from person to person, and day to day for each person. Jesus is really the sweet spot. Know him, love him, obey him. He made it simple when he said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself. He said to seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness and he would add everything else you need. Get in the game. You will know that sweet spot when you hit it. Enjoy it.

Mickey Mantle is argued among baseball fanatics as possibly the man who hit more 500 foot home runs than anyone else. One website gives him ten over 500 ft, two over 600 ft. He hit the sweet spot on his bat a lot. He struck out 1710 times. The real sin is not missing the sweet spot, but in never trying to find it.

Batter up!

Cos

Klaira Dust

The grandkids came to visit a couple of weeks ago. O yeah, their parents came too. But the real stars of the weekend were the grandkids. We hadn't been able to give them their Christmas presents because of many reasons (sickness, work schedules, school etc) so we got to have a Christmas on Valentine's Day.

Klaira, 4,  who also calls herself Klaira Bell, received a purple Disney Princess dress. She put it on immediately. Disney has done a remarkable job in marketing the heroines from their movies including these elegant, but inexpensive little dresses to their littlest fans.

This one came complete with glitter, lots of glitter; lots and lots of glitter adorning the frilly fringes of the dress. Klaira wore that dress for hours. With every step, every twirl, every jump, dance, and sprint, she deposited glitter, lots and lots of glitter in every room of  the house. We now call it Klaira dust and we are not the least bit worried that after two weeks, three vacuumings, and three moppings we are still seeing Klaira dust around the house. We love it. It's not a mess, it's a reminder. It's not a sign of uncleanness, it's a sign of life, life that inhabits our lives and life that continues to bless even though separated for a while. The glitter does not bring sadness or rebuke or cries of "how will I ever get this stuff cleaned up?'' It brings smiles, laughter, and joy at the prospect of a return glittering.

I believe if we learn how to look, it is not too difficult to discover God glittering out lives with His Presence. In every room, at every turn of life, through the people and events He brings or allows, His Presence is there to convict, comfort, teach, lead, deepen, and enjoy. The Holy Spirit, however, doesn't leave to go back home until the next, too short visit. He remains depositing truth and reminding of One who will return. Yes, at times He may wash over us with overwhelming waves of grace to teach, cleanse, refresh, wash, and renew. At other times, more fitting like a still, small voice, He makes His presence known in a quiet, reflective but just as effective and beautiful way.

It is true, all that glitters is not gold. Sometimes its even better.

  Cos

We Live By Faith

We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Cor. 5:7

Have you ever taken a bible verse apart backwards? You can't do it with all of them but it's helpful in a world that is sometimes backwards to try it some of the time.

Sight-- to see; to have it; to hold it; to grasp it; tangible; gravitas; hug it; embrace it; spend it; save it; hide and then pull it out and see it again. You see beauty, familiar faces, smiles, grimaces, scowls, winks, distances, obstacles, curves, hills, valleys, images. Sight is good!

Not sight--unseen; unsure; doubt; questions: who am I? where am I? where am I going? what to do? how to do it?confusion.  Intangibles, immeasurables, mystery; memories. Matters of the heart not the hand; expressions of the mental not the material; places in the soul, not the seen. Not sight? Bad and good..........

Faith--confidence, evidence, hope, longing, trust, belief, assurance, inescapably necessary. Faith must be placed, posited, left elsewhere but  faith is only as strong as the strength of the object or person trusted. It is a gift to the giver and receiver--how much depends on me? on others? on God alone? Do I trust God or do I subtly trust faith? Is faith the answer to my questions or the beginning of more of them? Can't I always just have faith, believing? Yes! except when its maybe....

Live--life, breath, movement, thought, being, smell, taste, see, touch, imagine, forget, regret, fight, surrender, laugh, cry, anticipate, dare, build, hurt, pain, discover, remember, seasons, give, take, people, people, people, a caress, a hug, a kiss, birth, death, seeking love, sharing love, learning love, sunrise, sunset, repeat thousands of times 'till you almost get it right--- LIVE! YES!

We--first person plural. Not me, my or I. All. Family. Kingdom. Church.  What "i" can't, we can. Where "i" is weak, alone, vulnerable, scared, darkened, ''we" are strong, together, experienced, enlightened. When "i" has a weak faith, "we" have a stronger one. Where "i" is confused and searching, some of the "we" have been there, done that, made it through. When "i" is afraid, "we" stands with us. "We'' gets through this; "we" knows what "i" doesn't. "I" faces the dark, "we" face the future with hope, joy, and love. "I" need "we."


         We    Live    By    Faith   Not    By     Sight.

                                       WE LIVE!
Me Too,
Cos

Finding Jesus

Finding Jesus

And the three people I admire the most, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

They caught the last train for the coast, the day the music died……… Don McLean

We live in a post-Christian world, or at least a post-church world. It is not that Christian and church do not exist, but they no longer have “preferred” status in many places where once they did.  In fact, with some people and in some circles, they are viewed with suspicion if not disdain.

And yet, both church and Christian have reason for hope, our God is not dead, He does not sleep neither does He slumber (Ps. 121:3-4).  If only we could get folks to take notice of Jesus like the officials from Acts 4:13 “took note that they (disciples) had been with Jesus.”  If only we could help both the world at large and the western Christian who may want either to panic or hide, to notice Jesus. He is the Risen Savior. He is working in His church and in the world with thousands coming to faith daily. How do we see this, how do we get in on this in a world with so many viewpoints and so many choices?

The church must learn to look, know how to see, and point in Jesus’ direction.  He is here. He is sovereign. He is calling. How can we notice Jesus? Look into the people’s faces, in the shopworn, in the kind eyes or in dancing, darting eyes; in the tensed drawn expressions or relaxed, peaceful looks you will either find Him or the need for Him. Look for Him also in ordinary places like the convenience store, the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the gym—where people are living life or trying to.

He is pretty easy to find in the pain of life, the pain pierces and we cry out to nearly anyone who will listen. With a little help, thought, guidance, we find He is there and has been all along. Ah, but He is found in the pleasures of life just as well. In the marvel of the world and its turnings in exquisite detail, in voice-silencing beauty, muscle-pulling laughter, and the joys of human love from childhood to sainthood, He is alive and well. He has not abandoned us for the coast. His music has not died.

Let’s take to looking for and finding Jesus in the people, places, pain, and the pleasures of life.  Once you notice Him, He will draw you to Him; and He draws us in to love us. Once we get the hang of finding Jesus like this, even in a “post-Christian, post-church” world,  we will have a better opportunity of helping folks in this world find Jesus themselves. Then an interesting truth will emerge: when we think we’ve gotten pretty good at finding Jesus we discover that it was Him finding us all along.

They also will answer, 'Lord , when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'   Matt. 25:39-40

But now I’m found,

Cos

God Isn't Fixing This

The New York Daily News headline from Dec. 3, 2015 read, "God Isn't Fixing This." The subtext read,"As latest batch of innocent Americans are left lying in pools of blood, cowards who could truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind  meaningless platitudes."

Whoa, not so quick, please. Is the problem God? Gun control? Prayer? Pray-ers? Innocence? Does it strike you as rather odd that NOTHING in those headlines said ANYTHING about two hate-filled, murderous, anti-Christian, anti-American, sub-human, demonic-led, evil, radical Muslims?

The headline does serve a purpose, it puts a light on our problem as a race of humans in this world: we can't identify a real problem anymore, or we won't.

As another attack unfolded the politicians, the media, the anti-gun, pro-gun, military, psychological, sociological, and religionist weighed in on the issue. But I never heard one word about the real problem. The problem was linked to not enough gun laws, too few guns for protection, too many refugees, not proper vetting of refugees, misunderstanding most refugees, bad, fundamentalist religion, religion in general, mental health issues, and of course, ISIS. All of which need to be discussed and grappled with in their proper time, place, and forums but all of which can provide no lasting solution until  they assess the real problem. Till then we humans are like the doctor who said to his patient with melanoma, "hey, I can prescribe a good band-aid to cover that thing."

But there is one problem I rarely see in print or hear mentioned on the air. It is a universal problem, spanning the globe and affecting every person in every corner of the earth: Sin, and the evil it turns loose in the world and in our hearts. We continually seek a political, economic, policy-driven, people-hating, solutions to a spiritual problem.

Is it really that simple? If you have never dealt with sin, fought its temptation, tried to keep it from manipulating you, tried to use manipulation yourself, or paid much attention to the devastation and death it leaves in its wake, then "simple'' is a word you may use. I do not. It wrecks homes, families, businesses, relationships, and nations. It seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. It separates every human being from the Source of love, joy, truth, meaning, and fellowship with the One, Living, true God. Ignore it, dismiss it, belittle it, and you bless it. It is in those arrogant realms it thrives and the headlines from 9/11 or 12/2 will continue to plague this nation and this world until it is faced.

Facing sin is hard. It is difficult. It requires humility. It requires confession. The Bible's word is repentance. Repentance helps lead the individual to a place where he\she is ready for whatever horror may come in a sin filled world. No one blames the victims for the sins of terrorists but we all need to be ready in a sin filled world. None of us are promised tomorrow whether the end comes by natural processes, accident or Jihadist.  Repentance leads a nation, a people, a world to seek the foundational Truth that life can be built upon. Repentance leads to forgiveness; forgiveness leads to freedom from guilt and the burden of sin; this freedom leads to the power to choose justice, love, compassion, service, sacrifice, other-centeredness, generosity, and hope. These qualities elevate human worth and dignity,they feed the hungry, bring fairness to our institutions (think governments, financial, educational), bring healing to the races, and unite people across the world in the desire to please, honor, and praise God. From the garden of Eden, evil was loosed on our world. It is a spiritual problem demanding a spiritual response. It must be fought on our knees.

Our world needs to come to Jesus.

 He can and desires to heal. He has taken care of the sin problem. But we are like the little boy whose toy robot broke. He cried. He screamed. He threw a fit. He yelled at his dad, who was sitting in a chair reading the paper and taking it all in. Finally, as the little boy calmed down he heard his dad say, "Son, I can fix your toy. But first you have to bring me the broken pieces and ask."

God isn't fixing this, because He already has. Look at the cross, sin is defeated, forgiveness is offered, justice is declared, hope is restored, heaven is open.

Bring Him the broken pieces.


Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.    Romans 10:13

If my people, who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  II Chronicles 7:14

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:36-38

Cos

Still, We Hope

We can't help it: We hope.
When it seems there is no earthly reason, still, we hope.

When blood covers our streets and suspicion clouds our minds; still, we hope.
When knee-jerk reactions express the frustrations of life that is fearsome, uncertain, deadly; still, we hope.

When politicians hide behind political correctness and harden hearts to people in favor of party rhetoric; still, we hope.
When preachers march to seminars on leadership, preaching, and membership increases but never march for justice- social, racial, or financial;  when they call not for religious liberty and never call for repentance from the sin that kills both spiritually and socially; still, we hope.

When tyrannical despots rise; when hunger grows; when love grows cold; when anger scolds; still, we hope.

When small, fearful people begin to blame with blankets: Hebrews in ancient Egypt; Samaritans in Jesus' day; Jews in the1930's; communists in the 1950's; Blacks in the 1960's; Mexicans crossing the borders in the 2000's; Syrians in the current year; still, we hope.

When weapons are forged for death from land, sea, air, and space, still, we hope.
When viruses resist; when cancer persists; when bodies and minds wither through the decades, still, we hope.

BUT WHY and HOW ?

Our Christian hope is simply not in the world and its institutions, its politicians, its devices of progress or destruction; its many voices of violence, fear, hatred and death.

Our Christian hope is based on the certainty of God's promises and His character. It is evidenced by the fruits of joy, sacrificial love, boldness, and endurance. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. Thats where our hope is in this country and in this life.  (Chuck Colson)

Why so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.   Psalm 42:11

The church of hope will raise its voice against tyranny, fear, hatred, and death. We will shine the light of the presence of God's joy in the darkness of this world. We will love those the world scorns; we will feed those the world neglects; we will see those the world has grown blind to; we will treat each person as though they were made in God's image, died for by God's son, and valued as God's treasure, because they are.  

We are the church and our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.

Still, we hope! With Christ Jesus as our Lord, we just can't help it.