It's Sunday morning, year 2013.
Having missed morning worship, I turned on the local Christian station, sat in my favorite chair, and have been listening to praise and worship music while peacefully reading and truly enjoying the flurry of bird life flocking around my now-filled feeder. I even gave the hummingbird feeder it's first autumnal transfusion of sweetness and have already already witnessed a micro-migrator leaving this new ornament on the arboreal landscape! As I type, a swarm of hummers have just mobbed this feeder-- life suddenly is even happier from this chair.
The One-Year Bible's offerings find us in Ecclesiastes and 2 Corinthians, books strangely congruent aside from overarching theological bases: both seem to be specifically addressing the profound limitations of living solely for oneself, written in a voice that leaves me wishing I was farther along my Jesus Journey.
Paul lovingly writes to his Children in Corinth another letter, and says, "do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?...'Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters'..." Paul then pleads: "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Cor.6:14,17-8; 7:1)
I know that nobody can be perfectly holy, but that is not what is going on here-- it's about orientation: what am I focused on? What is the most important thing in my life? Since I immediately am aware of my imperfections, what are those idols I proudly hold onto, idols God is gently asking me to give up so I might receive something profoundly better?
God is good.
People have a profound ability to rationalize our pig slop.
Jesus, help us to surrender that we might truly experience life. Jesus, for those who have never taken this step, give them the courage to give over their lives to your Love/Life.
In becoming my LORD, you become my Savior.
Thank you for the cross; bear with me as I stumble in following you-- I really don't like being hurt, but I'm learning that may not be relevant.
I thank you for the amazing gifts you give me, including that amazing peach-colored bird sipping from the hummingbird feeder
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Jac's Reminder: Breathe.
At our faculty devotions today, Jac'Drake shared some insights from her journey with Christ, especially from lessons learned while attending NYU:
1. Our capacity to create and appreciate Beauty is the Imago that the Abba has placed within humanity; the ability to destroy is evidence of our sin and rebellion.
2. Breathing is worship: it is the first thing we do in the world, and the last, and everything in between. It is what we do as we worship in song-- we all breathe in unison, sharing the same rhythms of in and out, a tidal experience in the Pneuma.
3. Our encounter with the Abba is about breath: the very NAME is about breath:Y=in, H=out, V=in, H=out.
I am thankful and blessed this day, thankful for this place called Houston Christian High School, the people with whom I serve, and my life.
Thank you, Father, for my new life.
I love You.
Jim
1. Our capacity to create and appreciate Beauty is the Imago that the Abba has placed within humanity; the ability to destroy is evidence of our sin and rebellion.
2. Breathing is worship: it is the first thing we do in the world, and the last, and everything in between. It is what we do as we worship in song-- we all breathe in unison, sharing the same rhythms of in and out, a tidal experience in the Pneuma.
3. Our encounter with the Abba is about breath: the very NAME is about breath:Y=in, H=out, V=in, H=out.
I am thankful and blessed this day, thankful for this place called Houston Christian High School, the people with whom I serve, and my life.
Thank you, Father, for my new life.
I love You.
Jim
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Value of Suffering
I don't like pain. I was not a great football player.
I hate to see suffering, whether man or beast. I have deep sorrow when I see an animal struck by a car but not dispatched.
I also acknowledge the value of both pain and suffering in experiencing the depths of life available to us on this side.
I have heard good-intentioned philosophers use pain and suffering as some grasping rationale for the non-existence of God. I don't blame them for being disappointed by the conditions in this world in which we live; it is certainly not Nirvana. On the other hand, we were never promised a life without pain or suffering. Look at the way the occupying soldiers treated Jesus of Nazareth-- he was unjustly brutalized to death, and beckons us to follow Him in loving our enemies. That's crazy talk! I understand how some folk see Jesus as a miracle-performing lunatic-- His teaching is all upside down!
There is, however, another perspective as we travel this rocky road. I was reminded of this today by Wonder-Woman (WW) when I remarked that God will never give me more than I can handle. WW was correct when she clarified the context was about temptation, not about suffering. Yet I was referring to my deep-founded belief that: 1) God is good; and 2) my Abba loves me.
You see, the Bible never says we won't have pain or suffering-- the fact is that Paul warns us: "...when you undergo suffering...". Pain and suffering are the backdrop of a joy-filled life that enables faithful followers of The Way, like Paul, to be ambivalent about death. He writes, "...to live is Christ [a great thing] and to die is gain, so whether I live or die [a horrible death likely under the brutality of Nero], it is all good." Something like that t-shirt that reads, "Those afraid to die are also afraid to live."
To not find value in affliction is to ignore the tragedy that becomes the seedbed of powerful art. How often does the painter, the composer, the writer, the poet produce their greatest works in the wake of a tragedy? And in that powerful expression of authentic humanity, kindle joy in the hearts of those of us no longer tantalized by the gilded distractions that trap them in a frenetic race to get the next fix. Somewhere right now a circle of strangers confess their pain to one another and emerge with serenity, knowing their struggle is shared by others.
And so I guess that is the promise we have in the crucified Messiah-- we are not alone in our experience. His Grace is sufficient for me.
What if we embraced whatever moment we are experiencing, holding onto faith's hopeful blessing, yet not missing the valley of the shadow of death? What if my current symptoms give way to a respite, and thus release a deeper appreciation of the goodness of a moment that has diminished pain? It's like these last five years in Houston: we complained about the humidity until we had two year's of drought that wiped out our forests; now nobody complains when the rains come-- we recognize the balance now.
And I wonder if that might be about a better-lived life. Balance.
I love You, my Abba, and joyfully receive from Your hand what this day's bread tastes like.
I hate to see suffering, whether man or beast. I have deep sorrow when I see an animal struck by a car but not dispatched.
I also acknowledge the value of both pain and suffering in experiencing the depths of life available to us on this side.
I have heard good-intentioned philosophers use pain and suffering as some grasping rationale for the non-existence of God. I don't blame them for being disappointed by the conditions in this world in which we live; it is certainly not Nirvana. On the other hand, we were never promised a life without pain or suffering. Look at the way the occupying soldiers treated Jesus of Nazareth-- he was unjustly brutalized to death, and beckons us to follow Him in loving our enemies. That's crazy talk! I understand how some folk see Jesus as a miracle-performing lunatic-- His teaching is all upside down!
There is, however, another perspective as we travel this rocky road. I was reminded of this today by Wonder-Woman (WW) when I remarked that God will never give me more than I can handle. WW was correct when she clarified the context was about temptation, not about suffering. Yet I was referring to my deep-founded belief that: 1) God is good; and 2) my Abba loves me.
You see, the Bible never says we won't have pain or suffering-- the fact is that Paul warns us: "...when you undergo suffering...". Pain and suffering are the backdrop of a joy-filled life that enables faithful followers of The Way, like Paul, to be ambivalent about death. He writes, "...to live is Christ [a great thing] and to die is gain, so whether I live or die [a horrible death likely under the brutality of Nero], it is all good." Something like that t-shirt that reads, "Those afraid to die are also afraid to live."
To not find value in affliction is to ignore the tragedy that becomes the seedbed of powerful art. How often does the painter, the composer, the writer, the poet produce their greatest works in the wake of a tragedy? And in that powerful expression of authentic humanity, kindle joy in the hearts of those of us no longer tantalized by the gilded distractions that trap them in a frenetic race to get the next fix. Somewhere right now a circle of strangers confess their pain to one another and emerge with serenity, knowing their struggle is shared by others.
And so I guess that is the promise we have in the crucified Messiah-- we are not alone in our experience. His Grace is sufficient for me.
What if we embraced whatever moment we are experiencing, holding onto faith's hopeful blessing, yet not missing the valley of the shadow of death? What if my current symptoms give way to a respite, and thus release a deeper appreciation of the goodness of a moment that has diminished pain? It's like these last five years in Houston: we complained about the humidity until we had two year's of drought that wiped out our forests; now nobody complains when the rains come-- we recognize the balance now.
And I wonder if that might be about a better-lived life. Balance.
I love You, my Abba, and joyfully receive from Your hand what this day's bread tastes like.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The Beauty of a Storm
Aldo Leopold, in "Come High Water", writes about the special peace that comes in being stranded by floodwaters, unable to return to work or regular life, and forced into a special type of seclusion.
Solitude.
Solitude is what I experience when I step outside, under the cover of a porch, and feel the cool, blustery auguries of an approaching May thunderstorm. The grackles attempt to defy aerodynamics in a feeble attempt to return to a favored roost, long tails perpendicular to their intended destination until they submit to lesser offerings, whether winded heads or tails, as long as this vector results in a perched perspective. The majesty of a towering thunderhead, rumbling and grumbling like an old man's belly, dark as slate and flashing with power, puts me back into a peaceful sense that all is right with the world-- God is still on the throne, and I no longer am burdened with some false notion of personal omnipotence or uber-responsibility.
Thank you, Abba.
Solitude.
Solitude is what I experience when I step outside, under the cover of a porch, and feel the cool, blustery auguries of an approaching May thunderstorm. The grackles attempt to defy aerodynamics in a feeble attempt to return to a favored roost, long tails perpendicular to their intended destination until they submit to lesser offerings, whether winded heads or tails, as long as this vector results in a perched perspective. The majesty of a towering thunderhead, rumbling and grumbling like an old man's belly, dark as slate and flashing with power, puts me back into a peaceful sense that all is right with the world-- God is still on the throne, and I no longer am burdened with some false notion of personal omnipotence or uber-responsibility.
Thank you, Abba.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A New Year in 2013?
Happy New Year.
What an interesting season we are in.
This month has been something of an "uncovering" month, when political falsehoods and civic manipulations are coming to light.
I think it's interesting that there was no "assault rifle" used in the Connecticut massacre, and the family of the perp are actually connected to high level finance and the government's investigation of an international political scheme.
I think it's interesting that Hillary got a concussion right before she was to testify, and then during the hearing her non-answers were accepted as if she answered the questions.
I think it's interesting that our President and every member of Congress refuse to participate in the health care "reforms" they are forcing onto citizens, and avoid the question when asked on camera.. repeatedly.
I think it's interesting that the sales of firearms and ammunition has peaked in our country, as citizens stockpile for some type of siege.
I think it's interesting that our President and Congress somehow think that the solution to being so far into debt that we may not make it back-- the solution is to get more debt?? I was attending a Dave Ramsey discussion group about responsible finances and my mind kept going back to our country's leadership and lack of fiscal responsibility. I see no changes in the works. I see word-crafting, positioning and an entrenched Oligarchy who no longer are part of the masses. Elitism has a new face but it still thinks it wise to advise: "Let them eat cake."
New Year?
In some ways, yes... totally.
Some family is going to give birth to their first baby.
Some amazing young person is going to graduate from school.
Blessed people like myself are going to enter into a marriage covenant before God.
And the greatest change this year? Some amazing person is going take that step of faith, surrendering their life to Abba's love in Christ Jesus. So with that I sit up straight and proclaim, "Happy New Year".
What an interesting season we are in.
This month has been something of an "uncovering" month, when political falsehoods and civic manipulations are coming to light.
I think it's interesting that there was no "assault rifle" used in the Connecticut massacre, and the family of the perp are actually connected to high level finance and the government's investigation of an international political scheme.
I think it's interesting that Hillary got a concussion right before she was to testify, and then during the hearing her non-answers were accepted as if she answered the questions.
I think it's interesting that our President and every member of Congress refuse to participate in the health care "reforms" they are forcing onto citizens, and avoid the question when asked on camera.. repeatedly.
I think it's interesting that the sales of firearms and ammunition has peaked in our country, as citizens stockpile for some type of siege.
I think it's interesting that our President and Congress somehow think that the solution to being so far into debt that we may not make it back-- the solution is to get more debt?? I was attending a Dave Ramsey discussion group about responsible finances and my mind kept going back to our country's leadership and lack of fiscal responsibility. I see no changes in the works. I see word-crafting, positioning and an entrenched Oligarchy who no longer are part of the masses. Elitism has a new face but it still thinks it wise to advise: "Let them eat cake."
New Year?
In some ways, yes... totally.
Some family is going to give birth to their first baby.
Some amazing young person is going to graduate from school.
Blessed people like myself are going to enter into a marriage covenant before God.
And the greatest change this year? Some amazing person is going take that step of faith, surrendering their life to Abba's love in Christ Jesus. So with that I sit up straight and proclaim, "Happy New Year".
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