Harmony

If you could live someone else's life...!

As a kid I remember wanting to be several different people.  During baseball season I wanted to be Carl Yastrzemski of Red Sox fame.  Yaz batted left and threw right and played left field.  I batted left and threw right and so I loved to play left field.  He had this unique batting stance and so I would imitate him.

During hockey season I was Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins.  Bobby was a defensive player for the Bruins and I dreamed of skating like him...scoring goals with ease.  I would skate down the ice trying to move with grace and elegance like Bobby.

During basketball season I was John Havlicek from the Boston Celtics.  John was a master team player who could shoot from the outside and drive to the basket.  I would move towards the hoop with the ball and shoot and score just like John (or at least pretend).

During football season I was Bob Hayes of the Dallas Cowboys.  Bob was an Olympic star and quick off the line in football.  He could outrun the defense and catch the ball.  I loved practicing with my friends and playing for my Middle and High School team in Middletown, RI at split end like Bob.

The older I became, the more I realized how empty some of my stars lives were.  Each were human and made mistakes and failed.  The fame and glamor began to fade.  I was still thrilled with their accomplishments, but no longer wished to be in their shoes. 

It is not that my life was glamorous or dynamic.  My life had the same ups and downs like everyone else.  Contentment became a survival technique.  Dreaming of greener grass was only disappointing.  Wishing for another life was empty and fruitless.  My life was great just the way it was, because it was the life God gave me.  He placed me in a world where I could choose how to live and what to do.  He gave me limitations with a great deal of freedom. 

There are things I can never do or accomplish.  That does not have to be disappointing, but freeing.  I have the opportunity to live the life God delivered.  I have the option to wake up and smell the coffee of my daily existence and appreciate every blessing no matter what it is.  Unfulfilled expectations often kill people from enjoying their daily life. 

This is my life.  This is the life God has given me.  May I rise each day and praise him and thank him for the blessing of my world and all those in it.  He is so good to me!

So...if you could live someone else's life...who would it be?  Really???????

In God's hands ordinary becomes extraordinary!

God often chose the discarded of society to become his leaders of a project or task.  He did not choose those who appeared to be wise or socially ept.  He chose people whose hearts were devoted to him.

At this time of the year the lists come out.  The top 10 celebrity blunders.  The top 10 athletes.  The top 10 singers.  We love to look at winners and follow the lives of those in the publicity spotlight.  We purchase the magazines and visit the websites that reveal the most up-to-date information about the Hollywood elite.

God has always been enamored my the heart.  While we dress up the outside, God searches the inside.

He has always chosen the ordinary, heart devoted men and women of his creation.  The 12 disciples were not the elite from the Jerusalem Divinity School (though if he found great hearts there...he would have used them).  Each of us are able to be used by God.  The requirement...a heart devoted to him.

What does that mean and not mean?  It does not mean perfection.  David was called "a man after God's own heart" yet we know he was far from perfect.  He committed many sins and suffered consequences of his choices.

It does mean direction of life.  Saul was rejected as King because of he did not follow the plan of God on numerous occasions.  Asa was rejected as King for the same reason...not seeking God's wisdom.

In God's hands, ordinary men and women become extraordinary servants...tools to live out the plan of God.  As you begin a new year may your heart become more aware of God involved in your daily world.  May you seek his advice and input into your decisions.  He will strengthen your heart and use you in great ways in his Kingdom. 

Affecting the lives of others!

As a child one of the delights of my life was playing with dominoes.  I grew up watching my parents and grandparents playing and we little ones stood at the edge of the table and could watch but not touch.  The laughter was contagious. 

After the game was over, my brother and I were then allowed to play with the dominoes.  As boys, our game was to build and stack them into powerful structures. We would build until one of us would disturb the table and then watch in horror as our masterpiece collapsed. 

We then would try to line up the dominoes standing up on end.  We'd seen the marvelous domino tricks on TV (black and white) where they were lined up in fantastic patterns and designs and then felled as someone pushed over the first domino into the next...and then the domino effect took place.

As with dominoes the same situation occurs in life.  When I live in the role I have been given by God, the result will most likely be a set of events that shape the life of my spouse and children.  If I choose to live for myself and not bless my wife and children, there will be a corresponding set of dominoes that will follow.  I do not live to myself.  I am a part of all the lives I encounter every day.  I am part of a community of God's children...some choosing to walk with him...some choosing to miss him.  

My prayer is this:  May I be more aware of my domino effect!  May I see my life as a daily opportunity to let God shine through me with every person I encounter, but especially to those I have chosen to become part of my home.

How do you see your life affecting others?

Old and Grey...Brett Favre keeps rolling along!

Grey usually means old, worn out, and tired and that is how the old greying men describe themselves.  But watching Brett Favre on Monday Night Football last night, was inspirational for all who are "over the hill."  He continues to dismantle the old wives tales about his skill and ability.  He came back in the 2nd half to almost pull an upset.  He moved his Vikings down the cold Chicago field 4 times to score touchdowns and one in the final few seconds of regulation.

I am reminded of so many great people of God who came into their own, effectively used by God in their "retirement" years.  Moses was drafted by God at 80!   Caleb was ready to fight for his hill country in his 80's.  Abraham became a father at 99. 

On the shelf!  Out to pasture!  There is still much use for "old men" by God in his Kingdom.  May all of us on the upward side of "old manhood" (whatever age that is) continue to hear his call and with vigor and determination rise to the occasion.  May we see younger husbands who could use a mentor.  May we notice young men who could use a father figure.  May we see roles within the local church community to lead ministries with passion.

Going Rogue!

Today, I began reading Going Rogue by Sarah Palin.  The first chapter is a thrilling beginning, as she tells the story of her childhood.  I'm looking forward to the rest of her story.  It is a wonderful reminder that a person is not born Governor of Alaska or President of the United States.  A pro athlete is not born dunking basketballs or throwing for 400 yards in a 60 minute football game.  A dynamic preacher of God's Word wasn't born motivating people...it was blood curdling screams at first!

Children are born into the world with potential, dreams, skills and certain amounts of determination.  For the past few days I have watched my grandchildren in various situations.  Each of them are vastly different in the way they see life and engage in situations.  My oldest grandson loves Science.  My middle grandchild is sensitive concerning peoples feelings.  My grand-daughter is full of joy and brings a smile to your face.

What will they become?  Could they be Governor of a state?  Could they be President of the United States?  Could they be a pro athlete?  Could they stir an audience of believers in Jesus to keep walking with Him?

Yes!

There are many factors and influences that assist or deter a child in their path!  Many people guide and direct, inspire and encourage.  In each of us are various paths given us by God.  I could have been in business and still inspired people, but the passion of my life from the earliest of days was to preach for Him.

What is your passion?  Your holy discontent?  As you look in the face of your child, what really lights up their eyes?  Help them find their path.  Guide them to be what God wants them to be.

Every person has a place in this life to bless others for the purpose of God?  What is yours?  Go rogue!  Don't let anyone stop you or discourage you!  You may have been born in a mansion or log cabin or even a stable.  Where you were born does not have to define you!

"And they'll know we are Christians by our...?"

A few months ago, I finished reading a book called Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps about how the message of Jesus IS changed by the methods we utilize.  It is a fascinating book that is rocking my perspective on teaching and technology.  Shane tells the story of sharing the Gospel message to his friend John.

"At one point in the conversation John said, "I don't get it. Why do I need to believe in Jesus to go to heaven?"  Taking a page from "The Four Spiritual Laws," I offered what I understood as the most succinct answer to this question:  "Well, there is a huge gap between us and God because of our sin, so God sent Jesus to bridge the gap for us."  Having established this, I prepared for the typical follow-up question like, "But how did Jesus accomplish this?"

"The question never came."

"Instead, John responded by saying, "I don't think there is any gap between me and God, so I guess I don't need Jesus."

"I wasn't prepared for that, but I pressed on.  I informed John that the Bible tells us there is a gap between us and God.  He cordially responded, "I realize that, but the Bible is your authority.  Don't get me wrong; I think that's cool.  It's just not myauthority."  Over the course of the conversation I emptied my arsenal of apologetic munitions on him - C.S. Lewis, Josh McDowell, Bill Hybles.  He was polite, but none of it stuck.  It was like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall."

"I began to realize that I had all the answers to the questions no one was asking."

Shane goes on to describe how technology changes the way we think.  He shares about the telegraph bringing a new viewpoint of life and truth into the world.  Enter then the current phase of the World Wide Web and now ideas, images, and versions of truth are presented.  Shane writes: "As the telegraph wrapped the world in a web of wires, it began to whisper a new subliminal message:  Truth itself must be a lot like information.  The idea of 'Truth' becomes 'entirely idiosyncratic; history is irrelevant; there is no rational basis for valuing one thing over another.' Because our thinking mirrors the pattern of media, eventually we find it only natural to deny the existence of absolute Truth, an overarching story that organizes and makes sense of all other truths."

"As a result, authority, truth, and meaning become difficult to discover and establish with clarity or certainty.  Doubts trickle in, and we find the notion of a single grand story that unifies everything to be absurd and even arrogant.  In this sense, the telegraph tapped out the obituary of absolute Truth and created the conditions necessary to usher in the postmodern age."

The believer today seeking to bring his friend to Christ is challenged in ways we have never experienced before.  We must overwhelm them with a godly love and friendship that they do not see or experience anywhere else.  That is what will rattle and shake their worlds and ideology...making them open to see the need for a Savior. 

After speaking at Celebrate Recovery a few weeks ago, a young man approached me with a barrage of questions.  I listened to him and asked him questions to encourage him to engage his own mind in the process.  Some around me tried to answer his questions with pat answers only frustrating the young man.  He was looking less for answers as he was a person who would consistently show him Jesus.

Read the book.  It will open your eyes.  Obviously, look again at Jesus and fall in love with him all over again.

What questions are your friends asking about life?  About God?  About Jesus?

"This is your last issue!"

The front cover of the magazine read "This is your last issue."  My first reaction was to see if I had forgotten to pay for the renewal.  But as I opened the journal and begin to read, it became clear that this was the issue to be published.  The editorial began to fill in the details of what led to the decision to cease publication.  Sometimes even good things just need to stop if it no longer fulfills the intended purpose.

Those are hard decisions to make.  Some will not be happy that the magazine will no longer share inspirational articles...I am one of those people!  However, they have made the decision and I must live with it.  Again...it is not about me!

But the concept caused me to contemplate my own life and ask "is there anything I should stop so that something better might occur?"  That is what pruning is all about.  You cut back just the right amount of a tree, rose bush, or plant so that new growth may take place.  My gardener knows just the right amount to prune on our roses so that the beautiful flower blooms in the best possible way.

As 2009 closes and a new year begins, many of us will begin to evaluate what to prune or completely dig up and discard.  I will go through this process again over the next few days.  I go through the pruning routine quarterly so that roots don't grow too deep where they may cause damage.  Jesus often withdrew from people to keep himself well connected to His Father, and maintain proper focus on his true purpose.

So...what will you prune from your life?  And what do you hope to grow from the experience?

What do you want for Christmas?

I've heard that question asked all my life! As I become older the question becomes harder to answer.  When asked, my mind most often drifts to things that can be purchased...and in reality I have all I need or really even want.  But when I think about the question for a few moments, there are many answers.

What do I want for Christmas?

• My children and grandchildren to know and experience the love of God.  Some do and I want a continued growth in that vital relationship...others do not, and I continue to pray they can experience Him soon.

• Peace to be enjoyed in the hearts and minds of all people.  I'm not referring to an end of human wars, even though that would be wonderful, but more an internal contentment with knowing God and that he is in control.

• An awareness that human institutions will never solve societies pains.  There will always be problems we face.  Growth comes through conflict.  Only in Jesus will we find the answers to life's dilemmas.

• The church to realize their influence in their communities.  God has given us the wonderful opportunity to show His love and presence to people searching for the true meaning of life.

• Husbands and wives to love and appreciate each other in greater ways.

• Parents to cherish the opportunities with their children.  They grow up so very fast.

• Forgiveness to be given and experienced in more lives.

Those are just some of my "Christmas wish list".  What do you want for Christmas?

A Christmas Prayer

Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the 1800's and was admired as a novelist and poet by many of the greats.  Take a look at his thoughts around the birth of Jesus.

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

Great Christmas Quotes

Here are some wonderful enriching one-liners about this time of year.  Which one speaks to you?

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child."
-- Erma Bombeck

"The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung."
-- Phillips Brooks

"Don't expect too much of Christmas Day. You can't crowd into it any arrears of unselfishness and kindliness that may have accrued during the past twelve months."
-- Oren Arnold

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
-- Oren Arnold

"Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given-when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes."
-- Joan Winmill Brown

"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind."
-- Mary Ellen Chase

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
-- Calvin Coolidge

"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'."
-- Bing Crosby

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."
-- W. T. Ellis

"I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays-let them overtake me unexpectedly-waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself: "Why this is Christmas Day!""
-- David Grayson