Mahatma Ghandi is quoted as saying, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
I think about all the things I've seen or heard about that I wish wasn't going on in the world and my best idea to date has been to quit watching the news. I have to admit I'm happier not keeping up with all the news, at least not the way it is typically reported, but my ability to ignore it isn't making it go away.
I'm thankful for great friends who have pushed me to do more, to get comfortable by going through some discomfort, to actually do things that look a little bit like what Jesus did.
I hope my remaining days will find me being the change I want to see in the world. Change that helps the poor. Change that feeds the hungry. Change that clothes the naked. Change that gives shelter to the homeless. Most of all, change that gives light to the lost, hope to the hopeless, compassion to the hurting, healing to the wounded and love to the lost, hopeless, hurting, wounded and lonely souls who need to know Jesus' love for them, who need to know there is love, mercy and grace in abundance that he wants to lavish on them.
For anyone reading this, I would ask your prayers for some people headed to Ecuador later this week to be the change they want to see in the world that their efforts help people spiritually and physically and that they will grow in their effort to show others a glimpse of what Jesus looks like.
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Going "Home"
I took Wendell and Preston home from church yesterday. We had a good visit on the way with Wendell doing most of the talking and Preston cracking a few jokes at Wendell's expense along the way. I heard about how good Preston had slept the night before and their fascination that the hotel they were in had a phone in the bathroom. They couldn't figure that one out. When we pulled up, they unloaded their stuff and got to take a brisket, beans, potato salad, cookies and cupcakes with them. Not a bad haul!
The hard part of the whole thing was dropping them off because they are staying under a large tree that provides a good bit of shade with the Texas heat in the 90's to 100 degrees. They've been run off a few times because it's close to an office building and they don't hang out there much during the week. Preston wouldn't let me pull up in the parking lot close to the tree because he didn't want anyone to notice them getting out there if possible. I left them there with some food, a little money and the knowledge that I was headed back to a comfortable place to live, air conditioning, a job that provides all I need and a reminder that I am blessed and that God is hoping I'll share some of what he has provided for me.
Oh Lord, let Wendell and Preston and Mike be forever present in my mind so that when I start wanting this or that, I'll remember my friends who live under a tree with the clothes on their back and their appreciation for their bikes and their backpacks. I pray you'll be with them and let them know you are with them always, that you love them completely and that this world and it's sufferings are only temporary. Open my eyes to see what you want me to see so I may serve how you want me to serve.
Grace and peace to you.
The hard part of the whole thing was dropping them off because they are staying under a large tree that provides a good bit of shade with the Texas heat in the 90's to 100 degrees. They've been run off a few times because it's close to an office building and they don't hang out there much during the week. Preston wouldn't let me pull up in the parking lot close to the tree because he didn't want anyone to notice them getting out there if possible. I left them there with some food, a little money and the knowledge that I was headed back to a comfortable place to live, air conditioning, a job that provides all I need and a reminder that I am blessed and that God is hoping I'll share some of what he has provided for me.
Oh Lord, let Wendell and Preston and Mike be forever present in my mind so that when I start wanting this or that, I'll remember my friends who live under a tree with the clothes on their back and their appreciation for their bikes and their backpacks. I pray you'll be with them and let them know you are with them always, that you love them completely and that this world and it's sufferings are only temporary. Open my eyes to see what you want me to see so I may serve how you want me to serve.
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wounds
Borrowing from John Eldredge today...
Friday, May 27, 2011
Honor Wounds
You will be wounded. Just because this battle is spiritual doesn't mean it's not real; it is, and the wounds a man can take are in some ways more ugly than those that come in a firefight. To lose a leg is nothing compared to losing heart; to be crippled by shrapnel need not destroy your soul, but to be crippled by shame and guilt may. You will be wounded by the Enemy. He knows the wounds of your past, and he will try to wound you again in the same place. But these wounds are different; these are honor-wounds.Blaine was showing me his scars the other night at the dinner table. "This one is where Samuel threw a rock and hit me in the forehead. And this one is from the Tetons when I fell into that sharp log. I can't remember what this one was from; oh, here's a good one-this one is from when I fell into the pond while chasing Luke. This one is a really old one when I burned my leg on the stove camping." He's proud of his scars; they are badges of honor to a boy . . . and to a man. We have no equivalent now for a Purple Heart of spiritual warfare, but we will. One of the noblest moments that await us will come at the wedding feast of the Lamb. Our Lord will rise and begin to call those forward who were wounded in battle for his name's sake and they will be honored, their courage rewarded. I think of Henry V's line to his men,
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian . . .
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say, "These wounds I had on Crispin's day."
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day; then shall our names . . .
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
(Wild at Heart ,176-77)
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
That There Is Rotation
I went to the Rangers game last night with my son to meet my dad and mom and to celebrate his 79th birthday. It was all good until the 4th inning when the clouds above us started to swirl which was fun to watch while ominous all at the same time. Now, I'm a storm watcher so I thought it was pretty cool but people around us were getting a little antsy. Once they covered the field and some rain drops fell, my parents decided the best course of action was to head back to East Texas while I thought the best course of action was to watch the tarp blow on the field since the storms were coming from the west and I didn't want to drive into them. Well, the rain really started to fall which drove us to the concourse and then someone decided it was best to send us all down to the tunnel. Maybe it was the sirens going off and all the texts we were getting saying tornadoes were headed for us. So, my son, me and 25,000 of my good friends hung out outside the Rangers clubhouse doors, cheered for a few players who walked through, while sweating it out. Finally, they sent us out so the game could restart only to find out there would be a second rain delay which was my exit cue.
So, a good night with my dad, a good night watching storms, a good night hanging out below the ballpark and a good night being with my favorite son.
It's now 1:00 in the morning and I need to go to sleep but also need to prepare 2 Bible lessons to be delivered later today. This is one of those times where praying that God will give me the words to say takes on a whole new level of meaning!
Grace and peace to you.
So, a good night with my dad, a good night watching storms, a good night hanging out below the ballpark and a good night being with my favorite son.
It's now 1:00 in the morning and I need to go to sleep but also need to prepare 2 Bible lessons to be delivered later today. This is one of those times where praying that God will give me the words to say takes on a whole new level of meaning!
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
One Person
I got this letter from a ministry I support recently.
Dear Jeff:
The death of the world's #1 public enemy evokes a range of emotions. Relief that one menace is gone. Pride at the skill and determination of those responsible for executing justice. Sorrow over a soul gone to hell and all those souls he took with him. Hope for a more peaceful world, yet aware of the sobering reality that the world is still a dangerous place because we are all of a fallen breed...mankind.
One thing to note: The power of one individual. So far one individual has cost us $1.3 trillion and over 5,000 American lives in his pursuit. And trillions more lost to the Global economy by him and his followers' actions.
Conversely, one person named Moody shared the love and life of Christ with ten million people. Because one person told him about the Gospel of Christ. One person named Carey ignited the modern missions movement. One preacher named Graham...
And on it goes...
You can have that kind of influence for good and eternity by praying and going with us. Or giving through us to reach people for Christ. You may turn the next Osama into the next Dwight, William or Billy. Imagine your opportunity to impact this world for good, forever!
Now, the first paragraph may be a little too flag-waving for my taste but what struck me was the idea of what I can do to change the world forever. If someone is out there reading this, it's about what you can do to change the world. Forever. Will I answer the call? Will you?
Grace and peace to you.
Dear Jeff:
The death of the world's #1 public enemy evokes a range of emotions. Relief that one menace is gone. Pride at the skill and determination of those responsible for executing justice. Sorrow over a soul gone to hell and all those souls he took with him. Hope for a more peaceful world, yet aware of the sobering reality that the world is still a dangerous place because we are all of a fallen breed...mankind.
One thing to note: The power of one individual. So far one individual has cost us $1.3 trillion and over 5,000 American lives in his pursuit. And trillions more lost to the Global economy by him and his followers' actions.
Conversely, one person named Moody shared the love and life of Christ with ten million people. Because one person told him about the Gospel of Christ. One person named Carey ignited the modern missions movement. One preacher named Graham...
And on it goes...
You can have that kind of influence for good and eternity by praying and going with us. Or giving through us to reach people for Christ. You may turn the next Osama into the next Dwight, William or Billy. Imagine your opportunity to impact this world for good, forever!
Now, the first paragraph may be a little too flag-waving for my taste but what struck me was the idea of what I can do to change the world forever. If someone is out there reading this, it's about what you can do to change the world. Forever. Will I answer the call? Will you?
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Chrisitan Relief Fund
I got an email the other day from a Sub-T friend about Christian Relief Fund and their effort to win some money that Chase Bank is donating to charity. Go to Chrisitan Relief Fund and check them out and like them on Facebook to help them help others.
There are so many need charities around the world. Thursday, I was telling my son a story I had heard about a guy I know buying a used motor home off someone in Utah. The motor home was parked in one of two matching hangars owned by an inventor. In one hangar was the motor home and a private jet with capacity for 14 people. In the other hangar was another 14 passenger private jet and 36 Lamborghini vehicles. I told him the story of the inventor flying his son and 10 friends to Las Vegas last Saturday for lunch and to ride the roller coaster at New York New York before returning home in time for prom. I'm sure it's a fabulous life and nothing I can comprehend. I don't know anything about the man and what he does with his time and money but we figured out how many water wells those 36 cars could drill through Charity: Water and it was an incredible number. In fact, selling those cars would double the amount of money that Charity: Water has raised.
Hopefully, you feel like you need to go donate money now. Here's the ticket: Go to the Camp Coldwater Charity: Water site and donate some moolah. Our youth group is trying to raise $5,000 to drill a well to help people have clean water. It's a great cause.
Grace and peace to you.
There are so many need charities around the world. Thursday, I was telling my son a story I had heard about a guy I know buying a used motor home off someone in Utah. The motor home was parked in one of two matching hangars owned by an inventor. In one hangar was the motor home and a private jet with capacity for 14 people. In the other hangar was another 14 passenger private jet and 36 Lamborghini vehicles. I told him the story of the inventor flying his son and 10 friends to Las Vegas last Saturday for lunch and to ride the roller coaster at New York New York before returning home in time for prom. I'm sure it's a fabulous life and nothing I can comprehend. I don't know anything about the man and what he does with his time and money but we figured out how many water wells those 36 cars could drill through Charity: Water and it was an incredible number. In fact, selling those cars would double the amount of money that Charity: Water has raised.
Hopefully, you feel like you need to go donate money now. Here's the ticket: Go to the Camp Coldwater Charity: Water site and donate some moolah. Our youth group is trying to raise $5,000 to drill a well to help people have clean water. It's a great cause.
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Catalyst
I spent last Thursday and Friday at a Christian leadership conference called Catalyst Dallas. If you didn't go, all I can say is that you missed out. It included some great content from Pastors, leaders and leaders of social justice causes.
If you've never heard Dr. John Perkins speak, you're missing out.
If you've never heard Christine Caine speak, you might not know what a whirlwind feels like.
Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel and Matt Chandler delivered some great messages on leadership in the church and in our lives.
Lecrae, Propaganda, Seryn and other artists displayed talents in sharing the message in ways other than the spoken word.
I left knowing one thing. I want to be a catalyst for sharing the gospel message and helping people know how much God loves them and what he has already done for them.
Grace and peace to you.
If you've never heard Dr. John Perkins speak, you're missing out.
If you've never heard Christine Caine speak, you might not know what a whirlwind feels like.
Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel and Matt Chandler delivered some great messages on leadership in the church and in our lives.
Lecrae, Propaganda, Seryn and other artists displayed talents in sharing the message in ways other than the spoken word.
I left knowing one thing. I want to be a catalyst for sharing the gospel message and helping people know how much God loves them and what he has already done for them.
Grace and peace to you.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Catching Up
I'm behind. Behind at work. Behind on stuff I need to do at home. Behind on Bible study lessons I need to complete. Behind on school work. I'm running behind and I can't seem to catch up but if I fail, I won't worry because some of the things keeping me behind are wonderful moments that allow me to see God at work.
I'm thankful for friends who share their darkest secrets and deepest hurts trusting that I will continue to love them for who they are in God's eyes.
I'm thankful for friends who encourage me to follow the teacher and his teachings to help the least of these.
I'm thankful for friends who are struggling with God's ways and share those struggles with me reminding me that I'm not alone in my own struggles of understanding "why?" may not be understandable in my small way of thinking.
I'm thankful for friends who accept me as I am at any given time - whether I'm on top of the world or being drug along the concrete by an imaginary bus that just ran over me knowing that the up's and down's are a part of a healing process that isn't always easy, isn't always pretty, isn't always without pain but a process.
I'm even thankful at times to be running behind. It reminds me that there is much to do and getting comfortable and settling in isn't always a good thing if it allows me to stop obsessive pursuit of Christ and living a life worthy of his calling.
Maybe I'll catch up one day. Until then, I hope my life is filled with moments that remind me God is in control when I don't understand completely and when I see his handiwork with perfect clarity.
Grace and peace to you.
I'm thankful for friends who share their darkest secrets and deepest hurts trusting that I will continue to love them for who they are in God's eyes.
I'm thankful for friends who encourage me to follow the teacher and his teachings to help the least of these.
I'm thankful for friends who are struggling with God's ways and share those struggles with me reminding me that I'm not alone in my own struggles of understanding "why?" may not be understandable in my small way of thinking.
I'm thankful for friends who accept me as I am at any given time - whether I'm on top of the world or being drug along the concrete by an imaginary bus that just ran over me knowing that the up's and down's are a part of a healing process that isn't always easy, isn't always pretty, isn't always without pain but a process.
I'm even thankful at times to be running behind. It reminds me that there is much to do and getting comfortable and settling in isn't always a good thing if it allows me to stop obsessive pursuit of Christ and living a life worthy of his calling.
Maybe I'll catch up one day. Until then, I hope my life is filled with moments that remind me God is in control when I don't understand completely and when I see his handiwork with perfect clarity.
Grace and peace to you.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Voting For The Lesser Evil
Voting for the lesser evil is the way I view the democratic process in our country these day. Maybe I'm cynical, maybe I don't pay close enough attention, maybe I'm right.
I heard Obama was in Austin attending two fundraisers-one for 750 people at $1,000 each and one at a private home costing $35,000 per person (and Obama is no different than the Republican candidate). Now, I wonder how much publicity the candidates would get if they encouraged people to take all the campaign money and give it to charities that help the poor, the hungry, the homeless and got out to help promote those organizations. Would they get enough press to let me make a decision on who to vote for based on how much they tried to help those who needed the most help?
I don't know the answer but I know the current solution gives me a great disdain for poli-ticks.
I'm at the final day of Catalyst Dallas today (www.catalystdallas.com) and I hope I'm having as much fun as I did last year. Catalyst is a Christian leadership conference and something I've been looking forward to since I left the previous Catalyst conference I attended outside of Atlanta.
God loves you. Wherever you are. Whatever you are doing. God love you.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Lifebread
My friend's Dusty and Cecily (and Cassaundra from Decatur shows up too).
Grace and peace to you.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Ministry
Ministry is using our gifts & resources to serve others. There is real joy in serving something bigger than our own agenda. -Lecrae Moore
I had the opportunity to minister to some folks I don't normally come in contact with on Sunday and I thank God for brothers who challenge me to step outside myself and my agenda.
Our church set a goal of $100,000 for a special contribution going to our missions work on October 9. It's a crazy amount of money and I don't know if we can reach it or not. I do know God wants to use us to do unbelievable things. Maybe $100k is a part of his plan, maybe not. Either way, whatever we raise will be for his glory, not ours. If we raise $25,000, it's for him. If we raise $101,000, it's for him. I hope no one will feel let down if we don't hit the number or feel pumped about ourselves if we do reach the goal. It's a man-made number and maybe God has different plans for us. Maybe his plans are going to be something bigger than we will ever dream of on our own. Who knows? I do know we will never know if we don't put our trust in him and allow him to use us as he knows best.
Grace and peace to you.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Obsessed...Again
I'm back to Chapter 8 of Crazy Love, the chapter about what it might look like to be obsessed with loving God. It's my favorite chapter. It's a challenging chapter for me. It's an encouraging and motivating chapter for me. I can't wait to start studying it in our Bible study at work on Wednesday.
I wonder how God feels when I'm more upset by a call the umpire makes than I am by the people living under a bridge with little to eat.
I wonder how God feels when I buy enough clothes to wear for 3 weeks without wearing the same thing twice never thinking about the person wearing the same thing day in and day out.
I wonder how God feels when I dream of building a big, comfortable house while people are living in the woods on good weather nights and under a semi-trailer on bad weather nights.
I know all the arguments. Those people don't want to find a job. Those people are willing to take whatever they can get for free. Those people drink too much, do drugs too much, have put themselves in that position.
I can make the argument but I wonder why Jesus doesn't make that argument when he tells me to take care of the poor, the hungry, the naked...the least of these. Jesus doesn't tell me to make judgments about their intentions, to qualify them or to be more worried about catching someone cheating than just trusting in his goodness and guidance.
I want to live more obsessed with what God is calling me to do in his kingdom.
Grace and peace to you.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Thoughts from Sunday night
I was watching a movie Sunday night and turned it off to catch the 10:00 o'clock news to find that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. I sat there listening for quite some time with no words to say but as I watched, several thoughts started to flow through my mind.
I posted this on Facebook, a question borrowed from Chad Holtz, a Facebook friend, "A watching, cynical world will be looking to see how people who claim to follow Jesus will react to the death of a terrrorist. How does Jesus make a difference in our view of such events?"
As I watched the ongoing news, I was struck by the celebration on the TV while wondering if people really believe this is the end of terrorism. When our nation is attacked, most people rally together and, as a country, we are more engaged in a war mentality. I wonder if it will be any different for Osama's followers, if their resolve will grow stronger and their attacks will be ramped up.
The celebrations I'm watching don't seem so much different than what I see from Middle East countries when they celebrate their attacks against us.
I can understand what has happened and I can understand the decisions that were made. What I'm not comfortable with is the response of so many. Facebook comments that thank God that Osama is dead hurt my heart. People singing God Bless America in response to someone's death doesn't strike me as a blessing. Is God celebrating this death? Is God going to bless this country because we killed someone who wanted to persecute us?
I won't begin to suggest I know more about what living the life of a Christ-follower is than the next person but I can't help believe scriptures that suggest that we should celebrate in sharing in sufferings mean singing and dancing in the streets because of one man's death fly in the face of what God would have us do.
I pray that this world will know peace but, more, I pray that those who want to be disciples will act as disciples and that God will open my eyes to know what that looks like in my life.
Grace and peace to you.
I posted this on Facebook, a question borrowed from Chad Holtz, a Facebook friend, "A watching, cynical world will be looking to see how people who claim to follow Jesus will react to the death of a terrrorist. How does Jesus make a difference in our view of such events?"
As I watched the ongoing news, I was struck by the celebration on the TV while wondering if people really believe this is the end of terrorism. When our nation is attacked, most people rally together and, as a country, we are more engaged in a war mentality. I wonder if it will be any different for Osama's followers, if their resolve will grow stronger and their attacks will be ramped up.
The celebrations I'm watching don't seem so much different than what I see from Middle East countries when they celebrate their attacks against us.
I can understand what has happened and I can understand the decisions that were made. What I'm not comfortable with is the response of so many. Facebook comments that thank God that Osama is dead hurt my heart. People singing God Bless America in response to someone's death doesn't strike me as a blessing. Is God celebrating this death? Is God going to bless this country because we killed someone who wanted to persecute us?
I won't begin to suggest I know more about what living the life of a Christ-follower is than the next person but I can't help believe scriptures that suggest that we should celebrate in sharing in sufferings mean singing and dancing in the streets because of one man's death fly in the face of what God would have us do.
I pray that this world will know peace but, more, I pray that those who want to be disciples will act as disciples and that God will open my eyes to know what that looks like in my life.
Grace and peace to you.
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