"Ask and You Might..." - James 1-5

WARNING: Please stay with me on this one til the end. :)

James 1: 5-8

When you are at the stage of life that I am, especially in my spiritual journey, you see things differently. That is, you are not quite as innocent or naïve as you may have once been. That can be both a good thing and a bad thing. When it comes to one’s faith and the scripture, I think it’s a good thing.

Recently, a long-time friend of mine and I were having an Email discussion about The Secret; The popular book and film espousing the “like attracts like” philosophy, with the emphasis on “riches”. He and I primarily discussed the attraction of that type of philosophy and what it was that drew folks to that, yet repelled them from the abundant life that Christ offers. Of course, I think most of us know the answer to that one. But it did get me thinking. For example:

As some of you know, Alice and I are still trying to sell our house in Lubbock. Carrying two mortgages is no small load these days, so it would be a real joy if we were to have a buyer or that house. Which brings me to this, when I read passages of scripture, in context mind you, that seems to indicate, without severe qualification, that I can ask and it will be given, why is there no buyer? Let me enumerate:

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)

I know commentators want to ascribe qualifications to the word “greater” and “in my name” especially. But, the only real qualifier seems to be to believe.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

Again, I know the qualifications that are attached to the “abiding”; almost to the point that it is impossible for all except St. Theresa or Billy Graham to perhaps fit the bill, if even them. But, is that really the case?

…Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16:23-24)

And of course, the passage that was the focus of my reading both yesterday and today, in James:

If any of you is lacking wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting…

Of course, we all know the qualifier here, it’s “doubt” or “being double-minded”. In the NLT, they take the issue of personal doubt out of the equation and focus it on the object of our faith, GOD. In other words, “…be sure your faith is in God alone”; that there is no “divided loyalty”.

It is indeed possible, that God is not answering simply because it is my petition. For what merit have I that He should grant my request. I have proved nothing to Him. However, my wife is a different story.

Now we could play the “timing” card. You know, in God’s own time he will bring the right buyer for your house, that sort of thing. But quite frankly, now is a pretty good time!

We could play the “wisdom” card. Maybe I should be asking God for some practical insight into why He is not sending a buyer at this particular period.

On the other hand, I could play the practical card; practically speaking, God is really not interested in whether or not our house sells so he is basically out of the equation.

All are qualifiers of one sort or another. Maybe, Jesus really didn’t intend for us to be able to say to this mountain “be moved” or that “nothing will be impossible for you”. On the other hand, maybe he did!

When my faith is in God and God alone, what prevents Him from acting? Is it the “selfish” card? We want our house to sell for “selfish” reasons. I guess “duh” would be appropriate for an answer there. If you call being able to pay your bills, continue to give generously, help others when helping is an option, etc. Then yes, selfishness is reason. If you want to tell me that God wants to get us to a point where we trust Him financially, don’t you dare, we have been there done that and proved faithful.

So, bottom line, why is there no buyer for our house?

You may think this all borders on the line of blasphemy, and you may be right. However, let’s just say my non-believing neighbor and I are having a discussion and he asks me about my faith. In the course of our discussion, he asks if I believe in prayer and whether or not God hears and answers our prayers. I say, “of course I do”.

“Have you prayed to God for a buyer for your house?” he asks.

“Yes, we have”, I reply.

“Then why hasn’t your house sold?” he follows.

Oh my, feet start dancin’ and bring out those ol’ cliché’s from years gone by.

Folks, if you’re reading this, don’t be offended, just be reasonable. We get that sort of thing all the time. The “world” seems to offer a definite answer in their magic books like The Secret. We seem to offer excuses. If you don’t think that’s true, then you send me an email with your experiences where you have prayed specific requests and received specific answers. nmacdonald@carolina.rr.com

In the meantime, if you could pray for a buyer for our house in Lubbock!

Father, there is no doubt in my mind that you love me and care for me. That you, for whatever reason have chosen not to send a buyer for our house in Lubbock is something I do not understand. I suppose you will need to help me with that because I am getting frustrated. Thank you that I could tell you that. I love you.

"And the Thunder Rolls" --- Psalm 29

When you live in a state like North Carolina where more people are struck and killed by lightening than any other state in the US, you learn to have respect for thunderstorms. However, my solemn respect for these monsters of nature goes back much further than our move to North Carolina.

In my lifetime, sparing the details, I have been literally in the midst of a tornado; been caught in the middle of a farm field with lightening, thunder and hail pounding all around me; had lightening strike the ground within 15 feet of my car while driving – my window was down and the whole left side of my face was numb and I could not hear for several minutes out of my left ear; then when on training rides, I’ve been caught several times by pop-up storms in IL & OH and had to try and race them home, with strong winds raging, torrential rains drenching me, and lightening popping all around me. So, believe me, I have a huge respect for thunderstorms. In fact, you might say I am frightened of them.

It seems that I am not alone. The psalmist has a pretty good understanding of their power and stands in awe of their might as well. He ascribes the thunder to the “voice” of YHWH and describes the lightening as “flames of fire” flashing forth from that same “voice”. With every peel of thunder and every bolt that strikes the ground, he calls the people to measure the majesty, the power, the glory of YHWH.

Whether it is the seven “voices” calling out the majesty of God here in this Psalm, or the “seven thunders” mentioned in Revelation 10:3, the writers of scripture use natural phenomenon in a variety of ways. Ways that usually express their understanding of God’s interaction with His creation, specifically His interaction with humanity. The point of which is always, and I think always is appropriate, to help us understand that GOD is in control. Nothing escapes Him, ever, and we should…

Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name, worship the LORD in holy splendor! (v.2)

For

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace !” (vs.10-11)

I tend to loose sight of that from time to time. I occasionally forget God’s power, except in spiritual terms. Perhaps with the next clap of thunder, I will think of a different “voice” and be reminded of something more spectacular; someone more powerful!

Father Spirit, there are times when I seem to trivialize or compartmentalize your name, your majesty, your power - forgive me I pray. Let me always understand your majesty and give you GLORY! For your might is more than thunder and your strength more than any storm. You are king over all creation and LORD of all! Give strength to me to live this day to bring honor to your name. Grant me peace amidst whatever storm might rage around me. For as much as I can, I worship you in holy splendor! AMEN.

Somebody Pinch Me!!! Please

I've thought about this all day and I still can't get my mind around it. I'm sure it was just a "dream". I am certain someone will pinch me and I will wake up to find that it was not real at all.
Alice and I have struggled all week with where we would go to church this weekend. We enjoy our Bible study class with Jon, but the worship service leaves us wanting. We enjoy the music, but it is more performance oriented than involvement. So it gets back to the study group, which is important, especially for me right now. Both from a friendship standpoint and a "good teacher" standpoint.

However, this morning's congregational service was really over the edge. The pastor's message looked like we were headed toward something great. Unfortunately, it got bogged down in a relentless repeat of point one and never really moved anywhere from there. (That was our service, the others could have been different). Then we moved to a baptism and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Here is where it got weird.

Now let me put things in perspective. This church apparently has close to five thousand members, so it is rather large. Of course, not all attend and certainly not all attend in one service. There are three services.

In the 8:00 a.m. service, there were three hundred or so in attendance, perhaps more. The pastor asked everyone to move toward the center for ease in distributing the "elements", and then came the surprise. You know in restaurants or hotels how you get those little containers of half & half or cream; those little plastic cups with the foil top that you peal back. Well that is how we received our juice and "bread". A small self-contained little cup; the first cellophane wrapping covered the cardboard-like wafer; then immediately under that was a foil cover over the container of juice.

Now, my wife and mother didn't even know the wafer was there, so they missed it entirely. There were no instructions printed on the package or given by the pastor. I discovered it by accident, because I was so careful opening it since I was certain I was going to spill it on my khakis. :)

After it was over - I'm thinking, was all this for the sake of efficiency or what?
What's next, a little pez-like dispenser strategically placed along each pew so every one just pushes a little cross symbol and out comes the little loaf and a squirt of juice? Or better yet, they have a take-home version that they hand out as people leave the service, that way it doesn't take up any time at all and people can do it in the convenience of their own home.

Heck, we are in a water shortage here in NC so why didn't they just sprinkle the folks instead of baptize them by immersion, you can save water and after all, it is more convenient and efficient.

Yes, I am a bit sarcastic. Yes, I am a bit disappointed. And yes, I don't have to attend there.

Perhaps this is the norm for larger churches and I have just been out of circulation for so long, I didn't realize it has come to this type of convenience packaging. But.... and it's a big but.... I expect, were our LORD there in person, I suspect He may have been a bit offended.

True North --- I Kings 1-3:15

Normally I wouldn’t find myself at this “place” in the OT. At least at this juncture. Nevertheless, since it is a portion of scripture that is the focus of our Sunday School class, and we may find ourselves in that class, I figured I best read it. Of course, God, in His own wise way, has a little message for Norm.

Since Solomon finds himself in a position of power that he was not quite anticipating, at least now in his life; the LORD appears to him in a dream and said, “Ask what I should give you”.

Oh – look! A blank check!!! What shall I fill in for the amount? Let me see, what would I like? Uhm….. It is like someone asking you what would you do if you won the power ball lottery for 189 million dollars. Heck, I do not know, what in the world do you do with all of that money!

Now I don not mean to trivialize the encounter that Solomon has with God, but we might as well face it, what would it really be like if God were to ask you or me that question? I think I know what my “pious” response would be, but I am not so sure what my “in side the mind” response might be!

Solomon – as we all know – asked for “…an understanding mind…able to discern between good and evil…” (1Kings 3:9)

The really amazing thing about this is God’s response. Since Solomon did not ask anything for personal gain, the LORD said he would not only grant that request, but riches and honor in “as well”. Do you remember that “as well” phrase?

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33)

It is rather amazing how God blesses our priorities. The hard part is getting our priorities in the right order. Steven Covey called it “true North” in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. Once you know where true North is on the compass it becomes rather simple to find your direction. The same is true in our life. Once we know where true North is – what our highest priority is – everything else, for the most part, falls in place around that priority. If indeed, it is our priority.

What if God were to say to me “ask what I should give you”? What would I say?

LORD GOD, I don’t know that I have an answer for that question. I would like to think that my one true priority is to honor you with my life. Then, I am not even sure what that means or what that “looks like”. So I suppose my answer would be, tell me what I need. May it be.

It's Gotta Be LOVE ---- John 15-17

Almost 40 years ago, I gave my life to Christ. As I have said previously in this journal, it is a decision I have never denied, or for that matter, regretted. It is however, one I have betrayed. Then again, that has not been a secret, if you have read this journal.

When I came to Christ, if my memory serves me correctly, one of the things I was instructed to do, as part of my “growing in Christ” was to read the Bible. In fact, it was suggested that I start with the Gospel of John. This Bible reading was something I was eager to do. However, as many of you already know, I dabbled in John, but started in Genesis of course, because that was the beginning after all!

These past few days, as the Gospel of John is sweeping me away. Each word, each phrase, each “situation” compels me to read more. Then, when I finish for the day, I ask myself, why would anyone suggest a new Christian to start reading in the Gospel of John? Some of Jesus’ most compelling and complex sayings are in this book. You could spend a year feeding in this book alone and still not exhaust its riches.

To be candid, I do not understand much of what I am reading. There was a time when I use to berate the disciples for their dullness, now it seems that I am the dull one.

Here is what I am thinking. It seems that we get much of our theology from Paul and many of our favorite sayings from Jesus! Perhaps there is a reason for that. Let me just toss this out: I think, there is a tendency to dismiss the conditional sayings of Jesus and qualify his promises. But with the statements of Paul, we usually only qualify “cultural” issues and tend to leave substance alone, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our comfort zone, such as “prayer languages” and the like. I know this is a rather large blanket to throw over the issue, without more detail, but it is just something I have been noodling.

I will come back to all of this, but not right now. What is sticking with me is LOVE: the love of Jesus for the Father, for his disciples, for those who did and would believe in him, and for me!

His prayer in chapter 17 is all about love. Everything Jesus did he did out of love for the Father. Every indignity he suffered was out of love for the world. Every word he uttered was out of love for those of us who would believe in him. Every purpose, every parable, every promise was planned, presented, and provided out of LOVE. How wonderful is that?

Father God, I know our prayers are to directed to you. But, if I may, I would like to say a word to your Son. Jesus…Thank you. Thank you that you loved me enough! Thank you for every mile you walked, every word you spoke, every shame you suffered, and every tear you shed. But most of all, thank you for the Cross and the empty tomb!
Father Spirit, thank you that you loved the world so much that you sacrificed your only begotten son, that I might have an intimate and eternal relationship with YOU! I am forever grateful!

Jumpin' for Joy --- Psalm 28

My mind is running in twenty different directions right now. I am trying my best to stay focused – to keep my eyes directed on the LORD, to be aware of his presence and let that living water flow freely. Yet, like pesky little fire-flies in my mind, my worries will blink on and off out of the corner of my eye; Not all the time, just enough to draw my thoughts away, but not enough to make me abandon my task. Maybe I can douse them with another cup of coffee!

*********

The candor of David, or the psalmist, is remarkable. At the same time, his penchant for lamenting may or may not be something identifiable to most of us. Nevertheless, in the midst of his lamentations, he does strike a cord that resonates in the heart of many of us. For example:

“…O LORD…do not refuse to hear me…” (28:1 NRSV) or as the NLT states it “…do not turn a deaf ear to me”.

Who of us has not felt that God was not “hearing” our cry? Whether we would admit it to anyone or not; some how, some way, for some reason God was apparently refusing to hear our petition. Well, here today, I will admit it.

Of course, that is not true. At least I don not believe it is true. God does not turn a deaf ear to our prayers and supplications. To justify that here is not my purpose, I will simply posit that assertion.

What is my purpose is what David discovers in this particular Psalm between verses five and six. Something transpires that completely reverses his perspective. He moves from fearing “the pit” to total trust and exultation!

Not having read the commentaries on this passage let us suppose that one of two things happened. One, gained victory over his enemy and the problem was solved; or two, he received “counsel” in some form or fashion –either in word or worship, or both. I suspect the latter is more likely.

Through God’s word and the counsel of the temple priest or prophet, David is given assurance of God’s might. That Yahweh will be exalted and His name will not be defiled nor His servant left abandoned. Through this temple prophet, he is reminded that “the LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.” (v.8)

The direct result of this re-discovered assurance is exultation! He breaks out in joyous songs of thanksgiving! He comes to understand once again that:

The LORD is my strength…
The LORD is my shield…
The LORD has heard the sound of my voice
“In him my heart trusts.”
“I give thanks to him.”

As I travel on this journey, I continue to re-discover these things. As a result, my heart immediately wants to exalt my LORD – but often times I forget take the time to exult, to jump for joy and break out in song!

Oh, don’t misunderstand me, it is good to exalt but it is also good to exult.

My LORD and my GOD, how majestic is your name. How great thou art! What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart! Blessed assurance Jesus is mine! Amazing Grace, how can it be!!! Thank you Father that you know, you hear, you care more than my heart could understand; You are my shield, you are my saving refuge! May it be.

Belief, Buckets, and Wells ---

John 1:29-4:54

Whether intentionally or by accident, I am finding a pattern developing with each of my days. One such pattern is in the afternoons, after I have done my work, I usually read in the New Testament. Right now, I have started the Gospel of John.

I cannot begin to count the number of times I have read this gospel. Nevertheless, like all of scripture, based on where we are in our pilgrimage, we will read it with “different eyes” then we did the last time; see different things; be touched by different words or phrases. That is the wonder of both the living word and the living WORD.

What I am taking away from today’s feeding are two things: Believing is not always believing and I would rather have a well than a bucket!

“Believing is not always Believing”

In the second chapter of John, Jesus executes his first miracle. He changes water into wine. In the scheme of things, not that spectacular, but it’s more than I can do! Anyway, it is a sign that “revealed his glory” and caused his disciples to believe in him. (2:11) Now, it is interesting to note, that neither the servants who carried the jars of water/wine and knew who did what, nor the hosts, apparently “believed”, but it was enough for his new disciples. Anyway…

After this, he later goes to Jerusalem and we have the driving out of the money- changers in the temple. Jesus makes a statement about himself and the temple, a statement that his disciples realize later actually becomes truth. Again, “his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” (2:22)

While in Jerusalem, Jesus apparently had done other “signs” – John does not say what they were – so far, he only mentions the water into wine event. Nevertheless, “many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.” (2:23) But apparently, Jesus rejected their belief, whether the whole group’s or a few, he decided that he would not “entrust himself to them…for he himself knew what was in everyone.” (2:24-25)

This is not something you see very often, if at all any more. Turning away someone who expresses “belief” is highly unusual. However, it seems to boil down to motive not method. Something that John will flesh out in some stories that follow, such as, Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and others.

As I indicated, I suppose Jesus not willing to believe in the belief others expressed in him, does go to “motives”. So perhaps I should ask myself, what drives me in my “faith”, my “belief”? Did those people have a hidden agenda? Do I? Do you?

“I’d rather have a well than a bucket!”

A couple weeks back the Sunday School class we were attending got into a discussion about being “filled with the Spirit”. Without going into detail, the way I understood it, it centered around being initially filled, then as that is depleted (my word) or leaks out (the concept used in class) we need to be “filled” again. Well, little ol’ me rejected that concept and I still do.

In John chapter 4, Jesus said “…those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring (well) of water gushing up to eternal life”. (v.14)

That is what I want! I want the well! I do not want the bucket! I may be a conduit, but I am a conduit for the spring of water “gushing up” not a bucket that needs to be lowered down and filled.

Now I will grant you that I can “cap” that well, or “dam” that spring because of my own stupidity, sin, or rebellion. However, once I release it – once it is free to flow again, it gushes forth with life abundant! Flooding my being, cleansing my heart, refreshing my mind, and FILLING ME WITH HIS SPIRIT!!!!

Oh Glory!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Father Spirit, let your living water flood my soul and fill me to overflowing! Let me live abundantly because I can drink freely from the water you give! Amen

Last one on Holiness (Maybe) --- Psalm 27

Tozer’s, The Pursuit of God, “The Gaze of The Soul”

This idea of holiness continues to rattle around in my head. It will not let me go. So I will continue to pursue it until I can come to some sort of conclusion or at least get my arms around it. That is, how do I know what holiness looks like in my life or that it is something that is being “achieved”? After all, if it is to be a “goal” – in a manner of speaking – it should be something that can be “measured” – in a manner of speaking.

It appears that there are two critical elements regarding holiness:

1) Faith – “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6); “…looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb. 12:2)

Faith is the cornerstone on which we build our life of holiness. It is, as Tozer puts it, “the gaze of the soul” on Christ that keeps us outwardly focused on Him and thus inwardly successful in developing Christ-likeness. As he describes it in his book:
“While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with this soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do”. (p.91)

The Psalmist talks about it in these terms, something that we have looked at before:
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek. (Ps. 27:8)

It is in seeking God that we find the life that pleases God. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...” is our objective and the benefits of that are what God desires for us! Most of us zero in on “…and all these things will be given to you…” However, it is the “AS WELL” that is critical to the passage (Matt. 6:33). The “things” are a bonus. They are not the focus. It is the kingdom and the character of God that is our goal. That is what we are striving for.

How do we get there? That is point number two.

2) Learning and Leading (Psalm 27:11)
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path…”

Some way or another, it always comes back to the Bible. If I want to know what “holiness” is, keep my eyes on Jesus and feed on God’s word. [“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)] Then I should be able to walk on a level path, “the street called Straight”. I should be able to do, think, and most of all be what is pleasing to God. That may not always coincide with what others think, but that is not the issue. I do not have to answer to them.

I do not have to be told that adultery is wrong. I know that. I do not have to be told that lying is wrong, that stealing is wrong, that killing is wrong. I know those things – men everywhere know those things. They may justify doing them, but that does not change that fact that they know they are wrong.

What I struggle with is the finer things of life. Getting my priorities in order; honoring my wife; doing my best at my job whether it makes me “happy” or not; living at peace with my extended family; balancing “needs” with “wants”; etc.. Things like keeping my ego in check and my tongue under control. Those are what nag at me and keep me from approaching God with confidence. These are the things that are the elements of holiness.

Therefore, let the character I desire dictate to my conduct. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2Cor. 5:17)

Let me provide an illustration. I have been known to dip a bit of snuff from time to time over the years. When I started racing bicycles and became serious about that sport, I worked out regularly and rode about 200 miles a week. One day, while I was starting my daily ride, I reached in my jersey pocket for “a little pinch of snuff”. Then it hit me, I am out here almost every day, working like crazy on this bike to get in shape and be competitive, all the while, I am sabotaging my body with this stupid snuff! So I stopped immediately.

In other words, what I wanted to achieve was in direct conflict with what I was doing. My conduct was in direct conflict with my character. Now, I could still race my bike and dip snuff. Just like, I saw men on the circuit that smoked cigarettes and raced. However, I could never be at my highest level of performance and dip snuff. Just as I could not drink a six-pack of beer before a race and expect to win; or eat cheeseburgers and fries everyday; or never work out.

Holiness, godliness, Christ-likeness, is not attained by accident. It requires commitment on my part and a willingness to “do” what I have been taught and “go” where I have been lead. If I desire that “character” then I must conduct myself in a way that reinforces that character. Ouch….now that makes the heart cringe!

Oh my, Father Spirit, I act sometimes as though what I do does not really matter because no one sees. However, if you are present at all times you see. I see. In addition, what I do conflicts with what I desire to be-come. Help me to redirect my eyes on your Son. Amen.

Holiness Cont'd ---- Psalm 26

Yesterday, Sunday, I made an entry on this blog regarding “holiness”. A thought that I want to continue here.

It is one thing to think about holiness as an “objective” that we are striving for in our Christian life. It is quite another to determine how we flesh that out in our day to day walk. After all, isn’t that where it really matters?

Now I suppose the first thing that I struggle with is that word “holy”. It is something I am very comfortable ascribing to God. It is not something I am at all comfortable ascribing to me or any other human being. I think primarily because of the way we’ve denigrated that term over time to mean either “holier than thou” or “holy cow”. I’m not sure which! Plus, you do not have to dig very deep to find the non-holy in any of us, past or present, so it somehow deflates the fullness of the term.

Psalm 26 and the NLT translation of verse 2 is a good example of what I am attempting to explain. Here is how the NLT puts it:

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross- examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.

If we bounce that idea up against the concept of “holiness”, who can stand? Any good prosecutor could peal away our claims in a heartbeat. My gosh, even David would find it hard not to squirm on the “witness stand” under cross-examination when questioned about his affair and how that squared with walking “in faithfulness to (God)”. (v3b) The truth is, none of us, no not one, could stand up under the scrutiny where it to come to that. We are sinners. We were before we came to Christ and we are until the day we die.

Our only defense would be that very thing the psalmist claims, God’s steadfast love and of course what we have come to know as the cleansing blood of Christ for sins past, present and those that will surely come.

So what’s a man to do? How can I live a life that will stand up to scrutiny given my nature and what surrounds me. Verses three and twelve give me the components I need:

* Keep God’s steadfast love ever before me
* Walk-- step by step, day by day -- with integrity and faithfulness to God
* When necessary, seek out God’s redemption and gracious love
* Plant my feet on level ground (scripture, fellowship, prayer, mentor)

Father God, I can not do this without your love and grace. Redeem me and be gracious to me. May I have the strength and courage to walk in faithfulness to you – today, and let all the tomorrows wait their turn. May it be.

Now how does that life look?

Is it a life of isolation, insulated from everything around me that might corrupt or tarnish this “holiness”? Is it expressed in my dress, my speech, my actions, my social circles? The way I cut my hair, whether or not I have tattoos; display a rebel flag; ride a motorcycle; drink a beer; eat oysters; or read People magazine?

Am I less “holy” if I wear jeans and boots to church, buy stock in P & G, or support the war in Iraq?

Whose standard are we going to use yours or mine? God’s! – Which ones, the Old Testament or New Testament or both? The “rules” that are non-culturally specific or all of them? If we manage to center everything on the greatest commandment, could we call it a done deal? Or should we just settle on the “fruit of the Spirit” and call it good? Or do we need more?

It’s pretty obvious, I don’t have any answers. Well actually I do, maybe. Paul says to “abstain from every form of evil” (1TH 5:22). That could be a good start. I think most of us know evil when we see it. If not, maybe we should go back to verse twenty one where Paul says to “test everything”. If in doubt test it, if still in doubt, walk away!

Oh my…this could get rather involved. So I’ll let it rest for now. I’m going back to THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT; I think I might see things more clearly there.

Self Discovery - Again....

The Book of Ephesians

I'm not sure how it happened today. Maybe it was the fact that I haven't been sleeping well and was late getting up and we were a bit rushed. I'm not certain. But my experience at church this morning was really revealing for me. It was fortunate that I didn't let the preaching interrupt my worship because it was poor, but it did spur my thinking. Thinking about "holiness".

There's little doubt that my life has been a lot of things but classifying it as "holy" would not be a word a would use. But then, I don't need some one telling me that. Nor does any one else I suspect. What I do need to know is what do I need to do about it. Specifically.

Paul says that we were chosen "in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love". (Eph 1:4); "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" (2:10); "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness". (4:22-24)

In other words, new relationship - new life - new life expressed in new character. Not easy, but doable. Who is responsible? I am. Can I do it by myself, of course not and Paul makes that clear. But there is THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT that God has called all of us to walk down. "We must no longer be children tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way unto him who is the head, into Christ..." (4:14-15)

Can I live a holy life? Certainly. I have that obligation because of whose I am. How can I live a holy life? Understanding that I am His by grace through faith; the life I now live I live by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit; my strength comes from feeding on God's word which serves, at the same time, as my 'road map'; the gifts I have our to be expressed through the body of Christ which in turn has an "obligation" to sustain me through their individual gifts.

It is not going to be easy. That is why I have asked friends, family members, and others to pray for me. As I must for them. We can not do this alone. And we are NOT alone.

Will you join me on The Street Called Straight?

Moments Over Time -- ACTS

Acts 19:21 – Acts 28

Sometimes it’s difficult for me to get my arms around the Book of Acts and all that took place during that period. Reading it is almost like you are eves-dropping on some one else’s conversation.

I started reading it because of the Bible Study class we’re starting to attend at the church we’re going to. Last week’s lesson was centered on Pentecost and then this week is supposed to be focused on Cornelius’ conversion. So I started from that perspective.

As with other times in this journey I have a rather large writing regarding some of what I took away from my scripture study, but to display that here my prove a bit presumptuous. Suffice it to say, something happened on THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT that changed forever the life of Paul. It was not another conversion by any stretch of the imagination, but it was “conversion-like”. For it moved him in ways, I believe, even he did not think were possible.

Some of us have those moments in time – some of us have those moments over time. Either way, we have those moments. Moments that move us in ways that turn our world right side up and motivate us to action. Mine is an “over time” one. These don’t always have the glamour of the “in time” ones. But that’s okay. I’ve had enough glamour in my life. The point is we act as a result of those “moments”. Just as Paul did when he had his on the street called Straight.

Father of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; give me the courage I need to keep moving and the faith to keep looking forward. It is by your grace and love that I am whose I am. Let me not squander that privilege. May it be.

Remember Me Psalm 25

It was the first summer after I came to know Christ, our church, Kennewick Baptist Church, had a summer youth group visiting. I wish I could remember their names, but I can’t. I’m not even sure why they were there, I think for a “pick me up” to our youth program, summer missions, and VBS. What I DO remember is oh how they could sing! Even to this day, I get goose-bumps thinking about them and they way they could lift the Lord’s name in praise and worship.

They had one song in particular that they did which was my favorite. It was a Negro spiritual called “Remember Me”. Here’s a verse and the chorus as near as I can recall…

Oh I won’t mind, tho dark and drear my way may be,
I won’t mind my cross to bear,
For I know in God’s own time he’ll pardon me,
When calling the roll, O dear Lord,
Remember Me

Remember me,
When tears are falling down
Remember me,
When sorrows all around,
And oh down at the river of Jordan,
When calling the roll
O dear Lord, remember Me

The church choir sang it several times and my daughter’s grandfather almost always sang the lead. Then he asked that someone else do it. I’m not certain whether I raised my hand or the choir director asked me to take one of the verses, but I ended up with one. NEVER sung in public before, but it was about to happen! As soon as it became my turn and I started singing, several people in the choir turned their heads and stared at me! To this day, I’m not sure whether they were in disbelief that I could do it, or that I could do it fairly well. Whatever the reason I always remember that moment. More importantly I remember that song…I still sing the parts I recall from time to time.

“Remember Me”. That’s what the Psalmist asked of God.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to your steadfast love remember me… (v.7)

As I make each step of this journey, whether I wish for the days of old or hunger for what might be down the road; whether I toil under the burden of my self-imposed guilt for those neglected years or count the sleepless nights over what “might have been”. My hearts desire is that God will simply REMEMBER ME.

It’s just me Lord. Open hands, open heart, open mind… me. That’s all I have.

In calling the roll, Oh dear Lord, remember me! May it be.

Justification Psalm 24

Psalm 24 Tozer, The Pursuit of God, “The Speaking Voice”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/19.20.html

Sometimes I cannot stop my mind from racing. It seems to scurry about jumping from thought to thought – attempting to make connections. Trying to bring harmony to ideas or congruence to theories that seem to be incongruous. I like to think it’s the lost art of “pondering”, but it may simply be the inability to grasp complex ideas! :)

In some sense, ironically it was the lack of this that prevented me from being a good student, I think. It was hard for me to process ideas; to think about what I was reading or hearing – I was too focused on getting done with what I was reading or moving on from what was being said to really process it or integrate it. Now it seems that I can’t stop.

Then reason I’m pointing this out is to some how justify why I am approaching this Psalm the way I am.

Once the writer praises God as the creator he goes on to ask for all intents and purposes, one question; “who can stand in God’s holy place?” Followed by the obligatory answer, only those who are “pure” and upright in character.

Reading that, my mind jumped immediately to an article I had read earlier this week in the Internet version of Christianity Today, one on “Justification”. The editor who wrote the article, speaks to the issue of good works as they relate to the doctrine of justification. The crux of what he talks hinges on what he posits as “justification by faith…..(and)…we don’t even contribute faith”. In other words, we are void of anything to do with the process, but, and it’s a big but, once that faith is consummated, it is to be exercised through good works.

Now that whole argument caused me great concern primarily because I believe its wrong number one and deceptive number two.

There is a big difference between these two phrases:

Justified by grace through faith in Christ

Justified by faith in Christ through grace

In the first, I have nothing to do with the “grace” but contribute mightily in the decision of faith. Once that faith-commitment is made I have been “…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life”. (Eph 2.10)

In the second, I bring nothing to the relationship not even the “faith”. Yet, I have a responsibility to do good whenever and wherever I can because that is what being a part of the corporate body of Christ is about. After all, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26)

It may be moot to some, but the first thought is active, the second is passive. I don’t believe there is anything about our relationship to God, in Christ, that is passive except for His Grace and even that took the action of the Cross!

Does it matter – perhaps not to you, but it does to me. That is why I am here. If it were simply a matter of “faith” once for all and I contributed nothing than I could rest on the blessed assurance and be content. But since it is by grace, through faith, my heart yearns for that relationship to be fulfilled in abundance and worked out to His glory.

There in lies the paradox. I do nothing to earn it, but through faith give my all to bring glory to the ONE who provided it!

“Who shall ascend….who shall stand?”

Father Spirit, it is only by your grace that I can acknowledge your presence or even begin to think in terms of being in your presence. I deserve nothing yet give my all.
Father, I am especially concerned about my speech right now; Which is a direct reflection of what’s in my mind, so I pray for a cleansing there, that what issues from my mouth might be pleasing to your ears.
May it be.

All About Restoration Psalm 23

Psalm 23

I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve heard this Psalm; quoted this Psalm; read this Psalm; heard it sung about; talked about; or expounded upon from the pulpit. Yet, I never get tired of it. Each time I find a freshness about it that somehow speaks to my need.

Today there were several portions of this Psalm that God used to help affirm His love and confirm my journey. “Oh how wonderful, oh how marvelous is my Savior’s love for me…”

“…he restores my soul”

Of course, that is what this journey is all about, restoration – a restoring of that relationship which I chose to push away. A coming back to the Father after running everywhere, but nowhere. God is in the restoration business. That is what he does and His customer service policies are unequaled. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your present life, He will gladly exchange it for one where….

“He leads me in right paths for His names’ sake”

“He”, God; “leads”, provides direction through His WORD & Word; “me”, I am the one being lead. Why is it that I always want to flip that “He” and “me” around? It’s never “here God, I’m going this way would you like to come?”

I have this saying written in one of my old bibles, it says “If you’re not as close to God as you use to be, guess who moved?”

“…I fear no evil…”

You know what, I do fear evil. I fear what it can do because I now what it has done. I fear evil people. I fear that that God is going to “punish” me by bringing harm to those I love or devastation to my life through other means because of my sin and revolt. I fear that my staying power may not stay. I fear that I will not live in order to last. I fear that I will be afraid too much to act. But….

I am not alone, I have a comforter; a protector; a great shepherd whose rod and staff will bring a sense of relaxation and release from all those fears.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

That word “follow” in the New Living Translation is translated as “pursue”. Like “The Hound of Heaven”, God’s goodness and mercy will not let me go. It will pursue me all of my days. How could my eyes ever be blind to the magnitude of love expressed by our Creator? Where can I go to escape such a love whose arms stretched so wide as to embrace all who would come to Him? Could I ever out run the flow of cleansing blood that comes from Calvary’s mount? Is there a place to flee where my ears would not hear the echo of His words, “it is finished!”?

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…

Father Spirit, thank you that you love me enough to pursue me; To keep your goodness and mercy ever available through Christ. Lead me in the path of right living for your name’s sake. May it be.

Addition to today's Post

It's great how God just adds those little tid bits to affirm what He's trying to teach you! Today, in my electronic copy of The Leadership Journal from Christianity Today, there was this article on
My Holy of Holies. Similar to some of what I write, or some sermons I've delivered, it goes on longer than perhaps it needs to to make the point, but it speaks directly to what I was talking about regarding the presence of God. It's worth the read.

We Are Standing.... Psalm 22 "The Universal Presence"

When I read this Psalm, images of different biblical themes or events began to leap off the page. There are phrases in this psalm that are quoted in the New Testament and echoed throughout the OT. Of course, the most prominent is the very first verse, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as spoken by Jesus during his death. Somewhat appropriate because the context here is that of dying or being gravely ill.

When I read the first couple of verses this is what stood out: Presence and Timing

“…why have you forsaken me?”
“…why are you so far from helping me…”
“…I cry but you do not answer..”

I cannot begin to count the number of times my heart has questioned the presence of God or petitioned his time clock to be moved up. The needs of my life obviously required “urgency” and it was in everyone’s best interest that He act with some sense of timeliness. Or so I thought.

When God did not conform to my expectations, I began to question His presence. How could he abandon me so easily? Why would he leave me in such a time as this? Did he not understand how critical this period in my life was and how much I needed his presence not his apparent absence?

How small was/is my understanding of God! How minimal my comprehension of His presence and timing.

Is there a place that God is not? We hear in our churches and small groups, as we come together, that “where two or more are gathered there I am” referring to Jesus’ presence – does that mean God is not present otherwise? If I am by myself is God not present? Of course He is! I just have not conditioned myself to think, act, or live in those terms. It’s almost like Jacob, I can be in His presence and not even be aware of it!

“Surely, the LORD is in this place --- and I did not know it!” (Gen. 28:16)

I can even be singing “we are standing on Holy Ground” and feel all warm and fuzzy, but yet not comprehend that I am in the very presence of GOD! Because He is very present! My heart AND my mind must do better!

The other factor about these two verses is “timing”. I was reading my son-in-laws website and he was sharing some resources that he uses in his PhD studies. They are all on line resources that can be downloaded to your computer for free. They are bibles, commentaries, bible dictionaries, devotionals, different language bibles including Greek and Hebrew, etc. All on my computer! Heck, I can even down load them all to my phone if I wanted to!!! Instant access to bible verses; commentaries; dictionaries without even having to get out of my chair!

Is it any wonder we can’t wait on God! Does it surprise any of us that we get impatient with God and wonder what takes him so long to “download” his answer; to get His email and respond? Is God not aware that we have an “agenda” here and it’s important that we keep things moving? Besides, the request or need I have today is not the only thing on the list, so we need to get this one taken care of so we can move on you know!

Believe me, I would not have done real well with that 40 years in the Wilderness thing! "Are we there yet?" would have taken on a whole new meaning if Uncle Norm would have been in that little gathering! Oh, don’t get me wrong, I have asked God for patience – multiple times – but he keeps giving me situations where I must exercise patience and it just drives me nuts!

It is true, God’s timing is nothing like my timing. His Timex has no hands that rotate around the dial. He sees forever and how I fit into that scheme. I am forever wanting to see the scheme for today.

What to do about it? Practice His presence first and the timing thing will take care of itself.

“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face LORD, do I seek.
(Ps.27:8)


Father Spirit, I don’t know whether to stay seated, to stand, to kneel or to fall on my face in your presence. I feel awkward to even think about it let alone try to take it in and enjoy it. I just want to become aware. I deserve it not except by the blood of your son Jesus.
Accept my thanks and my praise.

Where's the Battle ? Psalm 21 Eph 6:12

My normal habit would be to post what I had written in my off line journal. But it is so long, that I've opted not to do that. Besides, any one that knows me, knows that often my thoughts are far afield and unless you can jump in my mind it's hard to know what the heck brought all that on?!

I suppose I could summarize it by what Tozer says in his book The Pursuit of God:

Where faith is defective, the results will be inward insensibility

and numbness toward spiritual things. (p. 53)

Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Ephesians:

For our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood,

but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the cosmic powers of this present darkness,

against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (6:12)

Every day I am being challenged. Sometimes more by my own inner man than by anything else. But very often by the enemy who - in reality - is better served if I remain docile and depressed; handicapped and on the sidelines. That is not to say that I am some spectacular force of righteousness, it is just to say that I am another soldier of the Cross, like you are, and if he can keep me down, that's one less soldier on the battlefield.

One of Satan's most effective tools is, as Tozer puts it "inward insensibility and numbness toward spiritual things". In other words, thinking my only battle is within and not without. That the struggle only pertains to my individual faith and not that of the community; that my temptations are only a sign of weakness not an attack from the enemy.

Zig Ziglar use to tell the story about the bullfrog in the pan of water. You could put a bullfrog in a pan of water on a stove and slowly, incrementally, turn the burner up and the frog would not jump out - he would stay in the water until he boiled to death. Why? Because its body would slowly acclimate to the temperature of the water around it and it would sense that nothing is wrong. Until it was too late.

I must be ever vigilant. Always on my guard. I know how demoralizing the enemy can be. I he can take the slightest weakness and compound it into a paralyzing handicap. How he can take what seems to be the simplest word and use to to turn the truth into a "lie". How he can lull me into thinking it's okay when all the while the water is boiling around me and I am slowing dying.

Father Spirit...I know who wins the war, so during the battles in this life, let me keep my eyes upon Jesus - my heart hopelessly devoted to You - my mind focused on your WORD - and my feet set straight on your path. May it be.

There's a Change in the Air

Mark 4-13

I’ve spent the past two mornings reading Mark. I started it a while ago and never got around to finishing it, so I thought the weekend for the “gospels” would be good. Kind of a refreshing break and change of pace. Besides, when Alice is home, I want to be available for her. Uhm….perhaps that means I should be adjusting my schedule, not my priorities.

This time is becoming such an important and “fun” time, that I kind of hate to miss it. For those of you reading this that have been more consistent in your journey than I, I can only imagine how much joy and how important your time is for you.
Anyway…

When reading today about what Jesus was saying about his own return or signs of the end of the age, I asked myself why didn’t He know the time? Why does He seem to think it’s more imminent than it obviously was, and what does that say about his godhood vs. his manhood. Or does it matter? Personally, at this point, I don’t think it matters. But it will come up again.

I suppose that raises a second question – why were the disciples so “dull” when it came to the teachings of Christ? What was it about their ability to grasp what he was saying? Why could they not make connections? The parables are a good example. At least in Mark, multiple times, they needed Jesus to explain to them the meaning. Why? I think in part because they did not put things in context, that’s one thing. Secondly, I don’t believe they gave much thought beyond the obvious to what they saw in conjunction with what Jesus was saying. All of that changes after the resurrection and Pentecost!

With the coming of the Holy Spirit, they see with new eyes; hear with new ears; and walk with a new gait! These are NOT the same men that were often chastised by their Lord; these are men and women who are enthused to proclaim the gospel to the whole world because now they understand like never before.

STAND BACK – You don’t know how big it’s going to get!!!!

May it be oh LORD.

Journey Notes - Two for the Price of One!

There was no post yesterday - not that I took a day "off". Just that I didn't make a journal entry on line. I have started keeping my journal in Word, then copying it over to this web site. Yesterday, I was a bit overwhelmed by everything and didn't come here. So today's a double-decker!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Psalm 19 and “The Pursuit of God” chapter 1 by A. W. Tozer

WOW…my mind is reeling with both desire and confusion. There is so much going on inside of me right now that I can’t quite comprehend it. I feel like I am pulling myself in a thousand different directions, seeking my bearing and focus. So yesterday, while looking through some of the books in my library I came across Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”.

There are a lot of things I need right now – but most of all I need God: A deeper, fuller, more intimate understanding of God. Him and Him alone is all.

When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself. The evil habit of seeking God-and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation. In the and lies our great woe. If we omit the and we shall soon find God, and in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing.” A. W. Tozer (p.18)

Father Spirit, create in me that desire to desire You and nothing more. Fill my heart with a longing that supersedes all else; a wanting that drives me to your Word; a thirsting to drink from the fountain of your love; a passion to love you and to love being loved by you. May it be.


Friday, July 13, 2007

Psalm 20
Matthew 5:3
The Pursuit of God, Chapter 2

Friday the thirteenth. What some view as an “unlucky” day, but what could be for me my day of greatest fortune.

I am always amazed, yet I don’t know why, that my Father always knows what I have need of before I realize the need is there. In His wisdom, that ultimate plan continues to unfold in spite of my in ability to see its unfolding. Each piece intricately placed, nothing left out. All without the slightest hint of “oh, I almost forgot this….”!

Today when I began reading Psalm 20 two verses leapt off the page as if to say “notice me, notice me”. They were verse four and verse seven. The first selection is one we hear quoted often and used in prayers of our own. This is what is says:

“May he (God) grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill your plans”.

The second one, we don’t hear quite so often, but it relates some what in that “desire” and “pride/boasting” go almost hand in hand.

“Some take pride (boast) in chariots, and some take pride (boast) in horses, but our pride (boasting) is in the name of the LORD our God.”

Now, those verses, extract their meaning from the context of two settings; one the temple offering and two, the preparation for battle. That being said, all too often that first selection gets used in prayerful petitions centered around wants and artificial needs; possessions and things; give me and get for me. The second is a direct result, “look what I have” usurps “look whose I am”.

Then, I did my reading in Tozer’s, The Pursuit of God. As God would have it, the title of the chapter for the day was “The Blessedness of Having Nothing”. The text he chose was from Matthew 5:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (v.3)

With words that only Tozer could craft, he laid bare what so easily cripples my heart; things, “toys”, money, recognition, family, time-wasters. All find their place in the line of “desire” except my hungering after God. It is only when all of that, and God does mean all of that, is laid at His feet and counted as “nothing” that we find “everything”. But herein lies the paradox…

If I deceive myself into believing that I can lay these things at the foot of the cross in order to regain them then I have missed the intent of God’s glorious promise! And the enemy has won again.

Father, how wonderful is your name. You are the great provider! How unfortunate is my soul to think that I could find any pleasure or peace in anything or anyone outside of YOU. Yet, I struggle mightily with that very thing. Father, may my heart’s desire be YOU and YOU alone and may You grant me my hear’ts desire and fulfill all my plans. May it be in Jesus Name.

The CALL - The Light --- Psalm 18

It is you who light my lamp; the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. (v.28)


Father, right now I am struggling to see, to find direction regarding my writing. There have been so many times Lord when I have taken paths that have lead no where.

Then the light comes on…..

“They lead no where”, HE says, “because you are not using the gifts I have given you nor following my calling. Do both and you will be fine.”

I reckon that is His way of reminding me that this journey started as a result of “running from my passion”. It can find a “conclusion” to some degree in returning to that passion.

I don’t often talk about my “calling”. It’s not something I like to think about a lot. I suppose because it hurts a great deal to do so. And it’s definitely not something I enjoy verbalizing. In some ways it is like asking a father to talk about a child that has died; or a husband to talk about his life long companion who has passed. It simply hurts the heart too much.

It wasn’t that long after I came to Christ that I began to sense God’s calling to the pulpit. Unlike some stories you may hear, I did not rebuff that urging rather I embraced it as a privilege. Once I acknowledge the “call”, it was full speed ahead after that. It’s my nature – “full speed ahead” that is. Every chance I got, I would step behind the pulpit to proclaim God’s Word. It ignited my soul, it enthused me; it motivated me; it was what I lived for!

Well, if you know me – or have followed some of “The Way of the Wolf” you know portions of what happened to end all of that. But here is the crux of the matter. Once I left the pulpit – everything I have done after that has been second best. I knew it then, I know it now.

Here are the questions that I don’t know the answer to, but am beginning to discover:

Does God rescind his call?

Can that calling to the pulpit be re-directed to print?

Am I, as they say, “a day late and a dollar short” all the way around?

It is you who light my lamp; the LORD, my GOD, lights up my darkness.

Help me to see well enough to follow Father. May it be!

Single Track Riding Psalm 17

My steps have held fast to your paths;

my feet have not slipped. (v.5)

A narrow trail hardly wide enough for one person to walk on; trees and brush push against each side crowding out the sunlight and obstructing the view of the next corner. The occasional rock or rut lies in wait to throw you from the saddle and toss you like a rag doll forcing you to hang on mightily until you could settle back in to your rhythm.

That’s what they call “single track” in mountain biking. Whether you’re racing or just out pounding the trail with your friends, it’s a ride like no other. You can not take your eyes off the trail for a split second, as soon as you do, you will – without a doubt – find yourself against the closest tree or buried in the bushes! This kind of riding requires myopic focus. It is both exhilarating and exhausting!

It’s not something you learn over night. It takes a certain skill level to do single track and do it well. Yes, it requires strength – there are times when you literally have to throw your bike around a corner or over an obstacle. It requires stamina – the terrain is never level, it rises and falls and often you are at elevations you don’t normally ride at. It requires balance – knowing how to center yourself over the bike is ultimately important. It’s called your balance point – once you know that everything else you do is driven of that balance point. That’s your primary point of equilibrium.

To give you an idea of what I mean, do you remember as a kid, the first time you rode you bike with no hands? How excited you were? The first couple of times you were wobbling like crazy, then after a few tries, you could do it smooth as could be. You could even go around corners! You could do that because you had found your “balance point” on the bike! The place where you and the bike were “one”.

Perhaps the writer of the Psalm would have been a good single track mountain biker. He knew his “balance point”.He knew what it meant to hold fast, to not slip. He was firmly focused on one thing and one thing only – the path set before him; doing right in the eyes of his LORD. Keeping his heart free from sin; his life dedicated to following the very law of God.

For that reason it was not difficult for him to say “if you try my heart….if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me…” (v.3). That is something my lips would surely stumble over. Oh there was a time, I might pray it to impress my friends, but I’m not certain there was ever a time I could have said it with certainty or confidence. I’ve had “spurts” – but nothing I would consider sustainable when you include the heart!

I think many of us could do the “outward” sin part pretty well. But when it comes to what harbors in our heart! Well that might be a different matter. That’s where we get thrown off our “balance point”. I don’t know that I would find myself in a state where I could confidently say “…if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me…”

Getting to that point is not easy. Just as getting to be a good single track rider is not easy. It requires finding that “balance point”.

Father Spirit, how wonderful is your name!!!

I'm certain I am not ready for single track riding right now. I need to get my legs under me and find my balance point again. I know that my mind needs cleansing and my heart refreshed.

Will you do that work in my through your Holy Spirit?

I want to be found ready for a "night visit".

In the name of your Son who makes intercession for me!!! May it be.

The Right Time, Right Place, Right Everyone

Hebrews 7:25

If we look at life as static – or single events having no connection to another, then the eternal nature of who we are as human beings is neutralized.

If we look at life as dynamic – each event having a connecting thread to the other, weaving a tapestry that we cannot “see”, then the eternal nature of who we are, as human beings, becomes energized.

I use to tell my son, “nothing happens in a vacuum”. Everything we do impacts something else or some one else. The same is true with life-events, they do not happen in a vacuum. They take place on a continuum – an ever moving, ever growing series of life decisions that will not end until they end. No decision is final until it’s final. Oh, we can say “that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it”. But today, tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year, we could change our mind. Or as Zig Ziglar says, and I paraphrase, have new information and make a new decision.

That’s where I am right now. Gathering new information and making new decisions. Realizing that no decision is final. No act is un-reversible. Nothing that’s done cannot be un-done in some sense.
As I take each step along this recovery process, I begin to understand how God is helping me and guiding me. Sunday is a good example.

My wife has been attending a certain church here in the Monroe, NC area for the past several weeks. Week before last, I went with her knowing that I need to be in worship. It was “okay” but nothing that pushed any buttons. Then again, I don’t really require buttons to be pushed, if that’s where she’s comfortable, that’s good for me.

But through the week, I began to feel like maybe we should “re-visit” one of the churches we had attended on Easter. It’s a huge church – but several of the people in our neighborhood attend, one of our new “friends” teaches a class there; and perhaps we should give it another look-see. So we went.

The experience there was pretty intense.

It was similar to what I felt like the first time I heard the Gospel. The songs that were song and the message that was given, seemed directed specifically to me. It was what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it! That doesn’t mean I had a “re-conversion” experience. It simply means that I sat there in awe of the Father, knowing that in his infinite love, he was saying to me, “I’ve been waiting – here, this is for you – I prepared it especially for you!”

The key to it all ---- Hebrews 7:25

"Consequently, Christ is able for all time, to save those who approach God through him,
since he always lives to make intercession for them."

In all of my stumbling, my rationalizing, my “but you don’t understand” theories, there was Christ – at the right hand to the Father interceding for me! As if to say:

“Father, there he goes again. He is struggling because he thinks his life should be free of pain and difficulty. That somehow because of what he does it must require some kind of special hedge. I want Norm to be stronger, to look to me for the strength he needs to sustain him, but he finds that difficult. Fortunately he is learning and today was a huge break through.”

Now let me go back…. yesterday, was just one more step on that journey. It wasn’t an experience that took place in a vacuum. It was a point on a continuum that marks my way on the journey.

Yes, I did have that professor who said, “the only way to remain a Christian is to remain a Christian”. Well, the remaining remains to be seen. But isn’t that what remaining is – remaining! And does that mean remaining without interruption?

As the pastor said in his introduction – he wasn’t sure why he was preaching on that passage in Hebrews or the attending passages; why God was leading him in that direction for that particular Sunday; but long before he knew it, God had this day planned.

Could have been for a thousand other folks – but I’m thinking it was for me.

Thank you Father!

Remember Your "first time" Psalm 16

Do you recall the first time you read your Bible? Many of you may have grown up around it and don't really recall. But I didn't. My memory of going home after accepting Christ, digging furiously for a Bible, any Bible and only finding a huge Family Bible was a real frustration. Hard to do "bed time devotions" with a Bible that weighs twenty five pounds!!! So the next day I went to the only religious bookstore I knew and bought a black (of course) King James Bible (of course). It had pictures, gold edges, maps, and (of course) the words of Christ in red (good thing, I probably could have never figured that one out!). Anyway, I believe I still have that Bible.

Since I came to Christ via Campus Crusade for Christ, they recommend you start reading with the Gospel of John. Which I did. Then I quickly went to Genesis. My thought was, you start at the beginning of things, right? Right! So I read every day. Devouring as much as I could any time I could. It was like cold water to a thirsty man.

Then somewhere along the line, as the years went by, it mostly became academic and not "devotional". I read for sermon or Bible study preparation. I stopped feeding and simply began reading. Of course we all know what happened!

Today, as I read Psalm 16, I felt like I was feeding again! God was speaking to me. His word was coming alive to me - to nurture me - to strengthen me.

I could read the Psalmist's words and say --"you know what, that's what I needed to know today. What he is saying is exactly the kind of thing, that, had I kept that in my heart years ago, might have given me the anchor I needed to hang on. So learn it today Mac, you may need it tomorrow!"

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel..." (v.7a)

Thanks Jon

Brick chips, a little laughter, a fruit smoothie with stuff in it that you don't want to know about, and some back breakin' work. That's how my morning went with Jon today.

Who's Jon?

He's one of God's special angels....some body God used today to help me verbalize some of what I've been writing these past few days. Didn't realize how much I needed that until it was happening.

Thank You Jon!

We met Jon and his wife Paula as they were "strolling" the neighborhood one evening. Paula and some other women in the neighborhood had hosted a brunch for all the women in the block a few weeks ago, so Alice had already met Paula and her mom Norma. But it was my first time. Anyway, we had decided to invite them all over for the 4th of July. They had already made plans to have several friends over to their house, so they invited US over there. An invitation we gladly accepted. It was a very nice time.

Jon and Paula are finishing a small "cottage" in back of their home that is designed to be a place of ministry. It is a place where folks, who have critically ill children that are being treated in the area, can come for a respite. In other words, having been by their children's side day and night for several days, they have need of a break. This "cottage" is a place for them to come and get that break. A chance to refresh and recharge.

Jon was getting some clay chips delivered to put down on the pathway to the cottage, so I volunteered to come help him spread the 9 tons of chips! That's how it all began. After our morning's work, we were enjoying John's special concoction and the conversation started. And the best part about it, there wasn't even a hint from Jon like "gosh, I wish this guy would shut up!!!"

Isn't it wonderful how God does this kind of thing when we least expect it.

Thanks again Jon. It meant a lot to me that you opened yourself up to be that receptive.

"Putting Down Roots" PSALM 15

When I first read this Psalm, I thought there seemed to be something familiar about it. Then after a couple more readings, it seemed pretty clear that there was a very close reflection of Galatians 5:22ff where Paul talks about the "fruit of the Spirit".

Whether it's the Old Testament or the New, "character" is "character". The reflection of a Godly character is either fleshed out in one's behavior or it is not. Fruit is either hanging off the limb or it's barren.

But the key seems to be the overall result.... yes, it impacts how I treat others and that is of extreme importance. However, the product of building the kind of character that the Psalmist talks about and Paul talks about is this:

"Those who do these things shall never be moved!" (Psalm 15:5c)

There is an unmistakable, unmovable, and undeniable stability that holds no matter what.

My neighbor has a tree stump in his yard that has been there for some time. We were talking about it one afternoon and he said that he wants to take it out, just hasn't found the time or taken the time to do it. But really doesn't want to hire somebody with a stump grinder to do it.

Of course, I told him it shouldn't be that big of a deal. A few hours and we should be able to hook that puppy up to my truck and pull it out!

One afternoon, with some time on my hands, I went over with my axe and began cutting the perimeter roots and getting things ready. Then when he got home from work, we hooked it up and slipped my truck in four wheel drive and began the pull. Nothing!!!! But a broken tow rope!

I just didn't understand it. Well, to make a long story short. The tree, a "former" evergreen tree is a species that has a center root that runs straight down the middle. So of course, I could cut the surrounding roots all day long and still not get to the meat of the matter - the primary root that was holding the stump firmly to the ground!!!!

Reckon you see where I'm going with this. As I developed over the years, it appears that I may have given too much attention to those perimeter roots and not enough to that "center" root.

Guess we'll have to change that. :)

Any Who Are Wise - Psalm 14

I'm sure I'm not alone, but when I read certain passages, my mind immediately jumps to certain things, people, or events that I identify with that particular passage. It may have absolutely nothing to do with the context - and as I have said, I'm a BIG FAN OF CONTEXT - but it does give me pause to think about what I'm reading. This is the case with this particular Psalm.

I remember one day telling my wife, "I can tolerate a lot of things, but ignorance is not one of them"! It was right after we had had a rather intense conversation with some friends of ours over a particular concept in the Bible. I don't exactly recall what the focus of the conversation was, I just know that Vic was not even open to any alternative explanations or interpretations, period. It was exasperating. I could not believe he would be that ignorant.

Now the reason I mention that, in the "context" of this particular Psalm and my specific journey, is that all of my friends, including that one -- pressed on in the journey with the LORD. Through difficult times, painful experiences, hardship, and sorrow, they pressed on...being "wise" enough to continually "seek" God. I, on the other hand, found it most convenient to walk the other direction! Uhm.....

I can tolerate a lot of things, but my own ignorance is certainly not one of them!!!!

"I Promise" Psalm 12

"I Promise"...when was the last time you heard those words? Or better yet, when was the last time you made that statement? Did the person follow through on their promise? Did you?

The promises of the LORD are

promises that are pure. (v.6)

Can I count on God to keep his promise(s)?

With little doubt!

Do the promises of God have a time table that is different than mine?

With little doubt!

I will never know the intricacies of either?

With little doubt!

I hate that!!! It frustrates me! It doesn't fit with my scheme of things; my management style; my way of thinking. Why can't God understand that and make some accommodations?

What do you mean that's what "faith" is about!?

Faith in Christ! (2Cor. 1:20)

Do you promise? :)

Lesson Learned! Psalm 11 Romans 5:1-5

Before I go too far, let me say that there is beginning to reside in me, a peace that I have not known in some time. I'm not certain how to describe it. I suppose a "quiet heart" would be a good way. But nevertheless, there is an inward calm that is beginning that gives me hope for the future. A sense that I am headed in the right direction; an affirmation that my steps are on the right path. I'm rather excited about it.

The other day, after some of my notations, I was reading through Romans - I know, I'm kind of jumping all over the place, but that's okay, it's rather "fun". Anyway, I was reading Romans and came to this section in Romans 5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

I first thought about the obvious - how running from difficulty does nothing but perpetuate weakness of faith. How depth of character comes not from the gentle flowing current of life, but rather the white water passages. I pondered this for most of the weekend. As I read the passage again today, I thought of what it was like when I began racing bikes.

Once I got serious about racing, I hired a personal trainer. He put me on a strength program designed to build specific muscles for cycling. It worked well, I got to the point where I could leg press over 400lbs with 5 repetitions - not bad for 50 years of age. Anyway...one of the training pieces was "intervals". I hated these! In fact, I didn't know anyone who raced, who enjoyed them, even my trainer!

With "intervals" you would pick a specific distance on a section of road - preferably with a gradual incline - then the fun would start. You would warm up first, then you started the work out. You would hit the starting point rolling, then go flat out - as hard as you could the entire distance! Once your heart rate recovered to a fairly normal rate, you would do it again; and again; and again; and again; until you literally could not pedal any longer. Then you hoped you could make it home!

Sometimes I would do my intervals on a hill - this would last only 3-5 repetitions. Other times my interval training would be to ride with a group that I knew was far superior in skill than I and try to stay with them as long as I could, then "limp" home.

The result -- I got stronger and stronger. My endurance became deeper and deeper. I could out last and out ride guys half my age as a result of this kind of training. Here's one specific example. One year, the first race I entered, I finished dead last out of about 50 riders. The following year, I finished 5th in that same race.

I remember it as though it was yesterday, On the last leg, there was a steep climb to the finish. I was about 20 riders deep in the pack. I broke to to the outside and started sprinting up the hill. Behind me I heard one of the top riders yell out, "Let him go, he'll blow up"!! I thought to myself, "like hell I will!" and kicked it to a higher gear! I knew I was taking a big risk going so early, but it was my only chance and I knew my training would pay off. And it did!

This is what Paul is saying here. Mac, you should have done your "interval training". It would have produced the endurance you needed and the strength of character you were lacking. It's never easy - but "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" we have the resources to survive and thrive!

Maybe it's time to start training again!