Love One Another

I will never forget driving up to the church one evening and William (not his real name), was sitting on the steps just waiting for someone to show up and let him in. Will grew up in the worst kind of social squaller. He was the product of a broken home and his mother would bring men into the house and engage in behavior that no child should ever have to see.

One day members of the local church were canvassing the neighborhood and signed Will up to ride the "Joy Bus." It was the day that changed his life forever. He only lived a few blocks away, so he rarely waited for the bus to show up at his house. More often than not he was at the church ready to ride along and help out where he could. He attended every service, never missed a youth event, and pretty soon was leading prayers and giving short Bible talks.

I left for college and often wondered what happend to Will, at least until that cool December morning in Plymouth, MI. I remember a tall strapping young man in uniform walked in with his wife at his side and small child in tow. Will was serving with distinction in the U.S. Army, had married a Christian girl and was active in the local church.

How does a young man from such a troubled background grow to become a pillar in the local church? It was the result of a loving family. No, not his biological family, but his spiritual family. I have often subscribed to the belief that we can make a lot of mistakes in life, as long as we love one another, for "love covers a multitude of sin."

A Touch of Wonder

Arthur C. Gordon wrote this inspiring litte book entitled, "A Touch of Wonder." It is simply a series of short stories and applications that he has drawn from his own experiences of life. I have read the book a number of times and given it as a gift more than once.

I think the reason I am drawn to Gordon's book is that it is relevant to everyone. As we read his stories we are reminded of the fenceposts we have passed in our own life.

Over the years I have compiled stories and illustrations from my own life; they relate the wonders and marvels God has worked on me and sometimes even through me. For the next week or two I am going to share some of those stories with you. Some are wonderful stories of hope and restoration, others reflect times of brokenness and healing.

I hope before we are through that they might bring a little wonder to your life as well.

My yoke is easy...

Sometimes we simply need a point of reference to remind us of how good God is. There have been days when I indulged in my own pity party, or complained because my Father was a little slow in bestowing His blessings. I marvel at how God continues to bless me through my murmuring and complaining. He simply waits for teachable moments to reveal himself to me.

This week has been a struggle at times. I have found myself impatient with others and with God. I want my prayers answered almost immediately and think how sweet life would be if all the obstacles were cleared from my path. I know that is not a very practical consideration, but it is my blog - so I am allowed to dream.

I know that God works on us in during our times of need and dependence. He challenges us with trails that we can only overcome with His help. He rebukes the son that He loves (Hebrews 12:6)! Sometimes I simply wish he didn't love me so much (no, not really).

So what about this point of clarity? How do we come to accept the challenges and heartaches that creep into our lives? I can only offer two simple strategies that work for me.

1. Claim the promises of God. Today I claim the words that Jesus spoke, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30)

2. Stop and take a good hard look at the world. I don't ever want to be like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, "I thank you that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." That kind of self-righteousness smacks in the face of God's desire for us. However, when I look around and see the tragedy in the world; the starvation in Africa, the earthquakes in Peru, or the plight of our inner cities I realize how truly blessed I am.

No, life isn't always easy and sometimes our knees buckle under the burdens and weight we carry. Those are challenging times, but if we are faithful, they can also be extremely liberating. It may be in those dark days, straining under the weight and sin that we better understand a couple of other promises God has given us:

"Cast your cares on him: for he cares for you" (I Peter 5:7).

"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1)

I don't know about you, but I am tired of collapsing under the burdens and weight of this life. I am ready to throw off the yoke of despair and heartache. I am ready to cast my cares on my Lord and Savior. I am tired of standing on the sidelines watching - I am ready to run the race.

Gatlinburg Retreat

This weekend was the 11th Annual Christian Singles retreat in Gatlinburg, TN. There were about 60 in attendance at the Stiener Bell Lodge tucked way in the beautiful Smokey Mountains.

I was blessed this year to be able to facilitate the retreat and we all had an amazing weekend together. The theme this year was "Living a Fulfilled Single Life," and the group took full advantage of experiencing the fulfilled life as well as studying about it. We had games, devotionals, hikes and my personal favorite - shopping in Gatlinburg (I hope you can sense the satire).

There were two keys to the success of this year's program. First, everyone came with a spirit of love, acceptance and compassion. It was really exciting to see how quickly this group connected and the support and encouragement they all provided for one another. The second key was their spirit of participation. During the educational periods, the group discussion was dynamic and compelling.

Of course the best part of any good singles workshop is spending it with other great singles. I was blessed to be able to make so many new friends, but I enjoyed the added pleasure of enjoying the beauty of God's creation with someone very special.

Tough Love

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about the God of second chances. It is comforting to know that God longs for the prodigals return and embraces the humble in His protective care. Sadly, there is a side to many who abuse God's grace and mercy. They anchor in His safe harbor when the storms of life are raging, but forget his goodness and mercy when the seas are calm and the sun fills the sky.

Jesus had to cope with these same people in his time. There were those who followed him only for the loaves and fishes and others who responded to His healing and restoration with an ungrateful heart. James refers to this individual as "a double minded man who is unstable in all his ways" or a man "who beholds his face in a mirror and then forgets what manner of man he is" (James 1:8; 23-24).

There have been times in my life that God has brought me to my knees as a reminder that He is Soveriegn and Lord, whether I acknowledge that or not. Those were always unpleasant and stressful times, but the result was a greater dependence upon God and a better understanding of his divine will in my life.

There are times I offer intercessory prayers on behalf of others, I typically ask God to heal them, bless them, or give them strength in difficult times. Rarely have I prayed, "Lord, bring them to their knees so they will know you are God and that your dominion is everlasting." Maybe I just need to ask God to heal them with a little tough love!

A Time to Laugh

Tonight I was reminded of what a blessing laughter is in our lives. Both the ability to laugh at ourselves and to share the gift of laughter with another. Here are some other's thoughts on laughter.

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people." Victor Borge

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants." Stephen King

"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." Kahlil Gibran

Someone once gave me some really sage advice. They told me that if you realize that you have done something foolish enough to laugh about later, then you might as well laugh about it now. Learn to find the humor in the embarrasments of the moment. Solomon was right, "A merry heart is good like medicine."

The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost

Morning Already?

So the alarm goes off at 5:00 am and the coffee hasn't started to brew. I glance that clock, slide over the side of the bed and mumble those words we all share in common, "Is it morning already?"

Each day is a little different, but I realize that how we face the day depends to a large degree on our attitude as we roll out of bed. Today, I am feeling just a little overwhelmed by all that needs to get done, so there is that underlying tension that comes from such a burden. On other days however, I wake before the alarm goes off eager and ready to start the day. It may be the result of a road trip I have scheduled, or a tennis match that I have been eagerly awaiting. The result is the same, because I look forward to those events, I can't wait for morning to arrive.

What a difference it would make if we simply woke up with a zeal and enthusiasm for each and every day. Imagine how our productivity might improve if we attacked each task with a fire in our belly and a desire to turn the mundane into an epic adventure.

So how do you plan to start your day? "Is it morning already", or "this is the day that he Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Friendship

"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over. So in a series of kindnesses, there is one which makes the heart run over."

Those words by James Boswell express well the growth and development of a friendship. I have always liked that quote because in some ways I believe we are all looking to have our vessel filled. Our lives are made richer when a friend fills it with kind words, tender thoughts, or selfless action.

Friendship is gift we give to ourselves. By surrounding ourselves with people who contribute to our lives we grow richer - not in a monetary way, but through a full and meaningful life.

There is however a catch to surrounding yourself with people who enrich your life. Solomon said, "A man that has friends must show himself friendly..." (Proverbs 18:24). If you want to enjoy the riches of friendship, then you must liberally invest in the lives of others.

Simple Pleasures

Last night I was talking with a friend and reminded about just how special the simple pleasures of life can be. I remember while preaching in a small town in Florida how much slower the pace of life was back then. On Monday mornings I would walk the 5 or 6 blocks to the local post office to get my mail. There was an older gentleman in the church who lived across the street from the post office so I would usually stop and have a cup of coffee with him.

The really significant achievements of my life are not commemorated on the walls of my office. The awards and achievements that cost so much of my time and energy don't compare with the rich rewards I have recieved in other areas. Sitting in the stands the night my son out dueled the #1 goalie in the region in double overtime, or rejoicing with my daughter through her amazing academic transformation this year hold a much more important place in my memory. Mission trips to Central America, helping a friend through a tough night, a picnic lunch on the banks of the Mississippi, or listening to the stories of an Octogenarian as he shares the memories of his youth - these are real pleasures in life.