Earthquake!

We are in shock, and grieving, as we are hearing the news reports of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake the shook China today. The epicenter was in Sichuan Province where we have done some traveling. We have friends in the area--some of whom we have heard from, and some of whom we have been unable to contact at this point. Please join us in praying and mobilizing aid to our neighbors in China.

Learning to Travel Light (part 2 of 3)

The little book by Randy Alcorn entitled "The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving" has some challenging (and freeing) ideas.

Consider the advice of Jesus: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

There is joy in surrendering lesser treasures in order to find greater ones! Jesus said it's good to store up treasure, just make sure it's the right kind and you put it in the right place.

Years ago a popular bumper sticker read, “Whoever dies with the most toys wins!”

The truth is, “Whoever dies with the most toys still dies—and never takes his toys with him!” If we die after devoting our lives to acquiring things, we don’t win—we lose!

The American Dream says die with as much in your hands as possible, and leave it for the kids. My family and I love to play a card game called "UNO" the winner is the one who runs out of cards first. Any cards you’re holding in your hand when it’s over count against you. Perhaps we should think of material possessions the same way.

There was a PBS TV special a while back about America's possession obsession: “Affluenza, the modern-day plague of materialism”. It reveled that collectively Americans comprise a small percentage of the world's population, but own a disproportionate amount of the world's resources. The advice of scripture is worthy of consideration:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
(1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Learning to Travel Light (Part 1 of 3)

I've been reading and teaching through a little book entitled "The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving" by Randy Alcorn. While I do not agree with all of this guy's theology, the basic ideas in the book are very challenging...and freeing.

I admit it's tough to read while feeling the economic pains in the grocery store check-out lines, at the gas pumps and in the housing markets. Is it possible that part of the pain I'm feeling in the pocketbook is because I've bought into some lies about money and possessions and the place they hold in my life?

Jesus warned his listeners, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

King Solomon, arguably the wisest and wealthiest man in the world, observed that making possessions and material things the center of one's life was futile, like chasing the wind. Consider his observations (found in Ecclesiastes 5:10-15):

"Whoever loves money never has money enough";
(The more you have, the more you want.)

"Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."
(The more you have, the less you are satisfied.)

"As goods increase, so do those who consume them."
(The more you have, the more people (including the government) will come after it.)

"And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?"
(The more you have, the more you realize it does you no good.)

"The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
(The more you have, the more you have to worry about.)

"I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,"
(the more you have, the more you can hurt yourself by holding on to it.)

"or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him." (The more you have, the more you have to lose.)

"Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand."
(The more you have, the more you’ll leave behind.)

Physics teaches us that the greater the mass of an object, the greater the hold (gravitational pull) the mass exerts. Money and things have mass, and mass exerts gravity, holding us in orbit (our lives revolve around) the things we possess. The more stuff we own, the greater the mass of our possessions, the greater the pull on us, setting our lives in orbit around them.

Giving brings freedom, it breaks us out of orbit around our possessions.

Into the Wild

Last weekend some friends, along with my son and I, went camping. We paddled into a swamp to a primitive campsite and spent Friday and Saturday enjoying kayaking, hiking, hunting snakes, making S'mores, and the male-bonding ritual of "tick checks".

Devastation!

On Monday, April 28th, an F3 tornado swept through neighboring Suffolk, Virginia. The tornado, which measured a quarter-mile at its widest, reduced homes to piles of sticks and bricks and tossed cars into buildings. It cut a path of destruction 10 miles long and packed winds at over 160 mph.

The storm damaged over 1,200 homes, 145 of which were later condemned as uninhabitable. Dozens of families have been displace. Damages are in excess of $20 million. Miraculously, there were no fatalities.

The village of Driver in northern Suffolk was hardest hit. Sentara Obici Hospital treated 70 patients, and no one had life-threatening injuries. During the past week local churches, military personnel, the American Red Cross and local relief agencies have tirelessly tried to meet the physical and emotional needs of those who've suffered loss.

We've heard many remarkable stories and tales of survival. In several cases, people were inside when their homes were swept away, but they walked away with scrapes, bruises and maybe a few broken bones.

In the days that followed residents were given escorted, limited entries into their homes for 30 minutes to assess the damage and retrieve whatever personal items they could carry. Four families in our church live in Suffolk, but none suffered any damage from the storm.

Was Wright Right?

From April 25-28, Barack Obama's former pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright was ubiquitous in the mainstream media. He appeared on PBS's Bill Moyer's Journal on Friday night, and preached at the NAACP convention, and again at the National Press Club on Monday.

Most people were not impressed. They rarely are with prophets. The prophets of the Old Testament often taunted political and military leaders for the nation's sins and shortcomings, and then paid the consequences for their boldness. Then later generations would realize the truth of their words, repent, and erect a monument to honor their new spiritual hero.

Dr. Wright proclaimed an unpopular message, taking on the world's political and military super-power along with her leaders. He even had the audacity to challenge presidential contender Barack Obama, a member of the church Wright once pastored, "If you get elected, November the 5th I'm coming after you, because you'll be representing a government whose policies grind under people." Bold.

On the Bill Moyer's interview Dr. Wright went into detail explaining some of his comments made in a sermon he delivered on September 16, 2001--just five days after the horrific loss of life during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. His text for the day was the ancient Psalm 137, and his application to the immediate post-9/11 situation, when taken in context, was brilliant.

Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites (in this case, the terrorists) did on the day Jerusalem (the WTC twin towers) fell. "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to it's foundations!" O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us-- he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 137:1-9 (NIV)

He spoke about the desire for revenge in the aftermath of intentional terrorism. But as revenge is being exacted even the innocents get caught up in the wake of retaliation, while the loss of innocent lives gets labeled "collateral damage" in order to soothe the revenge-takers conscience or justify their cause.

He pointed out that in our nation's history and expansion that innocent peoples have been victimized, and they, too, have sought (and will seek) revenge against their oppressor when the opportunity presents itself. He reminded his listeners that violence never brings peace, it only breeds more violence. He challenged an angry, hurt, and revenge-hungry people to seek a better way--the way of Jesus:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 5:38-48)

Soul Food

"You don't have a soul.

You are a soul.

You have a body."

~ C. S. Lewis

We know how to feed our bodies, but how do you feed a soul?

• Feel the wind on your face.
• Listen to a toddler laugh.
• Smell an evergreen tree.
• Watch the sun set.
• Taste a banana.
• Hold the hand of a terminally ill person.
• Listen to the ocean.
• Share a meal...or a coat with someone in need.

Ouch!

I guess someone didn't like my bumper stickers.



I was doing some research at the public library this afternoon and when I came out to get in my van this was waiting for me.

Life Bringer

One of my favorite authors, John Fischer, tells of a friend of his who works with homeless teenagers. He likes to experiment with new ways of beginning a conversation. It's hard to start a conversation with "How are you?" with the inner city kids with whom he works since the unpleasant answer kind of screams in your face without anything being said.

This guy often asks, "What has brought you life today?"

What made you sit up and take notice of the fact that you are actually alive? What made your heart beat faster? What got your attention? Something in the news? A God moment? A phone call from your friend? A brush with death? What made you know you were alive today?

It's a valid question that cuts through much of our mundane existence. If you can go through an entire day without coming up with anything that made you feel alive, it doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't anything; it just means you didn't notice it. That's why the question is a good one. It draws something of value out of us.

So think about it for a moment, "What brought you life today?"
Be grateful for the person/gift/experience.

And here's another one: "What did you do to bring life to someone else today?"

And one more thought: The day's not over yet! There's still time to make a positive difference is someone else's life.

Remember: "Encouragement is oxygen for the soul."

Real Acceptance

I have spent most of my life living with a lot of guilt; feeling (and sometimes being told) that my best wasn’t good enough, that everything was my fault, and often failing the expectations of myself and others... even God.

Our culture programs us to think that significance and acceptance is based on performance. If we behave properly, we will be loved, accepted and rewarded; but when we mess up love is withdrawn.

Love is often conditional: "I’ll love you if…", "I’ll love you when…", "I love you because… " or "If you'll ______ then I will love you."

God has a different economy. "When John the Baptist baptized Jesus, a voice was heard from heaven as He came up out of the water, “You are my Son, whom I love, and I am fully pleased with you” (Matthew 3:17).

At this point Jesus hadn’t yet begun teaching, performing miracles or healing; yet God’s acceptance was a given. I don't think He just felt that way about "His Perfect One", but I think He loves all His children like that--He doesn't play favorites.

It is the same thing with us. God delights in you, His son or daughter, just as you are. God’s love and acceptance of us is not based on performance. God says, “I love you; period.” You are pleasing to God already. You bring pleasure to God right now. You are valued by God just as you are.

There is nothing you can do to make God love you more; and nothing you can do to make God love you less... and there is nothing you can do to alter that fact.

Right now, without doing anything, God is pleased with you. He delights in you. He loves you. How you respond to that is the big choice.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11)

Bumper Stickers

I'm going to make some bumper stickers to express my views on a few subjects:

First, to express my anti-war sentiments:

A camouflage background with the letters

WWJK? Who Would Jesus Kill?


I'm also toying with the idea of doing one in response to PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Don't get me wrong, I love animals and I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals. I am becoming vegan, moving more a more to a plant-based diet. The problem I have with PETA is the way I've seen some of their members treat people (anger, harrassment, cursing) in an effort to get their point across.

So I'm starting a group called

P.E.T.H. -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans.

Let's not forget to treat each other at least as well as we want the animals to be treated.

Speaking of treating people with decency, I'm a little tired of the "hate speech" I hear coming from some pastors and pulpits these days, especially in regards to issues like race, immigration and homosexuality. It's not an original idea with me, but in addition to American United for the Separation of Church and State I want to form a group called

Christ Followers United for the Separation of Church and Hate

Another un-original idea, but one I like: In response to the bumper stickers I've seen that say "In case of rapture this car will be unmanned", I like this one:

In Case of Rapture...can I have your car?!

Keep smiling and don't let anyone rob you of your sense of humor, but please feel free to give it away :)

Serendipity-Doo-Dah

I've been itching to go for a power-walk today, but kept getting detained by one unexpected event or another. Late afternoon, just as I laced up my shoes and opened the door, the rain began to pour. It didn't last long, so I soon had another chance. I turned on the Weather Channel to see the local Doppler radar and found that more showers were on the way, but a window of opportunity was available.

It was a small window. I found out just how small when I was just over half a mile from home and "the bottom fell out". Within seconds I was drenched. It felt gooooood.

I headed for the front porch of a nearby house. Had no clue who lived there. Had no clue if I'd be shot or not (hey, it happens around here), but thought I'd take a chance.

Just as I stepped into the yard I noticed her standing behind the Plexiglas storm door. I stopped short. Pointed to myself, then the porch, made a a little roof with my hands and then clasped them together as if to beg, "please".

She waved a cautious invitation. I told her I meant no harm, just wanted some cover until the rain let up. From the doorway she had been keeping vigil over a dove that had nested in a hanging basket on the eave of the porch. The wind blew the basket back and forth as the little mother covered the eggs in her nest.

As it turned out I made a new friend and found out her life story, struggles and deepest fears within the span of eight minutes. She and her husband have been married 50 years. He suffered a stroke a few years ago, and she lives to take care of him. Her biggest fear is that something will happen to her before he passes on, and he'll be at the mercy of strangers. She is lonely...and scared.

I promised her I'd check in on them often, and I can't wait to keep that promise. Had it not been for the rain I never would have met the sweet little lady with the big heart. I'd have hurried on by as usual. Thank God for unexpected showers.