Strength On the Horizon

 The summit of Monadnock emerges over the horizon in Nelson. 

Adventures to desired destinations, like a favorite get-away spot or in the arms of a loved one who lives far away, can be heart-pumping and filled with anticipation and wonder. And then there are those days and even seasons of adventures to desired destinations of another kind—a personal goal yet to be conquered, a vision or dream yet to be fulfilled, a not-yet answer to an oft-uttered if not desperate prayer—that can seem like nothing in front of you but miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles.

"When are we going be there?" Even the best and strongest and most youthfully fit, as Isaiah writes, can grow weary from the journey.

On many days in that kind of not-yet-there adventure, inner resolve kicks in: "I've come too far; there is no turning back now." But that kind of fuel only goes so far. Then what? Like ancient Israel, the response can seem silly at first but it can also prove powerfully simple: a more important resolve to take our eyeball stare out of the miles-and-miles of seemingly endless horizon and choosing instead to find strength by looking up, gazing at, or even climbing one of God's most energizing type-and-shadow creations...

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your feet go out from under you. He Who watches over you will not sleep.”—Psalm 121:1-3

Around these parts, it's a 24/7 open invitation. The hills and the mountains are magnetic attractions for just about everyone, perhaps because we can sense deep inside that their beauty is more than earth-skin deep. Like everything else God has created, they contain His deeply embedded fingerprint, His DNA, and He longs that all would see it, touch it, grasp it. Grasp Him. Because in a sense, the hills and mountains are displaying God's unshakeable character, reminding any and all who would look Up of His incomparable strength, faithfulness, and jaw-dropping beauty that can help the traveler on life's journey to keep going...no matter how many miles-and-miles of "not yet" are ahead.

Because whether we see it or feel it now or not, Someone greater has the perfect road map. No Siri necessary. And if there are no hills or mountains nearby, it's good to know that God still speaks to us everywhere we go through all that He has made. How often have we felt a certain God-speaking assurance about His hugeness that comes when surrounded only by huge open fields or smooth-as-glass lakes, or that unmistakable yet mysterious sense of "God's got this" majesty, power, and faithfulness when standing at the ocean's edge far removed from the gum-drop hills and 4,000-footers. His deeply embedded fingerprints are everywhere we look, if only we will.

Even so, the mountains and hills seem to speak with a different Voice. Their uniquely strengthening presence silently shout:

"Look Up. I Am faithful.

I Am not going anywhere.

I Am your God who is always there for you

And here for you,

Warm daylight or cold blackness of night;

Sunny or stormy weather

And perhaps most especially

In the fog...

Looking southeast from Mount Washington summit.

...When you can't...see...a thing.

But fear not, I can see behind you, beside you, and far ahead of you.

I Am...Solid.

I Am...Unchanging.

I Am...Immovable.

I Am...Unshakable.

I Am...Majestic.

I Am...Filled with unique facets of unspeakable beauty and delight,

No matter which angle you look up.

And when the sunset dances around just right, it's not just camera-worthy...

 Monadnock at sunset, from Old Sharon Road.

...It's declaring:

I AM the Glory, and the lifter of your head."

Blessed indeed are all who, along life's wonderful and sometimes crazy adventures, learn to "head for the hills" and remember to lift up eyes, breath, and heartbeat.

"These mountains, which have seen untold sunrises, long to thunder praise but stand reverent, silent so that man's weak praise should be given God's attention."

—Donald Miller, "Through Painted Deserts"

The Captain In Our Field

Autumn in the field, Elmwood Road, Hancock.

 “In every situation, no matter what the circumstances, be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18, Amplified

In times like these, it is good to remember that scripture doesn’t say to be thankful “for” all things but “in” them.

Because while many things in our world are upside down and chaotic...

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.”

Still.

He is not some quarterback in the stands watching the game unfold,

Wondering if the players will ever get it right as the game seems to get out of control.

In a type-and-shadow sort of way, He is like, well, the way running back Damien Harris describes Patriots quarterback and captain Mac Jones:

"He's a great leader, he's a great player, he's an incredibly hard worker and he's an even better friend. So, whenever you take all of those attributes and you put them into one person, it's easy to see why so many people gravitate towards him, and why so many people want to be around him and want to follow him.”

And better than that, even (of course!) because our God is the faithful, 24/7 unseen Captain on our daily field in this crazy world,

From the rising of the sun to its setting.
Our Captain of our Salvation is unfazed by wind and cold and storm...and headlines.

His decisions are always perfect and unwavering.
And He often calls amazing audibles, and plays that are not in our playbook and that don’t make sense
Until at just the right time, they do.

Even if we don't realize it until we look back later.

And they always will...

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Even in the midst of things, we can be thankful for our Captain in our field because of these promises and so many more:

“You shall call His name Emmanuel, which means God with us.”

“I will never leave you or forsake you.”

“Lo, I AM with you always…

“Jesus...the same yesterday today and forever.”

“God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient—so much love, so deeply true—loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.”

Mac Jones is terrific (and so is Bailey Zappe)

But there is no Captain like our Captain

Which means no matter how nuts this life or this world gets, we can always grab ahold of the Hope that is never wishful thinking

And follow His lead 

And give thanks that He is never watching from the stands.

Parable of the Man With the Camera

Seeing through the fog at the high school football game.

Many years ago, a man went off to a nearby town to photograph a surprise retirement party for a couple who had served their company for 50 years. The man was juggling many responsibilities and had a lot on his mind but wanted to make sure everything was done right. So, he quickly put an extra notebook and pens in his camera bag, made sure that there was plenty of extra film (this was many years ago, remember) and that the battery was charged, and hurried on his way. It was a happy time for all, and the man with the camera was pleased that he captured the once-in-a-lifetime moments. Or so he thought, for when he went to unload the film canister from the camera, there was nothing. Nothing. Despite all of his good intentions, in his haste, the man had forgotten to see if the camera had film loaded and ready before he took off. Fortunately, the gracious couple arranged for a do-over, but the man with the camera never forgot that being in a hurry and juggling too many things at once could be a recipe for disaster.

Many years later, the man with the camera went off to a nearby room in his office building to photograph an award being presented to his company. The man was juggling many responsibilities and had a lot on his mind, but wanted to make sure everything was done right. So, he quickly made sure the battery was charged and then hurried on his way. No film because this was digital (this was many years later, remember). It was a proud moment for all, and the man with the camera was pleased that he captured the smiles and handshakes. Or so he thought, for when he returned to his office to download the photos from the memory disk, there was nothing. Nothing. Despite all of his good intentions, in his haste, the man assumed that there was a disk in the camera because who, after all, would remove such a thing. Fortunately, a do-over was arranged, but the man with the camera never forgot that assuming everything is taken care can be a recipe for disaster.

Several years later still, the man with the camera went to a nearby field to photograph the local football team under the Friday night lights. This time, he was not juggling many responsibilities and didn’t have a lot on his mind, but before departing, he still vividly recalled his many-years-ago and many-years later lessons. "Won't happen again," he said. The man with the camera was ready, but he wanted to make sure everything was done right, so he got some counsel on nighttime photography from another man with a camera. It was an exciting atmosphere full of much action, and the man with the camera was pleased that it was such a beautiful night. Or so he thought, for when he went to zoom in on the action, a thick blanket of fog rolled onto the field. It was difficult to see. See anything. Despite being fully prepared, the man with the camera did not expect the unexpected. Fortunately, the fog lifted at times and he was able to complete his mission, but the man with the camera went home thinking not about football but about another lesson never to be taken for granted.

But that was not all, for one night not long ago, the man with the camera had a dream that was as clear as the football field before the fog rolled in. He was hearing words as if from heaven sung into his life, but they seemed strange at first because they were from a song he learned at Boy Scout camp long ago: “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning…keep me burning ’til the break of day.” He wasn't sure exactly why but the man took those words to heart when he awoke, and he was very surprised to learn that wasn’t the end of the song, for there was much more to it:

“Give me love in my heart, keep me sharing…”

“Give me joy in my heart, keep me singing…”

“Give me faith in my heart, keep me praying…”

And then it all came into focus for the man with the camera: Distractions…assumptions…the unexpected in life…they are all inevitable. And no matter how hard you try, they are unavoidable. What to do? Just stay close to and keep talking to God, ’til the break of day. Refill often, ’til the break of day. Stay faithful and even when you trip up, keep going, ’til the break of day.

And most of all, keep living that Scout camp song—all the verses—’til the break of day.

“…When the Son of Man comes, will He find persistence in faith on the earth?”

—Luke 18:8, Amplified Classic

Good Tools Handed Down

Dad and me back in the day. Nothing like the grip of a father's arms...Selah.

Originally published October 2016

Yesterday started out like many a Saturday morning around the homestead: Up early because I have farmer's blood in my veins, some rugged coffee, a check of the headlines and a good dose of some good Words, a hearty breakfast where the locals hang out, then off to the recycling center, the hardware store, and a bunch of other chores around the house. I used to think I had to defend this satisfying routine whenever anyone asked "so, what did you do this weekend?" But no more. It's good to rest in the fact that life doesn't have to be complex and busy to be simply good.

But in the midst of the beautiful routine yesterday came an unusual jolt of a beautiful "and to remind you." A gray and damp late fall day, with most of the hardwoods partially naked except for a scattering of yellows and browns, and woodsmoke in the air, somehow brought me back several decades to Saturday mornings with dad. This is where and how he spent his Saturday mornings, too, complete with pipe smoke and the aroma of sawdust from his workshop where he had seemingly endless fix-its and cool projects. Even at that grade school age, I learned many lifetime lessons and habits by watching what dad did, and how he did it. Never really got the hang of being adept at fix-its and projects, but I know the reason I have a clean desk at work at the end of the day is because on dad's workbench, every nail type had its can, and every screw its jar so that he'd know just where to find what he needed the next time.

And to keep the routine and fix-its and projects straight, dad always had a list. Sometimes, there'd be a lengthy list near his workbench, with most of the items crossed off. A few long-range tasks remained. And so, whether on paper, on a laptop doc, or in my head, to this day there is nothing like that universally felt rush of accomplishment whenever I can cross something of "the list."

But amidst the damp fall morning, the routine, the sawdust, and orderly workbench and lists, also came a reminder of how dad followed Jesus in a very practical and meaningful way, and how he modeled being a servant to God and others long before I understood what that meant. Because there are some things in life for which dad made a list that were never meant to be crossed off or erased, but to be walked out over and over again.

Things Jesus said and did.

Things He said and did only because His Father was saying and doing them.

Things His first followers saw Him do in the routine of their days, and wrote down for our benefit for the routine of our days some 2000 years later.

Things dad embraced, just like he felt the arms of his Father around him in the day-to-day.

Things like this:

• "Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask; love authentically.
• "Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it.
• "Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers.
• "Be first to honor others by putting them first.
• "Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work.
• "Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord.
• "Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner.
• "Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer.
• "Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing;
• "Take every opportunity to open your life and home to others."

(Romans 12:9-13, The Voice)

Good tools handed down...and passed along as a baton...

Back Roads Matter

A late fall afternoon on Elm Hill Road.

Sometimes out of necessity, but more often, it seems, by choice, Jesus preferred the back roads to the highways to get from Point A to Point B. Not that there was much structural difference back in the day—all roads were pretty much well-worn foot paths. But as with today's Interstate, some paths got you to your destination faster and more directly. WJDD —What Jesus Didn't Do — most of the time.

This is no throw-away fact. Because one of the more fascinating things about following Jesus in this life is to see over and over again in the Gospels that He was seldom in an Interstate state of mind. And what is that? In the words of journalist Charles Kuralt, "Thanks to the Interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything." Jesus preferred to slow down and take the back roads and see. And if there was a delay in plans, there was a good reason for it. If there was a detour that had to be made, it was seldom a waste of time...

"Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives." —Matthew 9:35, Message

...It takes a lifetime of walking with the One who walked everywhere to begin to embrace all of that. “Git ‘er done” is how we roll in this culture, and that Interstate mindset does not die easily.

But if you live anywhere near a back road that branches off of your local main highway and that meanders along river banks, up and down and around hillsides and fields, and is occasionally interrupted by little clusters of homes, it never fails: you begin to unwind, get perspective, and…breathe. You also begin to notice what you didn’t notice on the main road:

You notice.

On the back roads, you become less aware of me-myself-and-I and more aware of your surroundings, the changing scenery, the woman walking her dog, the old man shuffling out to his mailbox, the kids jumping with delight off the school bus at the end of the day. You tend to see things you don't see when you're on Interstate mode.

To slow down and see—that just might be the subtle, outrageously beautiful plot behind God’s idea of creating back roads and why Jesus often followed them. To take His followers back to the main thing of seeing and serving and ministering to others and away from the deeply engrained “it’s me and my life and I’m in an Interstate hurry to get wherever that is” mindset.

That outrageously beautiful plot was driven home one bitterly cold winter morning when the usual sounds of guys in pick up trucks going to work on the back road through the woods were greatly amplified. You notice things like that. And things like this: At the same time those trucks on the back road made their presence known, two seemingly random and passionate readings from two generations collided, and rather than chaos, the result was fusion and focus and seeing once more:

• “The person who loves his life and pampers himself will miss this life! But the one who detaches his life from this world and abandons himself to Me will find true life and enjoy it forever!”—John 12:25, Passion Translation

• “Because I was created by God and for His glory, I desire to make knowing and enjoying God the passionate pursuit of my life.”—From the Passion Conference “268 Declaration”

It was seeing that "to everything, there is a season" includes a time and place for the highways and Interstates of life. Because sometimes, we really do have to “Git ‘er done.” But maybe, just maybe, following in the Master’s footsteps looks more like intentionally slowing down on the back roads, and seeing people and things that really matter, and remembering that in the upside down Kingdom, “it’s all about me” is really supposed to be just the opposite...

"We're not where we're going

And we're not lost where we are

Taking the long way Home

Just taking the long way Home

There's beauty on the backroads

Even when this journey's hard

Taking the long way Home"

(From "The Long Way Home," Neon Feather with David Dunn)

(Updated from a previous entry.)