The Right Train of Thought

"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage, and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." (Psalm 27:14, Amplified  Classic)

Every day, huge and pretty scary issues occupy the headlines. Troubling, yes. But what is strange is that, when the Maker of the universe is living on the inside, there is often this peaceful current flowing beneath the turmoil that says to the soul, "God's got this. This is the day the Lord has made, so rejoice and be glad in it."

It has nothing to do with being oblivious to the reality of things, or not praying about them, and everything to do with that mysterious heaven-sent kryptonite known as "waiting" on the Lord—a reverential trust that the God who made you and everything else is enormous in goodness and presence; He sees, knows, understands, and is not preoccupied with something or someplace else.

So, why is it that the weight of the little things in the everyday life, not the huge and pretty scary world issues, can cause a weariness that can prompt temptations of pulling off the Highway of Holiness to some side road to see where that might lead? Whether it is a fear of the unknown, of a tough decision to be made, of a bill to be paid when resources are low, or that a wounded moment of the past is beyond repair, these and many more relatively little things can loom larger than North Korea because they not only hit close to home, the lies and accusations and doubts try to break in and raid our spiritual and emotional refrigerator of all resources of sustenance.

And yet, the Psalmist sings it again:

"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord;

be brave and of good courage, and let your heart be stout and enduring..."

Because even when it feels like your refrigerator of hope is being raided, it's good to know that God is enormous in goodness and presence in every circumstance, that waiting doesn't mean doing nothing, and that in God's economy, it looks much more wonderfully active than we could imagine...

..."Think of waiting for a train. When you wait you may be still, standing or sitting, but you are not passive. You are watching, listening. Your eyes follow the parallel lines of the tracks into the distance looking for the train to come chugging in. You listen for the roar of the engine, the clanking of the cars, and the tones of the train’s whistle. Even as your body rests on the platform your senses are alert and your mind active. This is what it should be like to wait on the Lord too. Sometimes it is stillness, but in the stillness there is alertness and heightened sensitivity."—Barnabas Piper, from "Patience Isn't Passive"

To which the Psalmist might point forward to a prophet's familiar words of encouragement this day, and for Monday and the ones to follow, to be read and absorbed as if for the first time—the right train of thought—whether the "waiting" is for stuff close to home or on the world stage:

"The everlasting God, the creator of the whole world, never gets tired or weary...God strengthens the weary and gives vitality to those worn down by age and care. Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall...but those who trust in [wait on] the Eternal One will regain their strength.They will soar on wings of eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint."  (Isaiah 40:28-31, The Voice translation)

The Seven-Mile Church

"'Weren't our hearts on fire within us while He was talking to us on the road? Didn't you feel it all coming clear as He explained the meaning of the scriptures?' So, they get up immediately and rush back to Jerusalem—all seven miles—where they find the eleven gathered together..." —Luke 24:32-33, The Voice

The familiar "road to Emmaus" story and the guys' eye-opening encounter with Jesus never gets old to retell, re-read, or reabsorb. But what about the road back to Jerusalem? All seven miles of it. Even though it must have been getting dark after Jesus joined them for dinner, culminating with His "I'm very much alive!" revelation, the two Christ-ones set aside weariness and risked their very well-being and comfort. Without hesitation, they walked back the seven miles that very night to tell some incredibly good news to a bunch of friends very much in need of hearing some.

Probably took about three hours at least. No streetlights. Hardly a home with lighted window anywhere to bring some comfort. Strange noises from the woods, to the left and right. But on their arrival, they found friends who were grateful they'd made the effort.

Sometimes, in the comfort of our homes after a long day, suddenly, a friend in need comes to mind, or there's this glimpse of revelation that makes the lightbulb within explode with such clarity that it begs to be shared. Maybe it's a word of discernment for a situation or a loved one that emerges out of a simple prayer that is more sighing than words. Or, there's the ancient Promise that suddenly jumps off the page into your reality as if for the first time, even while mowing the lawn, and it may be for you but you know it's also for that friend who has been in need of direction, hope, wisdom. Maybe all three.

And more often than not, in that comfort and dwindling daylight, it's really easy to say: "Ah, it can wait 'til morning."

Maybe. But perhaps the Emmaus Road guys are trying to lead us down a much better path:

What if there's someone in the dwindling daylight who could really use, who desperately needs some good news that you're carrying inside right now, not tomorrow?"

A simple text, an email, an old-fashioned phone call on that device used for everything else but. And if you really want to push it, there's this one that still needs work, especially in New England: offering to stop by without fearing intrusion of privacy, never realizing yours might be one of the first friendly, comforting faces of their day.

Sometimes, we can make the idea of discipleship more super-spiritual than it was intended. Being a Jesus follower can be as simple as showing procrastination and inconvenience the door. and putting feet to well-known words from the One we claim to be following:

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

Who knows? God might have a much-needed encouraging word in return simply by stepping out—a word we didn't realize we needed until we delivered ours. And even if not, it's still all good. Because making that seemingly inconvenient "seven-mile trek" to someone at just the right time, whether in word or deed, is the very feet of a disciple who is more than a concept in a study guide, who is the hands and voice of a worshiper who does more than just sing...

...and perhaps most all, is the heart of Jesus that makes the idea of 'church' exactly what He had in mind.

"There's a thin place between here and heaven,

There's a Kingdom closing in;

It's our love for God and for others

That makes the world look more like Him..."

from "Be Your Heart," by Michael Ketterer

[ADAPTED FROM 4-12-15]

Hello, My Name Is...

[PHOTO: LINKEDIN.COM]

"Give our regards to every follower of Jesus you meet. Our friends here say hello... Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves." (Philippians 4:21-23, Message)

It happens at the workplace all too often: Some well-intentioned person with lots of responsibility on their shoulders comes up to you and starts right in: “I need you to….” And every fiber within you rises up and wants to say: “Well hey, hello to you as well, how’s your day going?” Then there's the email or text that just skips the introductions and pleasantries and gets right to the point. (Been there, done that too many times.) 

But then there’s the email or text that begins with “Hey Steve” (with or without exclamation point). The former makes you feel like a means to solving someone’s problem; well, OK, fine, I get that. But there’s something powerful about the latter approach that, well, it just makes you feel…really good. And somehow, more willing to respond to the request more enthusiastically, no matter how full our plate happens to be at the moment.

It would be one thing if that all started and ended at work. But even in our Walk, it’s easy to get caught up in the same unfriendly web of skipping the preliminaries and introductions, checking off boxes, and getting on to the next thing. This can happen especially when turning to Scripture in hopes of finding that critical bit of advice or counsel or Heavenly insight through which we pray the Holy Spirit will meet us at our point of need. 

The good news is that the Gospels know how to get to the point like nobody’s business. But because this Journey is about relationship and not just words and sentences, God seems to go out of His way, over and over and over again, to inspire the Gospel writers to begin with the power of "hello!" These are not just mere greetings to a bunch of people whose names we don’t really know; they are ancient family members who were on the same Journey that we are now. It's the timeless Word of God still speaking to stir us, encourage us, and prepare us to respond to the requests or counsel or instruction to come, invariably with a want to do so more eagerly, more wide-eyed, and more wide-eared. 

Through these seemingly inconsequential greetings, God wants to speak a blessing into our crazy lives, if we will just pause to take it in, receive it as our own, and not give in to the cultural temptation to click “next” and rush to get to the next thing.

Go ahead, try it. Plug in your name and see if you feel the rush of encouragement….

“Hey Steve! …Grace and peace—that special sense of spiritual well-being—be multiplied to you in the true, intimate knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed on us absolutely everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”—2 Peter 1:2-3

The power of greeting, especially in scripture, is the best “hello” we can ever receive, because it originates from the One who made us and reminds us He brought us into this world for a purpose. Always, it is pleasant and refreshing to a thirsty soul….and a reminder of how we can worship with feet on in the day to day by cultivating the simple habit of saying “hello” to the people we encounter as they approach on the sidewalk or hallway or store aisle. Or in an email or text.

In our corner of God’s creation, it’s been said people don’t do that: You keep your head down, don’t talk to strangers, and mind your own business and get on to the next thing. But when you begin to break the rules, everything changes. Not everyone, but invariably, a simple “hello” to someone walking with their head down can cause them to look up (maybe in shock), and smile, or nod, or grunt, or say “hello” back.

Who knows what kind of simple blessing we’re speaking into someone’s crazy life, and the encouragement they get to keep putting one foot in front of the other? For sure, it is the simple Gospel at ground zero, breaking up hard soil and not much more. But it is still the heart of the simple Gospel, and one that we can all put on because:

“The power of hello means no one goes unnoticed, no one is invisible, that everyone we interact with bears the image of a beautiful God.”

—James Barnett, founder Clothe Your Neighbor as Yourself (cyny.org)

The Simply Amazing Acts of Being Church

[PHOTO: Christianity Today]

"But He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously." (Micah 6:8, Message)

Sometimes, the rhythms of work and life can hold you hostage to seasons of busy that just won’t seem to let up. But after occasional sighing and whining, you learn to roll with them because you trust that, sooner or later, it’s all going to calm down to, well, quasi-normal. That kind of busy, though, is a lot different than the kind that tries to convince you that you need to keep doing more and more to succeed in life and relationships…and even in being a good follower of Jesus.

It doesn’t help that the culture of social media and 24/7 news cycles is filled with comparisons of your life with everyone else’s so-called full and successful life (and walk), and with it, a not so subtle sense of competition and peer approval and increasing levels of wow-gee-whiz-top-this-one, and endless invitations to join this or that or attend that or this, or simply do, do, do ’til you drop.

What’s wrong with this picture? And can I get off at the next stop, please?

Then one day, sanity makes an appearance right in the middle of that culture. A friend’s not-copy-and-paste Facebook status earlier this winter jumped off the page and stuck to my ribs with agreement and a longing that won’t quit:

“Stop glorifying busy.” 

It’s good to remember that the very first Church that ever was, even in its rather unorganized state, got that. It was filled with people who had demanding jobs and farms and fishing businesses and families. They undoubtedly had their own seasons of life-imposed “busy,” but they did seem to have a handle on simplicity in the midst of it all. Rather than adding more gotta-do-its to “do” church, they seemed to reorientate their normally busy lives to simply “be” church in the regular rhythms of their daily life—to and among one another, and supernaturally influencing their communities as a result.

Intentional, yes. Frantic, no. Effective, most definitely. Wow, who doesn't want that?

We may have read their story a gazillion times and thought, “nice, but sounds idealistic.” But it’s not. “Yeah right, sounds too good to be true.” But it’s not. “Cool story for way back then, but...” But it’s as relevant now as it was then.

How can we be sure? Well, there's this:

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Message). In other words, even this story of the First Church of the First Church is not written down to inspire mere wishful thinking….

“The community continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them. There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need. They were unified as they worshiped at the temple day after day. In homes, they broke bread and shared meals with glad and generous hearts. The new disciples praised God, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people of the city. Day after day the Lord added to their number everyone who was experiencing liberation.”—Acts 2:42-47, The Voice

The details of how all that could manifest itself in each one of us in 2017 will be as different as our schedules, routines, and those in our inner circle of joy. But just maybe, the Second Chapter of Acts is, among many things, God’s eternal reminder to every generation to “stop glorifying busy” for busy’s sake, keep it powerfully simple throughout the day, worship with feet on, and then stand back and see what amazing things He can and will do. 

“Go where He calls you to go. Work the 9 to 5, but worship Him 24/7.”—Robin Mark

Closer Than We Think

"....Your prayers need not be labored or lengthy or grandiose—for Your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him." (Matthew 6:8, The Voice)

Simply by the way He lived, Jesus' prayer life seemed to be uncontained, varied, and not what people expected. His example to us is that while all the "how to" books on prayer may be helpful, there is no one way to package what really matters: nurturing conversational relationship with the One who made us and everything else. And while there is certainly an important place for focused intercession that may go on for hours, there's a form of prayer that doesn't get enough credit for its power—the ones we lift Up that are really short.

I remember a visiting preacher telling the story of getting to have lunch with a highly esteemed man of God, known for wisdom that had to have come only from spending prolonged periods of time absorbing the red-letter words of Jesus and sitting in deep prayer and reflection. The preacher couldn't wait to get an up-close glimpse of this brother's insights into the secrets of the Kingdom and how to live it out practically in the day-to-day. When the lunch arrived, it was time to pray over the meal, and the preacher didn't quite know what to think when the esteemed man of God paused, then took a deep breath through his nose and simply said:

"Gawwwwwd! Amen."

And that was that. The preacher said that rather than a sense of irreverence, there was something contagious in the air around that table, of the joy and unexplainable power that happens when men and women breathe in and out with God throughout their day. Their life becomes a sermon because their hearts are full, and quite often, the words are few and with the simplicity of a child who loves hanging out with his Father.

I came home from work one day this week after spending the previous 24 hours away because of a March blizzard, and knew I'd be greeted by a driveway in need of snowblowing. Four-fifths of the way through, the auger belt gave in to the heavy crunch near the road, and instead of getting to go inside home sweet home, I wound up shoveling the rest of it and getting reacquainted with muscles and movements I hadn't experienced for awhile. In which case, you pause often. And in doing so, a surge of simple gratitude began to strangely well up within:

First, the sun was out, it wasn't snowing, and its warmth was cutting through the cold wind. This white stuff will not last... Looking up, the buds on the lilac bushes and maples were beginning to swell...A replay of good memories of kiddos-now-adults playing in the front yard flashed before me...A smile as I thought of the blessing of great colleagues at work, even when the hours can be long...The arrival of a friend who went out of his way on his way home to help assess the damage to the snowblower's innards and arrange to get the right part at the shop where he worked...And once finally inside, the wave of warmth that erased concerns that the power had gone out during the storm.

As Jesus showed time and again, He is always present in the routine, and sometimes seemingly more so in the midst of the chaos and storms of life. In fact on one occasion, He simply "showed up" with just three little words. Following His lead, it's good to remember that keeping it short can yield pretty powerful results when it comes from the heart of relationship:

As I was about to take my first bite of dinner after finally getting inside from shoveling and pausing—a growling empty stomach full of simple gratitude—I found myself saying the simple grace my son would often recite before every meal: "Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful supper and this beautiful day. Amen." Short and sweet. That seemed to say it all and say it best... and with it, a flood of peace in the midst of the storm.

It's a new week. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me (and all who pass by here) remember that it's good and perfectly OK to simply and regularly pray..."Gawwwwwwd!"

"Lift up your hearts to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud;

He is nearer to us than we are aware."

(Brother Lawrence, 'The Practice of the Presence of God')

Holding On

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (Hebrews 10:23, New Living Translation)

There are the four wonderful seasons, and then there is March. In New England, it could be called spwintah: t-shirts and open car windows for three or four days straight, followed by numbing winds and snow that make January and February look lame by comparison. Apparently, that last part is going to be our lot this week.

Oh God, why?

Through the pen of Paul in the book of Romans, God says that He created the seasons and all of creation—even spwintah—to help all peoples in all the world know Him as Maker and Lord of all things and to show that He is always with us: "From the beginning, creation in its magnificence enlightens us to His nature. Creation itself makes His undying power and divine identity clear, even though they are invisible..."

For one thing, March is a tangible reminder that while we live in the now, we long for the glorious not yet. The t-shirt and open window moments not only give us a foretaste of that promised land, but encourage us to step into the authority and privilege of being children of God to bring a glimpse of the supernatural life and light and power of His heavenly goodness into the often cold reality of others' struggles, pain, and loneliness.

For another thing, March is a tangible way that God answers our question, "what do hope and faith really look like?" Several years ago, there was a March of all Marches. It snowed endlessly, and the snowbanks in my driveway were so high, neither shovel or snowblower could find room for one more inch. Opening Day for the Red Sox was just around the corner. Surely, this would be the year of no spring.

But above the towering snowbanks, a robin started singing....and a few weeks later, the black flies were out, and the snow shovel was replaced by a spade to tackle the garden's first weeds.

We may not like the weather forecast this week, especially now that it's Daylight Savings Time. But it's good to know that while we can be impatient in ways we thought we'd never be impatient, His promises of hope, of His presence 24/7, of resurrection life, and of new beginnings never fail — and are always right on time...

"He launches His promises earthward —

How swift and sure they come!

He spreads snow like a white fleece,

He scatters frost like ashes,

He broadcasts hail like birdseed —

Who can survive His winter?

Then He gives the command, and it all melts;

He breathes on winter...suddenly, it's spring!"

(Psalm 147:15-18, The Message)

Let it Burn

"And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."—2 Timothy 1:6-7, Message

There’s nothing like that burning-heart sensation when we plunge into a project, a ministry, or a craft, and think: “This is what I was born for.” While some, like Timothy, may be anointed by church leaders for specific tasks, all of us were formed in the secret place with God-breathed leanings, interests, and abilities to do everyday things intended to serve others and build up His kingdom.

But like Timothy, we may also become exhausted, intimidated, overwhelmed, and discouraged at times (our adversary seems to be tireless in trying to get us to suppress what God has uniquely gifted each of us to do). On top of that, we also have to fight cutting-edge syndrome, thinking what we do in life needs to be on the forefront of what God is doing in our day or it really doesn't count for much.

A better approach may be what my friend Nate asked the other day, "What if your grand calling is to lay the ground work for a movement that will happen long after you die?" This is exactly the kind of life God is applauding in the account of the simply faithful, obedient ones listed in the Book of Hebrews' "hall of faith"... 

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"Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."

—Hebrews 11:39-40, Message

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The truth is that more than being at the cutting-edge forefront of something and leading the way, our higher calling in walking out the Kingdom is to be trailblazers in daily faithfulness and Love lived out loud for others to follow or to build upon, and to keep pointing to The Way as we go...whether sitting at a desk or behind the wheel all day, or homeschooling kids, or providing meals for those in need, or laboring alone in farm, forest, or factory, or.... And in God's eyes, apparently, that is all a very beautiful thing: "these were all commended for their faith." (Hebrews 11:39)

Even so, the battle to press on as trailblazers and keep stirring the embers is real, and for a lifetime. But because the gift within us is His, we can rest assured that it also has His power, love, and confidence/assurance behind it to accomplish what He desires—in His time and His method. And often, the best way to fan the flame within is to speak aloud to our soul what is True:

"It is God Himself who has made us what we are, and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago, He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” (Ephesians 2:10, Living)

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -Jim Elliot

[ADAPTED FROM 6-15-14]