An Unlikely Moment of Worship

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”—Psalm 24:1

Every month is special in God’s eyes. Some may seem better to us than others, and in New England, August is right up there.

• It’s a month of heaven all around—warm evenings with nature’s symphony playing in the background.
• It’s a fruitful month, when the harvest and berries and apples begin to appear in abundance.
• It’s a time to remember that just as with the start of another year of school, there can be goodness in routine and sticking with it.
• It’s a month of hot and humid days followed by crisp days and cool nights that remind us that we live in the now and not yet of Eternity, and to look forward each day to both.
• A month, like every month, to celebrate life—but especially one in which both children were born and when beloved parents married. 

To everything there is a season, and this one, this treasure called August, is especially sweet. And with early morning coffee in the Adirondack out back, it’s a realization that it is also something more:

A reminder, in the stillness without a breath of wind, with hints of yellow showing up here and there, of how much I love the majesty of the trees in my back yard and the endless beauty of living here in New England. That no matter where any of us live, God has ordained that we have been born for such a time and led to such a place as ours, and it is good, and none of it should be taken for granted... 

This is not meant to be political at all, but while staring up into the heights of the forest and being grateful for August and praising Him who made it all, it was a reminder that while I am neither what some would call a "tree hugger" nor an extreme climate change guy, the older I get, the more I am aware of the importance of being a practical, good steward of God's good earth… 

“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him…” —Romans 12:1, Message

…Everyday, ordinary things like walking more instead of driving everywhere, picking up trash along the road, eating more organics, even using plant-based cleaning products instead of pouring who knows what down the drain. And whenever possible, purchasing items in more easily recyclable glass or aluminum rather than plastic—especially the kind that many recycling centers will no longer accept.

But what difference does any of that make, and what does that have to do with worship, anyway? Perhaps just the reminder that my backyard, and August, and the endless beauty around me is God's, on loan and to be thoroughly enjoyed, and that every little thing anyone does to steward all of that matters. To Him.

And that’s worship that sings from the inside out.

“It is God's world still. It has been given to man not absolutely, but in trust, that man may work out in it the will of God; given, may we not say, just as a father gives a child a corner of his great garden, and says, ‘There, that is yours; now cultivate it.’”—Philipps Brooks

Beating the Worst Temptation of All

"He makes me whole again,
    steering me off worn, hard paths
    to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name." (Psalm 23:3, Voice)

A dear lady friend and outstanding musician in my town, whose religious choice was not rooted in the good news of the Gospel, once told me that during the Christmas season, she doesn't ignore it but instead "celebrates the myths." And I have to confess that instead of being shocked or offended when she said that, I laughed with her. It sounded so strange, it was hilarious.

A shading of truth can make you laugh, too, in a different way: For years, I'd read books and articles, and heard messages from well-meaning teacher-believers who claim that if you're truly a Christ-one, temptation is avoidable. That there's absolutely no need to keep on celebrating the myth that temptation is part of life.  That somehow, somewhere, there's this humongous secret super-spiritual button you can push to avoid the "T" word. 

And the more you read and hear stuff like that, you can begin to think there's something wrong with you. Because, try as you might, an endless list of magnets seem to be trying to draw you off-course every single minute. The triggers can be any number of things, but when fatigue and stress and what Oswald Chambers describes as "mental wool-gathering" all team up, there is no myth in coming face-to-face with the worst temptation of them all:

"I quit."

Not really, but they're the two words that most easily flow off your lips when summing up the ravages of weariness from hour after hour or day after day of, well, whatever. The two words the enemy of your soul delights in most.

Which may be one reason why Jesus included "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" in His model prayer for daily life. I find myself praying this, holding on to this, after I've fallen into some God-forsaken hole of varying depth and shape. Which is fine, but better to know that it is a prayer that meant to be fuel for joyful perseverance ...

...One late evening, the triggers toward "I quit" had mounted during the long day as I pulled into the driveway. It was such a beautiful night, with the sunlight lingering long and sweet on the horizon, and yet the idea of doing or thinking one more thing made the temptation of curling up under the covers and trying to make it all go away by morning sound very appealing.

Until I looked in the refrigerator and realized I was out of a daily essential: "What? No orange juice?!" With the weight of "I quit, what-ever" temptation lingering, countered by the inner groan of "Lord, help!!," I headed to the store to fulfill my mission.

Until I drove down into the village, and noticed that the sunlight that was lingering long and sweet on the horizon was casting a gorgeous golden glow on the cupola of the Town House. The next think I knew, I had camera in hand and was walking through the village, looking up and taking in the light show, and trying to find just the right angle to capture that glow on the cupola.

Along the way, a gentleman watering the garden of an historic building that few get to enter during most of the year saw my photo pursuit and asked "Want to look inside?" What ensued was a 15-minute private history lesson about an aspect of my hometown I'd never known. And if I thought I was feeling weary, what these folks went through to make a go of it back in the day blew that up quickly.

Coincidental appointment? I think not. And instead of "I quit," gratitude began to seep back in and swallow up the temptation to not really care about really anything but me-my-myselfness. 

On golden nights like that, my car has a way of finding its way to a favorite scenic vista high above town. As many times as I've paused or driven by, this night seemed unlike the rest for its beauty. Peaceful goldenness for miles around (photo at top). Gratitude had completed its course, and the temptation was overwhelmed.

I never did make it to the store for more OJ.

It's good to know that while temptation is definitely not a myth, God always hears our feeble groans of help and reaching out so that we won't fall into its trap...if only we will listen, look (even in the refrigerator), and follow:
"Not that way, but this way,
Out of the way,
Run away,
I'll show the way." 

In the words of John Piper:

"Today, I will stand before innumerable temptations. That's what life is: endless choices between belief and unbelief, obedience and disobedience. But O Mighty God, forbid that I would yield. Hold me back from stepping inside the temptation." 

It often begins by beholding the glory all around you, and letting gratitude win the day.

[Adapted from 6/25/17]

The Music of Our Lives

“Jesus' claims are particularly unnerving, because if they are true there is no alternative but to bow the knee to Him.”—Timothy Keller

The more you read the Gospels, the more you realize all over again that no one has ever been more amazingly good, loving, compassionate and wise than Jesus.

And the more you read the Gospels, the more you also realize all over again that Jesus’ words for living and for following Him are Holy radical, uncompromising, costly, and sometimes uncomfortable, yet powerful and magnetic, and full of Life like none other.

Once, while in the midst of speaking such Holy radical words, a woman in the crowd randomly shouts, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” That’s weird. Except that woman is all of us at one time or another, maybe even this week—quick to admire Jesus from a safe distance, nod and smile at His Holy radical words for living, and to “Like” and “Amen!” all that friends say about Him.

That’s why Sunday mornings can be so recalibratingly good. A time to get off the sidelines of admiration and back in the game of following closely, one step of faith at a time, fueled by the encouragement of others who are on the same journey. A time to rekindle a Relationship, one that is much better and far more satisfying than following mere rules and routine. To draw near once more and hear Jesus’ response to that woman’s random shout echoing down through the ages: “…how blessed instead are those who hear God’s voice and make God’s message their way of life.”

And so, to worship beyond words on a screen and notes in our ears so that our hearts can pray once again before heading out into another week:

“Lord, play Your tunes through us. Breathe Your breath through us. Fashion us, change us, and let the music of our lives bring hope and joy and healing. Don’t let us be distracted by the beautiful earthly sounds all around us; help us enjoy them and see them as pointers to Heaven. Help us not to devote our lives to things that will end when we die. Let the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts, and the works of our hands be pleasing to You, that we will be able to say when we reach the top of the mountain, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’” 

—Andy Park, “The Worship Journey”

A Deliberate Pursuit

"A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, 'Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.' But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.'”--Luke 8:43-46, New Living Translation

There are many relevant lessons on prayer we can learn from this amazing woman. One is this:

When life is pressing in on every side with people, with things that must be done and invitations to do even more, with the non-stop noise of public opinion on just about everything, and with your heart and voice longing to march to the beat of a totally different and Perfect drummer, resist the current of despair by digging in and holding on. But don't stop there...

The way to fight just going with the flow because it seems to be the easiest way to survive another day is to purpose first thing (and repeat as often as necessary) to deliberately reach out and grab onto the only Hope worth staking your life to, all over again...
One Word.
One song.
One groan.
Just...one.
Whatever it takes and whatever you can muster. To do so knowing that it's not just some religious exercise or hope-for-the-best maneuver, but because of this:

"Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who has created these?
He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing or lacks anything.

Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, My way and my lot are hidden from the Lord, and my right is passed over without regard from my God?

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength, causing it to multiply and making it to abound.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;

But those who wait for the Lord, who expect, look for, and hope in Him, shall change and renew their strength and power;

They shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."

"Don't mindlessly drift through life on the American narcotic of busyness. If you try to seize the day, the day will eventually break you. Seize the corner of His garment and don't let go until He blesses you. He will reshape the day." --Paul Miller, "A Praying Life" 


[Adapted from October 2016]

The AboutFace App

Just two older men quietly enjoying some exercise and the cool of the evening.

Except as I passed them, their conservation was animated, and something made my radar go up.

I also recognized one of them as the man who had struck up a friendly conversation with me in early spring, at the same location, with the same activity—he walking and me running…

“Won’t be long now,” he said, looking around the athletic complex that had shed its winter coat and was ready to be reawakened to track and lacrosse and baseball and softball.

We shook hands and introduced ourselves, and went our way.

And then I remembered: “No way, that was Mr. B! No wonder he kept looking toward the baseball field.”

Twenty minutes ago, Mr. B didn’t look or move like that at all.

Twenty minutes ago, or so it seemed, he was in the third base coach’s box helping and encouraging young men to play the game with excellence and enthusiasm, and shouting to never give up.

And just 20 minutes before that, Mr. B was a player. Man, was he a player!

He played baseball and several other sports during high school, and legend has it with the same endless enthusiasm and contagious perseverance…

Picking up my pace, I soon came upon the two friends again on their modern day Emmaus Road walk and was wondering, as Jesus did, “what are you guys talking about?”

I didn’t have to ask, because it was loud and clear why my radar went up as I ran by.

Mr. B and his buddy were not talking baseball, or politics, or the weather.

The words “God” and “prayer” kept peppering their conversation.

And with each passing lap, admittedly eavesdropping to hear what was next, Mr. B and his friend continued to talk God talk—practical, real-life God talk—as if, after all these years, and in the midst of so much worldly turmoil, and with maybe only another 20 minutes to go, that was all that really mattered.

“Won’t be long now….”

There were lots good belly laughs on social media this week as younger friends used an app that projected what their face would look like when they got old.

Until I realized I didn’t need the app because I already had the face, and that the younger me was just 20 minutes ago.

But instead of depressing, inspiring.

"In Christ, it's never too late, you're never too old... it's never 'too anything' for Him..."—Joyce Meyer 

Because while it would be great to have endless energy and wide-eyed optimism of youth right now and over the next 20 minutes, I think maybe God put Mr. B in my path again this week to speak a better word:

That even if you can’t keep up the pace you once had, keep moving forward nevertheless, one step at a time, with endless enthusiasm and contagious perseverance.

And choose good friends wisely and then listen to and Walk with them, and grab each other with a good grip whenever needed.

And to never hang it up and watch from the sidelines but to plug in your AboutFace app and pass along wisdom and encourage younger Race-runners to keep pursuing with excellence and enthusiasm and to never, ever give up.

Because you’ve found it all to be true and worth it all, and so will they—right now, and 20 minutes from now, too.

And most of all, to remember that amidst the cares and demands of life, only One conversation and meditation will be needed all the way to the Finish line…

"But as for me, I will always have hope and I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about how right and good You are and about Your saving acts all day long. For there are more than I can know. I will come in the strength of the Lord God. I will tell about how right and good You are, and You alone.

O God, You have taught me from when I was young. And I still tell about Your great works. Even when I am old and my hair is turning white, O God, do not leave me alone. Let me tell about Your strength to all the people living now, and about Your power to all who are to come."

—Psalm 71:14-8, New Life Version

First Thoughts Matter

"When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive."—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everyone is a morning person, but everyone has first thoughts—or, sighs and groans that know no words. It’s where we send them—inward, or Upward—that can make all the difference in our attitudes and responses throughout the rest of the day...

“It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed,

because His tender compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness!”

—Lamentations 3:22-23, Amplified

[Adapted from 1-19-14]

The Roar of Small Waves

“I will keep coming with waves of My presence upon you until I make you in to all that I have destined you to be…”—from a prophetic prayer by Jim Goll

While walking the beach the other day, I was suddenly aware of the line from an old hymn: “This is my Father’s world…He speaks to me everywhere.”

But here? Right now? On vacation?

And what exactly should I be listening for?

There were no Bible verses in the sand.

No praying hand cloud formations.

No angelic chorus announcing the sun glistening off the water.

Nothing.

Except kids and family laughing and splashing, the sound of surf licking the shore, and an occasional hungry seagull.

And then my eyes, not my ears, caught something:

A lone surfer, patiently and joyfully riding the very small waves,

Paddling out into the deeper water and catching the next roll of surf

Over and over again.

At one point, a small boy approached and the two shared a brief and happily animated discussion before the surfing delight continued.

It was hard not to stop and stare, but then deep inside, I heard something:

"Keep riding with the waves of the Spirit, even when they seem small 

The key word is with: abide in the Vine—apart from Me you can do nothing. 

Keep going deeper still into My goodness and strength, 

And keep a childlike heart of wonder and joy in the journey 

Even when things and life and stuff seem small 

Even if most people are not paying attention 

Or would rather spectate from a safe distance. 

It is your faithfulness in riding the waves of My faithfulness,

Even when they seem small, that matters. 

Because I AM huge, but I AM mostly in your small stuff. 

The joy of the Lord is your strength 

And your great reward. 

And if you fall along the way (and you will),

Just get back on and keep riding. 

With me."

"I pray that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may comprehend the hope to which he has called you, what are the rich benefits of his glorious inheritance among the saints…”

—Ephesians 1:18, Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament

“This is my Father’s world…He speaks to me everywhere.”

Even on vacation.

Even when listening means opening your eyes

And simply asking.