The Goal

A smoky sunset at the high school soccer field.

One of the best retreats I ever experienced wasn’t the planned events of the retreat itself. It was walking deep into the woods of the White Mountains on a mild and breezy fall afternoon, the leaves just beginning to change to hues of yellow, orange and red, and a bubbling stream following each bend of the path. It was here, hours before the actual retreat, that “church” happened. It was here where I had been weary and dry as a bone and found renewed purpose and vision. It was here where I pulled out my bible app and turned to a familiar passage, and read fearlessly aloud because there was no one in sight, and where I felt what seemed to be every word jumping off the page and into the depths of my soul: 

“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord—in His presence—all the days of my life,

To gaze upon the beauty, the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur, of the Lord…”

—Psalm 27:4

 

And I just knew. That’s it! That’s the goal.

In writing, in speaking or singing, and especially in photography, I knew that I knew that afternoon in the woods that the goal of my life was not retreat but advance—to gaze upon and then point to the beauty of the Lord that’s all around us “all the days of my life.”

And then get out of the way.

Yes, there is surely darkness and ugliness.

The goal is not denial.

But the goal is built on a promise that trumps all ugliness:

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered, defeated or understood it.”(John 1:5)

Never has, never will.

Keep sharing that.

Keep gazing upon that truth.

Because the Psalmist realizes that this is no pie-in-the-sky, dreamy goal. Because he knows that gazing on the beauty of the Lord all the days of his life will always give him the right perspective when the world is turned upside down.

Me, too:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life—

Whom shall I dread?...

…For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;

In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;

He will lift me up on a rock.”

 

And so, whenever I look through a camera lens, whenever I remember through a photo, or through words or song how big and beautiful my God truly is, “the things of earth grow strangely dim in the Light of His glory and grace.”

Always.

That’s the goal, anyway.

 

“Living becomes an awesome business when you realize that you spend every moment of your life in the sight and company of an omniscient, omnipresent Creator.”—J.I. Packer

Sunrise along the Maine coast.

Walking in Peace

A late fall afternoon along the Wapack Trail.

When having "one of those days" or "one of those weeks"
When answers to prayer don't seem to be happening fast enough
Or the way you had hoped

When you are forced to slow down when you'd rather go fast...

And even on those days and weeks when all is right and good

When it's easy to trust in your own wits

When it's too easy to say, "I've got this"...
It is always wise, and never crazy, to talk to yourself

About two simple things:

"Put your hope in the LORD.

Travel steadily along His path."

- Psalm 37:34, NLT

This, too, is worship.

"The soul that loves God has its rest in God and God alone. In all the paths that men walk in the world, they do not attain peace until they draw nigh to hope in God." 

- Isaac of Ninevah, early Church mystic

Questions of Life

Along North Beach, Ogunquit, Maine

When I took this photo a week ago, I had not finished my walk along the beach. It was a pause,  a spot in the sand, a milestone—looking back to where I had started but looking forward to what was ahead. The footsteps in the sand belonged to someone else on a journey, but they reminded me of a memorable observation while trudging through snow on a trail several winters ago: "Just remember, you often won't realize you're making progress on this Journey until you pause to look back at how far you've come.”

Perhaps it was memorable because I often find myself pausing along this Journey of faith and asking myself this...

“Am I living this life right? Is anything out of balance? ‘In the world but not of it’ can be a delicate dance—but a joyful one, too. How am I doing?”

In looking back at some of the analytics for this blog since it began in 2014, it was interesting to see that I have not been alone— the ones that have hit home the most with readers have had a similar theme. This week marks a year’s worth (366) of Vitamins, and over the years, I have learned that they have been read by people who are all over the “walk with God” scale, including some who would admit that they are not. Welcome! Some have pressed “like” because of the photo, and that’s fine if it drew them in to consider some wonderful words of Life. Whatever it takes. Some readers are from places like Poland and Brazil, but most are those I know well or even casually right here at home. Many are not church-goers. Perfect. 

But everyone, made in the image of God, seems to have this inner yearning to “live this life right.” The top 10 most-read Vitamins (listed below) seemed to resonate with readers on “am I living this life right?” questions like:

How do I keep praying when the answer hasn’t come yet?

How do I cultivate a healthy attitude when the world around me has gone nuts?

How can I know that my little life matters to God, or to anyone else for that matter?

How can I practically follow God without being “religious”?

How can I see God in the people and situations I encounter every day?

How do I develop a positive and contagious character and lifestyle?

How do I keep going when I’d rather quit?

How do I keep going when everything, including God, seems to be in a fog at the moment?

How do I slow down once in awhile and breathe in what truly matters?

How am I doing with pursuing meaningful friendships and relationships?

Great questions. Important questions. And it is good to know that no matter where we are in our faith Journey, God is still Emmanuel—God with us, all the way, whenever we ask those questions. And His invitation to seek Him has no expiration date. Best of all, God's wonderful Words of life have tons of measuring sticks we can use for all of those questions of life when they arise—including a prayer we can regularly make our own that the apostle Paul prayed for some ancient believers on a similar journey as ours:

“…That you may see things, as it were, from His point of view by being given spiritual insight and understanding [spending time with Him]…that your outward lives, which men see, may bring credit to your Master’s name, and that you may bring joy to His heart by bearing genuine fruit, and that your knowledge of God may grow yet deeper.”—Colossians 1:10, Phillips New Testament

 

So be it, Lord. Wherever we may be on the Journey, let us keep going…

For some of our most important "am I living this life right?" questions, here's some encouragement from the most-read Vitamins since 2014, in order of popularity ...

1. THE POWER OF A THREE-LETTER WORD  - March 21, 2021
2. THE RIGHT TRAIN OF THOUGHT - May 7, 2017
3. WHERE FORGOTTEN DOESN’T EXIST  - May 12, 2019
4. GET YOUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS  - May 22, 2016
5. SEEING GOD DOWNTOWN - May 12, 2019
6. GOOD TOOLS HANDED DOWN  - June 7, 2018
7. PAVED WITH GOODNESS - April 11, 2021
8. FOG CHASER - October 15, 2017
9. REMEMBERING THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE - July 23, 2017
10. INNER CIRCLE JOY - April 25, 2021

Look Up and Live

Right after sunrise, coast of Maine.

"I see the world in light, I see the world in wonder

I see the world in life, bursting in living color

I see the world Your way, and I'm walking in the Light."

("Wonder," by Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, and Brooke Fraser)

What is it about standing at the ocean’s shore and never being bored by looking out onto the vast expanse and standing in refreshing awe? Is it the crash of the waves, the cleansing aroma?

What is it about looking up at the stars on a clear night and becoming frozen in your tracks with a stiff neck and dropped jaw? Is it the stars? The moon?

What is it about getting to the top of a favorite mountain peak and staring out onto the same view time after time after time and yet feeling your eyes lock in on the wonder? Is it the distant hills, the colorful nearby trees, or the masterpiece that they paint when they are together?

It might be all of that and more, but it might be one thing more that tops them all: The sky. When we look Up, we get the right perspective...

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

    The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

    night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or word;

    their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,

    and their words to all the world.

—Psalm 19:1-4, NLT

The skies, the heavens, are forever speaking in expanse, in color, in wonder—all of it reflecting the glory of God on the familiar, on what we see every day or in our favorite places. The lighting, and the time of day of that lighting, the angle through clouds or mist, all send new, jaw-dropping messages that the Creator of the universe loves painting awesome pictures day and night, and no two ever, ever look the same!

And He does so especially to remind us how He lovingly and enthusiastically created each one of us, too, and that like the patterns in the heavens, all are unique and fearfully and wonderfully made: "...we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

And He does so to capture our hearts and attention once again, to “take the world but give me Jesus,” to see all that is good and beautiful and amazing and nothing-is-impossible comes from His Word and hand.

And He does so (in the very same Psalm) to daily remind each of His children that we, too, are created to be reflectors and messengers with pictures of goodness to carry into the store, the backyard barbecue, even the potentially contentious meeting...

May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to You,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

—Psalm 19:14

Maybe not all, but a lot of our life’s mission in this Great Adventure hinges on these prayer words of Psalm 19. Keep looking Up....Selah

[Originally published March 2018]

Misty-eyed

Early morning mist along the Cranberry Meadow Pond Trail.

Around here, there are lots of beautiful reasons to go “wow!” when looking out your driver’s side window on the way from here to there: A sunset. A multi-colored, rolling field. Mountains skirted by clouds. Deer nibbling on roadside shrubs. Most of the time, you marvel and enjoy but keep on going from here to there. One morning this week, though, I had to pull a (safe) U-ey. I had to go back to a “wow” scene I had seen countless times before but seemed to be calling my name.

It was the fleeting beauty of early morning mist on marshy land as the sun broke over the horizon. When you walk through it, your skin becomes moist. It gets all over you, in a very good sort of way. Scientists say mist is what happens when something warm and moist comes in contact with surfaces that are much cooler. Mist is thinner than fog, it’s more transparent, it blankets whatever it contacts with a moisture that seems to come out of nowhere, and then quickly vanishes.

God is continually speaking through His creation, even through the August morning mist. And I was sensing a confirming word: “This is your life. This is everyone’e life. Time flies so quickly. Think about it: how did we get to the end of summer so quickly—weren’t you just shoveling snow off the driveway yesterday? Make the most of each day, each opportunity. ‘What is your life, after all? For you are like a mist that appears for a brief time and then vanishes.’ (James 4:14). So, blanket wherever you go like this mist. Keep bringing My warmth to the cold of the world around you. Keep being salt. Keep being light.”

Wherever you go? 

Like many believers, I grew up in a Christian environment where if not spoken out loud, it was implied that just about everything in your life, except for your obligations, was to be centered around church. Friends. Music. Activities. All certainly helpful for growth and encouragement and discipleship, and I am grateful to this day for the fruit of all that. But there was also this sense that the outside world had become a “them” and a “that” and to have nothing to do with it anymore. Healthy discipleship cautions like “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) often got turned on their head to imply—stay away, it’s safer in your Christian bubble. The idea of being “in the world but not of it” felt a bit self-centered, that we’re stuck in this place for now but hold on because Jesus is coming soon to take us Home.

And He is!

But not that way. Because things Jesus really said…

“I’m not asking that You take them out of the world but that You guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy —consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”—John 17:15-18, Message

In some ways, I found it was easier and safer to live in that all-Christian, all-the-time bubble. It’s a lot harder to be the kind of penetrating mist Jesus is praying for us to be as we enjoy connecting with old friends who do not know Him (yet) and with common interests, holding on to uncompromising convictions and Truth (like Romans 12:2) while walking in love and not judgment and continually carrying the fragrance of Jesus wherever we go. But it’s the right way.

For some reason, it’s taken me several decades to feel safe about making a misty-eyed U-turn on this way of thinking—saturating, blanketing, being transparent—both inside and especially outside my church’s wonderful walls. But thank God, it is so.  And it is never too late. To be continued…

"I've got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door

And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor

I've got a Jesus bumper sticker

And the outline of a fish stuck on my car

And even though this stuff's all well and good,

I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change?

What about the difference?

What about the grace?

What about forgiveness?

What about a life that's showing

I'm undergoing the change?"

—The Change, by Steven Curtis Chapman

Paddling In the Thunderous Silence

Putting in at sunset at MacDowell Lake.

"It's when you take two words that are totally the opposite and you jam 'em together....like military intelligence, dark victory...thunderous silence...."

― Danny DeVito in "Renaissance Man"

The Sons of Korah who penned the lyrics to Psalm 46 got it long before we, or Danny DeVito, ever did―this walk of following in Jesus' footsteps is an oxymoron of endless and sometimes chaotic noise bubbling over a deep current of perfect peace. The same psalm that inspired one of the most famous, most majestic, and most floor-rattling hymns of our faith ― "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"―also whispers "be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46 is not either/or, but both. It is not trying to avoid or deny the reality of the former to escape to the latter, but rather God gripping us by the hand as if to assure us, "I AM with you in the midst of it all."

Life with the King of the universe is a wonderful "thunderous silence." If only we will look for it. If only we will take the time. If only we will look for Him. But how?

"That same day, Jesus left the house and went to sit by the sea."

―Matthew 13:1, The Voice

On the heels of a day filled with going from place to place, surrounded by people of all walks of life making requests, and demands, and challenges, and questions, and accusations, and all the while being hemmed in by so many people in great need and in impossible situations looking for answers or simply just a glimmer of hope, Jesus pursued the stillness of His Father's presence by, it would seem, slipping out to someplace quiet without anyone noticing.

With one little three-letter word, Jesus our example lives out the oxymoron of life that is Psalm 46. "Sit." Most of the time, when we go to our favorite get-away place, we're still moving when we get there. We want to walk, or hike, or jog, or restlessly go to this vantage point and then the next. All the while realizing that just because we are at our favorite place doesn't mean that the noise has gone away. Besides, some of the most thunderous noises are the ones that keep playing in our heads: "do this, you forgot that, what about this?, and what if?... and you really should have....and what a mess―how is this every going to sort itself out-ok-let-me-play-out-all-the-scenarios-and-put-it-on-repeat."

And in that one little three-letter word, Jesus seems to to be modeling:

Recharge your batteries and get a renewed Heavenly perspective.

Stop moving, even if your brain is at full tilt.

Stop completely.

Be still.

Breathe deeply.

Look up and see His majesty and presence all around you once more.

And while you're at it, don't forget to confess with your mouth what your brain knows is true but quickly forgets.

The beauty of what is known as flat water kayaking is that it forces you to stop moving your feet even while your brain is racing―when it is too busy being busy, a sort of multi-topic mental vertigo. And when all that internal noise rages, the launch from shoreline can provide a stunning counterattack. One evening not long ago, the lake was so calm, so still, so smooth as glass, it seemed like splashing the oars to move forward would be akin to being that one person who has a coughing spell in the midst of holy-hush moment of a play or concert...

What would Jesus do? What did Jesus do?

..."Sit."And so I sat. And just floated rather aimlessly, occasionally carefully dipping a paddle into the water as though I were tip-toeing. It was still rather noisy inside, but soon, the thunderous silence began to invade. Soon the multi-topic mental vertigo was drowned out by the sound of...silence. Not a breeze. Not a distant airplane or traffic. Even the birds flying around and about seemed to be on mute in reverence.

And then, as I had done a few times before but not enough lately, I pulled out my phone's bible app and didn't just think-read but broke the thunderous silence by doing something which seems a bit weird and awkward: confessing with my mouth what is True. Out loud. It seemed to echo around the lake:

“God is our shelter and our strength.

    When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help.

So why run and hide?

No fear, no pacing, no biting fingernails.

    When the earth spins out of control, we are sure and fearless.

    When mountains crumble and the waters run wild, we are sure and fearless.

Even in heavy winds and huge waves,

    or as mountains shake, we are sure and fearless….

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.

    I am honored among all the nations.

    I am honored over all the earth.”

You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us;

    the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart.”

(Psalm 46: 1-3; 10-11)

Even in the silence, the noise inside didn't suddenly disappear; the realities of dilemmas and decisions and tough situations remained. But what was noticeable was this: they were put in their place, drowned out by a peace that passes all understanding. And all Creation praised the moment: The thunderous silence was broken by the distant call of an owl, and then of a loon, and then of a beaver trying to quietly sneak by without being noticed. And then most amazingly, as though God Himself was smiling through this moment of the rhythms of grace, I looked to the western sky and saw that great hymn and the last verse of Psalm 46 as a painting: a glorious mighty fortress in the clouds....

... Woah! A painting that spoke blessed assurance in the wonderful thunderous silence, "I've got you, and I've got this noise. And I always have. And I always will."

[Originally published summer of 2017]

Fullness at Turn Two

Heading toward Turn Two earlier this spring.

Sometimes, you can be minding your own business and the oddest things happen.

Yesterday morning’s run at the high school track was like that—loop after loop, gulps of cool air, an incredibly beautiful cloud cover, the nearby shouts of the football team at their first workout of the season, waking up and feeling fine, and having the lanes all to myself. And then as I rounded turn two, I noticed a car had pulled over and someone was approaching the fence with a camera. 

First thought: “You lookin’ at me? And who-the-heck are you?” A little creepy at first, but as I kept running, I chose to believe the guy was taking a photo of the football team in the distance instead. But just maybe, he stopped because he wondered “why do people do this—running around and around on a track in the early morning? It looks… boring.” 

And the guy would have a point. But he’d also have no idea. Because though making time to run was the last thing I should have been doing to start an incredibly busy day, and though it may have seemed boring and routine to others, that weird little photo incident was a reminder that what I had taken time to do was the most important thing I should be doing. Every day...

“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest.”

I have never met marathon runner Haruki Murakami, who said that, but I can relate to him. He is a career writer and has spent many hours behind a desk. Check. He did not start running until later in life. Check. He began as a way to stay healthy and counter his sedentary every day working position. Check.

And most of all, because he wanted to “live life to the fullest.” Check. In my case, it was to take seriously the words of Jesus,

“I have come in order that you might have life—

life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)

Because there is a thief that is constantly trying to rob us all of the goodness of life, both in this world and the promise of the world to come. Running in endless circles on a track can seem crazy to people driving by, but yesterday was a reminder that no matter how much stuff there is to do and process, living life in all its fullness begins by starting the day right on the right foot (whether you are a runner or not)—with prayer, with gratitude, with thankfulness.

Three things easily forgotten or taken for granted.

And as I often do on a run, the mish-mash of thoughts going through my brain on that boring-looking track yesterday looked something like this…

Today is another day that the Lord has made,

And before doing another thing, even before that first sip of coffee,

Before planning and scheming the day ahead,

Rejoice, even if just a little bit—which means don’t just feel gratitude, express it.

Give Him praise from whom every single blessing flows! (James 1:17)

Including that your life is a gift and the giver is God alone,

Because He alone “gives us life, and breath in our lungs, and everything else.” (Acts 17:26)

This day may seem full or it may seem like just another day, but don’t be fooled;

Remember that every day is His day, and for His glory, and how I walk—even run—through it really matters.

“OK, then, let’s do this!”

Wait…first, don’t forget to pray at all times, and as you go (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and especially for these:

Pray for wisdom on how to proceed, for what you know about already and the unplanned.

And “if you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.” (James 1:5, Voice)

And pray, too, for an undivided heart (Psalm 86:11) that stays soft and pliable in the hands of its Maker throughout the day.

Especially when it is prone to wander or become hardened by the things and voices of this world that continually scream (lie) that they are more important or desirable.

And don’t forget to pray for others…family, friends in need, and how you will interact with all the people that come across your path today:

“Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.” (Ephesians 6:18)

And even if (and when) I veer off course on this day’s journey, or my heart and flesh fail,

Remember to end the day as you’re doing now, even out of breath:

Give Him praise from whom all blessings flow!

From beginning to end, today is another day that the Lord has made, so keep on running…

“Let us be full of joy and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24, NLV)

This is living life in all its fullness.