Contemplations

Wrestling with The Almighty

2009-10-19T06:07:00.010-05:00

After 14 years in exile, Jacob wrestled with someone all night before meeting again with his estranged brother Esau whom he had connived out of a blessing all those years earlier.

Various suggestions have been made as to his opponent. Some teach that it was actually Esau himself wrestling with Jacob, but Jacob concluded that he had seen God "face to face" and his life had been spared. (Genesis 32:40)

Been wrestling myself; several nights. No Esau in my life. No one I have defrauded or stolen a blessing from, just a restless spirit that comes from waiting on God's blessing. For, as you may remember, it was after Jacob "wrestled" with God that he was truly blessed. Spiritual interest that had been promised to him actually started to accrue after that famous confrontation with the Almighty.

Several things come to my mind about wrestling with God.

*A confrontation with the Almighty is tantamount to facing the fact that you are weak. I don't mean by this that God is a bully. He wasn't pushing Jacob around that night; neither does He manhandle us. But before we receive the great blessings that God has for us we do need to update our status as created ones and God as Creator; God the blessor and we the blessees; He as Heaven's Hulk (I won't say Hogan) and we as earth's dust.

*We get ahead spiritually, not by our conniving, but by heaven's blessing. How easy to make Jacob's characteristic mistake of trying to manipulate the circumstances (and others) toward an outcome that casts a good light on us. But God needed to train Jacob into receiving a blessing via prayer - versus his lifelong habit of stealing blessings by human duplicity.

*We need not fear the future if we are walking with God; even if that walk is with a limp. Yes Jacob would have a reminder within him until the day he died of that night God keep him all night - a hip joint out of socket, or something of that sort, that would, with every step he took, remind him of his need to rely upon God instead of himself. It is when we take every step with God that we have true security - and not one moment until then.

I'm anticipating some good blessings of God, not only because I've been wrestling with God, but because I'm limping. But its okay because I'm also still learning.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope you're limping too.

"Where You Been Chinquapin?"

2009-09-02T11:21:00.011-05:00

I haven't blogged this past summer. Grandkids Andrew, Caroline and Daniel were here (along with their parents Brooke and Matthew) and I wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. They live in Spain so when they're here time is precious and I put stuff like blogging on the back burner.

Plus, another grandson arrived in Nashville, Issac, and we wanted to be there for his arrival and back to see him (and his parents Bethany and David) on July 4.

Deb and I are also excited about our grandson Carter's arrival in Indiana probably later this month. We won't have all the grandchildren together until next summer but here are the four that were together this summer.

The title for this blog is a saying I heard as boy in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. A chinquapin is a wild nut that grows on the side of the mountains. It tastes good but is so much smaller than a chestnut, which also grows inside a burr like a chinquapin, that it takes quite a few to make a mouthful. But its worth the work to pick & eat them because they are unique and delicious!

I used to take a lunch bag full of chinquapins to school to snack on. Boy was I country!

For some reason I've always compared some people I know to chinquapins. They take a lot of work to understand and love but when you get past their prickly burrs and spend enough time with them you see their good points.

"Be patient with everyone..." 1 Thessalonians 5:14c (CEV)

Jamie Bush's Testimony

2009-07-22T11:40:00.007-05:00

[Jamie gave the following testimony recently at Pathway Church during a series Deb and I were co-teaching on relationships. She and her husband Thomas are actively involved in Pathway Church, dedicated to helping others find Christ and follow Him.]

I am overwhelmed and humbled by God's generosity and persistence.

Five years ago I was living with a man who was a drug addict, who physically punished me and belittled me daily.

My Aunt Sandy told me she worked with a guy named Thomas who was great, but also in a bad relationship...she was sure if we'd both free ourselves we would be so happy, BUT I was absolutely sure that I was worthless and that pain is what I deserved. EVERYone in my life tried to pull me away and help me, but I wouldn't listen.

God sent 3 friends and several family members to me telling me this would kill me if i didn't leave. I lost my house, my car, my job because I put this man in control of my life and he destroyed it. Finally, I was beaten and scared so much that I left, but when I didn't think I could live without that "love," I attempted suicide. I couldn't believe I survived. Why was God so cruel?

At that point, I really was mad at God. My dad was dead, my sister was dead, and i was absolutely alone. How did he let me go through this? I was a great person until I put all my "faith" in a horrible man.

What I didn't see, is that God had moved me to my mom's house to "recover" my life and be filled with love. God pulled me from that man because I wouldn't remove myself. God put me in court-ordered counseling and I began to realize I did have self worth.

I went to church with my Aunt Sandy from time to time and felt SO pulled to God that I still pushed him away because I wasn't ready to admit my failures. One Sunday I heard "Grace like rain" and it clicked....God did love me! God saved me from the fire I had put myself in! God did have a future for me! God already forgiven me for the horrible things I had yet to admit to him...

Wow...how does that sink in? Slowly...

I started working at the Neighborhood Thrift Store and slowly began dating again....met Pastor Brian and started coming to Pathway....still slipping up and not making great choices with dating, but I knew i wanted a Godly man.

THEN...

my same Aunt Sandy that had taken me to church, finally convinced me to go out with Thomas....

Meanwhile in Thomas' life: painful divorce, living with a woman who took advantage of him financially and emotionally...then he made her leave and went to church one Sunday in February 2007....Thomas asked God to take control of his life again and promised to change his life...

We met the next Friday...three days later I told my mom Thomas would be the man I married.

God worked with me and through me and never let go of my hand...while I thought he'd ignored me, it was me looking away. I am in awe and humbled that God can work such miracles. The peace and love I have with Thomas is a daily blessing, to breathe easier around someone and know they have your best interest at heart is such a love I never imagined, and through God's love and grace, it is a daily reality. What is more amazing...how much greater is the love God has for me? More than I can comprehend. I am not worthy, but I am grateful.

Ken Johnson's Testimony

2009-07-06T15:13:00.002-05:00

[Recently at Pathway Church here in Huntsville, Alabama, Ken Johnson gave this testimony in the midst of my message on "How to Bring out the Best in Your Kids." It took a lot of guts for him to share this but it really spoke to a lot of hearts about the influence, good and bad, that parents exercise over their children. We are all proud of how Ken is growing in Christ.]

On January 9, 1961, a baby boy was born to parents with unresolved issues from their own upbringing. Back in "those days" it was considered taboo to mention anything like alcohol addiction and physical abuse. If you dealt with anything like that in your home, you kept it to yourselves.

Today it’s a much different world. Issues like those are out in the open and people talk about them more. In a "perfect" world things would have been different. But of course the world isn’t perfect and we don’t get to pick our parents or the environment in which we’re raised.

I was in for a rough and bumpy ride as I got older.

As a young skull full of mush growing up I naturally listened to anything my parents told me. Misbehave and you were disciplined. My father, who had unresolved issues of his own, was the enforcer – the one who dealt out anything that was coming to me. I can remember my father telling me, "You were a mistake, I wish you had never been born…you’ll never amount to anything!"

My dad at times would have his way with me, fondling me in unspeakable places. I would go back to my room afterwards and cry into my pillow. I knew if I said anything, I would get anything he was dealing out again.

My mom, who was what’s now called an "enabler," just stood by and watched everything that happened to me, saying nothing. To the best of my knowledge my father never abused my two sisters. If he did it was never while around me.

My mother was a wonderful person, even with everything that was going on. She did the best she could in raising my two sisters and me. She never worked outside the home and she knew that, if she left our dad, or if he left us, she would essentially have nothing.

My mother basically lived her life through her kids and smothered us with love. I can remember her always telling people, "You’ll never see my kids acting up because they’re always with me – which, at the time, was fine and good. But then again, she never pushed us to learn for ourselves. She always did things for us, especially me, always telling me, "Someday I’m not gonna be around so you’re going to have to learn for yourself." But I didn’t get the chance. I still struggle today with basic living skills. Slowly but surely I’m learning. I guess you could say I’m getting by.

Several years ago my mom and I were traveling from Arizona to Alabama in a car pulling a U-Haul trailer. In order to save money, we didn’t spend the nights in motels. Instead we would sleep in the car. One morning near the Oklahoma /Texas border, we were waking up to start the day, when mom got out of the car and fainted. She died in that rest area in Oklahoma, apparently from natural causes.

Losing a parent is one of the greatest disappointments one can have in life. I called my sisters, one in Huntsville, and one in Arizona to tell them that our mother had passed away. That was a devastating task.

When I finally got to Huntsville I was blessed with a great job. Little did I know, however, that I was beginning a downward spiral and quickly lost everything including my job and my apartment. I was even put out of my college classes after three years, because my grades weren’t measuring up. So I moved into the Downtown Rescue Mission. I started doing all right and even worked my way into a supervisory role. But not seeking help for my childhood trauma, plus having been diagnosed with adult ADD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Avoidant Personality Disorder, I developed another problem.

I became addicted to over-the-counter antihistimines, which also led to 3 different arrests for shoplifting. After attending a treatment center, I became aware that I was taking pills to sleep in an attempt to deal with the pain of past issues with my dad. I was afraid to go to sleep as a child for fear of what my dad would do to me. To this day sleep is still a struggle. Many nights I sleep little or not at all.

Sadly, some of the things in my past have left me with scars. There are a lot of things I can’t do, and a lot I have to pay for. But the biggest thing I can say in my life is GOD LOVES ME and I BELIEVE IT!

I gave my life to Christ several years ago at our church when it was meeting on 8th Avenue. Later, while staying at the rescue mission on 9th Avenue, my life was set on fire for God after hearing a man give his testimony at a chapel service. I had backslidden terribly because I didn’t place myself in the position to receive the proper support. Shortly after that, God blessed me with an apartment and an income again, but since I was never properly schooled and disciplined on how to be a proper steward of God’s finances I essentially put myself back into the same hole I was in before.

I was spending money I didn’t have…AND KNEW IT! It was nothing to check my account balance and see a negative $400 balance. I couldn’t eat the way I should. My cable was turned off. I barely paid my rent and my debts snowballed.

Thank God today I’m doing better. I’m surrounding myself with good people – NOT PERFECT PEOPLE – but I read the Bible every day and it helps me make it through the day. I’m a work in progress.
　
Today’s reading is one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life – all of my deepest, darkest secrets out there for all to see and know. Some of you already knew some of these things, but the coolest thing is, GOD KNOWS ALL OF THIS ABOUT ME AND MORE - AND HE STILL WANTS TO WORK WITH ME, AND IF I DO WHAT HIS WORD TELLS ME TO DO HE WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS ME.

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you. May God bless you.

Star Trek & My Birthday

2009-06-07T20:03:00.010-05:00

The Star Trek movie has been out for a month but Deb and I waited to go with some friends to see it for my birthday. Though I can't really call myself a Trekkie, I enjoyed the original TV series years ago. I like futuristic. I enjoy most adventure stories. When the opening line of the TV series began with, "Space, the final frontier," I would nod my head in agreement. I grew up during the space race so exploring outer space resonated with me for that reason also.

I might be odd, or maybe since it was my birthday, I drew some paralells between the movie and my life up to now. If you haven't seen the movie and plan to, you may not want to read on. In fact, this blog entry won't make much sense to you without first viewing the film.

I do recommend the movie. It's fun as well as futuristic. Seeing it makes me wish that I had done that summer series on movies I thought about doing, because to me, there were some really significant spiritual overtones in this flick.

Here's where Star Trek, the movie, and my life and spiritual journey intersect.

I would love to have the opportunity for the older, wiser version of me to visit the younger. In the movie, a future version of Spock shares insight with himself as a young man. Wishing you could go back in time and talk to yourself to ward off some mistakes, make course corrections, etc., is not a new idea in literature and life. But the quantum physics stuff (the atomic world is nothing like the world we live in) of time travel dealt with in sci-fi means we wouldn't have to travel back in time, but forward in time to have a little chat with ourselves. What would you say to your self if you could travel forward (or backward if you just don't want to blow your mind that much)? My list is too long for here and now. But I do have a list, which I think means that the journey has been worthwhile, bad as well as good, because I've been growing.

Watching Star Trek I also theorized that I shouldn't get so uptight over my conflicted duality of natures. Again, Spock is the character in the movie that experienced a personality crisis that mirrors this point. Half human, half Vulcan, he fights the inner battle between logic and emotion. For Christ followers the inner wrestling match is between the human nature with which we're born, and the spiritual nature received when we make a faith commitment to Christ. Put very simply, our fallen nature doesn't mind breaking the laws that God has enacted for our overall and long term well being. Our new nature on the other hand wants to cooperate with the good things God is trying to do in us and in the world around us. Throughout our lives a duel is waged between these alter egos. But instead of being threatened by this inconvenient result of the fall, we need to adapt to it. Once Spock understood both natures his life became more balanced. The Christ follower knows that his journey will be complete only in heaven, when, and where, two natures will no longer compete. Until then we need to accept the rivalry within as part of our spiritual journey.

Friendship. Spock to Jim Kirk: "I have been, and always will be, your friend." Now it may seem hokey to you that this is one of my favorite cinematic quotes but I gladly own up to it. Having true friends is one of the greatest accomplishments of life. Having long-lasting, even lifetime friends, even more so. Star Trek, the movie, furnishes interesting and well-choreographed prequel information on Kirk, Spock, "Bones," "Scotty," and even the lesser characters that made the TV series a cult classic. To me the TV series as well as the movie is about friendship. The friendship between Kirk and Spock was born of conflict, tempered by crisis, and cemented by common goals. The lives of two tested adventurers intersect and follow a common course, which is a big part of how deep friendships are forged. Superficial frienships are a dime a dozen, or, 50 cents per dozen, accounting for inflation. But you get what you pay for.

Lookout Lodge

2009-05-19T12:08:00.011-05:00

Last week we rented "Lookout Lodge" in the Smoky Mountains and the entire family was able to set aside several days to be together. (I'm in the back row holding our granddaugher Caroline. She is teething - that's why she has her fingers in her mouth.)

Observations:

- The peace and quiet of the mountains created a great atmosphere, not only for family time, but also for time with God. I went out on the deck and talked to my Heavenly Father morning, noon and night. It was spiritually invigorating. I also read quite a bit of Swindoll's biography of the Apostle Paul.

- Deb and I are so pleased with who our children are - and with who they married. Sometimes parents grow weary with the sacrifices they make, but I encourage any young parent to take the long view, especially when you are tired, spent and putting off personal endeavors so that your children can have the right kind of environment in which to grow and learn. When they become healthy, happy, Christ-following adults the satisfaction is unbelievable!

- As you can tell on the front row, our daughter Bethany (blonde) and her husband David are expecting a child, due in August - a boy - Isaac! Bethany will complete her work for her master's degree before Isaac gets here; David already has his master's. Our daughter-in-law Keshia (brunette) and our son Brandon are expecting their first child - also a boy - Carter - in September! Keshia just completed her MBA and Brandon is going back to work on his master's this fall. Brooke and Matthew (on the back row between Deb and I) have their master's degree in parenthood! Andrew (in Matthew's lap) is 2 & a half and the twins are 6 months. They are home from Spain on missionary furlough. When I watch them or the rest of the family with the children I know how blessed Deb and I are to have a family that cherishes life!

- I know why Jesus took vacations. It is great to refresh and replenish the supply in your spiritual well. I am now more focused and energetic than when we left on vacation. Take time off now and then to be alone with God. Take time off now and then to be alone with your family. Deb prefers the beach. So next year, as we do the every-other-year routine, we'll probably be there. But at least we'll realize that the world will go on revolving while we're not working.

Significant Events in My Life

2009-04-20T15:07:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine, Mike Hall, did something similar to this for his blog and I enjoyed the idea and decided to "borrow" it. I have probably blogged some of this info before but it's been a few years back.

I haven't blogged for a while. My excuse is that I have been intensely preoccupied with various and sundry worthwhile activities.

But here are a few significant events in my past.

1. My mother's conversion to Christ, somewhere in late 1965 or early 1966.

Through the invitation of a co-worker mom attended a revival at the New Home Free Will Baptist Church in Piney Creek, North Carolina where we were living at the time. The evangelist was her older sister's brother-in-law, Kermit Childers. Everything changed in our home on that day. A driving force in my life has been to see everything change in other people's homes because of being introduced to Christ. When I remember that day and what it meant to my family, my two older brothers and I coming to Christ after we moved back to Maryland, I work past any hurdles of doing ministry today in order to keep making Christ known to others.

2. The day Christ saved me.

It was the summer of '66, shortly after my 12th birthday, at Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Perryman, Maryland. I had only been in a church a few times in my life before then. God's love, as I had already seen demonstrated in my mom's life, compelled me to come to Christ. I'm not a mystic but that was a mystical (rare and mysterious) experience. I've told thousands of people through the years in sharing the good news about Jesus with them, that you don't have to have an emotional upheaval to know you're saved. But I also realize that we're all different. I can be emotional. Besides, that day I stepped into a new world. I examined Christ for myself and saw that He was more than I could have imagined! Following Christ has never grown old!

3. The day I committed to pastoral ministry - November 10, 1973.

I was 17, and had been thinking for a long time that God's call to preach had graciously been extended to me. That Sunday night I told my church. Interestingly, my wife Deb, whom I had not yet met, was born on November 10. We have two reasons to celebrate this date on the calendar.

I wasn't one of those guys who ran from the idea of being a preacher. In fact, I thought it was cool to preach ever since I came to Christ at age 12. I just take my time in thinking things through. Many nights as a teen I would dream of standing in front of a congregation, proclaiming the Word of God.

4. The day I met my wife.

I don't know the exact date, but we were on a choir bus coming back from being on tour. It was late and we ended up sitting beside one another and talking for several hours. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight but it was, "I want to get to know this girl better at first sight." That was nearly 35 years ago and I am still amazed at God's answer to my prayer for a wife that is so perfect for me.

5. The day Deb and I married - May 14, 1977.

This was about three weeks before I turned 21. Deb would turn 21 in November. We were young and full of love and life. Those were exciting and fun days.

6. The birth of our children, Brooke, Brandon, & Bethany.

Our children are the apple of my eye. They probably won't even realize until their children are grown how much they mean to me.

7. The birth of our grandchildren.

I melt like a popsicle on a July sidewalk when I see the grandchildren -three now and two to arrive this fall.

Lessons Learned from Teaching Kids

2009-03-10T12:25:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while I like to report on my turn on the rotation of teaching kids on Wednesday night. Last week I had my wife Deb lead the adult Bible discussion while I got to learn from the children.

Since we're in 40 Days of Love at Pathway right now, I decided to teach the children on the topic of love from 1 Corinthians 13. I used the Contemporary English Version of the Bible since it is supposed to have an understanding level simple enough for 5th graders.

I had the kids read the verses one by one and we discussed whether or not we were good at showing love the way a particular verse talked about:

Do I take turns patiently without getting upset?
Do I get jealous of a friend's new clothes?
Do I show off or act as if others don't matter?
Am I polite and respectful of my parents and teachers?
Do I let someone else have the biggest piece of cake?
Do I call others names and try to get back at them?
Do I stay angry at someone for what he or she did?
Do I look for good in someone others say is bad?
Do I stand up for someone whom others pick on?
Do I believe that God can change difficult people?
Do I encourage others to do and be their best?
Do I choose to love others even when they disappoint?
Do I refuse to give up on someone, no matter what?

That's a pretty good list for adults to consider, let alone children!

If the children thought they were pretty good at showing love in a particular way, then they got to write their name beside that question. If not, they put a little star beside it to remind them what they needed to work on.

When the Bible was passed around and came to one little girl to read, she said, "I don't know how to read. I read backwards."

In a previous teaching/learning experience with the children I had noticed this same girl was able to put puzzle pieces together more quickly than anyone else in the class so I knew she was intelligent. (I had been using the puzzle as an object lesson about the story of Esther and how God put all of the pieces together in her life to bring out a beautiful result. As we put the puzzle together we talked.)

So, now trying to encourage her to read I said, "Oh, you have dyslexia. Did you know some of the smartest people who ever lived had dyslexia." (Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, etc.)

When I said this her mouth dropped open but she didn't say a word.

We went on reading a few more verses and talking about which areas of showing love that we each needed to work on.

When I asked for the next verse to be read she said, "Give me the Bible. It's my turn to read!" She sounded out the words slowly but with just a little help on a few big words, she was able to complete the reading.

After we discussed that verse the Bible was supposed to be passed on but she said, "Pastor Brian, is it okay if I read the rest of the verses?"

*******

Another humorous incident in this same teaching setting was when I asked, "If you love others, why shouldn't you brag?" One little girl piped up and said, "Because you might hurt yourself!"

Kids are so cool!

"Great" or "Good?"

2009-03-02T18:33:00.011-06:00

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"At the turn of the 20th Century, a disillusioned man who had failed at almost everything he had attempted wrote to his sister, 'When I was young I longed to write a great novel that should win me fame. Now that I am getting old my first book is written to amuse children. For, aside from my evident inability to do anything 'great,' I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp...but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart.'

"The man was Lyman Frank Baum, and his best-known book began to take form when a group of children, led by his own four boys, waylaid him one evening in his modest Chicago home, demanding a story. After a hard day's work, Baum often turned to fantasy as many men turned to alcohol. Sitting down with the children surrounding him, he began to talk. He gave no thought to what he was saying and later wrote in amazement, 'The characters surprised even me - it was as though they were living people.' Baum told of a little Kansas farm girl named Dorothy who was carried by a cyclone to a strange land where she met a live scarecrow, a man made of tin, and a cowardly lion. One of the children asked, 'What was the name of the land, Mr. Baum?' Stumped, Baum looked around him for inspiration. In the next room were filing cabinets, and one bore the letters O-Z. 'The land of OZ!' exclaimed the storyteller and continued with the tale, unaware that he had added a new word to the English language." (From "The Father of Oz, by Daniel P. Mannix)

It appears to me that L. Frank Baum was finally able to do something "great," but it came out of an effort to do something "good," to entertain little children.

How often, I wonder, do we aspire to greatness when God wants us to aspire to goodness? (And, in turn, greatness becomes the end result?)

Jesus taught us that goodness and faithfulness (loyalty) are the primary characteristics by which we will be evaluated when we stand before Him. (Matthew 25:21) Goodness - not greatness.

One of my favorite new TV shows is "Eleventh Hour," a CBS drama about Dr. Jacob Hood, a biophysicist and special science advisor to the U.S. government. Hood spends his life in "pursuit of those who would abuse and misuse scientific discoveries and breakthroughs for their own gain."

In one episode he hunts and eventually confronts a physician known only as Geppetto, who has cloned several children in order to use them as spare parts to replace her failing organs and save her own life. (Makes one think what dark goals may actually be reached by people of science devoid of conscience and character.)

Anyway, as Dr. Hood confronts the selfish "puppetmaster" (undoubtedly code-named Geppetto for the similarity to the toymaker who created Pinocchio) on her sick bed, an interesting exchange brings the entertainment to a denouement. Geppetto, thinking she is about to receive body parts from the cloned children that will help her regain her health, is instead met by Dr. Hood with the news that the game is up.

Geppetto: "You are good Dr. Hood...but you will never be great."

Dr. Hood: "I can live with that."

And so should every follower of Christ be able to say, "Good...I can live with that."

Church Sign Message Ideas

2009-02-27T14:16:00.005-06:00

Sent out an email to some church family members this afternoon to request any creative ideas on what to put on the church sign message board.

I'm always looking for something catchy that might just arouse the curiosity of an unchurched person; something that would motivate them to be our guest.

Got some serious answers, some humorous. Here's a sampling:

1 - "No snake handling this Sunday." (Now that WOULD get attention!) (By the way, no snake handling ANY Sunday!)

2 - "Our pastor can do the Vulcan greeting." (This is a reference to the fact that I sometimes gesture like Mr. Spock on Star Trek when I'm speaking - the fingers of my hand become separated at the middle. No, I don't do the Vulcan mind meld or immobilize anyone by squeezing their trapezius muscle.)

3 - "Stop in and worship. You ain't doin' nothin' else on Sunday morning."

4 - "Looking for real change? Start by visiting us."

5 - "Visit Pathway Church and see what it's like."

6 - "Come to Pathway this Sunday on Jamie's birthday. Jamie goes to church here." (Or something like that. I erased the email before I thought about making this list but how funny!)

7 - "Satan made someone litter on our parking lot." (Perhaps we should offer a reward?)

8 - "No more room for visitors." (reverse psychology)

9 - "Wish you'd been here last week. It was great!" or "Last week was great. Come in and see the sequel."

10 - "Do you need a spiritual stimulus?" or "Visit Sunday to receive your spiritual stimulus."

I love the people of Pathway! Check the church sign out to see which idea is used. If you have a good suggestion please let me know by leaving a comment on this blog.

Couldn't Have Said it Better

2009-01-23T13:13:00.002-06:00

Check out this post from my son on his blog.

http://www.brandonatwood.blogspot.com/

American Idiot

2009-01-14T17:20:00.009-06:00

Deb and I are big AI fans. We laughed our heads off last night watching the season 8 premiere. One of the reasons I have been a fan since season 1 is the laughter. Deb didn't start watching with me until she heard me laughing from the other end of the house.

Sometimes I wonder if I should laugh at the untalented contestants who make fools of themselves. But I keep watching. I like the competition aspect of the show, and of course the talent, but I think the producers know that "funny" is an essential ingredient to a winning formula. I just hate to see the contestants who've been lied to by family or friends who've told them they have real talent when they stink it up.

Note to all of us: don't lie to people and tell them things about themselves that aren't true. It's good to compliment others - but don't go overboard. They're believing you may lead to embarrassment later in life when the truth surfaces.

I think some of the contestants know they're lousy - they just want recognition or they're pulling a prank. Some may have even lost a bet - I don't know. But I'm sure the tears of some who bomb at the auditions aren't the crocodile kind.

I am trying hard not to think that Jesus is displeased with my laughter at others on this show. I've already given up watching extreme fighting because I don't think the Lord approves. I hope the Holy Spirit doesn't make me give up AI for laughing at people.

Sometimes Procrastination is God's Will

2009-01-10T20:39:00.004-06:00

"Wait on the Lord..."

Psalms 27:14

Psalms 37:34

Proverbs 20:22

Isaiah 40:31

New Personal Trends for '09

2009-01-10T09:23:00.005-06:00

I've already noticed several things going in a new direction for me this New Year.

1. Nothing wrong with enjoying life. I've begun to listen to country music more in '09. There have always been some aspects of country music that I liked and those that were distasteful to me. I don't care for the "honky tonk" twang or the lyrics that uplift beer guzzling and the date-of-the-month mentality. But I do like the sincerity and authenticity of a lot of country music. The ballads are especially mesmerizing sometimes and I enjoy the fun-loving songs too.

Having grown up listening to bluegrass I especially love gifted instrumentation, be it acoustic guitar-picking, fiddle, mandolin, or banjo...and yes, a dobro once in while.

It's just that I've noticed that while I'm in my pickup surfing the radio I linger longer on the country stations than I did before.

2. Stay on solid footing. I have to be sure that my right knee joint connects - especially going up or down stairs. I was going out the back door the other night to get some firewood for the fireplace and suddenly found myself on the patio when I thought I was going to be on the second step down. Hey, I'm over 50.

3. Don't get ahead of God. After crossing the threshold of a New Year I've noticed that God is bigger and I'm calmer. I have always had a BIG, BIG image of God. But I haven't always remembered to apply it every waking moment. One of my worst mistakes being a Christ follower has been to get ahead of God. What happens when you get ahead of someone? You're not together. Man, not walking together with God is a waste of life.

4. It's okay to be me. I've read a lot of articles about how teaching and preaching to the emergent church and the current postmodern culture needs to be more pictures and less structure. Okay, okay, I get it. But I don't give or get as much from pictures as I do structured and sequenced presentations. I will try now and again to teach and preach with more visual and storytelling emphases, but I was made for organizing my thoughts and words in sequence.

I hope you have a great 2009 being the best you that God created you to be!

Where Have You Been Chinquapin?

2009-01-02T22:53:00.004-06:00

I finally completed my books to our three children and that is what has kept me from blogging for a while. The book is one of those fill-in-the pages volumes entitled, "A Father's Legacy - Your Life Story in Your Own Words."

I presented the first copy to our oldest daughter while in Spain to see the newly arrived grandtwins. Then at Christmas I presented copies to our youngest daughter and son while they were visiting us here at home.

Handwriting three copies (it's a limited edition) took some time. I found myself utilizing every free moment for quite a while. It's the kind of thing that isn't fabulous - just some facts about my childhood and life that I want my kids to be familiar with so that they might understand me a little more and understand why I interacted in their lives growing up the way I did. It's the kind of thing I would have liked to have had from my dad but he died young. (Not that I have any premonition of dying anytime soon. I plan to live for a long time on this earth unless Christ returns soon.)

Writing down these thoughts was difficult at times. Some entries brought back tough memories. Some made me feel self-aggrandizing, when all the while I just wanted to communicate some stuff to our three children who are grown and starting families of their own. I hope they see how much I love them. I hope they understand my foibles and I definitely hope we stay close even though the miles separate us.

This adventure made me back up quite a bit on one of my life's crazy dreams - the fantasy of one day writing a book. It's hard work. I knew that already from all the books I've read on writing, but this really opened my eyes. If something this comparatively simple takes so much self-discipline, then I think buckling down and writing an original work must be mind-boggling. The only time I've come close to writing anything, book-wise, has been in the wee early morning hours when I couldn't sleep and there were absolutely no distractions at all.

Seems my imagination is wide open during the witching hours from midnight until 3 am. I've often thought I should keep a pen and pad of paper next to the bed. But I always think it would be unfair to awaken Deb just because I can't sleep. So far I have most often rebelled against getting completely out of bed to write when the thoughts course o'er my mind.

If I ever write a real book it will be via sleep-deprivation.

Relationships Trump Siteseeing

2008-12-08T00:01:00.004-06:00

Last time for me in Spain was four years ago. Unfortunately I wasn't able to return two years ago for the birth of our first grandchild, Andrew, as Deb did.

This time she got to be in Spain for the birth of the grandtwins, Caroline & Daniel, and I arrived a few days after their birth.

Last time in Spain we were able to travel and see some amazing sites: the Roman aqueduct still standing in Segovia; the throne room where Columbus was commissioned at El Escorial (and what a library!); The Valley of the Fallen; Madrid; and much more.

This time we have spent almost the entire time at home with the newborns and instead of sites we have met more of Brooke & Matthew's friends.

We met Raissa, who we'd heard a lot about, Brooke's friend from the Phillipines. They met at language school several years ago. She gave over eight hours of her time on Sunday to take over two hundred family photos and is a very sweet person. Raissa speaks fluent English so that allowed us to get to know her a little better.

We met Orlando and Anyela, immigrants from Columbia who dropped by with traditional Columbian food before leaving Spain to go home to South America for a month. They spoke no English and Deb and I spoke no Spanish, yet through a little interpretation we enjoyed great company.

We met Lannah, from Great Britain, Pastor Jhon Fredy's wife. Pastor Jhon is from Columbia and speaks no English, but Lannah is a Linguistics Major at Cambridge University who speaks English, Spanish and French. One Sunday morning in Villalba she was looking for another evangelical church while visiting Spain and asked Pastor John for directions to it. He told her that he was on his way to his church and she was welcome to attend.

Can you say "providence?" I knew you could.

Lannah came over with Susan, Matthew's mom, while their husbands were in a church council meeting. Her British accent was a pleasure to hear and she was a pleasure to meet.

Rubén and María, with their daughter Maria, almost five, came over on Sunday as well. They are good friends of Brooke and Matthew's that we met before. Once again, not much communication for Deb and I, but it was very enjoyable to listen to the animated Spanish of everyone else. I have a new-found desire to learn the Spanish tongue.

A few other people came over while I was asleep. I hate that I missed them.

Originally I thought nothing could beat the site seeing of my first visit to Spain - but I was wrong. Nothing beats relationships! Being with family and making new friends is a more cherished memory than any castle, museum or architectural wonder could ever be!

Meeting and getting to know Caroline and Daniel, and seeing Brooke, Matthew and Andrew again was best of all of course. And it is always a pleasure to get to visit with Matthew's parents, Jeff and Susan. But meeting more of their friends and getting to know them had a charm for me that reinforces the teachings of God's Word - Love God supremely, then love other people like you love yourself.

It's great to love history, art and architecture, but they can't love you back!

Been Thinkin'

2008-11-25T18:53:00.002-06:00

Haven't blogged in several days - since 40 Days of Hope came to a completion.

Here's what I've been thinking about...

Our church responded exceptionally well to 40 Days of Hope, especially the others-focused hope projects! They gave money to purchase 100 Bibles for children of persecuted Christians around the world; filled 42 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse; and gave a boatload of coats, sweaters, socks and gloves for First Stop for the Homeless - which were delivered today by church member Carl Roberts!
The church's anniversary celebration Sunday was a good time for the church to celebrate a thanksgiving together. The testimonies about the good things God had done during 40 Days of Hope, the filling of the worship center and the fellowship hall, the guests, and the laughter were all encouraging.
I missed Deb's vocals and her expertise at the keyboards Sunday, especially on Indescribable! I blew it a time or two on vocals and rythym guitar but thankfully Jeff on the bass and Teresa on the drums/vocals covered for me!
BAMA football has been fun this season since they're undefeated and number one in the nation. The Iron Bowl vs. Auburn should be interesting this Saturday and I am going to be watching the game with some friends from the church since Deb is in Spain. This is the first season in 31 years of marriage that Deb has actually sat down and watched complete games with me!
Our son Brandon and his wife Keshia live in Muncie, so I have been watching Ball State from Muncie play football every chance I get. They too (like BAMA) are undefeated and are even on TV beating Western Michigan in the background while I type.
Four different men have approached me for financial help in the last four days. Times are tough but keeping pace with one financially needy man per day will take resources only God can provide and I know that He will.
THE TWINS SHOULD ARRIVE ANY DAY NOW! Our whole family is on super-alert. I wake up every night wondering if perhaps they've been born in Spain. Can't wait to see Brooke and Matthew again after 14 months apart - and meet Carolina and Daniel!!!
I'm ready for a vacation. Haven't taken one this year, except for a few days July 4th weekend. Spain is calling and I'm going to answer!

The Ultimate Hope

2008-11-22T08:27:00.002-06:00

THE FINAL WORD...

DAY THIRTY NINE: Saturday, November 22, 2008

"We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13 (CEV)

When we read or listen to the latest news at home and around the world our hope can be severly tried. Terrorism, economic woes, nuclear threats from rogue nations, natural disasters, crime, etc., all test our hope for the future.

Yet the Bible promises that an end to conflict, need, and natural disasters is coming.

The ultimate hope for this world however is not in the efforts of man but in the return of Jesus Christ. When He comes, "Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)

The assurance of Christ's return inspires us to live pure lives even in seasons of temptation and trouble. "This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ is holy." (1 John 3:3)

As we look forward to Christ's return we are not motivated by guilt and fear, but rather by a sense of expectant anticipation that makes us want to be living a life pleasing to Christ when he returns.

It is this ultimate hoe that energizes us when the headlines have demoralized us. This is the focus that enables us to serve God and one another consistently even when our faith is tested and tried.

Action step for today: Read today's headlines in print or on the Internet, then thank God they aren't the final word!

Character Produces Hope

2008-11-21T05:13:00.003-06:00

DAY THIRTY EIGHT: Friday, November 21, 2008

Read Romans 5

And patience produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:4 (NCV)

As we near the end of this 40-day journey of hope, have you noticed that your hope has been put to the test?

The Greek word translated "character" in Romans 5 has to do with the process of "proving."

As a kid I grew up near Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. At the time it was the largest army ordnance center in the world. They would "test" the military's big guns by firing them out over the Chesapeake Bay. Our house would often shake and the windows would rattle during the process. But this was how they "proved" whether or not the weapons were effective.

Likewise, "testing" proves our character.

Because this past month or so has been an intense time of emphasizing hope you have probably gone through some tests to see whether or not you would have an attitude of hope, or if you would give in to despair.

The intent of our journey has been for you to grow in hope. But don't worry if you have failed some tests. We all do. God is gracious enough to allow us to learn from our mistakes.

Action Step for Today: Ask God to forgive you for allowing any despair to overtake you instead of hope. Name the specific times to Him that you've failed, but thank Him that He won't disown you for them.

Scoot Over and Make Room for Hope

2008-11-20T08:22:00.005-06:00

DAY THIRTY SEVEN: Thursday, November 20, 2008

Read James 2:1-12

"If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can't stand over there, or else sit on the floor" - well, doesen't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? James 2:3-4 (NLT)

An American minister called to speak in Winnipeg, Canada awoke on Sunday morning to a couple of feet of snow. His host called him and told him that the snowstorm arrived at such a time that, even in Canada, they would have to cancel church. He was directed to a deli inside a buse depot a block and a half from his hotel room for meals.

The place was packed when he arrived but some people moved over and made room for him. Many of them were there only to get in out of the cold. He ordered a bowl of soup and a few minutes later someone opened the door and a shout came from behind the counter, "Hey, shut the door! You're letting all the warm air out." In came a rather unkempt woman. A couple of people made room for her and she sat down.

"What do you want?" the waiter scowled.

"I'll just take a glass of water," she replied.

He sat the water in front of her and said, "Now what do you want?"

She replied, "The water is all."

He said, "Lady, either you're going to have to order something or else get out."

She asked, "Can't I just stay in out of the cold?"

He said, "No, you have to order something or leave."

Slowly she scooted out of her seat and started to leave. But when she did the people on her right and left also got up to leave. Then the people on each side of them got up to leave. Slowly, most everyone else started to leave, and the man in the greasy apron said, "All right, come on back. You can stay."

She sat back down - and the waiter even gave her a bowl of soup.

The out-of-town minister asked, "Who is that lady?" The man next to him replied, "I don't know. But if she's not welcome, I'm not welcome."

Action step for today: Share hope with someone who has been turned away by others.

What Are You Waiting For?

2008-11-19T08:29:00.003-06:00

DAY THIRTY SIX: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Read Proverbs 13

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12 (NLT)

It was at Valley Forge, over 200 years ago, that the people of the United States proved that they had the courage to be a nation. Yet even though Valley Forge is known as a turning point in America's War for Independence, it was a time of battling the enemies of hunger, cold and despair.

It was at these plains in Pennsylvania after two disastrous defeats at the hands of the British, that General George Washington led his discouraged troops in retreat for the winter. As the winds blew across the camps, the temperatures dropped far below zero in one of the worst winters in history. Washington himself wrote: "There are men in camp unfit for duty, because they are barefoot and naked."

The soldiers lived in small huts built of logs and clay. Many sat up all night by the fire because there were not enough blankets. There was near famine - men went for weeks without meat. But Washington insisted on strict discipline for strength as he prayed to God to hold the army together and provide future victory.

When spring finally arrived they took count. One third of the army had died and another third had quit and gone home. The remaining third simply marched out and won the Revolutionary War - and the United States of America was born.

Action step for today: Refuse to give up on the hope that God is going to give you victory where you once suffered defeat.

How High Can You Hope?

2008-11-18T08:57:00.003-06:00

DAY THIRTY FIVE: Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Read Ephesians 3:14-21

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

Chuck Swindoll writes: "Several years ago I met a gentleman who served on one of Walt Disney's original advisory boards. What amazing stories he told! Those early days were tough; but that remarkable, creative visionary refused to give up. I especially appreciated the man's sharing with me how Disney responded to disagreements. He said that Walt would occasionally present some unbelievable, extensive dream he was entertaining. Almost without exception, the members of his board would gulp, blink, and stare back at him in disbelief, resisting even the thought of such a thing.

But unless every member resisted the idea, Disney usually didn't pursue it. Yes, you heard that correctly. The challenge wasn't big enough to merit his time and creative energy unles they were unanimously in disagreement!" (Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 107)

The longer Paul's pen touched the manuscript paper on which he wrote to the Ephesians Christ followers, the more enthused he became! After he had explained God's wonderful plan to create a church that included everybody, in the first part of Ephesians 3, he then prayed that we would all get a grip on God's unlimited resources! If God can create a church made up of diverse individuals He "is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think!"

Action step for today: Do something that God wants you to do, that you previously believed you couldn't do.

Hope is an Attitude

2008-11-17T09:11:00.003-06:00

DAY THIRTY FOUR: Monday, November 17,2008

Read Psalms 42:1-11

"Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God and keep praising Him, my Savior and my God." Psalms 42:5 (NCV)

A hospital teacher assigned to help children stay caught up with their assignments was surprised to discover that her newest pupil was a horribly burned young boy in great pain. As she hesitatingly stumbled through the lesson on nouns and pronouns the boy was in so much discomfort that he barely responded. She felt ashamed for putting him through such a senseless exercise.

The next morning a nurse in the burn unit asked her, "What did you do to that boy?" Before the teacher could finish her outburst of apologies, the nurse interupted her: "You don't understand. We've been very worried about him. But ever since you were here yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He's fighting back; he's responding to treatment. It's as if he's decided to live."

The boy later explained that he had completely given up hope until he met with the teacher. It all changed with a simple realization. With joyful tears, the boy said, "They wouldn't send a teacher to work on nouns and pronouns with a boy who was dying would they?"

"God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure He will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:6 (NCV)

Action step for today: Ask God to help you reprogram your attitude about your problems from despair to hope!

Testing 101

2008-11-16T08:42:00.004-06:00

DAY THIRTY THREE: Sunday, November 16, 2008

Read Job 1:6-22

"But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He'd curse you right to your face, that's what." Satan - quoted in Job 1:11 (The Message)

The devil is consistently looking for people he can tempt to blame God for their troubles. Thankfully Christ followers are promised that we will not be tested beyond our limitations. (1 Corinthians 10:13) But we will be tested. Our only hope is to embrace the realization that God is enough.

When Job's world fell apart he suffered greatly. But God did not leave him. Hope is a repetitive theme in the book of Job. Even though the main character wrestled with his grueling circumstances, as do we all sometimes, he remained firm in his commitment to place his trust in God.

Job said, "I know the my Savior lives, and at the end He will stand on the earth." Job 19:25 (CEV)

It is not today's trouble but tomorrow's triumph that matters most! And the follower of Christ is assured that at the end Jesus Christ will reign and His followers will reign with Him! (2 Timothy 2:12)

Action step for today: Pass the test God is allowing you to undergo right now in your life by telling Him that you realize that He is with you; that He is enough; that even if you suffer now, you are thankful that you will one day reign with Him since you have placed your hope in Him.

Befriend someone being tested, not by preaching to them, but by providing something they need.

I'm Covered!

2008-11-15T19:38:00.003-06:00

DAY THIRTY TWO: Saturday, November 15, 2008

Read Psalm 91

"He rescues you from the snares of fowlers hoping to destroy you; he covers you with His feathers, and you find shelter underneath His wings. Psalm 91:3 (Jerusalem Bible)

How often have we heard the sad story of someone suffering from a catastrophic illness, requiring expensive medical attention, but they're not covered by health insurance? Or someone experiences the trauma of a fire or flood which destroys not only their home, but deprives them of all of their earthly belongings - but they weren't covered by fire or flood insurance?

The insurance industry is one of the largest in the world. People want the peace of mind of knowing that they're covered in the event of a catastrophe. From auto insurance to life insurance a large chunk of our personal income is spent trying to purchase security from ruin.

The best coverage cannot be purchased from Allstate, Travelers, or any other members of the mob of insurers. It's a free gift from God! The Psalmist used the picture of a mother hen protecting her chicks. "He covers you with His feathers, and you find shelter underneath His wings."

How reassuring to be able to say in the midst of life's uncertainties, "I'm covered!" And this coverage is free to the insured! There are no premiums! No pre-existing conditions can keep you from enrolling! It is found in Christ, by making a personal faith commitment to Him!

Action step for today: If you are a Christ follower breathe a sigh of relief that you're covered! If not, enroll today!