Kids at play
Memory fades to misty spritz
dozens of spickets pollinating summer
with water spray, laughter, smiles
Frisbees passing through
A dog lapping puddles of pollen
The dandelion fountain
Magnet of youth
Old, young, middle-aged
No matter the years
Always a child in the dandelion rain
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Connecting: Unity
Today, I write in regards to John 17 and Jesus' prayer for unity of those who believe in Him today. When Jesus is praying just prior to His trial and crucifixion, He prayed not just for His disciples, but also for us today.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
I had a conversation this week with a brother in Christ in relation to the many denominations that comprise Christianity. How could so many different factions splinter the Christian body by insisting each way is the only right way to pursue Christ? Something hit me after some prayer and thought and discussion about the subject this week, the many denominations and Paul's description of the body of the Church. Of course, being September, football also entered my cranial discourse.
Paul's description of the body is in the context of utilizing spiritual gifts and talents--each of us is given different talents and spiritual gifts to be used uniquely for the building up of the body. Perhaps denominations are a corporate example of this individual imagery.
In football, the team has different groups of players, but all with one goal--victory. Linemen can be classified in a group within the team. Each lineman has a unique talent for each position--defensive tackle, offensive tackle, nose tackle, guards, center; but grouped together, they are a unique team within the football team. Lineman concentrate on weights, strength, power and WHAM! Wide receivers work on sprinting and catching, running routes, patterns. The defense works on thwarting the offense and the offense works on overcoming the defensive team.
Now, should the offensive linemen preach to the quarterback that he should spend more time in the weight room and less time working on his passing accuracy? Should a quarterback tell his line to practice throwing the ball because everyone in football should be able to throw a good pass?
These are perhaps exaggerated examples, but we often see this kind of preaching from different church pulpits when in truth, we need "different" churches unified in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The football team brings all the different groups of players together for the goal of victory--scoring more points than the opponent. The goal of Christianity is summed up best by Jesus Himself when quoting the Shema--to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and with all your strength; and likewise...to love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps some feel convicted to partake of the Lord's Supper every weekend because of its importance; others feel convicted to partake only once a month to preserve the honor and "specialness" of the occasion. Perhaps a congregation would rather not have distractions from dancing and music while another could not imagine worshipping without it. Are these churches all splintered or can they all love God and neighbor within their own convictions of the Holy Spirit without judging the others?
Does this mean the Church should have no limits to what it allows? Paul wrote to the Corinthians regarding the fallacy of this thought. While quarterbacks don't block as a normal duty and linemen don't throw the football, quarterbacks do need to throw and linemen do need to block. If either are not doing so, the coach pulls them from the game.
Perhaps think this week regarding groups, teams, or organizations more meaningful to you. What is the goal of that group? Are all members doing the same things toward that goal or are there several groups within that group, all unified by a common denominator, but achieving different numerators?
Something to think about...why would Jesus want you specifically to be unified with other Christians? How has He made you unique to contribute to the body? To a group within the body? Have you thought about the One who holds all things together praying for you to be one with Him--with the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit? Read back through John 17:21 and spend some time with Him right now.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
I had a conversation this week with a brother in Christ in relation to the many denominations that comprise Christianity. How could so many different factions splinter the Christian body by insisting each way is the only right way to pursue Christ? Something hit me after some prayer and thought and discussion about the subject this week, the many denominations and Paul's description of the body of the Church. Of course, being September, football also entered my cranial discourse.
Paul's description of the body is in the context of utilizing spiritual gifts and talents--each of us is given different talents and spiritual gifts to be used uniquely for the building up of the body. Perhaps denominations are a corporate example of this individual imagery.
In football, the team has different groups of players, but all with one goal--victory. Linemen can be classified in a group within the team. Each lineman has a unique talent for each position--defensive tackle, offensive tackle, nose tackle, guards, center; but grouped together, they are a unique team within the football team. Lineman concentrate on weights, strength, power and WHAM! Wide receivers work on sprinting and catching, running routes, patterns. The defense works on thwarting the offense and the offense works on overcoming the defensive team.
Now, should the offensive linemen preach to the quarterback that he should spend more time in the weight room and less time working on his passing accuracy? Should a quarterback tell his line to practice throwing the ball because everyone in football should be able to throw a good pass?
These are perhaps exaggerated examples, but we often see this kind of preaching from different church pulpits when in truth, we need "different" churches unified in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The football team brings all the different groups of players together for the goal of victory--scoring more points than the opponent. The goal of Christianity is summed up best by Jesus Himself when quoting the Shema--to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and with all your strength; and likewise...to love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps some feel convicted to partake of the Lord's Supper every weekend because of its importance; others feel convicted to partake only once a month to preserve the honor and "specialness" of the occasion. Perhaps a congregation would rather not have distractions from dancing and music while another could not imagine worshipping without it. Are these churches all splintered or can they all love God and neighbor within their own convictions of the Holy Spirit without judging the others?
Does this mean the Church should have no limits to what it allows? Paul wrote to the Corinthians regarding the fallacy of this thought. While quarterbacks don't block as a normal duty and linemen don't throw the football, quarterbacks do need to throw and linemen do need to block. If either are not doing so, the coach pulls them from the game.
Perhaps think this week regarding groups, teams, or organizations more meaningful to you. What is the goal of that group? Are all members doing the same things toward that goal or are there several groups within that group, all unified by a common denominator, but achieving different numerators?
Something to think about...why would Jesus want you specifically to be unified with other Christians? How has He made you unique to contribute to the body? To a group within the body? Have you thought about the One who holds all things together praying for you to be one with Him--with the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit? Read back through John 17:21 and spend some time with Him right now.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Alternations vs. Simultaneity
Alternations vs. Simultaneity
Can the Spirit live together with my body?
Must one die to satisfy the other?
Is the soul divided?
My mind claims that I pant for Jesus
as a deer pants for water, yet a moment later
my mind pants after the world!
What a struggle, I cannot win!
I cannot.
But He can!
I believe with my lips,
with my head and heart,
But desire betrays, and my hands
and feet reveal true hypocrisy!
So how does this work?
I must believe, but I cannot even make my body believe!
Jesus within; the power of the Holy Spirit!
Help me in my unbelief! Refresh my soul
with your living water. Refresh my appetite
with the bread of life!
Pour forth from me simultaneously
with the filling of my cup, filling others and others.
Not me, but Christ in me, through me and all of me
Reach the world while dipped in heaven.
Can the Spirit live together with my body?
Must one die to satisfy the other?
Is the soul divided?
My mind claims that I pant for Jesus
as a deer pants for water, yet a moment later
my mind pants after the world!
What a struggle, I cannot win!
I cannot.
But He can!
I believe with my lips,
with my head and heart,
But desire betrays, and my hands
and feet reveal true hypocrisy!
So how does this work?
I must believe, but I cannot even make my body believe!
Jesus within; the power of the Holy Spirit!
Help me in my unbelief! Refresh my soul
with your living water. Refresh my appetite
with the bread of life!
Pour forth from me simultaneously
with the filling of my cup, filling others and others.
Not me, but Christ in me, through me and all of me
Reach the world while dipped in heaven.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Writer's Block: Dream
Having a hard time getting going on some writing?
When you wake in the morning, don't press the snooze bar! Get up! Get up and recall what you were dreaming. Put it down on paper quickly. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, active voice or any other editor-type things. Just compile word pictures to help you remember your dream later.
Later...after perhaps some coffee, re-visit your dream notes and develop it into a piece of creative writing.
Here are some notes from a recent dream I had. If you're not a dreamer, perhaps you can help develop my dream!
Waterfall through the trees
dirt path...home with high walls of rock--natural
trees rooting up from the rocks in a
canopy over the home
climbing up to the trees, looking through the
breaks in the limbs leaves, reveals a huge
canyon with walls of rock 20 times the
height of the one upon which I am perched,
with a depth unseen
As I scan the scene to the right--a
huge waterfall coming over the cliff. Wind
blowing the water my direction, giving the illusion
of an imminent drench, but the distance is
deceiving. Instead, it is a cool mist upon my
face as I nearly fall back off the rock face.
The man of the primitive home is fearful
of that ledge while his wife is somewhat
ambivalent. Both-- a bewilderment to me considering
the beauty and majesty just through the trees.
When you wake in the morning, don't press the snooze bar! Get up! Get up and recall what you were dreaming. Put it down on paper quickly. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, active voice or any other editor-type things. Just compile word pictures to help you remember your dream later.
Later...after perhaps some coffee, re-visit your dream notes and develop it into a piece of creative writing.
Here are some notes from a recent dream I had. If you're not a dreamer, perhaps you can help develop my dream!
Waterfall through the trees
dirt path...home with high walls of rock--natural
trees rooting up from the rocks in a
canopy over the home
climbing up to the trees, looking through the
breaks in the limbs leaves, reveals a huge
canyon with walls of rock 20 times the
height of the one upon which I am perched,
with a depth unseen
As I scan the scene to the right--a
huge waterfall coming over the cliff. Wind
blowing the water my direction, giving the illusion
of an imminent drench, but the distance is
deceiving. Instead, it is a cool mist upon my
face as I nearly fall back off the rock face.
The man of the primitive home is fearful
of that ledge while his wife is somewhat
ambivalent. Both-- a bewilderment to me considering
the beauty and majesty just through the trees.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Summer's End
fruit, dried from the heat and drought.
Cool mornings intimate to soul and spirit,
hint at relief from the scorch of the summer sun.
The afternoons reveal the remaining intensity
of a star not ready to Fall.
The squeal of kids around the pool,
girls walking dogs, frisbees and nothing on TV--
all hearken for more lazy days.
Crisp nights, yellow buses, fees and commitments
hearken the fall.
Life is transition
the fruit from this summer is dry
and bitter, yet helpful to cleanse spiritual bowels.
Sometimes, we cultivate sweet blueberries
to find a harvest of bitter herbs and thirsty tomatoes.
Without a harvest to nourish the heart, the Spirit must minister to the soul and sustain the spirit.
Rooted in faith, nourishment comes supernaturally despite the drought, despite the Fall--
in spite of the winter winds prepared ahead.
Spring will return.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Spring
The sun is deceptive.
The breeze brings the cool of mountain waters.
The grass becoming green again,
but clouds of dust sweep across the fields
grit in the teeth, dirt in the eyes,
chills that penetrate sweatshirts and jeans.
Ah, Spring!
Where is your sting?
With the bees still hiding in their combs,
the earth comes with penetrating stings,
reminding me of the wildness of creation,
the wildness of the wilderness.
A longing to pass through the wilderness
to the promises made by Spring.
The promise of summer warmth to come,
the fellowship of dirt with the sun
and rain, producing fruit from the seed of promise.
Does the seed have promise?
Will it become thorns or flowers?
Perhaps both, with pain below the outward beauty.
Perhaps the flowers will be unattractive
yet hold within sweet fruit to eat.
Perhaps still beautiful flowers await
with even more precious fruit to come.
Ah, Spring!
Even on a cold windy day, your promises
stir the spirit for more than what is now.
What is to come, that is for what is it
to ponder on a cold bench. The promise of summer
in a true spring day is still of greater inspiration
than a false summer created by gas and walls.
The breeze brings the cool of mountain waters.
The grass becoming green again,
but clouds of dust sweep across the fields
grit in the teeth, dirt in the eyes,
chills that penetrate sweatshirts and jeans.
Ah, Spring!
Where is your sting?
With the bees still hiding in their combs,
the earth comes with penetrating stings,
reminding me of the wildness of creation,
the wildness of the wilderness.
A longing to pass through the wilderness
to the promises made by Spring.
The promise of summer warmth to come,
the fellowship of dirt with the sun
and rain, producing fruit from the seed of promise.
Does the seed have promise?
Will it become thorns or flowers?
Perhaps both, with pain below the outward beauty.
Perhaps the flowers will be unattractive
yet hold within sweet fruit to eat.
Perhaps still beautiful flowers await
with even more precious fruit to come.
Ah, Spring!
Even on a cold windy day, your promises
stir the spirit for more than what is now.
What is to come, that is for what is it
to ponder on a cold bench. The promise of summer
in a true spring day is still of greater inspiration
than a false summer created by gas and walls.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Reading through Psalms
Psalm 131:1
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty...
At first glance, this seems to read along the same lines as our sarcastic humor regarding humility. We often joke that we are the most humble person in the room, or our humility is unsurpassed, or you need to be as humble as I. This hit me in a different way this morning though, especially coming off Psalm 101, which was the preceding Psalm in my exercise of reading 5 Psalms a day, 30 chapters apart (today I read 11, 41, 71, 101 & 131.
Psalm 101:5
...No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.
David understands the LORD does not want a proud king, a proud man--a proud heart. David understands the penalty is separation from God--death; so he sought God's heart and not his own. I think we can relate these Psalms to today's vernacular a bit better than the NASB in this case--don't take me for being proud of this, as that would negate this entire entry!
The rest of 131:1 in the NASB reads: ...Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.
I think this is the case of David, leading his family, the Israelites, on a life journey and getting lost in the land of Bathsheba, child-rearing issues and war. The cliche' joke of men not wanting to ask for directions is a valid concern because men leading their families don't want to give any impression of stupidity, waywardness and insufficiency. A man wants his family to trust in him, so he acts like he knows where he's going, refusing to seek direction from the lowly inhabitants of the land.
A man of God, though, says, "I ain't proud. Let's stop for directions."
If you are a man and have stopped for directions, this has got to be the attitude of your heart whether you verbalize in true southern style or not. The way I would translate 131:1& 3 in the language of the Southeastern United States is: "God, I ain't proud...I'm counting on You to get me to my final destination."
David is not bragging about being humble; his statement of humility is one of admission of his position as a man compared with the position of God who created David along with the universe. Many times, we won't have the answers to struggles in life, which direction we should go, why God set things up this way--but God has direction to give. He asks that we model David's pursuit of God's heart and instead of trying to have it altogether, turning down whatever road looks best; He wants us to simply stop and say, "I ain't proud, LORD. Direct my steps because you are my only hope of getting to my final destination."
Earlier, I mentioned that a man wants his family to trust him. A man after God's heart, though, wants his family to trust Him--God. Don't be too proud to stop and ask for directions. Jesus humbled Himself to ridicule, spit, torture, and death by being nailed to a cross. After going through that, He is not going to make fun of you, slap you around or give you faulty directions. He wants you to get there (2 PET 3:9, 13); just stop, don't be proud and ask Him for your next step.
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty...
At first glance, this seems to read along the same lines as our sarcastic humor regarding humility. We often joke that we are the most humble person in the room, or our humility is unsurpassed, or you need to be as humble as I. This hit me in a different way this morning though, especially coming off Psalm 101, which was the preceding Psalm in my exercise of reading 5 Psalms a day, 30 chapters apart (today I read 11, 41, 71, 101 & 131.
Psalm 101:5
...No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.
David understands the LORD does not want a proud king, a proud man--a proud heart. David understands the penalty is separation from God--death; so he sought God's heart and not his own. I think we can relate these Psalms to today's vernacular a bit better than the NASB in this case--don't take me for being proud of this, as that would negate this entire entry!
The rest of 131:1 in the NASB reads: ...Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me.
I think this is the case of David, leading his family, the Israelites, on a life journey and getting lost in the land of Bathsheba, child-rearing issues and war. The cliche' joke of men not wanting to ask for directions is a valid concern because men leading their families don't want to give any impression of stupidity, waywardness and insufficiency. A man wants his family to trust in him, so he acts like he knows where he's going, refusing to seek direction from the lowly inhabitants of the land.
A man of God, though, says, "I ain't proud. Let's stop for directions."
If you are a man and have stopped for directions, this has got to be the attitude of your heart whether you verbalize in true southern style or not. The way I would translate 131:1& 3 in the language of the Southeastern United States is: "God, I ain't proud...I'm counting on You to get me to my final destination."
David is not bragging about being humble; his statement of humility is one of admission of his position as a man compared with the position of God who created David along with the universe. Many times, we won't have the answers to struggles in life, which direction we should go, why God set things up this way--but God has direction to give. He asks that we model David's pursuit of God's heart and instead of trying to have it altogether, turning down whatever road looks best; He wants us to simply stop and say, "I ain't proud, LORD. Direct my steps because you are my only hope of getting to my final destination."
Earlier, I mentioned that a man wants his family to trust him. A man after God's heart, though, wants his family to trust Him--God. Don't be too proud to stop and ask for directions. Jesus humbled Himself to ridicule, spit, torture, and death by being nailed to a cross. After going through that, He is not going to make fun of you, slap you around or give you faulty directions. He wants you to get there (2 PET 3:9, 13); just stop, don't be proud and ask Him for your next step.
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