reflections on a weekend

We came home Friday from fifteen days in the redwoods camped five miles from the ocean near Santa Cruz, sheltered from the high heat of Amador County, where it chose to hover between 100-107 degrees while we were gone.

It was a special time complete with delicious days with kids and grandkids, good times with great friends, and quiet moments alone taking in the grandeur of our surroundings. The end result was a reluctant departure and a relective trip home.

Punctuating our warm welcome at home was the task of unloading our trailer, washing a ton of dirty clothes and preparing for a big weekend.

*Saturday I traveled to Stockton on personal business, caring for a difficult situation that is stretching our family.

*It was also a day to tie together the loose ends of a Sunday School lesson on Samuel, and a sermon from the 146th Psalm--both tasks I welcomed.

*Sunday we returned to our church fsmily and the familiar feel of a Lord's Day in Amador County.

*I taught and preached and felt inspired by the time I had away to get refurbished and refreshed. (I had good material...God's Word!)

*A highlight was a reunion with a former teenager from a church I pastored--now a pastor's wife with three beautiful teenage daughters. They worshipped with us and joined us for lunch with other friends.

*Sunday afternoon it was a failed attempt at a nap followed by an hour on the treadmill topped with toasted cheese sandwiches and some Home and Garden television.

*This morning it was ten hours at the office of primarily administrative work and "catch up" from the two weeks away.

I am back at the computer tonight with the distant sounds of a Giant ball game taking shape and the quiet hum of a fan blowing in my face. It was 107 degrees on the thermometer in downtown Jackson on my way home but by now it has cooled down, according to my I-Phone, to 97 degrees.

It was a good weekend--not quite like being tucked away in the redwoods basking in the cool breeze of the nearby ocean. But it is home--wherewe live and where we minister each week. And I like it here!

what part of "nothing" don't we understand?

In John 15 Jesus tells His disciples, having talked about the relationship of branches to the vine, "Apart form me you can do nothing". I have been struck by the blatant simplicity of these words and painfully aware of my often daily disregard of them.

How much do I do in my own strength? I recently reviewed a day of my life and thought about each section of the day, each responsibility I had, each person with whom I spoke and each communciation I sent. Were these activities wrapped in prayer? Did they reflect the heart fo God? Did I act on a whim, or, did I react without prayerfully evaluating my motives? Applying such tests to the things I say and do in ministry--and in life, generally--should become a habit. If I want my actions to have some eternal significance, they need to be framed within the context of my intimate connection to Christ and my desire to manifest His fruit and character in my life in every situation.

I leave for two weeks of vacation tomorrow and I go with a heart determined to affirm my daily dependence upon God. I'll report back about how that is going on my return.

Life is so daily...

Someone has said it, so tritely, and, yet, so timely..."Life is so daily".

*Today I ate breakfast with two brothers who I love and respect and felt encouraged by them.

*Today I wrote a letter to a family member who is in a horrible place, telling them I loved them, and reminding them of God's mercy and grace.

*Today I spoke to someone whose ninety year old mother, afflicted with dementia, died. I reminded her of the frequent times I heard her mother say, "Would you bless me?" (And then we would pray together...)

*Today I prayed with a man who did not even remember who I was, but, who when I prayed became quiet, and when I left him, was signing a hymn to the Lord.

*Today I studied God's Word and finished a sermon for Sunday that challenged me tow alk more closely with god.

*Today I picked squash from our our church victory garden for some needy families.

*Today I shared with some children from a broken family who don't want to hurt either of their parents, and are struggling with allegiances.


*Today I had my eyes checked and met someone whose marriage I performed several years ago and now, two children later, shared her lfie with me.

*Today I listened to a phone message from soneone asking me if there was anything more they could do for me, having voluntarily already done more than I could repay.

*Today I thanked God for today...and the daily opportunities there are to serve Him!

grandparent's lament

Well, cousin's camp has come and gone...and I am tired and relieved...and missing them already!

It was truly a great week as we battled the elements--some tricky weather--and a family tragedy (just prior to our leaving). Stillw e were confident God wanted us to go!

So, loaded down with our luggage (above and behind us), squeezed into a nine passenger Yukon (thanks to son, Tim) and with valuable cargo--Sage, Kyle, Eden, JJ, Zeke, Julianne, and Nate-- we headed off for Lake Tahoe.

The trip there was punctuated with stops for windy road induced-nausea, nature's relief, and stretching legs. Pizza was the evening meal fare and orientation.

Monday-Thursday were full days with breakfast, morning walk with grandpa (while grandma had quiet time), Bible lesson and singing (remember the camp song?), memory verses, crafts, lunch, afternoon activity--we explored Fallen Leaf Lake and swam in the icy waters of Sand Harbor--and evening meal, videos, games--even a Talennt Show. "Lights out" was at 9 (when they actualy went to sleep remains a mystery) and there were sounds of life every morning as early as 5 a.m.

We also had a camp store and they used tickets which they earned through cleaning their area, helping one another, memorizing scripture, behaving well, serving willingly, etc. Grandma and I spent several months selecting gifts that would motivate their participation (does it sound like bribery...or extrinsic motivation?)

We headed home Firday morning singing the camp song, reflecting on special memories and remembering some of the lessons we had learned.

Our house looked oawfully good when we headed up Cakifornia Drive but within a few hours it was mostly quiet. We took an afternoon nap.

When we awakened, it was even more quiet.

And today, we miss them even more.

That's a grandparent's lament!

cousin's camp

In a few days Beverly and I will take seven of our eleven grandchidlren--ages 5-12) to our timeshare in Lake Tahoe and "spoil" them!

We want to invest in our grandchildren some unforgettable memories. They all have super Christian parents and come from great supportive environments. Still, we hope we have something to add to their lives that will affirm what they probably have already been taught and learned.

Our theme is EXPLORATION EXPPEDITION, and we will be exploring our Creator through His Word, His creation through field trips and hiking challenges and our own creativity through craft projects each day. I have written a camp song and I thought I'd share the words below (to the tune of "I may never march in the infantry...")
"I'm an Explorer for Truth"

First verse:I'm excited to see bugs and wildflowers
Waterfalls and mountnain towers
Sunshine and morning showers,
I've discovered God in His creative powers,
I'm an explorer for truth.

Chorus
I'm an explorer for truth
I'm an explorer for truth.
I will search God's Word as I start the day
Walk in His perfect way,
Choose what I do and say,
I will share my heart as I come to pray,
I'm an explorer for truth.

Second verse:
I'm enjoying searching God's holy Word
Looking for things I've heard
Having my heart assured.
I've discovered believing God is not absurd,
I'm an explorer for truth.

I'll give you an updated account of our adventure when I return in a week...

bits and pieces

I have missed blogging for a few weeks due to a couple of events of some importance to me--enough that I will draw attention to them here.

I attended a pastors' conference at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois and was encouraged and uplifted after four days of listening and learning.

As a listener, I focused on taking in the Word and benefitting from the wisdom of others. As a learner, I owned a spirit of teachability and am seeking now to apply some of things I heard.

I participated at a men's retreat in the foothills of Northern California with about 35 guys from our church this weekend. I was not the leader so I got to be a participant and a "pray-er".

As a participant, I sat with the men and sang with them, worshipped with them, competed with them, ate with them, laughed and cried with them, and slept with them. As a "pray-er", I had the privilege of sitting with a few of them one-on-one and sharing with them the hope of God's Word and the help of the Holy Spirit.

I later returned to a church burglary, a volatile situation where someone reported a church incident to the local police, a death, and a reports of declining church income.

I reluctantly had to put on my pastor's "hat" and go to work, but the bits and pieces of ecnouragement and enrichment I found at the conference and retreat have kept me focused on God's goodness and inexhaustible resources.

My "estate"

I have been doing that paper work that has to be done when you are caring for a will and your “estate”…whatever that means! It means I have to collect addresses, social security numbers, and make all kinds of phone calls to retrieve information I can’t find. At any rate, I am almost done and I am exhausted. If I worked a few more hours at this I could just die and let my will take effect and my estate could be distributed—such as it is—to my wife. When she observes how small it is, she may die as well, and then the remaining tiny pieces can be divided equally among our six children.

What a process…and for what purpose? It is all predicated on the presumption we will leave something behind of worth when we die and to keep the State from absorbing it we need to write down who gets to fight over it…or not, assuming a clearly-written will identifies the appropriate beneficiaries and delineates what part of the “estate” is theirs.

Having pastored for forty plus years and having performed over five hundred funerals and memorial services, I can testify to some pretty hideous fights I have observed when the final “amen!” was read and the coffin set in the ground. The struggle for “who gets what” begins and the sequential chapters of the story often continue to unravel in living color in the months and years that follow.

And this is all about stuff…

So how does one prepare for this seemingly inevitable conflict? What can be done to stave off the battles?

1. Commit to a life of poverty; then there is nothing to fight over, or…

2. Spend what you have earned and celebrate the fruits of your labor so that the estate is enjoyed by those who worked hard to earn it, or…

3. Think about what you really want to leave behind. “Invest” in a legacy with lasting dividends.

Jesus said, “…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust to not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20,21)

Here are some simple things that represent some real treasures with a good return on your investment!


T-ime; spend time with those you love.

R-espect; treat everyone you meet with the proper respect.

E-ncouragement; look for ways to encourage those who need an uplifting word

A-ction; demonstrate what you truly believe by acting upon its principles

S-ervice; offer your life in service to others instead of waiting to be served

U-nity; seek to find ways to unite people who are alienated form each other.

R-est; be creative in rejuvenating yourself and others by learning to relax and rest.

E-njoyment; learn to be content and help others to enjoy what God has given them.

I am getting older, so I am thinking about my “estate”. What I really want to focus on is (a) where I am investing my "treasure"?, and, (b) am I leaving a legacy that reflects my heart?

did you pray today?

Today I attended a breakfast for The Nationaal Day of prayer at a local church. There was a good attendance from various churches in the community--I guess we do all believe in prayer--and the aroma of good food and fellowship.

Following a Hospice meeting where we spent some time determining how to make more effective reports to ensure the continued funding of Medicare for Hospice care (a program favored by the current administration) we render in Amador County, I sat down at my computer to read a maelstrom of letters decrying the President's refusal to host a National Day of Prayer breakfast...with a number of other caveats added on reflecting the particular political mindset of those expressing their concerns.

At the end of sorting through all of this, I asked myself a few questions?

1. Does the President's sanctioning of a prayer breakfast enhance the value of prayer?

2. Is it significant that it takes a breakfast or a prescribed national event to get us as local churches to join together in prayer?

3. Is a "National Day of Prayer" enough? Will I be satisfied that we did this at least once this year?

4. Will it take a greater national calamity--if there is indeed one greater than what we are currently facing--to be a catalyst for more days of prayer?

5. If I chose not to go to a National prayer event like the one today, did I think to pray at home today for my country?

And what about tomorrow...and any and every day...?

an unsung hero

I recently did a memorial service for an elderly man who had been away from our church family for several years. He had moved to a care facility as he battled dementia and other physical challenges.


My memories of Jim were that he was very interested in the "end times" and frequently asked me questions about the book of Revelation and other eschatological sections of scripture. He also had a concern about the general moral degradation that was afflicting our country.

After Jim died I met his wife to prepare for his service, Iwas astounded to find out a number of things that deepened my love and admiration for Jim.

*He was an orphan, later adopted after living in numerous foster homes.
*He was a veteran of WW II and had gfought at the Battle of the Bulge and Normandy...he was one of those guys depicted on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, who bravely stormed the beach there under heavy enemy fire.
*He was discharged from the service due to an injury, but late re-enlisted!
*He was a taxi cab driver whose acts of kindness as a Good Samaritan were written up several times in local newspapers.
*He helped build one of our area churches.

I thought to myself, "You just never know..." When we paid homage to Jim I thought of him in a different way than I had remembered him before--an unsung hero. He never had much notoriety, and though he received several awards for distinguished military service, those exploits were unknown to most of us.

We are the beneficiaries of the sacrifices of men like Jim.

And I "sing" my thanks for him today.

coma in coloma

Afte church last sunday Bev and I, under threat of unruly weather, left for nearby Coloma (an hour's drive), an area rich in the lustre of the history of the discovery of gold. My mind was swirling with a mixture of messages from parisioners needing help or direction and a list of last minute tasks I needed to complete. When I took off with my wife and our travel trailer one hour later my heart was pounding and my mind was racing.

Finally--an hour later-- we arrived at Coloma, specifically Coloma Resort, nestled along the south fork of the American River. In a campground large enough to accommodate groups of 500 plus, there were a handful of RVs and ours, and the quiet serenity of a mostly blue sky, gentle breezes and a melodic river to serenade us.

We unpacked and survived a few challenges with the trailer, mostly the result of my novice status as an RV officiando and my general mechanical ineptness. We were finally situated about 4 p.m. and relaxed in the comfortable confines of our "home away from home".

What happens when I get away like this is that for periods of time I am comatose--literally unaffected by anything around me, and generally impervious to any possible disruptions. I "tune out", having left my computer at home, and, in this case, cannot even operate my omnipresent I-Phone--a huge relief for my wife.

So it is three glorious days of doing little productive but investing in walking and talking with Bev, reading, journaling, sitting in solitude, reflecting and praying...and sleeping.

On the eve of our departure--we will leave in the morning--I feel rejuvenated and revitalized once again. I have emerged from my "coma", and am ready to return to reality and all of its glorious sounds and challenges.

All possible because of my coma in Coloma...

stridency

Last week when the California representative for the Miss America contest suggested that her idea of marriage was that it was a union between a man and a woman, the gay judge who asked the question proceeded to publicly denounce her with expletives not fit for reproduction here. Most agree it cost her winning the title.

Stridency.

When Proposition 8 "overturned" the redefinition of marriage to reflect the majority of Californian's belief that it is indeed a union between a man and a woman, those who fianncially supported the measure had their businessed disrupted and their lives threatened.

Stridency.
At the Oscar Awards this year Sean Penn, the actor, made it clear that those who were opposed to gay marriage were ignorant, intolerant and unfit to be true Americans.

Stridency.
Webster defines stridency as "charcterized by a harsh, insistent and discordant sound; commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality."

It seems incredulous that the call of those for tolerance and "civil rights" is so intolerant and uncivil. The stridency of their sound bites is so vitriolic and acrimonious that it reveals a deep hatred and antimony towards those who oppose them.

As I consider such anger and hostility I recognize within myself my own emotional mindset against such stridency and have to lobby my feelings so I do not fall prey to the same behavior I deplore.

I feel the same stridency about what I believe--in this case, what the majority have affirmed (although that pales in comparison to the authority of God's Word)--but I wish to respond with love and kindness to those who would rail against us. It is God's Word that tells us "A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger", Proverbs 15:1.

Where have all the people gone...?

Standing room only on Resurrection Sunday!

A few empty seats, undoubtedly, next Sunday.

Ever wonder "WHY?"

Someone remarked to me that last week was the "CEO" crowd--Christmas, Easter Only. I smiled to myself and thanked God that they were there, even if only for that Sunday.

There is something compelling about the Easter season. I think we are beyond the pageantry of "dressing up" in a depression-like economy. I think the allurement of Easter baskets and bunnies is not what awakens people to the idea of being in church on Resurrection Sunday.

It just seems like the right thing to do.

Well--idealistic and hopeful as I am--methinks there is still a semblance of faith in Christ that is linked to our heritage and it triggers a response--even though perfunctory at first glance--to the message of His death and resurrection. People are drawn to church for that one Sunday--or two. They do it with their children and their extended families, and they do it with intention, planning a special dinner or activity as a part of the celebration.

Families get together, families come to church and, hopefully, they hear the gospel...one more time.

For one such family last Sunday was that kind of weekend. The result? One of the family members gave their heart to Christ and the entire family is rejoicing!

I guess that answers the question "WHY?"

Here's some important information. We will be open again this Sunday--and every Sunday--with the same good music and the same great message of hope. Hope you'll join us!

"In Jesus' name..."

I recently prayed at a public event where I closed my prayer with the words, "In Jesus' name." Later I was informed that this was offensive and inappropriate.

I have thought about that comment with some bewilderment. I was asked to pray. That in itself would have been an affront, I suppose, to an athiest or an agnostic present in the crowd. What kind of prayer with any substance could be formulated to not be offensive to someone?

I relected on the scenario of the prayer of Rick Warren at the President's Inauguration, which had to be augmented by another prayer and more politically liberal "pray-er" because of Warren's alleged evangelicalism. I later had someone question me about the content of Warren's prayer and his reference to a Muslim "deity".

as a minister annd a Hospice chaplain I am called into many situations where people want me to pray; in fact, they expect me to pray. Recently, I gathered outside a home where a young policeman had died. Family and friends of the family where gathered outside the home as theya waited the removal of the body. As the hearse drove off, I invited this very mixed group of people to join me in prayer. There were tears and sobs, but we prayed. And when it was done, I was hugged by a contingent of people from every walk of life and thanked for my prayer.

And I think I closed it by saying, "In Jesus' name..."

"Here come Peter Cottontail..."

He has arrived at Target, Walmart, and Longs Drug Store here in Amador County with a bounce of color and candy. Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and designer baskets are everywhere you look and somewhere--lurking in the shadows--Peter Cottontail, Inc. is smiling!

So how do we get that whole thing tangled up with the Easter season we are preparing to celebrate? It seems like such a disjointed stretch from decorated "Easter eggs" and new spring dresses to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, that is why we come to this time of year with such anticipation and hope.

If this season is just about baby bunnies in a basket and eggs hidden in the high grass (not too carefully lest they be missed), then why is it that more people go to church on Easter Sunday than any other day of the year? And why is it that the cross and empty tomb are visual reminders of what lies beneath the superficial trappings of the season?

At Grace Fellowship we are endeavoring to put the season in proper focus with this four part series of messages (available at gracefellowshipamador.org).

Sunday, March 29
"The Life of Christ: Where Love and Truth Intersect"

Sunday, April 5
"The Cross: Where Life and Death Collide"

Friday, April 10
"The Last Supper" Where the New Supercedes the Old"

Sunday, April 12
"The Empty Tomb: Where Death is Swallowed up in Victory"

It is possible--in fact, highly probable--that there will be lots of new dresses and even some Easter candy at Grace Fellowship, but what we really will be focused on is presenting the truth about Christ's death and resurrection...which is why, I believe (with a hopeful heart), most people come to church this time of the year.

Peter Cottontail may have arrived in your house or at your favorite shopping center. But the best is yet to come!

Jonah's dilemma

Jonah's dilemma was not being swallowed by a "great fish", although that was traumatic enough. His real problem is revealed in the "forgotten" chapter of Jonah's story, chapter 4. Here Jonah, having delivered the message to Nineveh that they were going to be destroyed, and then, seeing God postpone judgment because of their repentant hearts. faces a crisis. It is such a catastrophe for him that he says, "I would rather die than live..."

What brought Jonah to such a state? Rescued from a fish's belly, utlimately obedient to a task that resulted in the salvation of a "great city" (even though they were Israel's enemies), Jonah now sulked, and literally, despaired--at which point God asked--not once, but twice, "What right do you have to be angry?" or, "What good reason do you have for your anger?"

Though Jonah ignored the question the first time, and moved outside the city to wait and see what God would do, God provided an object lesson via a vine that He grew grew and destroyed in front of Jonah's eyes. Jonah becomes angry...again...when the shade-providing vine was destroyed and he was subjected to a hot east wind that nearly caused him to have a sunstroke. When God asked a second time "Do you have a good reason for your anger?", Jonah answered, "yes".

What we discover here is that the God Jonah wanted to believe in--the God he acknowledged was merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love--has had compassion on his mortal enemies, and has relented in the judgment He promised to Nineveh. Jonah confessed that this was the reason He did not want to go to Nineveh in the first place. When there is a gap between the God we want to to define, and the God that actually is, a crisis can emerge, and it did for Jonah. Jonah wanted God to exercise judgment on Nineveh--they surely deserved it--and when He acted in mercy instead, Jonah was irate. He would rather have died than live with a God like this.

God answered Jonah in the creation and destruction of the vine, acknowledging Jonah's concern for a vine he neither grew or tended, and then reminded him that He, as Creator, had 120,000 ignorant Ninevites who He cared for that He had chosen to spare. "Should I not have pity on Nineveh?", He asked.

What was God saying to Jonah? (1) I am sovereign. (2)I am righteous and just. (3) I am compassionate and forgiving. (4) I will give mercy to whom I choose to give mercy. (5)I have chosen to forgive Nineveh...just as I forgave you when you attempted to turn your back on me and flee to Tarshish.

It is interesting to me that Jonah was willing for God to disburse grace to him--but not to Nineveh--and when God acted in a way inconsistent with Jonah's expectation, all of a sudden his confidence in God was shattered.

God is bigger than the box we put Him in. God's ways are always consistent with His character. He sometimes move swiftly in the execution of judgment and other times, He waits patiently and lovingly, "not willing that any should perish." Can we accept God's mercy and and grace, and at the same time, remember He is a God who is holy and just. He alone has the divine prerogative to act as He does in addressing man's sin. Jonah's dilemma can be ours, and short-circuit our ability to trust God. Or, we can say, "I have no good reason to be angry with a God who is faithful to His character in all that He does". That is my choice today.

Is there help anywhere?

More layoffs in Amador County...Ace Hardware closed their store in Pine Grove this week, and adds to the burgeoning list of failed businesses and unemployed.

Where do we look for help? Banks are not making loans (unless you have perfect credit); houses, though available in large number, are not easily financed (unless you have perfect credit). And where do you look for work? Construction has ground to a halt and I heard recently that a local business had over 300 applications for an opening. Our growing number of homeless are living under the bridge because our options for low cost housing (now a five year waiting list?) are diminished and our Homeless Shelter is full.

Where do we look for help?

The Food Bank reports a record number of people soliciting assistance for food (more than they can adequately provide) and a local thrift store's business is thriving as a growing number of people look for discounted clothing and household articles.

Where do we look for help?

I believe the government is NOT the place to look. They are too busy anyway bailing out banks, automobile corporations and mortgage companies to have much less for the commom man---guys like you and me.

Ronald Reagan championed the cause of volunteerism and private contributions to legitimate need. George W. Bush talked about help for faith-based operations that would consider the plight of the poor. And apart from his verbalized commitment to government spending as the cure-all for social need, I have heard whispers of President Obama's call for individual involvement in and contribution to the plight of hurting Americans.

We have been asking the same question at the church I pastor; where do we look for help?

The easy answer is, "We look to God", and I would suggest there is an element of fundamental truth that is inescapable in the discovery of divine assistance. The Psalmist writes, "No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save...we wait in hope for the Lord", Psalm 33:16-20.

I am not an advocate of spiritual welfare. It is not a scriptural truth, either, that "God helps those who help themselves", because there are some who cannot help themselves, and at some point in life--some sooner than others--we all need help from others.

AT our church I have been challenging our people with the concept of "overflow ministry"--the idea that the difference between what we need and what we have is surplus, or, "overflow". I have challenged our church family top share with others out of their "overflow". Here are some things we are doing and preparing to do.

*Gift Card Sunday--before Christmas we collected over $1500 of gift cards from our people that are handed out as needs for groceries and gasoline arise

*Resource Handbook--we have developed a handbook that identifieds resources from within our church family that are available to people for free, or at a reduced cost

*"Body Life" board--a bulletin board where people can identify "Things I have", along with "Things I need", to pair resources with needs.

*"Victory" Garden--development of church property for raising of food for needy families (ground to be plowed)

*Perishable Pantry--a supplement to the provision of the Food Bank (which we support financially) for needy families in supplying milk, meat, etc. (in development)

*Grace Job Corps--a support group for those out of work needing encouragement, refinement of skills in writing resumes, brain-storming about work opportunities, etc. (still in process)

These are just a few ideas that we have implemented, or, are seeking to develop to answer the question, "Is there help anywhere?"

Just imagine what would happen if we all pondered the same question, and used our "overflow" in a creative way to meet the needs of hurting people?

can you find rest in a trailer?

Yes.

Bev and I spent six days hunkered down--mostly in the rain--in a little campground called Uvas Pines, nestled between Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The verdant green fueled by the recent rain, as well as the whispy white clouds parading across an occasional blue sky, provided a textured backdrop for a respite from work and responsibility.

What I noticed msot about a campground largely inhabited by long-term residents, was an almost eerie quiet. The birds chirping racously in the morning were not interrupted by the noise of traffic, people racing to work, or sirens glaring in the background. The monotonous silence was a welcome invitation to simply sit and reflect together upon God's goodness to us.

Our trailer is an inexpensive way of escaping the din and demand of life. It is a safe haven where we are able to connect with the one who "makes me to lie down in green pastures...leads besides quiet waters; He restores my soul", Psalm 23:2

You can find rest in a trailer...can't wait until we go again!

restless...or resting?

restless.

I am like that most of the time. Admittedly, as I have gotten older the restlessness is more about waking up too early. In the past--and even now--it is the drivenness of my nature that ahs caused me unrest, as well as my proclivity to worry about things.

David's comments in verse 3 of the 62nd Psalm are third person, but, I believe, reflect David's own questioning restless heart.
"How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down--this leaning wall, this tottering fence..."

Often we feel like we are teetering on the brink of inevitable collapse. The temptation is to increase the activity to fix whatever is bugging us, hoping that will bring rest. Someone observed that many of us are like a chicken running around with its head cut off--lots of activity but in the throes of death.

So where dow e find rest from all of it...the pressure, the worries and anxieties, the "assault" of the enemy that David alludes to his cry to God?

The 62nd Psalm, interestingly, bookends David's cry for help in verse 3 with similar promsies of help and "rest in God".

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shalen" (verses 1,2)

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge", verses 5-8.

Here are a few things for us to lay our heads on...

1. God alone is the true source of rest.
2. Such rest is to be sought in Him...and found.
3. Our security in Him helps us to "never be shaken".
4. He is our hope.
5. God is the one who will defend my honor.

Why would I then, not trust in Him and, at the very least, pour out my heart to Him? True rest is all about my relaitonship to God, and utilizing the resources He uniquely provides.

restless.

But learning to find "rest in God".

Hospice

I am doing some work with Hospice of Amador County as a spiritual counselor-chaplain. Today was my first opportunity to sit at a table with Hospice employees and volunteers and to be educated about how expansive their services are.

I have always been impressed with the hospice workers I have encountered over the years I have been in ministry. Their care and commitment in making someone comfortable as they approach the end of their life is noteworthy as well as the personal interest they take in the network of family members and close friends. For many of them, I sense, it is a special "calling", although they might characterize it differently.

It is a "high calling", from my perspective, because the message communicated through quality hospice care from my point of view as an observer is that one's quality of life should be preserved and protected as long as it is humanly possible. The dignity of life is emphasized and the value of each person--in spite of age and mental facility--is ennobled.

I look forward to providing the kind of spiritual care that our faith in God provides as we face death and eternity. That is the ultimate care we can provide for our loved ones. I'll keep you posted on what I learn along the way.

Information and Inspiration

At a recent staff meeting we discussed the relationship between information and inspiration. The observation was made that a lot of information is disbursed at Grace but transporting it from the head and the heart to the hands and the feet requires inspiration.

As I have reflected on that discussion, several questions came to my mind—not original, or even creative—but indigenous to this topic.

1. Is there a disconnect between information and action and is inspiration an appropriate catalyst?

2. Are there observable ways to determine whether information and inspiration are being linked together? If so, what are they?

3. Whose responsibility is it to inspire? We probably agree the teacher has the responsibility if imparting the truth and information of God’s Word. If we presume the teacher participates in inspiring us, what is the difference between facilitation and manipulation?

It may seem that these questions are philosophical at best, but in the world of reality and ministry the focal point comes down to this—if the teaching of the Word of God is taking place, why is it that believers seem so reluctant to respond in affirming action?

Let’s look at the questions for a minute. In the first case, the disconnect between receiving information and having it translate into observable action when it is required would seem to have an emotional component.
Philippians 2:13 reminds us “…it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose”. So at the very core is God who is impacting our desires and our ultimate choices to act in a way that reflects His purpose for us. So, perhaps the question is, how does God move and motivate us? The presumption may be that it is sensory, or that God touches our eyes, our ears, our hearts, but that surely He moves us.

The second question revolves around the principle of cause and effect. If God is at work inspiring us through all the means available to Him, can we observe the effects of that? Should our faith in Him be demonstrable? James 2:17 says that “…faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead.” James goes on to expand this by saying, “…I will show you my faith by what I do...”, 2:18. If we are responding in faith to the Word of God which is impacting us and motivating us to follow after God, it will be observable in how we live out our lives.

The final question asks the question that was predominant in our staff discussion. Do we have a role and part at the inspirational level, or, is that work God’s alone? For example, if we are being given the information about giving and stewardship, should not the truth of God’s Word alone compel us to give? Or, is there another component of that disbursement process that includes our motivational skills?

Some of us might do that more naturally. Our personality and natural charisma might spill over into our presentation of information—surely into our proclamation of the truth. But the critical issue is whether we then become facilitators or manipulators. Someone recently observed that we brought them to a certain place at Grace but they were waiting for us to take them further. Is that my role, or, is that the role of the Holy Spirit? Do I present the truth of God’s Word and let it perform according to Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Or, does the Word of God flourish when it is accompanied by passion?

My concern is that we wait to be emotionally stirred and prodded before we act, and that we, as staff members, feel compelled to motivate through guilt or shame or emotional manipulation to achieve the results we desire. We cannot go there. We can, however, facilitate others arriving at the place God intends by sharing passionately about the impact of His truth upon our lives and demonstrating it, then, in how we live.

Paul said it this way to the church at Thessalonica. “You are witnesses and so is God of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed…when you received the Word of God which you heard from us you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God which is at work in you who believe.” I Thessalonians 2:10-13.

Preach it with passion! Proclaim it without caution! Live it (by God’s grace) without compromise! The results are up to God, who works in us. The ultimate response is ours. Informed and Inspired by the truth, will we choose to act…to obey?