There are a handful of places in the world that have become for me, places of reflection - places where I can go to be by myself and pray, think and listen. This pond, in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania is one of those places. It holds for me a lifetime of memories - it is where I first learned childhood lessons like: how to swim, how to bravely jump into unknown waters, that there is safety in numbers and you always swim with a friend, that spring-fed, ice cold water can both be refreshing and can knock the air right out of your lungs and so many more lessons of life. This pond has been a constant to me in my ever-changing, often mobile life. Whenever I visit it, it is consistently cold, consistently peaceful and always inviting. As I reflected on these things, I was so thankful for the sweet memories and the lessons learned and those I am still learning from this pond. As I jumped in this time, it still knocked the air right out of my lungs and it still gave me an incredibly refreshing feeling of freedom - God reminded me that it is still quite scary to jump into unknown waters - but like so many years ago - when I jumped into the deep end for the first time, there were trusted arms to catch me and to pull me up when I went under water. I sat there assured that as I continue to jump into unknown waters - God will be there and doubtless others as well, to encourage me to jump and to physically be there to make sure that I don't drown but rather gain the courage and the understanding to navigate the unknown. This pond holds a bit of mystery for me - much like the unknown waters I face right now in life. Yet, for some reason, as I reflect on the history of this pond in my life, I am encouraged that the mystery ahead will be even more wonderful than the mystery of the past. Such were my reflections at the pond. . .
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Reflections at the Pond
There are a handful of places in the world that have become for me, places of reflection - places where I can go to be by myself and pray, think and listen. This pond, in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania is one of those places. It holds for me a lifetime of memories - it is where I first learned childhood lessons like: how to swim, how to bravely jump into unknown waters, that there is safety in numbers and you always swim with a friend, that spring-fed, ice cold water can both be refreshing and can knock the air right out of your lungs and so many more lessons of life. This pond has been a constant to me in my ever-changing, often mobile life. Whenever I visit it, it is consistently cold, consistently peaceful and always inviting. As I reflected on these things, I was so thankful for the sweet memories and the lessons learned and those I am still learning from this pond. As I jumped in this time, it still knocked the air right out of my lungs and it still gave me an incredibly refreshing feeling of freedom - God reminded me that it is still quite scary to jump into unknown waters - but like so many years ago - when I jumped into the deep end for the first time, there were trusted arms to catch me and to pull me up when I went under water. I sat there assured that as I continue to jump into unknown waters - God will be there and doubtless others as well, to encourage me to jump and to physically be there to make sure that I don't drown but rather gain the courage and the understanding to navigate the unknown. This pond holds a bit of mystery for me - much like the unknown waters I face right now in life. Yet, for some reason, as I reflect on the history of this pond in my life, I am encouraged that the mystery ahead will be even more wonderful than the mystery of the past. Such were my reflections at the pond. . .
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Happy Birthday Mom !
My wonderful Mom just turned a whopping 80 years young! We had a really special time of celebrating her life. It reminded me once again of how important celebrations and gatherings are to us. I have grown to understand in a deeper way why God COMMANDED the children of Israel to celebrate. God loves a party and I am certain He loves birthdays, anniversaries, or pretty much any gathering that honors life and encourages and celebrates relationships. What a blessing it is to be with someone and remind them of special times, funny times, heartaches and joys. I have realized the older I become and the more places I go and the more people I meet - that I appreciate those solid life-long relationships - people that know me and with whom I have shared special memories. Mom's party had people from the age of 80+ down to 2! People who have known her close to 80 years and those who have known her a mere 2. I am becoming more and more adamant about living life fully, blessing those you love and am trying hard to continually risk loving and loving sacrificially - because when I celebrate my 80th birthday, I don't want there to be any regrets - especially in reaching out, loving and allowing myself to be loved ! Happy Birthday Mom - I celebrate your life !
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Feeling the Father's Heart
In the midst of 20,000 people in need of proper housing, better education, healthier sanitation etc. God revealed to me once again how He sees the individuals - not just the masses. Nxeda came up to me while we were "building a better shack" (see my website for more on that). I gave her part of a muffin I had made and we were fast friends! She stayed with us that day, playing games, but mostly just sitting in my lap or tapping my leg for attention. There was something about the sadness in her eyes that caught my attention. I did not even want to think about what the possible reasons were for that sadness. What I did want to do, was play with her and try desperately to communicate to her that she is valuable. The day before I left I returned to her neighborhood in search of her. She came running out of nowhere and grabbed my legs. I told her I was returning to America, and in my heart I was praying that she would know a bit of the tangible touch of a loving God. It is times like these when the words of Jesus ring in my heart, "Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also, and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father" - John 14:12. I pray that Nxeda felt in her spirit the love of God just as if Jesus hugged her and played with her.Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Relational Revelation
Studying the Gospel of John this last week has been refreshing and revelational.
It is one of the amazing things about scripture that I love - God never runs out of fresh "down and dirty" revelation. He is always seeking to bring deeper revelation of Himself and His relationship to us. I have been struck this week with the incredible lengths at which the God of the universe goes to communicate to us that it is relationship that He wants with us. He created us so that we could join His Family. So often Christianity seems to focus on the separation we have with God rather than the invitation God gives to be a part of His family. The level of intimacy God wants with us, the invitation to relationship is what gives me my identity – not the outward obedience – my acceptance of His love, His intimacy is what empowers me to live life to the fullest. A friend once said that the remedy for sin is to join the Family. The antidote to sinning is receiving the love offered to you. It is so true that in a place of healthy relationship, sin cannot survive. God calls us into His Family - a healthy Family, full of love, intimacy and acceptance - it is in those relationships that we live life abundantly.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see me anymore,but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you" -John 14:18-20
You can't get more intimate and relational than that - How did we get so far away from that life-giving good news. Sin, shame, guilt, etc. all dissolve before an open-armed Father, Son and Holy Spirit who come to us, welcome us and make their home with us ! (John 14:23)
It is one of the amazing things about scripture that I love - God never runs out of fresh "down and dirty" revelation. He is always seeking to bring deeper revelation of Himself and His relationship to us. I have been struck this week with the incredible lengths at which the God of the universe goes to communicate to us that it is relationship that He wants with us. He created us so that we could join His Family. So often Christianity seems to focus on the separation we have with God rather than the invitation God gives to be a part of His family. The level of intimacy God wants with us, the invitation to relationship is what gives me my identity – not the outward obedience – my acceptance of His love, His intimacy is what empowers me to live life to the fullest. A friend once said that the remedy for sin is to join the Family. The antidote to sinning is receiving the love offered to you. It is so true that in a place of healthy relationship, sin cannot survive. God calls us into His Family - a healthy Family, full of love, intimacy and acceptance - it is in those relationships that we live life abundantly.
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long the world will not see me anymore,but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you" -John 14:18-20
You can't get more intimate and relational than that - How did we get so far away from that life-giving good news. Sin, shame, guilt, etc. all dissolve before an open-armed Father, Son and Holy Spirit who come to us, welcome us and make their home with us ! (John 14:23)
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