Stronger: Part Two

(Multnoma Falls in Oregon...not the creek in which I was wading!)

When I look at thy heavens, the work of they fingers, the moon and the stars which thou has established; what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?  Yet thou hast made him little less than God, and dost crown him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5)

"The dark night is when (Christians) lose all the pleasure that they once experienced in their devotional life. This happens because God wants to purify them and move them on to greater heights." -John of the Cross

I remember the moment I slipped off that rock that I was sitting on with my sister.  The excitement of the creek rushing all around me did not last long.  And I don't know if it was a bump from my sister or simply a misplaced step on that mossy rock we were sharing...but soon, I slipped and found myself bobbing down stream just under the surface of the rolling water.  I remember holding my breath, looking up, and watching all the trees and the rocks on the bank of the creek pass by.  I don't remember being scared.  After all, I knew my father was not too far off and I knew that he would rescue me.

He remembers the moment that he saw my head of hair floating through his fishing hole.  That was all that he could see, but it was enough.  At that time in my life, I didn't enjoy getting my hair cut and my hair was probably a little too long.  However, it was a good thing because my father dropped his pole, ran along the bank, and then plunged his hand into that rushing water, grabbed my longish hair, and with one mighty heave, pulled me out of the brink and raced me over to the picnic table where my mother stripped me of my dripping clothes...including my Husky jeans...and placed them on a nearby branch to dry.

The same is true of our faith. We may slip, and it seems that all that is left of our spiritual life is hanging out to dry, but we aren't far from our Father's grasp. 

In these moments, John of the Cross encourages us to hold our breath and take a look inward. There are dangers as we grow in our relationship with Christ. Sometimes we crave the experience of our faith more than the Author of our faith. John of the Cross called this, "Spiritual Greed."  Sometimes, we become spiritually lazy.  Once upon a time we had that moment on the rock in the middle of the creek when our relationship with God was young and exciting and rewarding, but somehow other things have become more important. We quit praying and reading God's word. We skip church and don't study. John of the Cross called this, "Spiritual Sloth."  Or, maybe, we see that someone else is experiencing God in an exciting way and it just doesn't seem fair because they are a new Christian and we have been at it a lot longer. John of the Cross calls this state, "Spiritual Envy."  

When you enter that Dark night, hold your breath.  Look in. Be honest, but also be gentle with yourself.  God loves you and He isn't far off...

And keep looking up.  Preferably, look up far from town on a clear night. Consider the innumerable stars and the vast reaches of space and then remind yourself of God's power.  He will save you.  This too shall pass.

The Dark Night will happen. It's normal. No one is to blame, not even my sister.  When it happens, remember to hold your breath and remember God's love, but also look up and remember His power. He will come for you and He is stronger than you know.  Amen

Church stopping. Less doing. More being.

Stronger: Part One

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. I know that this man was caught up into Paradise-- whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows - and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.(Paul the Apostle, 2 Corinthians 12:2-3)

"The dark night is when (Christians) lose all the pleasure that they once experienced in their devotional life. This happens because God wants to purify them and move them on to greater heights." -John of the Cross

When I was growing up, our family would spend Memorial Day in the small town where my mother spent her childhood. We would visit family, than stop at the park for a gourmet picnic lunch.  My mother is a pro at picnics. While she set about transforming the rustic table into a beautiful setting fitting for a delicious meal, my father would race over to the creek tumbling off the hillside for some much-anticipated fishing while my big sister and I would get busy exploring.

I remember on one occasion, when the creek was swollen with spring, my sister, who is three years older than I am, managed to work her way out on to a rock that sat in the middle of that roiling water.  It looked amazing and I simply had to join her there on that magnificent perch.  It wasn't easy for me. My father told me at the time I was about three years old and, at that stage of life, I was short and round.  My mother always told me, "Husky", was just the brand of jeans that I wore...but I made it, and for a few wonderful moments, I joined my sister on that rock as the water rushed by.  It was thrilling, and a little bit scary.

Sometimes are spiritual lives are like that.

We know that it was for Paul.  Most Biblical scholars believe that Paul is being humble here in this passage from 2 Corinthians, and the "man in Christ" that Paul knows and that was caught up to the "third heaven" was Paul himself.  And, in the Biblical understanding of heaven, the "third heaven" and "Paradise" was probably very similar to Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:1-5.  Paul is recounting a time in his life where he felt as if he was in the very presence of God. It was thrilling, and a little bit scary.

Perhaps you have has such an experience.

You have felt the presence of God in worship or in prayer. You feel that you are in the very presence of God.  And, when you read the Bible, you are amazed that even familiar passages come alive and God speaks to you in new and exciting ways. I hope you have experienced the "third heaven"; the love and power of God. This experience is one of the most exciting seasons in a Christian's life.

But it isn't always like that.

Sometimes we experience what John of the Cross in the 16th century called the, "Dark night of the Soul."  Even in the 21st century, the dark night is still something that Christians should be familiar with.  While it is true that God will never leave us or forsake us, sometimes it seems like God is distant.  We feel far away from that third heaven, the seraphim, and the shaking ground (see Isaiah 6:3-5).  We feel like we are just going through the motions of worship and prayer. God's word, which once felt so alive, now seems thick and dry. But don't despair.

Such experiences are normal. When we go through them, hold on because we are about to discover that God's love and power are stronger than we could ever imagine.

(...to be continued.)

Church stopping. Less doing. More being.

No Fear

Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:18

(A guest post my my beautiful wife, Jennifer.)

This is us...winning the Disney vegetable car race.  Well, OK, we didn't win the race but they gave us a medal for best team name..."Corn-fed." But these medals might as well have been Olympic gold because I like to think they were hard-fought and won.  This time last summer, fear came knocking at our door.  Actually, fear broke the door down and started hauling off our personal belongings. Things like our future, our joy, our life as we knew it.

But that was silly. 

Fear wasn't, and isn't, welcome.  So let me bear witness to what Cancer and fear cannot take...they can't take true friendship and the depth family will go to lift you up. They can't take the ability to respond to suffering and pain with dignity and courage. My heroic husband went through fire and was not burned. It was hell. That's all there was to it, but I stand firm in a faith that believes hell has been defeated.

So stick it, Cancer. Stick it fear.

Those pictured here are stronger, healthier, better people than we were a yer ago.  I am forever grateful for all of those who prayed us through the last year. Geoff is feeling great. Everyday he gets stronger...and funnier...and more himself. He's on no medication and has no pain.  For all the bad news on social media let us be bearers of some good news. Hope is stronger than fear and cancer doesn't get a voice.

Church stopping. Less doing. More being.

Christian Man: Courage

From the 2011 movie, Courageous.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

In the above clip, the importance of strong Christian fathers is emphasized.  Of course, there are strong Christian men...firefighters, police officers, teachers, and businessmen..who are not biological dads, but they are fathers.  

Jesus himself was not the Father, but millions of people have seen the Father's love reflected in Him. This is also what it means to be a Christian man; to show the love of the Father to others.  After all, we know through Jesus, the love of a God who would die for us.  It is on the Cross that Jesus not only revealed the Love of the Father, but the courage required to follow Him.  

Somebody once said that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it. Because sometimes we are afraid. We are afraid to make that presentation at work or lead worship at church. We are afraid we might fail at a new job or in caring for a loved one who is sick. We are afraid that we might not be able to finish our degree or be strong enough to ask for forgiveness and a new start.

But we face our fears, because the Lord is with us wherever we go.

In addition to facing our fears, being a Christian man means that we have the courage to invest in something other then our careers and our hobbies...which aren't bad, by the way. A beautiful lawn; a shiny car; a job promotion; a perfectly grilled steak, all are good things, but eventually we realize that these things are never enough.  There is always something more to have or more to experience. And if these things are everything, then we always seem to be lacking something. The world is a tempter that eventually requires that we sacrifice the very things that God has called us to sacrifice for.  

So we must stop. 

We must stop pursuing things and start becoming present in our homes and start being faithful in our marriages. We must stop giving into fear and start taking responsibility for spiritual leadership among friends and coworkers and family members and start getting involved in ministry to people even if we don't know them that well or seem to have that much in common.  

And these things take courage.

And they certainly aren't what the culture, especially other men, expect.  Many men don't think it is something that they even want. But it's time for Christian men to have the courage to live differently and for different reasons; to have the courage to answer to God first, even if it is scary; and to remember the commandment to be strong and courageous.

Church Stopping. Less doing. More being.

The Christian Man: Humility

A chess movement is afoot in Franklin, Mississippi.
"Father, glorify Thy name." (Jesus)

John 12:28

It is a rare quality among men these days; humility.  But even so, we know it when we see it.

Take the example of Franklin, Mississippi. Some of you may have seen the recent special on 60 Minutes.  It is a small, rural town and, up to a year and a half ago, many of the children had never seen a chess board. Most had never played a game of chess before in their lives.  Then, Jeff Burlington from Memphis showed up. He taught chess to the school children. They loved it. They were very good at it. Now, Franklin, Mississippi has a state champion chess trophy for their trophy case and a new confidence in what they can accomplish in life.

It is an amazing transformation to witness, but there's even more going on that can't be seen.

Behind the scenes, we are told, there is an "anonymous benefector" that has hired Dr. Burlington to teach chess to these rural kids.  I wonder about that individual...seeing all this happen...hearing the reports...rejoicing in the success and celebrating the excitement.  And no one knows who it is! At least, no one who watches 60 Minutes. 

Maybe this mysterious benefactor is so fascinating because it is a such a rare quality these days among Christian  men; humility.  We see lots of hubris.  We strut for attention. We hoard our toys and hide our treasure.  And instead of celebrating the success of others, there is a desire to be more successful than they are.

But Jesus was different. He didn't pursue the accolades of His admirers. His miracles were never about Him.  And, in the end,  He desired that His greatest glory be given to His heavenly Father.

Therefore, the question for us, as Christian men, is not how many people notice us, or work for us, or recognize our work...but, how much of what we do can be a gift to others?  To begin, maybe we should just stop; stop striving to impress our neighbors and start celebrating with them; stop seeking the applause of strangers and start glorifying the Father.

It couldn't hurt. Who knows, we too might change lives; maybe it's the lives of our spouses or our children. Maybe it's our very own Franklin.    Maybe it's the world.

Church Stopping. Less doing. More being

The Christian Man: Perspective

J.S. Bach at the keyboard and the other family members are playing or singing. (From a popular 19th century print by an unknown artist. I like it because it affirms Bach, for all of his genius and passion, did not pin his identity on his musical genius.)

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 

(Galatians 2:20a)

The original idea of this blog was to champion the idea of Sabbath rest...not just as individuals, but as communities.  The idea behind "church stopping" is not to stop going to church, it is to stop the busyness in our lives long enough so that we can truly be the church. "Less doing. More being."

And I think the point is still relevant and still counter-cultural. We must stop if we are ever going to truly know what God has called us to do.  Instead, we often just rush in, even when it is detrimental to our marriages, our health, our faith, and our relationships with friends and family.

And when we do we miss the point of what it means to be a Christian.  When we engage in life without Christ at the center, we miss the point of what it means to be a Christian and a man. Sometimes by a mile.

The women I know seem more wise.  They seem to know that no matter how busy they are, it is important to stop what they are doing long enough to reconnect with one another and with the God. They are more quick to understand that the abundant life that Jesus promises wasn't just trying to fit one more thing into the day.

However, as men, we sometimes think that doing more will make us more manly. We work out not to be healthy, but to compete.  We invest in our career not in order to make a living, but in order to impress others. Our wives are trophies and our children are "doing well".  Our yards are manicured, our cars are fast, and our beards are long.

But none of these things make us men.

After all, not all Christian men are athletic. Not all Christian men are married or have children.  Not all Christian men are consumed by their careers or drive nice cars or grow facial hair.  But not all men in the Bible were warriors or kings or prophets, either. There were musicians and accountants. There were artisans and poets and fishermen.  There were teachers and there was even a carpenter.

So what makes a man a Christian man?

We could say it is self-sacrifice.  We could say it is faithfulness. We could simply name the fruit of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And if we did, it would be a good start. But we could say these things of all Christians. Is there anything unique about being a Christian man?

Maybe the first thing that we can say is that the old stereotypes no longer apply.  The Christian man does not find his identity in his career or his car, his spouse or his children, his beard or his biceps.  

Johann Sebastian Bach did not live an easy life.  He outlived his first wife and was the father of  twenty children (ten of which died in infancy).  And yet, after nearly every composition, J.S. Bach would add, "SDG", which meant, to "Soli Deo Gloria". (To God be the glory.)  I'm not sure if Johann ever cut wood or hiked the Alps, but he understood that to be a Christian man is first a matter of perspective. Our identity is in Christ.

Church Stopping. Less doing. More being.

Connected

(Our friend, Meme, and our son, Isaac...connecting with God!)

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy an singing. (Isaiah 35:1-2a)

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. (Zephaniah 3:17-18a) 

Often, in Scripture, we read of God's creation rejoicing.  God, it seems, delights in Creation and rejoices when we rejoice in it. But how often do we do something we enjoy in order to connect with God? Oh, we should pray. Certainly!  We should study God's word. Absolutely!  We should worship and serve, but we should also rejoice. Without a doubt!

Meme Overholt is a special friend to our family.  She is a gifted potter who has shared her skills with our children. She is an internationally published composer who has blessed our church with her music.  She has a gentle, joyous, and encouraging heart that she has shared with us as our family walked through some difficult times. 

She also will be happy to tell you about a difficult time in her own life, a less than joyous time, that grew out of a misunderstanding of the prodigious gifts that God has blessed her with.

Meme had been working on an Easter drama that she had written.  After many weeks of hard work and rehearsing, one of the lead actors became frustrated and quit...the day before the play was to be performed! Meme was discouraged and defeated and went home not sure what to do.  It was then, in one of those rare, nearly audible moments, God spoke words to her heart that she needed to hear, "This play does not have the power to diminish you."  

"What a relief!" Meme thought.  "This is exactly what I needed to hear. Everything will be alright."

Then, as the relief flooded over her and lifted her up like a gentle tide, God seemed to speak again, "This play does not have the power to increase you."

Then, Meme realized what she had been doing. She had been using God's gifts as a way to justify her relationship with God and with others.  In doing so, she lost sight of the joy she experienced just in the process of creating and the connectedness that she felt with God when working on something she loved.

Perhaps, we have had a similar experience. Often, as we grow older, we quit doing those things that have given us so much joy because we didn't think that they were very good. Or, maybe someone failed to notice something that we had poured our heart into. Or, maybe, we felt guilty engaging in a certain activity believing it simply wasn't that spiritual. "After all," we told ourselves, "there are more important things to do with our time than paint or sew or play baseball."  

As the things we once enjoyed doing began to gather dust, our lives became less lively, our world became a little less lovely, and our relationship with God became a little less joyful.  I don't believe that is how God wants us to live.  It certainly doesn't seem to be the witness of Scripture.

So, just do it!  Don't neglect the things that bring you great joy.  After all, you were created by a joyful Creator who rejoices with you when you enjoy what He has created...and not just a little bit, but with singing.  And not a somber or reflective singing...God throws a party and rejoices with you as on a day of festival!  So dust off that trumpet.  Inflate that basketball.  Put on your fishing waders and finish off that great American novel.  Don't do it to increase your standing with God or with others. And don't worry about diminishing your status with God or others. Just do it to simply rejoice and reconnect with a God who rejoices with you!

Church Stopping. Less doing. More being.

Led

Photo from www.freeimages.com #1369726"

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2 (RSV)

It has always been easy for me to follow my Shepherd.  As an infant, I was baptized with my father. Easy. Our family went to church every week...and I loved to go so worship was easy! I loved the prayers and communion. I loved the sermon and I loved the songs-no matter how old or young they were. Sunday school was the best and and I still remember the replica of the Ten Commandments that my class recreated out of sandpaper. For several years, my father was my youth group leader.  As I look back at those times now, I realize that I was lying down in green pastures. I had been led beside still waters and it was well with my soul. It was easy to follow my Shepherd.

Things changed this summer. It wasn't as easy for me to follow my Shepherd.  The chemotherapy and radiation treatments took their toll. As the weeks progressed, I lost 40 pounds and became progressively weaker.  My mouth turned dry and I couldn't taste my food.  I became more and more nauseated and tired. My three boys couldn't understand why their dad had to sleep all day, even when it was perfect weather to throw the baseball.  My wife had to manage the household chores...more than usual! And every day I would make my way to radiation oncology and take my seat by the other sick patients, waiting for my name to be called.  When I was summoned, I proceeded to take my place on a bare metal table where I would be laid down.  Then, a fiberglass net would be placed over my head and shoulders and clamped to the table. I was immobilized from my shoulders up so that the machine whirring over my head could direct the field of radiation exactly where it needed to go.  In those moments of anxiety, unable to move and praying that I wouldn't get sick, these words came to mind, "He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul."

Except this time, there were no green pastures to be seen. This time, I thirsted for those still waters. This time, I wondered if my soul would ever be restored.  All I had was the promise that He would lead me.

I don't believe that God gave me my cancer, but I do believe that God rushed into those treatments with me and began to lead me to a different place; a place where there is more living for today and less worry about tomorrow; a place where there is more joy and less sorrow; a place where there is more laughter and joy and hugs and words of encouragement and less anger while driving.  My family can bear witness today that I still have a long ways to go!

Now, I have completed those treatments and I am gaining strength every day.  During treatments I wondered, but looking back it is clear, that the Shepherd was always with me. I would come to church when I could and Jean would give me a hug.  Daniel would tell me that I was looking good and when he did, I wanted to say, "Liar Liar! Pants on fire!"  But I cherished those words and those hugs and everybody who told me that they were praying for me and our family along the way.  They were a lifeline tethering me to the love of God.  And Pastor Catherine came to visit me several times at work.  Many people provided meals for our family and every day I received at least one card in the mail from someone telling us that they were lifting us up. I often doubted what God was doing, but I never doubted that I was being led.

I am so thankful that those treatments are over.  And I am eternally grateful for the new place that my Shepherd is leading me.  And I can tell you with absolute conviction today that I have never been more certain, even when it was easy, that the Lord is my Shepherd and He makes me to lie down in green pastures and he leads me beside still waters and He restores my soul.