Saturday, April 13, 2013
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Notes from class...
Some folks have kindly requested that I post notes from class.
Other folks have asked me to consider writing. I am enjoying catching up on a few things around the house and in the community, but I may add future thoughts to these pages maybe on a weekly basis.
Thanks so much. I learned so much through writing and processing thoughts down on this blog.
Here are the notes...
Spiritual Practices
Lesson 4: Simplicity
March 18, 2012
Salem Presbyterian Church
Lenten “Get Going” Sunday School Series
In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer writes,
“Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity, which is in Christ, is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities, which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.
“The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.”
Simplicity
Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth points to these aspects of simplicity as a discipline in his chapter on simplicity as a discipline, he mentions "shunning anything that distracts you from seeking the kingdom of God."
• speak in simple truths that are easy for us to live by
• constantly being better than others.
• temporal, impermanent things
• giving to others out of a place of joy and willingness in our hearts
• sense of gratitude for everything we have.
Mind clutter/ house clutter
Notes based on Charles R. Swindoll’s book – So You Want To Be Like Christ
• We live with far too many things
• Most of us don’t plan for leisure or reflection time
• Most lack joy in important accomplishments – Rich’s reading
• Many of us owe more than we can repay
• Do our modern gadgets really save us time?
The Bible says:
i. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Phil. 4:11
ii. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business”
I Thess. 4:11
iii. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Sources
Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons In Simplicity, Service and Common Sense
Robert Lawrence Smith
So You Want to Be Like Christ: Eight Essentials to Get You There
Charles R. Swindoll
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Richard Foster
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
Brennan Manning
Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven
James Bryan Smith
Homework
Take time to pray, meditate, to be silent and to relax. Use the word “no,” even if you are “multitalented.” And remember “No room, no quiet space, no time for God.” Swindoll
"Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify."
Henry David Thoreau
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it; "Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith." Ben Franklin
"We are joined in a responsibility together make this world a good one for all of us. Each of us warms the world or chills it inasmuch as we offer or withhold respect, hospitality, encouragement, love or truth." Rich Mullins
France Fénelon wrote: “Your mind is too much taken up with your circumstances, and this hinders you from understanding the mind of God . . . I think it is such a hindrance to the kind of quiet meditation in which God reveals Himself. You must learn to be humble and simple . . . Be content with leading a simple life.”
"If thou art absolutely obedient to God, then there is no ambiguity in thee and... thou art mere simplicity before God." Soren Kierkegaard
"There is the danger and the temptation to you, of drawing your minds into your business, and clogging them with it; so that ye can hardly do anything to the service of God." George Fox
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." ~Leo Tolstoy
"A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety." Aesop, Fables
“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Mother Teresa
"The true way to gain much is never to desire to gain too much. He is not rich that possesses much but he that covets no more; and he is not poor that enjoys little but he that wants too much." Francis Beaumont
"I neglect God and his angels for the noise of a fly, for the rattling of a coach, for the whining of a door." John Donne
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis
"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." Mark Twain
“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all its righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:21-23
Other folks have asked me to consider writing. I am enjoying catching up on a few things around the house and in the community, but I may add future thoughts to these pages maybe on a weekly basis.
Thanks so much. I learned so much through writing and processing thoughts down on this blog.
Here are the notes...
Spiritual Practices
Lesson 4: Simplicity
March 18, 2012
Salem Presbyterian Church
Lenten “Get Going” Sunday School Series
In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer writes,
“Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity, which is in Christ, is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities, which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.
“The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.”
Simplicity
Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth points to these aspects of simplicity as a discipline in his chapter on simplicity as a discipline, he mentions "shunning anything that distracts you from seeking the kingdom of God."
• speak in simple truths that are easy for us to live by
• constantly being better than others.
• temporal, impermanent things
• giving to others out of a place of joy and willingness in our hearts
• sense of gratitude for everything we have.
Mind clutter/ house clutter
Notes based on Charles R. Swindoll’s book – So You Want To Be Like Christ
• We live with far too many things
• Most of us don’t plan for leisure or reflection time
• Most lack joy in important accomplishments – Rich’s reading
• Many of us owe more than we can repay
• Do our modern gadgets really save us time?
The Bible says:
i. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Phil. 4:11
ii. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business”
I Thess. 4:11
iii. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Sources
Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons In Simplicity, Service and Common Sense
Robert Lawrence Smith
So You Want to Be Like Christ: Eight Essentials to Get You There
Charles R. Swindoll
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
Richard Foster
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
Brennan Manning
Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven
James Bryan Smith
Homework
Take time to pray, meditate, to be silent and to relax. Use the word “no,” even if you are “multitalented.” And remember “No room, no quiet space, no time for God.” Swindoll
"Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify."
Henry David Thoreau
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it; "Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith." Ben Franklin
"We are joined in a responsibility together make this world a good one for all of us. Each of us warms the world or chills it inasmuch as we offer or withhold respect, hospitality, encouragement, love or truth." Rich Mullins
France Fénelon wrote: “Your mind is too much taken up with your circumstances, and this hinders you from understanding the mind of God . . . I think it is such a hindrance to the kind of quiet meditation in which God reveals Himself. You must learn to be humble and simple . . . Be content with leading a simple life.”
"If thou art absolutely obedient to God, then there is no ambiguity in thee and... thou art mere simplicity before God." Soren Kierkegaard
"There is the danger and the temptation to you, of drawing your minds into your business, and clogging them with it; so that ye can hardly do anything to the service of God." George Fox
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." ~Leo Tolstoy
"A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety." Aesop, Fables
“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Mother Teresa
"The true way to gain much is never to desire to gain too much. He is not rich that possesses much but he that covets no more; and he is not poor that enjoys little but he that wants too much." Francis Beaumont
"I neglect God and his angels for the noise of a fly, for the rattling of a coach, for the whining of a door." John Donne
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis
"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." Mark Twain
“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all its righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:21-23
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Well, here goes...
Our class will be meeting this weekend. Sunday, 9:30 AM.
Send prayers. We'll need it. I'm no public speaker.
But the handouts will be really professional.
The importance is the gathering, the communion of saints.
which leads to this...
Link of the day...
Apostle's Creed - broken down by the scriptures...
http://www.godonthe.net/evidence/apostle.htm
Quote of the day...
Speaking of the orthodoxy..."God and humanity made it; and it made me." G.K. Chesterton
Bible verse of the day...
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29
Send prayers. We'll need it. I'm no public speaker.
But the handouts will be really professional.
The importance is the gathering, the communion of saints.
which leads to this...
Link of the day...
Apostle's Creed - broken down by the scriptures...
http://www.godonthe.net/evidence/apostle.htm
Quote of the day...
Speaking of the orthodoxy..."God and humanity made it; and it made me." G.K. Chesterton
Bible verse of the day...
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Day thirty... Just when you think you got it...
Dad's in charge this morning! We won't be late! Let's go! Leaving in 5 minutes!
What do you mean you need to eat breakfast? How does your mother..?
How does she get any of you to school on time?
Teeth brushed, hair combed. It's picture day... No green... you'll fade into the backdrop for the pictures. But we have to wear green! Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! We'll get pinched.
Ugh. OK. Green underwear. Now, let's go!
Alright. Get in the car. We'll get biscuits on the way.
Like lovely little ones, they listened to their daddy and climbed on in.
Just like that. Believing that I was on top of things, believing I knew what I was doing. I am the dad after all, you know. One drive-thru is too long. The other, nobody liked the food. We pull up to the third stop.
You know what you want? Good! We've still got time to make it on time!
And then, you know what I did?
I reached into my pocket to pull out my...
FRICKENFRACKENSCROOPIOUSPIP! WHERE IS MY DANG-O-DANGO WALLET?
and just like that, I let 30 days of simplicity, 30 days of focusing and finding Christ in my life fall to the side.
Now, I am not a cussing person. At least not on the outside. I've slipped once or twice but most of the time it all goes on inside my head. And today, the kiddos didn't hear anything that they could not share with their friends at school... but they could see it in my face, in the tone of my voice.
I stressed them all out, trying to get them to school, trying to do my best to beat that clock on the wall... but I was bested by my own disorganization.
We got back into the car, drove back to the house, where we found our hero Mommy (Thank You, Ashley) who handed me over her last ten bucks of her spending cash. We dashed back down the driveway, hit the road and headed back for the biscuits. The poor kids still hadn't eaten.
When we got to school, I let the boys out the door and right underneath my son's book bag... I found my wallet.
I let them off at school, drove off waving, trying to smile but after I got past their school I pulled over to the side of the road and just paused and prayed... "God, why do I keep letting this happen?"
Yeah, that's right. This wasn't the first time. Same spot. Just a few months ago.
But actually, this is an amazing improvement over last year.
Last year, we were haunted by a gremlin who kept hiding my wife's car keys in my pockets in the mornings. I would pick up my set, I would remember that. But then I would get to school and Ashley would call and say, "Umm, Chip. Do you have my set of keys in your pocket?" She would be stranded at home and I would find her only copies, right there with me.
You want to know the most frustrating, kick-yourself-in-the-teeth part of it all?
Most days, I ride my bike to school.
So there. 30 days into it. I'm still a wreck. I still don't have it right.
Yesterday, I read something very powerful from Robert Lawrence Smith's A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense.
(Yes, reader, I did just hear you chuckle about the Common Sense part.)
You have all taught me the love of God.
Link of the day...
Learn more about Andrew Peterson, his writing and music at http://www.andrew-peterson.com/
Quote of the day...
"If you want to live more, you must master the art of appreciating the little everyday blessings of life. This is not altogether a golden world but there are countless gleams of gold to be discovered in it." --Henry Alfred Porter
Bible verse of the day...
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
What do you mean you need to eat breakfast? How does your mother..?
How does she get any of you to school on time?
Teeth brushed, hair combed. It's picture day... No green... you'll fade into the backdrop for the pictures. But we have to wear green! Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! We'll get pinched.
Ugh. OK. Green underwear. Now, let's go!
Alright. Get in the car. We'll get biscuits on the way.
Like lovely little ones, they listened to their daddy and climbed on in.
Just like that. Believing that I was on top of things, believing I knew what I was doing. I am the dad after all, you know. One drive-thru is too long. The other, nobody liked the food. We pull up to the third stop.
You know what you want? Good! We've still got time to make it on time!
And then, you know what I did?
I reached into my pocket to pull out my...
FRICKENFRACKENSCROOPIOUSPIP! WHERE IS MY DANG-O-DANGO WALLET?
and just like that, I let 30 days of simplicity, 30 days of focusing and finding Christ in my life fall to the side.
Now, I am not a cussing person. At least not on the outside. I've slipped once or twice but most of the time it all goes on inside my head. And today, the kiddos didn't hear anything that they could not share with their friends at school... but they could see it in my face, in the tone of my voice.
I stressed them all out, trying to get them to school, trying to do my best to beat that clock on the wall... but I was bested by my own disorganization.
We got back into the car, drove back to the house, where we found our hero Mommy (Thank You, Ashley) who handed me over her last ten bucks of her spending cash. We dashed back down the driveway, hit the road and headed back for the biscuits. The poor kids still hadn't eaten.
When we got to school, I let the boys out the door and right underneath my son's book bag... I found my wallet.
I let them off at school, drove off waving, trying to smile but after I got past their school I pulled over to the side of the road and just paused and prayed... "God, why do I keep letting this happen?"
Yeah, that's right. This wasn't the first time. Same spot. Just a few months ago.
But actually, this is an amazing improvement over last year.
Last year, we were haunted by a gremlin who kept hiding my wife's car keys in my pockets in the mornings. I would pick up my set, I would remember that. But then I would get to school and Ashley would call and say, "Umm, Chip. Do you have my set of keys in your pocket?" She would be stranded at home and I would find her only copies, right there with me.
You want to know the most frustrating, kick-yourself-in-the-teeth part of it all?
Most days, I ride my bike to school.
So there. 30 days into it. I'm still a wreck. I still don't have it right.
Yesterday, I read something very powerful from Robert Lawrence Smith's A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense.
(Yes, reader, I did just hear you chuckle about the Common Sense part.)
"Living simply is... not about finding a quiet corner where you can contemplate; Living simply is about giving yourself the freedom to pursue that indestructible impulse to do good in the world, to go toward the best."
And that's why I raised my hand and agreed to teach this class. Not because I have simplicity solved. I still don't have the answer to the questions that so many of you have written to me. No, I agreed because this is what I strive for in my life. To do good, to make good and to share good things.
However, after thirty days of searching, I do believe I am closer than ever. I know the sun goes down every day and the sun comes back up. God is still there, giving me another chance. And I will continue to do my part. To write this blog, I sat at my little desk thought and read and cried. I worked through so many times in my life that needed attention. Many times had to leave the spot to get tissues.
This season of Lent, I said I was to say no to sugar. To keep my mind off of those cravings, I replaced the time with focus on the spiritual discipline of simplicity. And in this time, I have learned that it wasn't sugar that was keeping me from God. I think more importantly, it was that I saw I needed to be saying "no" to other things. No, to time wasting gadgets and the distractions of our modern lives. No, to overbooking my life. No, to my own conceit that I could handle any problem on my own.
Most importantly, I learned that my relationships are so much more powerful than I have ever given them credit. The time I spent trying to find my way through the troubles of my childhood, the traumas of middle school and the mysteries of adulthood... all of those paths were made easier by those wonderful folks in my life.
My parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins, my grand and great grandparents...
My teachers, my pastors, my professors...
Those who shared their talents to the masses through songs and stories...the ones I thought were singing their songs right to me... I was so honored to share their music with you here.
My children, Ashley's family (now may family, as well) and my friends over many miles,
and to my loving wife who always, always cups her hands and bends a knee to help me reach to the next level in life.
You have all taught me the love of God.
Link of the day...
Learn more about Andrew Peterson, his writing and music at http://www.andrew-peterson.com/
Quote of the day...
"If you want to live more, you must master the art of appreciating the little everyday blessings of life. This is not altogether a golden world but there are countless gleams of gold to be discovered in it." --Henry Alfred Porter
Bible verse of the day...
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Day twenty-nine...Simplicity is longing.
I don't sing in front of anyone... except my kids. And that's just because I made a promise to my wife that I would sing for them at bedtime. She wanted the kids to remember me singing to them the way that her dad and grandfather did.
Unfortunately Kids, Daddy doesn't have the Bing Crosby/ Jackson Browne voice like your grandfathers. Mine is more like the scratchy sting of nettle while being chased by the Queen's lovely swans.
However, I have determined myself to the goal of teaching the Sunday school class the following song by Rich Mullins, If I Stand.
Just remember, the louder you sing along, the less likely you will hear me...
Home has always been an interesting concept for me. Sometimes home has meant comfort and chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes home has been a church home. At other times, home was a collection of gathering places where family and friends gather together. Longing for those times, a nap in our library, the joy of a newly organized closet(how this blog all got started), time with my folks on the road to my grandparents...
And all this talk in church about a heavenly home...
Our "stuff of earth," as Rich Mullins puts it, does often compete with the allegiance to our heavenly Father... There are places on earth that I treasure and look forward to returning to...often. Cowpasture River, the Meher Baba Spiritual Center, SCOTLAND (where we met such lovely and dear friends), the banks of Deltaville (Scallop Bay) and the Appalachian Trail which whispers my name...waiting patiently for me to visit on my days off! I have made connections to these places because I often see them as places of rest. I have felt a longing for these memorable destinations because of experiences which I have had there with my family and friends.
There are many more places I look forward to visiting. This spring, I have set apart some time to take some dear friends on a trip to scatter my birth-father's ashes. His family mentioned that he often requested to be sent down the river when his time had come. I will honor that request with a canoe trip in just a few months. Just have to come up with the rest of the money for my kayak!
Reading Rich Mullin's biographical devotional book, An Arrow Pointing to Heaven (James Bryant Smith) was an incredible journey and a welcomed challenge for me. Rich lived and breathed the gospel. He longed to be like Christ. Constantly. He read more, listened more and lived his life more fully that I believe I have ever allowed myself. In many different writings, he mentioned that he would not be afraid to leave this world. There would be no sorrow for him. With the dedication of the great Sun Ra (Le Sony'r Ra), Rich reached out to his creator.
He also, like Christ, had no home, no family which allowed both of these men the opportunity to live the gospel life more fully. But do I have to lose everything to follow Christ?
I have a family that I adore. I am blessed with a wife who understands and appreciates me. My parents taught me self-sufficiency. I have a few very strong personal friendships which recharge me when I meet these people along the road of life.
At the end of the day, I long to curl up with my little ones, read a little Roald Dahl and snuggle up to my wife with a cup of tea.
A bible verse that speaks to me is John 17:4. Jesus says, at the end of his ministry,
"I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work you have given me to do."
Personally, I see this as Jesus' example to us to live this life to the best of our abilities, whatever happens to come our way. For me, I will strive to be a more tender husband, a better father and an observant friend. I long to be a more professional teacher and a better steward, while I am here on this earth.
More and more simply each day.
I think this is why this particular song reaches to me, If I Stand.
The words...
There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things
CHORUS:
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things
CHORUS(2x)
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
Notice that Rich points to longing for a relationship with God - stronger than those within our families and friends. He reminds us that we should give God that honor, as well. The same way we would welcome our friends into our homes... we should make a space for God... make time within our crazy schedules for time with him in prayer, in praise and in worship.
So, along this path, I am learning to see God in my love for my family and in the way I learn from my children. I have found more reasons to thank God...not just for his creation in the natural world, but also for his leadership in the dark places of life as well. In those welcoming morning smiles, in the gatherings around our table for celebrations and dominoes... Just as I long for these times, I feel compelled to reach further in my life, to serve the God of my creation. I am thankful for his guiding hand, leading me to the wonderful people and places in my life. I am challenged today to depend more on God, to come to him in times of need and in contentment, and to look for him more often in the wonderful people he puts in my path.
Link of the day...
http://www.rvihn.com/ - Roanoke Interfaith Hospitality Network - a temporary home for those trying to build a future
Quote of the day...
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” C. S. Lewis - Til We Have Faces
Bible verse of the day...
"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." Psalm 107:9
Unfortunately Kids, Daddy doesn't have the Bing Crosby/ Jackson Browne voice like your grandfathers. Mine is more like the scratchy sting of nettle while being chased by the Queen's lovely swans.
However, I have determined myself to the goal of teaching the Sunday school class the following song by Rich Mullins, If I Stand.
Just remember, the louder you sing along, the less likely you will hear me...
Home has always been an interesting concept for me. Sometimes home has meant comfort and chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes home has been a church home. At other times, home was a collection of gathering places where family and friends gather together. Longing for those times, a nap in our library, the joy of a newly organized closet(how this blog all got started), time with my folks on the road to my grandparents...
And all this talk in church about a heavenly home...
Our "stuff of earth," as Rich Mullins puts it, does often compete with the allegiance to our heavenly Father... There are places on earth that I treasure and look forward to returning to...often. Cowpasture River, the Meher Baba Spiritual Center, SCOTLAND (where we met such lovely and dear friends), the banks of Deltaville (Scallop Bay) and the Appalachian Trail which whispers my name...waiting patiently for me to visit on my days off! I have made connections to these places because I often see them as places of rest. I have felt a longing for these memorable destinations because of experiences which I have had there with my family and friends.
There are many more places I look forward to visiting. This spring, I have set apart some time to take some dear friends on a trip to scatter my birth-father's ashes. His family mentioned that he often requested to be sent down the river when his time had come. I will honor that request with a canoe trip in just a few months. Just have to come up with the rest of the money for my kayak!
Reading Rich Mullin's biographical devotional book, An Arrow Pointing to Heaven (James Bryant Smith) was an incredible journey and a welcomed challenge for me. Rich lived and breathed the gospel. He longed to be like Christ. Constantly. He read more, listened more and lived his life more fully that I believe I have ever allowed myself. In many different writings, he mentioned that he would not be afraid to leave this world. There would be no sorrow for him. With the dedication of the great Sun Ra (Le Sony'r Ra), Rich reached out to his creator.
He also, like Christ, had no home, no family which allowed both of these men the opportunity to live the gospel life more fully. But do I have to lose everything to follow Christ?
I have a family that I adore. I am blessed with a wife who understands and appreciates me. My parents taught me self-sufficiency. I have a few very strong personal friendships which recharge me when I meet these people along the road of life.
At the end of the day, I long to curl up with my little ones, read a little Roald Dahl and snuggle up to my wife with a cup of tea.
A bible verse that speaks to me is John 17:4. Jesus says, at the end of his ministry,
"I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work you have given me to do."
Personally, I see this as Jesus' example to us to live this life to the best of our abilities, whatever happens to come our way. For me, I will strive to be a more tender husband, a better father and an observant friend. I long to be a more professional teacher and a better steward, while I am here on this earth.
More and more simply each day.
I think this is why this particular song reaches to me, If I Stand.
The words...
There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the giver
Of all good things
CHORUS:
So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side
And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things
CHORUS(2x)
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home
Notice that Rich points to longing for a relationship with God - stronger than those within our families and friends. He reminds us that we should give God that honor, as well. The same way we would welcome our friends into our homes... we should make a space for God... make time within our crazy schedules for time with him in prayer, in praise and in worship.
So, along this path, I am learning to see God in my love for my family and in the way I learn from my children. I have found more reasons to thank God...not just for his creation in the natural world, but also for his leadership in the dark places of life as well. In those welcoming morning smiles, in the gatherings around our table for celebrations and dominoes... Just as I long for these times, I feel compelled to reach further in my life, to serve the God of my creation. I am thankful for his guiding hand, leading me to the wonderful people and places in my life. I am challenged today to depend more on God, to come to him in times of need and in contentment, and to look for him more often in the wonderful people he puts in my path.
Link of the day...
http://www.rvihn.com/ - Roanoke Interfaith Hospitality Network - a temporary home for those trying to build a future
Quote of the day...
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” C. S. Lewis - Til We Have Faces
Bible verse of the day...
"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." Psalm 107:9
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Day twenty-eight... Simplicity is dropping your belongings.
Twice in my life, I have had the almost wretched honor of going through a dead man's wallet. As hard as it may seem to hear, I have found it a comforting experience to discover what a person finds important enough to carry it with them day in-day out.
First, my grandfather - everyone called him Kilroy. He carried Burger King Coupons, pictures of his grandchildren, notes from his children and gobs and gobs of his own handwritten notes detailing projects he was working on. That man was either working... or resting while watching an old war flick or documentary and drinking a Dr. Pepper.
My most recent snoop was going through my birth father's remaining things after he died on December 2nd last year. I was called in as next of kin to help with some remaining questions and settlements and handed an envelope of things that he was carrying with him at the time of his death.
If you read my blog earlier regarding my parents, you know that I mentioned my mom and dad and the importance of me having them in my life. I also mentioned that my birth father had taken off long ago. I had actually only seen him a couple of times in my adult life. The last time I had seen him, we had heard that he was deathly sick and would not likely live much longer. And then in a blink of an eye, three years had passed and I found myself receiving a phone call last December to tell me was gone for good.
When I opened the envelope from the hospital, out dropped my birth father's wallet. It struck me while I was looking through his personal effects, that I will never know him better, never be able to have the complete story... but what I did have was powerful. A stack of receipts to see how he spent his last few days, business cards of folks who I ended up meeting at his funeral (all five of the people called him a best friend) and a plain metal cross with a "cross in my pocket" card.
For several days, I grieved in my own private way, trying to push it all away... hide it under the rocks in my head. Yet, through the encouragement of my tender, lovely wife, I decided to handle the grief differently and I took time to think and process, to think and read... and to think some more.
I also decided to do something else differently. Instead of holding it in, instead of pushing thoughts and worries to the side... my usual form of processing, I reached out. I shared with Ashley and I called a small group of friends and asked them to allow me to share. That was a life-changer for me. I had grieved the loss of this man, but the biggest obstacle would take much longer. Time was needed to mourn the loss of time... the missed opportunities.
While I will never consider this man to be my dad... he was still a person. It turns out, he had in the last few years joined his local church. There he volunteered and helped with the services. I found out that he walked miles and miles to visit his friends in the hospital and tried to attend services at his church whenever possible. At least five people walked up to me to tell me that they considered him their best friend. That's powerful and humbling.
I would never have wished my life to be any different. I adore my parents, my lovely mother and the man who would become my daddy... and still try to honor them to this day.
But at this point, I feel relieved to have been able to process the loss of this man and was able to make some personal changes based on what I learned from his life.
The simple relief that I found in dropping my burdens, sharing my worries and regrets with understanding friends was extremely powerful. Letting go, being open (even though it terrified me) was so refreshing, so healing.
Life is hard. We will have troubles. There is loss in life. Going to my friends and sharing, I believe allowed me a more free and open pathway to also taking those concerns to God. A difficult lesson, indeed as I stared at the contents of the this man's wallet.
For when you can't do it on your own anymore...
Link of the day...
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/roanoke/obituary.aspx?n=ronald-eldridge-donahue&pid=154867110 What do you want to accomplish before you leave this old world?
Quote of the day...
“So go out and live real good and I promise you'll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you're dead, you'll be rotted away anyway. It's not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn't live.” Rich Mullins
Bible verse of the day...
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
First, my grandfather - everyone called him Kilroy. He carried Burger King Coupons, pictures of his grandchildren, notes from his children and gobs and gobs of his own handwritten notes detailing projects he was working on. That man was either working... or resting while watching an old war flick or documentary and drinking a Dr. Pepper.
My most recent snoop was going through my birth father's remaining things after he died on December 2nd last year. I was called in as next of kin to help with some remaining questions and settlements and handed an envelope of things that he was carrying with him at the time of his death.
If you read my blog earlier regarding my parents, you know that I mentioned my mom and dad and the importance of me having them in my life. I also mentioned that my birth father had taken off long ago. I had actually only seen him a couple of times in my adult life. The last time I had seen him, we had heard that he was deathly sick and would not likely live much longer. And then in a blink of an eye, three years had passed and I found myself receiving a phone call last December to tell me was gone for good.
When I opened the envelope from the hospital, out dropped my birth father's wallet. It struck me while I was looking through his personal effects, that I will never know him better, never be able to have the complete story... but what I did have was powerful. A stack of receipts to see how he spent his last few days, business cards of folks who I ended up meeting at his funeral (all five of the people called him a best friend) and a plain metal cross with a "cross in my pocket" card.
For several days, I grieved in my own private way, trying to push it all away... hide it under the rocks in my head. Yet, through the encouragement of my tender, lovely wife, I decided to handle the grief differently and I took time to think and process, to think and read... and to think some more.
I also decided to do something else differently. Instead of holding it in, instead of pushing thoughts and worries to the side... my usual form of processing, I reached out. I shared with Ashley and I called a small group of friends and asked them to allow me to share. That was a life-changer for me. I had grieved the loss of this man, but the biggest obstacle would take much longer. Time was needed to mourn the loss of time... the missed opportunities.
While I will never consider this man to be my dad... he was still a person. It turns out, he had in the last few years joined his local church. There he volunteered and helped with the services. I found out that he walked miles and miles to visit his friends in the hospital and tried to attend services at his church whenever possible. At least five people walked up to me to tell me that they considered him their best friend. That's powerful and humbling.
I would never have wished my life to be any different. I adore my parents, my lovely mother and the man who would become my daddy... and still try to honor them to this day.
But at this point, I feel relieved to have been able to process the loss of this man and was able to make some personal changes based on what I learned from his life.
The simple relief that I found in dropping my burdens, sharing my worries and regrets with understanding friends was extremely powerful. Letting go, being open (even though it terrified me) was so refreshing, so healing.
Life is hard. We will have troubles. There is loss in life. Going to my friends and sharing, I believe allowed me a more free and open pathway to also taking those concerns to God. A difficult lesson, indeed as I stared at the contents of the this man's wallet.
For when you can't do it on your own anymore...
Link of the day...
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/roanoke/obituary.aspx?n=ronald-eldridge-donahue&pid=154867110 What do you want to accomplish before you leave this old world?
Quote of the day...
“So go out and live real good and I promise you'll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you're dead, you'll be rotted away anyway. It's not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn't live.” Rich Mullins
Bible verse of the day...
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Day twenty-seven...Simplicity, but at what cost?
In his book, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster points to many of the good things that technology and quicker delivery options have brought to our lives. And in the years since he published the book, the list has only gotten bigger, faster and better.
However, Foster warns that we should not allow our reliance on such things should be kept in check. He reminds the reader of the importance of remembering that each item we consume has a source. For instance, he points that our morning coffee also has its beginnings in a field somewhere. He pleads with the reader that we, as Christians, should be aware of our social responsibility. Should our cup of coffee bring danger, toils and snares to the fine people who harvest it for us? Knowing where your coffee comes from is easier today, due to more transparent business actions today. I get my details from my favorite green tag store here. I know there is no way to be 100% certain, however I do think we should expect coffee companies to show corporate responsibility.
As I was discussing this a few days ago with my brother-in-law, he pointed out to me that coffee was not to blame for the most of our troubles, but that it was our reliance on computers - personal devices included. He told me about reading the following story of mistreatment, slave-like conditions and unfit working conditions which have been found in over seas factories around the world where our clever little devices, clothing and toys are being produced. Since much of my paper/news reading time has been taken up writing this blog lately, I had not read the recent stories about these horrible conditions...
I would encourage you to visit a few of the stories here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/apple-sweatshop-problem-16-hour-days-70-cents-172800495.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/aug/27/disney-factory-sweatshop-suicide-claims
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-06-02/news/27066047_1_foxconn-minimum-wage-china
There seems to be new information coming in regarding Apple production spots, but still it leads us to a good place for discussion. Those quick and easy choices that we make have grand consequences for many people around the world.
This reminds me of a favorite Amy Grant song I listened to in high school... but I never really paid attention to the lyrics until today...
Consider what you can grow yourself, make for yourself and do without for a time... in an effort to help change the world while working to change ourselves. Or make a greater stance. How can you help? Connect with members of your church, stand up together. Become informed. See the link below to learn more about Unbound.
Simply stated... consider others, those who struggle, those who toil. Consider the nameless in your thoughts and prayers today.
Link of the day...
http://justiceunbound.org/ - The Presbyterian Church USA and a guide for Social Responsibility and Social Justice
Quote of the day...
"We — individual Christians and churches — commit ourselves to a culture of peace and freedom that embraces non-violence, nurtures character, treasures the environment, and builds community, rooted in a spirituality of inner growth with outward action. We make this commitment together — as members of Christ’s body, led by the one Spirit — trusting in the God who makes all things new."
-taken from PC USA's Social Creed for the 21st Century
Bible verse of the day...
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
However, Foster warns that we should not allow our reliance on such things should be kept in check. He reminds the reader of the importance of remembering that each item we consume has a source. For instance, he points that our morning coffee also has its beginnings in a field somewhere. He pleads with the reader that we, as Christians, should be aware of our social responsibility. Should our cup of coffee bring danger, toils and snares to the fine people who harvest it for us? Knowing where your coffee comes from is easier today, due to more transparent business actions today. I get my details from my favorite green tag store here. I know there is no way to be 100% certain, however I do think we should expect coffee companies to show corporate responsibility.
As I was discussing this a few days ago with my brother-in-law, he pointed out to me that coffee was not to blame for the most of our troubles, but that it was our reliance on computers - personal devices included. He told me about reading the following story of mistreatment, slave-like conditions and unfit working conditions which have been found in over seas factories around the world where our clever little devices, clothing and toys are being produced. Since much of my paper/news reading time has been taken up writing this blog lately, I had not read the recent stories about these horrible conditions...
I would encourage you to visit a few of the stories here:
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/apple-sweatshop-problem-16-hour-days-70-cents-172800495.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/aug/27/disney-factory-sweatshop-suicide-claims
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-06-02/news/27066047_1_foxconn-minimum-wage-china
There seems to be new information coming in regarding Apple production spots, but still it leads us to a good place for discussion. Those quick and easy choices that we make have grand consequences for many people around the world.
This reminds me of a favorite Amy Grant song I listened to in high school... but I never really paid attention to the lyrics until today...
Consider what you can grow yourself, make for yourself and do without for a time... in an effort to help change the world while working to change ourselves. Or make a greater stance. How can you help? Connect with members of your church, stand up together. Become informed. See the link below to learn more about Unbound.
Simply stated... consider others, those who struggle, those who toil. Consider the nameless in your thoughts and prayers today.
Link of the day...
http://justiceunbound.org/ - The Presbyterian Church USA and a guide for Social Responsibility and Social Justice
Quote of the day...
"We — individual Christians and churches — commit ourselves to a culture of peace and freedom that embraces non-violence, nurtures character, treasures the environment, and builds community, rooted in a spirituality of inner growth with outward action. We make this commitment together — as members of Christ’s body, led by the one Spirit — trusting in the God who makes all things new."
-taken from PC USA's Social Creed for the 21st Century
Bible verse of the day...
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
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