Scars are Reminders

Thoughts about scars . . .

Scars are the lingering aftereffects of the wounds of yesteryear . . . They can be borne with shame or they can be worn as medals of victory, reminders that we are empowered to overcome adversity . . .

Surgeries often leave scars . . . Scars can be reminders that what was once awry has been set aright . . .

Jesus still wears the scars of his ultimate sacrifice in his otherwise glorified body . . . An eternal reminder that will one day take the place of communion as “remembrance of Him.”

Like Jesus, when we are resurrected, will we retain the scars of the sacrifices we have made for his name’s sake? I don’t know, but I like the question . . .

Scars can also serve as healthy reminders that “I probably shouldn’t do that again.”

Scars . . . Ugly or beautiful? It depends on one’s perspective . . .

I tend to trust a person with scars . . . Their scars serve as evidence that their knowledge comes by experience and not just esoteric meanderings . . .

Scars . . . Life’s scrapbook . . .

Thinking About Obama

I am not an Obama fan.

In fact, I think it is fun to mock the inconsistencies between his rhetoric and his action. Like his predecessor George W. Bush, Barrack Obama is an easy target. Granted a more charismatic and polished target, but still easy nonetheless.

But after much introspection, I have made a commitment to myself to disengage from anti-Obama diatribes, humorous or otherwise. In fact, I intend on praying protection and wisdom for both him and the leaders he has serving him. I would like to explain why.
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Reason #1: A core tenet underlying my profession to be a Christ-follower is the fact that I am a grafted-in member of God’s chosen people and a part of the body of Christ or church universal if you will. This organism is also referred to in scripture as the Bride of Christ.

As such, the Bride of Christ (though composed of individuals lying across all spectrums of the political scale) is apolitical; not Republican, not Democrat, not Libertarian, not Socialist, not Communist, not Anarchist, nor any other label one may apply to their own particular political leanings. The Bride of Christ serves and worships under a Theocracy (God-ruled) system of government.

And one day the Bride of Christ will literally be married to Jesus, an event of such mind-boggling proportion that even the Apostle Paul referred to it as a “mystery.”

So what does that have to do with Obama? Basically, it means that I am called to obey God and carry out his instructions (scripture) to the best of my ability. And here’s what scripture has to say on the matter.

God himself has set all authority in place. So who am I to question the election of President Obama?

We are to pray and respect those who are governing us. The Apostle Peter penned those words while suffering under the heavy-handed tactics of Emperor Nero himself. Obama has yet to burn us alive on crosses and send us marching into gladiator arenas to be torn to pieces by wild animals. And yet even if he did, we are still commanded to pray for him.

How can I in good conscience pray for Obama one minute and curse him the next? Applying the teaching of the Apostle James instructs me that this scenario does nothing but create instability.

One last point under reason #1 . . . Jesus said that if a government representative conscripts us to carry more than our fair share of the burden for one mile, we are to volunteer to go two miles. I believe this admonition carries implication even in today’s modern society.

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Reason #2: Admittedly, reason #1 should be enough, however I’ve been contemplating the potential consequences if the prayers of those praying Psalm 109:8 over Obama actually have their prayers answered.

What if Obama doesn’t live to finish out his first term of office?

The typical immediate result is economic turmoil in the markets. And considering the fragile state of today’s economy, this could have a devastating impact on the ability of many families to put bread on the table.

Then there are all the questions to be considered of which I am not smart enough to know the answer.

Would Joe Biden be a more effective leader?

Would Obama’s death unify or further divide the country along racial lines?

What would be the reactions of the other countries of the world? More aggression?

Enough said, as I don’t want to accidentally veer off into political opinion and invalidate the very point I’m trying to make with this post.

Pray for Obama, don’t curse him. Pray for his family, don’t belittle them.

Pray for America.

Thinking About Thanking

Thinking about the concept of giving thanks for something before you actually receive it . . .

Read Psalm 13 . . . David asking God where the heck he’s at and asking when is God going to DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! Yet the Psalm ends with David praising/thanking God for victories yet to be experienced.

My friend Mathew posted this quote from St. John of Avila on his Facebook page today . . .

“One act of Thanksgiving made when things go wrong is worth a thousand when things go well."

Well said Mr. St. John.

Thinking about Mr. Paul and Mr. Silas sitting in a dingy jail cell wearing shackles in the dark. They pray and sing hymns to God. Before you know it Mr. Earthquake shows up, unlocks everyone’s shackles (including all the other prisoners’) and opens the jail doors.

Pretty cool that!

Thinking about Mr. Habakkuk. Choosing to praise God even when the very foundation of his life has been taken away.

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” – Habakkuk 3:17-19

Some would call that living in denial . . . I call it a level of faith to which I would like to aspire.

Today's Epiphany

I had an epiphany today . . .

Today I am starting day one of nine days off of work. And that disturbs me. No, that is not the epiphany but I will get there eventually.

Nine days off in a row disturbs me because I don’t have much of a plan for those nine days. Sure there are things scheduled here and there but basically my vision is to attempt to rest, relax and resist commitment. But that is difficult for me. I like to plan. I like to execute the plan. I like to revel in the glory of a well-executed plan. I like to check items off my list.

I am the epitome of a human doing. Planning helps me relax. And I actually have to plan to relax if I’m going to have any chance of actually relaxing.

My wife on the other hand is the epitome of a human being. She is Mary and I am Martha in this TBN sitcom we call a life. I admire her and resent her simultaneously, as is typical in the co-mingling of personality types A and B.

We were discussing all this today in regards to our marriage, as we have been prone to do periodically for the past year. This is where the epiphany comes in.

Suddenly, I truly understood that in many ways Susanne and I are completely different. But more importantly I realized how important it is THAT I understand this fact.

You see I have spent the last thirteen years trying to mold her into my image. And I have failed . . . Miserably failed . . .

The good news is that I am learning that if I can accept her and love her for who she is including our differences (most especially our differences) that this is when the marriage actually starts to work.

It seems to me in our Western culture we put too much emphasis on compatibility when it comes to relationships. Doesn’t it make sense that her strengths should complement my weaknesses and vice verse and in doing so we create a synergistic marriage that holds fast during the worst of storms?

Tim marries Sue and they become Tim&Sue . . . Or even Sue&Tim, I'm secure enough in my mahood for that . . .

It just ain’t easy, that’s all . . .

So I realized today what a waste of time it has been trying to get her to act like me . . . To be a reflection of me . . . And in doing so have done her a disservice of which I can only beg her forgiveness and promise to embrace a fresh outlook of what life should look like with her at my side.

I intend on doing just that.

I love you Susanne. Thank you for hanging in there. Thank you for being my wife.

Nehemiah - My New Favorite Bible Bad-Ass

My job has been especially stressful lately . . . More so than usual. Ironic that as I have been practicing to be thankful in all circumstances this month, some of my circumstances have grown weary and frustrating.

If it can go wrong it does and always at the most inopportune times. One series of bizarre coincidences after another and I swear it feels like I'm working under some kind of stinkeyed curse. I've even resorted to every weird trick in my Pentecostal playbook but, alas and alack, to no avail.

That being said, I've been mulling through the book of Nehemiah and gaining inspiration. This guy faced many difficult situations as governor of Jerusalem. He was the driving force behind the rebuilding of the walls and gates by the peoples who had returned from exile. And he just wouldn't let any circumstance get in his way . . .

Some of the decisions he made had to be difficult. He stood up to naysayers . . . He gave self-important people the right foot of fellowship. He wouldn't let anyone give up. He also helped the poor and made sure that justice was served on behalf of the helpless. Nehemiah was a true leader.

As I prepare a plan for the upcoming year at work, I also am faced with a few very difficult decisions. I know what I need to do to help get my operation get back on track, but my plan certainly won't be without its detractors and naysayers. I will also have to give some self-important people the boot and find ways to inspire the rest to never give up.

I also need to make sure that those less fortunate than myself are advocated for.

Nehemiah's life inspires me and my desire is to finish the course set out in front of me with these words from Nehemiah 13:31 . . .

"Remember me with favor, O my God."

Odds & Ends

I'm preparing to make a trip to Winnemucca tomorrow.

We have a friend who is planning on buying new furniture and he has elected to give his couch and love seat to Princess' mom, Carlene . . . So tonight I am renting a trailer and the friend and I are going to meet Carlene's brothers and transload the furniture so they can turn around and haul it to her house in Idaho.

Should be a nice day for a drive . . .

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I participated in my very first Texas Hold 'em tournament last Thursday night. Princess and my friend Brent have been encouraging me to play so I finally decided to confront the unknown and give it a whirl.

It was fun . . . We started with around 30 players at a local casino. I met Brent and Nick and Jamison prior and they gave me a quick overview on how the game is run. I know how to play poker, but had never played in a casino before.

Fortunately I drew a seat next to Jamison. I kept having to ask him what my chips were worth and the dealer had to occasionally prod me to bet or pass or do something. I also kept drawing aces . . . The looks on the other player's faces as I stumbled and bumbled my way to winning hands was priceless.

About 2 1/2 hours later I found myself with 8 other players at the final table. A half hour after that I finished in 4th place. Too funny!

I had a blast and intend on playing again sometime.

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Josh and Coral are coming over for dinner tonight. It's always good to see them and I'm looking forward to some family time. Josh is going to help me load the furniture and then we'll eat. I also have to pick Dad up at the airport at 8:20 tonight. He is returning from a trip to Lincoln, NE and a visit with my sister and her family.

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November continues to be a month where I practice thankfulness and rest in the midst of life's difficulties. I am not good at relaxing, but am putting a lot of effort into practicing. Funny concept that, having to work to rest . . .

I am looking forward to December with a sense of expectation that today's woes will pass. I insist on remaining optimistic about the future. I am old enough to know that difficult seasons eventually end and something fresh begins.

I am hopeful that the pruning of this past year is coming to a close and I expect to see winter blossoms as evidence of next season's fruit.

I Am the Assistant Holy Spirit - Part 2 of 2

Being the Assistant Holy Spirit in someone’s life can be a great gift! Yet it takes wisdom, courage, discernment and gentleness.

We are called to love one another, yet do we love enough to “save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins?”

In my opinion, we often misuse the teaching that “we shouldn’t be the Assistant Holy Spirit” in two ways . . . First we use it as a rebuke against those who are trying to help us. Secondly, we use it as an excuse not to try and help someone else.

Yet, certainly we should proceed with caution and humility.

Paul went on to say in Galatians 6:1, “ . . . But watch yourself or you also may be tempted.”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Notice he didn’t say NOT to remove the speck from the brother?

But this whole thing is risky business and one can get hurt. In the same context Jesus went on to say in the very next verse of Matthew 7:6, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

In other words, when we blindly intrude into the lives of other people like a bull in a china shop and they retaliate, we dare not lick our wounds and call it “suffering for Jesus.” He tried to warn us!

Just as the Holy Spirit himself doesn’t force himself on people, neither should we. In my opinion this whole concept of helping each other deal with our sin is best walked out in relationship and mutual trust.

That being said, how sad when we find ourselves in a state of being where we trust no one and live lives of isolation. How awful to respond like a wounded animal and bite the helping hand. How then can we expect to be helped?

How tragic to let fear keep us from saving a friend from death. How dysfunctional to use our aversion to pain as an excuse to let others suffer needlessly. Is not our call the same as Christ Jesus?

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He as sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . to comfort all who mourn . . .” Isaiah 61: 1-2

I am being challenged these days with these introspective questions . . .

Am I teachable? Am I correctable?

Am I willing to risk misunderstanding and pain in order to help those I love?

How well do I love?

Am I humble?

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6

Jesus, help me to be humble and willing enough to fulfill the call on my life . . . Even when it hurts . . .