It’s After Midnight

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I’m pooped. Period.

I just got home from volunteering at the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s Youth Evangelism Conference (and will be driving back there at 6:30 am tomorrow morning). It was fantastic as usual, but I am spent. My mental level is currently at the “fire bad, tree pretty” stage.

I do remember to things the main speaker said.

1) You can’t out-sin the love of God. No matter how low you’ve fallen, that “reckless raging fury that they call the love of God” can reach lower still.

2) Whenever anyone invites God in through the door of Jesus, He will always enter in. He will always say yes. He won’t say “Get your house in order” or “Get your life together first.” He simply enters in.

As many years as it’s been since I qualified as a teenager, I still needed that reminder. I’m fairly certain all of us do from time to time.

The end.

Elvis, Basketball, and Spring

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Recently, I spent my birthday amazon gift card on some Elvis. Specifically, I purchased Walk a Mile in My Shoes, a box set of the King’s essential 70’s recordings. For those of you at home keeping score, that’s 5 discs of 120 songs. Now I sound like a PBS pledge fundraiser.

http://www.amazon.com/Walk-Mile-My-Shoes-Essential/dp/B004LR5K0I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1426219405&sr=1-1&keywords=walk+a+mile+in+my+shoes

But one of those songs took me back. The memory was driving at night in Christiana, TN, and the song in question was T-R-O-U-B-L-E, which I’m sure I haven’t heard since I was much smaller and weighed a lot less. And I was a huge Elvis fan.

The only problem with that is that I remember the song from an 8-track of dubious quality where on that particular song Elvis sounds as if he’s singing through a oscillating fan. The CD version was too cleaned up, at least in my opinion, to truly recreate the memory from that night. But it was close enough for me.

In other news, yes it is finally spring. I love the fact that I can wear a t-shirt and not get hypothermia. And I’ll take all the rain from the past few days over all the snow and ice from a few weeks ago. That was nice for a bit but got old rather quickly. Being stuck at home for a week tends to have that effect.

Finally, March means one thing for true sports fans– March Madness. That means LOTS of college basketball, lots of excitement and close games, and quite possibly one or two memorable and miraculous buzzer-beaters.

It also means I will be filling out multiple NCAA tournament brackets once again in hopes of finally winning the jackpot. So far, I’ve come close once or twice, but haven’t actually won any money.

FYI, if you’re looking for some good Elvis music, I recommend these fine compilations. Both have 30 songs on them and both have the best sound of any Elvis CDs that I’ve heard.

http://www.amazon.com/30-1-Hits-Elvis-Presley/dp/B00006AG5N/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426219096&sr=8-1&keywords=elvis+%231

http://www.amazon.com/Elvis-2nd-None-PRESLEY-ELVIS/dp/B0000AUHOX/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1426219132&sr=1-1&keywords=elvis+2nd+to+none

 

 

Blog #1,689

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“Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee:
All thing pass;
God never changes.
Patience attains
All that it strives for.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.”
— “Poem IX,” from the Complete Works St. Teresa of Avila (1963) Vol. 3, edited by E. Allison Peers

I couldn’t think of a better title for this blog, so I went with “Blog #1,689.” Not the most creative title ever, but hopefully the content will make up for it.

I’m thinking some of you out there are hanging onto faith by a thread. You’re like the father of the possessed boy who cried out to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).” You have a faith that barely qualifies as mustard seed-sized. But that is enough.

It’s not about how big and grand your faith is but about how big and grand God is. It’s not the size of your faith but the size of the object of your faith that counts, and God is plenty big. As in bigger than your problems, bigger than your doubts, bigger than your sometime unbelief, bigger than you. God has been, is, and will continue to be enough.

So I’m praying for you that you will see what God can do with just the tiniest bit of faith and consent. I’m praying you will be dazzled and amazed at how God comes through for you, almost never in the way or place or time you expected but always with perfect timing in the perfect place in the perfect way.

“Almighty, eternal and merciful God, whose Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, open and illuminate our minds, that we may purely and perfectly understand your Word and that our lives may be conformed to what we have rightly understood, that in nothing we may be displeasing unto your majesty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” – (the daily morning prayer of Ulrich Zwingli, from Gregg Alison’s “Introduction to Historical Theology).

 

Two Thoughts on a Tuesday

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I’m at my laptop, typing away. For the record, I’m still using my old Sony Vaio, so this blog is only 85% as cool as it could have been were I typing on a Mac Book Pro. But seeing as that is neither here nor there, I digress.

Sitting in Kairos tonight, I had a couple of thoughts unrelated to the sermon Mike Glenn was preaching. I do that often. But that’s also another blog for another day.

I had two distinct thoughts:

1) It really is never too late to start over and become who God created and designed you to be. Even if you’re a Grandma Moses at age 70, you can still start over. And there’s no shame in admitting that what you’ve been doing all this time isn’t what God has called you to. It may have been at some point, but now God is calling you to start again.

2) You don’t have to wait until you get where God is calling you to use your job as a mission field. You can start right now with where you are, even if that’s bagging groceries at Publix or sweeping floors in an office. After all, the Bible DOES tell us to do EVERYTHING to the glory of God, even mopping floors and cleaning public toilets.

The more you see your life not as something you’re entitled to but as an adventure you choose each day to participate in, a journey that God leads you through, the more you see that life truly is a gift and a blessing.

Yes, I’m thankful even for this old, slow laptop, even as it hinders my cool factor. I remember older desktops that were much slower (and even had dial-up internet connections!) So it’s all about perspective and being grateful for what you DO have (my Sony Vaio) as opposed to wishing and pining after what you don’t (a Mac Book Pro).

 

House Hunters International: Narnia

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Aslan-and-lucy

I recently watched an episode of House Hunters International on HGTV, where a couple was looking to move to Scotland. I was sold after hearing the real estate agent’s accent, as I am a sucker for a good Scottish accent.

It got me thinking. What if they did an episode of House Hunters International set in Narnia? I do know that Narnia isn’t real in the same sense as Scotland or Germany or any of the other countries that you can actually find on a world atlas.

But just the thought of choosing a home in Narnia would be a cool concept. Maybe Mr. Tumnus could be the real estate agent. And the biggest selling point? A chance to meet Aslan.

In case you’ve ever wondered who Aslan really is, C.S. Lewis once received such a letter from a young fan. He responded thus:

“As to Aslan’s other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never been anyone in this world who (1.) Arrived at the same time as Father Christmas. (2.) Said he was the son of the great Emperor. (3.) gave himself up for someone else’s fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people. (4.) Came to life again. (5.) Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb…. Don’t you really know His name in this world. Think it over and let me know your answer!”

I’ve said it before, but I really believe Heaven will be a lot like Narnia. Or maybe I should say that Narnia is the best representation of what Heaven will be like that I’ve seen (or read). And the idea of it being like the first day of summer after the school term has ended perfectly captures that overwhelming feeling of joy.

So I think House Hunters International: Narnia is a winner, followed possibly by House Hunters International: Hobbiton.

 

My Social Media Break Update

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You’re probably aware that I’m taking a break from social media for Lent. I found out today that Easter this year falls on April 5, meaning that I have roughly four more weeks to go. So far so good.

I’d like to tell you that I’ve been super spiritual and devoted all my newly-acquired spare time to prayer and Bible reading. I have managed to read more books and catch up on my Netflix queue. And read more of my Bible.

For me, it’s all about getting away from social media so that it doesn’t run my life. Too much time spent on Facebook and Instagram can feed into my perceived need for approval. It’s easy to feel good when lots of people comment on my posts and conversely, to feel isolated and ignored when they don’t. And I don’t just speak for me. I speak to most of you out there.

So I’m finding out that the wonderful world of social media didn’t fall apart without me. It kept right on going. I also found out that I didn’t go to pieces without my daily Facebook fix. So far, I’ve managed to keep most of my sanity (and hair).

One day, I’ll be really brave and disconnect from all things electronic. Maybe that will be for next Lent– give up television AND social media. Now that’d really be a challenge.

For now, I confess that I’m not as spiritual and disciplined and dedicated as I’d like to be. I also can state that I’ve gone three weeks without social media without falling off any wagons. I call that a win.

Most of all, I’m reminded again that God is faithful, even when I am faith-less. He is faithful to finish that good work He started in me and has even invited me to be a part of the great work He’s doing all around me.

Lent is the best reminder I know that it’s still not about me, no matter what I tell myself. And yes, I needed that reminder yet again.

 

 

What Would Your Groundhog Day Be?

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groundhog-day-driving

I was browsing through Netflix looking for something to watch and I ran across a movie I hadn’t seen in a while– Groundhog Day ,starring one Mr. Bill Murray.

It’s one of my favorites (though honestly when I first saw it I got a bit annoyed with its premise and would have been very happy to not hear “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher for a long, long, long time).

The premise (for those of you living under a rock who haven’t heard of the movie) centers around a weatherman who gets stuck in Punxsutawney, PA in a time-loop where it’s always February 2 a.k.a. Groundhog Day. No matter what he does, he always wakes up in the same bed with that same Sonny and Cher song playing on the alarm clock radio.

That got me thinking. If I could relive one day over and over– and got to choose that day– what day would I pick? What day would you pick?

I might pick a day from one of my memorable vacations growing up (especially the ones in Gatlinburg)

. Or maybe one of the family reunions or Christmas Eves where everyone I loved was in the same place.

I’m guessing you’d pick a day based on who would be there. It wouldn’t be that day that you made your first dollar (or your first million). It probably wouldn’t be the day you got that bonus or that promotion or that raise.

In the end, it won’t be all the awards and certificates that we are asking for. It will be those closest to us, those whom we want to share one last word of blessing, to say “I love you” one last time.

For me, I wonder if reliving those moments might take away some of the magic, kind of like watching the same program over and over. After a while, it wouldn’t mean as much or be as special. Maybe it’s better that I can carry those moments in my memory.

 

P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S

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I saw a church sign yesterday that read: “Change in inevitable, progress is optional.” That’s true.

You can’t avoid change. It will come whether you look for it or not, whether you want it or not, and usually when you least expect it.

That job you counted on ends and you get laid off.

The marriage you thought was such a sure thing hits a rough patch and suddenly, the future looks very uncertain.

That friend you thought was for life suddenly vanishes from your life and you’re left wondering what you did wrong.

Change will come, and not always for the better. You can’t control what happens to you, but you CAN control how you respond. You can choose to become a victim or circumstance and let that define your life, or you can choose to learn and grow from that experience. The old cliche is true: you can either become bitter or better.

Every moment is a choice. Every second is a chance to either do things the way you’ve always done them or to step out in faith. For me, most of the time I play it safe, but those moments when I choose to take that step, whether I succeed or fail, are always the moments that I remember where God changed me.

The only certainties in life are death, taxes, and change. And the love of God. That above all will never change.

 

 

Bye, Bye Radio Shack

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radio_shack_store

I had a bit of a surprise at the mall yesterday. I made the usual rounds of my favorite stores (at least the ones that are still left): the Apple Store, Starbucks, Best Buy Mobile. I was going to peruse the offerings at Radio Shack when I got a shock: there was no more Radio Shack, only a vacant store with the Radio Shack logo still attached but glowing futilely.

I’ve read that Radio Shack in all likelihood will be going away soon. That makes me sad.

Nothing satisfied my inner nerd kid more than browsing through all the gadgets in Radio Shack, from flashlights to portable radios to all sorts of adapters and batteries for all those amazing gadgets. I remember I got a 3-in-1 do-it-yourself kit that allowed me to build a short-wave radio.

I hadn’t bought anything from Radio Shack in a long time, but the idea that it was still around was comforting to me. Like a bit of my childhood still existed and I could relive a bit of the old glory days if I wanted to.

But Radio Shack is no more. It has ceased to be, like that parrot from the Monty Python skit.

So they’ve taken away most of my favorite places now. There are no more music stores, no more bookstores, and now no Radio Shack. And as much as I love Amazon, I have a feeling that they, along with all the Wal-Marts in the world are partly to blame for the demise of Radio Shack. Darn you, Wal-Mart and all your amazing discounts and low, low prices.

C’est la vie. It is what it is. Businesses come and businesses go. A new store will move in to the spot vacated by Radio Shack and probably sell upscale children’s clothing or vegan-friendly sandals. At least I still have my Starbucks.

 

What’s In Your Hands, Kairos-Style

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Mike Glenn spoke about a boy with some bread and fish. Actually, he spoke about the parable of the feeding of the 5,000 from Mark 6, but that story wouldn’t have been possible without that boy who had the five loaves of bread and two fishes. Ok, Jesus probably could have conjured up a feast out of nothing, but he chose to use the obedience of this one little boy to bless a hungry multitude.

In the end, the too few with the too little had fed the too many with too much left at the end (as Dr. Glenn put it). What started out as as the dollar menu special from Captain D’s ended up with twelve baskets of leftovers, one for each disciple.

That said, I have to ask myself one question. Maybe this question is for you: what do you have in your hands?

Maybe to us it doesn’t seem like much. Maybe it seems like practically nothing. When you’re dealing with anywhere from 17,000-20,000 people (including the 5,000 men that Mark mentions in the story), two fish and five loaves of bread aren’t going to go very far.

Maybe what you have in terms of talents, gifts, passions, and desires seems very inadequate for God to use. But then, God’s not interested in your abilities and talents and much as your availabilities and willingness to serve.

Jesus took those twelve uneducated disciples and poured His life into them. In the end, they were twelve who went out and turned the world upside down (or more accurately, turned an already upside down world right-side up again).

Who knows what God can do with that paltry offering you hold in your two hands? Who knows the far-reaching impact of your small sacrifices, far beyond anything you can imagine or will probably ever know, to reach people you never dreamed of reaching and touch far more lives than you ever thought possible.

So when God comes calling, and He will, open up your hands and give Him what you have. Then be prepared to be amazed at what He does with it.