Dragonflies can race along at 100 body lengths per second. They can move straight up or down, fly backwards, stop and hover or make hairpin turns at full speed as they attack mosquitoes and snatch them out of the air.
Dragonflies eat dozens of mosquitoes a day.
This is a good thing.
I hate mosquitoes.
Exodus 23:22b - I will be an enemy to your enemies. I will fight all who fight against you.
Revelation 3:19-20 - The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in.
If you venture out in the next few days, I hope you go to a pumpkin patch and let your kids pet a goat.
Genesis 2:20 - Adam gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
- My friend Tom Polaski, playing BASS this weekend at GCC -
I was sitting in a Leadership Conference at Willow Creek Community Church when I first heard Bill Hybels say, "I want to serve the GOD I love, with people I love and people who love me."
Bill was talking about the value of team chemistry and I think he hit the nail on the head. It's a real privilege to group-up with brothers and sisters, fellow-workers and fellow-soldiers in the service of GOD, and when we have the courage to embrace the Providence of GOD, we'll discover such people wherever we go.
May GOD give us "eyes that see" the people we're called to love and serve as we team-up for the mission ahead.
Luke 10:23-24 - Then when they were alone, Jesus turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”
When truly courageous people fly into the teeth of a storm their uncommon valor is impossible to miss. But every person entering the Hot Zone of a plague isn’t courageous; some don’t know what’s happening. They’ve heard nothing about an outbreak; they’re clueless about the epidemic. They may seem fearless but they’re not; they’re oblivious. They don’t know they’re at risk; they don’t know they’re vulnerable. They’re ignorant, not courageous. They’re at risk and don’t know enough to be afraid.
People must recognize a threat before they can courageously attack it.
A plague swept over Carthage in A.D. 252. The devastation was horrifying. Pagans fled, abandoning their suffering family and friends as they tried to escape the destruction. In Rome, during the worst of the plague, 5,000 people were dying every day. In Carthage the bodies of the dead were piled everywhere. Nobody escaped the stench of death without abandoning the city. The hopeless forsook all others in their efforts to save themselves. They stacked carcasses and fled in terror.
But not everyone fled.
Cyprian, the Christian Bishop of Carthage, gathered his congregation and led them into the diseased city. They knew the risks but refused to abandon the diseased and dying. Those Christians tended the sick, buried the dead and courageously risked their lives to save their city from pestilence and destruction.
It takes courage to do what needs to be done when what needs to be done isn't what everyone else wants to do.
They had courage.
They knew Jesus.
Matthew 25:34-40 - Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Northern Walkingsticks (Diapheromera femorata) are more common than you might imagine. They often go unnoticed because they don't move much during the day and they look so much like a stick that people can look right at one without actually seeing it.
My oldest granddaughter found one on Saturday morning and she was curious to know if she could touch it.
I was curious to know if she could touch it too.
Philippians 1:13 - That piqued their curiosity.
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” - John Wesley
It's unwise to presume on the future.
The person who says with certainty that they'll do this or that "later," is counting on having the opportunity "then," that's staring them in the face "now." It makes good sense to plan for tomorrow today, but there's a problem with thinking we can always do later the good we can do now.
Why?
Because tomorrow is not today. We will be different tomorrow. Our circumstances will be different tomorrow.
Pretentious assumption makes it easy to say, "Not right now." And rejecting every opportunity with a bold, "Not right now," produces about the same results as standing on the "DOWN" escalator while assuming you'll soon arrive on the next floor "UP."
How curious.
Which part of your life makes you think doing nothing adds value or improves your situation? Doing good requires effort. "DOWN" is done by doing nothing. "UP" demands work and intention. It's so easy to move "DOWN" that you can degrade your future without moving at all.
Want to ruin your life?
Simply do nothing and you can watch your life spiral into the Abyss.
The downward cycle of life in a society without diligence is grim, as is life in a culture that tolerates disrespectful procrastination. Diligence is virtuous; apathetic indolence is not. Adding value while you can is virtuous; refusing to help, when you know what you ought to do to help, is sin.
No more evil boasting about our pretentious plans for tomorrow! We must discipline ourselves for timely action, described by Paul as "being instant" or "being ready at all times, whether it is convenient or inconvenient."
Too much is at stake to presume on the future.
Today is the day to do what we know ought to be done.
James 4:14 - How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
My camera was already on the tripod when the moon turned "blood red" this morning. It was an awesome sight in the predawn hours and the fearsome image of a "moon as red as blood" was emblazoned on my mind for the rest of the day.
If you're keeping a "check list" titled: THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN BEFORE THE GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD, you can go ahead and check this one off your list.
Acts 2:20 - The sun will become dark [be turned to darkness], the moon red as blood [to blood], before the overwhelming [great] and glorious day of the Lord will come.
I admire the man leading me through the woods.
He knows how to find his way, pick the best path and stay the course. He knows the difference between foolishness and fun. He humbly admits what he doesn't yet know and humbly adds value with what he does. He cares. He's a good companion in the woods and in life; he always gives more than he takes.
The man in the picture is my son. We shared a big wilderness adventure last week and during those days my appreciation for Sheila went through-the-roof. In fact, my appreciation for all parents skyrocketed.
Raising children to know what's right, choose what's right and do right is wildly difficult.
Those of you with children at home may feel like you're riding a runaway train, sometimes wondering if you'll derail before you get those kids to their destination and, at other other times, feeling so much pressure that you find yourself thinking, "We can't arrive at the Station soon enough. I just want this leg of the journey to end."
I get it. Sheila and I have three children and five grandchildren.
Parenting is really exhausting.
Once you have children, you may not have a good night's rest for five or ten years.
Parenting is really challenging.
One kid changes everything in your life. Two kids, not so much; you've got two hands so grab a kid with each hand and move along. Three kids? Everything changes again, only this time you have to raise a kid with no hands. Good luck with that.
Then, before you know it, just like 'THAT,' your kids will be all grown up and this leg of the journey will be over. You kids will get off the train and you'll switch tracks. Oh sure, you'll still experience the simultaneous joys and sorrows of life; you'll still have mountaintop experiences in one area of your life at precisely the same time you'll experience dark difficult valleys in another, but those experiences will not be shared with your little dependent children. If those experiences are shared at all, they'll be shared with adult children who make their own choices and choose their own paths."
Cherish the days GOD gives you for parenting. Cherish them all.
If the squeals and cries of little children fill your home, if parenting is difficult and it seems like the only thing you say is, "No," and you're saying, "No," a thousand-times-an-hour, don't let up. Lean in. Train them today so they can navigate tomorrow.
If teenagers are challenging everything you say and do, or it seems they're ignoring you completely, don't stop being the parent. Remember, there are many reasons that 15 year-old-kids can't sign legal contracts; mostly because they don't know which way is up. Oh, they know how to do things with their phones that will blow your mind, but what they don't know is the stuff GOD intends for parents to teach them: how to know and serve GOD, how to find peace for their souls, how to reject sin and keep their hearts pure, how stay faithful when they're tempted, what integrity looks like and where to turn when they've fallen and they can't get up. Teenagers need parents for all that stuff. Don't be intimidated because they have Google at their fingertips. They don't need you for information; they need your love, training in righteousness, discipline, wisdom and guidance; they need you to train them for success in friendship, marriage and family, and if you don't mentor them before they get off your train, they're headed for a life of hurt and heartache. Don't let 'em off the train until you arrive at the depot. Don't get derailed. Your kids need you to stay on track. Don't fail them just because they're talking and acting like teenagers; especially when they are teenagers.
Before you know it your kids will grow up, switch tracks and go their way. And just like "that" you'll go from driving them everywhere to praying they drive home to see you for the Holidays.
Cherish every minute GOD gives you with your children my friends.
These days will end before we know it.
Don't waste them.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train children to live the right way, in God's path, and when they are old, they will not stray or depart from it.
When my family met at Amber's & Ryan's house to celebrate my 61st Birthday, our fun "family" activities eventually put me streetside for the East Grand Rapids Homecoming parade. I found myself exactly where Providence required; I was with Sheila.
I dated her when she was Greenfield Central High School's Homecoming Queen. And now, married for decades, I find myself sitting on a curb with the love-of-my-life, wrangling our grandchildren as they scramble for the candy tossed their way by a passing parade of today's EGR Homecoming Court.
This probably goes without saying, but if I could marry Sheila again, I would.
Proverbs 12:4 - A good and noble wife is like a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful wife is like a disease and rot in his bones.
I'm beginning my 61st year with a fantastic "birthday week."
I'm with my son Aaron, and my nephew Josh, photographing remarkable Whitetails, enjoying the woods and making memories... all because of the outrageous generosity of my sister's husband's sister's husband.
Josh's Uncle Jan - and his wonderful Aunt Michele - booked two Whitetail Hunts a few months ago: one for Josh and one for Josh's brother, Joel. Since Joel's wife was scheduled to deliver their baby around the time of the hunt, he wisely elected to "pass" on the adventure, and Uncle Jan gave the trip of a lifetime to my son Aaron!
Sheila encouraged me to go along, so I packed my cameras and headed off to spend my "birthday week" with the guys.
Hours and hours in a blind with Aaron made my "birthday week" wonderful.
I photographed this Trumpeter Swan at the nearby marsh.
Absolutely amazing.
Aaron's buck.
The guys in the field with my nephew Josh's buck.
Losing Velvet.
Aaron's buck in the truck: Josh is on our left & Aaron is on our right.
See the buck in the grass?
I took this picture a few hours ago.
I'll cherish the memories it triggers for the rest of my days.
Genesis 10:9 - Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.”
Chris Whitmire ran point on the Family Fun Day at GCC's Natural Playground this weekend. As our Director of GCC's Early Learning Center, she declared the day a smashing success.
More than 500 people spent hours talking with friends, feeding Llamas, bobbing for apples, taking wagon-rides, hammering golf-tees into pumpkins and playing on the playground.
I had a blast talking with people and taking pictures.
My special thanks goes to my friend, Harold Zeltwanger.
He spent the day giving families wagon rides.
Galatians 6:10 - Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith
Do you have a few trusted friends?
Sheila and I do, and Butch & Chris Whitmire are numbered among them. They have my confidence. They are faithful to Jesus, each other, their family and their work. They serve GOD with wholehearted devotion: Butch as the Chair of GCC's Administrative Council and Chris as the Director of GCC's Early Learning Center.
When I saw them at GCC's Fall Family Fun Day this morning, I couldn't resist asking them to pause near the Natural Playground for a picture.
Sheila and I trust them; you can too.
Luke 16:10a - Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.
Sheila and I were traveling with friends a few months ago. We visited the Church of the Nativity to see the place Jesus was born.
Our progress was delayed by priests cutting-in-line, but someone in our group started singing Away in a Manger and the atmosphere changed from frustration to joy. As we sang together, GOD turned our long delay into one of the highlights of our trip.
GOD transforms us as we group-up and following Jesus with friends. That's one reason we launched more than 100 new groups last week ... and we're launching more this week.
It's smarter to travel in groups.
It's not too late for you to group-up with some friends. You can get help grouping-up here.
Psalm 68:4 - “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him... his name is the Lord!”
- Strickland Auditorium, St. Simons Island, Georgia -
"Perhaps prevenient grace is summed up best by the famous interruption to a missionary who was lecturing in Africa about how the missionaries brought the Gospel to Africa. The African believer interrupted and said, 'The missionaries did not bring the Gospel to Africa; God brought the missionaries to Africa.' This insightful comment shifts the emphasis to God’s prior agency and the great missio dei (mission of God) whereby God is always the first actor in the great drama of redemption." Dr. Tim Tennent, President: Asbury Theological Seminary
I took this picture a few weeks ago. Nobody needs to tell you the Cross of Jesus Christ towers high above the flag. Get perspective. The flag is proximate; the Cross is preeminent. The flag flies high; the Cross soars higher.
Get perspective: GOD acts first.
GOD brought America her Founding Fathers and they signed a Declaration that said as much:
"... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
GOD brought America her Founding Fathers and they believed the righteousness of America's cause was God's to judge.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,..."
GOD brought America her Founding Fathers and they declared their utter dependence on GOD, as well as their total commitment to each other:
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Commonsense is increasingly uncommon, but it's reasonable to assume those declaring their nation is blessed by GOD, judged by GOD and dependent on GOD will behave differently than people convinced GOD depends on their nation.
What are people capable of doing if they believe their nation has superiority and preeminence over GOD. What might religious people do with their own sovereignty?
America's Founding Fathers knew GOD is always the first mover. GOD is first in causality: GOD initiates redemption and restoration, though GOD is not moved by any prior action or any prior cause. In supremacy, ascendancy and incomparable authority, GOD is high above the nations.
We're not likely to become a godless nation. I suspect we're more inclined to trend toward the spirituality of the Samaritans who lived 1,300 years ago. They knew how to worship GOD but they worshipped other gods too and "made gods of their own (2 Kings 17:28-29)." Those people actually "burned their own children on the altars of their gods.(2 Kings 17:31)" I tremble at the prospect of becoming a nation filled with the gods of our own making.
In his book, SOUL KEEPING, John Ortberg recently wrote, "We are not lost because we are going to wind up in the wrong place. We are going to end up in the wrong place because we are lost."
Do you have perspective on this?
The gods we make cannot save us.
Jeremiah 10:5 - There stands their god like a helpless scarecrow in a garden! It cannot speak, and it must be carried, for it cannot walk. Don’t be afraid of such a god, for it can neither harm nor help nor do you any good.
Sheila and I had a great time meeting with friends in LaPorte last night.
Once everyone got the The Civic Auditorium (where GCC LaPorte meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 CENTRAL TIME), we jostled together for a "family photo."
I gave an update on our ministry: focused on current realities, GOD's blessing and future possibilities. And yes, I also talked for a while about following Jesus.
More than 1,000 people are beginning the TRANSFORMED journey this week, and four dozen are grouping-up with GCC Laporte. More than 100 Groups are launching, so if you haven't yet registered to group-up with some friends, go here and sign up.
Acts 2:46-47 - Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The ARTS matter.
The ARTISTS who bring the ARTS matter.
I will always thank GOD for those who offer their artistic and technical abilities to GOD. As ARTISTS "group-up" and devote themselves to worship, they help me examine myself more honestly, confess my sin more thoroughly, repent more deeply, sing more confidently and praise GOD more passionately.
I have some pictures of a few of the ARTISTS who took us with them into worship this weekend. They have my deepest gratitude.
Psalm 66:1-4
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power
Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.
All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name."
We launched BREAKTHROUGH this weekend and when all the services were finished, Sheila and I met some friends at the lake. We shared an old-school "pitch-in" and finished our meal in time to pile into Marv's boat and get out on the water before sunset.
This is my friend Dave Moore.
I don't think it was Dave's first time on water skis.
Ecclesiastes 10:10b - Skill will bring success.
I was talking with my grandson Charlie, while he was digging up the beach with a little toy. He's a bright kid.
I said, "I'm really looking forward to the next few months. Everyone at GCC is grouping-up so we can help each other take steps toward Christ."
He laid his tiny shovel on the sand and said, "Great idea Papa. It's biblical, theologically orthodox and well within a mainstream ecclesiology of the historical Church."
I said, "Yeah."
He said, "Describe your syllabus. Will there be opportunity to engage practical applications of the studied theories? Is this to be a practicum or merely an intellectual, academic exercise?"
I said, "Check this Charlie. We're launching groups with some of Rick Warren's materials. He's the guy that wrote The Purpose Driven Life. So we'll be learning 'how to live,' not simply, 'how to think.'"
Charlie said, "I bought The Purpose Driven Life when it first came out. Got it; read it; did it. Rick planted Saddleback Church when he was only 26 years old, and his congregation didn't have their own permanent building until they had more than 10,000 people."
I said, "Oh."
He said, "That man has some serious credibility Papa. You should think about leading everyone at GCC to group-up and use Rick's new TRANSFORMED book as a daily devotional and study guide. People could meet together, encourage each other and take some real steps toward Christ together."
I said, "OK. Thanks Charlie. Anything else?"
He said, "Too many people are looking for one big step that will transform the rest of their lives. The truth of the matter is that lives are more often improved when people turn a good direction and start taking steps. Even if the steps seem small, when folks take enough steps in the right direction, their lives are changed. It's true. When people accept GOD's help, and group-up with friends to help each other follow Jesus and do the next right thing, they are transformed!"
Charlie went on-and-on, saying things about the true essence of the Church that I didn't really understand.
My grandson sat in the sand and talked about, "... whether the Church is, at its core, a community ... suggesting an ecclesiology that opens itself to ecumenism, and whether the interpersonal aspects of the Church are always manifest as the Body of Christ subsisting in a visible society, or whether that thesis is flawed, and the ultimate reality of the Church can be a community of Christ's followers in true fellowship, whether visible or not."
Cute kid.
Charlie eventually finished his monologue, reached down, grabbed a handful of sand and put it in his mouth so I pulled out my iPhone and went to gccwired.com. I wanted to get my own TRANSFORMED book and group-up with some friends to see if GOD might have a breakthrough planned for me.
Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
I was preparing this weekend's talk about the wisdom of "grouping-up" when I read these words from Thomas à Kempis.
"Nature is deceitful and draws away, ensnares, and deceives many, and always has self for her end; but grace walks in simplicity and turns away from every appearance of evil, makes no false pretenses, and does all entirely for the sake of God."
To protect against personal vulnerabilities, and avoid being "ensnared" by his own web of self deceit, à Kempis asked his friends to bravely follow Jesus with him.
"Come, my friends, let us together go forward. Jesus will be with us. For Jesus' sake have we taken up this cross, for Jesus' sake let us persevere in the cross. He will be our helper, who was our captain and forerunner. Our King enters before us, and He will fight for us. Let us follow bravely."
More than 1000 GCC'ers have already registered to "group-up" for GCC's launch of more than 100 groups this weekend. You can participate too. Get your daily journal/study guide book here and register for a GCC group here.
Let us together go forward.
We begin this weekend.
Proverbs 29:6 - By transgression an evil man is ensnared, but the righteous sings and rejoices.
I was able to experience all four services at the Granger Campus on Labor Day Weekend. I wandered around and talked with a zillion people ... and snapped a few pictures between conversations.
Seth Abram led worship and Jason Miller delivered the final talk on HELP: Get Some. Give Some.
Jason nailed it. He set the bar high for next weekend's launch of TRANSFORMED.
Jason suggested GOD is fiercely intentional, yet insists on our freedom.
First. In 1973, Brandon Carter proposed The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, audaciously proclaiming that humanity holds a special place in the Universe. God's fiercely intentional love is apparent in this: "The Universe must have those properties which allow life to develop within it at some stage in its history."
Second. God insists on our freedom, "acting strongly and sweetly" to restrain His omnipotence. This is Kenotic Love: holding back, self-restrained and willingly limited. Paul clarifies Kenosis in his epistle to the Roman Church: "Jesus has always been as God is. But He did not hold to His rights and power as God."
We're going to group-up this fall so we can participate in the Paradox of Divine Love (fiercely intentional and self-restrained to make room).
Get the TRANSFORMED book by Rick Warren here.
I encourage you to buy an extra book and help cover the $15 cost for someone needing a little help. Bring your money next week and buy TRANSFORMED before worship because we'll use it in the services!
Group-up with friends to discuss each weekly topic. Pick a group here.
Philippians 2:3-5 -
Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
Life is brief.
Life is precious, sacred and way, way, way too short.
I must remember to look for opportunity here and for comfort hereafter.
"Whatever I desire for my comfort, I do not look for it here but hereafter. For if I had all the comforts of this world and were able to enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they could not last long. Therefore, my soul, you can be fully comforted and perfectly refreshed only in GOD, the comforter of the poor and the lifter up of the humble. Wait a little while, my soul, wait for the divine promise, and you will have abundance of all good things in heaven." - Thomas à Kempis, The imitation of Christ
John 9:4 - We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
The host pastors of the simulcast sites for Willow Creek's 2014 Leadership Summit have gathered in Chicago to debrief the experience and plan for next year's Summit. Hybels wisely evaluates what was done, so improvements can be made and the work can be done better next year.
We had meetings last night and I was preparing for today's effort when dawn broke over Lake Michigan.
I looked up from my notes on The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis snapped a picture of this sunrise because it was so different from what I'd recently experienced at first-light in the Canadian wilderness.
I was reading these words this morning:
"In all you do, remember the end and how you will stand before a strict Judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge with righteous judgment. ...
Then will it be seen that he who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ was the wise man in this world.
Then will all tribulation patiently borne-delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly will be stopped.
Then will every godly man rejoice, and every profane man will mourn.
Then the humble garment will become beautiful, and the precious robe will be considered vile.
Then the poor cottage will be more commended than the gilded palace.
Then enduring patience will have more might than all the power of the world.
Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.
Then a good conscience will rejoice more than learned philosophy.
Then contempt of riches will have more weight than all the treasure of the children of this world.
Then will you find more comfort in having prayed devoutly than in having lived sumptuously.
Then holy deeds will be far stronger than many fine words.
Then a strict life and sincere penitence will bring deeper pleasure than all earthly delight."
Proverbs 4:18 - The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
I joined some friends for a fishing trip in Canada. We were intent on fishing, reflecting on The Imitation of Christ, and encouraging one another.
We hadn't grouped-up to study caterpillars, but when one of the guys spied this larvae crawling across a rock, we became students of transformation.
I think this is a Luna Moth caterpillar. If it survives it'll soon be transformed into the Luna Moth (Actias luna), one of the most spectacular moths found in North America. It'll be incredible, a moth four inches wide with long, sweeping sea-foam green wings with tails.
Luna Moths don't feed as adults. The energy for their adult stage of transformation is stored while they're in the caterpillar stage of life. The northernmost populations usually feed on white birch trees ... and there were plenty of those around this little guy.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines transformation this way:
trans·for·ma·tion
noun \ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən, -fȯr-\ : a complete or major change in someone's or something's appearance, form, character, etc.
By definition, when I "transform," it'll be obvious because of "a thorough or dramatic change in my form, appearance, or character." The caterpillar does its part and GOD does GOD's part; the caterpillar does what it must do and GOD does what only GOD can do. And only GOD can bring about a true transformation.
Regarding either a moth or a man, only GOD can completely transform a life.
In the next months we're grouping-up at GCC (doing our part), studying the life-giving power of Jesus and inviting GOD to transform our lives (doing what only GOD can do).
In weekend services and groups gathering across Michiana, we're utilizing Transformed, by Rick Warren, as a springboard for growth.
Get ready.
Get the book.
Get in a group.
Transformation is next.
Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
In recent days, I've been with a group of guys discussing Thomas à Kempis' compilation of works titled, The Imitation of Christ.
These words struck me:
"By two wings is a person lifted above earthy things: simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reaches toward GOD purity takes hold of Him."
Psalm 86:11
Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
We found a suitable island, secured our boats and prepared for a shore-lunch of fresh-caught walleye.
I don't know when I've enjoyed a finer meal.
It's amazing where you can end up if you're willing to group-up with a few friends to drive 40 hours in a van, fly two more in a small float-plane and then steer a little fishing boat four or five miles across a lake.
I'm in northern Ontario with men I trust, eating fish and discussing The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. My group is far from anything trending, close to everything unchanging and near something life-giving; every wilderness place reminds me of GOD's Majesty and my utter dependence on Him.
I have my camera with me so I can preserve these sacred moments with more than a fading memory, and so I can tell GOD's Story of Redemption and Restoration with more than words.
It's amazing where you can end up if you're willing to drive fifteen or twenty minutes to a friend's house and carve out some time for meaningful conversation. With a little bit of effort we can all take steps together toward Christ, so let's "Group-up," and we'll wade into an adventure of TRANSFORMATION worth remembering.
Galatians 6:15b - What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers drill neat rows of shallow holes in a tree's bark. They perch as woodpeckers, upright and leaning back on their tails as they repeatedly wound a tree, hammering out columns of drilled "sapwells" that give them access to the tree's sugary sap ... and the little bugs and grubs caught in it.
Brilliant.
( ... and there is more of GOD's brilliance available to you here.)
Proverbs 28:19a - A hard worker has plenty of food.
You don't often see Eagles together, unless they're mating, dealing with the consequences of mating, or fighting.
Of course, there are a few more occasions when Eagles gather, and when they do, it's not as a congress (that's Crows), or a gaggle (that's Geese), or a colony (that's Gulls and Penguins), or a band (that's Jays), or a parliament (that's Owls), or a lamentation (that's Swans).
When Eagles convene, it's as a congregation.
Hmmmmmm.
This prompts me to ask how you will describe our gatherings when we group-up this fall.
Luke 12:24 - "Consider the birds."
My day began with twin reflections.
Daylight's reflection of GOD's creative design declared His Glory and my reflection on the words of Thomas à Kempis reminded me of God's Truth.
"If it seems to you that you know many things and understand them well, know also that there are many more things that you do not know." - The Imitation of Christ
Proverbs 24:32a - When I saw, I reflected ...
GCC Hosted the 2014 Leadership Summit and it was fantastic.
I made a zillion notes and took a few pictures, so I'm posting some random shots from our two days of reflection (fueled by lots of coffee and conversation with friends), I heard some amazing statements and I'm sharing a few of them too.
I pray you are strengthened and encouraged by both.
"The one thing we can’t guarantee is outcomes.
It’s heartbreaking, but we can’t guarantee outcomes.
We can guarantee process.
No one will ever outwork us.
If you trust us, that we’re willing to work hard on your behalf,
invest money on your behalf and play to win,
that’s the best we can offer."
(Jeffrey Immelt)
"Everybody wins when a leader gets better."
(Bill Hybels)
"Use the laughter as the anesthesia to get to the heart of the matter."
(Tyler Perry)
"As soon as you start caring about something,
you’ll have a need for 'crucial conversations.'"
(Joseph Grenny)
"Ask: 'Where are we going?
Why are we going there?
How are we going to get there?
Why is it better than where we are now?'"
Carly Fiorina
"Over time, you will question my decisions, but you will never question my intentions. Over the 12 years, there’s nobody on the team that doesn’t say I put the company first."
(Jeffrey Immelt)
"Only the Senior Leader can bring about the resolve to turn around a culture."
(Bill Hybels)
"GOD says, 'Let the poor come and work your fields.'"
(Brian Loritts)
"There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” environment."
(Susan Cain)
"Anytime you find yourself stuck, ask: What crucial conversation are we not holding or not holding well? Best way to have fewer crucial conversations is to have a meaningless life. As soon as you start to care, you have to start having these."
(Joseph Grenny)
If you're not going to do anything about the answer, then don't ask.
(Wilfredo Jesus
“I like work."
(Jeffrey Immelt)
"It doesn’t help to have structures and process
that have nothing to do with the goals!"
(Carly Fiorina)
1 Peter 5:1-3 - I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like to be a leader, in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
If you were looking for me, you found my blog ... and I'm glad you did.
You may be one of many who signed up to receive my blog posts in your email "Inbox." Unfortunately, you may have noticed that you aren’t receiving them any more.
Apparently there was a subduction of the ocean's tectonic plate that resulted in an interruption of my blog's subscription services. Of course the problem could have resulted from gamma radiation, solar flares, lightning strikes, Yeti activity or hypertension in the Feedburner staffers after rumors of an iPhone 6.
Whatever the case, my genius friends at GCC (Thank you Daryl McMullen!) located the problem. They used a lot of super-glue and duct tape to get us back up and running again.
If you would like to take advantage of the new and improved whizzbang functionality, use the SUBSCRIBE link on the right to get yourself signed back up. If you do, you'll automatically get all my posts in your email.
Take a minute to SUBSCRIBE, and you won't need to search for my blog anymore, because my blog will be sent to your email "inbox" every time I write a post.
Matthew 7:7 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
It won't be long until another generation of world-changers moves out into the deep. Where they're going, they'll need more than little inflatable "floaties" around their arms. They'll need Jesus.
I don't know everything that's ahead for them; I'm neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet. But I do know turbulence increases with depth and distance. The deeper they go, the more resistance they'll face. The more they venture into the un-sounded depths, the more tumultuous their lives will be.
Like it or not, they're heading into the world ... and the world is a violent place. It's hungry. It's angry. It's murderous. News agencies report some very disgruntled people are wielding influence in this world: people willing to do anything to satisfy their lust, assuage their guilt, exert their power and indulge their passions.
The next generation of world-changers is walking into a world that's deep in sin.
One song's well-known lyrics suggest people wading into difficult circumstances can take comfort in the knowledge that "It's 5 o'clock somewhere," and drinking a lot of alcohol can mollify your sense of duty so you just "don't care," but the next generation of world-changers isn't asking for "something tall and strong" so they can waste their days drinking rum cocktails. Instead, they are leaving the beach and moving courageously into the unfathomable depths of a faithful life.
The next generation of world-changers is looking for more than life on the beach. We can either train them, taking them by the hand and leading them with loving discipline and godly advice (as Paul instructed the Christians in Ephesus), or we can come down hard on them and make it difficult for them to obey GOD's commands when life gets tough.
Do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 4:6)
The next generation of world-changers needs our help.
Let's give it.
Let's lead them to Jesus and invite them to follow Jesus with us. Let's train them in righteousness. If we do, they'll be fine, unafraid and fully awakened to GOD's mission, no matter what they face as they go deeper ... and deeper ... and deeper.
Luke 5:4 - Jesus said, "Put out into the deep water ..."
I spend a lot of time bending, kneeling, stooping, bowing down and prostrating myself to capture eye-level photographs.
Getting close and shooting eye-to-eye isn't always easy. In fact, assuming a prone position in inhospitable conditions can be a bit risky, but I like the connection I feel when I'm interacting and eye-to-eye.
It's very engaging to be on the same level, connecting eye-to-eye.
Our encounters take on a new level of intimacy when on equal footing, standing toe-to-toe and looking each other in the eye.
Making an effort to achieve the connection that comes from getting "on the same level" can transform an ordinary interaction into an incredible interchange.
1 Corinthians 8:7-9 implies: "Knowing isn’t everything. If it becomes everything, some people end up as know-it-alls who treat others as know-nothings. Real knowledge isn’t that insensitive. We need to be sensitive to the fact that we’re not all at the same level... ."
The best communication isn't always top-down and authoritative. Good connections aren't always the result of command-and-control demands poured down from self-aggrandizing positions of supremacy and dominance. Sometimes it's best, as my mother would say, to "come down off your high horse."
1 Peter 5:4-5 - You who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for— God has had it with the proud.
Of the six things the Lord hates (the seven things listed in Proverbs 6:16-17 as "abominations to GOD") the Bible first mentions: "a proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others]."
Face-to-face interactions can be magnificent.
No wonder we are so moved by GOD's incarnation!
Things look different because Jesus came down from GOD, looked us "right in the eye" and leveled with us. Things are different because GOD leveled with us!
Philippians 2:8-11 describes GOD's redemptive action this way:
He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GOD's initiative enables our response. GOD's action enables our reaction. GOD's invitation enables our connection with the ONE who dwells above the highest heights.
GOD leveled with us.
Run to HIM.
Psalm 31:1-5
I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
Don’t let me down!
Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
and please—no procrastination!
Your granite cave a hiding place,
your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
You’re my cave to hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain guide.
Free me from hidden traps;
I want to hide in you.
I’ve put my life in your hands.
You won’t drop me,
you’ll never let me down.
Forty seems adequate.
Apparently, forty days are enough to get something done. With that in mind, thousands of us have daily "rigged our sails" to Experience GOD: praying, reading one chapter of Proverbs and FASTING between 4:00-5:00.
GOD is filling our sails with Love, Power and Wisdom. We're not where we were forty days ago. GOD moved us, a'la Jason Miller's brilliant "June 14th Transformers" sermon. (Go here. Click "Now Playing," then click "Series.")
Thank you for making the journey with me. Knowing thousands of us were united, taking daily steps toward Christ and opening our lives to the empowering Spirit of GOD, motivated me to stay the course. We've sailed together for forty days and sharing the voyage has been my great privilege.
That's enough.
Now it's time to do whatever you need to do to "rig your sails" for the another passage. Our next expedition is about to begin. Get ready.
Proverbs 30:7-9 - And then he prayed, “God, I’m asking for two things before I die; don’t refuse me— Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’ If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.”
I'm seeking Wisdom today.
I want to walk in the way of righteousness. I'm listening for Wisdom's voice. I want to receive the instruction of Wisdom, GOD's ancient Wisdom that was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed. GOD's Wisdom was brought forth before the mountains were settled.
So I'll join thousands of GCC'ers: FASTING from 4:00-5:00, praying and reading a chapter of Proverbs today.
Will you?
Proverbs 8:17-25a - Wisdom declares: I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God). My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, and my increase than choice silver. I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches and that I may fill their treasuries. The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old. I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed. When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth.
Here's the conversation that took place in our little rental car a few days ago.
Sheila and I were on our way to the headquarters of the World Methodist Council at Lake Junaluska. I interpreted the humbling invitation to preach there as an assignment from GOD so I accepted the responsibility.
We were about an hour away from Junaluska when I glanced to the side of the road and asked Sheila if she had seen what I thought I saw...
ME: Did you see that?
SHEILA: What?
ME: Back there in the woods. It looked like an elk.
SHEILA: Really?
ME: It's at 9:00 o'clock. ... 8:00 o'clock. ... I'm pulling over ... I've got to see this ... I'm going back there.
SHEILA: Take your camera with you and if it's still there you can get it!
I walked a short distance and there he was: a little bull elk, still in velvet, munching leaves in the forest.
This "pause for a picture of an elk moment" was more than an interruption to my mission; it was a beautiful moment enriching our lives. A late start would have made it impossible for us to stop and enjoy this scene. We would have driven right past if we hadn't built a little margin into our schedule, but because we planned an early arrival, there was enough margin for us to embrace this little serendipity along the way.
I encourage you to create some margin in your schedule as you move through the 38th Day of our 40 Day Experience of GOD. Who knows what may be gained by creating margin for a one-hour-FAST, some prayer and a simple reading of one chapter of Proverbs?
Proverbs 21:5 - Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
- My view of the "PlaneTrain" track under the Atlanta Airport -
Proverbs 3:21-26
Dear friend,
guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You’ll travel safely,
you’ll neither tire nor trip.
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he’ll keep you safe and sound.
'aljf
Sheila and I closed out our day with a remarkable view of The Marshes of Glynn. We were sitting on a bench and watching the sunset when these Great Egrets flew overhead, their long S-curved necks tucked in and their black legs extending far behind the tips of their tails.
It was a fantastic ending to our Sunday at Epworth by the Sea.
Proverbs 23:4-5
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;
wealth sprouts wings
and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
Today is Sunday.
It's Day 36 of our 40-Day-Experience of GOD.
This is your time.
Rig your sails and move through this day with the power and love of Almighty GOD.
Proverbs 15:33 - Fear-of-God is a school in skilled living — first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
- Christ Church Sanctuary -
Charles Wesley conducted the first worship service for the congregation of Christ Church in 1736. Incredibly, Christ Church continues its ministry, serving as an outpost of GOD's Kingdom to this very day, so Sheila and I went inside their building to check it out.
A wonderful member of the church was in the sanctuary. She was nearly as kind as our 1st Impressions volunteers at GCC! She not only turned on some lights so I could take this picture, she also told us stories about the history of her congregation.
One of the stories of Christ Church stirred me.
I'll tell you the tale, as I can recall it, from the notes I made during our brief visit. This is the historical account as it was given to me ...
During the Civil War, Christ Church's building was destroyed by occupying Union troops. The congregation struggled but a devoted young man dedicated his life to rebuild the church as a memorial to his beloved wife.
Anson Green Phelps Dodge, Jr. was 20 years old and filthy rich when he married Ellen and took her on a honeymoon trip around the world. Sadly, she ate contaminated food in India. But before she died, Anson promised her that he would never leave her side. So he put her body in a sealed ebony casket and brought her back to St. Simons Island. He stayed near her casket and crossed the ocean in the hold of the ship so he could keep his promise to his wife.
Dedicated to Christ and serving GOD as an Episcopal priest, he rebuilt Christ Church. The building was finished in 1884 and Anson put Ellen's casket in a vault under the altar where he preached. (Apparently, this guy was one of the original "Promise Keepers.")
Years later, Dodge married Anna Gould. They had a son. When the boy was three years old, he went outside after a worship service at Christ Church and climbed up into a horse-drawn cart. That startled the horse and it bolted, tragically overturning the cart and killing Dodge's son, Anson III.
Dodge focused his grief and started an orphanage for boys that operated on St. Simons Island until 1956.
Heart problems were difficult to diagnose in the late 1800's so nobody realized Dodge had a bad heart until he suddenly died. He was only 38 years old when his weak heart failed him. His wife Anna honored his wishes and immediately excavated Ellen's casket. She placed the bodies of Anson and Ellen in a crypt and buried them, side-by-side, in the Christ Church cemetery.
Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church worked together to honor John and Charles Wesley with this memorial; it's an eighteen-foot tall, fifteen-ton Celtic Cross of solid granite.
The Wesley brothers were Anglican priests and founders of Methodism. Who can know, on this side of heaven, the impact of their lives? It is grand. It is glorious. It is far beyond my grasp.
Proverbs 12:14 - People will be rewarded for what they say, and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
“That is what worship is all about. It is the glad shout of praise that arises to God the creator and God the rescuer from the creation that recognizes its maker, the creation that acknowledges the triumph of Jesus the Lamb. That is the worship that is going on in heaven, in God's dimension, all the time. The question we ought to be asking is how best we might join in.” - N.T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense
Today I spent some time talking with really bright people about some of the issues of the day. I wasn't preaching until 10:45 so it seemed a good way to invest the morning.
One of our discussion topics could be summarized this way: "If righteousness is defined as what I decide it should be, I am a righteous man. However, if righteousness is GOD's purview, I'm wise to adjust my life to GOD's already existent standard of righteousness."
It was a good discussion.
Proverbs 21:21 - Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Only nine days remain in our 40 Day Experience of GOD.
I have a recommendation: pray for GOD to fill you, FAST daily from 4:00 to 5:00 and schedule time each day to read any of the thirty-one chapters of Proverbs. That's what Sheila and I will be doing as we maximize the remaining days of our experience. Today I'm pondering Wisdom's voice in Proverbs 29.
"Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better." — Harry S. Truman
As Day 32 began, I found myself on the sidewalk leading to the Lovely Lane Chapel at Georgia's United Methodist Conference Center. Nobody was strolling through the scene so I stopped and grabbed a quick picture before heading into my next session.
This building is not the first of its kind. The original Lovely Lane Chapel was built in Baltimore in 1774. Ten years later it became a place of historic significance.
Here's why ...
John Wesley had been sending English pastors to work with American colonists since the 1760's but the Revolution sent most of them packing. Almost all those preachers returned to England when the war broke out, but not Francis Asbury. He stayed with the colonists and earned the respect of the preachers under Wesley's authority.
The Revolution created an understandable rift between the Methodist converts in America and England's Anglican priests. Wesley begrudgingly considered sending Thomas Coke to America to superintend Asbury in his work there. After the Bishop of London rejected Wesley's request for him to send a bishop to oversee the American church's work, Wesley sent Coke across the Atlantic with orders to ordain Asbury to superintend the colonial Methodists.
Asbury didn't go for it.
He recognized his ordination would mean much more to the colonists if his authority was granted by their election, so he sent messengers to invite his preachers to conference in the Lovely Lane Chapel. As a consequence, Asbury's rise to ecclesiastical power was meteoric. He was ordained as a deacon on Christmas Day, ordained an elder the next day and (with the unanimous support of the pastors inside the Lovely Lane Chapel) Thomas Coke laid hands on Asbury to ordain him as bishop the day after that.
The leadership strategy for American Methodism was established then and there, at the Christmas Conference of 1784.
Their declared purpose was: “to reform the continent and to spread scriptural holiness through these lands.” Those three days at Lovely Lane Chapel changed our country and the ordination of Francis Asbury positioned Methodism to change the world. Coke later said of Asbury, "In the presence of Mr. Asbury I feel myself a child. He is, in my estimation, the most apostolic man I ever saw, except Mr. Wesley."
Proverbs 29:2 - When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
- George Wright Prayer Tower at Epworth by the Sea, St Simons Island, GA -
After reading the thirty preceding chapters of Proverbs, we come to Day 31 of our 40 Day Experience of GOD: reading scripture, praying for GOD's Spirit to fill us and FASTING together from 4:00 to 5:00.
I'm experiencing GOD today at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island.
I'm here to preach throughout the course of the 2014 Georgia Pastors' School. It's an incredible opportunity for hundreds of United Methodist Clergy to experience connection, community and training. Sheila is beside me on this assignment, and her faithful example of devotion to Christ is especially encouraging to many of the clergy spouses participating in this week's school. We are working together, side-by-side in the life GOD gives us.
Not every pastor knows the joy of shared ministry with a loving spouse. In fact, John Wesley, the Anglican Clergyman who founded the movement of "the people called 'methodist'" was only a few miles from where I'm sitting when he "courted" an intelligent, beautiful woman ( Sophia Hopkey Williamson) ... but their relationship didn't turn out well; ending in controversy, embroiling him in serious court proceedings and, eventually, forcing him from the Georgia colony.
John Wesley knew a lot, but he didn't know a lot about women.
In his own words, from his meticulous personal Journal, he describes the end his pursuit of Sophia, and her rebound response to the breakup.
On March 4, 1737, Wesley wrote of his need for wise counsel. He simply didn't trust himself to resolve his relationship with Sophia. He chronicles his dilemma with these words:
"'From directions I received' from God this day touching an affair of the greatest importance, I could not but observe, as I have done many times, the entire mistake of those who assert, "God will not answer your prayer, unless your heart be wholly resigned to His will." My heart was not wholly resigned to His will. Therefore, not daring to depend on my own judgment, I cried the more earnestly to Him to supply what was lacking in me. And I know and am assured He heard my voice, and did send forth His light and His truth.'"
Three days later, after ending their relationship, he added to his private Journal:
"March 7.—When I walked with Mr. Causton, to his country lot, I plainly felt that had God given me such a retirement' with the companion I desired, I should have forgot the work for which I Was born, and have set up my rest in this world."
The very next day Wesley notes:
"March 8.—Miss Sophy engaged herself to Mr. Williamson."
A few days later, Sophia was married:
"On Saturday, 12th, they were married at Purrysburgh; this being the day which completed the year from my first speaking to her. What Thou doest, O God, I know not now; but I shall know hereafter.'"
John Wesley shared his disappointment with his brother Samuel, who responded with words only a brother could get away with; in summary he said, "You are pitiful. You blew it." Samuel wrote:
"I am sorry you are disappointed in one match, because you are very unlikely to find another."
So what's my point?
Simply this: Oh! How I thank Almighty GOD for my wife Sheila!
When John Wesley came here as a young Anglican Clergyman, he failed to accomplish everything he intended, but he accomplished more than he knew. Those who followed him recognized his impact. George Whitefleld, who landed in Georgia on May 7th, 1738 (shortly after John Wesley fled Georgia and went back to England) spoke eloquently of the results of his friend’s work in Georgia.
“The good Mr. John Wesley has done in America is inexpressible. His name is very precious among the people, and he has laid a foundation that I hope neither men nor devils will ever be able to shake. Oh that I may follow him as he has followed Christ.”
As I considered Whitefield's words of praise for Methodism's founder (in the light of Proverbs 31) I came to this thought: "Apparently, a capable, trustworthy, encouraging, virtuous wife (who comforts her husband and does him only good) is not a prerequisite requirement for serving GOD ... but if you are a married man, it's nice to have an encouraging wife."
So, when I took this picture I prayed for all the men and women who'll become husbands and wives in the little chapel beneath this Prayer Tower at Epworth by the Sea.
Proverbs 31 inspired my prayer. "Father, make all those who become husbands here, honorable men who are worthy of respect. I pray you will empower every woman who stands in this chapel and pledges herself in marriage, to encourage and comfort her husband, as long there is life within her. In the strong Name of Jesus. Amen."
A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
GCC is engaging 40 days in unity: fasting from all food from 4:00-5:00 each day, seeking Wisdom by reading a chapter of Proverbs each day and praying we'll experience GOD's presence each day.
This is Day 30 and I'm praying the Spirit of GOD will fill your sails with the power, love and truth you need to move your life towards the Kingdom of Heaven.
Reading today's text increased my resolve to notice some of the details of life I might normally overlook.
Proverbs 30: 28 - The lizard you can seize with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.
I remember sitting on the piano bench for hours. It must have been hours because I can still sing, "Porcupines have prickly quills. Don't go near their favorite hills. If you do you'll have bad luck. And you surely will get stuck." How could I possibly recall such a tune if it hadn't been relentless drilled into me as a child?
My mom made me practice piano 30 minutes a day. That was a horrible experience. As everyone who ever practiced piano knows, all children are universally bound by "The Inverse Law of Piano Happiness," which states, “The more a child hates practicing piano, the more each ‘minute’ spent sitting on the piano bench feels like ‘hours.’” By the time I was ten, I had played piano my entire life.
My mother must have been oblivious to the otherwise well-known "Inverse Law of Piano Happiness" because she made me sit alone on the piano bench and practice piano, day-after-day, for six years. I can't imagine how she must must have suffered during those 30 minutes of separation each day. I was alone but that meant she had to be alone too. Every day she made me practice, it meant she didn't have me at her side. What must it have been like for her to have a few minutes alone, with nothing but piano music filling our house? It must have been difficult for her.
Eventually, Mom faced the truth. Forcing me to sit alone on our piano bench (even if I was vigorously pounding the piano keys) simply wasn‘t turning me into a pianist.
The day came when Mom surrendered her role as my piano teacher and asked her friend Claire to take me as her student. (Of course, I never called her Claire. I always referred to her as “Mrs. DeVoe,” or “Ma’am,” because my parents promised me painful consequences if I spoke to an adult with an insolent tone or with disrespectful terms. My dad, who was big on discipline, meant it when he said: “Give honor where honor is due.” So I did.
We had no money so I assume my mother bartered with Claire for my lessons.
Mom threw out one of those, “I’ll teach all your kids to play piano if you'll just try to teach Mark.”
I didn’t learn to play Rachmaninoff. I didn't soar to the pinnacle of success as a concert pianist. But with Mrs. DeVoe’s help I learned a lot and still to this day I can go to a piano’s keyboard and find “Middle C” with almost no trouble at all.
Proverbs 29:15b - A child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame.
Day after day we're hoisting our sails to experience GOD.
Today we're reading Proverbs 28, FASTING between 4:00-5:00 and praying for GOD's Presence, Power and Love to completely fill us.
There is Wisdom in GOD's Word.
Get it.
1 The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food [plundering them of their last morsels].
4 Those who forsake the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law [of God and man] contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but they who crave and seek the Lord understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity than he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways, though he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons andthe carousing, self-indulgent, and extravagant shames his father.
8 He who by charging excessive interest and who by unjust efforts to get gain increases his material possession gathers it for him [to spend] who is kind and generous to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law [of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God].
10 Whoever leads the upright astray into an evil way, he will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes and conceit, but the poor man who has understanding will find him out.
12 When the [uncompromisingly] righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; but when the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the Lord] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a ravenous and charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is [like a wicked one] a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness and unjust gain shall prolong his days.
17 If a man willfully sheds the blood of a person [and keeps the guilt of murder upon his conscience], he is fleeing to the pit (the grave) and hastening to his own destruction; let no man stop him!
18 He who walks uprightly shall be safe, but he who willfully goes in double and wrong ways shall fall in one of them.
19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless people andpursuits will have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons and to show partiality is not good, neither is it good that man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 He who has an evil and covetous eye hastens to be rich and knows not that want will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, This is no sin—he is in the same class as [an open, lawless robber and] a destroyer.
25 He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enrichedand blessed.
26 He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves; but when they perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become many.
- Jerusalem, Kidron Valley -
Proverbs 27:20 - Death and the grave are never satisfied, and neither are we.
Proverbs 26:1 - It shouldn’t snow in summer or rain at harvest. Neither should a foolish person ever be honored.
In the chronicles of Israel's history, there is a listing of the sons of Israel by family heads, commanders and captains, and other officers who served King David. They were the ones responsible for taking care of King David’s property.
An old-fashioned notion suggests that people entrusted with responsibility are either faithful or they're not. If they are faithful they can be trusted; if they're not they can only be trusted to abandon their posts and betray their comrades, their king and quite possibly their country.
The issue is character, not challenge. It's faithfulness, not degree-of-difficulty.
Can anyone read the history of the Church and think people were faithful because they had it easy? Who imagines it was not difficult for Christ's disciples to spread The Gospel around the world, making disciples of all nations and teaching people to obey everything Jesus commanded?
We have responsibility.
With that in mind, I've been reading Proverbs and seeking Wisdom. I've been FASTING every day between 4:00 and 5:00. I've been asking GOD to fill every corner of my life. And on this 25th day of our 40 day experience of GOD, I'm asking King Jesus, "What have you charged me to do? What is my responsibility?"
To keep me focused today I'm singing an old hymn written by Charles Wesley.
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill:
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!
Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured if I my Lord betray,
I shall forever die.
I have a charge to keep.
So do you.
Stay faithful.
1 Chronicles 27:30 - Obil the Ismaelite was in charge of the camels.
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