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Posted in Mary’s Obituary Guestbook December 5, 2008 |
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I stopped by Mary’s tent today (2 Cor 5:1-3). I wanted to say I’m sorry for not visiting more; I’m sorry for not taking the time to get to know you better,and learn from you; I’m sorry for being selfish with my time, and not calling to see how I could pray for you today; I’m selfishly sorry I never got to lead worship with you, but I told you to save me a spot in the band so I will soon!
After my bout of lamenting, and as I approached her tent site an older gentleman was putting flowers in the fresh sand above Mary’s site. His wife of 38 years died last Wed. and was buried right above Mary. We got to talking, and he’s already met one other person visiting Mary, and telling of her great life and legacy, and he would like to have her new CD when it is out. His brother knows my Pastor. Small world. He attends a church already but would like to visit ours. We spoke of the hope we have in Christ, and then I got the wonderful privelage of praying with him. Thank you, Lord, for divine appointments, and for Mary whose life continues to be a blessing even to strangers passing by. |
Archive for December, 2008
Perspective 32A
Written 11/7/08 after arriving in Utah
I always love flying into Salt Lake. There’s something slightly indescribable about flying over the Colorado Rockies, and on into Utah. After looking down the entire range of the snow covered Rockies you approach the snow-capped Wasatch range of Utah. There’s a point where you break over the mountains and into the Salt Lake Valley. It’s gorgeous. Although it wasn’t the case this time, nothing compares to flying in at sunset. As you descend the sun seems to set perpetually as it glows on the mountains, and on the Great Salt Lake.
When I fly I am always overcome by the creativity, the majesty, and complexity of God’s creation. I’m also humbled, and in awe of His great sovereignty. When the plane is approaching the destination airport, and we lose altitude I begin to see the smallest glimpse of just how big God really is. As I sit in seat 32A I can see miles and miles of highway, thousands of houses, cars, places of business etc., I’m stunned at how much God really has in control. I can watch a particular car and wonder if there is a family in it, or a dad coming home from work, or a mom running to the grocery store. I can look down that same road for miles and see exactly what they are driving toward. In a sense I can see their future.
Isn’t that God’s perspective, but on a much larger scale? I don’t know the driver I watch far below me, but if I saw that they were headed towards danger, and I could warn them I would do everything I could to get a message to them to stop. Would you not do the same? How much more does our Father in Heaven do? His life, death, and His Word to us…do you really dare to ask for more?
When it seems like He’s distant, remember that His perspective is one we cannot even fathom. He’s sees things we cannot. He perceives things we cannot. He orchestrates things no human can touch. The bigness of God is like my trying to explain to an ant what an airplane is. The ant has not even a point of reference to begin to attempt to understand the largeness of the machine, how it works, why it works the way it does, yet it may at its basic understanding know that its function is to move people in it; it is safe.
We may not be much better than an ant, but God is so much more than an airplane. We cannot; we MUST not view God by earthly, human terms. Although He gives us the love of a mother, or the provision of a father, or the kindness of a stranger to show His character, we have no business try to bring Him down to a faulty, earthly reference point. We first seek to understand God through our miserable means, then we blame Him when He doesn’t act in the way we thought He should, as if we have a clue. How arrogant we are at times with the Lord. Truly it is a wonder He allows us to take our next breath the way we treat Him, and even more disturbingly how we represent Him to others.
So, the next time you have no clue what He’s up to, or you’re wondering if He’s even involved at all remember the 32A perspective, and trust Him. Trust Him with everything in you – not because you feel like it, but because He’s worth being trusted.
Utah Desert Song
Written 11/10/08 in Utah
“…My soul thirsts for you; My flesh longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water,”
Psalm 63:1.
I never feel as alone as I do when I travel to Utah. I feel as though I travel into the past taking along my ever-growing, ever-changing self. This self does not belong. This self is unknown to everyone still residing here. It comforts me to know that at least one friend in particular, though our lives are becoming increasingly, vastly different still remains a close friend indeed. We agree on much less than we used to; we disagree on much more than we used to; we have little in common these days, but we have too much history, and too solid a friendship to let any of that really matter. I thank God for that.
My faith is not tested by any greater means than being here. The memories (largely negative), the lack of common faith, the absence of anything resembling what my life has become proves to be intensely lonely. There is no fellowship here, and it takes my being here to realize how I take friendship with fellow believers for granted. I take going to church, Fusion, listening to teaching online etc., all for granted. It amazes me how much simply being living in a town with your Christ-following friends are can be hugely encouraging. There rarely is much time that goes by where I am not somehow encouraged, lifted up, challenged or held accountable. Even if it simply means getting an email from, or talking on the phone to a brother or sister who shares my faith it proves to be sustaining a flow of the Spirit’s strength I do not even realize is a constant in my everyday life. There is much to be said about daily interaction with fellow Christ followers. Please, do not take it for granted.
I have been spiritually stretched, challenged, tried, and pushed on mission trips. I have been tested through relationships, and through circumstances. I have been severely attacked in ministry. Yet none of these is without some sort of support-tangible, in-person support and guidance. My faith is tested in unmatched ways here because: It is all familiar, semi-predictable so that I can lean on past experiences instead of God’s fresh strength and perspective for today. I have no spiritually support here save the Holy Spirit Himself, and He is more than sufficient. The Lord is my strength, and my shield; He is my defense. He is all I need, and I am never more reminded of that than when I am here, when I have no representation of Him, but it is then I am forced to draw solely upon His Word, and communion with Him. I often take fellowship with others as fellowship with Him-they are vastly different. I need the Source. Father, forgive me to leaning elsewhere and not completely on You. Thank you that my lack of faith does not nullify Your faithfulness. May I continually drink of Your living water.
I want to leave you with the link to Hillsong’s “Desert Song.” The lyrics sustained me during this trip, and since.
Mars Hill
So I’ve been listening to Mark Driscoll’s “The Peasant Princess” series online, and it’s phenomenal. Refreshingly blunt, honest, and soaked in the Word. It’s insightful, challenging, and encouraging.
I’m now listening to some of his older teachings on Proverbs. If you want to see how extremely timeless, and practical the Word of God is take a listen.
These are my words, but chew on this thought from Mark Driscoll: How many women have read Proverbs 31? Yeah, practically every Christian woman. How many MEN have read it? Hardly any, unless it’s to think of what kind of wife he should have, and doesn’t. How often have we considered what kind of man is behind the Prov 31 woman? I know I haven’t. If your wife isn’t lovely, or kind, or respectful… then love her more…cultivate that in her. This works both ways, and it’s powerful. How much better would our relationships be if we did not focus on the negative, but only encouraged the positive in one another?
