Archive - December, 2009

12.30.2009

December 30, 2009 in Christian Life, Journal with 0 Comments

The way in which we live our lives makes it terribly difficult to “get lost” in Jesus. It takes very little to throw us off track. One misstep or one unexpected kink in the plans and things can spiral out of control.

The American way of life, in particular, simply isn’t conducive to it. I’m frustrated. For me, it’s back to the drawing board. And yet, I sense that the moment I create another “plan,” something is going to happen to thwart it. Maybe, just maybe, God wants me to quit trying to plan things out. Maybe the “plan” is an obstacle to living live through Jesus?

12.27.2009

December 27, 2009 in Parenting with 1 Comment

This morning Tisha and I sat in on a bible class on parenting. It consisted of a video where a man presented material based on the story of the prodigal son. It was well done.

Earlier this year, I read Henri Nouwen’s book on the prodigal story. I couldn’t help but reflect upon how I was so unlike the parable’s father figure. It just proved how far removed I am from the heart of the Father.

Interestingly enough, as I see it, the material presented in the video pushed the parenting envelope. The regular attendees of the class suggested that what was being taught, principally, was unique by way of the prodigal story. And such makes sense. Given what we’ve been taught about parenting, the prodigal’s father did everything wrong.

  1. He didn’t put his foot down to his son when he demanded his inheritance. Remember, demanding his inheritance was tantamount to saying, “I wish you were dead.”
  2. He didn’t rub it in his son’s face, upon his return, suggesting he was stupid for what he did.
  3. He didn’t punish him, but instead he had compassion on him and threw him a party.

These are just a few of the noteworthy things that the father didn’t do. Yet, many of us would suggest that such was poor parenting, wouldn’t we?  But isn’t the father…God? Does that even matter? Does it, in any way, make a difference in how I should live out my own personal, fatherhood? It should. But to do so would send mixed messages wouldn’t it?

I’m glad I sat in that class today. It got me to thinking more about whose pattern should we be following. It wasn’t the same old tired mantra we’ve heard for years. It challenged us to see parenting from God’s perspective…something I simply haven’t done.

12.23.2009…..5:15 PM-Texas Time

December 23, 2009 in Journal with 0 Comments

Am sitting in the computer station drinking a Venti Pike Place from Starbucks at the Lubbock airport, waiting for my 6:30 PM (CST) flight to Houston Hobby. The funeral this morning went really well. We got the graveside service in, too, before the weather really got bad. It was starting to sleet as we left Clovis. At the moment, it’s only raining in Lubbock. I’m just hoping the real arctic air doesn’t get here until after my departure time. It’s relatively quiet at the airport. I am actually shocked by how quiet it is, given tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

Yesterday I got to spend some time with James Jones. He is now working with the Church of Christ in Dimmitt, TX. I’ve known of him for years, but had never met him face to face until yesterday evening. It was great to meet his family. I’m glad he is in the area, and look forward to getting to know him better. I encouraged the Dimmitt church to consider him, and they wound up hiring him. He has a great passion for Jesus and has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me.

Can’t wait to see my family tonight. Tisha and the kids had Christmas last night with the Gappas in Dallas. I wanted to be there so badly. I know they had a good time. Haven’t seen the Gappas since they came out to visit us in September.

Have been looking hard into the approach Jesus took with his disciples, specifically, in how he really was implementing a mentoring program throughout his own personal ministry. I’ve been giving considerable attention to mentoring, in general, because I really think it was the Savior’s choice of method in developing disciples. To a great extent, that’s been what my whole purpose behind this “The Get Lost Project” has been. I am making this Jesus’ time to mentor me into one of his disciples.

Just having taken these initial steps has worked wonders for me. I can only imagine what will happen as I continue. Maybe, just maybe, in “getting lost,” I’ll find my own personal fulfillment of 2 Corinthians 3:18.

God bless to you all. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

12.22.2009…..6:48am

December 22, 2009 in Journal with 5 Comments

Yesterday, my friend Alva Carter Jr. went way out of his way to be bestow great grace. I was right. God is up to something around here. I cannot afford to not be part of it. Later, after meeting with the Baileys about the Wednesday funeral, Fred and Delores Eichenberger invited me over for dinner and MNF. Dinner was great but MNF was laughable. Tisha called while I was there; she and the kids safely made it to her sister’s in Rockwall. For that I am grateful.

Allen McKinney, the associate minister at 16th & Pile, has coordinated an effort to supply needy families with meals for Christmas. Yesterday I went to Albertsons and picked up a turkey and sides to deliver to a family here in Clovis. They lived in a neighborhood I had yet to visit. Life there is hard, much harder than I would have imagined. They invited me in and were very grateful for the food. The mother even gave me a hug.

It felt good to cross the tracks, bestow grace though a simple meal, and yet not ask myself, “I wonder how they got like this?” It doesn’t matter how or why. What matters is that they are in need, and this Christmas they will have something to eat.

In the past I’ve been resistant to the Bible’s teaching on social justice because I was fearful that “a social gospel would produce social sponges.” I even used Jesus’ own words to substantiate my resistance (John 6:26-27). It’s funny though that Jesus knew all this and he did it nonetheless. So shouldn’t we?

12.21.2009

December 21, 2009 in Journal with 2 Comments

I just posted an announcement about my desire to journal in an effort to find the fulfillment of Colossians 3:3. I think I’m going to entitle this “The Get Lost Project.” Yes. I like that a lot.

The time frame on this project is 2010, but I’m going to try to hit the ground running by getting started in 2009. There’s no sense in waiting. I want to gather momentum.

Today I was to start a week of vacation. Our family was planning to head to the Metroplex for a few days before Christmas. Tisha’s sister lives in Rockwall. Of course, our other family, the Gappas, live in Dallas. Too, we still have a lot of friends there from our time in Frisco. I wound up, though, sending Tisha and the kids along without me. I’m staying in Clovis to officiate a funeral on Wednesday. I’m going to meet up with Tisha and her family in Houston late Wednesday night.

My plan, now, is to use the time reading, reflecting, as well as getting ready for a funeral. I sense I really need to add margin to my life. That’s “margin” not “margarine.” (That’s for you Brian Nicklaus!) I hate not being with my family, but things happen for a reason. I’ve squandered too many opportunities to grow spiritually of late. I think my family will appreciate it in the end.

Last night I spoke about the importance of passing on the gifts of Forgiveness, Faith, and Friendship. These are invaluable gifts that, consequently, don’t cost a dime! Gotta love that!

In all seriousness, though, such is the nature of grace. We bestow God’s grace through our own actions, passing on from one generation to another the graciousness of a God who gives us what we don’t deserve. I love how Paul equates the immense generosity of the Macedonian churches with grace granted by God (2 Corinthians 8:1ff). Grace is “the gift that keeps on giving.” Literally.

One who’s become a rock solid friend here approached me last night saying, “Man, I needed that.” He really made my day. Of course, as I spoke about friendship, he, along with others, was in view. I hope he sensed it. I think he did.

There is the potential to create something great here at 16th & Pile. Strong bonds are being formed. I think that’s the way Jesus would have it.I’m gratefully that God is letting me be a part of it.

Well, it’s lunchtime here in NM. After lunch I’m to meet with the Darrell’s family to iron out details for his funeral. Please pray that I’m able to say the right things!
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