“Do it again!” So, I did it again!
“Do it again!” Like any obedient grandfather, I did it again, and again, and again!
My youngest granddaughter was sitting at the piano keyboard. I was sitting at the computer, entering music notation. I had just allowed the computer to play the composition.
Until that moment, she had been acting like she perceived her grandpa to be – all over the keyboard – using all of the sounds, but making no logical “sense”!
I have purposely been doing this, not only as a kindness to others in our musical team at the church, but also as a personal discipline in adding “virtue to my faith”, (2 Peter 1:5), in an area of natural weakness – sight reading.
Earlier in the morning, I had been studying the biblical record of Palm Sunday. The spontaneous response of the crowd was to get excited over a donkey, what palm branches could be used for, and to use their vocal chords in praise!
The simple spontaneity of the moment was worth more to God, than all the success of all the highly organized religious structures of the day.
I realized something this morning – all of my dogged determination to get something right, is counterproductive unless it can capture the heart of a child!
The Psalmist said, “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2 ESV) Jesus added his own commentary, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?” (Matthew 21:16 ESV)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
An Innocent Lamb
God meant what He said! But most importantly, we see it by what he actually did when –
1. He sent Jesus, God’s own innocent Lamb, knowing that we could trust Him!
2. This instilled desires within us, to be like Him in situations we encountered!
3. Change then began to come all around, as well as in our relationships!
4. Simple service kept us on track, when natural passion ran low!
5. Victory became a possibility, even though at times very costly and painful!
6. Humility became very appropriate, when finally recognizing justice!
7. The needs of others began to inspire true kindness!
8. Spiritual fruitfulness came, in the atmosphere of authentic love!
A personal reflection on the meaning of 2 Peter 1:3-11
1. He sent Jesus, God’s own innocent Lamb, knowing that we could trust Him!
2. This instilled desires within us, to be like Him in situations we encountered!
3. Change then began to come all around, as well as in our relationships!
4. Simple service kept us on track, when natural passion ran low!
5. Victory became a possibility, even though at times very costly and painful!
6. Humility became very appropriate, when finally recognizing justice!
7. The needs of others began to inspire true kindness!
8. Spiritual fruitfulness came, in the atmosphere of authentic love!
A personal reflection on the meaning of 2 Peter 1:3-11
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Trunk Lids and Flash Drives
It was one of those mornings!
I went to the garage on my way to work, wanting to make the “finish line” of my day as delightful as the start. Suddenly, I remembered that I had forgotten to take the project with me that I had intended to do that very day! It was on a small flash drive, still plugged into my computer in the house! I ran back inside, retrieved it, and got back in the car.
By now I was running late, so I began to “multi-task”. I pushed the garage door opener just before I started the car, only to have another frantic thought that I had not pushed the garage door opener! Would you believe it, I then actually pushed it again, as I started to back out. Horrified, I realized that the garage door was now headed for the top of my car! The awful screech revealed that the last move was totally futile!
Personal regrets, fear of failure, how others view us, narrow time constraints, are all arch-enemies of life. Ironically, none of them are really in our sphere of control. Like supersonic planes, we struggle getting through our own “sound barrier”. The wiser we become, the more determined we become, yet more susceptible to failure.
Passion and precision are crucial – but we take great risks when things we cannot control blur the picture! Why would we risk those for external proofs of the same? Jesus once let a dear friend die, when he could have healed him right on the spot. When he finally arrived on the scene, he was severely criticized! His spirit demonstrated the true meaning of excellence, as he raised him from the dead! (See the story in John 11:1-45.)
I went to the garage on my way to work, wanting to make the “finish line” of my day as delightful as the start. Suddenly, I remembered that I had forgotten to take the project with me that I had intended to do that very day! It was on a small flash drive, still plugged into my computer in the house! I ran back inside, retrieved it, and got back in the car.
By now I was running late, so I began to “multi-task”. I pushed the garage door opener just before I started the car, only to have another frantic thought that I had not pushed the garage door opener! Would you believe it, I then actually pushed it again, as I started to back out. Horrified, I realized that the garage door was now headed for the top of my car! The awful screech revealed that the last move was totally futile!
Personal regrets, fear of failure, how others view us, narrow time constraints, are all arch-enemies of life. Ironically, none of them are really in our sphere of control. Like supersonic planes, we struggle getting through our own “sound barrier”. The wiser we become, the more determined we become, yet more susceptible to failure.
Passion and precision are crucial – but we take great risks when things we cannot control blur the picture! Why would we risk those for external proofs of the same? Jesus once let a dear friend die, when he could have healed him right on the spot. When he finally arrived on the scene, he was severely criticized! His spirit demonstrated the true meaning of excellence, as he raised him from the dead! (See the story in John 11:1-45.)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Buyer's Remorse
“That is not what I wanted”, I grumbled in buyer’s remorse, as I opened the new cassette tape duplicator after getting home from a thirty mile round trip each way! It was crushed on one side!
I was not happy! It was the third trip I had made in a week, to buy one! The first one was reasonable in price, but inferior in quality, so I returned it.
We lived in the country. The nearest store was a fifteen minute trip. Others were significantly more.
I had found joy in duplicating tapes of our church services to share with those who were unable to come. God had blessed it before, and there were those who were happy to help underwrite this ministry. However, the task was getting larger, and I wanted to do it faster.
I wrapped up the flawed equipment, (on a Saturday evening), and drove the thirty miles again, praying that I would get there in time, and also searching out my motives. I finally arrived five minutes before closing time. They exchanged it without a problem.
“Why did you put me through all of this for a silly tape duplicator”, I grumbled to the Lord, acting no better than Jonah did after Ninevah had repented! Read Jonah 4:1-4.
A deep consciousness of God’s Word was clear, “I wanted you to get one that would last the longest, and do the best job for my ministry through you.”
I had seen the need so clearly that I had forgotten that there was much more at stake than I realized. There was the design; the manufacturing process; the shipping, and the marketing! In fact, with so many factors, it was amazing that I did as well as I did.
A little embarrassed, I realized that I had forgotten that this was not merely “my” ministry – it was God’s! Had I not been praying? Had I not been using tapes as a ministry and encouragement to those in need? Did not all of this prove it was His ministry? Why wouldn’t he want others to do it right, too? Maybe they didn’t know they were serving the Lord? Maybe if they realized that, they would do a better job?
Could this not apply to any activity of our lives that we are trying to do for the Lord? 1 Corinthians 3:9.
The flaws I had encountered proved that Someone else owned what I was doing, and wanted to make sure it was worthy of His Support.
I remembered that what I do for others, I really do for the Lord. If there are troubles along the way, maybe He is helping others do His job the way it should be done as well.
I was not happy! It was the third trip I had made in a week, to buy one! The first one was reasonable in price, but inferior in quality, so I returned it.
We lived in the country. The nearest store was a fifteen minute trip. Others were significantly more.
I had found joy in duplicating tapes of our church services to share with those who were unable to come. God had blessed it before, and there were those who were happy to help underwrite this ministry. However, the task was getting larger, and I wanted to do it faster.
I wrapped up the flawed equipment, (on a Saturday evening), and drove the thirty miles again, praying that I would get there in time, and also searching out my motives. I finally arrived five minutes before closing time. They exchanged it without a problem.
“Why did you put me through all of this for a silly tape duplicator”, I grumbled to the Lord, acting no better than Jonah did after Ninevah had repented! Read Jonah 4:1-4.
A deep consciousness of God’s Word was clear, “I wanted you to get one that would last the longest, and do the best job for my ministry through you.”
I had seen the need so clearly that I had forgotten that there was much more at stake than I realized. There was the design; the manufacturing process; the shipping, and the marketing! In fact, with so many factors, it was amazing that I did as well as I did.
A little embarrassed, I realized that I had forgotten that this was not merely “my” ministry – it was God’s! Had I not been praying? Had I not been using tapes as a ministry and encouragement to those in need? Did not all of this prove it was His ministry? Why wouldn’t he want others to do it right, too? Maybe they didn’t know they were serving the Lord? Maybe if they realized that, they would do a better job?
Could this not apply to any activity of our lives that we are trying to do for the Lord? 1 Corinthians 3:9.
The flaws I had encountered proved that Someone else owned what I was doing, and wanted to make sure it was worthy of His Support.
I remembered that what I do for others, I really do for the Lord. If there are troubles along the way, maybe He is helping others do His job the way it should be done as well.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
DISCERNMENT AND "NOISE"
“That’s better”, I thought, as I listened to the song I had just recorded. I had listened to it with my new “noise-cancelling” headphones! The highs were clear as the sound of a knife on crystalline glass; the lows like the rumble of distant thunder; clarity was superb!
The manufacturer had used “active noise control”, (ANC). Positive (+) sound waves from the outside are played as negative (–) “anti-noise” sounds in my ears, allowing only the pure sounds from the recording to reach my ears.
“That’s it!”, I thought, when I reflected on it, in light of Jesus’ instruction on banquets. What does a banquet have to do with recording? Simply that I was preparing this for others to listen to! That’s what makes it like a banquet! He had told them to be discerning. (Luke 14:12-14.)
Later in the day, while out and about in my car, I began to comprehend it! It was one of those “aha” moments. “You’ve got to deal with the noise to truly hear music”. I grinned to myself mischievously, “This means you’ve got to put on your ‘Jesus’ headphones, when you record and share!”
I then absent-mindedly I walked into a local coffee shop to meet a friend. Suddenly, reality settled in . . . !
“Not again,” I thought. “When will they ever start remembering my senior discount!” I had just purchased tea and a bagel, and they had charged me full price – again!
I know, I know, that sounds really petty. But I told myself that I honestly try not to be demanding while I remind them of my age, pointing to my bald head!
(Oh, by the way, I recently heard of someone who had decided to make the best of his bald head experience, by having a small tattoo of a person with a lawnmower placed at his hair line!)
I chose not to say anything. As I did, however, a twinge of false guilt came over me, because I felt I needed every discount I could get! After all, that is a quarter! Four purchases later I could have another tea and a bagel free! “A stitch in time saves nine!” (See Stitch-in-Time)
That feeling followed me for a while, until I remembered that the waitress may not have had very many good experiences with white-headed men and women like me that day. With new understanding, I began to pray that she would have a good day, and would experience more joy in her job.
Later I even bought a pop and a Danish for a person who had just lost his job. It also hit me why I had lost my joy when condemning the forgetful waitress. She had viewed me as wealthy, and not really needing a discount.
She was discerning! Jesus was right!
From God’s perspective I was claiming sight – when blind; I was claiming agility – when lame; I was claiming health – while deformed; I was claiming wealth – when I was poor.
That is what Jesus was getting at! It was what He saw in my heart when I grumbled about my discount! (Matthew 6:4.)
Is not this a reason why our “marketplace” strategy should be guarded?
Let’s keep the “noise” out of our banquets!
The manufacturer had used “active noise control”, (ANC). Positive (+) sound waves from the outside are played as negative (–) “anti-noise” sounds in my ears, allowing only the pure sounds from the recording to reach my ears.
“That’s it!”, I thought, when I reflected on it, in light of Jesus’ instruction on banquets. What does a banquet have to do with recording? Simply that I was preparing this for others to listen to! That’s what makes it like a banquet! He had told them to be discerning. (Luke 14:12-14.)
Later in the day, while out and about in my car, I began to comprehend it! It was one of those “aha” moments. “You’ve got to deal with the noise to truly hear music”. I grinned to myself mischievously, “This means you’ve got to put on your ‘Jesus’ headphones, when you record and share!”
I then absent-mindedly I walked into a local coffee shop to meet a friend. Suddenly, reality settled in . . . !
“Not again,” I thought. “When will they ever start remembering my senior discount!” I had just purchased tea and a bagel, and they had charged me full price – again!
I know, I know, that sounds really petty. But I told myself that I honestly try not to be demanding while I remind them of my age, pointing to my bald head!
(Oh, by the way, I recently heard of someone who had decided to make the best of his bald head experience, by having a small tattoo of a person with a lawnmower placed at his hair line!)
I chose not to say anything. As I did, however, a twinge of false guilt came over me, because I felt I needed every discount I could get! After all, that is a quarter! Four purchases later I could have another tea and a bagel free! “A stitch in time saves nine!” (See Stitch-in-Time)
That feeling followed me for a while, until I remembered that the waitress may not have had very many good experiences with white-headed men and women like me that day. With new understanding, I began to pray that she would have a good day, and would experience more joy in her job.
Later I even bought a pop and a Danish for a person who had just lost his job. It also hit me why I had lost my joy when condemning the forgetful waitress. She had viewed me as wealthy, and not really needing a discount.
She was discerning! Jesus was right!
From God’s perspective I was claiming sight – when blind; I was claiming agility – when lame; I was claiming health – while deformed; I was claiming wealth – when I was poor.
That is what Jesus was getting at! It was what He saw in my heart when I grumbled about my discount! (Matthew 6:4.)
Is not this a reason why our “marketplace” strategy should be guarded?
Let’s keep the “noise” out of our banquets!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Virus
The “made-from-scratch” lasagna just did not appeal to me. I was not, however, going to let this golden opportunity go! After all, it was New Year’s! The more I ate, the more I knew I should not have started at all!
All of my body’s resources were being used for purposes I did not understand. Digesting food was not a part of that agenda!
All of it ended up a waste, (if you know what I mean!). I apparently had fallen prey to viral flu!
Generally speaking, I don’t have that much trouble with bacteria. I rarely get a cold. I discovered, however, that viruses are different. I wasn’t ready for this one!
Viruses “use” living cells for their own reproductive work. They have their own agenda, apart from the normal routines of the body. They are not even cells – but rather “messages” wrapped in a deceptive protein coat. They “program” your body to serve their own subversive interests. Like thieves, they steal every resource available for their destructive agenda, whether you are healthy or not.
After draining my body of all available resources, I felt like a rag doll that had been given to a puppy to play with! It took several days to recuperate.
Bible history illustrates how Israel, apparently weary of a “law approach” to life under the leadership of judges, thought that life under a monarch would be better. It looked as if things would be better with this type of government. After patiently warning them of the consequences of such a move, God chose a suitable, gifted young leader, named Saul. However, the experience of being king soon went “to his head”.
Saul’s influence, or the “message” of his immature approach to life, like a “virus”, misled the entire nation. His heart was seen as he even usurped Samuel’s place in a worship experience prior to a significant battle.
God, in his jealous love for Israel, instructed Samuel to seek for a man to replace him who would have a shepherd’s heart like His own. This young man’s name was David. He was more interested in having God’s approval than simply being “in control”.
Life is full of “messages”. We all need to ask ourselves which of them best aligns us with the message of the One who serves higher interests above our own.
Perhaps I would have done better with the “flu”, had I not been so determined to have my own way, such as being alert to what was happening in my body! The flu and a ravenous appetite did not go together! I survived, and I hope I am wiser for the experience.
I hope I am wise enough to apply the principle in other areas of life as well!
All of my body’s resources were being used for purposes I did not understand. Digesting food was not a part of that agenda!
All of it ended up a waste, (if you know what I mean!). I apparently had fallen prey to viral flu!
Generally speaking, I don’t have that much trouble with bacteria. I rarely get a cold. I discovered, however, that viruses are different. I wasn’t ready for this one!
Viruses “use” living cells for their own reproductive work. They have their own agenda, apart from the normal routines of the body. They are not even cells – but rather “messages” wrapped in a deceptive protein coat. They “program” your body to serve their own subversive interests. Like thieves, they steal every resource available for their destructive agenda, whether you are healthy or not.
After draining my body of all available resources, I felt like a rag doll that had been given to a puppy to play with! It took several days to recuperate.
Bible history illustrates how Israel, apparently weary of a “law approach” to life under the leadership of judges, thought that life under a monarch would be better. It looked as if things would be better with this type of government. After patiently warning them of the consequences of such a move, God chose a suitable, gifted young leader, named Saul. However, the experience of being king soon went “to his head”.
Saul’s influence, or the “message” of his immature approach to life, like a “virus”, misled the entire nation. His heart was seen as he even usurped Samuel’s place in a worship experience prior to a significant battle.
God, in his jealous love for Israel, instructed Samuel to seek for a man to replace him who would have a shepherd’s heart like His own. This young man’s name was David. He was more interested in having God’s approval than simply being “in control”.
Life is full of “messages”. We all need to ask ourselves which of them best aligns us with the message of the One who serves higher interests above our own.
Perhaps I would have done better with the “flu”, had I not been so determined to have my own way, such as being alert to what was happening in my body! The flu and a ravenous appetite did not go together! I survived, and I hope I am wiser for the experience.
I hope I am wise enough to apply the principle in other areas of life as well!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Energy Bunny Arrested - Charged with Battery
“I suppose you know what this is about”, commented the Human Resources Director as he and my boss walked me into a conference room adjacent to where I had been working during the day.
“Yes, I think I do”, I responded, feeling a touch of emotional pain as I realized that my job of thirteen years was probably over. My boss was feeling it, too.
As the Director worked through the paperwork, the conversation grew a little more relaxed. I realized this was not directly about me, but about the automotive world in general. Too much profit from trusting something that would prove not true in the end – “wealth in borrowed money”. When that was no longer available, the product no longer sold. Disciplines relating to products made for borrowing buyers, also had to slow down. Not many are ready for this. My own emotions also betrayed me. Though I congratulated myself for being on a “higher road”, I was going to miss the luxury more than I realized.
I remembered seeing signs of this deteriorating market, and warned myself by keeping “packed up”. I was able to take the right attitude, that, “every good and perfect gift comes from above”. Or, as Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord took away.” If the current situation demonstrated flaws, it was not adequately representing Him.
Even a cup from fellow employees, given in fun, seemed prophetic. "Energy Bunny Arrested - Charged with Battery"! (One of my roles had been to recycle batteries!)
It was a whole lot like someone who allowed his subconscious mind to trick him into believing that he was facing a flashing yellow light, when it was really RED, (not a “flashing red”, as in light traffic!) He turned left when traffic cleared, and suddenly realized what he had just done! He was shocked! He realized that he had not deliberately disobeyed the law, but had just forgotten the reason for traffic control. He was embarrassed, fearful, surprised and upset, realizing that it was God who had protected him from both a severe accident and/or a severe traffic fine.
People who normally enjoy the thrill of high places, do not do as well when the floor is glass underneath their feet.
All of life that “walks the heights”, so to speak, is temporary and fleeting. We, in fact, are the change agents, not the world we live in. We are the salt and light. We do not have a “continuing city” here on earth. That is yet to come. Our trust needs to be in Him!
“Yes, I think I do”, I responded, feeling a touch of emotional pain as I realized that my job of thirteen years was probably over. My boss was feeling it, too.
As the Director worked through the paperwork, the conversation grew a little more relaxed. I realized this was not directly about me, but about the automotive world in general. Too much profit from trusting something that would prove not true in the end – “wealth in borrowed money”. When that was no longer available, the product no longer sold. Disciplines relating to products made for borrowing buyers, also had to slow down. Not many are ready for this. My own emotions also betrayed me. Though I congratulated myself for being on a “higher road”, I was going to miss the luxury more than I realized.
I remembered seeing signs of this deteriorating market, and warned myself by keeping “packed up”. I was able to take the right attitude, that, “every good and perfect gift comes from above”. Or, as Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord took away.” If the current situation demonstrated flaws, it was not adequately representing Him.
Even a cup from fellow employees, given in fun, seemed prophetic. "Energy Bunny Arrested - Charged with Battery"! (One of my roles had been to recycle batteries!)
It was a whole lot like someone who allowed his subconscious mind to trick him into believing that he was facing a flashing yellow light, when it was really RED, (not a “flashing red”, as in light traffic!) He turned left when traffic cleared, and suddenly realized what he had just done! He was shocked! He realized that he had not deliberately disobeyed the law, but had just forgotten the reason for traffic control. He was embarrassed, fearful, surprised and upset, realizing that it was God who had protected him from both a severe accident and/or a severe traffic fine.
People who normally enjoy the thrill of high places, do not do as well when the floor is glass underneath their feet.
All of life that “walks the heights”, so to speak, is temporary and fleeting. We, in fact, are the change agents, not the world we live in. We are the salt and light. We do not have a “continuing city” here on earth. That is yet to come. Our trust needs to be in Him!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
