Understanding Community

As new experiences go, this one was refreshing. Upon accepting an invitation to a mountain party, thoughts of what I would experience brought on images of everything from the Elvis mountain movie “Kissin’ Cousins”, to the “Dog Patch” comic strip characters, and to unknown events that might lie ahead.

                                                                                                  

The party was only ten miles out of town, but with the winding roads and traveling at 20-30 miles per hour, it took us forever to get there. Traveling around one twisted turn to the next, we saw this little building that was four feet wide and about three feet deep. There was a door in the side and a window in the front. The wood had grayed with age and an old sign hung above the window. It read, “Welcome to Mudhole, TN Community Center”.

Lynnette and I laughed about this building and questioned what was in store for the rest of the evening. Driving down this gravel road, we turned into the driveway of our friends who hosted the party. The end of the driveway opened into a beautiful valley with an attractive home. To our amazement there were cars everywhere.

Talking to our host, he told us that he has this party every year around his birthday and the party lasts for three days and nights. We found such a peacefulness in the air as we met a lot of new people from the mountain area. Everyone kept bringing in great homemade food as we sat around a big bonfire listening to personal life stories being told.

Just as you might imagine there was music in the air (Beatles) as the host sat down and talked about their little community. He said, “We have a great community here. There are about 75 families that live on this mountain and we watch out for each other. If we dialed 911 for an emergency, it would take no less than a half hour for someone to arrive. Therefore the telephone company has set up a special line so that if there is an emergency, we dial one number and it rings into all the homes in the area. Within three minutes of the call, five to ten cars will be in the driveway of the person needing help.

Heaven forbid that someone is being hurt by someone else because we take care of our friends.” Funny, but I realized what he meant. They really understood the value of community. Many people today will live their entire lives and never experience community like this. We have acquaintances we run into occasionally, people we only smile at in church,  or a group of soccer parents you see once or twice a week for an hour.  But, do we really build lasting relationships with those near to us?

Maybe by taking the first step and getting into a small group of people doing life together we can take the dynamics of a church and become small communities of believers that watch out for each other. Jesus spent most of His ministerial relationship with just twelve people, and they have changed the world forever. Isn’t time we build a community of believers?

Can you tell I love being part of a small group?

Clearing the Trail

Have you ever been a part of the Boy or Girl Scouts? If so, you were given the opportunity to learn many of life's lessons from Scouting. Through that experience 51 years ago, I was involved with my Scout Troop in establishing a national hiking trail that is still being used today. Our farm was only nine miles from the birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, our eighteenth President. He attended school as a young man in a town 30 miles away, so our Troop set a goal to blaze the trail following the path he walked daily for the Dan Beard Scouting Council in Ohio. Our job was to mark the trail with permanent identification markers. We took big rocks and made milestones for everyone to see. We made metal markers and placed them on trees for others to follow. It was a lot of fun.

Then we came to the dense brush where we had to use machetes and cut through five-foot high weeds and briers. We were no longer having fun as the briars cut though our skin and mosquitoes buzzed around our heads. About eighteen miles into the trail, we saw a farmhouse about a quarter of a mile away. To the disapproval of our Scoutmaster, we began running across the field toward the farmhouse in hopes of filling our canteens.

We quickly found out why our leader did not want us going in that direction. Off to our right was a huge bull, watching our every move. As the Scoutmaster yelled for us to stop, the bull began moving closer. Looking around, we saw a fence about fifty feet to our left. We first started walking slowly toward the fence, but with the bull now in full stride, we started running for the fence, all the while yelling at the top of our lungs. Thankfully, we all outran the bull.

During the rest of the trail blazing, we obeyed every order of our Scoutmaster. We set every marker that was needed for generations of hikers to follow. In Luke 3: 3-4, we see John the Baptist also blazing a trail. A trail that led to Jesus. He called for people to repent and reminded them that the Lord was near. His message was clear and to the point. Unlike my scouting friends and me, John never left the trail. Even when confronted by adversaries, he boldly preached the message that God had prepared in his heart.

Just as the US Grant Trail is still in use today because a bunch of kids marked the way, the message of Jesus continues to heal and enlighten over 2000 years later because, in part, of the trail that John blazed.

What about you? Are you blazing any trails with your life that reflects Christ's love? Will it affect generations to come? All you have to do is make yourself available. And watch out for briars.

The Devil's Workshop

Growing up, my grandmother often gave me words of wisdom. She would quote these “tidbits” to me when she desired to keep me from doing something wrong. So the phrase, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop” was impressed into my brain quite often.

Living on a farm meant chores from early morning until late evening. So I thought there was not a lot of time for my mind to be idle. Nevertheless, when I just wanted to relax and do nothing there was always someone like my grandmother to give me a reminder of not being idle.

They believed that if you were not doing something constructive you were inviting Satan into you life. Years later, I realized that it was not continual work that kept Satan away but the grace of God through His son Jesus. Being an “A” personality, I keep moving most of the time, and my mind does not take many breaks.

Even when I am still and take time to meditate on the Word of God, my mind wanders into what I need to be doing in the next five minutes, next five hours, or the next five days.

Therefore, I have learned to force myself to spend time incorporating Philippians 4:8 through nature. For me, everything that the Lord created brings this verse into focus. So to sit and watch the cloud formations or the squirrels playing in the trees, or to observe a snowfall in the mountains, always brings this verse to the forefront of my life.

In the Disney movie, “Hook” do you recall what it was that made Jack fly? It wasn’t a feather like Dumbo thought, or pixie dust. It was happy thoughts.

Today try and focus on the “happy” thoughts of life. Focus on what is pure, lovely, and good. You do not have to go far.

Just set your mind on things that are worthy of giving the Lord praise.

Then give Him the praise! 

Philippians 4:8 “Here, my brothers, are some things I want you to think about. Think about things that are true, honest, right, clean and pure, things that are lovely, and things that are good to talk about. If they are good, and if they bring praise to God, think about these things.”

Painting Your Canvas

The announcer on the radio this past week told his audience that they had a total of 1,440 minutes in their day.   It made me think, “What am I doing with my time?” People that sleep for eight hours take away 480 minutes from their day. Then there is getting ready for the day’s activities. I figure that covers about 45 minutes to an hour. Add in meals that we eat out or take the time to prepare at home. Under a normal day that covers about 75 minutes.

Our daily work schedules consume about 540 minutes in a day, which leaves us with about 300 minutes, or five hours, to call our own. But with involvement in family activities we can loose at least three or four hours. Not much left, huh?

Being ADHD I have tried a variety of ways to create more time by cutting out sleep, taking quick showers, or by getting takeout fast food restaurants. Yet I find myself still running out of time at the end of the day. Sometimes I get tired of the “rat race”.   

The radio announcer also said to "Remember that each day is a clean canvas, one to be painted upon by my day’s activities. It can be your masterpiece."

In choosing what to do with the day, at the beginning of the day, it can make each activity special.

One brush stroke each day should be to take a few minutes and just be thankful for what the Lord has done in your life. More than ever before we have much in which to be thankful.

Therefore, each day should be the one day that affords us the opportunity to appreciate the Lord's blessings. In just one minute we can recall events, situations, family, and friends that give us reason to praise the Creator of the Universe. Then thank Him. That is accomplished by one on one time with the Lord.  The minutes spent in study, praise, and prayer becomes the brilliant light that shines on our canvas all day long!

From right now you have 1,430 more minutes to make your 24 hour day’s canvas one that is pleasing to the Lord. 

When you get up tomorrow morning what color will you use first on your canvas? 

Will it shine all day long?

Raw and Real

In becoming involved in any church there are certain wisdom "isms" that we have coined and used in describing something about life either personally or in the church.  In Florida we had some great "Ron-isms" that when mentioned today, Lynnette and I will call it just that.  Now in our environment at Faith Promise, we have coined some "Chris-isms".  One was subconsciously stated in my dream last week, when I finished my dream prayer with, "And All God's People Said. . .  Amen".  Another one I like is that we need to be "Raw and Real" which brings me to today's thoughts.

I like to call this being transparent in every aspect of our lives.  Yet this is not easy since we have our masks that we wear every day with everyone we meet.  Our church leaders and all our public figures seem to wear some really exotic masks to hide what is really going on in their lives.  S0 . . What mask do you wear and where do you wear it?

Work Mask - Growing up in a corporate environment, I was taught that you never let your co-workers know your personal life or failures because when it comes time for a promotion, they will use your weaknesses against you and take that promotion even though they are not qualified.  (Peter principle- which is another day's thought)  Nevertheless, we hold our personal thoughts inside and just do our work.  It is a shame but I still see this today in that people do their work and leave the office without ever really letting people know their weaknesses and volubility. Which actually shows strength!

Social Mask - When someone says, "How are You today?", they really are just saying something to fill the air.  Have you ever said, "Not doing well today?"  People pause because they really did not want to know how you were doing and have a hard time responding and to dig further.  This drives Lynnette crazy, but I play this game when in a department store.  The clerk walks up and says, "Can I help you?"  My response is always, "No thank you, I am beyond help."  Then I watch the clerk's eyes and expression as they are speechless.   They are just doing their job and really are not seriously interested in helping you.

Church Mask - We walk into church and we have our mask in place.  We may have had a fight with the kids or our spouse before getting in the car, or in the car, or getting out of the car in the parking lot.  But our mask goes on and we all go hand in hand into the church smiling all the way.  Our mind is not prepared for worship, but we go through the next hour or two and wear our mask well.  A few weeks ago, I was talking to a young woman at church and as I looked into her eyes I saw pain and hurt.  She gave me all the smiles and pleasantries expected until I said, "How are you REALLY doing?"  Tears immediately came to her eyes and she began to tell me her story.  I gave her a hug and said a little prayer for her situation.  So how many people do you see that you do not look into their eyes and see their pain behind the mask?

Home Mask - Our home is to be our castle where we can "let it all hang out".  Yet many days we put on a mask to just get through the day.  Then the days become weeks and on to months.  We will not show weakness around our family?  Appear to be strong in every situation is how our parents taught us.  Growing up I never recall seeing my parents show any weakness and that was expected of me.  In times of my youth, I would show emotions and my dad would only let me cry for a few moments and then say,  "Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about".  I would swallow the tears and block my emotions.  That was what was expected then.  Can you learn to get rid of the mask you wear at home and be "Raw and Real" in every aspect of your home life?  Not an easy task!

Spiritual Mask -  This mask is the strangest one of all the masks we wear.  We reason that God is so busy that we can handle things ourselves.  We rush though our prayers to get them done and move on and never really open our hearts to the One who sees inside, behind the mask. 

First and foremost throw the Spiritual mask away first.  Be raw and real transparent with the creator of the universe.  He accepts you for who you really are and loves you more than anyone else.  When you do that then you can begin throwing away other masks and really be the person God created.  Love each other in a new way that can be dangerous, yet more rewarding than you would have ever dreamed. 

I Never Read That Stuff

Today was the six month visit to my doctor.  Had to have blood tests, check-up and the works but the strangest part was before the doctor ever entered the room. 

There is a wall of information and booklets pertaining to about anything you consider as a problem.  Being a good ADHD person, I took several them from the rack and began scanning to see what they could do for me.  One drug is for curing ADHD which rationalized that it is a psychiatric behavioral disorder in which the drug would make you calm and orderly.  My Dad had his own way of dealing with this disorder.  It was his firm hand on my posterior.   After reading the wonderful details and great pictures, I turned the page. 

It listed the side effects of decreased appetite (not all bad)  dry mouth, headache, trouble sleeping, upper respiratory tract infection, irritability, nausea, anxiety, potential heart problems, shortness of breath, fainting, and feeling jittery.   Mercy, I could get those now and don't take the medication.  Interesting that they see this as a cure all.

But I look at what the world offers us in every aspect of our lives which comes with the pretty pictures, great words, and all the glamor possible, I notice a parallel.  Whether it's drugs, alcohol, sex, internet, or many other additions, we only see the brightest side that it is all about ME.    In life there are many times no warning signs are revealed in the results of the situation.  But would we real those warning signs?

The warning signs are throughout the scriptures but in our minds we pay about as much attention as the fine print in the medicine literature that was 8 1/2 inches high by 24 inches long and printed on both sides.  

So when was the last time you read the fine print on some medicine you are taking?   They tell us that the problems only come to a small percentage of the people and for us not to worry.  What about the additions you may be dealing with or a family member may be caught in the middle?  You may think these actions only impact a few people and that you can handle it on your own.   Keep it in the family.

Better look around and see what these things do to our health, family, relationships, and well being of our lives.

Today, help someone who has not read the fine print of their actions.  I believe you may save a life and a soul.

Prayer While Dreaming

I should know by now that drinking iced tea after 4:00 p.m. will have a strange effect on me during the night.  Being wide awake at 12:15 a.m. I thought "OK, I will take something to get some sleep."  Caffeine to keep me awake and something to get to sleep.  A bad habit so I try to avoid caffeine in the late afternoon.

Nevertheless, I got to sleep but at some point began dreaming.  The strange part of one dreams was that I was in my quiet spot with our golden retriever on my lap sleeping and I was praying.  I remember praying for people in our small group, my family, my grandchildren, my children, our pastor, our church, my wife, her family, our business, and the list goes on and on.  In my mind when I awoke, I thought I had probably prayed for hours but know that you can pack a lot into a short time when you are dreaming.  Yet there wasn't anyone that I did not pray for. 

So all you dream interpreters, what does that mean?   Am I not praying enough during the waking hours?  Maybe a spill over from praying at our small group last night?   Did I need to talk more to the Lord and during my sleep was the best time to connect?  

What I recalled most was that my requests were for others needs and not wants or something for me personally.  I usually mix praise, worship, others, and my wants in each prayer.  We all have our "gimmie" prayers.  I want, I want, I want!  This dream prayer was different.  Still open to interpretation.  

Strange again is that I can recall the intimate details when I woke up at 2:30 a.m. from our dog barking.   Seriously, the only thing I did was say to myself, "And All God's People Said- Amen".  Then I went back to sleep.  God has to have a great sense of humor! 

So how different are some of your dreams?  Are they more about you or others?  Falling, Running, Crying, Laughing, or just about events?   Anyway, just keep in mind that the best communication with our Lord comes from our daily prayer time.  The important point is that you take some time each day because we all have a lot to talk over with the Creator of the Universe who is passionately in love with YOU!

So have you communicated with Him today? 

Work, Work, Work

Have you ever really studied the book of Ecclesiastes? Solomon reveals a side of himself that you might not expect from the man who was given so much wisdom from God.

 Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 “There is something terribly unfair and it troubles everyone on earth.  God may give you everything you want – money, property, and wealth. Then God doesn’t let you enjoy it, and someone you don’t even know gets it all. That’s senseless and terribly unfair.”

This verse reverberates in my thoughts many times as I try to understand why we work so hard to get ahead. A man who worked for our company for 35 years was thrilled to retire at age 72. Joe could have retired years earlier (at 65) and had enough money to live comfortable, but he felt that he needed to increase his asset level so he could travel more. We had a big retirement party for him giving him fishing gear and travel maps from all over the world and sent him on his way to a wonderful retirement.

Two weeks after he had cleaned out his desk, we got a call from his wife. Joe had an aneurysm and was gone. I thought how unjust that was. He was a good man who was looking to enjoy the fruits of his labors. It was cut off entirely. How unfair! 

While mentoring a friend who was working long hours, I asked him that if he was on his deathbed would he say that his only regret is that he could have worked a few more hours at his job?  Is that how he wanted to be remembered by his family and friends?  He told me that was not fair. My response was “Neither is life”.

We should work to live and not live to work. When we take a look at our calendars, what fills our day? Many of us work long hours in our vocation or at home and sometimes rob God of His time. With an average of 38 million minutes in a lifetime, we often do not take 60 minutes a week (weekly church attendance) to learn from the Lord. That means we have trouble giving the Lord about 225,000 minutes in our lifetime because we are just too busy. (Less and ½ of 1 percent) If we add fifteen minutes a day in personal time, we are up a whopping 618,000 minutes or 1.6% of our life.

Not much when the Lord gives us up to 38 million minutes. I had someone years ago say that they do not need to give the Lord much time, money, or help with the work of the Church because they will have an eternity to spend with the Lord. Contrary to today’s popular beliefs we are not called to be just a sponge on earth that gets everything the world has to offer, but rather a pitcher of water being poured out on the earth to replenish those people we come in contact with daily. 

Now don't just say, "Then I'll quit working and have all this time with God".   That won't work because you have not had the close relationship each day with God, so the day will fill with everything else but the Lord.

Building a daily relationship with the Lord helps us understand what he wants us to do with our lives. If the order of your life is work, work, work, then family, and finally God, are you finding significance and meaning in life? Maybe it’s time you take a look at your priorities. Jesus said it best, “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Are you finding abundance in your life?