A trip to remember

I just got back from a trip to California where I had the incredible opportunity to watch my youngest sister, Elizabeth, get married.  Most everything about the ceremony was unconventional, but that is what made it original and incredible in it's own way.  Before I describe that though, the journey out there from Virginia is notable.

I hopped a flight to LAX to meet my sister and future brother in law, Andrew, in order to drive to northern California with a load of camping gear.  I had a blast because we had time to enjoy each others company and talk for a while.  It was an experience you can't pay for!  After approximately 9 hours we arrived just outside of Redding, California at Whiskeytown Lake. 

Over the next 3 days friends and family camped by the lake and enjoyed the awesome beauty of nature.  Family and friends from both sides gathered on Saturday for the wedding at the tip of the campground by the lake.  Tall leaning trees framed the ceremony with the lake in the background as Elizabeth and Tyler exchanged their vows.  Not very many weddings take place in a campground, and even less involve the couple being barefoot.  I was proud of Elizabeth and Tyler for taking the beginning of their journey and making it about them, and more importantly, about God. 

Colossians 3:14-20                            

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

  

Just a thought

I find myself very restless and worrisome tonight.  I think a lot of all the things going on in our world and wonder how it will affect me?  Our dominant country in all of it's might is not so mighty after all.  Emotions rule decisions through many heated topics, and disease and crime which was supposed to be declining seems to be occurring more than the stats would have us believe.  I guess I should stop right there and replace the word "wonder" with the word, "worry".  I worry about my fate, minor issues at my job, my family, and the plethora of other things going on in my life.  Tonight I especially find those things hard to fathom and allow my mind to rest; of course it could also have something to do with the nap I enjoyed in the recliner earlier tonight. 

I think the subject I worry about the most is my health.  It sounds very self centered and self serving, and you wouldn't find me arguing against anyone on those points.  Are our lives really ever ours to begin with?  I am a Christian and I have given my life to God, and I find many people throughout the course of my day who have given theirs over to other "things" and/or devices.  I do believe the human body and mind are incredible creations from which each of us derives our ability to live and feel.  Yet the same complex and intricate creation we value so much is the very thing which wastes away each and every day.  Prone to fail at one time or another, and yet we fight so valiantly to sustain life everyday. 

The next part of all of this is, God.  Maybe some people are shutting down right now reading these words just over the mere mention of religion.  I know God has brought me through situations and moments in my life which I can never explain.  The pieces and plans which would have had to fall into place and synchronize at the perfect time is much more than mere coincidence.  Trust should therefore be a thing of ease between myself and God, however, I allow issues such as my health to run through like a thief and take the grace and tranquility which God freely gives me everyday. 

So what then will it take to leave the worry behind?  What will it take to end the battles where I fall short, such as judging others, speaking out of ignorance or spite, and the list goes on.  I know that being a good person isn't good enough in this life, and nothing is ever a guarantee!  I sit here tonight with thankfulness for the challenges He has brought me through.  Thankful for the people He has placed in my life, the good and the bad.  I am especially thankful for this imperfect body, and the personal strides I will take knowing that life is only so long.  I will go to sleep asking myself, "Did I do all I possibly could today?", and wake up every morning with the thought, "If today is my last, I know where I am going."  My thankfulness might be different from others, but regardless of the form, it all comes from the same place whether we can see it or not. 

Luke 15:11-32

The Prodigal Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Learning how to be a Man all over again.

Regardless of what the outside world is into these days, I believe we have a powerful God above us.  There are numerous fads, trends, religious cults, and other things to buy into.  Each one wants our attention, and each one leaves us feeling empty.  I started a study recently called, The Measure of a Man, in which the author brings to light the often treacherous road men face in this world. 

Our story begins this last Saturday with me getting up and heading to a bible study with some other men from our church, Lake Ridge Baptist.  I didn't want to be a "negative nancy" or try and place unfair expectations on this meeting.  I followed the famous remark, "Keep an open mind."  I am writing this thinking I could have one of the most boring stories ever, but I will skip through most of the meeting. 

Without divulging the remarks or statements made during the meeting, I can honestly say that I gained some honest insight from God on how to carry forward in life.  I felt like He wanted me there the entire time.  There was a portion of the discussion which I felt strayed from the chapter we were addressing at the time, but then I lost the selfish frame of mind I was using and thought, "Maybe someone else in the group needed to hear those words today?!"

 I learn a new lesson each day from God's direction and guidance.  I do have friends out there who would laugh at me in a heartbeat after reading that.  However, I know I am here by God's grace.  Grace is the portion of my relationship with Him which I had a difficult time understanding. 

Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification,
a virtue coming from God

Everyday is hard work, but it's worth it.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 334 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Wednesday

Moments in life come when all I want to do is respond with the first emotion that shoots through my head.  It is hard to restrain myself from saying the first thing that comes to mind.  Patience takes great fostering and care when it comes to being calm and collected. 

I have run into so many situations lately where I forgot patience and "winged it".  I ran on my own intuition and came up with ridiculous reactions to simple situations.  There are times when not just me, but all of us think that we are on top of everything. 
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
I have been watching all of these "subject matter experts" on television who spew their opinion into our living rooms, work spaces, gyms, and anywhere else we try to catch the news.  They bring emotion and an unbridled opinion regarding various topics to which they were chosen to speak toward.  Watching a majority of them and how viewers respond to some of the banter speaks volumes of how emotion is engrained in us.  It is a part of our existence and makes up the very fabric of our behavior.  The very presence, or lack there of, weighs heavily on the choices that are made every day.  I would definitely say that less is more in this case.  Less emotion is more control over a calculated answer, or maybe a reaction to some thing. 

It is very evident  to me that God has a grip on my life and gives subtle hints when I am following a path from where He intends me to be.  I am not perfect, and I know some day I will be having this talk again of how I could have acted better in a particular situation.  This part of the reconciliation; the knowledge of right and wrong is something inherent in all of us.  The difference-when you know somebody else has a higher path for you to walk, and you take it.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

Advent

The advent, a countdown to the "coming" of Jesus Christ.  Today is the first day of the advent, and also the basis behind the message at our church today.  The advent now signifies the countdown to Christmas, a holiday known throughout most of the world.  With so many holidays that are celebrated over the globe, this one day has become the most recognized and most celebrated.  Why shouldn't it be so popular though?!  For all of those English majors out there, I was referring to Christmas. 

Companies of both foreign and American origin have worked very hard to ensure that commercialism rides the proverbial coat tails of such a popular holiday.  I am not opposed to blessing others with gifts on Christmas Day.  However, my fear is that the moral and ethical compass of society becomes even more skewed year after year because of the expectation of a gift.  Not just any gift either!  What ends up under, or near that tree, most often decides our mood for the day; a fact small children can't hide, and one that adults are embarrassed to admit.  There is the small percentage out there content with what Christmas morning will always fail to bring when materialistic motives makes up the core of our nature, love. 

The advent is the countdown to an awesome event, the birth of Jesus Christ. I am ending tonight with a glimpse into someone who had love for all mankind.  The verses below speak about Jesus' sacrifice, and were written long before he was ever born.  He expected no gifts, yet gave himself for all mankind. 


Isaiah 53:2-6

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  

A day at the store...

Going to the store lately brings incredible memories for my son and I.  Most of the time it ends up turning into a match of wits to see who will triumph when the age old question is asked, "Dad, can I get this?"  Bri and I are convinced that he will be either an awesome used car salesman, or a great attorney when he grows up.  He mirrors other children with their insatiable need for "the next best thing". 

Today was one for the history books.  My son legitimately got in trouble for, surprise surprise, being mean to his sister.  When I attempted to intervene with some fatherly justice, I was met with a tactic he has never employed before.  Apparently my son felt that if he could run the approximate distance he figured I wouldn't yell for him across the store due to my own embarrassment, then he would be safe.  I have to give it to the little tike, the stand off was intense.  I soon found his weak spot though, my legs worked and I didn't want to be there anymore!  I started walking away and he followed right after.  This story has almost nothing to do with my point, but it sounded good anyway.

Tying all this together is the fact that sometimes parents, mentors, authority figures and the Big Man upstairs all employ various techniques to teach important character qualities.  Today's lesson was about being humble.  With Christmas coming up there is an even greater desire to want "everything".  I also have to tell myself at times that I don't have to have this new thing, or that new thing.  It took a long time for me to realize that certain bad behaviors don't just go away when you stop being a kid.  Being humble in any moment requires constant effort.  Do I fail from time to time, yes!  I'll never quit trying with me, and I sure won't quit on my son. 

^{1 Peter 5:5-7} 
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Let the holidays begin...

I was one of the very few people to actually work in Washington DC today.  This was very evident by the obvious absence of bumper to bumper traffic as I cruised along on the freeway.  While heading in to work I also showed courage in the face of danger.  My old arch nemesis and I were once again toe to toe as we meet every holiday season.  That's right, Christmas music- my age old foe!  I am not a fan of the stuff, but today I made an exception.  I threw on "rockin around the Xmas tree", and held on tightly to the steering wheel for my trip into the city.

Although I make it out to be terrible, I do find some solace from Christmas music.  Most often the songs carry a message we should all take to heart the entire year, rather than focus on peace and merriment with each other for approximately one month.  Tonight I am lying in bed and wondering what if... What if we took responsibility for our own actions?  What if we were all blind to each other's differences and just freely gave mercy and grace, rather than harboring it like valuables in a safe.

The holidays bring all kinds of incredible messages.  I saw a message posted on Facebook today with a picture of Billy Graham.  He is a man full of passion, but his passion comes from somewhere other than vein self accomplishment.  I enclosed his message below, and I wish everyone an outstanding weekend.