The Lord speaks peace to his people...

Here is a responsive call to worship I wrote for the second week of Advent. It's based on Psalm 85:8-9.

L: Let us hear what God the Lord will speak.

P: God will speak peace to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts.


L: Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who go God’s way.

P: May Your glory dwell among us! May our songs of praise never cease!

I hope your Christmas season has started well!

Intimacy with God

I've been reading a spiritual classic: Thomas Keating's Intimacy with God. It's been very eye-opening to me. One concept is the observation that we become present to God only by our consent. We will only give our consent if we trust. From today's reading, Keating's observation on trusting God:

The Christian spiritual path is based on a deepening trust in God. It is trust that first allows us to take that initial leap in the dark, to encounter God at deeper levels of ourselves. And it is trust that guides the intimate refashioning of our being, the transformation of our pain, woundedness, and unconscious motivation into the person that God intended us to be. [Thomas Keating, Intimacy with God (Crossroad, 1994):22]

Trusting in God's favorable vision

6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138.6-8 (NIV, 1984)

My son, Jesse, is a high school freshman this year...his sister, Hannah, is starting her senior year. My heart is anxious particularly for my son. Jesse is developmentally disabled, with a sweet and gentle spirit. The high school environment is tough and carnal. I already had a personal demonstration of that. As I walked the hall with him, I accidentally bumped into a young "lady." I sincerely apologized, but she took it upon herself to get smart with me. If she had no respect for an adult stranger, what kind of treatment could Jesse expect from her? I know many awesome students at his school...I'm not taking her as representative of the whole. But kids like my son can be the objects of scorn and ridicule from peers.

This morning I am holding on to the psalmist's words--God is looking favorably on Jesse today. He will not be abandoned, indeed I can trust that God will fulfill God's purpose for him. (It's easy to say...much harder to live into.)

Letting go of control

Genesis 13:8-9 (NSRV)

Who doesn’t like being in control? You and I like being the master of our own destiny, the captain of our fate. We often like to be in control of things beyond our own selves…our families, our workplace, and our church. Control issues can be major points of contention in these relationships.

Recently I read through the early chapters of Genesis. I noticed some things about Abram (later known as Abraham) I hadn’t before. For example, when his nephew Lot was kidnapped, he put together an Old Testament version of a SWAT team. He led them in a successful rescue of Lot and all the people and goods taken by his captors (Genesis 14). I never thought of Abram as a warrior before.

What Abram is better known for is his trust in God. In the scripture above, he and his nephew Lot had both been blessed by the Lord with substantial wealth. They had been traveling together for sometime and the land could no longer sustain both of their enormous herds of livestock. As you read, it was leading to conflict.

Abram became a peacemaker with Lot and his people. Notice in verse 8, he was willing to defer his control over the circumstances in order to keep his relationship good with Lot. Abram permitted Lot to choose where he would go and trusted that God would bless him in whatever land was left. Sure enough, God blessed Abram and his family in the land of Canaan, the land he got as “leftovers.”

Some Greek converts to Judaism once sought Jesus out. He had this wisdom for them about being his follower:

“Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” (John 12:25-26, NRSV)

Jesus calls us to give up the white-knuckle grip of control on our lives for life-giving service to him. Trust God to take care of you. Trust Jesus to lead you to the right places. Trust the Holy Spirit to give you the gifts, skills, talents, and experiences you need to flourish. God honors those who are able to let go of control and serve. This is the path to discovering, as Abram did, the peace and blessing that comes with trusting God for the outcome.

Getting Somewhere on Purpose: Book Review of Chazown by Craig Groeschel

The key to your future lies at your death bed. That’s the fascinating place where Chazown, the latest book from Craig Groeschel begins. Groeschel, founding pastor of the nation’s second largest church, LifeChurch.tv, wants us to consider our legacy…what will the reader’s life add up to? Will one’s life really matter? His ambition with this book is for people to capture their vision of the unique life God has designed for them, because: “Everyone ends up somewhere. But few people end up somewhere on purpose” (6). Finding the God-designed vision for your life is the essence of this book. In fact, its unusual title comes from the Hebrew word for vision. Capturing this vision and living into one’s purpose will have positive, life-changing effects.

Groeschel uses a fast-paced, concise style that is easy to read. Each short chapter addresses a singular thought. He begins by helping the reader uncover their God-given vision by exploring their core values, giftedness, and life experiences. Through well-chosen stories and personal anecdotes, he helps you see how these things intersect to reveal the chazown God has designed for you.

One feature I really appreciated was the “You’re the Author” pages. After each major section he provides focus questions and guidance to explore the section through a Chazown journal. There are also a couple of helpful appendices devoted to this. And you will notice several places throughout the book where you are directed to additional resources online. I particularly found helpful the appendix on learning from past experiences.

Indeed, personal application is a major emphasis of Chazown. Almost half of the book is devoted to helping the reader apply the chazown they have uncovered to one’s daily life. He identifies five “spokes” of chazown: Relationship with God, Relationships with People, Finances, Health and Fitness, and Work. As with the vision itself, discussion of each spoke concludes with a “You’re the Author” page where the reader is encouraged to set some specific goals to live out one’s chazown. I found his frank discussion of relationships with other people to be especially insightful.

This is certainly one of the most application-oriented texts among recent books for helping people find their purpose. Though practical in nature, Groeschel takes just enough time to lay a biblical foundation for his points. This book is definitely meant for a lay audience and he hits that target well. I highly recommend Craig Groeschel’s Chazown.

Link to the first chapter.

Watch video introduction of Chazown.



Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Prayer as an occupation

Acts 1:12-14 (NSRV)
Susan Guise Sheridan, a biological anthropologist at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, has been studying the bones of a large monastic community that lived in fifth-century Jerusalem. After examining more than 6,000 skeletal elements pulled from the crypt complex beneath Saint Stephen's Monastery, she found that the Byzantine monks shared several traits: they were robust, well-nourished men; they lived on average into their 40s; and they had bad knees.

In almost every monk over 20, there was damage to kneecaps, leg bones and heel bones. "If you consider prayer an occupation," concludes Sheridan, "then we have a case of occupational stress."

The glue that kept the early Christians together was their deep devotion to prayer and intimacy with God. The monastic community’s whole life was ordered around worship and prayer.

Prayer is such an important practice for living well. As the hymn “Take Time to Be Holy” observes: “the world rushes on.” Those words were written by William D. Longstaff in the late 1800s. How much more true are they for the world today. “Rushes” is almost too tame a word to describe the pace of most of our lives. And still, God calls us to pray.

Don Postema, in great book on prayer entitled, “Space for God,” wrote:

I used to write in my daily calendar "7-7:30 a.m.: Prayer." But many times I passed that up. It was one more thing to pass by that day. Now I write "7-7:30 a.m.: God." Somehow that's a little harder to neglect.

It is not prayer that beckons us to pause, but God. There is nothing more important with which to occupy ourselves.

May the coming year be a blessed one for all of you!

Let it be with me...

Luke 1:35-38

I read this passage again while I was in Minnesota for my father’s memorial service. I am always struck by Mary’s willingness to accept the lot in life that was set before her. The news that the angel delivered was both exciting and scary. As an unmarried young woman in her culture, the implications of her pregnancy were life-changing…far deeper than simply becoming a mother. She would have to endure much. She risked losing a lot. So her ability to say, “Let it be with me…” was a very big thing.

There is challenge for me, as I believe there is for many Christians, found in Mary’s response. Are we able to accept the lots in life that we are dealt? Are we willing to endure the consequences and the challenges that God allows into our lives? Will we live yielded to God’s way and power so we can say, “Let it be with me…”?

It’s important to recognize that when Mary said “yes” to God, she was also saying “yes” to the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary was not in it alone. God’s Spirit was with her, and in due time, God’s Savior would be with her. Whether life is dealing you hardship or opportunity…whatever challenges or rewards lay before you…there is much to endure and much to risk. Fortunately, we live in the generous grace of God who reassures us that “…nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

To get to the place of saying “Let it be with me...” you and I have to answer a big question. “Will I trust God and the Spirit’s power?” When I read this a few weeks ago I found myself confessing that I was taking on a lot in my life without yielding to God’s power and guidance. I was worn out. God’s gracious word to me was that I wouldn’t get through the challenges of dad’s memorial service and the Christmas season very well without inviting God’s presence and power into ALL facets of my life. I share this with you because I believe many who read this know exactly what I am talking about. My confession is your confession.

The Advent season is a time of preparation to receive God’s Messiah. It’s our opportunity to deepen our trust in God and to yield ourselves to the Spirit’s leading and power. Christmas gives us the opportunity to welcome Jesus into our lives afresh. It is from this place of trust and yieldedness…it is when we can say “Let it be with me…” that we discover the very real power and grace of God.

Charles W. Frye In Memorium

My father, Charles W. Frye MD had been on kidney dialysis for the last year and a half. He had received a kidney transplant in February 2003. In October he went into the hospital very weak and with blood clots in his legs. His dialysis port had also clotted over. Following a poor prognosis from his doctors he decided to discontinue dialysis and let the kidney disease take its course. After two and a half weeks in hospice, he died on November 20, 2010. He was a great doctor and a marvelous father. I wrote this biographical sketch for his memorial service:

Charles was born on October 30, 1928 in Decatur, Illinois, to John and Opal (Beckett) Frye. They lived in a house overlooking Lake Decatur.

A formative event in his life occurred as a junior in high school. Suffering an injury during football practice, it eventually developed into osteomyelitis in his hip. He spent nearly a year in the hospital and did not graduate with his class. He persevered, however, graduating the following year. His fellow students voted him Salutatorian of the Decatur High class of 1947.

Charlie entered Millikin University in Decatur. During this time he demonstrated his gift for working with his hands by building a beautiful wood boat. His junior year he went on a blind date with Djina Champion. He graduated in 1951 from Millikin with a BS in Chemistry.

He entered graduate school at the University of Illinois-Champaign, but soon learned of a medical research position in Chicago and moved there to continue his graduate work at the University of Illinois-Chicago. At the same time, the courtship with Djina blossomed and they were married on August 22, 1953. Charlie had surgery to fuse his hip (a further consequence of the high school injury) in April 1953 and was still in a full body cast on their wedding day!

His research assistant job led to the design and creation of a prototype artificial respirator on their apartment kitchen table. He received a patent for it and sold the patent to a California company. Following graduate school, Charlie entered medical school at the University of Illinois-Chicago in September 1953.

Charlie graduated with his MD in 1957 and began his internship and residency at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago. Along with the demands of being an intern, Charlie and Djina began their family. Their first child, Randall, was born on July 22, 1957. Thirteen months later, their second son David was born on August 31, 1958. Son number three, Stephen, was born 20 months later on May 9, 1960. Through it all, with Djina's loving support, he successfully completed his medical training in June 1961 with a specialty in Radiology. He accepted a position with Associated Radiologists in St. Paul, MN.

The Fryes took up residence in South St. Paul, MN. There Charlie met some men in the neighborhood who shared his love for fishing. They made regular fishing trips into Canada for years afterward.

In September 1963 Charlie and Djina moved their family to Pheasant Lane in North Oaks. Toward the end of their stay on Pheasant Lane, Charlie and Djina learned they were expecting their fourth child. Thomas was born January 9, 1969. Charlie and Djina wanted to build their own home in North Oaks. They purchase some property that others had passed on and began building in late fall 1969. The family moved to their new home at 88 East Pleasant Lake Road in May 1970, their home to this day.

Charlie's career took a new direction during this time. He joined Minneapolis Radiation Oncology, focusing exclusively on treating patients with cancer. In 1984, he was made a Fellow of the American College of Radiology.

Charlie made his own distinctive mark on the East Pleasant Lake home. One of his great joys was to work in the yard with his tractor. He built several railroad tie retaining walls around the house. He and Djina also did extensive landscaping around their home.

Charlie poured a lot of attention into his kids and, eventually, his grandchildren. He was a very supportive father and father-in-law. As grandchildren came, he was a fun and generous grandfather.

In the fall of 2001, Charlie severely injured his leg while working in the yard. He developed an infection that led to kidney failure. After 15 months of dialysis treatments, Charlie received the gift of a kidney on February 6, 2003 from the family of a cancer patient. After the transplant, he enjoyed six years of good health. Through the summer of 2009 his transplanted kidney began to fail, and he had to resume dialysis. Declining health forced him to be hospitalized in October 2010. A poor prognosis led Charlie to the courageous decision of discontinuing his dialysis. He spent the last few weeks surrounded by the love of family and friends, and with Djina ever at his side. He died as he lived—with dignity, wit and humility. Charlie entered into the kingdom Christ prepared for him in the early hours of November 20, 2010.

Call to Worship for Luke 7:11-17

I was struck by the reaction of the crowd following Jesus after he raised from death the only son of the widow woman from Nain. I wrote this call to worship for Sunday.

L: We give God glory for God’s unmerited favor.
P: God has looked favorably on his people!
L: We give God glory for God’s unending compassion.
P: God has looked favorably on his people!
All: Let our worship spread the word of God’s love, grace and compassion!

I don't write my own liturgy stuff often enough. I'd like to explore this creative edge a litte further in the future.

Peacemaking begins with the heart

1 Peter 3.8-9

Many people are resigned to the notion that humanity will destroy itself. We’ve become resigned to the idea that people ultimately cannot get along. A poll taken by the Associated Press a few years ago indicated that six out of 10 American adults believe that world War III is inevitable.

Peter, one of Jesus’ first disciples, wanted Christians to understand that they must live in harmony with each other and with the world. He understood that making peace in our chaotic and contentious world begins in the heart. Take a look again at how the scripture above begins. Notice the words he uses: “unity,” “sympathy,” “love,” “tender,” and “humble.” Making peace begins with the attitude of our hearts.

Most people seem to concern themselves with changing the whole world—they have a very global vision. Peter’s vision begins with our own hearts. For Christians, peacemaking does not begin with a question like, “How can I get the Arabs and Jews to get along?” Peacemaking for Christians begins with questions like these:

How do I get along with my brother . . . my sister?
How do I keep working with the person in the next cubicle who is really annoying me?
How do I treat the kid at school who keeps making fun of me?
How do I maintain a relationship with my parents when they clearly don’t understand me?
How do I live in peace with my neighbor when his dog keeps coming into my yard to do his business?
How can I continue to volunteer in this church when my committee chair is not doing her job?
How do I keep my cool with my kids when they are being so disrespectful?

These questions represent the beginning of peacemaking. Peacemaking begins when we’re willing to look at us . . . at ourselves. Peacemaking begins when we’re willing to check the attitude of our heart and begin to deal with the deep down feelings of hurt and distrust we may have accumulated over time. Peace making begins with purging our hearts of attitudes and stereotypes that keep us from living in unity with one another.

Here’s where Jesus comes in…we can’t make these heart changes without Christ’s Spirit working within us—growing in us the fruit of peace (Galatians 5:22-23). The apostle Paul says that the fruit of peace grows in us as we practice Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves and as we prayerfully yield our lives to the guidance of the Spirit. My prayer for us all is that the fruit of peace will grow in each of us and that we will bear the fruit of peace in our chaotic and contentious world.

Looked on with Favor

"Mary in the house of Elizabeth" Robert Anning Bell (1917, oil on canvas, Tate Britain Museum)

Luke 1.39-55

In our day it seems that those who seek to serve God don’t get a lot of recognition. Instead, the people we seem to idolize, the people we think have made it, seem to be the God-neglecting. These people often encourage us to live for pleasure—satisfy our desires—that’s what life is all about. Rock stars, superstar athletes, powerful business executives are always before us--meeting presidents, throwing big parties, making more money than we can imagine, able to go anywhere and do anything they want. At times we may find ourselves envying them.

Who ever notices that person trying to do what is right in his home and community? Who ever notices the person who’s loyal to her family and her children? Whoever gets noticed for putting in an honest day’s work for what seems like an ever diminishing paycheck? How often is one noticed for being a member of a church and serving it faithfully? He or she never makes the headlines…they never gain much power…they’re doing well just getting the bills paid by the end of the month. Who notices him? Who idolizes her? Who sets them up as the ideal of how to live?

God does! God notices and blesses those who seek to follow him and do his will. They may never be noticed by others, but they enjoy God’s favorable attention! Therefore God will bless them with something that all those rock stars, athletes and powerful business men often miss out on. God blesses his humble, faithful servants with the gift of abundant life that comes through the savior. God blesses us with a sense of hope…a sense of purpose…a sense of joy!

How can we live in Christmas joy all year long? Recognize that the greatest way God has remembered and blessed us is by sending his Son Jesus Christ. Each of us has been afflicted with the stain of sin and the pain of death. Each of us needs salvation that only God could arrange. The world needs the salvation and restoration only God can arrange. God remembered his promise to save us. God, the Mighty One, has done a great thing for us through the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

You and I can rejoice knowing that God’s grace will prevail. Jesus is coming! You and I can rejoice knowing that God’s justice will prevail. Jesus is coming! A day is coming when tyrants will be defeated and the callous will be put in their place. A day is coming when the oppressed will be raised up and the poor will no longer lack. God’s mercy and justice may not seem to be at work in the world with any consistency. But the God who has the power to bring hope and joy to a shy, teenage girl has the power to bring hope and joy into your life. Our God has the power to bring hope and joy into this fallen and conflicted world. God has promised it. God has remembered his promise. God’s grace has triumphed! Joy to the world! Let earth receive her king!

Wisdom from a biblical perspective.

I read this quote on wisdom in J. I. Packer's Knowing God (InterVarsity Press, 1973). I really like his perspective.

To be truly wise, in the Bible sense, one's intelligence and cleverness must be harnessed to a right end. Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.

I think we are entering a time in the church and in our culture where wisdom and discernment will be of paramount importance. (They always are of paramount importance, but how often are they employed?)

Refuel

Matthew 7.9-11
Christmas season has left me “running on empty.” Do you know what I’m talking about? I think many of you do. Increases in get-togethers with friends, work parties, church and school functions wear us down. The stresses of shopping in crowded malls while trying to get our work done and avoid disappointing our kids, our grandkids, or our spouses and special friends, can leave us emotionally and spiritually depleted. But wait! Some of us feel like that MOST of the time!

Jesus points us folks who are “running on empty” in an important direction in the scripture that begins this post. Whatever we need to live well, God stands ready to give us—body, mind, and soul. Prayer is a critical way that we go to God to express our needs. The process of praying is also a primary way we grow closer to God…where we get to know God better. A great Christian theologian, J. I. Packer, observes that we become energized as we get to know God better.

I ran across this modern parable of prayer recently. A boy and his father were watching a documentary on military aircraft on TV. "Look at those two planes together," said the little boy. "It looks like one is towing the other."

"No," said the father, "the one plane is bringing more fuel, so that the other plane does not have to come down and land. Without the refueling plane the other plane would have to stop its flight."

Prayer refuels the soul. Prayer reenergizes us. Prayer restores our zeal and puts us on track to take care of our business. Prayer is key for getting in tune with God’s direction for our lives.

If you feel like your running on empty, may I encourage you to develop a new habit of prayer? God is anxious to refuel you. What’s more, God is the sole source for the life fuel you truly need.

Retreat time at the right time

I had the opportunity to experience a retreat after the manner of St. Francis of Assisi this past weekend at Covenant Baptist Church in San Antonio. Covenant Baptist is a unique place . . . baptists who practice contemplative ministry! This is also the home church of Gordon Atkinson, known to many as the Real Live Preacher.

This retreat came at the right time. I needed to think through a few things before resuming ministry after a three month sabbatical. We practiced the monastical hours of prayer and the retreat leaders encouraged us to write a rule of life. I was touched by many things . . . here are a few:

Hospitality--the Covenant folks are a most hospitable bunch. The meals were excellent and the setting is very restful. They made sure we retreatants had all that we needed to rest and refresh our spirits.

Availability--Gordon, Tim, Paul and the other leaders gave the gift of themselves for conversation and prayer.

Worship--The worship experiences were beautiful (Thanks Paul and Lexi for the marvelous music). I could have used more extended silences, but that is just my taste.

Interesting People--We were about as diverse a group of retreatants as you could assemble. I gleaned a lot from their stories, their struggles, and their insights.

I'm still working on my rule. I'm sure it will have something to do with stewardship of my time. I became really aware that what I value is not at all reflected in the way I allocate my time. My family, in particular, gets short-changed. I need to find a way of being where the way I spend my time reflects what I value more consistently.

Gordon said that he wasn't sure if they would continue offering these retreats beyond their own congregation. This was the third of three planned retreats to the public. He thought they probably would . . . I sure hope that they do. Such opportunities to withdraw for rest and reflection are great gifts to busy people in a chaotic world.

Sacred Places

I think just about anybody have places in their lives that are special. So special that they become sacred. My family visited Yellowstone earlier this month, a place revered by Native Americans for centuries. It's not hard to figure out why . . . it is an incredibly unique and beautiful place.

Jesus seemed to like hanging around the sea. A lot of his life and ministry occurred around the Sea of Galilee. Living in Texas, I've had a chance to walk the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on many occasions. I get why Jesus liked the sea. The sound of waves . . . the constant breeze . . . there is something about it I have found relaxing and soothing. Maybe the same things helped Jesus keep his head together and his spirit refreshed.



One sacred place for me, perhaps the most sacred, is my parents home in Minnesota. My parents built this house in 1970 and I lived in it for 12 years. It's on a large lot with a canal bordering the west side, a pond and marsh to the north, and woods to the east and south. My mother is a Master Gardener, so the place is landscaped beautifully. The picture above is from the yard looking north toward the pond. A day doesn't go by without deer, rabbits, wild turkey or a snapping turtle coming into the yard. It's a very peaceful place, full of life.

I've been spending most of my sabbatical here--working in the yard, reading on the back deck, thinking and praying. God has been very present for me here. My parents have been gracious hosts and have made this a very valuable time.

Where are your sacred places?

To Sophia--Angel of mercy

Sophia, at A T & T technical support, you were a Godsend yesterday . . . I hope you could tell. The internet problem at my church had been a thorn in the side of my sabbatical. Previous calls to tech support had not helped resolve the problem . . . until you. You were able to diagnose the problem and help me through the solution. It only took one try! You showed great patience and good humor (I've never had a tech support person laugh before). Sophia, judging from your accent, you live far, far away. You blessed me and aided the growth of God's kingdom. You were an instrument of God's mercy. Grace and peace to you. Namaste.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda

At last, a movie hero I can identify with! Po, the kung fu panda protagonist is made to fight for his dumplings by his Kung Fu master. That's a training technique that could get me motivated!

True to its martial arts roots, Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks Animation, 92 minutes) is all about action. Whether training or in actual conflict with the evil Tia Lung, Po and the other Kung Fu masters are constantly fighting. Po, THE big fat panda is an unlikely and reluctant hero, having accidentally (and literally) dropped in on a kung fu contest to choose the next dragon warrior. But in the spiritual realm of kung fu, there are not accidents. Po's unlikely selection sets him on a journey to realize a dream he's held for a long time. It's also a journey into maturity and greater discipline. He realizes all of these, though that isn't brought out very clearly in the end.

Spiritual themes are lightly touched on in several places: the nature of one's calling in life, staying in the moment, perseverence, and believing in oneself. But this movie is definitely not trying to make any big statements. It's a fun romp with lot's of action and good humor. The animation is beautiful always and spectacular at times.

Some of the cartoon violence is over the top and I heard a few preschool children express some anxiety. My two kids (12 and 14-years old) had no such anxiety and seemed to enjoy the movie thoroughly . . . as did I.

Four out of six candles for Kung Fu Panda.

A lesson from my journal

Something struck me while journaling today . . . but the lesson came in an unexpected way. I take my journal with me almost everywhere . . . whether I am actively using it or not. I keep it open to the page holding my latest entry. My last choice for a journal was a wirebound spiral notebook. When I am not consistently practicing my quiet times the pages in my journal get worn, tattered and stained. Some pages actually get torn out because they have received so much stress. On the other hand, when I am actively reading scripture, praying, reflecting, and journaling the journal pages stay decently in shape.

My journal pages reflect my soul "state." When I'm not attending to my spiritual practices, my soul is worn, tattered and stained. I don't experience the peace and sense of wholeness that comes with regular communion with the Lord. When I notice the pages in my journal getting worn and stained it should be a sign to me to get back to the spiritual disciplines that keep me in touch with the soul-invigorating presence of God.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

Congested churches

I am doing a lot of reading during my sabbatical. One book that is stimulating a lot of thought and reflection is Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger. What's got my mind occupied right now is their statement:

Congested churches and stagnant believers are the antithesis of God's plan. (p.138)

Getting churches uncongested and helping believers stay vigorous have been significant challenges in my ministry. The authors advocate a clear, simple process for making and maturing disciples. They identify particular elements critical to a clear, simple disciplemaking process.

I've seen the kind of congestion and stagnation the authors describe in every congregation I've served. In every place it has been very hard to initiate change. Traditional programs and "ways of being" have a terrific inertia behind them. On top of that, I've never really had a frame of reference to effectively address the situations. More than anything else, I want to be a pastor who leads people consistent with God's plan. To think its possible I'm an overseer of believers whose ministry is the antithesis of God's plan is very convicting.

With that sense of conviction, I have a certain sense of grace in hearing that this is a common experience of pastors. And I have some sense of empowerment in that I am developing a frame of reference that explains what I have seen and some good ideas on how to proceed.

Now for the courage . . .

Taking the high route

Being on sabbatical gives me more opportunity to sit in the back yard and ponder basic truths. The opening prayer from my devotional book today was:

Loving God, clothe me in yourself and enable me to live and serve after the pattern of Jesus. Amen

--A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants.

As I pondered the pattern of living and serving Jesus lived out, I noticed the behavior of our backyard squirrels. Wherever the go they almost always choose to travel above ground, even when walking on the ground would get them there quicker and easier. There are two trees in our backyard that are far enough apart that the branches don't intermingle. Rather than walk from one tree trunk to the other, the squirrel chose a longer route along the top of our chainlink fence to get from one tree to the other. It seems to be deep in their character to choose the high route, even when a little longer and more involved.

There is a spiritual metaphor in this for me. That choosing the high route . . . Jesus' pattern of living and serving . . . become deep in my character. I pray I get to the place where the high route becomes my default choice . . . and that it happens so naturally I don't even notice it any more . . . I just do it.

I can't get to that place, none of us can, without God enabling us. I don't make high route choices on my own that often. The key, for me, is to stay consistently alert to God's voice and the Spirit's leading. Perhaps that is my greatest challenge on the spiritual journey.