Month: May 2011

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Send Me

Yesterday,  I actually took a few moments and watched the Memorial Day service from Arlington National Cemetery.  I even watch the majority of the President’s address.  Yes, I know, what a boring Memorial Day right?  Well, I had just finished a nice, extra hot 5 miler and stood watching the monitor while I cooled down enough to do anything else.

So, anyway, there was one thing that stood out.  That’s actually not true, I did find the there were several very interesting points made by the speakers.  But, back to the point, the President mentioned that in a letter he had received from the parents of a fallen soldier, the parents had quoted these words from Isaiah:

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8, New International Version)

These seem pretty appropriate when thinking about a soldier heading off to battle.  I think however, that these are also appropriate words for us to consider each day as we head off to the spiritual battlefields. And that is what this blog is about – daily buffeting our spiritually bodies, so that we are ready when we are sent.  But in actuality we are sent every day.

So today, how will you answer the Lord’s call?

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Freedom and Memorial Day

It’s Memorial Day and I hope that in the middle you cook outs, lake trips and ice cream, you take a moment to remember those individuals who served America by giving up their lives. Remember those lives sacrificed so that you can enjoy the marvelous freedoms we enjoy in the country.

And then also think about how you are choosing to use those freedoms that you have been afforded.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, New International Version)

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The Joy of Freedom

Last night  I brought my oldest home from school and he realized that between now and next Wednesday night, the only thing he had to do was to take one test and go to church on Sunday morning.

What freedom!  I anticipate the that the joy he will feel as he finishes his last exam today and understand that he is free (for a while) from the confines of school and homework.  Oh, the joy of being able to do whatever he wants with no projects or major commitments hanging over his head.

There is so much joy in freedom.  I treasure the days when I am not handcuffed with a day full of schedule meetings.  We yearn for the simple days of vacations when we have no one telling us where to be and what to do. ( let me pause and reflect… oh only 18 more work days!!)  And our spirits compel us to look for something that set us free from the curse of the daily toils, and when we find it- oh what joy.

 16-18Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, The Message)

As we enter the Memorial day weekend, be so thankful for those who have come before us to fight for the freedom that we enjoy in this country.  And with that also remember how that freedom facilitates access to the the spiritual freedom that comes from the Christ.

Share it!  You are free to!  Woot Woot!!

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Hyper Sensitive to Blessings?

Last night I woke with a start when I heard the sound of high winds blowing around the house at 3 in the morning.  Immediately I jumped up and check out the weather radar.  This spring has definitely made me a little hyper sensitive to severe weather.

As I laid back in bed I and listened to the sounds of the storm, I realized what a blessing it is to have a house that provides so much shelter and allows for rest.  This “mansion on the hill”, as one of my friends calls it, is such an incredible blessing that I take for granted so many times.  Especially when you consider what the Christ said about his home”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20, New International Version)

It made me wonder as I laid there what the day would be like if I were to be as hypersensitive to the blessing of the Lord as I have become to this extreme weather.  If I could truly detect and appreciate all the fantastic blessings that are around me everyday how would my attitude and approach be different.  Things like, a house, a car, clothes, an Internet connection, clean running water, family, street signs, and eyes.  This list could go on and on.

Today, as the old hymn suggests “count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”

19 My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. (Philippians 4:19, New Century Version)

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Beast

For the past few months a friend of mine has been sharing an email update about one of his friend’s bout with cancer.  The emails are forwarded with a constant request for prayer and have always been full of encouragement and praise to God.  My friend’s friend – Kirk ,  is only 29 and has been battling cancer for some time, but yet as you can see in this video here this guy is beast!

He is taking chemo, he has just recently under gone 3 surgeries and yet there he is, out training, out doing clean and jerks, out fighting cancer and out sporting an attitude that comes from only one place.

I hope you find the 9 minutes to view the video some time today and that you take encouragement from Kirk.

At the end of the video he says ” in combat you have close calls and you walk away and your good, but this with, with certain disease like cancer, you wake up,you look in the mirror,  you have this nasty scar of your neck…its a reminder everyday of what your fighting, its always with you.”

That’s what it’s about – it’s about fighting, everyday, each and every day.  So today, when you are fighting the physical or spiritual battles laid before you, think of Kirk, and remember what you are fighting and don’t give up!

10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (Ephesians 6:10-18, The Message)

Be Beast!