Happiness: Over the Rainbow

 QUESTION: "why is happiness about as hard to find as the end of a rainbow?"

ANSWER: Perhaps even a rainbow is not good enough. 

Happiness does not consist in the abundance of possessions, even rainbows (Luke 12:15), but in the glory of one who who sits on the throne surrounded by a rainbow (Revelation 4:3).   In this life we will have trouble (John 16:33), so pity those who are numb, and praise Him - Jesus - in the storm:  

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. (Isaiah 30:20)

Isn't that why we who mourn will be blessed, comforted (Matthew 5:4)?  We grow in endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:3-4) as we sit before the throne.  I had a difficult week last week; invested money I didn't have in a trip with my sons to visit my 81 year old uncle Bobby and his wife Joan. The boys never met my father, and I wanted them to gain a sense of the story they were part of.   Despite all I could do, they could not be happy, or content.  

We went to famous caves, nice hotel, 4 star restaurants, walked along three rivers, boat rides in the Chesapeake, camped and traveled through the beautiful Shenandoah mountains and topped it off with a professional baseball game.  Not enough. In great anguish I went to God and He redeemed the time, though not in their eyes. Do not grow weary of doing good, it is not in vain.

The day of no more tears, no more pain will come (Rev 21:4). Maybe that's why Bluebirds fly OVER the rainbow, beyond it, to God.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dream that you dare to dream

Really does come true

One day I wish upon a star

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Way upon the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Blue birds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Way upon the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow

Blue birds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?

Now I walk on death row

In a large fellowship of Christian men sharing a mission, Brian offered to share a  book his wife gave to him. In the front cover his wife wrote:

"I'm so proud of you and all you do to serve others. Your example made me a better person. Love always. "

Wow...wouldn't it be great to have a wife like that!  So I read the book.  

The story is about a high flying corporate lawyer who has an epiphany.   After running 70, 80, 100 hour work weeks to help others do mega finance deals he arrives at the first of several really good questions:  "What the heck am I doing with my life?"

Soon Dale finds himself at the end of a divorce, and wiped out financially and emotionally his brother asks him to give his life to Jesus. More good questions.  "What does that mean? What will that accomplish?". Then in acceptance, "What do I have to lose?"

 His questions are fantastic aren't they. He is asking, seeking, trying to understand. In a small bible study group, he meets a woman, and pursues her. She prays for Gods dominion over the relationship. Again it leads him to questions "What does it mean to give God dominion over  your life? Who does such a thing? How does one do that?"

He is remarried, and lands a huge job, builds an enormous house with a 1200 square foot bedroom, and then the questions begin to find answers.  He comes across the story of the rich young ruler, whom Jesus told to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Him. Again, Dale asks one of his questions "Do you think he meant what he said?" After sleepless nights, he realizes he can't have all the wealth and the Kingdom of God, and following Jesus is not just for priests and nuns.

At this point I should say Dale is Catholic, which stuns me.  I almost stopped reading the book then remembered the sharp sincerity of his questions, and his responses. He pursues a life increasing devotion to serving others, building community, listening to his family (yes even the children) in family meetings. He finds a ministry helping the poor, at first part time, then ultimately full time. They move as they try to respond to the call to learn, until he finds an offer he cant refuse, one for which he seems tailor made. Ministering to those on death row.

One of the offenders Dale meets in prison has a dramatic outlook on Life: "I praise and thank the Lord for this life sentence. It's been eight and 1/2 years of blessing others lives. God has allowed me to lead others to Him, to plant seeds and water the seeds that others have planted." ... ."I no longer have a life sentence spiritually. Instead I have the gift of eternal life." 

So much of this story seemed to be my story, and your story...how tragedy leads to revival, and destiny. How God causes us to ask questions and then begins to answer in ways that bring life.  How simple obedience may not lead to success, or victory but simply peace and purpose.  

I recently worked with a group of men in a prison ministry, and without a doubt, God showed up in a powerful way.  Cleansing, healing, and drawing men to himself.  I had to great privilege of joining 40+ men and our Lord in those exploits.  Its been a chance to share my faith with so many in and outside of prison.  God is good.

Lord Help me to stay close to you in the trials, and not just endure but thrive as you rebuild who I am, making me the man you would have me be. Bring encouragement into my life through others Lord as you did for Brian, and help me be that kind of encouragement to them.     

A note from a friend at Calvary Baptist asked to consider what songs we might sing together in fellowship, and some testimony about why the song(s) we picked spoke to us.  This one song stood out.  

Dear Ryan,

Thanks for this reminder to meditate on God's goodness.  Years ago I had lunch with TJ Hampton, the worship leader at Life Church. He shared with me his story of desperation, concluding by saying "When we find out all we have is God, we realize God is all we need".  Men that have passed through this recognize other men who have passed through it, and we treasure that truth together.  This song, "Blessed be your name" speaks to me because I have lived in the desert for a very long time, over 17 years. For a time I even thought I was alone, very alone.  But God the FATHER came after me, took me by the hand and lead me through deep waters of standing first for my faith in the valley of despair, and then for His truth as he led me to be the father of my family. 

Though it cost me everything, I understand the words of Jim Elliot in a new way "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Many times I have returned to this place, and many times I have been reminded, there is no where else to go, Lord, you have the words of eternal life (John 6:68).  Though you slay me, yet will I trust in you. (Job 13:11-5). He has blessed me with His word, his wisdom, His favor and most importantly His comfort through His presence. 

At this point I have lost my wife of 25 years, my five children, my family, my inheritance, my savings, and nearly my career.  What I have is assurance that God is with me, and that He is for me, that He loves me and that He will keep me.   He calls me to comfort others with the comfort He has given me and into the ministry of presence, to be with others and learn of Him with them. That is a land that is plentiful. Blessed be His name, Jesus, the lord saves, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord provides, Papa Dios (Father God), Abba (papa), The Comforter.  More real to me than the things that I see with my eyes, Blessed be your name.  

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Leadership Lessons from Shackleton

A friend at work who seems to find a big picture in small things wrote this.  I wanted to remember.  

On the 100th anniversary of the first successful expedition to the South Pole, members of the Oncology Business Unit's Community trekked across downtown Indianapolis to attend a lecture led by the Associate Dean of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business titled, "Leadership Lessons from Shackleton's Expedition".  It is the story of shipwrecked sailors at the bottom of the world and how specific leadership philosophies helped this diverse crew persevere with teamwork and collaboration.

Key Leadership Lessons from Shackleton Expedition:

·  Leaders must have vision.
·  Leaders must be able to “sell” their “product”.
·  Leaders must know their supporters.
·  No one is perfect.  Leaders have flaws.
·  Leaders understand the importance of publicity and public relations.

·   Leaders have an unreasonable passion and an almost irrational faith that they will succeed.
·  Great leaders show faith in their subordinates.
·  Leaders must be firm but flexible.
·  Leaders must be willing to re-direct their ambition.

·  Leaders must be able to promote a sense of teamwork and democracy.
·  Leaders need to know how to deal with the unexpected and turn it to their advantage.
·  Leaders must know how to maintain morale.
·  Leaders must know how to get the optimal performance from their subordinates.

·  Leaders can not dwell on the present.  They must focus on the future.
·  Leaders must have optimism.
·  Leaders need to share the sacrifice.

·  Leaders need to choose the right teams.
·  Leaders need to make sure that no one feels shortchanged.
·  Leaders need at times to display Servant Leadership.
·  Leaders know the role of symbolism.

·  Leaders include the key players.
·  Leaders have a willingness to change direction and have that flexibility.
·  Leaders must recognize times for ceremonies and celebrations.
·  Leaders must know how to express appreciation to their team.

·  Leaders must be adept at dealing with adversity.
·  Leaders must be willing to admit mistakes.
·  Leaders understand self-sacrifice.
·  Leaders know how to create loyalty.
·  Leaders must be willing to risk everything if there seems to be few alternatives.
·  Leaders have an ability to inspire.

- Michael Lyons

Point Man

Point Man
Steve Farrar    

Here again I jot down the main points of a book that will wake us up.   I wish I had read this right about the time I got married. That said, there is plenty here for the man without a family.  My main takeaway was the importance of devotional time, really meditating on that fellowship with God such that I am changed.  I also felt the need to get others more involved in my life….still looking for a  way for that to come about.

1.     Point man on patrol:  War has been declared on the family, and like the leader of a small platoon, what you say and do will determine whether your family members will live or die. Stan has two specific  goals in his war on the family:

·       Strategy #1) To effectively alienate and sever a husband’s relationship with his wife (physical or emotional).

·       Strategy #2) To effectively alienate and sever a father’s relationship with his children.  Overall, Satan is trying to neutralize the the man of the family. The problem with “Quality time” is that you never know when quality time is going to show up.   

2.     Save the boys.  “A boy is the only thing that God can use to make a man.” (Cal Farley).  The premise here is that fathering as a craft has been removed from an ancient pattern of Fathers “apprenticing” their sons starting around age 7.  Largely this has been accomplished by the industrial revolution, where fathers have left the home to work in factories instead of taking their sons to work. LESS TIME=LESS INFLUENCE.  ERROR increases with distance.  Jonathan Edwards left a multi-generational impact through his focus on his boys. 

3.     Real Men Don’t.  The title says it all.  Real men don’t mess around with women who are not their wives.  They may listen, and provide comfort, but….”If you and your wife are struggling, this woman probably will be more understanding than your wife.  But why is she more understanding?  I hate to be the one who breaks the news, but its probably because she doesn’t know you very well.  J   Roger Staubach answered a rough question by saying I’m sure I’m as sexually active as Joe [Namath], The difference is that all of mine is with one woman.

4.     A one-woman kind of man.  Clearly, since I am not married, this chapter was a little tough to read, but the same thoughts apply..”I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl (Job 31:1).  CS. Lewis wrote, “If you look upon ham and eggs and lust, you have already committed breakfast in your heart”.  A one-woman kind of man must have a predetermined plan fixed in his mind so he can withstand the sneak attacks of the enemy.  We never know when we are going to be tempted with our eyes.”  Franklin Jones wrote, “What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is they don’t want to discourage it completely.”  But we should “demolish” and “take captive” every thought  (2Cor 10:3-5). A great example was learning to dribble left-handed, awkward until practice made perfect.

5.     Anorexic Men and Bulimic cousins.  This chapter describes those of us who either refuse to read God’s word, or vomit it up rather than put it into practice.  In Fact the strategy #3 of satan is to effectively sever and alienate a man from the spiritual disciplines that will keep him it and effective for spiritual battle.  With regard to Bulimia, the opposite of ignorance is not knowledge, but obedience.  The antidote is meditation; it is to the soul what digestion is to the body. Several suggestions, the one that stood out was start a scripture memory program, small accountability groups, with weekly assignments throughout the week.  Roots of a tree are 3x the size of the crown.

6.     Aerobic kneeling: Two mistakes are 1) Scripture without prayer or 2) prayer without scripture.

·       Plan a time

·       Plan a place

·       Make a list of issues to pray about

·       Begin with scripture

·       Make yourself accountable to someone.    

7.     Husband and wife teamwork in the marriage cockpit.  Clearly this is something that might have helped me when I was married.  A warning to the wife to be the submissive to the quarterback, but a husband who is loving rather than authoritarian.  He loves his wife with understanding, the idea of insight and tactfulness). Verbal praise and mutual accountability.

8.     Birth of a tangent- questioning why parents don’t have children 

9.     How to raise masculine sons and feminine daughters

·       Do no embitter, provoke to anger exasperate (Ephesians 6:4)

·       Be a compass, showing by example the life of Christ

·       Balancing tenderness and firmness

10.  Telling your kids what you don’t want to tell them:  The premise here is that by the age of 7 to 8, its about time to start telling them about the birds and the bees, and if you don’t do it, some 8 or 9 year old will, setting the stage for all sorts of problems later in life.

·       Small questions deserve small answers

·       Big questions deserve big answers

·       Frank questions deserve frank answers

·       Be casual

·       Do not underestimate the power of a teachable moment

·       Let them know they can ask anything and get a straight answer

11.  Rock and Role model.  His attempt to sum the message of the book is this: you must be a rock for your family and you must be a role model. The fruit is muti-generational.

A quest for More

Want more...some key Life Questions here....

One of the most life-changing books I have read in the last couple years.  Ideas not so new, but so clear we cannot resist the invitation into a life meant for so much more....A few of my notes below on the chapters.

1. Transcendence:  You were meant for so much more, what is the big vision, Glory to your purpose? “There is a compelling tendency to forget who you are and what you are made for.”

What is the big thing that you are living for right now?

2. Have you exchanged more for less? Jesus came to rescue us to God glory, community glory, stewardship glory, truth glory.

What is the “less” that tends to capture your attention?

3. The quest for autonomy will always crush transcendence.


4. Kingdom: Where do you pursue the interests of the big kingdom? In exactly the place where you are tempted to pursue the little kingdom. Right where you live and work each day. Ask yourself, what makes your good day good? If true humanity is bound up in community with God and godly community with others, I will never experience it when all my eyes ever see is my own need.

What earth-bound treasures and anxiety-bound needs tend to control you and your responses to life?

5. Civilization: Enculturation of self? The little kingdom does not encourage a humble and accurate view of self, being more dominated by internal conversation than by God’s revelation.

In what ways do you try to get the people around you to follow the rules of your kingdom of self?

6. Costume: Fruit of the costume kingdom: lack of excitement and enthusiasm in the gospel. Are you barely able to get up in time to have a brief personal time of worship before the day? You become like the treasure you seek (Psalm 115:8). Someone who gets his meaning and identity from relationships will become driven by what people think of him, living in unending fear of man.

In everyday life tight now, where are you telling yourself that you are living for God, when you are really living for yourself?

7. Shrink: Sin shrinks the size of your care and concern to the contours of your life.

Has the energy of your life been expended in the narrow world of personal wants, needs, and concerns?

8. Center: Big Kingdom Life means living with Christ at the center of everything I think, desire, say and do. Romans 11:36, for From Him, and through Him and to Him are all things. You cannot be Christ Centered without being cross centered.

What tends to compete with Christ for the center of your world? Responsibility, order, relationships?

9. Death: You must die (deny yourself). Achievement, acceptance, appearance, and possessions may give you identity for a while, they will enslave you and disappoint you in the end. OR you deny yourself, take your cross and follow the Lord and begin to experience the transcendent humanity for which you were created.

In everyday situations and relationships, where are you finding it hard to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ?

10. Focus: You and I are always living to avoid what we dread. If we dread displeasing God more than anything else, because our hears have been captured by a deep, worshipful and loving awe of him, we will live in new ways. (p127)

What is the focus of your life’s’ energies and intentions? Knowing Him, pleasing man, being “productive”, fellowship, serving others.

11. Groaning: There should be, this side of eternity, a dissatisfaction in all of us with the way things are. Ungodliness is about my life being so dominated by desire for present pleasures that my heart will never stay inside of God’s boundaries.

What are the tings that make you groan? My family, my job, lack of depth in relationships, lack of momentum in the big kingdom

12. Jazz: Harmonious: suitable and fitting; existing together in correspondence with others. What makes great jazz work is that it is gloriously unpredictable and creative, while at the same time submitting itself to a set of rules. He has ordained not to play His music alone. Great jazz musicians are not just great players, they are great listeners, playing is always an interaction with what is going on around them.

Where in your life are you tempted to write your won music rather than making harmonious music with the king? My sons.

13. Forgiveness: Every time you ask for forgiveness you recognize the biggest problems you face in life are inside of you, not outside of you. Every time you ask for forgiveness, you make the Kingdom of God visible to others.

Do you find joy in the liberating lifestyle of seeking forgiveness?

14. Loneliness: Big Kingdom living is supposed to look like waiting for the love of your life to return, deepening your love, and preparing yourself for the reunion. The health of this relationship depends not on three or four big moments but on 10,000 little moments.

What are the “other lovers” in your life that compete with your love for Christ?

15. Sacrifice: When you hold everything in your life with open hands for His taking, you expand everything you touch to the size of His Kingdom.

Whose kingdom are you making sacrifices for right now?

16. Anger: Because we are not motivated by what God is trying to accomplish, our anger, and God’s anger do not get along very well. The anger of restoration refuses to condemn, but believes lost rebels can be rebuilt into the likeness of Jesus. He died so you would be angry with sin and the way it has harmed you and everyone around you. Godly anger propels us forward to look for ways to do good (Ephesians 4:2)


17. Hope: If your hope disappoints you, it is the wrong kind of hope. You see, hope in God never disappoints, precisely because its hope IN GOD. Everything else will disappoint eventually.

Where do You look for Hope?

18. Zack believes in…
 …the importance of place…sovereignly located
 …ministry as a lifestyle
 …the redemptive power of relationships
 …importance of hospitality, opening up his private world
 …living life with patience and perseverance

Meditation: How deep are our roots?

The tree above is a picture from my back yard years ago.  For some reason, it never took, and was slowly dying.  We dug it up, and I was fascinated by the roots.  they were very developed, but not deep into the soil. 
  
Meditation is a word that usually brings images of eastern religion or yoga or other.  We label all these as foolishness idolatry (and rightly so), but not meditation. To ponder, to consider, to ruminate, to imagine, to pray.  These are acts of meditation.  Meditation is the active pursuit of truth, by denying external noise, fleeting desires, and surrendering our will and opinions to that of the Truth. How deep are our roots? I have added mediation to my new years resolutions, though I am not doing very well yet.


Hippocrates illustrated the challenge, here is wiki interpretation of the original :

The task is hugeLife is [too] short
The right time is like a razor blade...fleeting
The road to experience is fraught with hazards
To continuously accept reality and critical thought over hope and prejudice is taxing.  


the original from Hippocrates 

Art [is] long,
vitality [is] brief,
occasion precipitous,
experiment perilous,
judgment difficult.

This Wikipedia article found after the original Latin phrase was found in Matthew Henry commentary around Mark 4, the parable of the sower.  What great effort and reward results from listening, beholding, hearing....

"This parable is to teach you to be attentive to the word, and affected with it, that you may understand it. If ye receive not this, ye will not know how to use the key by which ye must be let into all the rest.’ ’ If we understand not the rules we are to observe in order to our profiting by the word, how shall we profit by any other rule?" 

The parable from Mark 4:4-9
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.  Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.  And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

 

....For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

"....For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13 part) 

Am I righteous in my own eyes? Forgive me.
Do I see my sin? Help me.
Do I pursue the goals of my little kingdom instead of the expansive glory of Yours? You know I do.  Call me Lord. Speak to me. Today.

Your servant is listening. I surrender.