29 February 2007

South of the Border.  The mere mention of the name elicits response from the millions of people who have traveled from the north, down I-95 to southern destinations.  For hundreds of miles, sign after sign touts the wonders of a place called South of the Border.  If you travel the highway enough, sooner or later you must stop to see this traveler’s oasis.

Signs do work don’t they?  However, they only work if they actually lead you to your intended destination, and you actually follow them.  Sometimes signs are so unusual, so hokey, or so beautiful, we forget the purpose of the sign – to point us to some person, place, or thing.

There are two groups of signs in the life-path of every person - blessing and suffering.  Either type of sign can either draw us to God or lead us away from God.  Both are dangerously wonderful.

Famous writer, Fenelon, said “When God blesses you remember to keep your eyes on him and not the blessing.”   In the midst of blessing and suffering it is so easy to switch our focus, our direction, from God to the sign.  We become enamored with blessings and transfixed on pain and suffering.  When our focus changes we run to the signs rather than to the God who allows them. Running into signs is no fun and not very helpful.  Following signs is profitable. 

Blessing and suffering are God’s two kinds of signs.  Make no mistake – either kind of sign is unmistakably God personally calling you to get off at His exit.  When God places signs in your path – blessing and suffering – keep your focus on where the signs point – God.  Don’t switch focus away from your destination.

Ask God to show you how He is directing you through these signs. Listen for His voice. Watch for His presence. You’ll be glad you kept your gaze upon Him, not the signs.

Even South of the Border is worth a look after all those signs.

Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don

21 February 2007

I’m not a NASCAR fan.  It’s not that I don’t like stock car racing. I just don’t presently sense the need to give racing much time.  However, I read part of an article on the Daytona 500 this morning. Sounds like it was quite a race.  There were many crashes and the first to cross the finish line was new to the winner’s circle.

Alright, I confess it’s weird, but racing reminds me of my sleep patterns sometimes!

Do you ever awaken in the middle of the night with your mind racing around in circles waiting for the next crash?  I do. The crash inevitably happens, but you keep moving forward through the smoke at breakneck speed until the next crash.  Sometimes the process lasts a few minutes.  Sometimes it lasts for hours.

"What did I forget today?"  "Is Andrea going to be okay on that trip she is taking?"  "Did I missed a chance to be helpful today?" "I can’t believe we are out of money . . . again?" "Why can’t I get this thing under control?" "I have a sermon to preach tomorrow! Everyone is depending upon me and I am lying here awake!"  Etc., etc., etc.

I suggest some remedies for sleepless nights.  Jesus encourages those who are weary and burdened, tired and worn out, to find rest. He said that rest comes to those who bring their burdens to Him.  "I will give you rest," he said.  So how do we come to Him when our minds are racing in the night? 

Set your thoughts upon Jesus Christ.  Picture him in the room with you. Quietly take each issue that assaults your mind, directly to him.  Remind yourself that he can handle any issue. Hear his voice as he says, "I’ll handle that, don’t worry anymore about that, let me take care of that, I already forgave you for that, we will work on that tomorrow, I’m in control." Thank God for a long, long list of blessings you possess.  Recite this verse over and over.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7).

Let’s leave racing to stock car drivers on the weekends.  Turn the rest of the week over to Jesus. You need some rest!

Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don

7 February 2007

It was bittersweet.  I sat down on the chest press machine for the first time in many months.  The weight was adjusted very light.  Physical strength fades quickly at fifty- two!   I started my first set when it hit me. I could hear his voice; I could smell the espresso on his breath. "Hi, how are ya?" to a dozen people and the hand-off of a water bottle to me.  My workout buddy, Joe, was still very much with me, even though he’s now with the Lord too.

Choking back tears, I finished set after set.  Crying is not allowed in gyms! I talked with our friend John who introduced me to the new counter staff, then a half hour of cardio.

I’ve restarted this "get in shape" process dozens of times in my life. This battle is one of my most frustrating. It seems that I might never win. But maybe winning is not always the point. Maybe, just maybe, it’s what happens along the way that is most important.  Friendships forged, love shared.  Someone has said that life is what happens while you’re waiting for the next big event.  I think there are more important events happening in gyms than lost pounds and strengthened muscles.  Maybe it’s the same at workplaces and everywhere goals must be reached and deadlines met?

Well, back to the gym. I’m sore already and hungry as ever.  But my friend completely stopped drinking three espressos a day when it was getting to him. Years earlier, he had completely stopped drinking alcohol and letting drugs ruin his life. He decided to let God change him. Then he helped others do the same. Years later he changed one pastor’s life working out in a gym.

I think there’s hope! 

Gotta go, I’m headed back to the gym today.

"I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race, and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up t heaven." (Philippians 3:13, 14).

Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don