More Spiritual Matters

It seems the two most difficult things to get right in life are love and God. In my life, more often than not, the messes I have made can be traced directly to failure, stupidity, or outright meanness in one or both of these areas. My conviction as a Christian is that God and love are intricately connected; completely inter-twined. To deal with God the right way I must learn to love the right way. If I want to love the right way, I must deal with God the right way. God and love cannot be separated.

In reading 1, 2, & 3John I get wonderfully explicit directions in how this works, and what it should look like in my life. Jesus provides the full understanding of God, the mature working-out of love. In Jesus, God and love are linked accurately, intricately and indissolubly, in human form.

There will always be people who don't want to be pinned down to the God that Jesus reveals. They want to make up their own idea of God. They would prefer to make up their own style of love. Perhaps this is an underlying reality in the problems that have beset human relationships in society today. Even God-fearing Christians will listen to false witness, bad teaching and illogical advice.

"Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father." (1John 2:24 TM)

My Climbing Life

In my youth I spent much time climbing rock in Yosemite, The Pinnacles and a number of other places. I often think back on those times, on the lessons learned when you must place your life in another's hands. Climbing partners were carefully chosen. They were a lifeline, and in more than one instance, the reason I am alive today. The man on the other end of your rope is crucial to a successful climb. Part friend, confidante, coach, support group. Climbing partners need to be so in tune with each other that they intuitively respond to movements; strong, steady, alert. Encouragement from the belay can make or break the climb, and the climber.

I took on a new belay, a new partner, when I accepted Christ as my Savior. He gave me His harness, the Holy Spirit, and a brand new rope, His Word. It became my lifeline, my connection to reality. My first few moves were strong, confident, almost graceful. But I lost my focus, my strength began to fade, and with height came fear. I lost my footing, I lost my grip. I fell. For a moment it seemed like forever. Wildly tumbling, out of control, out of self-control, disoriented, dislodged; falling.

When the rope tightened and the tumble ceased I found my equipment to be sound; harness and rope intact. I looked at my belay, found Jesus had secured my soul. A sheepish confession, a wan smile and I continue my climb. But it was my partner's reaction that startled me most. "When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start" (Luke 22:32 TM) You see, the only person surprised by my fall was me.

So I tell of what climbing has done for me, what my partner/belay/lifeline, my Guide does for me now. Wiser, I have slowed my pace. I am more cautious, yet more confident. And while I can't really see my Guide, I know he is there.

To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 24 NIV)

A Dark Day

There are times when everything looks dark to me - so dark that I have to wait before I have hope. Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when I must even wait for hope.

At times I see nothing but the darkness of night through my window. But I refuse to close the blinds because a star may appear. Refusing to allow the empty place in my heart to be filled by anything but God's best has been, is, the greatest test of patience in the universe.

Patience is teaching me that while I see nothing but sorrow in my cup, I will wait to drink from it, for His eyes see further than mine.

Father, give me your Divine power, the strength to wait for hope, to look through the window when there are no stars, even when my joy is gone. You have made waiting beautiful and patience divine. Teach me how to accept your will for my life.

A Simple Lesson

"Late that day he said to them, 'Let's go across to the other side.' ... A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it... They roused him saying, 'Teacher, is it nothing to you that we are going to drown?'" (Mark 4:35-38 TM)

This is one of those passages I'd like to write a few paragraphs about. I would offer encouragement to readers with trite sayings like, "If God leads you to it He'll see you through it." A most fitting expression here, isn't it? It is almost enough said on the topic, too.

Jesus' response, "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?" (v. 40) was a modest rebuke. It was early in Jesus' ministry as recounted by Mark. And the type of faith needed to rebuke the elements while the Master slept had yet to be developed among His disciples.

I get a smile, knowing what I do now of Jesus. My own relationship with Him today imagines a smart-alec reply on His part. "I didn't say lets go to the middle of the lake and drown. Keep rowing"

Challenging God

"...but Abraham still stood before the Lord." (Gen 18:22)
"...far be it from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen 18:25)
"So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place." (Gen 18:33)

What just happened here? Did someone just stand up to God and argue a point as if the Creator were a mere schoolyard bully? Or is the lesson here more subtle? From my reading of the Word, this was Abraham's fifth personal encounter with the Lord. Not since Adam had anyone received so much face time with The Boss.

That Abraham used this valuable moment to argue, to plead a case for the condemned of Sodom causes me to scratch my head in wonder. I mean, come on. Abraham, you are living in a tent, in the Negev Desert of all places. What about a little "milk and honey," a bit of personal comfort, maybe a more reliable water supply, better crops, protection from marauding neighbors? Since God seemed open to suggestion, what about a less painful tribal marking than circumcision?

The story unfolding in this section of Genesis involves Abraham exercising his faith in God by negotiating over the destruction of a wicked city. What balls he had to stand on nothing more than faith in the friendship he had developed with the Maker of heaven and earth, and argue.

And Abraham had no quid pro quo, nothing to offer in return. Or did he? Abraham's faith had not come to him all at once. It came step by step. It came by taking risks, trusting in incremental moments, building upon prior experiences. Over time he learned that God would be there for him. And over time he learned he could successfully argue before God for the lives of a few souls.

That was Abraham's quid pro quo. His faith in their relationship was exactly what the Lord wanted in return. And when the exchange was concluded each went their own way, certain that their point had been understood. And that is all God wants from me. Enough faith in Him to argue with Him.

Sense-ual Experiences

I hold my sight most dear,
For I cannot smell your graceful form,
Nor feel your eyes return my gaze,
Though I think at times I can hear your smile
I cannot taste it from afar.

But could I forgo the melody of your voice?
That sweet softness has neither form nor taste.
And to see you mouth 'I want you'
May create quite the stir,
But awakening to 'Sweetheart'
Resonates with my soul.

Could I profane my senses by giving up your scent?
Florals and lotions compete for attention
With what is woman - trigger thoughts
And emotions and memories dear.

I would not choose a flavorless life,
Unfamiliar with your tasty kisses,
Unacquainted with the saltiness
Of the nape of your neck,
The swell of your breasts
In passions grip.

Whatever could possess me to surrender your feel?
Soft and warm, cool and firm,
A kaleidoscope of textures, and temperatures,
And tactile bliss.
No, I choose not to surrender this.
I choose not to surrender these.