I'd learned this lesson before on numerous occassions, but it was one I was learning again. I shook my head in disbelief at my stupidity, what was I thinking? Now I was paying the price for my bad decision.
So what was my error? I had chosen to fly to Indianapolis on United through Chicago's O'Hare airport. Here's the lesson I'd learned many times in the past and was now being taught again, DON'T FLY UNITED ANYWHERE THROUGH O'HARE. So I sat in the Springfield Missouri airport wondering if I could even get to my Indianapolis meeting the next day.
The brand new Springfield airport is an interesting place. Ten gates makes it about the size of one of Eppley's two terminals. I had just glanced up at the TV which was on the Weather Channel when I saw a line of clouds approaching Chicago. I know from experience that just the threat of clouds is enough to send O'Hare into a tailspin. Only a minute later the announcement comes over the public address system, " United Airlines Flight 629 to Chicago has been cancelled." Cancelled? Really? On just the threat of a few clouds? EEESCH.
I looked around the empty terminal. Just two other guys were booked for this flight from what I could see. I then thought the honest announcement should have gone something like this, "Based on only having three people purchase tickets, United has decided it is better for us to cancel your flight. To bad for you because we're going to blame this on the weather so don't be asking us for a free lunch or a hotel for the evening- don't ask us for anything! And thank you for choosing United."
So the three of us weary travelers headed for the United desk - back in the main lobby, back through security whose number of employees exceeded the total number of travelers in the entire airport. Long story short, I ended up watching another three hours of the weather channel and flying to Dallas to get to Indy - arriving at my hotel at 1:30 AM. A stiff but fair punishment for my poor United decision.
Flying home the next day I again was punished for flying through O'Hare. This time I got to Chicago but when I arrived, the board didn't show a time for my Omaha flight. Instead it said 'Servicing Jet' in the time spot. Let me tell you if you ever see that comment, don't expect to leave anywhere near on-time. What that ended up meaning to me was an after midnight arrival at home. Ahhhh, the joys of business travel.
I'll let you make your own analogy when it comes to faith lessons you've learned and forgotten. In the end, as in THE END, forgetting those lessons could mean more than a delay to our final destination - it might mean ending up in a less desireable destination. Enough said. Hope to see you all on that FINAL flight to our exciting, exotic eternal home - which luckily won't go through Chicago!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
IDI - 'Know Doubt'
I think I've told you before that the absolute worst thing I can say to my wife, the thing that fires her up almost immediately, the way to get into instant hot water... is to say, 'IDI'. Those three little letters can dig a pretty deep hole.
What does IDI mean at our house? I doubt it. Being doubted, questioned, having your sincerity and honesty reviewed doesn't sit well with anyone really. So when it comes to matters of faith, how does Jesus respond when we put the 'IDI' on Him which everyone has done at some point?
Have you ever heard of what some call the 'Doubter's Prayer'? The prayer consists of words spoken directly to Jesus. A man comes with his demon possessed child and asks for healing. Jesus replies healing is possible for one who believes. The father responds, 'I do believe, help me in my unbelief'! Those are the words of the doubters prayer, words that we can all in some way relate to. And Jesus responds by healing the boy - He understands we all struggle at times with faith.
What does IDI mean at our house? I doubt it. Being doubted, questioned, having your sincerity and honesty reviewed doesn't sit well with anyone really. So when it comes to matters of faith, how does Jesus respond when we put the 'IDI' on Him which everyone has done at some point?
Have you ever heard of what some call the 'Doubter's Prayer'? The prayer consists of words spoken directly to Jesus. A man comes with his demon possessed child and asks for healing. Jesus replies healing is possible for one who believes. The father responds, 'I do believe, help me in my unbelief'! Those are the words of the doubters prayer, words that we can all in some way relate to. And Jesus responds by healing the boy - He understands we all struggle at times with faith.
John Ortberg in his book 'Know Doubt' quotes Madeleine L'Engle, 'Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God Himself.' Those words ring true for me. We are all in a way Jacobs, Isrealites, wrestling with God for the blessing of a stronger more sincere faith, to be helped in our unbelief.
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
Maybe you think doubt is something only you deal with. Not so - not even close. Ortberg goes on to tell an interesting story about Martin Luther. 'Luther was approached for help by an elderly woman troubled by doubt. "Tell me", he asked her, "when you recite the creeds - do you believe them?" "Yes, most certainly." "Then go in peace," the reformer said. "You believe more and better than I do." Peter sank in the waters of doubt, Thomas the disciple got a doubting nickname, you and I are not alone in times of doubt, in fact I'd say we are in impressive company.
Ortberg writes that 'doubt is a good servant, but a poor master'. Having doubts is okay, we can use doubt to encourage prayer, worship and time in God's Word. Luther said the opposite of faith is not doubt but pride. The bottom line is that we trust in the One who gave us the very gift of faith. Romans 1 explains the evidence for God and our faith is plain to see and visible all around us. I agree, no matter what happens.
Let me encourage you today to be a championship wrestler, to take on your doubts when they appear. You've been guaranteed a win if you'll only enter the ring- sorta like a scripted WWE match I might guess. Unchallenged, doubts will make you a wave tossed about in the sea (James 1:6) with no point or direction. Put the IDI on doubt itself when it comes around, engage the battle, reach into your shorts and pull out the brass knuckles of God's Word and you'll win hope, the sure confidence of salvation, that faith brings. Faithfully wrestle so as to win the prize Paul would say, a prize worth fighting for without a doubt.
Blest Regards,
kp
Friday, September 10, 2010
Always Been Faithful
I haven't heard much from Sara Groves lately. Maybe that's more due to my focus on other things lately.She is an independent artist who found a label and some success in the Christian music industry in the early 2000's. When we were doing concerts at Atonement I helped provide some information to a church in South Omaha on how to bring in a Christian artist. The artist they selected was Sara Groves.
And she put on a great show telling stories and playing the piano and singing. I was thinking about her as I was surfing some YouTube videos. Two of them stood out I think and I wanted to share them with you here. Hope you enjoy them as I do. kp
And she put on a great show telling stories and playing the piano and singing. I was thinking about her as I was surfing some YouTube videos. Two of them stood out I think and I wanted to share them with you here. Hope you enjoy them as I do. kp
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Dragonflies
Read a great illustration of life and death and eternal life by Bruce Theilmann this week in John Ortberg's book 'Know Doubt'. I found it to be an insightful look at our present situation and what is to come. See what you think.
Imagine a colony of grubs living on the bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others.
Not long after that, one of the grubs feels that urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings.
And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought is his that takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory.
Bruce Thielemann, "Christus Imperator,"
Imagine a colony of grubs living on the bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others.
Not long after that, one of the grubs feels that urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings.
And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought is his that takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory.
Bruce Thielemann, "Christus Imperator,"
Monday, September 6, 2010
Roddy!
Sherri and I went to church this Sunday at Christ Community and saw Roddy Chong. If you don't know who he is, don't feel bad- we didn't know either, other than the fact that he was a violinist with the TransSiberian Orchestra. Turns out is he a great musician but an even better Christian witness. Anyway, great service and thanks to Christ Community for bringing him in and putting a flyer up in No Frills so we could find out about it! Here's a YouTube clip for you to see what Roddy sounds and looks like (with Celine Dion) ......
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Difference Makers
I'm going to share a hard story with you. One of those stories that just makes you wonder why things are the way they are. A story that encourages us to be difference makers in this world.
Through my daily radiation and and weekly chemo treatments I've have a pretty positive attitude. I don't claim any special mental powers in saying this, rather I have the good fortune of going through these treatments as a way of trying to prevent a reoccurence of my cancer. Sherri and I meet others however for whom treatment is at best only extending for a short time the little time they have left.
We met just such a person and family last month. Some of the meds I take with my chemo put me to sleep pretty quickly. During these times Sherri has the opportunity to talk with nurses and other patients. Not to long ago she talked with a lady and her husband and son. She was getting treatment for her stage 4 cervical cancer.
Our hearts broke for this young family as we learned of her bad news diagnosis. Time was not on their side. Sherri called her this week and learned that things have not gotten any better - that cancer has made life difficult. Out of respect for their privacy these are the only details I'll share with you. But you get the point, you've known family or friends or neighbors who had the same difficult story - unfortunately this young lady isn't alone.
My thoughts keep returning to this family. How different treatment is for them than it is for us. How sad it is to think about leaving a young son. How unfair it all seems sometimes. Life comes with great joys but also with amazing hurts doesn't it?
I keep thinking about Jesus' answer when asked about others who were killed through no fault of their own- were they bad people? Jesus answered they were no different- certainly not worse- than anyone else, but then He moved the focus from 'why' to those who were listening- including you and me, and said we need to repent or perish as well. I want to know why young moms die of cancer and I want it to stop and Jesus says to me - focus instead on what is important- eternal life where there are no tears and there is no cancer. Stop concentrating on the broken box of our life and look instead at the perfect gift inside of eternal life.
Even knowing this, we grieve over this situation. Jesus does too I am sure. He wept at Lazurus' death. He understands losing loved ones is never easy. So we consider our own hearts then respond in love. We have a gift certificate charity of sorts where we give prepaid cards to various stores to the nurses to give to patients who need some help. We'll do this here as well. If you'd like to help just let Sherri or me know. Sometimes making a small difference in someone's life can make all the difference. May God grant us the opportunity to make a difference in this story.
Blest Regards,
kp
Through my daily radiation and and weekly chemo treatments I've have a pretty positive attitude. I don't claim any special mental powers in saying this, rather I have the good fortune of going through these treatments as a way of trying to prevent a reoccurence of my cancer. Sherri and I meet others however for whom treatment is at best only extending for a short time the little time they have left.
We met just such a person and family last month. Some of the meds I take with my chemo put me to sleep pretty quickly. During these times Sherri has the opportunity to talk with nurses and other patients. Not to long ago she talked with a lady and her husband and son. She was getting treatment for her stage 4 cervical cancer.
Our hearts broke for this young family as we learned of her bad news diagnosis. Time was not on their side. Sherri called her this week and learned that things have not gotten any better - that cancer has made life difficult. Out of respect for their privacy these are the only details I'll share with you. But you get the point, you've known family or friends or neighbors who had the same difficult story - unfortunately this young lady isn't alone.
My thoughts keep returning to this family. How different treatment is for them than it is for us. How sad it is to think about leaving a young son. How unfair it all seems sometimes. Life comes with great joys but also with amazing hurts doesn't it?
I keep thinking about Jesus' answer when asked about others who were killed through no fault of their own- were they bad people? Jesus answered they were no different- certainly not worse- than anyone else, but then He moved the focus from 'why' to those who were listening- including you and me, and said we need to repent or perish as well. I want to know why young moms die of cancer and I want it to stop and Jesus says to me - focus instead on what is important- eternal life where there are no tears and there is no cancer. Stop concentrating on the broken box of our life and look instead at the perfect gift inside of eternal life.
Even knowing this, we grieve over this situation. Jesus does too I am sure. He wept at Lazurus' death. He understands losing loved ones is never easy. So we consider our own hearts then respond in love. We have a gift certificate charity of sorts where we give prepaid cards to various stores to the nurses to give to patients who need some help. We'll do this here as well. If you'd like to help just let Sherri or me know. Sometimes making a small difference in someone's life can make all the difference. May God grant us the opportunity to make a difference in this story.
Blest Regards,
kp
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