I came across an interesting poem this week cited in Leonard Sweet's book '11'. "I Will Not Die and Unlived Life" is a title that catches your attention. The last lines struck me as a powerful reminder of how we are to live:
'I choose... to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom,
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.' (Dawna Markova)
I knew a good man years ago who left the Catholic church for a non-demominational church for numerous reasons. And he kept asking his good Catholic friend and my boss why he wouldn't leave the church as well. My boss replied that he was called to bloom where he was planted, that he wanted to stay and encourage his fellow Catholics. I liked that answer, that steadfast heart to bloom, to encourage and serve others right where God planted him.
And I like the poem's idea of seed, to blossom, to fruit. I'm not sure if the author had a Biblical intent but we know the Bible speaks to this exact point. Remember the parable of the Sower, where the seed, the Word of God is sown and the good soil, the man who takes it to heart, bears tons of fruit? That should be us. Non-fruit bearers end up like the bare fig tree, cursed, withered up and good only as firewood.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We are a field that needs to be planted with the Word, a field of good soil that takes in the Word which causes us to grow and blossom and be a blessing to others. As Peter puts it, to be such a blessing that others ask us about the hope that is in us! That's how you know when you are blossoming, when others ask you about your blooms.
Maybe the poem invites us to wonder if we are living an 'unlived life'. What are we not doing that we should be doing? Jesus gives us two simple commands which will result it blooming and fruit. We are to love God and love our neighbor. Blooms and fruit are born in these activities. God knows the colorful and fruitful plans He has for us (Jer 29)- are we living these plans or living an unlived life?
To die an unlived life for me is to spend no time with the Word- in church or at home. Without the Word, without Jesus, we bear no blossoms and certainly no fruit. Matthew West sings about his desire to live a fruitful life in his song 'The Motions':
I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"
Let's hear the Word, let it take root in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit blossom and bear fruit. Let me encourage you today to live a full life by getting into God's Word. Go to church this week, find a Bible study, and dust off your Bible and catechism at home, crack them open and hear what God has to say to you. It's okay to be a late bloomer, even better to be a bit fruity. Plant the seeds this week to live a full life with eternal rewards. See you all at the flower and fruit show this Sunday!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Heavenly Sets
Sherri and I went to see 'Avatar' last week. We sprung for the extra $3 and saw it in 3D. We thought it was a good movie, not great and a bit long. What makes this movie such a big hit isn't its average storyline, but rather the visually stunning world the story takes place in.
What moviemakers can do with special effects these days is amazing. On the Avatar planet Pandora we saw mountains float in mid-air along with all sorts of interesting creatures. It was as if James Cameron became the 'creator' and came up with a whole new cast of plants and animals and people. He stole a bunch of God's ideas- like eyes and hands and feet etc, but he creatively rearranged them into some pretty unique and fantastic creations.
And as good as they were and as much as they held my attention, I couldn't help but think that the imagination of this filmmaker is a gift on loan from God. And whatever his mind gifts him to imagine and create on film is but the smallest of glimpses of things God can imagine and create.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you think 'Avatar' is visually stunning wait till you see the reality of heaven. God gives us this same message in Corinthians where Paul writes, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." Heaven will make 'Avatar' look like a bad amateur YouTube video.
The little known last verse of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' describes what our anticipation to see the glory heaven should be:
Oh When the new world is revealed
Oh When the new world is revealed
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the new world is revealed
I want to be in that number too! We can't begin to imagine how awesome the heavenly set will be. Revelation gives us a few of the details, but I get the feeling the author knew words could not adequately describe what he saw. When we try to descibe a sunset or the smell of a Spring rain, words can fail- how much greater do they come up short in trying to relate what heaven is like?
Jesus adds to the anticipation we should feel about heaven when He says, 'Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.' Even God Himself believes the reward of heaven is going to be something very special- something so good our reaction should be to rejoice! I pray we all get to see the glory of heaven one day- He's already paid the price of admission and this is one eternal show we don't want to miss.
Blest Regards,
Keith
What moviemakers can do with special effects these days is amazing. On the Avatar planet Pandora we saw mountains float in mid-air along with all sorts of interesting creatures. It was as if James Cameron became the 'creator' and came up with a whole new cast of plants and animals and people. He stole a bunch of God's ideas- like eyes and hands and feet etc, but he creatively rearranged them into some pretty unique and fantastic creations.
And as good as they were and as much as they held my attention, I couldn't help but think that the imagination of this filmmaker is a gift on loan from God. And whatever his mind gifts him to imagine and create on film is but the smallest of glimpses of things God can imagine and create.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you think 'Avatar' is visually stunning wait till you see the reality of heaven. God gives us this same message in Corinthians where Paul writes, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." Heaven will make 'Avatar' look like a bad amateur YouTube video.
The little known last verse of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' describes what our anticipation to see the glory heaven should be:
Oh When the new world is revealed
Oh When the new world is revealed
Lord, how I want to be in that number
When the new world is revealed
I want to be in that number too! We can't begin to imagine how awesome the heavenly set will be. Revelation gives us a few of the details, but I get the feeling the author knew words could not adequately describe what he saw. When we try to descibe a sunset or the smell of a Spring rain, words can fail- how much greater do they come up short in trying to relate what heaven is like?
Jesus adds to the anticipation we should feel about heaven when He says, 'Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.' Even God Himself believes the reward of heaven is going to be something very special- something so good our reaction should be to rejoice! I pray we all get to see the glory of heaven one day- He's already paid the price of admission and this is one eternal show we don't want to miss.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Disappointed?
Sherri and I went to have lunch with Caleb today at St. Bernards. We had milk and fruit and hamburger and fries. A brownie wrapped up what I thought was a pretty good school lunch. Our table had all five of the 8th grade boys and we had a good conversation.
At one point I asked Caleb what class was next. He replied, 'literature' and that they were reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Sherri said that was a good book. I said I had never read it. To which classmate Jeremy replied, 'Neither have I'. We all shared a good laugh on that comment.
We all have times when we don't do the things we are supposed to. This week I went to physical therapy for the first time to work on increasing my arm movements after having a shoulder muscle removed during my cancer surgery. Anyway I felt okay going in but after being poked and prodded and stretched my shoulder was a little sore. I came home with exercises to do but so far I have yet to get started on the new routines I'm supposed to do. Don't tell anyone, especially my wife.
When folks don't do what they are supposed to it can be disappointing. Jesus dealt with this problem on numerous occasions. One such instance is recorded for us where Jesus asks a couple of his disciples to stay awake with Him while He prays. Of course we know that doesn't happen. Even so Jesus continued on with His mission.
I bet this happened over and over through the three years of Jesus' ministry. And yet, just like in the garden, Jesus never stopped moving forward in His work. When Jesus learns of a disappointing debate over who gets to sit next to Him in heaven, He doesn't give up on them, rather He gives them a lesson in humility.
That's not as easy for us to do is it? When others disappoint us often our first reaction is to take it personally, maybe even look for a pound of flesh or some way to proclaim our hurt and disappointment. If it is church related, well then the most common response is to quit whatever program, position or project we are working on. That'll teach 'em! But that's not the example Jesus gave us is it?
Jesus taught us to love one another and to freely forgive. His example of forgiving Peter and then using him to 'feed my sheep' is the perfect 'disappointment' response. May God grant us an extra measure of grace this week to live the same response as we work together in His kingdom. And may God grant Jeremy Mockingbird Cliff Notes for his literature class.
Blest Regards,
Keith
At one point I asked Caleb what class was next. He replied, 'literature' and that they were reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Sherri said that was a good book. I said I had never read it. To which classmate Jeremy replied, 'Neither have I'. We all shared a good laugh on that comment.
We all have times when we don't do the things we are supposed to. This week I went to physical therapy for the first time to work on increasing my arm movements after having a shoulder muscle removed during my cancer surgery. Anyway I felt okay going in but after being poked and prodded and stretched my shoulder was a little sore. I came home with exercises to do but so far I have yet to get started on the new routines I'm supposed to do. Don't tell anyone, especially my wife.
When folks don't do what they are supposed to it can be disappointing. Jesus dealt with this problem on numerous occasions. One such instance is recorded for us where Jesus asks a couple of his disciples to stay awake with Him while He prays. Of course we know that doesn't happen. Even so Jesus continued on with His mission.
I bet this happened over and over through the three years of Jesus' ministry. And yet, just like in the garden, Jesus never stopped moving forward in His work. When Jesus learns of a disappointing debate over who gets to sit next to Him in heaven, He doesn't give up on them, rather He gives them a lesson in humility.
That's not as easy for us to do is it? When others disappoint us often our first reaction is to take it personally, maybe even look for a pound of flesh or some way to proclaim our hurt and disappointment. If it is church related, well then the most common response is to quit whatever program, position or project we are working on. That'll teach 'em! But that's not the example Jesus gave us is it?
Jesus taught us to love one another and to freely forgive. His example of forgiving Peter and then using him to 'feed my sheep' is the perfect 'disappointment' response. May God grant us an extra measure of grace this week to live the same response as we work together in His kingdom. And may God grant Jeremy Mockingbird Cliff Notes for his literature class.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Titus!
Today, Tuesday January 26th is St. Titus Day. Did you know that? I didn't either until I read it in my Portals of Prayer. Then I wondered about St. Titus. Can't say I know anything really about St. Titus- other than there is a book in the Bible by this name. That is the extent of my Titus knowledge- so let's extend our Titus insights together shall we?
First some unrelated Titus names: My family went to Titusville in Florida to watch the space shuttle take off ten years ago or more. It was named after confederate Colonel Theodore Titus who got to name the town when he won a dominoes match in 1873. Shakespeare wrote a play 'Titus Andronicus' laced with revenge and dark themes which many conclude is his worst play. Then there was a Roman Emperor named Titus who came to power in 79 AD after leading the destruction of Jerusalem. Today Titus is around the 400th most popular name for babies.
Back to Saint Titus, he was a Gentile (non-Jewish) companion of Paul and is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament. Some think he may have been a brother of Luke. At one point Paul sends him off to Corinth to collect an offering for the poor in Jerusalem. Later we find Titus in Crete where Paul writes to him with some inspired ideas about Elders in the church, sound doctrine, good works and avoiding conflict. The last mention of Titus has him with Paul again during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome.
The Bible doesn't record his death but tradition has him dying in Crete in the year 107 AD at 95 tears of age. So we don't know a lot about Titus but we do know this, he was a faithful servant of God, doing what was asked of him. He was a faithful friend who Paul requested to join him over and over. How cool would that be, to be the guy Paul wants to have close by?
So what can we learn from Titus? Maybe we could learn from his name which means 'honor' or 'defender'. Maybe we could learn to be defenders of the faith who do so with honor. Being a defender of your faith might mean a little extra time going forward in the Bible or with your catechism. And I like the 'honor' title as well, it fits Titus. To me that means he did his work with integrity and pride. We can work for the Lord with that same integrity and pride.
The church needs faithful, active friends like Titus. We need men and women who will do what is asked of them. People who we can count on as friends in the faith. 2Cor 7:6 says 'Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.' Sounds like Titus was a great guy to have around, a positive upbeat guy who lifted everyone's spirits. Paul adds a little proof to this by concluding his letter to Titus saying 'everyone with me sends you greetings'. Titus was the guy everyone loved and wanted to count as a friend. We can be a Titus in our own church.
I know I'm not the only one who never thought much about Titus. I guess mostly because he's not a big name like Paul or Peter. Yet for this very reason, Titus may be for us the best example of one who works diligently for God, doing what is asked of him with a faithful heart and a positive spirit, not concerned about credit or recognition. Faithful people like Titus are what makes God's church powerful and effective. May God grant each of us a Titus heart this week!
Blest Regards,
Keith
First some unrelated Titus names: My family went to Titusville in Florida to watch the space shuttle take off ten years ago or more. It was named after confederate Colonel Theodore Titus who got to name the town when he won a dominoes match in 1873. Shakespeare wrote a play 'Titus Andronicus' laced with revenge and dark themes which many conclude is his worst play. Then there was a Roman Emperor named Titus who came to power in 79 AD after leading the destruction of Jerusalem. Today Titus is around the 400th most popular name for babies.
Back to Saint Titus, he was a Gentile (non-Jewish) companion of Paul and is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament. Some think he may have been a brother of Luke. At one point Paul sends him off to Corinth to collect an offering for the poor in Jerusalem. Later we find Titus in Crete where Paul writes to him with some inspired ideas about Elders in the church, sound doctrine, good works and avoiding conflict. The last mention of Titus has him with Paul again during Paul's second imprisonment in Rome.
The Bible doesn't record his death but tradition has him dying in Crete in the year 107 AD at 95 tears of age. So we don't know a lot about Titus but we do know this, he was a faithful servant of God, doing what was asked of him. He was a faithful friend who Paul requested to join him over and over. How cool would that be, to be the guy Paul wants to have close by?
So what can we learn from Titus? Maybe we could learn from his name which means 'honor' or 'defender'. Maybe we could learn to be defenders of the faith who do so with honor. Being a defender of your faith might mean a little extra time going forward in the Bible or with your catechism. And I like the 'honor' title as well, it fits Titus. To me that means he did his work with integrity and pride. We can work for the Lord with that same integrity and pride.
The church needs faithful, active friends like Titus. We need men and women who will do what is asked of them. People who we can count on as friends in the faith. 2Cor 7:6 says 'Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.' Sounds like Titus was a great guy to have around, a positive upbeat guy who lifted everyone's spirits. Paul adds a little proof to this by concluding his letter to Titus saying 'everyone with me sends you greetings'. Titus was the guy everyone loved and wanted to count as a friend. We can be a Titus in our own church.
I know I'm not the only one who never thought much about Titus. I guess mostly because he's not a big name like Paul or Peter. Yet for this very reason, Titus may be for us the best example of one who works diligently for God, doing what is asked of him with a faithful heart and a positive spirit, not concerned about credit or recognition. Faithful people like Titus are what makes God's church powerful and effective. May God grant each of us a Titus heart this week!
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Surgery Update
Well its been two days since my neck surgery. Turns out it was a 'radical' removal of nerve, nodes and muscle. So some physical therapy is in the cards to get my shoulder working again correctly. Previous radiation caused damage that made it difficult to tell where the impacted areas needed removal so Dr. Dobleman errored on the side of safety taking out more than he anticpated. The good news is I had very minimal blood loss and everything went very well. I have minimal pain and am up and about looking to go home early- as in today!
So I've added a big new scar to go with my bald melon for a new and improved look! Looking forward to radiation in 4 or 5 weeks on my arm pit to kill any rogue cells. Then this adventure will be over!
Thanks for all your prayers and support. Sherri and I greatly appreciate them and all the food and cards and and and- just know we greatly appreciate them all and your love!
Blest Regards,
kp
So I've added a big new scar to go with my bald melon for a new and improved look! Looking forward to radiation in 4 or 5 weeks on my arm pit to kill any rogue cells. Then this adventure will be over!
Thanks for all your prayers and support. Sherri and I greatly appreciate them and all the food and cards and and and- just know we greatly appreciate them all and your love!
Blest Regards,
kp
Monday, January 18, 2010
Drip, Drip, Drip
I heard it again. Another 'plop'. Water continues to drip into my family room from the ceiling into a bucket- actually buckets. Our snowy roof is leaking and has created a mess of plaster and drywall.
Its our fault really, we knew our roof was bad, even had the insurance company come out and look at it. They agreed and sent us a check to get it fixed but they made it out to us and our former mortgage company. So we called and told them to send us a new check with our current mortgage company included. We never saw the new check. Then this past month they called and asked why we didn't cash the first check. They had no record of our subsequent call.
So it's partly our fault for not following up and working to get our money and the result now is this incessant dripping sound I hear. It's a reminder that nothing lasts forever, that things break down and fall apart. Same for us as people. My successful surgery a couple days ago is proof that we fall apart as well, and a reminder that we don't last forever either.
Yet like my roof in the near future, we one day will be fixed up as well. But unlike my roof the Carpenter who fixes us does so for an eternity. Now that's a gift worth holding on to. As I sit here writing with a new scar and big ol bandage on my neck I appreciate this gift even more being taught that life is short and we have work to do before our free gift is given to us.
I was thinking about this prior to the big earthquake in Haiti. The Luthran Haiti mission sent out their monthly newsletter and said they needed $18,000 to finish their next orphanage and I wondered if Atonement couldn't contribute to this need- maybe even take on the entire project.
And maybe that sounds absurd but really, what can a group of dedicated Christians accomplish with prayer and focus- even a small group not flush with cash? I remembered what God did with Gideon's army whittling down thousands of men to just a couple hundred to accomplish His purpose. Could the little Atonement army accomplish His purpose of helping the those in need?
James 1:27 says true religion means we are to care for the orphans and widows. We have a clear call to care for those who can't help themselves. A message straight to us short-timers with an eternal promise in our hearts. Let's think about it together and take some action. As I can attest, even drips of action can add up to buckets full of results.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Its our fault really, we knew our roof was bad, even had the insurance company come out and look at it. They agreed and sent us a check to get it fixed but they made it out to us and our former mortgage company. So we called and told them to send us a new check with our current mortgage company included. We never saw the new check. Then this past month they called and asked why we didn't cash the first check. They had no record of our subsequent call.
So it's partly our fault for not following up and working to get our money and the result now is this incessant dripping sound I hear. It's a reminder that nothing lasts forever, that things break down and fall apart. Same for us as people. My successful surgery a couple days ago is proof that we fall apart as well, and a reminder that we don't last forever either.
Yet like my roof in the near future, we one day will be fixed up as well. But unlike my roof the Carpenter who fixes us does so for an eternity. Now that's a gift worth holding on to. As I sit here writing with a new scar and big ol bandage on my neck I appreciate this gift even more being taught that life is short and we have work to do before our free gift is given to us.
I was thinking about this prior to the big earthquake in Haiti. The Luthran Haiti mission sent out their monthly newsletter and said they needed $18,000 to finish their next orphanage and I wondered if Atonement couldn't contribute to this need- maybe even take on the entire project.
And maybe that sounds absurd but really, what can a group of dedicated Christians accomplish with prayer and focus- even a small group not flush with cash? I remembered what God did with Gideon's army whittling down thousands of men to just a couple hundred to accomplish His purpose. Could the little Atonement army accomplish His purpose of helping the those in need?
James 1:27 says true religion means we are to care for the orphans and widows. We have a clear call to care for those who can't help themselves. A message straight to us short-timers with an eternal promise in our hearts. Let's think about it together and take some action. As I can attest, even drips of action can add up to buckets full of results.
Blest Regards,
Keith
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Crash!
This morning I witnessed an auto accident. Well really the tail end of one as an SUV dove into a huge snowbank just north of Maple street on 72nd Street. As I drove by on the opposite side of the street I could see one of the multiple cars involved with a person inside hurt. I turned around to see if I could help.
I parked on a side street,crossed 72nd and began to wonder to myself just what I planned to do. I mean, I'm no medical expert- unless someone needed some advice on how to handle chemo treatmnents which clearly, no one here was going to ask. I was the first person to stop- some folks involved in the accident were out of their cars and calling 911 already.
I approached the SUV which may have started the accident. It sat with its crumpled front end in the street. Again I wondered what I would do if any one needed help. I was concerned for the driver as I approached, a younger black lady who was still in the driver seat, not moving, eyes closed. EEESH. I asked her if she was ok and she was responsive opening her eyes and nodding 'yes'.
At that point I felt it best to leave well enough alone. Soon the ambulance would be coming. She would be best served by not moving and staying where she was. I told her help was coming and that she would be alright. That was the extent of my 'help'. Everyone else, including a bus with kids seemed to be okay.
Walking across the street wondering just what I was going to do kinda reminds me of how unprepared many of us might be to help others we come across who need spiritual help. I mean sometimes we drive drive right by others who need help hoping that someone else will stop to help. We let fear drive us so to speak.
Yet at other times like when friends and family experience loss we are on the scene and have an opportunity speak words of faith we wonder as I did, just what should we do. The Good News is if we will only try, the Holy Spirit will help us by giving us the right words- but we need to take that first step of faith.
Life presents plenty of pile-ups beside auto accidents. And today so many people try to get through life without faith in God. Our opportunity to help change eternal outcomes comes when they experience one of these 'accidents of life', hard times, loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, family problems and on and on goes the list. I pray you come to CPR (Christ's Perfect Rscue) training this Sunday so you are prepared for helping others involved in lifes crashes, and then like the Good Samaritan stop to help others in need.
Blest Regards,
kp
I parked on a side street,crossed 72nd and began to wonder to myself just what I planned to do. I mean, I'm no medical expert- unless someone needed some advice on how to handle chemo treatmnents which clearly, no one here was going to ask. I was the first person to stop- some folks involved in the accident were out of their cars and calling 911 already.
I approached the SUV which may have started the accident. It sat with its crumpled front end in the street. Again I wondered what I would do if any one needed help. I was concerned for the driver as I approached, a younger black lady who was still in the driver seat, not moving, eyes closed. EEESH. I asked her if she was ok and she was responsive opening her eyes and nodding 'yes'.
At that point I felt it best to leave well enough alone. Soon the ambulance would be coming. She would be best served by not moving and staying where she was. I told her help was coming and that she would be alright. That was the extent of my 'help'. Everyone else, including a bus with kids seemed to be okay.
Walking across the street wondering just what I was going to do kinda reminds me of how unprepared many of us might be to help others we come across who need spiritual help. I mean sometimes we drive drive right by others who need help hoping that someone else will stop to help. We let fear drive us so to speak.
Yet at other times like when friends and family experience loss we are on the scene and have an opportunity speak words of faith we wonder as I did, just what should we do. The Good News is if we will only try, the Holy Spirit will help us by giving us the right words- but we need to take that first step of faith.
Life presents plenty of pile-ups beside auto accidents. And today so many people try to get through life without faith in God. Our opportunity to help change eternal outcomes comes when they experience one of these 'accidents of life', hard times, loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, family problems and on and on goes the list. I pray you come to CPR (Christ's Perfect Rscue) training this Sunday so you are prepared for helping others involved in lifes crashes, and then like the Good Samaritan stop to help others in need.
Blest Regards,
kp
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