Coal or Trees, which came first?

Thoughts for Friday March 28, 2014. In a discussion with my friend John Julian a curious thought came to me. Which do you think came first...Coal or Trees? It is much like the riddle about the chicken and the egg. Both of these question hold the same puzzle relating to our existence. Think on the cyclical relationship between respiration and photosynthesis. When we breathe our bodies take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide and water. Both of these are necessary for plants to survive. So, how does the question about Coal and Trees come into the cycle? I ask you, how did the carbon, oxygen and hydrogen get in the cycle? Where did they come from? Who or what provided these basic elements? These questions lead us to the question about the origins of the universe. If the origin is accidental, unimportant and without purpose why all this concern about he environment, freedom, animal rights etc? Why would there be any concern about living or dying? How could such a complex and wonderful place like this be accidental or without purpose? I can't imagine. It is a magnificent gift to be here. Life is the greatest gift. How was I allowed to experience this great place? An accident? I received this gift and I have no possible means by which to reciprocate for the gift. Or, do I? I can say thank you, and look for ways to be responsible. What would being responsible look like? Who do I thank and where can I find a list of responsible actions? How did we get just enough carbon, water and oxygen in our environment to maintain respiration and photosynthesis? What keeps the cycle in balance? Is the cyclical process self sustaining? Should I worry about burning too much coal or growing too many trees? Am I smart enough to fully understand this? Is anyone? Does our planet use these elements for other purposes? Are some of these uses important to life? Who has these answers? Why do I find these discussion more stimulating than war, terrorism or politics? Don't know, just do! Forgive me and I'll forgive you. Maybe I'll forgive you anyway. Yes, yes, yes I'll forgive you. Be my friend.

Love me Love me Not!

The second commandment given by Jesus has been high on my radar the last few weeks. My heart cries out to all those who feel like misfits, who feel un-wanted or unaccepted in their current place in life. I have felt that way often in my life. Are we unaccepted? Yes, we are and have been. All of us have at some time or another felt that way. Jesus says, "Love God and love people". I think he meant the one true living God and all people. Many people say they don't believe in God. Others say the believe and then don't work on knowing what they believe or who they believe. If our friends and the people we know don't believe the same things we believe or don't act the way we think they should, how are we going to be able to accept and love them? Are we just to be tolerant? How will this ever work? Some will say, see I told you so, don't believe that stuff. Sorry, I can't seem to help myself anymore than you can help yourself. I know some of you don't believe or read he Bible. But, I think most of you know about the story of Cain and Able. This may be the first example of the problem that faces those who have faith and believe in God. Why did Cain kill Able? Why were Cain and Able unable to love and accept each other? What happened and why did God give us this story? What or who made Cain and Able the way they were? Did those brothers pick their positions? Or, was that just the way it was? How does this story affect you and I today? I can tell you I love you but, I can't make you love me. Likewise, you can love me but you cannot make me love you. And yet, God says we are to love each other. No matter what?! Examples of how this is or is not working abound. We all have them. Would you like this to be true? Would you like to live in a place where everyone loves you? Or, do you think I'm smoking something? I would like to be there. I would like to do my part. This is hard. I'm still reading through the Tyndale Bible every year. Today is March 23. The readings are from: Numbers 36:1-Dueteronomy 1:46 Luke:5:29-6:11 Psalm 66:1-20 Proverbs 11:24-26 When or if you read these sections, think about the question of loving people. Do we need to love God in order to love people? Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you here? Where are you going? Are these question important or relevant? Thanks for reading and thinking about it with me!

What Motivates?

Today Sunday I’ve been reading these verses. Numbers 11:24-13:33 Mark 14:22-52 Psalm 52:1-9 Proverbs 11:1-3 Seems to be a common theme. But, then I believe the Bible describes a common theme. Who is this God who created the world and everything in it? Why did He do it and why am I here? And, most importantly, what am I to do? The people, all of us seem to be determine to have something bigger and better and to be better than we are today. Are we purposely pursuing these things? Protecting our territory and striving for more? We read about it here with the Israelites. We see it with Jesus disciples. Why are the people following? Are they following just anyone? Why pick Moses? Why Jesus? Why did the children of Jacob stay together in Egypt? What would all the animals do if the people didn’t nurture or hunt them? When we learn to keep a few sheep, it often become a big herd. Is a small rental house enough? Why not just a tent? Do we really need a car? TV, Smart Phone, Computer…even the ‘prayer’ in the Psalm and the Proverbs raise the same questions. Why are we here and what motivates us to do what we do? How can we all be so alike? We all seem to want more for ourselves. But, we have to work hard, go out of our way or join a cause to help others achieve the same things. And, not very often am I inclined to share more with someone than I keep for myself. But, God tells the story a bit differently. He says and demonstrates forgiveness to be the better way. God says to trust fully in Him and He will take care of us. Trust, don’t worry. Use the resources and gifts wisely and in a generous fashion. Take care of things, be a good steward or manager.

Living for ourselves or for others?

Reading from Numbers 10:1-11:23 These stories are about the trumpet signals Moses used to call the people of Israel to action. The departure from the Sinai area. Complaints about no meat to eat. Choosing seventy leaders to unburden Moses from all the responsibility. Mark 14:1-21 Jesus anointing at Bethany. The betrayal. The Last Supper. Psalm 51:1-19 David lamenting his sin with Bathsheba Proverbs 10:31,32 Words of the godly vs words of the wicked In these stories Moses was afraid God would leave him alone with the burden of leadership with the people God had asked him to lead out of slavery. The people seemed only to remember the good things they had left behind in Egypt. Why is it so hard to remember all we have are gifts from God? Is there enough for everyone? Do I have to worry about keeping a share that is sufficiently fair? If I were to think more about whether or not My fiends and neighbors have enough and less about myself, and if everyone did the same, would we all be happier? Would my friends and neighbors be happier? Would I be happier? Who’s words and actions do I have control over? Who’s words and actions do my friends and neighbors have control over? What is God trying to tell Moses and the Israelites in these scriptures? God does not just talk about ideas. God tells us the way it should be. These words are all valuable instructions and lessons about the one true and living God of the universe. In Mark, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law continue to look for a way to capture and kill Jesus. They are being careful not to incite the people to riot. When we make decisions in our organizations, businesses and yes even in our church do we think about the reaction of the customers, owners, members? Of course, we do. Was Jesus ever concerned about how the people would react to what he said or did? Never, what He said and did was correct and right. Acceptance is not the issue. Does He want us to be saved, redeemed? Yes! For sure. But only on the terms of truth. He said “I am the truth and the way no man can come to the Father except through me”. When we are within God’s will, we need not worry about what others think. There is no reason to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will make mistakes just like David? Will we be eager to repent and make it right with our God? Will we speak the words of a godly person or words of the wicked? Which words are ours and to which words do we listen? He is introducing and teaching. All of this is part of His redemptive process.

An Abundant Life

For some time now I have realized what it means to be given life and given it more abundantly. This world is marvelous and mysterious. Have you heard the expression, “How in the world…”?Do you ever wonder? Can we know all there is to know? That is really hard. Some people go to school most of their lives and still find there is more to know. When I listen to really intelligent people I begin to realize how really ignorant I am. When I visit an historic place I marvel at the things I seem to learn by looking and reading and thinking. If I find a guide who has studied the place I can learn even more. I think this is true of the world in general. Read Numbers 9:15-23. What if we could get an educated guide to lead us through our life in this world? Would we be likely to learn more, enjoy more…? The message in Numbers is from our God. The supreme commander of the universe is telling us that He is willing to be our guide. If we spend time getting to know Him…to have a personal relationship with Him, He will guide us and we will be given an abundant life. If you know and practice this advice, pass it on to your friends. If you don’t know about this, why not give it a try? What have you got to lose?

Post for March 3, 2014

Arrived back in Dillon yesterday from our trip to Virginia ( Va gin ya). Grace and I spent seven days in Williamsburg at the Powhatan Plantation Resort. Paul Johnston our friend from Cary, N.C. joined us for two and half of those days. Debbie was supposed to come but was suffering with a sinus infection. Grace had a cold when we came. She recovered and I carried on the tradition. Now I’m home recovering. We had a great time in Williamsburg. There is much for me to learn about our nations history. Some great folks tried to teach me when I was younger. Just didn’t pay much attention. The battles for this country and its freedoms were won by people who sacrificed much. It was their time and our future. And, I see it as God’s continuing redemptive work. We must not disappoint them or God. After Williamsburg we drove back to Reagan’s Washington National Airport checked in our rental car and met up with the MCYM folks at Marriott’s Residence Hotel in Pentagon City. Thursday night was our Fund Raising Banquet held at the Fort Meyer Officers’ Club in Arlington, VA. That’s the site of Arlington National Cemetery. Its a grand old building with lots of history. Some of our directors have served in the military at this post. Then on Friday and Saturday we held the Board meetings for MCYM at the hotel. One afternoon we toured the Pentagon. Dave Etling, Regional Development guy for YL in that Region, joined us as a guest. It was great to get caught up with him. We tried to get Eric Eklund there but he was not able to join us. It was a great evening of entertainment and information. The speakers enlightened and encouraged us to embrace the ministry to military teens and families around the world. The need is great! These courageous men and women are continuing the work of those pioneers I had learned more about in Williamsburg. People stayed and talked for over two hours after the Banquet wrapped up. The need is great! We met our goal but, it is a drop in the bucket. We could make this ministry three times bigger, God willing. I have been reading in Mark and I want to take you to Mark 8 today. In these passages Mark tells how Jesus encouraged the disciples to feed the 4,000 or so people who were following them and listening to Jesus’ teachings. This is the second time an event like this has been reported. There could have been others. Jesus asked the disciples how much food they had for the people. Each time there was little by comparison to the need. And, just like we do, they complained about there being no possible way to make this happen. In this case, Jesus reminded them of the earlier time when Jesus had taken the meager supply of bread and fish and broke them praising and thanking God. He proceeded to have them feed the crowd from the plenty provided and there was much left over. There was more than enough. And yet the second time this happened the disciples again failed to get it. Go for it and God will provide. Why do we have so little faith and trust? I will be talking about this much in coming days and weeks. There are many examples of our lack of trust. Not completely trusting the sovereign ruler and creator of the Universe is a serious problem in the world today. And, almost all of us are guilty. Maybe all! Not one is truly righteous. God is busy redeeming the world and we are not listening and helping. Now I think I know why God had me study to be a Chemical Engineer. It was to be part of the preparation for my vocation as well as for my main occupation. I encourage you to think about all the things you have done in the this way. Praise God for these gifts of experience. What was God teaching the disciples with the feeding stories? Figure that out and you will begin to learn more about the purpose of life, of your life. Once again, answer these four questions for yourself based on the experience you have had so far in life. 1. Where did you come from? 2. Who are you? 3. Why are you here? 4. Where are you going? This is all about vocation. Vocation we never ever retire from. Vocation makes life. Jesus said... “I did not come to minister to those who think they are righteous, I came to heal and give ’life' to the ones who know they are sick.”.That could be me. I think it is pretty important to stay close to the one who can do that.