The Next Chapter

If you're a reader, you know the feeling you get when you finish a chapter of a book -- sometimes you don't want it to end, other times you are ready to start the next chapter because of the way you are propelled into it. But nearly all the time you see each chapter as necessary and having its own unique purpose to the whole story. Some chapters have great joy while others have a stomach-turning story line that no one could ever imagine. And the pay off is always how the characters persevere -- grateful, humble, weary, resolute, bolstered by family, friends and faith, stronger for the journey.


On November 19, I finished one chapter of my life and began another. If I could describe how I, the character of the story, persevered, it would be all the adjectives above. Leaving a job and a faith family is hard -- a grieving process, really. And I am leaving two families -- a staff ensemble that has weathered all seasons of storms and sunshine, plus a family of God where I have found friends, confidants, colleagues, mentors, and much more.


It will take a long while to properly process the time I spent with this dear work and faith family. There are untold scenarios that I need to "let go" because they will likely never be completely resolved. I am reminded of the verse in Romans 12:17-18, which says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. " Part of this verse in The Message translation says, "Discover the beauty in everyone." That's what I want to do.


I know that it may not ever be completely possible to bring resolution to all that has happened, but this verse gives me hope by saying "if it is possible" and "as far as it depends on me" I can be compelled to live at peace. I can discover the beauty in everyone. I can be careful to do what is right. And I can resolve to not repay anyone evil for evil.


I can only be responsible for me. And I want to walk humbly, yet joyfully, as a child of God, looking for beauty, and growing stronger every day. In many ways, I'll be "shaking the dust off my sandals" and moving on. But mostly I am leaving the dearest and closest of friends with whom I have made memories that will last a lifetime -- and longer when we all get to heaven!


My next chapter? All of my 59 years to this point -- just like preparation for each of life's chapters -- have prepared me for "such a time as this." I am going to use each experience to mold and form what I do next. I once led a group where we looked at our heart's desires, our abilities, our network of experiences in life, the discovery of strengths that make us unique, and our spiritual gifts from God that equip us for service. All these come together to make us who we are and how we are to make a difference for Christ in this world. I have some work to do, because I want this to be how I go forward.


Prayer: Loving God, give me grace for each moment, a heart of forgiveness and love, a desire to impact others through inspiration and encouragement, a yearning to make others feel wanted, needed and loved, and an unshakable joyful faith in You -- all pressed down, shaken together and running over...

Happy Birthday

Do you remember when you were born?

My granddaughter is five today, and I remember a great deal about her birthday. It was on this day, April 30, 2004, that I received a phone call from my youngest son saying that Maggie, his second daughter, had just been born. Immediately disappointed that we had missed being with them for the birth, I asked, "Why didn't you call? What happened?" He said, "You won't believe it..."

From there he began to tell THE STORY that all of us in the family have come to know and love. And I have a feeling that Maggie will become an expert herself at telling in detail what happened on the day she was born.

Perhaps you might also enjoy THE STORY...

Maggie is sweet, spirited, quirky...and has a strange sense of urgency woven into everything she does. I think this is an accurate description of anyone who happens to be born in a car. Her mom and dad had gone out to dinner and had a wonderful evening. Soon after they arrived back at home, my daughter-in-law's back started hurting. She decided to lay down, and asked my son to rub her back. Beginning with that moment, how were they to know that in 27 minutes (give or take a few seconds) they would be holding their daughter, Maggie?

The momentum of labor continued like a runaway train. Nearby grandparents were called in to care for sleeping Abby, Maggie's older sister. When the grandparents arrived, my son and daughter-in-law were already sitting in the car in the driveway, ready to pull out the moment they knew Abby would be safe.

They lived just minutes from the hospital, but even the short drive proved to be too long. As they pulled up to the entrance of the hospital, they knew they would never make it inside. My son summoned help, and an entourage responded with an instant delivery room to assemble car side. Welcome, Maggie!

Always one to capture everything in pictures, my son was crestfallen that he had no photographic record of Maggie's birth UNTIL...he discovered a couple of days later that everything had been captured on the hospital security cameras--their wild ride in, doors flung open, gurneys rushing out and in, baby whisked away...mom following...dad serving as conductor and choreographer. No pictures? They had a full-blown movie! So much so that the Discovery Channel picked up their story on Amazing Births. The film crew camped out in their home and bedroom for nearly a week, local and regional news covered the action...and follow-up stories.

Don't you wish you had a story like that to tell about your birth? One that you can tell over and over again to friends and family? One that you will never forget?

If you are a Christian, you have a story like that. It began when you were born anew in Christ. He brought you out of a world of uncertainty and doubt about who you are and why you are here...and gave you a purpose in life and a promise and hope for eternity. Sooo...

Do you remember when you were born? Your birth can also be amazing...and simple, so simple.

"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life..."

Are happiness and holiness connected?

The message of first and above all seeking God and his wisdom runs as a prominent thread from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And you may know the beautiful scripture in song, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto to. Alleluia!" But what are "all these things" that will be "added" to us? And will they make us happy?

When you think of genuine happiness, what are your thoughts? Being wealthy, popular and beautiful? Or being content, at peace and in an active, right relationship with Jesus Christ? Yes, we all think from time to time how more money or more "clout" or more, more, more might make it easier to be happy (admit it :-). But aren't those just distractions from what really matters? And don't those distractions (money, busyness, envy, selfishness) become what actually make us UN-happy! We don't need to worry and fret about things--we need to focus on loving God and righteous living--and God will supply all of our other needs just like the song says.

There is an early 1960ish pop song that goes: "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life don't make a pretty a woman your wife. So from my personal point of view get an ugly girl to marry you!" Funny? Not really. Crude and insulting? Of course. But the point hidden in there (you really have to look hard!) is that we concentrate most of the time on what we think we want, deserve, and believe to be just the thing that will make us happy. While in reality, we are surprised to have abundant joy when we merely change our priorities, and focus our energies in a different direction from what the world says we should do.

And that different direction is holiness.

So the question then becomes: Can you handle holiness? (No, I'm not suggesting that men who marry ugly girls are more holy than those who marry pretty ones! And I can see it now...I'm in big trouble for using that song! But admit it...it has shock value!) Where was I? Oh, yes...can you handle holiness? Because it is to a holy life and way of living that God is calling us.

Holy, holy, holy; Lord, God Almighty.

All thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Take time to be holy; speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak;

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear;

where children early speak his fame and parents hold him dear.

Happy the home where prayer is heard and praise is wont to rise;

where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.

Happy day, happy day; when Jesus washed my sins away.

He taught me how to watch and pray and live rejoicing every day.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee; God of glory, Lord of love.

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Thou are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;

Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Thank God for the hymnwriters/poets of songs such as these that echo what the Bible says about true happiness coming from living lives that imitate our holy God. Scripture such as:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14: 17 - 18

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...[ Rules for Holy Living ] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 1:22, 3: 1, 12

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5: 11

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 19

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111


I challenge you to continue to search the Bible for more examples of the joy and happiness that comes from pursuing holy living as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Read of the Fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the Psalms, Prayers of David (1 Chronicles 17: 16 - 27; 1 Chronicles 29: 10 - 20).

So happiness and holiness ARE connected--when we pursue the right things. What are you seeking? What do you want more of? Are you ready to say "Yes" to what matters?

• Yes, I want more, more, more...more of Him.
• Yes, I want beauty...the beauty of His holiness and love.
• Yes, I want abundance...abundant joy.
• Yes, I want to be busy...busy preparing for active and true worship, busy leading a disciplined life of Bible study and prayer, busy helping and serving others in need, and busy witnessing to others (family, friends, strangers) about finding deep fulfillment and happiness through our relationship with Christ--no matter what comes our way.

It's really very clear...and very simple, isn't it?

Meeting God

Where do you meet God? And when you get to this "meeting place," what happens? Have you ever thought about God meeting you?

I love The Message, a contemporary rendering of the Bible translated by Eugene Petersen. In his preface, he says, "the text is shaped by the hand of a working pastor." He goes on to say more specifically that, "The Message grew from the soil of forty years of pastoral work." He, like I would imagine most of us, "lived in two language worlds, the world of the Bible and world of Today."

That's why as I was reading 1 Chronicles 29:1b, I was captivated by his translation. When speaking of Solomon's awesome task of building God's Temple, David says, "...this is not just a place for people to meet each other, but a house for God to meet us."

Well, hello God! Worship is not only corporate, but personal. As persons gather to offer praise, thanksgiving and confession to the Almighty God, He is also seeing each of us as his own child. We may not always come expecting to meet God, but he sure always expects to meet us.

He meets us when our thoughts are not holy. He meets us when he needs to stir our hearts to be loving and compassionate ("Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not.."). He meets us when we are at the abyss, and when our whole being sings with hallelujahs.

But where do we meet Him? When I meet someone for the first time, I'm one who likes to know a person's "story." Who are they? What might bind us together? How can I be gracious, inclusive, and encouraging to them?

As well, when I am meeting someone I know and who is dear to me, I arrange for the meeting. I am intentional about the place, the time, and the surroundings--even if the meeting is a phone call or an email. Our relationship grows because we feed and nourish it--not leave it to chance.

So how about God? Have you met HIm for the first time? Have you invested yourself in learning more about him each day? Do you arrange for and anticipate the time you will spend together? Do you ensure that nothing stands in your way of growing your relationship with God?

I need God to meet me now, and likely for many days to come, as I need that reaching out from him. I need to hear him say, "I'm here. I've come to be with you, no matter what." He'll know what to do.

Come meet Him today. Or He may be coming to meet you just now. Come. Expect. Meet and be met. Simple.

Awe and Wonder

What makes you "awe struck"? A newborn baby? Fiery displays of jagged lightning accompanied by booming thunder? Oneness in a marriage? The grace, beauty and joy from one rooted in the faith? All things come from God. Do you believe and accept that? If so, then you are "awe struck" with God.


Imagine for a moment what a "God-struck" world would be like. All daily life would be put into perspective around who God is, his vast and unconditional love for us, his all powerful nature, and his desire for us to have abundant joy and eternal life with him. Sounds fantastic, doesn't it?

For example, being "awe struck" with God means the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom was with God since creation, and God's wisdom has much to teach us about love, decisions, holy living, grace, humility, and perseverance. In this light, our one desire should be to please him, while our one dread would be to offend him.


Further, awe coupled with knowledge of the Lord God Almighty has the ability to propel us into a life of understanding. But understanding of what? Using the word insight versus understanding may help us understand that the wisdom of God and the insight that provides gives us skills for living. So while we are in awe of God and know his wisdom to contain powerful life lessons, we use insight and understanding to apply his wisdom to our lives.


Proverbs mentions wisdom 40 times. This wisdom is not something that is set aside for a privileged few--it is open to all who seek and who are in awe of God, and who desire understanding and insight through knowledge of him.


If all people new God, who wouldn't be in awe of him?

"Who will not fear you, Lord,

and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous deeds have been revealed.”

Revelation 14:4

The Word always provides the way if we will but read, seek and understand. Simple.

For Such a Time as This...

I'm reading a book by Karen Hughes called, "Ten Minutes from Normal." (Kind of sounds like where we all are, doesn't it?) Karen was advisor and spokespersons for President Bush during his first administration, and was also with him for six years while he was governor of Texas. She and two other persons ran his 2000 presidential campaign. A few years ago, she gave up access to the most powerful office in the free world to return to family life in Texas.

The title of her book came from a time on the campaign trail with the team was on the train making its way across America. The conductor came through and said, "Ten minutes from Normal, ten minutes from Normal." He was referring to a small town they were approaching. Karen said, "That's the way I feel most of the time and if I ever write a book, that will be the title!"

Karen is an amazingly gifted communicator and strategist, and had personal and unlimited access to the President of the United States. She is also a strong and faith-filled Christian. All through the book, she gives examples of how her faith and the faith of her "boss" came into play throughout the Bush administration.

In particular she shared her feelings during the tumultuous days surrounding 9/11. When the planes hit, the first thing Karen did was to go to her knees to ask for comfort for the families and children of lost loved ones. The next few hours were spent discerning what had happened, what to do next, how to orchestrate the next steps for the President...

Through it all, Karen was reminded of the story in Esther when Mordechai begged her to go to the king to ask for mercy for the Jews--even at the possibility of losing her own life. Because of how well she knew President Bush, Karen couldn't help thinking of her "boss" when Mordecai said to Esther, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Karen believed that President Bush had the strength, resolve, character and faith to keep the country safe and to respond appropriately.

Have you ever felt that you were in the position to encourage someone who was sent "for such as time as this"? Have you ever felt that YOU were sent "for such a time as this"?

How do we equip ourselves to stand up for the godly way over the foolish or evil way? How do we keep ourselves strong so that our reactions in time of crisis show that we are rooted and grounded in Christ, and we don't revert to wordly verbal assaults?

I would challenge us to look for those times when we might say to ourselves or someone else, "who knows but that you have come...for such a time as this." Look for times where you can intercede, where you can make a positive difference, where you can defend the weak, where you can turn defeat into victory and a negative environment into celebration.

I pray that there will be many "for such a time as this" opportunities for you and for those around you who need your encouragement.

Who knows?

Prayer: Does it make any difference?

"Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father's throne, makes all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief my soul has often found relief, and oft escape the temptor's snare by thy return sweet hour of prayer."

Prayer really does call us from the things of the world so we can focus on God...and prayer is the only way to escape the temptations this world's snares can bring.

Imagine, though, being a disciple with Jesus walking along side you in the flesh, and having him there to talk with as a "person." What reality! What joy! All the more puzzling when, during the Last Supper, anticipating his death, Jesus said, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away."

What? How could that be good? Why not stay and solve world hunger? Why not cure all the strains of virus and bacterial infections then and now? Why not eliminate the possibility of terrorists and global bullies?

An excerpt from Philip Yancey's Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference says:

"Soon the disciples who were accustomed to presenting their questions, complaints, and requests to Jesus in persons would have to fall back on a different approach: Prayer. Of all the means God could have used, prayer seems the weakest, slipperiest, and easiest to ignore. So it is, unless Jesus was right in that most baffling claim. He went away for our
sakes, as a form of power sharing, to invite us into direct communion with God and to give us a crucial role in the struggle against the forces of evil."

Prayer is a relationship and conversation with God. We can listen to the negative and scoffing voices of the world, but with the same ears, we can listen to God. And with the same voice we can share with God our lives, our joys, our commitment, our weakness, our families, our victories, our praise and our worship...or we can can use our voice for gossip, inuendo or not being as graceful as we should be with other children of God.

Prayer. It does make a difference. It changes us. It gives us a voice over evil. It gives us a desire to have God at our side to resore relationships. It reminds us of who is in control. And as Christians it allows us to stay strong in the reality of God's love, grace, death, resurrection and promise of eternal life.

Make a difference today.