Thoughts on 2008

2008 was the year of "Captain Obvious". It seemed that the major events of the year happened so quickly that the news outlets were barely able to keep up. I have been surprised to see how quickly whole systems changed and unraveled this year. Political, financial and social structures all fell apart in numerous arenas in 2008 to the surprise of everyone.

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$5.00 gas, banking failures, social structure collapses, governmental changes, and what is ahead in the new year because of all of the things we have seen unfold so quickly? There seems to be an acceleration of events....almost a speeding up of time this last year.

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I wonder what events this year's changes will bring in the days ahead. I've always been a student of prophecy, but not an authority by any means. I know enough to be dangerous, but it is beginning to look like events in prophecy are lining up for the final grand march to the end. It's a most curious time to live. As one preacher said on TV in these wee hours of this morning, "it seems that more advancements in all areas of man's knowledge and development have happened in the last 100 years than in the thousands of years before this. All of our advancements in science that we now take for granted are less than 100 years old." I wonder what will come in the next few years ahead of us as knowledge and its application unfolds....

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But back to this year. For me it has been a hard year. I fell in February and badly hurt my left foot. Most of this year I have been in severe pain, but the details of those events- my first surgery, the handicap days, the gradual healing, the constant pain and the frustration of my life changing have all been clarifying events for me. They have clarified what is really important, and helped me sort through what I really care about and what can be "thrown away."

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In nearly every area of my life this year has been a year of clarification. "Captain Obvious" has come to help me see what is most important and where I need to focus my attention in the days ahead. I think that the reality of my age and what years I may have left has helped with this process as well. It's quite interesting to come to an age when you realize that you don't have a lot of years left of planet earth. In only 20 years I will be 78! It's hard for me to believe that is really true.....I still feel so young inside, but I am watching as the years quickly fly by and my part of history is passing. While I'm still here I want to be part of eternal things. I'm not too interested in wasting my few years I have left on personal pleasures, I really do want to make a difference.....I want to be part of the work of God on planet earth. As a pastor I know I'm doing that already, but I have an intensity building in me that wants more......I can't wait to see what God does with me....with you...and with his church in the years ahead. Now for a little sleep......

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2009 wish list

Ok, it's almost 2009. A new year. A new chance to dream. IF it were possible (dreams aren't restricted by money or reality) what would you like to do or accomplish in the new year?

Here's my list-

1. Take a motorcycle ride somewhere unusual.

2. Take a long walk without my foot hurting. (I'm still having problems from my fall in February.)

3. See all the states I haven't been to yet.

4. Get some time to really rest without any deadlines.

5. Have an opportunity to go overseas and teach in places I haven't been to yet.

There's my short list. What's on yours?

Reflection and anticipation

We are near the end of the year. Looking back on 2008 it has felt much like this-



We were hit by several waves this year. It has taken the breath out of many noble souls, and emptied their retirement accounts. I'm sure some have felt overwhelmed by the waves of the year, but God is good and will care for his children even when the waves of change overwhelm us. Next year is an unknown. At the moment, for me, it feels like this-

I'm not sure if the year ahead will lick me or bite me.....we will have to wait to see. Either way I have a great opportunity to trust the Lord one day at a time and celebrate his care for me, because he has promised,

Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.
Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

Stethoscope

My friend, Teresa, shared this with me today. I love it....thought you would too.

An article you need to read

My fellow pastor, Bill, sent me the link to this article this morning. I encourage you to take some time and read it. The article is very interesting-

"As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God"

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What do you think?

It's the end of the year again. Another amazing year has passed and a new one ahead....a new president, a new economic reality, a lot of changes on the way....just as promised by our new president. It may be time for a change here as well. If you are a regular visitor may I ask your help? What would you like to discuss? What changes can I make to make this more interesting, more fun? I'm ready for a face lift, but not sure what's needed. Would you help me?

The Christian life

This morning, the day after Christmas, I have been thinking about the Christian life.....the challenge of living a dependent life in a fallen world. It's quite a challenge for me. I often feel the pull of my flesh conflicting with the desires of the Spirit in me. And, I often fail, fail to walk with God and choose to walk in the flesh. It's the battle that Paul describes in Galatians 5...the battle between the old man who is still alive and well, and the new man in me, who wants more than anything, to please God. It's so frustrating to know what you really want to do, but not do it at all. There are attempts in the Christian world to describe this as living a balanced life, but my friend Dave has wisely mentioned that in this battle between flesh and spirit there can be no balance...it's all one or the other...walk by the Spirit of God in you or walk in the flesh. There isn't a balancing act to this, but simply a choice. I'm very frustrated that after all these years of knowing Christ my flesh is still so strong, still so able to make me choose badly. The truth is that I can never assume or believe I have somehow arrived. I will always be 100% dependent on the Spirit of God in me to live this life successfully. When I forget that is when I make poor choices and walk in the flesh. The Christian life isn't easy, in fact it's impossible....it's only done well when I let Christ live his life in and through me....and that's something I will have to do every day of my life. Just a few thoughts from a growing Christ follower......

Family time

We had a great time with our family Christmas eve. It was wonderful to have them all here and healthy. The house was a disaster area for a while with wrapping paper flying everywhere, but it was great, and next year we will have one more little smile to join us.

I hope you had a great time with your family during this holiday.

Merry Christmas!

The blessings of family

Our family celebrates Christmas on the eve before. With other family obligations for the kids this has worked out to be our family time together. It's a whirlwind evening with chili, tamales and the chaos of children unwrapping gifts. It's great fun. Here's a photo of the grandkids amid the chaos.

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Merry Christmas!

A special holiday for me!

thanks, Kris.

God WITH us

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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Immanuel...it means "God WITH us". Today and tomorrow we celebrate the birth of Christ. It's a holiday for the Christian world because "God WITH us" was born. It may not be the right day to celebrate, that doesn't matter, what does matter is that there was a day in time and history when God became a man and walked among us. I am always amazed when I think about that idea....God WITH us....he became part of his own creation to live as each of us do. He knows what it's like to be tired, hungry, grieve and live out life day by day. God understands because he lived this life too. God WITH us....he knows what we are going through. He understands. He came and made his footprints on our planet and it's never been the same....and for that I'm eternally grateful.

The tree

My friend Dave and I went out to photograph a tree in a field near us. It's a large, lone tree in the field that the owners have decorated in brilliant white lights. It looks like every branch is covered. Every night there are photographers out by the road taking photos of this grand old tree. Here's mine. Thanks, Dave, for going with me.

Christmas lights

Last night we were invited by friends to join them on a carriage ride through uptown Dallas to see the Christmas lights. It was cold, but it was a lot of fun. We rode around the area for about an hour looking at lights and watching other people watch us ride by. It was quite a festive evening. Thanks Dan & Sharon.

The long arm of the law

Today I went to the police station and paid my speeding ticket. I'm sure you are asking, "A pastor...speeding???"

Yes, I'm sorry, but I was completely daydreaming and thinking about 1,000 other things and just flew through a school zone. Suddenly, all my other thoughts seemed less important as I saw the flashing lights behind me.

I could have gotten out of the ticket. I work as a police chaplain, and he would have just told me to slow down and sent me on my way...in fact he told me I should have let him know, but I didn't want to take advantage of the privilege. But after paying such a large ticket I kind of wish I would have pleaded for mercy although I deserved none.

Anyway, I'm stinging a little from the ticket, especially right before Christmas, but I'm glad I paid my debt to society....and now, believe it or not, I'm on probation. I've never been on probation before. It's a strange place for a pastor to be.