Just Ramblings

Not a lot to say today, even though it's been several since I took the time to write. Wrote my sermon today and that always seem to toast the brain. Funny since I like to tell everyone it comes from my heart.
Yesterday Carole and I got a wonderful surprise, our granddaughter was in town and wanted to spend the night! What a joy she is! I can hardly wait for her to learn how to talk. We rolled around on the floor, kicked and squirmed and laughed - it was great fun!
By-the-way, if you don't already, you really should check out 'My Babe's Blog' from this site. She's the true writer and her stuff is awesome. Of course, not as awesome as she is, which I'm sure you'll agree once you read it and catch a glimpse of her heart and humor.
I read a neat likeness of the human soul to the temple in the OT by Abraham Kuyper. It sort of goes like this. We all have an outer court - the public domain of work, shopping, & school. Then we have the inner court where we would invite family and special friends. But then, way down deep, is the holy of holies - that spot that share with no one but Jesus. I liked this analogy. The question then comes to this, 'How is my life in there, at the holy of holies with God? because how I am doing there directly effects how I am doing in the other 2 courts, and whether or not I'm being authentic.
Catch you later.
PJ

Stagnant -YUK!

My wife and I took a stroll yesterday in the lovely park next to our house. Along 1 of the borders runs a creek; crystal clear, bubbling & sparkling & refreshing. Along another border runs a brook that empties into the creek. It too is clear and lively and refreshing - EXCEPT for this one area of it. Over time several tree branches have fallen into it an eventually created a natural damn. You can tell it wasn't a one time event, it has built up, maybe even one branch at a time. There's still a trickle of water running past the damn, so the brook from there to the creek is still clear and lively. But on the opposite side of the damn, the water has become scummy and stagnant and dank. I wanted to break lose the damn and let the water run clear again; but I didn't, and now I'm not sure why, except I was too 'busy' walking to stop and get a little dirty.
If you know anything at all about me by now, you know I love to 'spiritualize' such goings on. It is so easy for the power and flow of the Holy Spirit in us to get 'damned up'; especially when it happens one 'snag' at a time. And when it does, over time, we too become scummy and stagnant and dank. And what we need is someone to take the time and who is willing to get a little dirty to come along side us and help us break up that 'log jam' of fears or hurts or frustrations or disappointments so our spirit can run clear and bubbly and sparkling once again.
PJ

That Dang Graffitti

I had a lady from another church in the community stop by and visit me today to engage me in conversation about preserving the South St. Louis county community. She's an advocate for a justice league for change, spearheaded by various churches. For instance, last year they were successful in orchestrating a new ordinance against graffitti, because graffitti leads to sex, drugs, and gangs (her words) and not the environment desired for our community. So now when they see any graffitti, they simply call a number and someone from the county goes out the next day and paints over it. Well, at least that grafitti is gone and someone in the county has a pretty secure job. Because unless I'm way off the mark, there'll be more graffitti tomorrow!
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not for grafitti; and the community does need to keep up appearances, but will county ordinances get the job done? When I was raising my 3 boys, I could get them to behave correctly - well most of the time! But correct behavior wasn't the end goal. Correct behavior from the right heart was. I truly believe, you want to stop the graffitti, change the heart. Maybe what would be better than an ordinance would be a youth center, several youth centers, sponsored by the churches and the county. (Then we'd be creating several jobs) Places to hang out, make relationships, experience unconditional love, be accepted, just as you are; but encouraged not to stay that way.
In a 'nut shell', what I'm trying to say is that Jesus came 2000 years ago to let us know that 'laws' and dressing up the outside, won't get it done! Only a change of heart will make a life change, that will last a lifetime! That endeavor is worth spending my life on!
PJ

Closer Than a Brother

I just got off the phone with a pastor friend of mine who also used to live in Montana, Terry Harper. When we we both lived in Montana, even though we lived 6 hours apart, we were always calling one another, meeting for lunch 3 hours down the road, staying at each others homes whenever possible; we were just 'tight'. It's one of those relationship you can not talk for months, but when you do it's like you just spoke yesterday.
It sure was a joy to my spirit to talk with him again, it's been awhile. We shared what's going on in each others churches and families and hearts. Laughed a lot, teared a little, encouraged a bunch, and prayed over each other and what God is doing in our lives. It was GREAT! Everyone should have at least one person in their lives like my friend Terry! Who's more like a brother, than a friend.
You know, every time we connect like this it reminds me of the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with me. When that happens, the remembrance, it happens. I pause from whatever is on my plate and take the time to laugh, tear a little, get encouraged a bunch, and talk a while with Him. He too is more than my friend, and a little closer than a brother; and I thank Him for reminding me of that today.
PJ

Never Too Bad

The other day I was talking with a friend of mine who had recently recovered from a very long 'spiritual drought'. I won't go into his story right now, but it was amazing to me how God had restored his heart and spirit. Anyway... my friend was on cloud nine when we spoke because he had just left a gentleman 65 years old, who was convinced that God would never be able to forgive him for all of his sins, and had just surrendered his heart to the Lord. In other words, the older man had become convinced by my friends words and the Holy Spirit that no matter what, he was never too bad to receive God's gift of forgiveness and new life! Here's God, using a guy who not 2 months ago was a wanderer himself, to convince an even older guy of the truth of His love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Truly amazing!

Truth is, I believe there are many, many people, inside and outside of the church, who believe just like this older man once believed. They are too bad to be forgiven! And because they believe that one lie, they are miserable and lonely and lost. But, that's not what God says about any one whom He has created. We're unique, and wonderful, and precious, and purposeful. He has ordained our days for His glory; if we'll only believe and walk in step with Him.

Now, I know that if you happen to be one who believes you're too bad, it's tough to believe what I wrote is true for you; but it is. So, please do this - act like it is! That's right, act like God loves you just as you are. Act like you're unique to Him and wonderful to Him and precious in His sight. Act like He has a plan for your life and you want to walk in His steps. Just act like it, for 3 weeks - and then see what happens. Try it, what do you have to lose?
PJ

Don't Just Sit There - Do Something!

This is it for a few days, my folks are coming for a visit, so enjoy!

I was leading a 'Welcome to the church' class last night when one of them expressed how amazed they were at the simplicity of Christianity. You know, it really is; and from time to time we all need to be reminded of that truth. Becoming a Christian and then living this life as a Christian was never meant to be difficult -it was intended to be abundant! The thing is, this abundant life that Jesus promises is made possible by the choices we make in the ordinary moment of life. You cannot sit on the sideline of this life, and expect to enjoy the abundant life Jesus came to offer, and made possible for us all to enjoy - you have to act! When you react, life invades your space, keeps coming at you, intrudes on your comfort zones, interrupts your complacency, and forces you to do something. ( This is usually when I blow it the most) But 'acting on' is different then 'reacting to'. We react when we 're forced out of neutrality. We act when we refuse to stay there any longer. We act when we decide it's time to get into the game, seize the divine moments as they come. When we do that, we really begin to live!
PJ

community

As most of all of America, I have spent time watching what has happened at Greensburg, KS. I cannot tell you how many times Carole and I have stopped there for fuel or drinks. It was a quaint small town with hospitable folks; and our hearts and prayers go out to them. But as I watched and listened, I heard a familiar theme being echoed from their hearts and spirits. The buildings and the vehicles and the stuff inside we all hold so dear isn't what now defines their community - the people are, because that is they literally have left - each other. And how they are clinging to each other at this time of trauma and need. There is indeed a lesson for us all in this story of mass destruction; no matter whether you live in small town America or a large city, or attend a small school or a major university, or work in a one-horse business or corporation of thousands, or if your church seats 50 or 15,000 - community is about people. All shapes and sizes and languages and habits - it's about people. Let's learn the lesson, before the tragedy strikes, and people is all that we have left!
PJ

Spidey

Yesterday we went to Spiderman III. The action stuff was fine, but in general I felt it was too drawn out, too many villains, & dialogue too corny at times. But it had a great line that caught my attention. "We are made up by the sum of our choices. And each of us the opportunity to chose to do what is right." Great line! So very true.

We spend way too much time and emotional effort being worried and angry and frustrated about what someone else is or isn't doing to themselves, or others, or us. All we really need to be spending our time at is what is the result of MY choices? If I change them, can I effect my emotions, thoughts, and actions? Sure we can. It won't be the cure-all, because only an active love relationship with God through Christ is that. Only that changes the heart, which changes everything. But even that is a choice! It should be the 1st choice - everyday. It absolutely is the best choice. But we all would be a lot happier if we spent our days thinking about our choices and choosing what's right, instead of what anyone else is doing. I'm gone!
PJ

love vs. handicap

I've been asked to be a MDAangel this year. Basically what I do is beg my friends and family for donations to the MDA foundation. So, hey if your reading this and would like to help out contact me a pastorjohn7@sbcglobal.net and I'll be sure help you help me help them.

They sent me a picture of this little girl with MD from a St. Louis suburb and her dad, who's a fireman. They are looking at each other with loving smiles. Pretty cute and touching; but it also reminds me of the power of love - over any and every thing we face in life.

I have a darling little granddaughter, barely 6 months old who has Downs and has had to undergo open heart surgery already. Let me tell you, when you look at her and hold her, well, you can't help but love her. And that love covers over and conquers all. It's like none of her frailties really matter; but loving her does. And when she smiles at you, or chuckles; well you're done, give it up, she owns your heart.

So, you see, I really believe love does overcome all; and that's why when asked I said yes to MDA. It's a way for me, and you, to give back from the rich blessings we have all been given.

Maybe tomorrow I'll talk about the power of God's love that covers and overcomes all of our disabilities, He calls sin. That's the amazing story of the cross - God's love.

Have a good night. God bless. And be sure to count them all.
PJ

Big Fish story

I just got back from several days of fishing for white bass, and it was a blast. I want to say thank you to my friend Norm for the great time at his home on the Lake of the Ozarks and some great fishing. Yesterday I caught the biggest fish I have ever caught on a on ultra light, 4 1/2 lbs. and 20 inches long. It was a great battle that left us both almost exhausted. (I might a little more out of shape than I care to admit) The adrenaline rush left me light headed and feeling a little whoosey! Every time I think of it, which is quite often, I chuckle.

Of course, being a 'fisher of men', I've been looking for the similarities:
It took several passes and just the right lure to get the fish to strike. I've often had to do that with guys I've shared the great gospel message with.

Once it took the bait, we engaged in an epic battle. I've had several such 'epic battles' with folks that have taken the bait and began their search for truth. It's a battle because we really want to be right about what we believe; even if in our hearts we know we are wrong.

Netting it and getting it into the boat was a thrill I won't soon forget! When someone I've been working with and praying for is 'landed', I feel the same thrill! It's a moment in time I won't soon forget! And yes, there are time I feel the adrenaline rush then too!

I'm sure there are other lessons to be learned, but quite frankly, I'm too tired to think about it right now. Gos bless, and keep on fishing!
PJ