God, why is it so tough?

WOW! I just went to my grand daughters blog ( Braska's News) and I realized it's been quite a while since I read up on her adventures; or worse yet, held her in person. (That will change this week end. YEAH!) Upon reflection, I have to chalk my delinquent behavior up to craziness of life.

If by chance you also read my wife's blog (Fractured Thoughts - much superior to mine) you read that one of our sons is going through a pretty tough time in his life. His anonymous reply to her post about it concerning crying in the dark rips at my heart. On the one hand, I want to wage war against those hurting him. On the other, I know they need comfort and care and love and support and prayer every bit as much as he does. I want to hold him tell him it will be all right, and have him believe me like when he was just a child, and I could right the wrongs that beset him. But alas, he's no longer a child, he's a man. And a darn good man at that. And I can no longer right the wrongs; that is up to him, now. He knows I am still there for him, that I would die for him without hesitation. That if he so desires I would hold him in the dark, and he wouldn't have to cry alone. But, ultimately, he must go through this time, just he and Christ. And in so doing, hopefully discover for himself - Jesus really can right the wrongs.

So I sit here and write, wishing I could do more than I can, that it would always be like it was, and wondering out loud, "God, why is it so tough?" And even as I write that and ask it aloud, this thought comes to mind. That's the very question Jesus asked in the garden, just before they came for him to crucify him in our place. So God knows the pain of watching a son hurt, deep in their heart and soul; all because this world in which we live, and Jesus came to save, is so messed up.
PJ

Doing right because it's right

Sorry about the absence. Funny thing is, apart from my folks, I'm not even sure if I was missed. But then, I don't write this to get recognized. I had a very busy week with VBS, my regular duties, and planting 19 trees at our home. So I took a break from this.

This morning as I was getting caught up on emails, my sister sent me one that is a video story about Rick Monday, snatching away an American flag before a couple of protesters could set it on fire during a baseball game in 1976. Monday was the center fielder for the Cubs and he raced over and saved the flag as the protesters lit the 2nd match to set it on fire. It has been designated one of the top 100 plays of major league baseball. He did the right thing for the right reason.

Lots of us do the right things in life, but do we do them for the right reason? At VBS this past week, my job was to be the everyday director. That meant I spoke to the kids every morning, giving some sort of pep talk. I took care of troubles, corrected some attitudes, encouraged the workers, and shared the salvation story towards the end of the week. Most of it I did because it was expected of me as the pastor. It was the right thing to do, but my reason for doing it wasn't the greatest. Maybe you can relate?

PJ

Listening is tough

I have a friend who came down with infantile polio when he was just a tyke and it has greatly effected his speech. When I get a chance to visit him, I have to sit and watch him speak and listen very, vey closely to what he's saying in order to understand him. I really have to focus on what he's saying in order to get it. I am reminded when I am there, just how hard listening is.

Today as we visited, it struck me how much effort I was putting into listening to him, but how little effort I sometimes (ok most of the time) put into listening to God. It maybe comes down to the focus part of listening. Do I really focus on hearing what God wants to say to me? Or am I more interested in, did God hear what I had to say to Him? Did I slow down, sit still, and really concentrate so I could hear?

I love it when I have these moments from God! He's still talking to me, and every now and then I hear. And that is pretty cool for me! God, the God of the whole universe wants to talk to me! WOW!! I just have to remind myself what it takes to really listen from time to time so i can hear.

Have a great week end.
PJ

Father's Day

Hey, all you dads out there who may read this - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

As I wrote the sermon for this Sunday about the Perfect Father, which of course, is God the Father, I kept thinking about my early years of fatherhood. Did I love them for who they were and Whose they were? Did I offer them the pathway of unconditional acceptance? Did I make known to them the way and availability of restoration when they did screw up? Truthfully - not always; in fact, probably too many 'not always'.

Too many times I forgot they were really just kids, and not just any kids; but they were our kids and God's kids. Too often I put conditions on the acceptance they sought. And while restoration was always available, the pathway wasn't made very clear to them.

So, like so many other dads, while I will enjoy the day, I will know in my heart it isn't because of me that they all turned out so great! I'll give that honor to their heavenly Father; the only Perfect Father! God bless.
PJ

Taking a break

Tomorrow my wife and I take off for Kansas! We're helping our dear friend move back there after her year long hiatus here in St. Louis. We will miss her, but we are also very certain this is whats best for her; so in that, we are happy. Would appreciate a prayer or 2 for her as she starts over, and for us along the way. If you've ever driven from one end of Kansas to the other, you'd know why we need the prayers!
Monday, our summer intern started. As we were talking about his goals, I could see he was worried about how to get his 'summer charges' to see how God wanted them to work together and glorify Him at the same time. (His main goal is to start a youth praise band using 6th & 7th graders.) As we talked, I asked him to tell me how a piano works. Pretty soon, he was making spiritual connections about how the piano represents our life and the life of the church. One key, repeating itself, while maybe in tune, is still not music and after a while quite annoying. Takes us all working together, being stretched, to make a sound that glorifies Him.
Anyway, he spent the next 6 hours at that piano figuring out life lessons it held that he could teach. It was pretty cool, and exactly how God loves to work. Showing us in simple ways the lessons of life that will change us for eternity. Thanks for listening.
PJ

I'm So Blessed!

I just finished looking at Braska's and My Babe's blogs, and it dawned on me again just how blessed I truly am! Did you notice just how lovely my wife is? And I have to tell you, that's just not 'skin deep' stuff! She's lovely through and through, and for some unimaginable reason, she loves me!
Then there's the 3 boys. Yeah, when they're together they're like little boys. The do stupid stuff to one another, wrestle around on my furniture, and laugh almost non-stop. But they are men that I am extremely proud of. Like me, they don't do everything right, all the time; but what does that have to do with loving them and being proud of them? NOT TOO MUCH! They're my boys too, and they're men I am proud to call sons and to be my friends. And oh yeah, they all have pretty terrific women in their lives as well.
Finally there's the wee one we call Braska, short for Nebraska. What a darling! She brings us all so much joy! She has Downs, which is really a dumb name for what she has because she lifts everyone up who comes around her. All it takes is one look and hooked! And suddenly, the stuff of this life we struggle so much with isn't as important, nor as bad; because you know you're in the presence royalty - the daughter of the King of kings.
So you see I am really quite blessed, and I am very thankful for the family and life and love God has sent my way.
Have a great day!
PJ