A Whole New World

One of the things we did as a family while on vacation is snorkel. We found a couple of places where we were protected by the waves (behind a man made jetty) and were able to swim in and among hundreds of huge boulders (that make up the jetty) in water less than 6 feet deep. It was at the state park beach and created as a place for younger and less experienced swimmers to see some of the undersea wildlife. And there was much to see.

We, as a family, took off one afternoon swimming along the jetty pointing out the hundreds of fish and other sea life we could see, from the fingernail sized yellow and blue fish to polka dotted and striped tropicals. Then there were the schools, that seemed to come out of nowhere and then promptly disappeared in to the blue. Small eels, large crabs, little gobis and a very large rockfish in addition to the many mackerel and pompano schools that were rubbing up against our feet as we would stand up in shallow places. It was an awesome sight and we had a blast as a family sharing in this time of discovery.

But there was a break in the middle of the rocks, where the top of the jetty went below the surface of the water. With just a few kicks and about 15 feet we went from 6 feet of water to over 25 feet with a swift drop off. (between the jetties was a deep channel for large ships to move from the gulf to the bay ports.) In this simple yet short swim, we moved to a whole new world of the sea. We were met by a school of fish that never seemed to end, thousands upon thousands of identical creatures swimming in what looked like the Dan Ryan at rush hour, nose to tail, side by side. It was the same water, but a different world. (The picture is from the deep side.) The fish we had seen on the other side were nothing compared to what we were beginning to experience.

Many times while we were skimming the surface, scuba divers would sneak by under us pointing out the things they were seeing in the deeper water. Periodically I would take a huge breath and dive deep along the jetty to experience something new and was never disappointed. Grouper as long as my arm quietly watching me move by, sea cucumbers that would rival any 4H state winners, Coral teeming with life, sea anemones, sea urchins, and bottom dwellers that once I'd get close would swiftly hide amid the nooks and crannies.

It was like night and day on opposite sides of the jetty. What we discovered was a much richer experience in the depths.

The same is true of the Christian faith. To stay in the shallows of the faith is to experience much of the real life Christ offers. But to move into the depths is to experience so much more. It's the same water, it takes the same skills, but it also takes some additional risks.

John the baptizer proclaimed a message of good news for those who changed their lives. Jesus followed up with the same message, change your life and experience God's kingdom fully.

I believe many people love to live in the shallows of the faith. It's safe. it's easy. But it also requires little change in us. It's controlling how much we experience, but to go deeper is to move into unknown waters where the experiences are less controllable, yet richer. It's the difference between reading the bible and studying it. It's the difference between a Sunday School Class and Disciple Bible Study. It's the difference between going to church and serving the church. One is on the surface, the other requires us to move into the depths.

We all have to start out in the shallows, but we aren't supposed to stay there. Jesus wants us to move to the depths. That's where faith really grows.

Move beyond the comfortable. Do something risky. Join a study this fall or join a small group. Jump into the deep.

The water's just fine.


Peace ><>
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Holding Hands

There's a commercial with a young couple walking through a park and as they walk along they have to walk around an older couple walking the opposite direction. The young couple watches as the older walks away, hands clasped together illustrating the long lasting relationship and deep love for one another. Then without words between them, the young couple grabs hands and keeps on walking down the path.

There is something beautiful about couples holding hands, no matter what ages they are. Hand holding is a type of communication that goes much deeeper than words. We've witnessed countless couples sharing this quiet, intimate gesture (Peggy says they are "so cute!"). And we've tried to live like this, knowing that this simple gesture is a way to keep our love for each other real, strong and lasting. In fact, hand holding is not just a measure of the love that one has for one another, but an action that continues to build love between them. It's an act of love in itself.

Do you know when marriage is most difficult? When intimacy wanes and there is no touch, not even the simple holding of the hand. It's a sign that something has to change. Try holding hands.
The same is true in our relationship with God. When we walk through life without paying attention to God, that is when we will find our lives most difficult, the temptations coming at us the greatest, the challenges the hardest. And many times we'll turn to God from the mire and ask "where are you?"

The Psalmist said, "Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way." (Psalm 16:11, Msg)

It's not that God is refusing to take our hand, but is waiting for us to offer it... daily... moment by moment. God won't take what is not offered to Him. It has to be an act of will on our part. And refusing to hold hands with God is to keep from the intimate place God wants with us and for us.

When we hold God's hand, we stay on the right path, we get to know God, we have what God has to offer in the greatest measure, God's love. Through the simple act of hand holding.

Want to ramp up your relationships with God and your spouse (or significant others)?



Hold hands.

It really works.

In His Grip (and Peggy's)
Peace ><>
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It's for the Kids

I've never moved for my kids. They've moved for me, for my career/calling, but I've not moved for their benefit. (While we have trusted in God to move us where they will thrive. And for the most part, that has happened.) My brother on the other hand just did that. His kids (my neice and nephew) are early elementary age and they have been discovering the problems within the school district in which they live. So they have been on a quest to find a new home in a school district where their children would have the best opportunities.

That's a major investement in your children! I'm proud of them for doing that. They are great parents who have great kids and they make the right sacrifices for their best interests.

Mary and Joseph did the same when Jesus was only a baby. They took him from Bethlehem and settled in Egypt until Herod died. (They could only have been in Egypt for up to 2 years.) Then they moved again back to the Galilee. While they moved at the direction of angels in Joseph's dreams, they really did so to protect this special child, to watch out for his best interests. They were great parents.

Now it is also true that this can go too far. We can sacrifice our whole family for the sake of children, including our marital relationship. That's not healthy! But if we keep our priorities: God, marriage, children, then we'll do what's best for all of them. Notice that career isn't mentioned here, nor status nor money. It's actually an exercise in listening to God's direction and honoring God while honoring your family.

It's what makes great parenting possible (and grandparenting and mentoring, etc.).

Listening to God's voice and following God's direction is what's best for the kids.

Peace ><>
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God's Ready

"You get us ready for life:
you probe our soft spots,
you knock off the rough edges.
And I'm feeling so fit, so safe:
made right, kept right.
God in solemn honor does things right,
but his nerves are sandpapered raw." (Psalm 7:10, The Message)

It's true that God knows us intimately, even better than we know ourselves. God knows what we need, what we ought to be doing, what we can become. God knows our potential because God created us! And God is working on us all the time to reach it.

If we allow.

It's true that we hold one power that God doesn't control: our destiny. That's because we control just how much God is allowed in to our lives. We choose whether or not God is even a part, and which parts God is allowed to work.

It doesn't mean God doesn't try. In fact God will continue to knock on the door of our hearts until we let him in to ALL parts of our lives. And when we open the door we can finally "pop" with our potential!

We talked this week about parental popcorn, but to make all things "pop" at home, we have to begin with ourselves, by immersing our lives in the "oil" of God and the heat of that relationship will reveal our potential as individuals and make us the peoplep (and parents) we need to become.

God's ready... are you?

Peace ><>
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Official Last Day of Summer

I don't like Labor Day. It's the last hurrah of Summer when many of us do the things that wind up our summer activities. This year we spent the holiday weekend doing some different things than we normally would. Usually we go camping with my parents and extended family, play in a golf tournament with my Dad and uncles at my old church (which we have won several times) and relax.

This year has been different as we stayed home from camping, attended my 25th Class Reunion and worked around the house. (It's a sad day when you have to close up the pool for the year!) Before the day is out I'll be sore yet grateful for a day of physical activity. I don't like the last days of summer activity but I also like what's coming.

I do love the fall and what it brings, activity. As the classes begin around the church and all of the things we do it's an exciting time. Fall brings not only cooler temperatures and splendid color in nature, but it brings opportunity to grow in faith.

As the last official day of summer, it's time to plan for what's next. I know I've got a lot of plans for my own discipleship, the classes I want to teach and prepare, and worship experiences I want to plan and implement.

What's your plan? Disciple Bible Study, The daily Bible reading, this blog, another daily devotional, Pastor's Class, CORE Classes, attending a small group, joining the choir, volunteering in the children's or youth ministry or some other area that needs help? The list goes on, but will remain just a list until you act.

Summer's over. Now's the time. Let's get started.

Peace ><>
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Parental Popcorn

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Attention deficit disorder, ADD, is a source of some serious frustration for a lot of people. But it isn’t just individual lives that are affected by it. A lot of marriages have ADD too. When children enter the family equation, a lot of couples begin to drift apart. The time they spent together before, the attention that they gave to one another and the intimacy they used to share are no longer priorities. Too many husbands and wives are putting themselves on the back burners so that they can focus on the kids 24/7. But to do the family God’s way, the marriage has to come first. And one of the key elements of a successful marriage is heat.

If the marriage is hot, the family will be hot. But to keep it hot, you have to be very intentional about dating, courting and romancing your spouse. Don’t just give up because you have children. The relational needs that you had before kids are still there after the children are born. And you’re not doing you’re kids any good by neglecting those relational needs. Take the time to focus on your marriage. Be intentional about romance. Send love notes. Go on regular dates. Spend time alone with your spouse. Don’t neglect your marriage just because you have kids, because your kids need to learn what marriage is really about.

Peace ><>
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