I wish...!

I can remember when I was younger "wishing" for time to move faster.  "I wish it were Friday and it was time to play basketball!"  My mom, usually would respond with: "don't wish your life away."  That was the point!  I wanted time to move beyond where I was because where I was, wasn't where I wanted to be!  Now, I find myself wondering: "how in the world did I get here?" 

We are already almost one month through 2014.  With the way the weather has been lately, I have found myself saying: "I wish it were May!"  But do I really want to skip 4 months of life?  No.  I want to capture each day and fully live in the moment.  So, I guess I'll put my boots back on, zip up my coat, and trudge back outside reminding myself that there will be a day not too far off in the future where we'll be talking about the "heat."  Until then, don't miss out on what today may bring!

Shalom,

Marty

Zombiemania

There seems to be an increasing interest or obsession with Zombies.  The idea that the "undead" will some day take over the earth can been seen in movies, TV shows, commercials, even on Facebook.  There are times I wonder if I may have a little bit of zombie-ism in me.  Not that I have an insatiable urge to walk around moaning & groaning (but sometimes I do complain about life), take over the world, or want to eat things that wouldn't be on a menu at Applebee's.  (okay, sometimes I do want to take over the world, but only for the good of everyone) At times I am so disconnected from the reality of God's Kingdom coming to earth...like a "dead-man" walking!

In John 11 Jesus deals with what some would say is a near Zombie-like encounter.  Lazarus a dear friend of Jesus had died and Jesus in his divine power and authority calls Lazarus out of the grave.  Lazarus emerges with grave clothes and all...fully alive!  Not a Zombie but fully alive.  There are a couple of questions I've had to ask myself recently:  What's died in me that needs resurrecting?  A dream? An awareness? Or a sin I've yet to confess?  Whatever it is, If I don't answer the call of Jesus and let it resonate into my soul, I'm no better off than a Zombie!  Sometimes, my tendency reflects more of a Zombie than someone who is called to New Life in Jesus.  This leads me to the next question: Am I less responsive to God’s calling than a dead man?  Lazarus immediately responded to the call of Jesus on his life.  Do I respond like that when Jesus calls me to forgive, confess, repent, encourage, or serve? Or do I relapse into a Zombie like trance trying to make sense of life while ignoring the voice of life?  Jesus said in John 10:10 "...I have come to give you life to the full..."  Wow, I don't know about you, but I want that, more life than I can live (that's the actual translation of the phrase: to the full). 

So, the next time you see a reference to Zombies ask yourself: Am I fully alive or am I moaning and groaning, trying to control that which I can't control- life, while turning a deaf ear to the One who gives me life to the FULL?   

Be fully alive,
Marty 

Signs of Life...the Value!

Do I value life?  If so, how do I demonstrate it?  One of the most troubling commercials I've seen over the last month has been put out by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).  In the commercial the announcer says: "Right now somewhere in America there's an animal being beaten and another being locked in a cage alone and left to die.  These scared innocent animals don't realize there is any hope for a better life.  At the ASPCA we are committed to searching every dark corner to find them and help heal the deep physical and emotional wounds that have been inflicted on them.  But we can't reach these animals without your support...."  The announcer goes on to ask for you to join the cause and commit to give 60 cents a day.  What happens next?  You receive a T-Shirt and a picture of an animal.  No doubt, some of the money goes to rescue and care for neglected animals.  Now don't get me wrong, I am not an animal hater or believe in treating animals cruel.  I have had pets since I was a young boy.  Dogs are my favorite and cats, well that's another story.  What cut to my heart about this ad wasn't the agonizing pictures of dogs and cats who have been neglected but the desperation to which the announcer spoke of the immediate need. Now before you jump to either side of the fence on this issue, hear me out.  Contrast this ad with the following video that presents another desperate need: 

Life is precious and is to be highly valued.  People should matter to me.  But here's the question I started this post with: how do I demonstrate the fact that people matter? I must confess I have gotten so used to my suburban, middle class, first world life, that I have conveniently pushed aside the grim reminder of the desperate conditions around our planet.  Where do I start in a world with such desperate needs?  Do I respect, preserve, and advocate for life whenever and where ever I see opportunity?  Or, am I consumed with ME?  Do I feel the "desperateness" in my life for hurting, starving, and dying people as is the tone of the ASPCA ad for animals?  In some way I am grateful for the ASPCA commercial because it has jolted me into the reality of what really matters PEOPLE.  Again, I am an animal lover and hope to one day have another dog of my own.  This really isn't an either or issue: do we care for animals or people?  But it is a both and.  However, if push comes to shove, I must default to the care, dignity, and respect of people.  Why?  Because it is in the fabric of every human being that has within them the indelible image of God!   

Just my thoughts,

Marty

Signs of Life

This morning it was 3 below zero F.  From the inside of my house I could see the glistening of the ice crystals in the trees.  It’s beautiful from the inside looking out.  But once I stepped outside the beauty was quickly forgotten as my survival instinct to stay warm kicked in.  There are not many signs of life outside on days like this.  I’m not concerned at all about mowing the lawn or caring for the landscaping. But life is still pulsating even when I can’t see it.  Underneath the layers of snow and cold there are creatures and plants still alive. 

My view for life needs to begin as I did this morning, from the inside out.  Sometimes I get so caught up with the “outside” of life, I neglect the real place where life comes, deep inside of me: My Heart for it’s the wellspring of Life.  So, on this cold January day I need to look to the originator of life to fill me with his breath to carry on another day.

Soul Maintenance

Painting! I have a love, hate relationship with it.  I love how things look after a fresh coat of paint but after a few hours I get impatient and begin getting sloppy.  Then comes the hate!  Buying another house has given me plenty to do.  This house, built in 2002 has had little maintenance  done for many years.  So, with a deck that spans the width of the house with no stain and wood trim having bare wood showing, I knew what needed to happen. Four weeks ago I began.  I switched between the trim and deck and finally today, the outside painting is finished.  One deck completely refurbished and looking brand new and trim painted giving the house a fresh look.  I have to admit during both projects I wondered why previous home owners did not take the time to do a little more maintenance.  I know the amount of time and energy I expended would have been shortened if they would have!

As I think about it, a house isn't the only thing that needs maintenance: cars, boats, lawns, water heaters, furnaces, the list seems endless.  But the most important item is my soul.  My soul is one of those things that if I go too long between "maintenance's" other parts of me begin to show the signs of strain.  You know what I mean?  I get irritated, grumpy, selfish, moody, and that's just in the first few minutes of the day!  Not to mention the anxiety, fear, anger, and just a general feeling of being "ticked off" at those I love the most.  So, what's the solution?  Routine maintenance / care!  For me, my soul maintenance is found in spending time with Jesus through His Word the Bible.  I've been amazed time and time again what happens in my soul when I take time to read, think, pray, and consider who God is.  When I truly see God for who He is, His character, I begin to see who I am because of Jesus and His righteousness in me.  This concept alone feeds my soul.  Soul Maintenance is real and worth the time and effort.  How about it, when was the last time you've been refreshed in your soul?

So, as I sit and ponder the completion of two major projects, I wonder what the next one will be.  Wait, is that the water heater making noises???  Another "project" on the horizon!

Be Blessed,

Marty

Contentment

Why is that so hard sometimes?  When I have something that is adequate and works why do I think I need something better or more?  The past 5 weeks I have been in more shops (stores) than I have in the last two years combined. I have even made multiple trips to the same store in the same day!  Some of you think that would be nirvana! Setting up a house for the second time in two years can be exhausting.  At first you think, "how fun."  But marathon shopping after marathon shopping and assembling virtually everything you buy, I'm ready to just be!  Although, I am getting quite versed in putting bolts, washers, and nuts together.  I've come to the conclusion that two of those contentment busters is spending time in a store and looking through the local ads.  

How do you do it?  How do you remain content in a world that screams: "you've got to have more!"  We're in this together and like Paul told Timothy, godliness with contentment is GREAT gain!  Contentment is really more about the state of my heart than the state of my bank account/ contents I own.  The question I need to ask is: "is there something missing in me than is driving this lack of fulfillment?"  Hopefully, as I age I am learning that the only real fulfillment comes from the One who is more than enough for me...Yahweh-yireh.  He is the God who will provide!  I'm grateful He is and does.  How about you?

MOVING~

The mere mention of this word in our house can make a grown man cry and send shock waves through the house!  Moving didn't use to bother me.  In fact, I used to enjoy it...starting over, finding a house, meeting new people, etc.  But when a move takes 4-5 months and spans continents, I have come to the conclusion there is one word for it: YUCK (that's the nice word).  We have been in transition now since January when we started the process of getting rid of things and planning our departure from Australia.  We left the land of OZ the 3rd of April and was living with the bare necessities two weeks before and with a friend for the last week.  I have gotten so tired of lugging suitcases around that I am becoming a firm believer in minimalistic travel.  From April 5th through June 17th we were living out of suitcases and spending time with a lot of family and friends.  Now, we are in a temporary location living with the bare minimum by ourselves until we move into our house July 9th (Ruthann's birthday...beat that for a birthday present)!   

Don't get me wrong, we have been truly blessed by all those who have hosted, invited, put up with, and made arrangements for us over the last several months.  But, there is something about being settled in your own space...I'll let you know what that feels like again in a few weeks!  During this time God has blessed us, surprised us, ambushed us, and taught us some lessons on living in community.  We are richer for the experience.  I have learned that no matter where I live there are great people and opportunities to serve.  I also have learned that I really don't want to move again anytime in the near future...say 15 years at least!!!  I still don't like MOVING, but I am starting to anticipate what life will be like as we unpack and settle in.  NOW if we could just get our freight shipment from Australia!!!

Later,

Marty