Carving Pumpkins

A tradition in our house over the years has been picking out three pumpkins and taking an evening to “show off” our artistic abilities at the expense of an innocent, non-assuming, gourde.  These pumpkins didn’t ask for this treatment, nor did they have anything to say about the final face or state of being that was bestowed upon them.  Then, before they know it they are on the front porch with a light inside announcing to the neighborhood their creator’s artistic abilities or lack there of. 

This year, each one of us chose a different path for their pumpkin creation.  Ruthann decided to stay with a simple, traditional approach to the standard pumpkin face.  Natalie, picked up a power tool and explored the realm of creative expression via a cord-less drill (She is her father’s daughter!).  I began an extensive search on Google for that challenging, yet doable face that would amaze the neighborhood.  What resulted were three very different yet very similar creations.  Each one shows the artist’s rendition of what they pictured the pumpkin to be, different but yet all very similar.  They are still pumpkins no matter how we “sliced” them.  We could not change that fact.  No matter how simple, complex, or abstract the carving, they all allowed the light to shine through them.  Here’s a side note:  Not once in the creation of or after we were done did any one of the pumpkins complain, question, or refuse the artist’s work!

I’m not going to be Captain Obvious at this point and talk about the similarities between pumpkins and people.  Or, the significance of us being the creation of a loving, creator God. My take away from Carving Pumpkins is this: Do I trust God with how He’s “carved” me?  And, will I allow His light to shine through me wherever He places me?

Shine on Pumpkin Heads!

Leaders Lead and Leaders Make Decisions!

Spring training for baseball has begun.  I must admit I'm not a huge fan but am intrigued with the fact that a professional baseball player can make millions of dollars with a lifetime batting average of .350.  That's a little better than 33% success rate.  I wonder how many leaders would get by with that type of average in making successful leadership decisions.  

Today was one of those days when being a leader called for stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a decision. One word that sums it up: WEATHER.  So far in 2014 we have had 8 Saturday/Sundays with significant snow.  This past week the weather forecast for Sunday predicted ice/ sleet/ snow totaling 7-10 inches. So, come this morning a decision needed to be made regarding whether or not services would be held.  After an hour of assessing the situation, driving roads, and consulting 7 people I decided.  Many decisions leaders need to make don't come with easy to follow steps that give you immediate feed back on if the decision is good or bad.  When it comes to the weather, hindsight is nearly 20/20.  But the important lesson I learned today, do the necessary work, pray, seek input and make a decision.  I'm not going to bat 1000% on all my leadership decisions but I hope it will be said of me that I at least I showed up to the plate and decided.  For today, I can rest in the fact that even if the forecast didn't pan out like expected, I stepped up to the plate and swung!

The decision?  Services were cancelled...a swing and a...decision!  Leaders lead.

Marty

CHOICES

I believe the most godly thing I can do is choose.  The opposite is true as well, the most evil thing I can do is choose.  This isn't an original thought with me but the more I think about the more I believe it's true.  Think about it.  How much of life is boiled down to a choice?  I choose when to eat, what to wear, what time to go to bed, what time to get up, if I'll go to work, and the list is endless.  But it goes deeper than just daily routines to include life altering attitudes, perspective, words, and actions.  It all comes back to choice. 

In the beginning two people had a choice.  Sometimes I focus so much on what they chose verses the incredible fact that they had a choice.  I marvel at the fact that God even in his foreknowledge, knowing what they would choose afforded the first man and woman a choice.  Why?  I believe God, even though He saw heartbreak in giving us choice He also saw the beautiful outcome of what life could be like when we choose wisely...and the choices that lead us to Him.  So, what are the choices I am faced with that may not set the trajectory of all human history but may cause myself and others to be encouraged that take us closer to God?  How about choosing to believe that I can guard my heart and mind from those thoughts that tear down rather than build up?  Or, that the words I choose to speak can bring life?  Or, that simple choice to help someone in need might just change their perspective from thinking no one cares to a hope that life can be different.  It all starts with a choice!  What will you do with this incredible gift of CHOICE?

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.