Over the last few weeks I've come face to face with yet another reality of life. My mentor, the man I've trusted for my entire life, the one who gave me life and the fundamentals of my faith has begun the slow but certain trek toward eternal rest...better known as death. The stark reminder, so close to my own heart, that life is fleeting has shaken me to the core. The man who once towered over me has been reduced to a feeble skeleton of a man with barely enough strength or stability to stand. Being unable to communicate with my father is probably the hardest part of his decline. While his mind remains sharp his hearing has degenerated to the poinnt that he can't distinguish my voice on the phone. Oh how I long to hear his voice...that voice that carries love in every word. That voice that has scolded, told dumb jokes and generally imparted the wisdom of life for every single day of my life.
I remember the first time I heard the word "cancer". I was seven years old and it was used in the same sentence with my Dad's name. Yes, he fought colon cancer in the early 1960's...and won. I'll never forget his instruction not to wrap a rope around your hand when handling a young steer or heifer, only to ignore his own advice and gain a broken hip. But through it all there was always the same sound of wisdom, wit and amazing, unconditional love.
Now, in his final moment of teaching, in the last days of his time in this realm he is teaching me the greatest lesson of all. That lesson? The same one the Lord taught when He answered the lawyer. "The greatest commandment is this; love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. And the second is just like the first, love your neighbor as yourself." With every breath my dad glorifies God. With every thought he praises his fellow man. With every action he reminds me that no matter what, I am his son and he is my hero! I love you Daddy!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Signs
I have a sign in my office that reads: "God works to create a distinct community to participate in His life for the sake of the world" (Mark Love, 2005).
Another one that I see constantly in my confines is: "Eagles don't flock~you have to find them one at a time."
Yet another one says, "Vision~A clear and challenging picture of the future of a ministry as you believe that it can and should be" (Aubrey Malphurs, 1999).
Frankly, I'm not sure what those three things have to do with each other. But each one represents something that is important to me personally, and I believe to the church that I serve.
Mark Love's statement is a constant reminder that it is God working in this place to bring us to Him. In creating a distinct community (the church) He has chosen the venue through which people are exposed to and offered salvation. Perhaps we need to be reminded of why we exist. Maybe we need to see that sign on every door, window and seat in the man made edifices we call "church".
The eagle phrase is a constant reminder to me of the fact that true friends are those whom I have chosen to allow into my inner circle. They aren't a result of the gathering of 300 or so worshippers on Sunday. Instead, after searching the motives and characteristics of various people, I am able to feel safe when in their presence. So it is in the realm of the church. Congregations of God's people distinguish themselves by their actions, their daily activities. Do they show Jesus for who He is or do they trumpet how "great" that body of people is? Very few pass the eagle test.
Malphur's definition of Vision is one that greets me as I enter my office each day. It is a constant reminder that part of my task is to look beyond the walls of my office, foyer and sanctuary and be led by God to see what His church CAN be. He is the One that has placed us where we are...now it's our turn to find out how to make it work. The process is constantly challenging and sometimes painful. But it is always worth chasing. When I am able to catch a glimpse of God's vision for me and for this body, I have experienced a piece of heaven.
Another one that I see constantly in my confines is: "Eagles don't flock~you have to find them one at a time."
Yet another one says, "Vision~A clear and challenging picture of the future of a ministry as you believe that it can and should be" (Aubrey Malphurs, 1999).
Frankly, I'm not sure what those three things have to do with each other. But each one represents something that is important to me personally, and I believe to the church that I serve.
Mark Love's statement is a constant reminder that it is God working in this place to bring us to Him. In creating a distinct community (the church) He has chosen the venue through which people are exposed to and offered salvation. Perhaps we need to be reminded of why we exist. Maybe we need to see that sign on every door, window and seat in the man made edifices we call "church".
The eagle phrase is a constant reminder to me of the fact that true friends are those whom I have chosen to allow into my inner circle. They aren't a result of the gathering of 300 or so worshippers on Sunday. Instead, after searching the motives and characteristics of various people, I am able to feel safe when in their presence. So it is in the realm of the church. Congregations of God's people distinguish themselves by their actions, their daily activities. Do they show Jesus for who He is or do they trumpet how "great" that body of people is? Very few pass the eagle test.
Malphur's definition of Vision is one that greets me as I enter my office each day. It is a constant reminder that part of my task is to look beyond the walls of my office, foyer and sanctuary and be led by God to see what His church CAN be. He is the One that has placed us where we are...now it's our turn to find out how to make it work. The process is constantly challenging and sometimes painful. But it is always worth chasing. When I am able to catch a glimpse of God's vision for me and for this body, I have experienced a piece of heaven.
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