Meaningful Words (04/25/10)

            Simple faith and loving friendship are what I have written about thus far in this newsletter. There are a few poems of mine that speak to those themes and here they are:

Community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

Your heart beating next to mine,

My heart beating next to yours

And at the center, there is God

In our midst

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

For there are loads we cannot carry alone

Never were meant to be on our own

But side by side,

Let me carry you,

And when I’m tired

You’ll carry me too.

And we can’t carry on

That’s when we’ll look to God

And find He’s been with us all along

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

This road of life is long and narrow

With much toil and real sorrow

Yet hold to me,

As I hold to you,

And we will grow in His embrace

LoungeDivine (Unfinished)

Friends to be real with

Children to enjoy

A place to watch movies

And to think of spiritual things

A place to explore God and His People

Free from expectation or

Fear of reproach

A place of understanding

A place of growth

A place where the bones of my doubt

Can be enfleshed with renewed faith

A place of love

A place of acceptance

A place to be honest about my life with God

And know I will be encouraged in His Strength

The Truth

You know the truth,

It’s been in you,

Since time began.

You just did not see,

What really could be.

Look inside you,

Deep inside,

Look to your heart.

Then He will guide you.

To the truth.

  

Life

What is life?

Is it love?

or something different.

Must we look,

All our lives,

Just for true life?

Or is it simple?

Standing right before us,

With it’s arms outstretched.

Can it really be that simple?

Yes, it is!!

            Once more I come to the end of this newsletter feeling I have shared a lot and thankful for you who have read this far and continue to follow God with me on this journey we walk together. Even though we are miles apart, when we pray to God and share with Him our hearts, He draws us closer to each other as He draws us close to Him. Take time to enjoy fellowship with those you love this week. It is within that love that we get a glimpse of God, and this side of His Kingdom, that is the best picture we have!            

Sharing My Life (04/25/10): Starting Small

            Last Friday I watched The Blindside with Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.  It is a really good movie to watch as a family and tells the true story of a suburban mother forming a mutually beneficial friendship with an inner-city youth, which culminates in him becoming a pro-football player. There were many powerful and touching aspects of the movie and the one that really spoke to me was how the relationship between mother and the inner city young man grew.  

            Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, did not start out with the intent to start a movement or ministry; she just saw a need, had the desire to help and followed her heart. Even though she had no idea where it would go or what would come next, she stepped out in faith. Yes, many of the main characters in the film are Christian, though I think its message is pretty universal. It was not her original intention to bring Michael Oher, the young man, into her home, help him become a better student and man, and motivate him to go to college and then to the NFL; that all came into the picture gradually. I think if she had gone into it all with that motivation from the get go, she would not have made the same impact.

            In my experience, our walk with God works much the same way. We have no idea where it is all headed or who we will ultimately become in the end. Perhaps it is better that way. I once asked God to show me the plan He had for my life. In reply, He said, “If I showed you the way, you would simply follow the path. Instead, I have chosen to show Myself to you and ask you to follow Me.” Do not get the wrong idea, that was one of the few times He has ever spoken to me that clearly ;-)

            I do believe God has a plan and is constantly at work in our lives brining it into fulfillment.  We are not meant to know it all beforehand. I am not even sure I could comprehend it all if I did. Instead, God moves in our hearts like He moved in Leigh’s heart.  He shows us a need, gives us a desire in our heart and asks us to step out in faith.

            One way I have seen this work out in my own life is with a family I have grown close to.  I first met them back when I was living in Saint Cloud, working at the VA there and attending 2:42 Church. They had recently left a very legalistic church and had come to 2:42 in search of healing fellowship. As time progressed, I befriended them and was able to help them through their healing, especially as 2:42 broke up. Even when I moved back to the Cities to pursue work as a chaplain, I still kept in contact with them. Recently, the father of the family fell and broke his ankle.  The past few weekends, as studies allowed, I went up to St. Cloud and visited with them. I talked with the parents and played with the children. It was a great time for all. As I was with them and even now I can feel the warmth of family, love and fellowship. That is what relationships in God’s kingdom are all about.

            We do not have to be strategic in all that we do for God or have everything all planned out from the beginning. All He asks from us is the simple faith it takes to see a need, listen to the desires of our heart and follow Him. The rest will become clear in time, as we need to know and can handle it. Even now, God may be speaking to you, showing you a need, tugging at a desire in your heart and simply saying, “Follow Me!”

Life Update (04/25/10): Making Progress

This past Wednesday I finished my first semester at Argosy University. So far, I’m pretty sure I got A’s in all my classes. Summer classes begin on May 10^th.  I am hoping to finish all my coursework in 3 years and then work on my Applied Clinical Project for another year or so. There are a couple internships in there as well. I have cut down on my work with Accessible Space, Inc., with the help of my folks, to help me be as efficient as I can be in my studies. So far, so good.             

Peter Undone

Peter Undone

            This morning I was listening to Dave Christian and Pamela Lundell on KTIS Radio talking about foot washing. It is Maundy Thursday, a day set aside to remember Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Some churches hold Foot Washing services every year around this time, where the church leaders wash the feet of their parishioners. They do this to remind them of when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet before the meal in John 13. Dave recounted his experience in both washing the feet of others and having his own washed; Pam then remarked that the thought of having her feet washed by someone made her uncomfortable. It was not the physical act that gave her discomfort, but the message conveyed in the action. To wash someone’s feet is an act of submission towards that person. In Jesus’ day, this was a duty reserved only for the servants of the household. People walked around all day in the sand and dusty roads with their sandals on their feet; no fancy hiking boots or running shoes, just simple leather sandals. That meant their feet got plenty dirty, so when they entered someone’s house as a guest, the master of the house would have his servant wash their feet, to keep from getting his floor and house dirty. Pam was saying that she was uncomfortable being served.

            As she and Dave where talking about this, I heard and was reminded of Peter’s reaction to having his feet washed by Jesus. Sometimes we look down on Peter for his initial unwillingness to have Jesus wash his feet. Yet I think there’s something deeper going on here. When Jesus took the servant’s role and started washing His disciple’s feet, this took Peter by surprise and he felt uncomfortable. Like Pam, he was uneasy with the idea of Jesus submitting to him in this manner. Here was the Man Who had healed Peter’s mother (Matthew 8:14-15), the One who Peter saw calm the storms (Matthew 8:23-27) and walk on the water (Matthew 14:22-36). Peter had seen Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah, and then both disappeared and Jesus was standing there alone, as if to say, in Jesus the Law of Moses and the Prophets, like Elijah, live side by side (Matthew 17:1-13). Maybe Peter was reminded of when Jesus said that He had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and that His commands to love God and love each other encompassed all the Laws and the Prophets (Matthew 22:34-39). Peter had seen Jesus do many amazing things and believed that He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16). This was the Man Who was washing His disciple’s feet and now coming to submit to Peter in this fashion.

 

            It was all too much for Peter. Once more Jesus undid him. This was not the first time this happened, nor would it be the last. All the other times Peter had seen Jesus in action, he was amazed and undone. Jesus left him dumbfounded. Peter could not figure Jesus out. There was no category of understanding that encapsulated Jesus in Peter’s mind, heart and experience. Jesus was like no other person Peter had ever met or befriended.

            Nowhere is this more expressed than when Jesus forgives Peter in John 21.  After hearing and seeing that Jesus was raised from the dead. Peter and a few of the other disciples had gone back out onto the lake to fish.  Perhaps they were still trying to comprehend all that had happened over the weekend and throughout that week. Their Lord and Master had been crucified on Friday (John 19) and had risen from the dead on Saturday (John 20). He had appeared to Mary Magdalene, Thomas and the rest of His disciples. When He had appeared to Thomas, the disciples were gathered in a room with every door locked and Jesus appeared out of nowhere (John 20:24-29). Peter and the other disciples were still trying to get over all their shock. They had gone back to the only thing they knew made sense. When Jesus had found them in the beginning, they were fishermen and it was still what they knew best.

            So, here comes Jesus. Peter and the disciples with him were out on the water, probably a long way off from shore. They hear someone on the shore yell, “Have you caught any fish?” Despite all their efforts throughout the night, Peter and the other disciples had not caught a single fish, not even a small Minnow. Here comes this stranger, maybe they even thought him a bit of a jerk, asking them what probably felt like the stupidest question that could ever be asked. In consternation they reply back, “No.” Perhaps there was even a bit of sarcasm in their voices. “Try casting your nets on the other side,” Jesus said. “Oh, of course,” they probably thought. “That’s our problem. We were fishing on the other side. Still feeling a bit perturbed, they follow His suggestion and cast their nets on the other side of the boat. The results amaze them. They catch so many fish in that one casting that they are unable to haul in the huge load. Perhaps they are reminded of another time when they followed the fishing advice of a stranger and the result was a catch to large for their nets to even contain (Luke 5:1-11). That was back when they first met Jesus. That must have been why Peter ran to shore, leaving the rest of the disciples to gather the fish and bring the boat ashore. Jesus already had some fish cooking on the fire and asked the disciples to bring some of the ones they had caught. Then Jesus broke the fish and some bread He had brought with Him and distributed it among the disciples. Maybe that reminded them of the times Jesus had multiplied the fish and the loaves before (Matthew 15:29-39, John 6:1-15).

            After the small meal, Jesus took Peter aside and had a meaningful conversation with him. Among the things Peter was trying to sort out was his own betrayal of Jesus, especially since earlier that very evening Jesus had foretold that Peter would betray Him and despite Peter’s earnest assertion that such would never happen, Jesus pushed the point even further, saying that before the rooster crowed, and morning broke, Peter would deny three times that he even knows Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35). This had indeed happened and at the very moment it did Peter’s eyes met Jesus’ and he broke down in sorrow, weeping (Luke 22:60-62). When Jesus takes Peter aside, he is probably still trying to figure all this out. Peter’s own grief over his Master’s death was mixed with his sorrow at having betrayed Him. Even though Peter’s Lord is now raised from the dead and has appeared a number of times, Peter’s heart is still clouded with grief and regret. It is precisely into this uncertainty that Jesus speaks.

            He asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, Do you truly love me more than these.” Jesus was calling Peter by the name he had before Jesus had renamed him (John 1:42). This had happened before when Peter had fallen asleep in the garden of Gethsemane, after Jesus had asked him to stay awake (Mark 14:37). Maybe Peter thought Jesus was calling him by his former name to get his attention. Indeed, such was probably was the case.  Peter replied, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” Jesus replies, “Feed My sheep.” Then Jesus asked him once again, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me?” Peter again assured Jesus that he does love Him and Jesus replies, “Take care of My sheep.” Not swayed, Jesus asks Peter a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me.” Peter is disappointed and hurt by this second asking of the same question; his reply is an even stronger assertion and assurance: “Lord, You know all things, You know that I love you.” Jesus replies again, “Feed My sheep.” He then goes on to tell Peter about his future death and asks him once more to “follow Me.”

            I am not sure Peter fully understood what Jesus had just done at that moment. When Jesus is done speaking, Peter turns and upon seeing John, the disciple Jesus love, asks Jesus about him. Though this incident is not spoken of in either Acts nor in any of Peter’s epistles, I am sure that it was foundational in Peter’s life and ministry. Another time Jesus called Peter Simon was when He predicted Peter’s betrayal. He told Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). When Jesus said this to Peter, I believe He was speaking of Peter’s betrayal. Jesus knew that, if left to his own devices, Peter might have followed right after Judas and killed himself when he realized he had betrayed his Lord and Master the very night Jesus needed him to be strong. Jesus knew Peter would betray Him and knew that Peter would be terribly saddened by this. Peter’s inevitable betrayal and sadness was not what Jesus meant He said He was praying that Peter’s faith would not fail. Jesus wanted Peter to live through this, to persevere through his sorrow and grief and live to see the hope that was to come. Upon seeing this hope fulfilled, Jesus knew Peter would be strengthened in his faith and would have enough strength even to turn and strengthen his brothers and sisters in Christ. When Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and hearing Peter’s replies asked him to feed and take care of His sheep, Jesus was giving Peter a living sign of His forgiveness for Peter’s threefold betrayal and reinstating him as the leader of Jesus’ early church. 

Meaningful Words (03/28/10)

As I reflect back on my journey with God, how He led me from obedience to faith to obedience, I am filled with gratefulness and awe. I am also aware that today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week and by the week’s end we will have remembered all the events that led up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Here are a few poems reflecting those themes:

Fire and Desire

In the beginning,

I remember fire,

Burning in my heart,

Filled with desire.

But now I stand.

It’s three years past.

My heart is cold.

Where’s my desire?

Where is the fire?

Holy Spirit fill me up,

With the lasting fire!

Fill my spirit once again,

Make my soul fly higher

Higher than the sky!

Higher than the moon!

Shoot me into eternity!

A-men!

Impostor

You go to church every Sunday

Don the suit, don the mask, don the act

You sing the songs and listen to the sermon

But deep down you know it’s all a lie

Life continues on, you play the game every day

Load the bullet in the gun, and pray the chamber’s empty

Every time it gets easier,

Every time you loose a bit of yourself

Hiding the truth from all those you love

But there’s One who always knows

You think you’re doing them a favor

But you’re hurting them beyond repair

Acting like a Christian when you don’t even care

You’ve got the M. Div.

You’ve got the preacher’s touch

You even have your own church

Everyone thinks you’re the best

But you’ll never pass the final test.

Why do you continue on this blessing filled path to hell?

Still you play the sheep, when you know you’re a wolf

Do you think you can hide forever?

I pray that one day you’ll see the truth

That all those things you fake can be yours in real life

‘Cause there’s a God out there who knows you for all you are

And He longs for you to come home to Him at last

This Cross

I wear this cross around my neck to remind me

To remind me that I am no longer my own

To remind me that I have been bought with a price

To remind me that 2,000 years ago He died in my place

He took the blame that should have been mine

He took the pain that should have been mine

Every bad thought that goes through my head

Every terrible deed that I take part in

Every sin that I commit

Was summed up in those six hours He spent dying on this cross.

This cross reminds me that I have a Savior

No longer must I go it alone

This cross reminds me that I have a Father

No longer must I be a prodigal son

This cross reminds me that I have a family

No longer am I the only one

This cross reminds me of a Man who cared.

He cared for the homeless

He cared for the lonely

He cared for the brokenhearted

He cared for those without a heart

He cared for those society tears apart

He cared for sinners like you and me

He cared for everyone that we do and do not see.

He cared and He still cares

This cross stands for grace

Of greater worth than any gold

This cross stands for mercy

Enough to cover the greatest of sinners a hundred times over

This cross stands for strength

His made perfect in our weakness

This cross stands for power

An immeasurable amount too awesome to even comprehend

This cross stands for love

Unlike any ever imagined or seen

This cross stands for compassion

To receive back a wayward soul that cost Him His own life.

This cross stands for Jesus, my Savior and my Lord!

            Thank you again to each of you, for continuing to stay with me on this journey. True, some of you are reading this only for the first time, yet you still managed to get this far.  ;-)  Your thoughts and prayers continue to give me strength and I am grateful for each and every one of you. If any of you have concerns, prayer requests or other needs, just let me know. It would be my honor to pray for you, as you pray for me, knowing that even now, Jesus prays for us all (Hebrews 7:25).

Sharing My Life (03/28/10): Work or Relationship?

            Throughout my walk with God, much of my reflection and prayer has been about determining God’s Will for my life. In the beginning, it felt like this was somewhat about a perfectionist need to get it right the first time. There was also a bit of the fear of God in there too. At times when I read the Old Testament, God seemed very concerned about His Will being obeyed and when it was not there were consequences. Back then it felt very much like my faith was a lot about works, about proving to God that I was worth the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Yet since then, I have some to see such is not really the case.

            Paul actually spent an entire epistle on making the distinction between being saved by the law (aka, works) or by faith (Galatians 3:11 and others). It is not our obedience to God that saves us. It is Christ’s! On the other hand, we are told a number of times, by Paul and others, that works are an integral part of our faith journey (much of James and others). So, is it works or faith or maybe even in some mysterious way, both?

            These days I am beginning to see more and more that the key to following God is not all about living by obedience or faith. It is about a relationship with God made possible by the obedience of His Son. This relationship is built on how we relate to God and living as He leads, yet there is much grace and wiggle room in this narrow way. As we walk with God, His Will becomes clear to us and as we grow in our faith, He empowers us to do all that He desires.

Life Update (03/28/10): Moving Forward

            Now that I am almost three months into my Doctoral program at Argosy, I can definitely say there is a significant learning curve from doing work for my Master’s program to doing work for my Doctoral one; even more so with my college program. There is a lot more reading and other work required, though at times less emphasis on due dates. One of my first classes only lasted a quarter, so I am now down to just two classes, which both end next month. Then I have a nice two-week break before diving into the next semester. I have also cut down on my work hours to give me more time to focus on my studies. I got an “A-“ in that first class, so things are going good at this point. ;-)

Are you Jesus

A friend sent me this cool story:

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in  Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding.

ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did.

The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down he r cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears.. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

After reading it, I felt prompted to pray that my own life led people to see Jesus in what I do and say. What does it prompt in you?

To all the women in my life

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape ...
but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...
a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...

A strong woman walks sure footedly...
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...
but a woman of strength wears grace...

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

- Marta S. Hardy

The Way of Jesus (2/22/10)

This year I have been attending a Bible study at church entitled "Seeing Jesus." We have been working our way through John's Gospel. Yesterday we were going through John 14, where Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn 14:6). As I was reading it, the following thought came to my mind and heart:

"This, then, is our Way in Christ. We follow Him in obedience by faith through love. Christ, in turn, loves us and shows us the Truth, which is in Him. In His Truth is freedom, freedom to live life to the fullest, to live life abundantly!" (Jn 8:31-32; 10:10; 14:6-7, 15, 21, 23).

I shared this with the class and our teacher shared a similar quote:

Follow thou me. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing; without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way thou must follow; the Truth thou must believe; the Life for which thou must hope. I am the inviolable Way; the infallible Truth; the never-ending Life. I am the straightest Life; the sovereign Truth; Life, true Life, Life blessed, Life uncreated. (Thomas A. Kempis, Imitation of Christ)

Let us, therefore, walk in His footsteps, just as Jesus has shown us. Amen.

For Valentine's Day . . .

I am a big fan of Gimundo, Good News, Served Daily. Today they posted an article on the longest married couple in the world. Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher have been married since 1924 and they are 102 and 104, respectfully. From now until tomorrow, February 13th they plan to answer 14 questions via Twitter. You can send your questions via Twitter to @longestmarried or to follow their feel, just click on the Twitter address and it will take you to their Twitter site. Have a great Valentine's Day!

Really good poem by one of my favorite therapists

My Declaration of Self-Esteem

            I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it -- I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself.

            I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes. Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with all my parts. I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know -- but as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and ways to find out more about me.

            However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically me. If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought, and felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded. I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do.

            I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me. I am me, and I am Okay.

- Virginia Satir, Self Esteem

Meaningful Words (02/07/10)

So, here we are close to the end again. Here is where I share some of God’s work in and through me through poetry and song.  As I think through my school change, upcoming move and possible vision, here are some words that come to mind and heart:

There is a White

There is a white for this black of ours.

It will show itself in its hour,

But we who hold it in our hearts,

No ray of dark can penetrate our parts.

But what of this light?

What use is it, if it cannot shine bright!

Too often we turn away its source.

We take out our swords,

Made by the hand of Satan,

And slash it into oblivion.

But this light cannot die.

It cannot be swept away.

There are those who have claimed it

And the light lives on in them.

The light has a place in all of our hearts.

Every single one must play its part.

Through them this world will change.

Through them it will exchange

Its darkness for the EVERLASTING LIGHT!

A-men

Into the Woods

I saw you when you ran into the woods,

For I was there with you,

I was the One you were running away from,

Yet I was the One you were running to,

Which was I to you?

Which were you to Me?

How I long for you to cling to Me as you used to,

To feel your heart beat with mine,

To share your thoughts and know your mind,

Yet you have drifted far away and are ever still running,

Farther and farther you roam,

It seems almost as if you are at home,

There in the wilderness,

Off in the distance.

Come home to Me, My love, 

The journey is really not that long,

If you would but turn around,

Lift up your eyes and see,

There you would find me,

My gentle hands will wipe away your every tear,

The blood from My wounds will cleanse your every sin.

Cleansing and reaching ever deeper within,

Bring your broken hearts and shattered dreams

Lay them at My nail-pierced feet

For when you cried, I cried with you,

When you ran, I was there at your side,

When you hid there in the dark,

I was there as well.

I am with you always,

Not as a presence to be feared

But as One who knows you through and through,

One who has seen you at your worst and at your best

I know you, I love you, and I am for you.

Community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

Your heart beating next to mine,

My heart beating next to yours

And at the center, there is God

In our midst

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

For there are loads we cannot carry alone

Never were meant to be on our own

But side by side,

Let me carry you,

And when I’m tired

You’ll carry me too.

And we can’t carry on

That’s when we’ll look to God

And find He’s been with us all along

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what it means to be a true community

Christ in you, Christ in me

This is what God desires, His earthly Trinity

This road of life is long and narrow

With much toil and real sorrow

Yet hold to me,

As I hold to you,

And we will grow in His embrace.

Well, here we are at the end of another letter. Today is SuperBowl Sunday, the Colts are playing the Saints and, to be honest, I couldn't care less who wins. Yet as we gather with friends and family to watch the game, I hope and pray that we will see in each other, a far greater prize than any SuperBowl trophy. God has place His image in each of us and longs to bring it to light for the whole world to see. As my favorite Bible verse reads, “We are God’s works of art, created in Christ, to do good works, which He has laid out before us” (Ephesians 2:10). Thank you. I pray you are all doing well.

Sharing My Life (02/07/10): A vision of what may come . . .

Some of you have been with me long enough to know I have recently received a bit of clarity about my future in God’s kingdom. A mentor of mine, Greg Bourgond, recently helped me complete my Personal Life Mandate(PLM). If you’re receiving this via email, just click the link above and it will bring you to the proper page in my blog. Otherwise, just go to my blog (ww.mjwillard.blogspot.com) and search for it using the search box in the upper left-hand corner. Anyway, part of that PLM was a vision for the future entitled “Ultimate Contribution.” One of the reasons I elected to go into Argosy’s DMFT program is because along with giving me most of what I need to get a Marriage and Family Therapy license, it also helps students prepare to both supervise and teach future therapists. Part of my vision is not just to be a therapist who helps struggling people to find their full potential in Christ. It is also to equip and train others to do the same. I have always desired to learn things not just for the sake of knowledge, but to share that knowledge with those around me. By becoming a therapist and possibly a trainer of therapists, I hope to help fan the flame that exists in the hearts of those I work with. That flame which Christ first ignited in them and longs for them to share. In fanning the flame I desire to see a passion for knowing and sharing God’s love in all those around me.

Life Update (02/07/10): Still Changing . . .

I know it’s been a while since last I wrote and I apologize for that. Life can get so busy at times. Since last I wrote, two major changes have happened in my life. First off, I have transferred from the Masters in Mental Health Counseling Degree program at Capella University to the Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Argosy University in Eagan, MN. The change in schools was mostly due to the lack of face to face contact I was getting at Capellla. As to the change in programs, partly that is because Argosy had that program and I thought why pursue another Masters degree, when I can get a Doctorate? The other reason will becoming later. Second, I have changed my mind about buying a house. While I do still need to move out of my present location by May, as I talked through the possibilities with my folks and friends, getting an apartment seemed to be a much more reasonable idea. At least for now ;-) So, now I am looking for a place nicely located between my church in Maple Grove, MN and Argosy in Eagan, MN. That covers a big area and fortunately, there’s still time between now and May. 

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

hilarious!

Christmas & Political Correctness (12/16/09)

Christmas & Political Correctness

            For the past year, I have been tutoring at CityView Community School in Minneapolis, MN and yesterday I had an idea for this week before Winter Break.  I have been helping the children I work with improve their reading skills, and one of the ways we do this is by reading aloud together.  For this week, I thought it would be a cool idea to read “The Legend of the Candy Cane” together and then I would share candy canes with the children. 

            The story presents candy canes as a Christian evangelistic tool, showing that if you hold the cane long end up, it looks like a “J” and that stands for Jesus. If you point it down, then it looks like a shepherd’s crook and that reminds us that shepherds were the first to her of Christ’s birth. The red stripes symbolize Jesus’ blood shed for us and the white shows how we can be washed white as snow, free from our sins. I wasn’t sure about reading such an explicitly Christian story in a public school, so I asked the teacher I’ve been working with. Sure enough, she indicated I would not be able to read the story, but I could bring the candy canes to share.

            Once I got there this morning, she asked me to work with a couple girls I have been working closely with and said I could offer to share the story with them, since it was just two, and indicated I should ask them first, letting them know that the story did contain religious themes. At first, we just read through the book that they had been reading through that week. Then, towards the end, they asked about the book I brought and I did get a chance to share it with them. They enjoyed the story and thought the symbolism behind the candy cane was “cool.”  After we finished, they rushed off to tell the teacher and she was glad they like it. Then I shared my candy canes with the whole class. Over all, it was a great experience!

            It also made me think a bit about this whole Political Correctness idea we have today. As I have grown more confident in my faith and character, I have felt less offended by those who feel differently, and more able to share freely with them about my beliefs and listen intently as they share theirs.  I have come to find that though other’s ideas may be different then mine, that fact does not need to be an issue. When I share, I do not do so aggressively and I do not demand that others believe the same way that I do. Often I get the same feeling from them.

            Though at times there are aspects of the faith that will offend and confront others no matter what. Paul spoke of such in his letter to the Corinthians (1Corinthinas 1:22-25). Since we, as Christians, believe that Jesus is the one true Savior of the World, this is a bit of an exclusive faith, yet Jesus died for the sins of everyone. So while Jesus’ way is the only one that really works, it is open to all who will walk in it.

            It is also important that we not let the fact that our Gospel, is at times, inherently offensive get in the way of our being culturally sensitive in our faith sharing. Yes, we do have a faith that is exclusive in some respects and inclusive in others. At the same time, there are ways to share that message that people will still hear it, even if they are at first offended. Hopefully we can all find ways of sharing the true joy of Christmas this season in culturally sensitive ways.

            Here’s a seasonal poem I once wrote:

Immanuel

Son of God, Immanuel

Tonight You came with us to dwell

You came to show us how to live

You came to us eternal life to give

Child of the King, You came from above

To teach us the true meaning of love

Took on our flesh, took on our sin

Our earthly burden, You took within

By Your hands, our wounds were healed

With Your blood our hearts are sealed

Teach us this day

To walk in Your way

Almighty Father, watch over us

Protect us from our darkness

Holy Spirit, Who dwells within

Keep us this day from all sin

Jesus, Redeemer, Lover, and Friend

To us Your embrace now extend

As we gather with our family

As we gather with our friends

Your love guides our hearts, as we amble blindly

While we hold hands, Your grace descends

And for those of us, who spend this season alone

As our spirits within us groan

Remind us, I pray, that You are always there.

Remind us, O Lord, that You always care.

The road we walk is treacherous

But You O Lord are ever with us

Give us this day our daily bread

Watch over us as we go to bed.

A-men.