Why Am I Here?

Yesterday in Church, I heard a statistic that 150,000 people are leaving the church every month (maybe it was every week). It was staggering to me. I confess that I get frustrated with the way things go at church sometimes, and I have heard a lot of reasons why people either don't go or stop going.

I thought this testimony, sent to me on a listserve of men I am on, was very helpful and explains why I worship in a a church setting. Something to think about...

"Why are you here?" She asked.

I was so surprised I am not sure what I replied now. My counselor and I had been talking for ¾ of an hour. It came out of the blue it seemed or maybe I just took it that way. Anyway I could not stop thinking about it. It can be taken literally and on an existential level too and anything in between. As I thought about it though over the next few days something came to me that I felt I needed to put down on paper.

I am actually amazed that I am here. I came close so many times to not being here either by my own hand or others. There is something that does keep me here though and I mean here in the literal sense of present in this life. > As a child my mother introduced me to God; Jesus to be quite specific. She saw him as a real person, live but invisible and introduced Him to me that way. I guess he was my first invisible friend.

The thing is though that he really was real to me. I would talk to him (I call it prayer now) and he would answer. Maybe not in an audible way but he would. I would ask for things and he would do them or get them for me. I know to some this could sound a little strange to those not familiar with the reality of God and his interaction with man. Still for me this was reality.

As I grew up and became more mature, (I use that word loosely), His interaction with me became more multifaceted and multidimensional. He became friend and confidant; father and mentor. There were times when I could actually feel his presence. I would love to describe it and I will try but honestly it is almost impossible.

There was a sense of such love and acceptance that I was at times brought to tears. As if a long lost friend had suddenly been found on my doorstep. There were many times in my life for one reason or another that I desperately needed that reassurance. Painful times of confusion and feeling lost. We do something called virtual hugs in cyberspace but this was almost tangible. It was like an internal hug to the heart of my being and indescribably precious.

Not all of the things he would share with me as I read my Bible and prayed were pleasant. There were reprimands, discipline, correction, and the like but all done with such a sense of love that I never felt rejected or abandoned. Instead of driving me away it drew me closer. I knew he cared for me enough to want to correct me and help me become a better person and I truly believe he has too. I am certainly not the person I was decades ago or even 5 years ago.

To me Christianity is not about commandments, rules, laws and punishment. It is about finding a way to contact the eternal. I feel I have been created for God. The Bible, the laws, the ordinances, rituals, all are a way of guiding me back to Him. His way of reminding me that He is here, he loves me and wants to take care of me and all of that stuff is to help me find my way back to him. He has gone to great lengths to provide a way for me to come home through the sacrifice of His son. I cannot turn down love that would reach out to me like that.

So why am I here? I am here because He is here. I can feel Him, I know His spirit and presence. Having experienced that reality throughout my life powerfully on many occasions I cannot deny the reality of it or of its positive impact on my life. To experience that presence in my heart and life again keeps me here growing and learning and loving and praying. He is the constant anchor of my life and lover of my soul. I am His; He is mine and that keeps me here and will keep me throughout eternity.

Terrified

This is a video that I recently saw on Facebook and wanted to share with my friends. It really spoke to me and maybe you will like it too. It's by a band called "Story of the Year" and I had not heard of them before this, but it appears that they have been around a while.

It speaks to me because it shows the pain of separation during war time. There are a lot of things that separate us from loved ones though. It doesn't have to be a war. Yet the war time separation is particularly heart wrenching. So this video touches that nerve.

I'd appreciate knowing what you think...

FYI to Chief Seattle

Ever see those bumper stickers with pithy sayings on them? One of them quotes an Indian Chief (Chief Seattle, I think) in asserting that "The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth." I think, yeah..... no.

Well, he may be half right, in a way, sorta kinda, but not really.

Last I heard, Psalm 24 says, the Earth is the Lord's, and we are his creation and we are His (Psalm 1). So to say I belong to the earth does not quite paint the right picture, according to Scripture. But to view creation in a purely utilitarian way does not honor the creativity of the creator either (and is just as unbiblical). I prefer to honor the Creator by recognizing his revelation to us in creation. For instance:

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.



Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard." -- Psalm 19:1-3

I am not one to worship the creation; I do like to worship with creation, though. I think there is a way to consider his creation sacred, just as I believe the Bible is God's revelation and as such should be respected, revered and trusted. If I read Psalm 19 right, it appears that God talks to us through the Bible and through His created world - creation in general, and his Word specifically.

So while I do not "belong to the earth," I know I need to feel more of a connection with it and in that way get to know my Creator better through his creation.

What do you think?

Speak with Authority

Have you noticed how it is not any longer fashionable to have a set of strong beliefs and let others know you are passionate about it? This video makes that point really well... like... you know?

Not pontification, or equivocation, but conviction... take a look.

Like Shaving for the very first time

It was cool when I was about 14 or 15 to think I would be shaving. But I sorta picked up how to do it in stages, and filled in the blanks. One thing that I remember is that my Grandpa had this wierd white "Old Spice" mug that he somehow used for shaving. It seemed like he always had some white stubble there, so I thought he was so old fashioned he just didn't "get" the cool multi blade razors we have here in the modern day.

But that's OK for Grandpa. As for me, I was more sophisticated - so I just grew a beard (hmmm, easy way out?). And I used an electric razor all through college. And then I just looked around and sorta put up with shaving when I needed to.

Recently, I have learned through the Art Of Manliness Website (featured to your right) that there is a better, even more enjoyable way to shave. And it's a lot like Grandpa's way of shaving (who knew?). So I have for your education and entertainment (or, for economy of words, edutainment) a video of an introduction to "Wet Shaving."

Recently a man was kind enough to become my shaving "mentor" and show me his way of using this method and gave me some more hints on how to do this. My next move is to find a seasoned barber who can guide me further in what is now a new hobby, a craft, even a sort of meaningful experience. It's great, it's wet and it's shaving! Here is the original "how to."

Psalm 10 - A prayer from scripture

Consider Psalm 10
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

The helpless are crushed, sink down,and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.

Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

The Lord is king forever and ever;the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Dancing for God

When I was growing up in church world, I was told that I should not rollerskate as it might lead to dancing, which was, of course, sinful. I confess I went rollerskating anyway, then felt guilty, and so it goes.

Still, I was left to wonder what was wrong with dancing, and I never heard a good answer, other than there are some kinds of dance that, like some kinds of music, send ungodly messages. To this day, I fail to understand cutting off an entire art form because some use it wrongly.

The dance below is a worship piece that led me in my personal worship this morning. I'd like to thank my new friend, Jim, for leading me to it. God bless you, brother. I invite you to worship our God as you see him portrayed in the artistry of body movement and (dare I say it?) dance.

Here it is:

Knock Knock

This is one of the best and most moving performances I have seen. It deserves to be seen all men.

A few thoughts… « Hope Is Never Wasted

A few thoughts… « Hope Is Never Wasted:
Our friends from Michigan, Blaine and Darcy, and going through a tough time right now. Darcy is in the hospital awaiting word on what appears to be leukemia. Here are my thoughts to them today. If you want to follow their story you'll find it at http://blaine62.wordpress.com/.

"Blaine, we are praying that God will bring a miracle to you, Darcy and Connor. I was about Connor’s age when my mom was in an auto accident and I did not know what would happen to her. Reflecting on that, I’m glad that Connor has his Dad to help him through the questions and fears.

We sometimes think, “What am I learning through trials?” I suggest that God may be doing more than teaching, and that the effects extend to children and others in ways we may not be aware of. I sense Connor is watching and listening to his Dad. I pray he sees clearly your renewed devotion to Darcy, the support of those who love you (including us!) and your trust in our Lord. I pray these moments will mark your son’s life and help him follow you and Darcy as you model an authentic relationship with each other and with God."