On The Journey – Page 16 – Ramblings from one following Jesus on the back roads of life

March 17, 2020

Musings From the Past Few Days

Last Wednesday, my life changed. That afternoon I experienced what someone my age hopes will never happen. My heart decided I needed to take a little trip to the emergency room. After arriving by ambulance and having a couple of EKGs done, the cardiologist on duty decided that it was time for me to go to the emergency heart cath room. While there, the doctor found that the artery in back of my heart was 95% blocked and a stent needed to be inserted. While this was happening, my heart tried to make things even more difficult. Fortunately it calmed down and the procedure was completed. After resting in the hospital for a couple days, I was able to go home on Saturday. I am feeling much better and getting anxious to start rehab and get back to some semblance of normal, although I know that the definition of normal will be different.

Between my adventure and all that is going on around the world with the COVID19 virus, I have had some time to think. One thing that something like a heart attack or pandemic will do is cause us to come to grips with what really is important.We chase around trying to find significance in so many different things and we many times forget what really counts. The current virus has pretty much brought the world to a standstill. Almost all sporting events have been cancelled, and the Olympics are in danger of not happening this summer. Restaurants, theaters, even churches are shuttered in an attempt to flatten out the curve and get ahead of this. It is likely that folks will begin to lose jobs, and there is the very real threat of a global recession. There is a great deal of fear as the unknown looms.

All of the dislocation and hardship that folks have gone through or will go through is hard and I don’t want to downplay or minimize their suffering. I grieve with those who are grieving the loss of opportunities, jobs, or especially the loss of loved ones. I am not suggesting that my thoughts are the answer for anyone else. The recent events in my own life and the “new normal” Jan and I are already dealing with, have led me to do a lot of taking stock, trying to determine what is really vital.

First, my relationship with God is the most important thing. Without that, there is nothing else. Loving God with every fiber of my being is the one thing. Next after that comes loving Jan as Jesus loved the church, giving myself for her. Then comes loving my children and their families and being a good grandad. Beyond that comes loving my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those I am in community with, as Jesus loved me. Then there is loving my neighbor as myself. Regardless of what else may happen in the days and years ahead, if I can do those things I will consider myself to have done well.

Have you thought about these things? What do you consider to be most important?

March 1, 2020

Weekend Wanderings

The longest short month is over and it is now March. Lent has begun, and Christians around the world are fasting from one thing or another. Others are doing acts of service. The silly season known as the primaries has also begun, and the airwaves are full of people telling you why they would be a better, fill in the blank, than anyone else. Can we fast from politics? Please.

On to the good stuff:

One person’s ideal bookstore.

Good post from Bruce Hillman.

What only the church can do.

It’s one or the other.

Steve Brown on Lent.

Wade Burleson on the troubles in the SBC.

Good article on youth anxiety.

Leisure class theory.

Scot McKnight on Lent and fasting.

Provocative post from Benjamin Corey.

One reason our community celebrates Mardi Gras.

10 things Frank Viola wishes he had been told.

The morning after.

Have a blessed week!

February 28, 2020

Feasting and Fasting

In the liturgical traditions, this time of year is the season of Lent, a period of fasting, reflection, and repentance leading to the remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and the celebration of his resurrection. The Lenten season lasts 40 days, beginning with Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance and remembrance that we are dust and to dust we shall return, and ending on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. During this time, people fast from certain types of food, from alcohol or tobacco, from social media, or any number of things. Others add some sort of service to others or other spiritual activity to their schedule. No matter what is done, the focus is on the fact that we are broken people living in a broken world. It helps those who follow Jesus reflect on why he died on the cross

In many places where Lent is practiced, there is a period of time known as Mardi Gras, or Carnival. It is a time of feasting and partying, sometimes to excess. The day before Ash Wednesday is called either Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. According to Wikipedia, Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the feasting that takes place. Shrove Tuesday refers to the liturgical season of Shrovetide, which ends on that day. Many traditions consume pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. In many places, the Mardi Gras celebration begins the weekend before and Fat Tuesday is the culmination of the feasting.

The Bible speaks of both feasting and fasting. The Old Testament Hebrews were commanded to fast at certain times. There were also times of fasting for certain types of people or ministry. There were also time of feasting commanded. There were seven different feasts which the Israelites were commanded to attend. Deuteronomy 14 commands the people, once a year, to carry their tithe to what became the Temple in Jerusalem and eat it before the Lord in that place. If the way was too long for them, they were to sell their tithe, and when they arrived at the city, to buy whatever they wanted: oxen, sheep, wine or strong drink. The people of God were commanded to fast at certain times, and they were commanded to party at others.

Our little community of believers tries to carry on a bit of that tradition. We have a Mardi Gras celebration the Saturday before Ash Wednesday every year. We feast on pork, gumbo, and other foods. There is wine and strong drink, although it is rare when someone imbibes excessively. We believe that Christians should throw the best parties and bring the best wine. We also believe in reflecting on the fact that even though we are in Christ, we still sin and need to repent. This year we gathered on Ash Wednesday to serve dinner to a group of men at a homeless shelter, reminding us of our human condition. We will celebrate Good Friday and will feast on Easter Sunday.

We believe that the times of fasting or repentance remind us that the Kingdom has not come in its fullness, that we live in that in-between time. When we feast we look ahead to the wedding feast of the Lamb, when all things will be made new and we will live in the New Jerusalem, when there will be no need for fasting.

Even so, come Lord Jesus.

February 26, 2020

Blast from the Past: Reflections on Ash Wednesday

This was first posted on February 21, 2010 and has been edited to bring it up to date.

Wednesday, February 26 is the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday is celebrated by Christians around the world with a service that includes the placing of ashes on the forehead of the worshipers. The ashes are to remind that we are made from dust, and to dust we will return. In the tradition in which I grew up, Lent (like most of the church calendar) was not even on our radar. We celebrated Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Easter. I had a vague notion that other days were observed in other traditions, but we were taught that those days were not important. So, I’m a bit late to the keeping of the church calendar, and still learning.

As I go through the Lenten period, I am struck by the fact that our bodies are formed from the dust of the ground, and to that dust they will return. Because of the brokenness of Creation, we face the inevitable decay of our physical selves. As a more than middle-aged man who has tried to compete in sports at the same level he did when he was in his twenties, I can attest to that. At some point our bodies will wear out and no longer be useful to us. When they are then placed in the ground, they will return to the dust from which they came. As we look around us, we see that decay in every part of our world. Ash Wednesday and Lent are good reminders that we are broken and in need of a savior.

Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. During this time, we take a good hard look at our humanity and our brokenness, but we also look ahead to the time when our Savior will return and will restore Creation. We look forward to the resurrection and the Kingdom of God coming in all its fullness. When I think about Ash Wednesday, and the symbolism of the ashes on the forehead, I think of the song, “Beauty Will Rise.” In that song Steven Curtis Chapman sings, “Out of these ashes… beauty will rise and we will dance among the ruins We will see Him with our own eyes Out of these ashes…beauty will rise For we know, joy is coming in the morning… in the morning …This is our hope. This is the promise. That it would take our breath away to see the beauty that’s been made out of the ashes…”

As we go through this season of Lent, contemplating our sinfulness and our need of a redeemer, let us remember that we do have a Savior who has made us a new creation, and who will one day make all things new.

February 17, 2020

Weekend Wanderings

It’s the weekend once again. It’s Valentine’s weekend. Here in the sunny South, the daffodils and pear trees are blooming, the onion grass is growing, and we’re w;; hoping we don’t get a late cold snap and lose all the blooms. Chances of that happening are probably slim to none. Football season is over for a while, unless you are watching the XFL. The NBA is doing their all star weekend, and March Madness is just a few weeks away. As hard as it is to believe, baseball season will be here soon. The political ads have been appearing with increasing frequency, so it’s time to have the mute button ready for the TV. So far at least. they haven’t been too awful negative. That’s to come, I’m sure.

On to the good stuff:

Steve Brown on love.

One of the things that is true.

A long goodbye.

Valentine’s Day quotes from various people through the years.

In case you’re looking for some sweetheart candies.

Just when you though it was safe to go back into the toy store.

It’s about forgiveness.

Frank Viola on rejection.

Here’s an interesting take on the Prodigal Son.

God’s will.

Unorthodox, but good.

Chaplain Mike’s open invitation.

Amazing photos.

Frank Viola on the Bible.

Have a blessed week!

February 10, 2020

Weekend Wanderings

Greetings from the sunny South where this week we have had torrential rains with flooding, tornadoes, sunny skies with 70 degree temps, and snow. One thing you can say about our weather, if you don’t like it just wait a bit. It will change. In other news, we still have the same president. No matter how you feel about the political events of the past week, I think a lot of us can agree that things may get much worse if we all don’t get out of our echo chambers and learn to carry on civil conversations with those who disagree with us.

On to the good stuff:

In case you are stuck.

Time for a pop quiz.

Lest we forget.

I believe the author of this is correct.

Standing Stones: Joshua 4

In our gathering this week we looked at Joshua 4 and standing stones.

February 1, 2020

February

This is the month we hear a lot about love. Most of what we hear is not an accurate picture of what love really is. Especially for those who follow Jesus, love has more to do with action than with feeling, although feeling can sometimes be involved. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with every fiber of our being, and that along with that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Those two commandments cover it all. Jesus then says that we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as Jesus loved us. So, how do we love others, particularly fellow believers? The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13 tells us what that kind of self sacrificing love looks like.

Love is patient. It doesn’t give up. It keeps on seeking the flourishing of the other. Love is kind. It is compassionate and gentle. Love is not envious, does not boast, and is not proud. Love doesn’t try to build itself up at the expense of others, but puts them first. It rejoices with those who rejoice and weeps with those who weep. Love does not dishonor others, but instead, builds them up. Love isn’t self-seeking, but rather has the mind of Christ in Philippians 2.

Love is not easily angered and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. It doesn’t blow up at the slightest provocation. It doesn’t keep track of how many times it has been hurt or how many times it has done good to the other. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It doesn’t rejoice when bad things happen to others, but it takes pleasure in the flowering of truth in others.

Love always protects, hopes, trusts, and perseveres. Love is strong. It surrounds the other and shields them. It never loses hope in the other, because it trusts in the grace of the Father. Love doesn’t look for hidden agendas or motives, but trusts the other. It also trusts the Father to do his work in them. Love always stays strong. No matter how tough it gets, or how long it takes, love sticks around.

Love never fails. When prophecies cease, tongues are stilled. and knowledge passes away, there will still be love. Love is the greatest thing, ahead of even faith and hope. When it all boils down to the basics of living as a follower of Jesus, what is left is love.

Sounds impossible doesn’t it? It is impossible, if we try to do it in our own power. I mean, how do we love our enemies when we have a hard enough time loving those who are our friends? We do it because the Father has first loved us and put his Spirit in us to empower us to love as we are loved. Will we love perfectly? You know as well as I that the answer is no. That is one reason why love has to be patient, kind, trusting, and so on. It has to be that way to be able to continue to love those who imperfectly try to love us, even as they try to love us who imperfectly try to love them.

Let us seek to love others as Jesus has loved us, and trust the Father to shine his love through us onto others.

January 18, 2020

Weekend Wanderings

It’s chilly here in the sunny South. Winter has returned after a couple of weeks of spring like weather. Things should get interesting on the national stage as the third impeachment trial of a sitting president in US history gets underway. No matter which way you think the proceedings should go, the important thing to remember, if you are a follower of Jesus, is God is in control and we are to be more about his kingdom than a kingdom of this world.

On to the real reason you are here:

Good question from Fred Smith.

What kind of music does your dog like?

If you were to write your own obituary…?

For those who have already blown it with new year’s resolutions.

Good article from Jared Wilson.

A look at the Lord’s Prayer.

Interesting.

I wouldn’t mind experiencing this just once.

Funny article.

Smelling like sheep.

A pretty balanced answer.

The value of silence.

On the Lord’s Supper.

Chaplain Mike’s blast from the past.

Keeping time.

Have a blessed week!

January 12, 2020

Weekend Wanderings

We are now almost halfway through January. The college football season ends tomorrow and the NFL is almost finished. Basketball is going strong and baseball isn’t too far off.

Things seem to have settled down a bit in the Middle East. The fires in Australia continue, and have already burned over 18 million acres. It doesn’t look like there is much relief in sight. Prayer for the folks there.

Here is the good stuff:

This is big and encouraging, but this may be a problem.

Thought provoking post.

Predictions.

He was determined to go home.

Just in case you were wondering.

Being bald, I don’t think this would work for me.

Good post from Kevin Labby.

Waiting.

For everyone named Karen.

Unfortunately, these don’t work on every bit of noise.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.