O'er Our Tumultuous Snow!

It snowed today! There are people who don't like snow. I don't understand them. Never will. Sorry. This time of year excites me like no other. Autumn is deepening into winter and my soul is snuggling into something warm and familiar. I love what winter does (at least in my latitude). It quiets everything and slows life down. Furnaces and fireplaces radiate welcome warmth and thick comfortable coats come out of hiding from their closets. There's nothing like getting bundled up to go outside. For me it's a feeling of security and comfort.

Whether it's a crystal night as cold as stone and hard as iron or a bitter day that takes my breath away I cherish the experience of winter. It's invigorating in some strange way.

So I'm back to poetry now, quoting C.S. Lewis again:

PATTERN

Some believe the slumber

Of trees is in December

When timber's naked under sky

And squirrel keeps his chamber.

But I believe their fibres

Awake to life and labour

When turbulence comes roaring up

The land in loud October.

And plunders, strips, and sunders

And sends the leaves to wander

And undisguises prickly shapes

Beneath the golden splendour.

Then form returns. In warmer,

Seductive days, disarming

Its firmer will, the wood grew soft

And put forth dreams to murmur.

Into earnest winter

With spirit alert it enters;

The hunter wind and the hound frost

Have quelled the green enchanter.

Clive loved winter and I think Robert Frost did, too (how appropriate). I stole a line from his poems "Stars" to title this post.

A good blanket of snow also calls to mind Isaiah 1:18 and reminds me of the covering - no, the cleansing - that Christ provides for me. My sin is hidden and gone and all that is left is the sparkling brightness of His righteousness.

Praying for Truth

Orthodoxy. Correct doctrine. Straight opinion. Right belief. A very important word for Christians. Believing correctly about Christ is essential to a relationship with God. This is why the Apostle Paul excoriated false teachers and those who misrepresented the True Gospel. It's also why he urged Timothy to "rightly divide" or "cut straight" the Word of God (Gospel) in his teaching. Interestingly, the word used in this verse in the Greek is "orthotomeo", obviously closely related to "orthodoxos". Each word has something to do with doing something precisely, correctly and accurately.

There's something afoot in religious discussions these days, and I suppose it's been around since the beginning. What I'm talking about is the argument about who believes correctly; who exactly does have a corner on the Truth? In organized "Christian" religion (I put it that way b/c I don't believe everything within this scope is truly Christian) the belief pendulum swings far and wide from tight-fisted, close-minded, obsessive-controlling Phariseeism to loosey-goosey, warm-fuzzy, so-open-minded-that-your-brains-leaked-out, feel-goodism. Somewhere in the middle is orthodoxy. Or perhaps orthodoxy escapes the path of the pendulum altogether. That might be a better picture.

In my time here on the planet, I've met folks who live in religious straightjackets and I've had discussions with others who dilute the Gospel down to some all-inclusive kind of resort package. I'm not sure which end we of the spectrum we are most threatened by in America today, but I think I'm leaning toward the warm-fuzzy folks as the most dangerous.

I'm really just making an observation here. I'll save a discussion on what is included within orthodoxy for another day. Today I'm just contemplating, and praying that people in need of God and Truth will no longer be led astray by teaching outside of orthodoxy.

Crane Your Neck

One of my favorite memories is from almost exactly seven years ago. In November 2001, the boys and I got up at 4am to witness the Leonid meteor shower. It was supposed to be the best showing until 2099, so we didn't want to miss it.

For thirty minutes we huddled in blankets on the deck and never had to wait more than 20-30 seconds to see a meteor, sometimes as few as 3 or 4 seconds. I estimated we saw more than 100 "shooting stars" during our 30 minute vigil. I mentioned to Brayden on the way back inside that the Bible says that when Jesus returns, He will appear out of the eastern sky. He thought that was pretty cool. The Leonid meteor shower derives it's name from the area of the night sky from which it seems to originate: the constellation of Leo. It occurs to me that this is an interesting parallel to the "Lion of Judah."

(This past weekend, a very large meteor lit up the sky in Canada. Definitely a video worth watching!)

The night sky is absolutely a wonder, especially in the colder months. You can see the Orion nebula and the Andromeda galaxy with the naked eye, there's the Winter Triangle and other fascinating sights to see on those crystal nights.

A few nights ago, Jupiter and Venus were reflecting brilliantly in the southwestern sky right after sunset, chasing the horizon. I love to just stare at things like this. It still fascinates me like it did when I was a kid.

Gazing upward often gives me a deeper sense of God's penultimate power and control, and comforts me, too, as I am reminded that I belong to Him. I think we should look up more often, take it all in, and learn something new about God's glory. In the words of Rich Mullins, "it don't do to talk about glory if you never look up and see the sky."

Quick!

A lot of folks are familiar with C.S. Lewis and his writings, in particular the Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity. What many don't know, however, is that in addition to these and his other "theological" works, Lewis also wrote short stories, science fiction, and some very fine poetry.

IMO, his poetry reveals much about who this man was, what he struggled with, how his emotions colored his world, and how he related to his Savior. One of my favorites deals with the maddening dichotomy of our love for God and our struggle with sin.

Forbidden Pleasure

Quick! The black, sulphurous, never quenched,
Old festering fire begins to play
Once more within. Look! By brute force I have wrenched
Unmercifully my hands the other way.

Quick, Lord! On the rack thus, stretched tight,
Nerves clamouring as at nature's wrong.
Scorched to the quick, whipp'd raw - Lord, in this plight
You see, you see no man can suffer long.

Quick, Lord! Before new scorpions bring
New venom - ere fiends blow the fire
A second time - quick, show me that sweet thing
Which, 'spite of all, more deeply I desire

"Lord help! I want you more than anything, but my flesh is so weak!" In Romans 7, Paul says, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it." Now, I realize that some folks believe that Paul is speaking hypothetically here, from an "unregenerate" point of view. I, however, am convinced that he is speaking of his own struggle with sin after his salvation. Theological and hamartiological discussions aside, the fact remains that the Christian's struggle with sin is often mind-bogglingly frustrating. Quick, Lord! Give me strength!

Proof Positive

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Hebrews 6:19

It takes some time for someone unfamiliar with the sea to get used to trusting in an anchor while a storm rages all around. Knowing the anchor is there doesn't make the wind abate or the waves diminish or the darkness dissolve. The sound and fury of the storm can be overwhelming, but in fact they signify nothing. Nothing, that is, if the ship is properly anchored. The longer I live, the greater peace I experience in Christ. It's not that I've earned the right to more peace, or even that life has been more peaceful. That is certainly not the case. Life is more challenging than ever, and suffering and stress are commonplace. What has happened is that I have seen over and over again that the Anchor has always held. I don't fear nearly as much that the boat might be swamped or the anchor chain could break.

Yet, we still are imperfect in our trust. In the book of Mark, a man brought his tormented son to Jesus: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Charles Spurgeon commented on our lack of trust: "O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of his people. He keeps his promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt him."

Has God been good? He will be good. Has God been faithful? He will be faithful. He will not fail on any count. The longer we live, the deeper our history, the more we learn to trust and depend on Him because He proves himself over and over again.

I Can't Resist Just One More...

So Friday I posted a Phil Keaggy video, and I've got to give you this one as well. It's just too good...

Guitar Mastery

I own a beautiful guitar. It's a 2001 Taylor 514ce. The top is made of western red cedar and the tone is warm and wonderful. After I first received it (a surprise birthday gift from my wife several years ago), I kept finding myself putting my nose up close to the guitar and basking in the aroma. Mmmmm. It's a crying shame that my meager talents don't measure up to this instrument's potential. I have posted a video of myself playing the Taylor, and you can check the archives if you really want to see it that badly. However, I think it makes more sense for you to watch a master. I couldn't embed the video linked below, so take a trip to youtube and watch Phil Keaggy play a Taylor 514ce and make it sing. (btw, I shook Keaggy's hand once, but apparently the mojo didn't transfer . . . )

Click here to watch Phil Keaggy playing "Cajon Pass" on my guitar (well, the same model anyway!)

An Encouraging (?) Word

"Be so brave, and so longsuffering in hope, that when inward comfort is withdrawn, you may prepare your heart to suffer even greater things." ~ Thomas a Kempis

Wow. Thank you for that encouraging word, Mr. Kempis :) Actually, that's a profound statement and full of truth. It is a general fact that we experience little, if any, growth during times of ease. Growth comes from dark and heavy times, when we are tossed about by life's storms.

What do people imagine when they think about following Jesus? Does anyone stop to consider that following Jesus involves suffering? That's a Scriptural promise, in fact. Paul's heartcry was not, "I want to know Christ and the fellowship of sharing in His happiness." Not at all. Sometimes I get more than a little frustrated with America's version of Christianity. God's eternal plan of redemption through the shed blood of Christ has been merchandised in so many pretty little ways and we like it that way. It's disgusting. Meanwhile, Christians on the other side of the world are starving while they tend their bruises in prison. These are the heroes on whom rests the Spirit and glory of God. Persecution, btw, does not include somebody prying the fish symbol of the trunk of your car.

Well, I feel as if I have been ranting. This all began with a preoccupation of my heart today (and in recent weeks) with suffering and with hardship. What does it mean to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings? In part, I think it must mean treading in His footsteps through the shadowlands with only His promises for comfort. That's when we learn to truly trust Him, and that no earthly arm is strong enough to save.

I'll finish with a quote from my office wall with, unfortunately, no one to credit for it:

"So if you're hoping to get control of all your problems - Christianity is not for you. If you are looking for success, happiness, or freedom from pain - Christianity is not for you. If you are looking to make yourself feel better, appease your flesh, and have fun and be care-free, RUN, RUN, RUN from Biblical Christianity - run and catch an episode of Joel Osteen or Oprah or someone like that because that's what you are looking for -- not Biblical Christianity."

Firstborn

Today is the birthday of my oldest son. He was the first of five, and being the first, he has played a crucial role in my life as a father. When Brayden came to be, I became something new, too: I became a father for the first time ever. Normally, one receives a title after earning the proper credentials. Not so with fatherhood. I received the title and then began the work of achieving the credentials. And I must say, I have learned more about being a father from my firstborn son than with any of the others.

Brayden's birth changed my life profoundly. It helped me turn a corner. Or maybe it was a U-turn. What I began to learn with each passing day was that "self" had to die. It was a crummy self anyway and it was nice to see it leaving.

Fatherhood has taught me a myriad of things about the character of God. As my sons grow, I understand better all the time the Fatherly God revealed in Scripture: the Father who is calmly patient, who disciplines for benefit (severely if necessary), who does not tolerate rebellion, who loves and teaches and listens.

The love I feel for my five boys is bigger than I can describe or even understand. It's a mysterious thing. There's not one of them I love more than another; I love each one enormously and I am utterly grateful to the Heavenly Father for giving me the chance to be their father.

Just Boys

Children are fascinating creatures, especially when they are your own. My boys are complex and wonderful and funny and frustrating! I love to just watch them and see a little bit of me in the way that one tells a joke or a little bit of their mother in the way that one deals with friends or just to see something that is all their own.

Our firstborn is in the thick of the teenage years right now and there is no thrill ride that can compare! I love adventure, so this is absolutely fantastic. He's a great kid and growing up so fast it's almost frightening.

The next in line is at the threshold of teenagedom and exhibits moments of angst that seem oddly out of place in this heretofore very pleasant young man. The strangely comical part of this is that he reacts to life in much the same way that I did (DO). It's going to be a great ride.

The other three are still in full-blown childhood, enjoying the bliss for a little while longer.

Some days I feel like a chemist, and each boy is like a different chemical. I observe the reactions as they mix and emulsify - sometimes with pleasant results and sometimes blowing up the entire laboratory.

Deep down, at the foundation of things, I think we have peace in our home. I see it when we all sit down to dinner and pray. I see it when me and the guys are all in the living room watching Mythbusters. I see it when we all get out in the woods to go tromping around. They really do love each other, I've discovered.

Psalm 133
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Inexpressible

Do you remember being a kid and having so much fun you wished it would never end? Can you recall that kind of joy? It was inexpressible! Waking up on a summer morning and having the whole day to do nothing but play in the creek and pick wild strawberries was just glorious. School was 100 years away and there were many friends waiting just a short bike ride down the street. That innocent elation knew not the days that would come in the future when disappointment would bring drab to a colorful world.

How things change! But I'm convinced we must learn a new and better kind of joyful living. As adults, we see the marvelous, unstained joy of children, yet we know it is fleeting. That's why we want to keep our children innocent for as long as possible. But even although we know that innocence ends, if we know Christ we are encouraged because the joy we experience in the knowledge of God lasts far beyond the bright days of summer and is unaffected by the weighty grays of disappointment and disaster that inevitably come our way.

The apostle Peter encourages us: Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Wow. Nothing, nothing tops that. Words can't be found to describe the goodness and mercy of God in securing our everlasting salvation through Christ!

The Ads Will Soon Be Over

Perhaps this post is a little late, but I just now found the video posted below. It is from a man of God I esteem. I believe all the points he makes are valid, although I might not jump on board with him completely, particularly in regard to his thoughts on Sarah Palin. However, his statements about Christians being WAY too wrapped up in politics are right on the money, and the last 40 seconds or so contain the crux of the whole matter. Oh, by the way, please vote tomorrow . . .