Whatever He says to you do it.

Great advice from the mother of Jesus.  She already knew her son’s word was pure gold.  In this case the “whatever” was filling six stone waterpots with water.  Servants obeyed the “whatever” and filled the waterpots to the brim.  With water.

Why?  The “whatever” had nothing to do with the problem at hand.  They were out of wine- not water.  Wine is made from grapes- not water.  What in the world did six ceremonial waterpots filled to the brim with water have to do with providing wine to the wedding guests?

The “whatever” would have made more sense if Jesus had directed the servants to the nearest liquor store.  That’s a “whatever” all of us can wrap our minds around.  But water?

WHATEVER He says to you do it.

So they did.  To the letter.

…you have kept the good wine until now.

Trust in the “whatever” always activates the power of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

What’s your “whatever?”  Is there anything our Lord has said that challenges you to abandon a trip to the liquor store in favor of filling waterpots with water?

I don’t have a job or even an idea of my next move so for me seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness is filling waterpots with water.  On the other hand, a trip to the liquor store is being consumed by anxiety  as I wonder what I’ll eat, what I’ll drink or what I’ll wear.

What a great opportunity I have to fill my waterpots with water.  As I do so I can hear Mary telling me, “Craig, whatever my son says to you do it.”  Her son is telling me to seek first His Kingdom.  The wine will be ALL these things shall be added to you. That sure beats a depressive trip to the liquor store.

The first of Jesus’ signs begins with – whatever He says to you do it, and it ends by-  and His disciples believed in HIM.

It wasn’t a “what” they believed-  it was THE “Who.”  They experienced for themselves what Mary already knew- that when it comes to whatever “whatever,”  the word of Jesus Christ is pure gold.

I want to taste His wine.  Don’t you?

Whatever He says to YOU do it!

Be of Good Cheer! He is Near!!!

When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water they were frightened.  They thought He was a ghost.

Be of good cheer!  It’s me; don’t be afraid.

Sometimes when I peep beyond the edges of my boat I’m spooked by what I think I see too.  I see ill omens and evil portents.  I see no way to save my vessel from being crushed upon the rocks.  Nothing good seems possible as I hold on for dear life.  My mind fixates on a lie- nothing good- nothing good- nothing good.  Depressive thinking becomes depressive living.  I sow doom and reap gloom.  I expect the worst and receive the worst.  I’m sinking my own boat.

Ha!  What a silly way to live.  Especially when Jesus Himself is nearby.  His presence alone is cause for good cheer.    When He’s around it’s not the outcome of a particular situation that cheers the believer, but it’s His holy, redeeming, embracing, loving and faithful presence ALONE  that empowers us to laugh death in the face and pity the devil for his pathetic efforts to come between us and our ever-present and always-victorious Messiah.

For too long I’ve lived in the what not’s and have not’s.  I’ve willed away the silver lining in every dark cloud that’s cast it’s shadow in my life.  I refuse to live that way any longer.  Is my life where or what I dreamed it would be?  No.  So what?  As long as Jesus is with me I have a reason to be cheerful…hopeful.  In fact, the sheer blessing of His companionship is ALL I need.  If Jesus never did anything for me again and my present situation stayed the same I choose to believe it doesn’t matter.  That’s because His friendship and presence are everything I need to make my life worth living.  He makes me happy.  Today!

For whatever you may be enduring this day I invite you to sense the presence of Jesus in your life.  He is telling you…Be of good cheer, don’t be afraid, I’m right here with you. If you will allow yourself to believe that you just might find yourself smiling.  His nearness is all around you…and it’s all you need…to be cheerful.

For my financial supporters.

There’s so much to tell about the last year one post won’t do.  So, before I say anything else I think it’s right to begin by thanking those who made the last year of my life possible.  I’m talking about some friends who made financial sacrifices so they could support Amy and I for twelve months.  I don’t even know all their names.  Though I hope to.

Meanwhile, thank you.

When Mark McCoy began to help me raise support (he did all the work)  Wall Street was teetering and banks were tottering. Millions and billions of dollars were lost in an instant.  Remember how bleak the news was?  It was so bad they even had me on the Larry King Show to discuss the economy.

We were led to believe (and it was easy to believe)  the economy was on the narrow edge of  collapse.  As a result people with money quit spending and investors quit investing.  My timing couldn’t have been worse.  Unless you’re dealing with investors who have invested their most precious treasures in the one place that is immune to teetering and tottering.  And I was.

I’m indebted to investors whose faith in Christ empowered them to burden themselves financially for my sake.  Money is a big deal.  What you did for me is no small thing.

You should know whatever good is left for me to accomplish in the Kingdom is now a “we.”     You are a forever part of my story.  Every time I teach…every time I preach…every time I love…every time I believe…you will be with me.

I hope I live a life worthy of your investment.  I pray your dividends  are numerous and never-ending.

P.S.  Somehow saying thanks doesn’t seem enough.  What else can I do?  After thinking it over I want to do something for you that I learned from  Dr. Mark Curtis.    He tithes his skills.  I can’t fix teeth- but to each and every one of you who supported me  I offer you this- I’ll preach your funeral at no cost.  That’s right- no cost!

I love you.

For my Dad.

I’ve had a reconciliation with my dad.  I’m so happy.

I discovered the dad who existed in my mind and memories no longer lives.  The dad whom I feared is dead.  The dad who could not comprehend or appreciate my simplistic trust in Jesus has now surpassed me in his willingness to live in the realm of child-like faith.

Somewhere along the journey I lost my way.

There was a time my simple faith drove my dad to distraction.   For instance, when I was in junior high my dog was hit by a car.  That I wasn’t frantic with worry, while the vet fought for her life, bewildered my dad.  He interpreted it as a lack of concern on my part. It seemed to anger him.

He inquired.  Though I don’t recall my exact words they were something along the lines of… I’m not worried because Jesus will fix her.

My faith was such that that was the end of the matter for me.  I carried on as if nothing was wrong.  No worries.  Only trust.  In Jesus.

What happened?  It has become apparent to me, especially over the last few months, how far I’ve fallen.  Where is the boy with faith so sure?  Trust has turned to fear and faith reduced to cynicism for the man he became.

Last week I demonstrated my expertise in worry and fear while sitting in my dad’s living room.  There are few more skilled than I am in the art of wretched, hand-wringing, God-denying and life-killing anxiety.  That our Lord would  nudge me back to reality by a man who seemed to mock my faith so long ago is nothing short of miraculous.  In fact, decades later I find it gloriously and wonderfully ironic that the grown-up I knew as dad has become like the boy I once was.

In a way no one else could my dad reminded me of what I’d been, how far I’ve fallen and the road I must travel.  He showed me the way home.  He did so by gently saying over and over… So what?  Don’t worry son.  Jesus will take care of you! In his words I heard a know-nothing boy in junior-high saying the very same thing.  In his words I could see Jesus smiling at me while saying, “Welcome home!”

It’s always good to be home.

I’m in awe of my dad.  Much to my surprise- and in spite of my lack of belief that he would ever open himself up to the presence of Jesus Christ-  he has taken all the lemons life ever gave him and offered them up to our great God.  Today he is drinking the sweet lemonade of which the recipe is known only to the King of kings and Lord of lord’s.  Last week he gave me a drink.  It’s delicious!

Dad, of all the men I know there are  two whose life examples tower above the rest.  One of them is Amy’s dad.  Ken’s faith and determination to embody all that is Christ-like is such that if the Bible were being written today his name would be mentioned in the same breath as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  To those who know Ken they know this is no exaggeration.  It simply is.

I want you to know that you are the other man.  Dad, when I grow up I hope I’m like you.

love, your son.

P.S.

For those who care to know- my dog did die.  Of natural causes.  Years later.

Moving On.

It’s hard to believe, but our year at Memorial Drive is nearly to an end. And what a great year it has been. Amy and I are so thankful for this opportunity and indebted to so many who made it happen for us.

Above all we will miss our precious friends in the Young Adult Ministry. We love you guys.

So, we look to the future now. I have no idea where or what that future is…or what I’ll do in the meantime…but I’m confident (I think) God will lead us.

I’m open to just about anything so if you know about a ministry opportunity please let me know.

Poor Amy.

Amy has shingles. She started not feeling well early last week and by Wednesday she was in extreme pain. Not to mention the rash.

Amy hates to be alone when she’s not feeling well so I’ve tried to be available to her exclusively since last Friday afternoon. I can’t really blame her for wanting me to stick around as much as possible. Shingles is awful. She can’t even use the ceiling fans because the moving air causes her to hurt. Yikes!

My main job during this ordeal is to simply be available. I tried “treating” her with soothing medicated powder on Sunday and when I applied it she began gasping for air and doubled over in pain.

From now on I’m going to stick to what I’m good at doing. I make a great gopher and maid. Which I’m glad to do because Amy always takes such good care of me when I’m confined to the bed and house.

Last night (Monday) was the first since last week Amy said she slept well. Maybe, prayerfully, the worst is behind us.

Keep Amy in your prayers. Please.

From a barren womb

Sarai was barren:  she had no child

Genesis 11:30

Those seven words seem adrift like a lost ship.  They are at odds with the context. They disrupt the poetic cadence of became the father of…  became the father of… became the father of. How sad for Sarai.  She was barren.  The sore thumb. Out of context.  Fruitless.

Don’t give up.  Keep your eye on God.  See what He can do with a barren womb.

From a barren womb He will call something that is not as though it were.

From a barren womb He will demonstrate His power to produce blessings that will bear fruit around the world until the end of time.

From a barren womb He will make good on His promise to crush the head of our accuser and adversary.

From a barren womb He will turn unbelieving laughter into humbling faith.

Are you barren?  Of life?  Of passion?  Of joy?  Of faith?  Of fruit?

When you gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ do you feel out of context?  Like a sore thumb?

Don’t give up.  Keep your eye on God.  See what He can do with a barren life.  Your life.

Never forget… The crushing tragedy of she had no child was ended centuries later when she gave birth to her first-born son and laid Him in a manger.

We serve the same God.

How to waste a beautiful day.

Go the post office.  I spent a year there Friday afternoon.  A very long year.

I bet you didn’t know…

Princess Diana was murdered…by lizards.  Not your run of the mill lizards either.  They are an alien race who hide their reptilian nature beneath a human form.

Isn’t it amazing what you can learn on the internet?  David Icke, a Brit, makes these amazing claims among others.  Like being the son of God.

Anyhow, if you need a good laugh check him out on YouTube.  You see, the Royal family only wanted Princess Diana’s DNA.  Once she gave birth to Prince William they had no further use for her.  So they used mind control to cause her driver to crash on that “tragic” night in a Paris Tunnel.  And don’t you believe for a single second that it was a coincidence the car was driven into the 13th pillar.  I guess the only reason they kept her as long as they did was because she sold so many newspapers for the reptiles in publishing.

According to Icke,  the world is ruled by shape shifting reptilian alien invaders.  To name a few-  The British Royal Family- all reptiles.  The Bush family- all reptiles.  The Clinton’s- all reptiles (I had my suspicions!).

Icke tells the story of a guy who doubted his far-fetched  theory of lizard/humans.  That guy became a believer…the hard way.  At a conference, somewhere or other, this guy became embroiled in a heated exchange with another “man.”  The guy tried to flee by elevator.  However, the other “man” forced his way into the elevator whereupon he shape-shifted into his reptilian form.  Yikes!  Yet he failed to eat the guy.   If I was a reptilian shape-shifting alien I would eat all eyewitnesses.  It’s easier to maintain a conspiracy without eyewitnesses.  In case you didn’t know.

By the way- you would think our reptile rulers would be pro-global warming.  Don’t reptiles perfer heat?  On the other hand, they are alien reptiles so maybe their blood is different.  Just our luck.  Or perhaps that’s why they needed Princess Diana’s DNA.

Meanwhile, I have yet another reason to hate snakes, lizards and such.

Have a great weekend.

P.S.   Our lizard overlords will be none too happy with me once they read this post.  If I die soon have the coroner look for lizard bites on my body.

Tuesday 12 May 2009

I’m not Superman, but if I was my kryptonite would be cloudy days.  Which means I would have been a pretty sorry superhero these last few weeks in Tulsa.  However, I keep trying to see the bright side.  Such as having a working sump pump I installed myself and having such wonderfully vibrant bright green grass in my yard.

This afternoon I rushed around with Amy as we ran errands and readied our house for our Tuesday night hang-out time with the college class.  We’ve got a pretty good routine worked out by now.  One of the things I really love about my wife is her ability and willingness to minister.  She doesn’t even need me.  I left her by herself to play minister and hostess which allowed me to help out with the food pantry at Memorial Drive.

Tonight I learned how to do the paperwork part of our food ministry.  I think I got it, but I’ll probably forget everything I learned by the next time I get to do it.  We’ll see.  Anyway, the really cool part about the evening was the time I got to spend with a couple of the old guys who are part of our church.  Paul and Carol.  Yes, Carol is a guy.  They are fun.  They are wise.  They love to talk.  They love Jesus.  They have great passion for their ministry.  David, Darin, Aaron Taylor and I did a lot of listening.  And a lot of laughing.

Then it was back to my house where we joined the party in progress.  A couple of the girls were trying to watch Dancing with the Stars.  One of the guys switched the channel to that show about dangerous fisherman, or something like that.   He then hid the remote.  The ladies didn’t like that one bit.  He couldn’t stop laughing.  From the amount of noise everyone was making  it wouldn’t have mattered what was on TV because you couldn’t hear anything.  I ignored the goings-on and the card playing so I could eat supper.  Like my time at the food pantry- there was a lot of laughing.

Christians laugh a lot.  I like that.

After everyone left we cleaned the house (again) and brushed our teeth.  It was a good day.

I hope we see a little sun tomorrow.