Personal

The latest article I read (from Christianity Today) is a Jew speaking to evangelical Christians.

He quite gladly praises evangelicals’ human rights record in this last while.  Then he makes the point that compromise is sometimes the best approach.  You can’t get Utopia, so at least get a foothold at the bottom of the mountain.

We have all had that experience.  With our children, we fight the fight that’s worth winning.  With our boss we approach the problem that can be fixed in order to get to the rotted root of the system. 

Paul, of New Testament fame, only made it to prison to write his prison epistles by using the name of Caesar.  He freely chose to take the world’s philosophies and use them to point to the “Whom”.  David, in the Jewish scriptures, works well with King Hiram.  Joseph works well with Pharoah.  Isaiah is a king’s confidant in both good and bad reigns.

All fine and well.  Compromise carries the idea of “promise” when working with (“com”) another.  But what is the point of no return, and of no entrance?  The point where we just say, “I can’t work with this?” and then leave?

Is it a question of allegiance?  Of never leaving the rock that is “first place” in your life  —  while at the same time surveying the surroundings to find out who is standing with you on a piece of that rock at that time?

You can come for one or the other!!

But come!!

[sponsored by Prince Albert National Park, or maybe just me!]

Well, Waskesiu was still there (for the 17 hours we spent there!).

We arrived to beautiful, clear skies.  A walk on the causeway (such a great name for about 50 meters of cement jutting into the lake), and a chat with our daughter.  It’s all good.

Next morning was overcast and rain.  Dismal and dreary.  Most of the weekend retreaters were gone from Waskesiu by noon.  We were gone at 1:00 after lunch with our daughter.

On the way home I was thinking about all the people I have worked with over the years.  A big picture idea popped into my head.  My wife poked a few holes in the bubble.  I’ll see if I can’t patch it up and let you know what the balloon would actually look like!

A few weeks ago I asked a number of people to join me.

Not for the fun of it  —  not for fame — not even for fortune!

When I was around 16, I started to memorize a book .  Thankfully it was not a John Grisham novel of multiple pages and varied twists and turns.  This book was 4 chapters and one main theme.  “Jesus in Me” (JIM).  Someone has already guessed the biblical book of Philippians.

35 years later I’m still trying to digest what I was memorizing.  I decided to see if others were in the same boat.  Until the end of December I asked them to row along with me.  Asking themselves what it meant to have “Jesus In Me”.

Every minute of every day.  I’ve wonder how that looks when they are eating cheesecake.  Or while they are weeding the garden, grumbling “Is this Jesus in me?”

I’m trying to watch less TV (although my wife can attest that I struggle with this area – my thorn in the flesh, or is that prickle in the eye!).  I’m trying to balance people interactions with an eye to being a servant more than needing my own space.  And daily I’m finding new approaches.

For the last few weeks I have handed out a weekly reminder.  This week I’ll start sending out weekly emails.  Would you like to join me?  If so, leave a comment or contact me.