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Before the miracles!

When Jill died, life changed. I was given an opportunity to reshape life. In those first days, I continued to awaken at 3:00 in the morning. I wondered, at first, should I get up. For more than 15 years this had been my habit. I would read the Bible and journal and pray over my previous day’s journey. Over the years, Jesus spoke to me in these times, and my own life was put into perspective.

When life brings a new normal, the easy thing is to forsake the harder disciplines in your life. Would I slouch into the day and leave aside my morning physical exercise? Would I isolate myself and never entertain again? Would I quit seeking the advice of others and steer life selfishly?

These and many other long-time disciplines came into question. I wanted to move immediately into a new dimension of life! But Jesus kept calling me to be faithful. In one early morning session with Him, He seemed to say to me, “Trust yourself.” Take all that I had learned from Jesus over the past six decades, continue doing what I was doing to seek Him, and then do whatever came to mind.

I am finding my excitement with this new thrust in my life comes from reliance on Jesus. Regardless of what life puts in front of me, as Paul says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

I want to be faithful in the small things, the disciplines I have developed, in order to see greater things from God. And in these past few months, I have seen God doing amazing miracles, including personal physical healing. Now I awaken each day wondering what Jesus has in mind. It just might be the impossible!!

Or is that the dark, unknown East!

In a tradition of our denomination, I am headed off to a Worker’s Retreat.  The days are filled with rest, speakers, food and joy.  Of course, you can end up talking about worries, people who are cantankerous, or even the things that make for stress in a pastorate.

For me, this will be a new experience.  I am going as a single.  For years I have been accompanied by my wife.

That meant that activities always had someone else there.  Meals were shared with a known person.  Feedback from sessions was just part of what happened.

Now, the people I will see are also known.  The activities will be with friends.  And there will be feedback times around tables. 

Not quite the same. 

As I have been learning, God often places us in new places.  Not to cause worry and stress, but to help us grow.  Growth is not forgetting the branches that have already been formed – they will still be nurtured.  Growth is growing new branches and enjoying their leaves and the shade they bring.

So bring on the new and may the old continue to shade us with grace and goodness!

Being face to face (F2F) is much more enjoyable than long distance calling and even such modern conveniences such as Skyping.

These past few days I spent with Cynthia, my fiance, in town.  We sat in on a ministerial discussion, attended a hockey game, had meals with others and even went to a floral shop.  In between we spent a little time with each other.  We would have liked more, but the day is only so long!!

Wedding planning was one of the things on the agenda.  My first marriage was a whirlwind of planning – mostly done by Jill.  I have officiated a number of weddings so I have seen the terror and the joy of wedding preparation.

Now, its my turn to see things from a whole new perspective.  Listing of attendees, flowers, decor, meals, accommodations – the list seems endless.  We will get through it all – the day will come and go – memories will be implanted and vows exchanged.

Then comes the true opportunity that life affords.  Sharing life together.  One day can initiate, but many days create life.

These last few days of F2F have been enjoyable.  I look forward to many more days to come in the future!!

If I had met Jesus in the second decade of my life, and had the opportunity to be his friend for the rest of my life, what would that look like? 

Quite literally, what would that look like?

Or more accurately what does that look like?  In many ways this blog is just that experience!

As the church calendar goes, Lent is that space where Jesus’ life is lived between childhood and the week before he dies (OK, this is a generalization, but a good way to look at it).

We have asked our church family and friends to write two to three paragraphs on Life Lessons Learned Living with Jesus.  The easiest way is to zero in on one life lesson you have learned.  Only 2 – 3 paragraphs.  One life lesson (OK, some are able to squeeze in a few more lessons in just a few short paragraphs!).  Something that has stuck.

We’ll publish (make public) these lessons over the Lenten season (which begins on February 13th).  I’ve seen a few of the short thoughts arrive in the church office.  I am amazed and excited to see this collection.

What would you put in your paragraphs?