Borrowed Breath

“And will manifest myself to him.”—John 14:21.

Charles H. Spurgeon
“Morning & Evening” (morning May 12)

Well today is the one day out of the year that we do what we should do every day throughout the whole year…we honor our mothers.
And for Michelle and I, that’s easy.
Our mothers have sacrificed and given so much for us.
And we love them dearly.

Happy Mothers’ Day, moms!

Here’s Michelle’s mom with her grandmother and niece Gabriella.

And here’s Michelle with my mom.

We love you both very much.
Thanks for everything you’ve done and still do for your families.
We are blessed to be able to call you our mothers.

Well, my sister Ruth graduates from Millersville University today.
Congratulations! We are so proud of you!
Please don’t move to Florida.

Ruth is the one all the way on the right with the movie star sunlasses and the Millersville shirt.
A fella doesn’t deserve to have so many pretty girls in his life.
From left to right in the back, my stunning wife Michelle, my adorable sister Joanna, my charming sister-in-law Jen, my dazzling sister Lydia and my gorgeous sister Ruth.
Kneeling in the front, my lovely sister Anna and my beautiful sister Rebekah.

After Ruth’s graduation ceremony, we’ll be heading to Matt & Lydia’s for our Mothers’ Day celebration.
Tomorrow, Michelle and I will be in Lancaster with her family for Mothers’ Day.
Then we’ll be heading to Providence in the evening.

Have a great weekend.
Shalom

Wisdom comes from making mistakes.

Compassion comes from hurts and heartaches.

Forgiveness comes when we learn to forgive.

And in dying to self, we learn to live.

Healing comes from deep, cutting wounds.

Resurrection comes from cold, dark tombs.

Anticipation comes when all hope is gone.

The darkest night precedes the dawn.

Love comes from those others reject.

Esteem comes from those the world disrespects.

Acceptance from those who just don’t belong.

And silent pain is broken by joyous song.

Clarity comes from being confused.

Restoration comes from those abused.

Patience comes from being overwhelmed.

And suffering moves us into another realm.

Peace comes to those plagued by unrest.

Freedom to those enslaved and oppressed.

Gain comes to those who know how to lose.

The lessons of life come in ways we don’t choose.

Why is it that the truest, purest wisdom comes only from making mistakes? No matter how hard someone may try to impart wisdom on us, it is only head knowledge to us until we experience for ourselves a situation where we fall short. And then that wisdom is ours. We possess it. That incident where we goofed up reveals the very depth of understanding that our souls desire.

Often, when we look back on our lives, we think we would change certain blunders we made. But the reality is that those errors and mistakes imparted real wisdom that we could not have attained any other way.

So in our present circumstances, we ought not to live in constant fear of messing up to the point that we don’t take risks. Let’s live a little. Step out of your comfort zone. Know that your Creator, your Redeemer will never disown you. Friends and families may be disappointed in us. And no doubt they will articulate their disappointment. But life goes on. And the wisdom procured from this experience will shape us and mold us and make us more genuine people.

Maybe I’m wrong about all this. But I hope to learn from my wrongness.
Shalom, dear one.

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all…”

(I Cor. 5.14 NIV)

Christ’s Spirit indwells us,

And His love compels us,

To go and love with the love we are shown.

As salt and as light,

To inflame and ignite,

The passions of those estranged and alone.

And when we obey,

These frail jars of clay

Are overflowing with the Water of Life.

We carry His mercy

To those who are thirsty,

To those overwhelmed by sorrow and strife.

We go, for Christ went

To spend and be spent.

We go for our lives are no longer our own.

We love with the love

That Jesus shows us.

We go for we know His love will atone.

Our mission is clear,

Go far and go near,

To reconcile those under the curse.

To bring Living Water

To parched sons and daughters

To bring back to Christ the despised and dispersed.

The love of Christ compels us.

“Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Matthew 11:19b ESV

What a great verse!

As I’ve been working on my second paper for my NT Survey course, I’ve noticed several constant themes in a number of the Pauline epistles. Paul’s consistently takes time in the beginning of each epistle to write encouragement and thanksgiving to the recipients of his letters. And he is not merely buttering them up, or praising them falsely to soften the blow of his admonition. He is genuinely encouraged by their growth, and he wants them to know that he is. He is also aware that if he just came at them right away blasting everything that they were doing wrong, they might get defensive and not be able to receive his instruction. So he wisely opts to begin with encouragement and praise.

It is easy to see where others fall short. And it is effortless then to be critical and vocal. That’s human nature. But the Spirit of Christ within us can temper that tendency and make us more loving and caring and genuine. When we take a few extra moments to look for and remember some trait in that person for which we are grateful, or which is praiseworthy, it will affect how we address the issue at hand. It has to.

Another common thread that runs through these epistles is the fact that Paul realized that these followers of Jesus had lost sight of Him and were focusing on other things. I think if we look into it, we will find that this is also true of us and of the shortcomings of our brothers or sisters today. And the remedy is the same today as it was in the era of the early church—a true image of Jesus Christ in the face of everything else. Once Paul set the stage by letting them know how thankful he was for them, he took the time to point these new believers back to Jesus.

Look to Jesus again today, dear soul. Refocus on Him.

Have you ever had a conversation, or series of conversations, with someone that resulted in a decision? If, down the road, you began to second guess the validity of that decision, what would you do? You would initiate another conversation with that person to solidify and reaffirm your course of action. 

Recently, after a good deal of prayer, Michelle and I made a decision regarding a ministry opportunity. Yesterday, I had a flash of uncertainly that I stifled due to busyness. But this morning, that doubt reared its head again, and I knew I had to face it head-on. Had I made the wrong decision? Did I choose the wrong path?

So I put on my Chacos and a hoody, and walked down our driveway. Now I must clarify that we have a very long, straight driveway. It’s probably a good quarter mile. This afforded me and the Lord ample time to converse regarding this decision. We talked, and the Lord confirmed His approval of the direction we were taking. It felt good. I told the Lord I was glad we had this conversation.

I think a lot of times we conduct our prayer life in a one-sided manner. We start with the “Our Father,” and then talk and talk and talk and don’t listen. It’s as if we are leaving a message on someone’s voicemail. We say what we want to say and hang up with the obligatory “in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

But in a conversation, we allow the other person time to respond to our questions or comments. And for me, it helps to talk out loud. I’m sure anyone driving by, watching what appeared to be a one-sided conversation, thought I was a crazy man, talking to himself as he walked out to get the Sunday paper. And they would be right except for the little part about it being one-sided. My Lord was responding. And it wouldn’t be prayer if He didn’t.

It’s amazing how movies reveal certain things about our character. I love a good, dark, real drama. Michelle isn’t so found of them. We recently watched “There Will Be Blood.” I thoroughly enjoyed it. Michelle made some sort of “Ylech!” sound at the end. She asked me how I could enjoy these “seedy” movies so much. I replied that they are real. And I love real.

Now there is a time and a place for a good chick flick or fantasy film like “Enchanted.” At the risk of you questioning my manhood, I must admit that I did enjoy “Enchanted.” But given a choice between that and The Godfather trilogy, I’ll pick the Corleone family any day.

I remember one time back when Michelle and I were first dating. We were out at her mom’s relaxing, watching tv. We had plans to meet up with a few of her friends later. During a commercial break, a preview for the original Die Hard came on, letting us know that they would be showing it on TNT that night. In jest (whilst maintaining my poker face) I said to Michelle, “Maybe we should just stay here and watch Die Hard,” half expecting her to throw something at me. But she actually paused, considered it, and then replied, “No, we should go out with our friends tonight.” I almost dropped to one knee and proposed right there!

I love a good comedy. I could plug in “Dumb & Dumber” anytime, any day and be genuinely amused, even though I’ve seen it more times than I can count. Maybe I can relate to the characters. Or maybe I have a few friends who remind me of Harry and Lloyd…

We just watched “Charlie Wilson’s War” last night. Good stuff. Tom Hanks is pretty much THE MAN. And Julie Roberts pulls off a great role, even with an unconvincing southern accent. But I think my favorite character is Philip Seymour Hoffman’s. Why? Again, because he is so real. Did I mention I love real?

Anyway, it is amazing how one person may hate a movie and another love it, and vice versa.
I guess that’s why Blockbuster and Netflix are flourishing.

Have a great weekend.
Shalom