The Walk Home

Not so much as a whisper, not a whimper, a calm unlike anything being felt before. Coming to terms with going home. Sometimes the walk is short sometimes much longer than what we could ever imagine, everyone starting at the same and ending in the same place.

I am speaking of course of dying. I met Margaret's daughter in the hallway on the sixth floor of the hospital. Wringing her hands, pain in her eyes, her mother not good as she explained to a friend in the hallway. Getting ready to leave, I stopped to talk with her, she seemed so distraught. .

We prayed. We spoke about her mothers prognosis. A deadly lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, just diagnosed. Devastation would describe the pain I saw in her eyes.

Meeting Margaret was an absolute delight, I could see her concern more for her daughter and the others family members present than with her own well being. What good would it do to worry about something you can't see, but feel. Death comes for all of us eventually, some more tragically than others, for some it's as easy as just falling asleep.

Walking someone home is a privilege.  Not easy, for those who don't understand the freedom we experience with God's saving grace it seems pointless to encourage those who are given only a short period to remain here in our present form. I often find critics where there should be those giving hope, not unrealistic to expect God to spare some for the greater glory yet to come. It's not cruel to give someone a smile and nod, to acknowledge the fact they realize their days are numbered, but imagine if you will if they lived their lives never knowing when, just knowing it will happen. Knowing this they live their life for Christ....

What great sacrifice than to give our life so others may live. Ours is here in this form is pitifully short, not to be squandered, God has a purpose for us being here after all, we are the living testament to the power of his love that no matter how bad the diagnosis, there is always hope. What greater opportunity for Margaret and her family than to show others that are around them that God has a purpose for us right up and through the very end.

God does not hate us when our life ends here on this planet, we will be back when we rise again in the new heaven as on earth as in heaven. No more wars, no more fears, no more hate, no more sickness, no more death. Surely peace and goodness shall follow us all the remaining days.

I saw the power of God's love in Margaret's face this afternoon as we parted for the last time, she was up and walking, determining how she would finish her chores here, not to be defined by a lung illness that will claim her, be strong and live boldly Margaret, I pray those that read this will take heed and carry just a small part of your courage with them in their challenges in the days ahead.

See you when I get home as well. I pray your journey will be peaceful, may the great Sheppard make your paths straight. I will continue to pray for you an your family. Peace be with you sister.

Wind in my Hair

The wind is like the breathe of God, washing our hair, our clothes, our faces. Refreshed, renewed, revived.
His touch is gentle and harsh, like the love of a parent, more understanding than anything we've ever defined in a word or a feeling.
His love surrounds us, even when we don't feel it, he is there, in all things there is life.

Collateral Damage

Since the dawn of mankind there has been fallout from decisions mankind has made, whether it was wrong or not, whether it was well intended or not, whether it was deliberate or not, whether it was done for the common good or not, whether it seemed like a good idea at the time or not, whether we were tempted or not....

Let's look at it this way, we are all failures in one way or another. I am both ashamed and not ashamed to admit it. If I had been a better financial genius maybe both my daughters would have attended ivy league schools, maybe if I had been a better husband my wife would not worry as much, if I was a better boss maybe those who work with me would be more eager to come to work each day....this could be a big list.

So whats the point? In everything we do there is some form of collateral damage involved, no matter the intent of our decisions, steak instead of fish for dinner might add unnecessary fat to our blood stream, making time for God an flexible commitment, you know for other more important things....getting closer to the point here, not much further. Keep reading.

How do we value time with God less than anything else in existence. Consider the enormity of consequences we incur, that collateral damage thing again, when we do not place time with God above and foremost of all the things we do each day, dang you mean I should do this everyday???

Go to your nearest graveyard, look at the names of those laying in rest there. Consider what they might say about spending at least one more second in God's presence, oh sure you might have time, after all you know you'll have plenty of time, right? No one ever dies suddenly, you'd sense these things, and after all you are a christian, you go to church almost every Sunday, you pray when you can.

If you believe Jesus, the Son of God turned to prayer, and so did Moses, so did Paul, so did John. Shouldn't this be telling us something? Is prayer something we don't have time for right now? You collateral damage leaves behind a legacy for family and friends.

Just as a boat traveling through the water leaves behind it a distinctive wake, collateral damage, we do as well. Collateral damage effects all of us. Make your choice wisely.

My Sabbatical Journey

This weekend will mark the beginning of a journey for me, a spiritual awaken, rest, rehab, refit, rearm, okay you get the point. After talking to a few men I love and respect; sometimes taking small steps is a good thing. Time to turn inward in my daily reflections, rid myself of the vices, (constant electronic companions, Galaxy Tablet, MP3, blue tooth, cell phone, whatever else I unknowingly turn on and pickup and use almost every hour.

Aside from the constant feeds of updates from Facebook and You Tube. I am stepping away from come parts of lay ministry. In this new year I wanted to budget time for reflection as well as for ministry in a better, healthier  manner, which I am doing.

So there you have the beginning of a journey in a few short paragraphs; In six months I prayerfully expect to be a better steward of my time, new focus on ministry, (juggling more than just one outreach), healthier physically and morally, remember loosing some of those vices, (aggghhh no 4 G!!!), yep already feeling much better.

Be blessed. Will continue this thread until we meet back on FB in the fall, just in time for some Happy Valley Magic....be well and be at peace...

PointMan Jim