A list of books I want to read

Steven Erikson's Malazan series

Deadhouse Gates

Memories of Ice

House of Chains

Midnight Tides

The Bonehunters - I've read this one

Reapers Gale

Toll of the Hounds

Dust of Dreams

The Crippled God

Books by John Scalzi

Old Man's War

Ghost Brigades

The Androids Dream

The Last Colony

Marvin Williams

Dear Friends,

Marvin Williams stood in front of the congregation of the tiny Missouri church, and gave his testimony. Bent with age, he barely whispered his thoughts to us all. He had done this before, and as before, tears trailed down his old face.

He began with, “I love the Lord today.” He always started it that way.

In the back, I sarcastically thought to myself, “Yeah, but what about yesterday, how about tomorrow, and next year”? I didn’t know him; I didn’t understand what he was talking about. I didn’t believe there was a personal God. But Marvin did.

As I got to know him, I found that this old rancher and farmer had lived pretty much in the same place all of his life. He attended the same church, and had the same friends (mostly everybody). His wife Eva was just like him. They were gentle, soft spoken, non-judgmental, always welcoming and strangely familiar. It was as if I had always known them.

Even his truck was remarkable. The old Chevy’s had the original wooden bed. He used for hauling everything from pigs to hay. Most truck beds rotted out from constant moisture. His wasn’t. It was in absolutely perfect condition - he always kept it under the roof of his barn. Everything about him seemed to make sense. Everything was in order.

He said,”I love the Lord today.” He was a simple man, and made simple commitments. His relationship with his Lord was a daily affair. He renewed it personally and publicly. He made it seem easy, but like the rest of us, he no doubt had his troubles too.

My commitment to my Lord must be this way. It must be simple, honest and consistent. I must be willing to say those words: “I love the Lord today”. It was because of people like Marvin Williams that I believe in a personal God. Simple testimonies are often the most profound and trustworthy. Marvin’s life was his testimony; mine must be that way too. Help me, Lord!

What ever becomes of us, where ever we are headed; we’re never alone. Although, our world is changing, our message is the same. We’re the light-bearers – His witnesses. It’s not about us, it’s about Him. It’s for Him that we say those words.

When Marvin died – I genuinely mourned. A huge part of me seemed empty. However, the seed he planted in me sprouted. Finally, I understand what he meant.

Peace and Blessings,

Greg

The longest journey - from the head to the heart

I often become overwhelmed. It happens so often that it seems the norm. However, when I take a close look at the big picture I realize that it’s usually a series of little things happening all at once. By tackling these little things - one at a time - then I can reduce the big problem to a manageable size.

I know this in my head, but in my heart – well - that’s another story. One of the things that I received from my participation in the 40 days of purpose was the idea of a daily bible study (thank God for my lunch break). This is the key means of our growing in faith. God’s word, living and waiting for me to read, reflect and apply into my life. And the key concept here is applying it to my life.

Often the longest journey for us Christians is about 12 inches. It’s the taking the knowledge that’s in our heads and moving it into our hearts. We can’t do this on our own. It’s leaning good habits that eventually replace the flawed ones. From my studies of the saints, I’ve figured that this takes, well about an entire lifetime. And that’s the point; our lives in Christ are exactly that, our lives. We dedicate ourselves to Him, and he rewards us by giving us more life. But, he never said it was going to be easy.

When he told His disciples to take up His cross and follow Him, he wasn’t using an analogy. They were intimately aware of the cross. It was everywhere in that world and it wasn’t a pretty symbol. What he was inviting them to do was to come and die. He invites us to do this too.

Our world is moving so quickly that we can hardly keep up. We want it to stay the same, but it can’t and it won’t. The only way we can keep up with this world is to re-dedicate ourselves to Jesus, Daily - moment by moment. His spirit is likened to living water, and living water must flow. I can tell when this happens and I can tell when it doesn’t. The choice is always mine. The choice is always yours too.

We have some hard decisions ahead of us. We can’t make good ones with out seeking our Lords will in this, and surrendering to Him. Letting go of control is never easy, but with God it is necessary. He said he would never abandon us. We can take Him at His word.

One Summer in Indiana

One summer in Indiana, when at lienert's Gym Camp, I swam too far from the pond’s shore. A weak swimmer, and with poor eyesight, I didn’t know how far I had swam and started to drown. I could only take in air by gasps. Trying to call for help and feeling the water rush into my mouth, I quickly grew weaker, and terrified. When I had given up all hope, pair of hands reached out to me and pulled me to the surface where I could breath. This girl held me up by her strength, and pulled both of us to the shore. I also vividly remember the happiness we felt when we were standing on the shore

Decades later, when I was without hope, lost and drowning in despair – another pair of hands pulled me up.

The first pair of hands belonged to a child, whose name I don’t remember. The second pair of hands had the marks of crucifixion embedded in them. The child helped me to live – the man helped me to die.

I have no idea what my future holds for me. The more I let go and choose the one who first chose me, the freer I am. I am forever in debt to the girl, whose name I don’t remember, the greatest payment I can give her are my prayers (even as I write this). My debt to my lord is un-payable. He gave all he had for me (and you), what I have to give to Him is my love.

He forever affects our lives. To be truly free, we must offer everything to his lordship. Only he is worthy to be our King. We show this, by submitting to Him. Worshiping Him in church, at home and in our daily lives; giving of our wealth; dedicating ourselves in ministry to our church and to the community; our bringing his message to the world, through word and service – this is obedience to Him.

Are you grateful for the good things in your life? Praise Him. Are you frustrated and saddened by events in your life? Surrender them to Him. Are you unsure of your future, in this life, and in the next? Dedicate yourself to Him. Rest assured, He is with you even as you read this. He always was.


There is much to do. Our community at large is starving for hope. Without Jesus, we can’t do anything for them that will truly endure. With Him – the work is powerful and life changing. Our church is at a crossroads. If we want it to thrive as a center of action and mercy then we must reconsider our lives there too. Ask Jesus what he wants of you, as Him now. Letting go is always difficult, but his answer to surrender is always gentle.

He is worthy of worship. Summer is already upon us. As busy as you are - as many things as there to do and see – continue to come to church. Also, think about how you might serve Him. What small group do you want to participate in? If there isn’t one formed, speak with me or others in our community, The region is full of good ideas- we’ll find a way to start one. Book discussion, bible study, prayer shawl ministry, even outdoors activities like fishing and camping. It’s in these small groups that we experience powerful fellowship. It’s through such fellowships that our church will grow.

Peace and Blessings,

Greg

There is a time for everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Where Do We Go From Here?

Where Do We Go From Here?

When I fly fish, I find that the hardest part of the whole thing is giving myself permission to do so. My family gives me permission; they encourage me to go.     They’re not the problem: it’s me.  I have such a hard time just getting out there.  But, when I do...I’m really there - I’m home.

The drive takes time.  The donning of my waders, the assembling of the rod, even putting on the vest - that takes time.  The walk takes time. Sliding down the hill finding the best way into the river, that takes time.     

But when I enter that water, oh it’s so different.  I’ve finally made it, and sometimes all I want to do is stand there. The feel of that river pushing against me is wonderful.  To hear the birds, smell all the odors, to feel the cold of the water seeping through my waders, it makes me feel as if I’ve finally made it home. I become renewed.

So it is with us Christians. The effort to go to church, to attend various groups and activities are tough to do sometimes.  But, when we get there - we’re home. It’s so important to return to the source.  It’s more than just going to church; it’s more than attending meetings and fulfilling obligations. It’s about touching the hem of Christ’s garment.  It’s receiving what He wants us to have.

What does he have in store for you? Have you received enough?  Is there more?  This is a great time to find out.

Know yourself and your neighbor will know you.

Know yourself and your neighbor will know you. - a Scottish proverb

Around 1981 I attended a Cursillo. A “short course on Christianity” - a short, but very intensive retreat that was held at Stonehill College, Massachusetts.  
                                                  
It was a moving, overwhelming and befuddling experience.  This was largely due to the fact that it was given by Catholics to Catholics.  I was a  new Christian with very little understanding of what others believed or what they were doing when they did it.

One of my friends and mentors, a Catholic priest named Phil Kelly, had come to attend the closing celebration of the retreat. At this service, a priest came in from another room with the Eucharist. He then put the host in a cross and after doing so he turned the cross toward us. As the congregation crossed themselves, Phil leaned slightly forward as if drawn, he held his hands toward the Eucharist and quietly and reverently spoke the name: “Jesus.”  He worshiped Him - right there, right then.

At that very moment, and ever since, it became different for me.  Jesus was present, alive, near me, in me.

By manifesting his faith Phil taught me. By looking inside himself, he saw Christ in the eyes of others.  Indeed, he said he couldn’t pass a hitchhiker, because he felt that if he did this he was leaving Christ on the road.  “What you do to the least of these, you do unto me.”  This is so hard for me to do. I often want to ignore others, to let them be.  

Christ asks me - He asks us to be different.  He asks us to be a contradiction to the world.  He asks us to love, nurture and embrace His creation.  We are to be His lights, His beacons.  As we allow Him to change us, we become living evidence of hope, love and forgiveness. Often without even knowing, we radiate Him.

Great things are happening around us. Christ wants us to be looking deeply within and without - sometimes with fear and trembling, often with joy and wonder.  We are a people of hope, As we seek to grow in Christ, and listen as we pray, we will hear his Word. In doing this our neighbor will know us.

He said, "Peace be with you"

They were alone. Huddled together, they sought strength in each other. Clinging to one another, they traveled at night, in the shadows, quietly. The world seemed to hate them now, and everyone seemed to know who they were; they didn’t know what to do. They had already blown their careers, given up their homes, and lost their old friends. Then he came to them. He looked into each of their eyes and said, “Peace be with you”. He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. He said, “As the Father sent me, now I send you”. It hasn’t changed much since then. He’s still at work. So are we.

When Jesus was crucified, his disciple’s thought it was over, when he appeared to them - telling them to go into the world and preach the gospel - they knew it had only begun. They faced a hostile world that showed no love or respect for the truth.  Still, Jesus worked miracles through them. They bore the Light into the world.

It’s no different now. Our world seems more sophisticated - it changes its methods in alienating God’s children, and we still have His work to do. Christians have no less a burden to present Christ to the world now as they did long ago, but He is with us when we do, until the end of the age. All we have to do is ask for Him to enter our lives and personally shape us. As potters go, He’s the gentlest of all.

It doesn't get any better than this.

Of all the things I've seen, there's one thing I'm sure of: Every breath I get is a gift (one that I usually take for granted). I wish to keep my life simple, and that in itself is far from a simple task.