Blessed are...

After quite a hiatus, I'm back.

I was praying yesterday for someone who I thought needed to change. As I began uttering the words, I was stopped mid-sentence and reminded that perhaps I was the one who required the change. Then I was led to this beattitude:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

My thoughts and the Lord's encouragement led me to write this paraphrase of the blessing in addition to a curse:

"Blessed is the homeless one who is dependent on the city shelter for a bite of breakfast, the soup kitchen for a crust at lunch, St. Matthew's Church for a change of clothing and a coat, the public library for warmth and relief from abject boredom, the government for a few food stamps, an irritated executive for $5 that will be spent on a burger and a bottle of cheap booze, and the shelter for a cot and a dirty blanket. The kingdom - the nation of God - belongs to this one.

"Cursed is the one whose home is their own, whose breakfast is purchased and prepared with their own hands, whose tidy coffers provide lunch and supper and more, whose work envelopes the day, whose joy in self-sufficiency is never quenched, whose self-righteousness refuses the gift of a car window-washing from an addict, and whose home is so clean that it sparkles throughout the community. Theirs is the kingdom of the world and all of its riches and glory."

Amidst our abundance, how do we learn to depend on the Lord? Without true dependence on Him we can in no way learn of the enormity of His blessings nor express the gratitude that is due.

~ Jeff

Hell

In two weeks I will be preaching on hell. It is clear that modern Christianity has either used it as a tool to scare people into converting or ignored it completely - kind of like that crazy relative at a family reunion. The reality is that, like it or not, hell is a biblical concept. It is an important component of judgment and The End.

Do you believe that hell is actual or is just a metaphor? What will the role of hell be for humanity?

Let's talk...


Jeff

Voting

Okay. Back to this voting deal.

I do not vote. Though this has not always been true, I would now consider myself a principled non-voter. Let me explicate.

1. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” says Jesus when the Pharisee lackeys and Herodians try to trap him. What is Caesar's? Economic systems, political systems, military systems, and the belief that tinkering with the aforementioned will bring life and goodness to the world. Voting, as a part of politics, belongs to Caesar. I choose to let him keep it.


2. The politics of Caesar ask us for complete devotion to nation. Notice John McCain's campaign slogan: "Country First." Remember what Jesus said in this regard? "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 10.37-39). To me voting is throwing at least part of my hope behind a candidate or issue. Isn't that exactly what Barack Obama is asking from us? "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring real change to Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours." I want both my devotion and hope to be placed in the hands of Christ Jesus, not country nor person.


3. We live in a politically polarized nation. One's definition as Democrat or Republican is more important than one's definition as American. Worse, one's political leanings in the minds of way too many have become the litmus test for whether or not one is truly a Christian. That is plain wrong and abiblical. Let's recall Romans 10:9 & 12-13, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" and "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Hmmm...the litmus test for salvation is confession and belief not ethnicity nor political affiliation! I cast my vote for Christian unity that is bestowed by the Spirit via the grace of Christ Jesus.


4. There has never been a candidate that reflected my beliefs in total nor one that I believed would remain convicted to always do what was right without compromise. Governments are fundamentally oriented to national self-interest and self-preservation. That is very nearly irreconcilable with Jesus' emphasis on selflessness.


5. I am a pacifist. I believe that Jesus' call to love enemies supersedes a nation's call to defend itself through violence. My choosing not to vote is a way of my trying to maintain personal integrity in regard to the government. I do not believe it is right for me to make choices about who leads the government and about policies if I, in turn, will not pick up arms to defend that which I have helped to install. Personally, I cannot with any integrity embrace certain benefits but then turn around and reject the responsibility that goes with those benefits. I want it to be clear that my primary citizenship is the Kingdom of God.


6. I like what John Roth has to say about politics and faith, “…the primary concern of Christians is not to redeem the state or take control of government or insist it live up to the standards of the NT.” There is this notion that we are a Christian nation. Certainly, we are majority Christian nation population-wise. But our government is never obligated to behave according to Christ's commands and ethical standards. It will instead act according to the world's standards. Until Jesus' return and His setting up His perfect kingdom, Christendom will never exist. It is my belief that all efforts to Christianize government will fail. In fact, it is not even our role as the Church. Instead, we are to proclaim the Gospel and to bring Christ's healing to those who are broken. To say it a bit more strongly, I believe that we have been deceived into believing our efforts in the political realm are the best use of our time. My not voting reminds me that my best efforts are to more closely resemble those of Jesus and the Twelve.

I could say much more but this is quite enough for now. I welcome your rebuttals and critique.

Jeff

To Vote or Not to Vote

A response to this blog will prove your intestinal fortitude. This week Wanda and I are team preaching on Christian involvement in voting and the political process. I value your ruminations.

I will indeed chime in with my own opinions but not until early next week.

So here are the questions:

1. Do you vote?
2. Why or why not?
3. How has faith informed your decision or not?

Be brave. Let it flow. The Spirit is with you!

Jeff

Unified in Faith

This Sunday I am preaching on Ephesians 4:1-16. Part of the passage goes like this: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

I really have been focusing on how the exercise of roles, which are gifts from God, builds up the church, leading people to greater spiritual maturity. Stuck in the middle of this passage, however, is this phrase "unity in the faith" and I am wrestling with what that looks like in reality. When a church is unified in faith what do they do? What do they not do? What do they appear to be?

What do you think? Anyone have a concrete illustration to share?

Jeff

The End

Today completes my extended sabbath 2008. Post-sabbatical reflections are forthcoming but will arrive later than this Sunday when I do some live reflecting with the good Central folks. Don't want to ruin the surprise, after all.

Suffice it to say, I have learned, I have rested, I have played, and I have worked. I believe that my mind is clearer now than it has been in years. My wife and children know me again. I have experienced a sort of renaissance in my love of scripture via my work on my devotional book.

It seems like these are pretty good things.

I appreciate very much your prayers and your walking alongside of me in this journey.

I do plan to maintain the blog. My hope is that it will become a forum for dialogue, not monologue. I am simply too boring for that to be very fruitful!

I will post per movements of the Spirit and whims. Perhaps these will be connected to sermon and study preparation. Perhaps not. At any rate, I believe firmly that the Lord works in our dialogues to grant all participants a broader understanding of whatever matter is before us. It is a variation on that "wherever two or three are gathered in my name" thing.

You can chime in by clicking on "0 Comments" at the bottom of any given post.

Keep on walking with me. In Christ.


Pastor Jeff

Retreat

I had the privilege of spending the last three days alone in retreat at Mi Dacha in Hudson, MI. It was a delight!

Some of the highlights:
1. Quiet
2. The Holy Spirit providing clarity as I studied scripture.
3. Lots of reading.
4. The voice of the Lord. Our conversations were needed and blessed.
5. Fishing. I caught like fifty bass. Seriously!
6. Watching three fawns, still sporting their spots, and their mama come to within about thirty feet of me.
7. Enormous butterflies. Multi-colored dragonflies. Myriad birds.
8. Campfires.

I had a strange experience, too. I had built a fire and placed a larger log on it in order to strengthen it. As I was doing this, suddenly a large ant ran directly into the flame and was instantly burnt to smithereens. I wondered why s/he had done that. Didn't seem prudent. I shrugged it off.

Later, I was reading as I sat near the blaze and noticed one of those large, flying grasshoppers inside of the fire-ring. This seemed strange in light of the significant heat from the fire. I concluded that the hopper had simply wandered too close by mistake. This was confirmed when it wandered back out of the ring soon after.

I was shocked, then, to see the deluded grasshopper back in the ring not long after. In fact, in a sort of bizarre act of apparent suicide, it darted directly into the flames! I guess it changed its mind at the last moment, however, and popped back out, flew over to, and sat on a rock.

At this point, I figured the hopper was fried so I went over to look at it. It was alive but not moving I much. I reached down to pick it up but it flew away instead. I thought to myself, "You scared it. It flew away. You helped save it from itself." I went back to reading yet contemplating what the attraction of the fire was for the grasshopper.

A couple of minutes later, I noticed that my friend had returned and was headed for the flame again! I could not believe it. Somehow s/he ended up on a grilling grate that sat quite near the fire and was surely very hot due to its proximity. Sure enough, the hopper kept lifting its tiny legs in a peculiar dance as if keeping them on the metal was just too much to stand. It looked like a firewalker.

A short time after, the hopper apparently concluded that fire was dangerous and flew off permanently.

The story is not over yet, however (sorry!).

Within ten minutes a juvenile sparrow had flown down from a tree and hopped right up to the fire. It hopped into the fire-ring and was within a foot of the flames. This happened a couple of times. It also made an appearance on the grate as well before its parents called it for supper.

Perhaps I'm just paranoid but after observing these strange occurrences I thought maybe the Lord was trying to tell me something. It struck me that these animals experiences of fire are not so different than human experiences with spiritual fire. We often conceive of hell as being a fiery place where God angrily tosses us when we have been naughty. But we also know that the Lord desires than none of His children would perish. Not one. He is full of compassion, you see.

It strikes me that it is instead our indiscretion, pride, and belief that we can handle our lives on our own that leads us into the flames, just as these animals I observed made their own way into the campfire. We in essence throw ourselves into the flames. God does not do it for us. Despite His gentle warnings and loving nudges, We choose the burning flames over the comfort of His arms.

If we are full of compassion, we will continue to befriend and love ones who venture perilously close to the fire. Perhaps our stories of what the Lord has done for us will help them to choose Life as well. Perhaps our abiding support will make an impact.

We cannot prevent anyone from throwing themselves into the flame but we can encourage a different way.

~ Just musing away


Jeff

The Next-door Neighbor?

We had a good weekend in Middlebury with Phil, Shari, Rachelle, and Ryan. They took really good care of us! We also were able to listen to Ron Guengerich, formerly of the Zion church, preach on Sunday morning at Silverwood MC.

This evening we were at Archbold Elementary School for the beginning of the year open house. Savannah and Therin are quite ready for their return and got juiced even further by the visit to the school.

After this evening, Kathy is ready for them to go back to school as well!

**

I recently read a rather provocative article about Rob Hawkins in a magazine. Few of you, I predict, recall that name though I am betting that many of you would have been briefly familiar with it in the middle part of last December via the media.

The article related the story of Rob's early life, how he was born to parents whose bitterness toward each other was more important than nurturing their infant; how he was neglected for much of his childhood, finally ending up in foster homes; how he was ultimately not wanted by anyone; and how he was even set up to fail by the child welfare system that was supposed to protect him from further hurt.

Woven within this tale was the not-surprising information that Rob had terrible difficulty in school, a raging temper, and practically no ability to display empathy toward others. He could not hold a job after high school nor follow through on commitments. He was a drug addict. He struggled mightily in relationships. Surprise, surprise.

I wish I could say that the end of the story was triumph from tragedy. Alas, the end was entirely too predictable as well.

On December 5, 2007, nineteen year-old Rob Hawkins stepped into the Westroads Mall in Omaha, NB with his step-father's AK-47. He went to level 3 and mowed down eight innocent patrons. He completed his rampage by blasting a teddy bear and then taking his own life.

In Matthew 8, Jesus meets two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes (v.28). They were known for their violence so no one would go anywhere near them (v.29). Jesus does not run away from them like all the others, however, instead commanding the legion of demons into a herd of pigs that subsequently hurled themselves down a steep bank toward a lake and there drowned (v.32).

We do not know what became of the newly healed men but we can guess that they were able to begin living new lives amongst a community that once feared them so greatly. Jesus' compassion gave them a chance to live free.

Even in an insulated region like Fulton Co, OH there are Rob Hawkins' lurking in the shadows, oppressed by evil and pain, and hoping for new life. Yes, in their fear they instill fear. Yes, they stir the quiet pot of our communities. Yes, we want them to go away or someone else to help them or for them to just stay in the shadows.

I think Jesus has a different idea.

You see, He grants us strength by the Holy Spirit and an enormous storehouse of love to bring healing. He empowers us to do as He did! I believe that He desires for us to take the love He has lavished on us and to pour it out on little ones who are in danger of becoming traumatized like Rob Hawkins. I believe He will show us ones who are deeply wounded as well, ones He will desire for us to befriend and minister to. Jesus loves Rob Hawkins and ones like him so much and He is waiting for us to courageously reach out to them.

Our prayers for ourselves and ones like these will lead us into ministry to them. Are you ready?

In Christ,


Jeff

Michael Phelps

I have been watching the Olympics every night just to make sure that I do not miss another swim by Michael Phelps. He is a tremendously gifted athlete who also has the corresponding desire to compete at a very high level. He reminds me of a slightly wetter Michael Jordan.

His desire to win is gigantic; almost scary at times. As evidence, with several swims remaining, he has already harvested five gold medals. I suspect that he is a monster when he plays Monopoly, too!

Phelps has used God-given equipment to reach the apex of the game he plays. He is perhaps the greatest competitive swimmer to ever hit the pool.

It is a relative certainty that none of the rest of us will win five gold medals in a single Olympics. Almost none of us will appear on American Idol (in Hollywood), be elected president of the United States, star in a Batman movie, become the next Billy Graham, or cure cancer. Of course, the Lord is not necessarily looking for stars that are already shining, especially ones who think they have gotten themselves to where they are. Instead, He is seeking any dim old lamp that is willing to be lit and shine for Him.

Peter was just a regular fisherman when Jesus hollered at him. He willing followed at a surely high price and the Lord did wonders through him. I am sure that when Peter understood what was required of him he said within himself, "I can't do it!" He was right. He could not, and that is the key understanding. When we know we are incapable, God can then get some things done through us.

You see, the Lord can do all things. Believe it or not, he is even powerful enough to overcome our deficiences!

There is only one thing that stops God from doing miracles through any one of us dimsters: our saying "no." We decline His invitation to be used spectacularly for a variety of reasons but all of our excuses are ultimately born of fear. We are afraid of losing our freedom, of being made to look foolish, of seeming different, of not being able to do what we want to do, of failing. And our fear puts the brakes on God's plans for us.

A true exercise in faith, then, is saying "yes" to God when He asks us to do something we know that we cannot pull off. It is then that we learn to depend. Let's all pray for new-found courage to trust.

***
Besides Olympics, most recent days have been spent writing devotional, doing small home projects, reading, and just hanging out. Compared with the activities of earlier in the summer it is rather dull. I love it!

Late tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) we will be headed to Middlebury, IN to spend time with Kathy's sister, Shari, and her family. We look forward to being there through the weekend. Kathy and Shari will sing together during the worship service at Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen on Sunday morning.

All for now!

Jeff

A Bass

Last night Kathy and I went fishing at the south Archbold reservoir. Savannah was with a friend at Good Shepherd Church for bible school. Therin was with Brandon Yoder. London was at MYF. It was therefore just the two us; a chance to hang out alone on a beautiful evening.

I did not expect much fishing-wise from the excursion. The dog days of summer are just not the best time of year to angle. So I was not surprised when the first hour of our time was fruitless, at least as far as catching fish goes. Of course, that was not really what the time together was about.

Before we left for home we decided to head down to the dock and throw our lines in there for a few minutes. The sun was going down, there was a light breeze, and there were no mosquitos. It was just perfect. I could have stayed there on the dock for several hours with or without fish. (I probably should have grabbed Kathy for a romantic moment but I forgot.)

Kathy wanted to at least catch a bluebill before we left. So I put a very small artificial on her line and she began dragging it along close to the dock. After a few minutes, I took a look back at her and noticed that she had gotten a bite. I figured it was just a wee little bluegill so I began to turn back around to return to my useless lure-chucking. Out of the corner of my eye, however, I noticed that the wee bluegill had leapt out of the water and had made an awfully big splash for such a diminutive fish. When my synapses started firing again I realized that Kathy had not hooked a bluegill but instead a rather robust largemouth bass. Because of the shallows, she landed it quickly and we both stared at it in wonder.

Because of her success, I think Kathy ought to go on tour with the World Bass Association (or whatever) and fish tournaments for a living. She could even wear those big funny sunglasses and spew, "I tell you what!" with abandon.

Silliness aside, the unexpected bass is a reminder that a moment of ministry may come from out of nowhere as well. It seems important, then, as a people of faith, that when we awaken in the morning, we say a prayer something like this, "Lord, give me courage to form new relationships with others. Keep my eyes open today for opportunities to minister. Prepare me for that which I do not anticipate." Of course, we need to know that He will take us up on this offer!

As Christ's children we are not commissioned to fill up church chairs, but we are commissioned to invite and love people into His kingdom. The harvest, y'all, is plentiful. Are we willing workers?

Jeff

Saturday in Archbold

Today went like this:

1. Husk sweet corn (high-quality Zaerr corn).
2. Work on devotional.
3. Carve sweet corn off of the cobs.
4. Clean up the mess (from the sweet corn, not the devotional).
5. Go for power ride on bike.
6. Return exhausted.
7. Work on devotional some more.
8. Etc.

Not a half-bad day. Kathy worked much harder than I did!

I have been reading Bill Hybel's Just Walk Across the Room (a gift some time ago from Linda Nafziger!). It is a book that encourages all Christians to seize opportunities to form relationships with those who are not Christians because the Lord just may use those relationships to bring folks into His fold.

I have been thinking for years now that it is important for me to have some context in which I am able to form just such relationships because the reality is that I mostly hang out with people of faith. I must confess that I have failed in this regard. With the help of the Spirit, that can change.

Many of you work or live in places where you have regular encounters with those who do not know the Lord. How do you develop relationships effectively? How do you share your faith without scaring people off? How do you suspend judgments and continue to accept folks even when they are not open to hearing about Jesus?

I'll await your wisdom...

Your brother in Christ,

Jeffrey

Archbold

The clock struck midnight and we found ourselves in Archbold. The Lord protected us and provided for us in amazing ways as we traveled. Hallelujah!

Jeff

Wichita

We went to Wichita today to visit the Sedgwick County Zoo. It is an awesome zoo and the kids had a good time. It is always a blessing to spend time with Joy, Derek & family.

I have a new cell phone. Same number. I will tell you the story...sometime.

We will be overnight tomorrow night in Noblesville, IN. London is seeing a concert there before we return home.

Jeff

To Hesston

Yesterday, we left the small town of Yoder for the metropolis of Hesston, KS. We are spending a couple of days here with my sister, Joy; her husband, Derek; and children, Cedon, Caryn, and Callie. We have already had a ball!

I am able to post a few more pictures now. Will do my best to narrate.

Therin riding Grandpa Ken's mower in Colorado. He was Sam Hornish, Jr., if Sam raced tractors and sported a mullet.

My brother, Jeremy, catching my trout on the Rio Grande River. You'd think he would be a bit more generous with his elder brother.

This is a shot of the beauty of Colorado near South Fork. The picture does not even come close to doing it justice.

Therin and Savannah enjoying the high life in South Fork.

The mountain we climbed in Palmer Lake.

The fam part way up the mountain. Therin was not feeling so hot at this point (the paleness on his face is not a problem in the photo). He did recover.

Palmer Lake - my hometown - from half-way up the mountain.

Savannah celebrating her conquest. She shouted from this rock, "I'm the queen of the world!"

London and Therin celebrating in similar fashion. They did not say anything about being queens, however.

Yes, I am wearing an OSU hat. Kept my feet on the ground as I hiked a couple of miles back to the reservoirs that moisten Palmer Lake. For you nature buffs, there is a dragonfly-like beast on my hat. In his/her clutches is a moth. Good eatin'!

The Smiths at the Garden of the Gods. I have been here a million times and the rock formations still amaze me. I do not know what the person to the left in the photo is doing behind that bush.

I really love this picture. Enough said...





Here is the mystery for the day: what made me take this photo of Kathy's mom's chalkboard? Hint - I have never known Nina to be a particularly political person, but she seems to have turned thoroughly Democrat!

Hope you are not too bored after all of that.

We leave for home on Wednesday. Will be in A-bold late Thursday sometime.



Jeff

Meade and Stuff

We enjoyed our time in Meade. It was good to connect with family we have not often spent time with. Savannah formed an instant bond with Kathy's six year old cousin, DJ, not to mention DJ's kitten, Junior (who is female). Kathy's aunt Maggie cooked us an amazing Filipino meal. Her spring rolls were outrageous.

On the way to Meade, we stopped in Greensburg. This town, if you will remember, is the one practically wiped off the map by a tornado last year. To drive around town and observe the simultaneous presence of both death and life, both ends and beginnings, was a cause for pause. All over there were plots that formerly held homes, now overgrown with weeds, still sporting bent over basketball goals. I wondered if I waited long enough if I would hear the happy echoes of children scampering about near their homes. There is no indication that rebuilding will occur in these spots.

On the other hand, there are beautiful new homes sprouting up here and there. Businesses are rebuilding, and Greensburg is committed to being a place that is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, a model for us all. MDS, Habitat, and other organizations continue to have a presence in this community.

This town will never be the same. But God has not left her. From what was broken is emerging something new and God-breathed. This is a reminder to us that our God is a God who is not bound by what was or what we had hoped for but is instead intent on rebuilding lives through His unfathomable grace and power. May His name be praised forever! I cannot wait to see Greensburg in three, five, ten years!

If you ever have the chance, stop in Greensburg for a look-see. Spend some money. Check out the world's largest hand-dug well. It truly is amazing, even though you cannot venture into its bowls since the tornado. Then travel a few more miles west and stay at the Moon Mist Motel in Meade where you will be greeted by terribly friendly folk, enjoy a pleasant room, and even have the chance to hold a tiny pot-belly pig, pet a bunny, and avoid being butted by an aggressive little goat. This part of the world is Americana at its best.

Kathy's father, John, underwent surgery this morning in Wichita to remove a growth from his eye. Kathy and I had the privilege of accompanying him and Kathy's mom, Nina, to this appointment.

In that we live so far from extended family, it has been a rarity for us to be able to do this kind of thing so we were blessed to be present. Though it is a special thing for me to be able to make hospital visits with the Central congregation in a pastoral capacity, it was good to do it as just a plain old son-in-law as well.

The surgery went well and John is home and thriving this evening.

The office where the procedure was performed was constructed in such a way that we were able to observe the surgery as it took place. That was way cool! I did not even faint once.

God continues to be good. I'm not surprised.


Jeff

Duh

There are some of you who have claimed that I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Here is clear evidence. Yesterday, I plunged into a swimming pool with my cell phone in my pocket. When I realized my error I quickly removed it from my swimsuit but could only look at it with misty-eyed sympathy as it buzzed feebly but pathetically.

As I anguish in denial at the true condition of my beloved phone, the phone itself is nested in a Tupperware container filled with dry rice. Trying to remove some of the moisture, you see. Maybe I will try the microwave tomorrow...

On another note, it has been over 100 degrees the last two days. Yeowza.

Tomorrow we head for Meade, KS to visit Kathy's uncle Dave and his family. The challenge for the day: see if you can find Meade on a map!

Selah.


Jeff

Yoder

On Saturday, we left Colorado for Kansas. We got a bit of a late start in that we had breakfast with friends from Colorado Springs mid-morning. It was a delight to be with Will, Kat, and Ryan O'Hearn. Will has been a dear friend to me for years.

We were sad to leave Colorado - our family and friends - but understood that there are more loved ones yet to see.

Our trip to Kansas was uneventful and that is really good. God has answered our prayers in keeping us safe and the van intact. This is especially true in light of London's driving two hours during the trip! (Just kidding, London).

This morning, we worshiped with the S. Hutchinson Mennonite Church. This is Kathy's parents' congregation. We were made to feel welcome and appreciated. Kathy even got to sing, thus providing her with a "fix." She no longer is experiencing the heebie-jeebies.

This afternoon, we had lunch with Kathy's folks at their home along with Mike & Vonnie (Kathy's bro and wife), Leonard & Ruth (Kathy's aunt & husband), and Marv & Dorothy (Kathy's aunt & husband). The food was dynamite and the company pretty good, too, although I did fall asleep a bit prematurely (though not during church).

This evening we just hung out. Tomorrow, I have been instructed that we will be going to Salt City Splash water park and then to eat pizza. I'm game.

Last week, Therin, London, and I hiked a couple of miles back to reservoirs that provide water for Palmer Lake. I had fished these plenty while growing up and almost always caught something. The three of us spent hours there doing all we could to lure fish to their peril this time around but without any luck. I found myself getting really irritated by this lack of fishing production, finally threatening God to just quit fishing altogether and completely (it is unclear when God actually entered this whole scenario!).

Within seconds, however, I was reminded that patience really is important in fishing because I cannot force the fish to bite the lure no matter how pretty I think it is. I was then further reminded that patience in life is triply important because there is not a lot that I can manipulate. I was still further reminded that when we engage in ministry, particularly evangelistic ministry, patience is vital as well. Many people during Jesus' time of ministry did not accept his message. Why would I expect that they would accept mine?

Sometimes it takes more than a couple of fishing trips to catch fish. Sometimes our prayers are answered in terms of years instead of hours and days. Sometimes we never see the fruit of that we planted while ministering to someone. Another person will be the one who receives the joy of harvest.

Patience is not having to control the outcome of whatever circumstance is before us. It is receiving with awe the gifts of blue sky, fresh air, and the company of sons on a fruitless fishing junket and calling the junket a life-changing experience. It is thanking God for making us wait to have our prayers answered because of the way it shapes and forms our character. It is celebrating the reality that when we have done God's will in ministry, fruit beyond our comprehension is being birthed even though we may never taste it firsthand.

Patience is letting God be Lord of our lives.

It's late...

Jeff

Chatauqua

Today was a really good day.

• I had my best day of devotional writing in over a week. My focus was simply more acute. Perhaps it is the Colorado air! Can't wait to see what the Lord will do tomorrow.
• All six of us climbed Mt. Chatauqua (elevation 8340 ft.) which is in my parents' backyard (virtually). We flatlanders needed to stop here and there in that the trail was quite steep, but we finally made it to the top. When Savannah reached one point near the summit that had a most excellent view she peered out at the landscape in the distance and said, "I can see the whole world! This is amazing." She was right. Later she told me that I should use the term "deer droppings" instead of "deer poo" because that "grosses little girls like me out." I'm learning.
• Kathy and I cooked supper together this evening. I made too much spaghetti.
• I spent time with my grandma. In our conversation she reflected on what is so important in faith and how these "vitals" can quickly become obscured. Her stories were indicative of her attentiveness to the Holy Spirit in all of life. I am reminded of what a blessing it is to have people in our lives who live faith out evidently. We learn so much from this and are empowered and encouraged. I am also reminded of how important it is for all of us to live genuine lives of faith. It makes a difference in the lives of others whether we know it or not.

The Lord never fails.

Jeff

The Mountains

Check out this blog, you Mennoists. I think the words there are words for all of us to ponder carefully: http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2008/06/word-to-my-mennonite-friends-cherish.html

What do you think?

We enjoyed our three day stay in South Fork. London caught a trout. My brother caught ten. I felt bad about putting a hook in a poor fishy's mouth so I graciously allowed them all to steer clear unscathed. I did wade out into the river on two occasions in order to unsnag snags (I suspect that fish were pranking me!). It was cold.

By the way, Ron Dilbone, green drakes (accompanied by a copperjohn) were the food of choice for hungry browns.

While some of the boys fished, the girls and Therin did some shopping and hiking. Here are Kathy, Savannah, Therin, and Evie (our niece) on a trail near Beaver Reservoir. Therin is the weird one.

On Monday, we took the scenic route back to Palmer Lake. We followed the Rio Grande through Creede, Lake City, etc. and over Spring Creek and Slumgullion (which means, incidentally, "an unappetizing stew") passes. This route is called the "Silver Thread." We were awed by the sheer escarpments, maroon rocks and soil, opportunistic sage brush, and jagged, snow-spotted peaks. We were able to view the Lord's creation from over 10,000 feet and remember that He is the consummate and perfect Artist.

We ate lunch in Lake City at a place called No Name Restaurant. Seemed like an appropriate place for us Smiths. On placemats at each table, it was noted that on a menu in this restaurant many years ago one could get filet mignon and a pot of coffee for $2.00. This made me quite nostalgic. The contemporary food was good, too.

On the downside we were also awed by the price of gasoline in some of the more remote mountain towns: $4.45 and above per gallon. I did find some 85 ethanol fuel for $2.89 in Divide but the sign said it wouldn't work in my van. I decided not to risk it but just barely.

Following a trek through the area containing Blue Mesa Reservoir (96 miles of shoreline) and Gunnison, we enjoyed our ascents and descents of Monarch and Wilkerson passes. We saw quite a few pronghorns, some deer, and a bevy of chipmunks. We did not see, unfortunately, any elk or bears.

We also got to see one of the most infamous locations in all of Colorado. This is the spot, near Lake City, where Alferd Packer supposedly killed and ate five of his companions when they all became lost and starving on a journey during the winter of 1874. He claimed his innocence. This is Alferd. He looks innocent to me. Bon apetit!

If you are interested, you can check out Alferd's story http://wikipedia.com.

Despite the aesthetics of the Colorado mountain journey, it is clear that the Lord is working on me, especially as it pertains to my identity as a pastor. I find it quite disconcerting to not have that mantle right now. How am I to be viewing myself? How am I to be relating to others? It almost feels like I am walking around naked. This has implications for my relationship with my Heavenly Father, for the work I will resume in September, for the rest of the sabbatical as well. Stay tuned!

~ Jeff

Colorado

After spending the night last night in Lincoln, NE (it was somewhat disconcerting for me to stay in this city which is the home of the University of Nebraska and the Cornhuskers. They are mortal enemies of any self-respecting Colorado University fan and I always felt like someone was watching me. Creepy... It would be like a Buckeye hanging out in Ann Arbor! I wondered if I should be ritually cleansed upon leaving.), we arrived safely in Palmer Lake, CO late this afternoon.

We had another two good days of travel. God has protected us from accidents and held our van together, even when I tried to wipe us out early on Wednesday morning near the Archbold toll plaza (don't ask). We are grateful for that. Kathy and the kids have been most tolerant of my paternal shenanigans as well.

On arrival, the kids were very excited to see Grandma & Grandpa and to experience all the available goodies. I think they were awfully glad to be out of the van after so many hours on the road. I must say that they travel amazingly well and I wanted to hurt them only a handful of times (fewer even than Denver drivers).

Otto the dachshund has accompanied us on this trip. He did not throw up in the van even once! He did rub his slobbery nose all over the driver's and passenger side windows, however. Delightful.

This evening my parents had some extended family for supper so I got to see aunts, uncles, cousin, etc. They also invited some dear friends from childhood. I had not seen my friend, Randy, for twenty years. It was great to catch up with him and his parents. It was good to see that he is nearly as grey as I am!

Tomorrow we head for South Fork, CO to spend time in a cabin there. My brother and his family will accompany us as well as my parents. We look forward to sitting at the feet of some enormous, majestic mountains and expect to be inspired by the Lord in that setting. The trout are calling my name, "Jeff, come and catch us. We're bored here in this beautiful mountain stream."

Hope to have photos of talking trout to post soon. Other neat stuff, too.



Shalom!



Jeff

Protecting?

Last night I took a bike ride with Kathy and Savannah. We cruised around Archbold a bit doing our best to make the sojourn exciting. Riding on the embankment of the northern reservoir provided a few kicks especially when Savannah nearly careened off the side.

Later, I was following Savannah down Barr Rd., wanting to keep her safe from the dangers of the road. As I rode, however, it came into my head that if she swerved into the pathway of a car, there would be nothing I could do about it. She could be seriously hurt and I would be powerless to prevent it. That was a tremendously unpleasant thought.

Then I asked myself, Is this how God feels as he is tailing us, seeking to keep us safe and well? This is not to say that God is powerless in protecting us. He can as He wills. We do know that God, in His providence, does not always choose to rescue us from imminent peril nor does He always thwart the evil that actively seeks to wound and destroy us. He does not even rescue us from the repercussions of the poor choices that we make. And yet I believe that He is there close as we swerve perilously close to traffic, arms stretched wide-open, heart breaking as we plummet toward asphalt, weeping and bleeding as we weep and bleed, and devising ways to redeem us and heal us from the abrasions and contusions that have stopped our progress cold. This is grace.

And sometimes we must wallow in the aftermath of a disaster to which we have contributed until we have learned what the Lord needs us to learn. This, too, is grace.

It is always a struggle as a parent to know how much to protect our children, striking the appropriate balance between valid concern and choice- liberty (depending on the age of the child). One thing is sure. We cannot and should not protect them from everything.

This is the way of our perfect Parent.

Doing

An irritation amid sabbatical is the feeling that erupts, particularly during the evening, that I ought to be going somewhere or doing something other than hanging out. I reckon that part of the feeling is guilt. I am accustomed to spending three evenings during any given work week busy with church activities. When this is coupled with activities the children are involved in during the school year, I really am not home very often on weeknights. To be home more often, then, leads me to feel sort of empty - like I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing.

I suspect that the feeling is a shadow of what a meth addict feels like when he/she does not have ready access to the drug: achy, exceptionally dissatisfied, panicky. Though I am essentially a homebody, evidence points to my having been converted into an activity junkie. I do not feel normal until I get my fix.

The Lord lavishes wisdom on us at the end of Psalm 46: "Be still, and know that I am God" (v.10a). Translation: "Stop moving. Stop your incessant motion and non-stop plotting. Quiet your worries and anxieties. Just be. Just be and accept that I am here with you and have everything under control. All of your activities do not cause me to love you more nor do they eliminate your problems (in context, win you the war). They do nothing but buy you personal satisfaction and admiration in the eyes of your peers which is nary more than getting your fix. For your health - stop. Let me take care of stuff. Listen. Receive my Spirit. Rest in me. Ingest my Word. Trust me."

A new discipline for me during sabbatical: to simply sit quietly with the Lord when I am feeling compelled to do something by virtue of guilt or over-functioning as opposed to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It seems likely that this discipline is not just for moments of sabbatical but for all of life.

Jesus modeled nesting with God in the Garden of Gethsemane as he slipped away to pray alone despite his understanding of the grave suffering to come. He prayed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Mt.26:39c) and "...may your will be done" (26:42b). Was Jesus tempted to take matters into his own hands, to call down twelve legions of angels to smite his enemies? Certainly. Was he tempted to do something? Yes. Did he? No. And his Father's will was done.

I hope to learn how to rest in the Father's will.

~ Jeff

Home

We're home. Thanks for the prayers!

~ Jeff

The Beach

I am currently accessing the internet from a Travelodge hotel room in Woodstock, GA. Our time at Anna Maria Island, FL is complete and we are on our way home.

As I reflect on our time in Florida, "gift" is the word that leaps out at me. Beside Still Waters and the Taylor Foundation gave us the gift of a townhome while on the island. Because of their willingness to allow the Lord to work through them, we had everything we needed to live the beach life for a week. Further, the azur sky, scorching sun, scurrying anoles, crystal-clear surf, asundry shells, and elusive game fish, were all provided for our enjoyment by the Master of creation.

A swimming pool, new friends, bikes, rock jetties, and a cool restaurant, were also among the great provisions the Lord granted during our stay.

It is tempting to say, "Jeff, you've been a good boy and that is why you received such neat things while in Florida. Just keep being good and you'll get more!" The truth: None of these blessings were the result of my deserving anything. I am fallen, broken, sinful, and godless. I deserve condemnation instead of blessing!

But the Lord is so full of love that He blesses me despite my failures. He forgives me when I acknowledge my blunders and lifts me out of my self-destructive ways. He sets me under His tent, high upon a rock, and adopts me as His child. Then He takes care of me as any loving parent cares for a child. You see, I am blessed because God chooses to bless me as His kid. I have done nothing to merit this response.

May His name be praised for how He does this for any who will fall into His arms!

On another note...London had an adventure courtesy of Greyhound on Sunday. We put him on a bus in Tampa on Saturday so that he could meet up with the youth who were headed to WV for a service trip on Sunday. As the stated schedule went, he was to arrive in Huntington, WV about the same time as the youth would be arriving there enroute from NW Ohio. It was to work out just perfectly! Yeah.

London called at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday from Wytheville, VA saying that his bus had wheel problems and would be delayed 3-4 hours. So much for perfect coordination. He called 4 hours later and noted that the problem had not yet been rectified and no one was telling him anything. He also said that he finished the novel he had been nursing for a week. I knew that trouble was brewing!

Feeling guilty, I called around to figure out what Greyhound was going to do to rescue my son from the peril of long-term boredom. By the time I navigated Greyhound's automated phone disaster, talked to a singularly unhelpful customer service representative whom I could barely understand, and finally got someone at the Wytheville terminal, a replacement bus had arrived and loaded. London was back on his way. He was only 7 hours late for the apponited rendevous.

Poor Benny Avina had to retrieve London after 11:00 p.m. in Huntington after having already driven a bunch. Thanks, Benny!

Yes, God is good and we can always trust Him to take care of our loved ones. It is the trusting that is the hard part.

In Christ ~



Jeff

The Trip

Sorry about my slowness in producing another post. Have had some difficulties in gaining net access here on Anna Maria Island. I'll not say from where I am blogging right now!

Some road trip observations:

• Public restrooms gross me out. At one stop I had to close my eyes while doing my thing in order to avoid a panic attack.
• You can buy a food called "Banana Planks" in the south. I don't know either - I was afraid to try it.
• Palm trees are da bomb. I wish I had one in my backyard. Or living room.
• There is a lot of heat and humidity as you travel closer to the equator. I had forgotten that I really did have sweat glands.
• Even the brightest of people can make a mistake whilst on the road. Let's say - just hypothetically - that a certain 41 year old male started driving after a rest break somewhere in Georgia and gleefully drove 20 minutes north before being told by his somewhat smug 16 year old son that he was going the wrong way.
• Boiled peanuts are a southern delicacy. You can even get them in cans.
• I have often mumbled under my breath that Oprah Winfrey is the antichrist. I have changed my mind. Waffle House is the antichrist. There are more Waffle Houses in the south than there are churches and that is saying something. The franchise is slowly taking over the world with its blend of lousy coffee and sloppy eggs. Beware!
• Sometimes Waffle Houses do not clean their grills.
• People in the south are typically rather cordial.

We are having a wonderfully restful break here in Florida. We have spent time on the beach, in the pool, and exploring the island. We have looked at boats, caught lizards, and spent some time in Sarasota. We even stopped by at Bahia Vista Mennonite Church and were able to speak with some very kind sisters in Christ. We worshiped at a Baptist church on Sunday morning. It was a delight. Great, warm people and an excellent sermon (45 minutes long!) to boot.

The Lord is very good. Thanks all of you for your prayers on our behalf!

In Christ ~

Jeff

The Body

As we were driving by the Central meeting house Sunday morning on our way to Wauseon, Savannah said, "I want to go to our church!" It's true that we are all rather attached to our church family and miss being there already. It is within that milieu that we find our primary identity and growth and belonging.

That reality not withstanding, it has been a blessing to worship with other brothers and sisters in Christ during sabbatical. On Sunday, June 8 we worshiped with Tedrow Mennonite Church. This past Sunday we were with the N. Clinton congregation. Who knows where we might end up next Sunday while we are in Florida because we would like to worship with some non-Menno folks as well.

At Tedrow, I was impressed with the youth and children, and the way people related to each other. There was evident life and love! This is incredible in light of an impending pastoral transition. It is a testament, I believe, to Randy Nafziger's faithful leadership and to the commitment of the core of this body of believers.

At N. Clinton, we were invited into earnest worship. Folks had gathered to give glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Such love for the Lord cannot help but bind people together and inspire mission. Bravo!

These observations about Tedrow and N. Clinton are likely not revelation to those who make up those congregations. They already know, at least at an intuitive level. It does seem important to notice these on occasion, however, so that we all remember with conviction that the Lord is alive and well and doing miracles wherever He chooses. Wherever, with whomever, and however He chooses to do His work is a cause for our celebration.

Central, Tedrow, and N. Clinton are unique congregations with different strengths. Worship is different in each, as is the personality of the gathered body. The individuals that make up each are obviously different. Despite this, I was far more impressed with the continuity that I found amongst the three groups than our differences. Perhaps it is because we all are NW Ohio Buckeyes. Perhaps it is because we are all Mennos.

I suspect that there is something greater at work: the Spirit of God moving, encouraging, blessing, and activating. The Spirit most certainly has not given up on us being a unified people working in different ways in different places with a single goal. That goal, whether one is a Central or Tedrow Mennonite, a Mexican Catholic, a Korean non-denominational, or a Nigerian Pentecostal, is to proclaim, like Jesus did, that the kingdom of God has drawn near.

May the Spirit of Christ Jesus make it so to His honor and glory.



~ Jeff

Recap

Not quite two weeks into sabbatical I would use the following adjectives as descriptors: restful, stress-less, in anticipation, and grateful.

I have worked at riding my bike, fishing, fixing bikes and fishing rods, reading, mowing the lawn, fixing my lawnmower, getting kids to swimming lessons, and helping London to learn to drive (he got his permit on Friday). Okay, I may have been a bit hasty with the word, "stress-less."

Along with these extracurriculars I am studying the Word, reading, organizing, and writing the devotional. It has taken more form this week in terms of connecting pop themes to most of the words of Jesus that I selected last week. It was a joy to spend significant "think time" in extracting themes from Jesus' words and then discovering how these words might travel on the conduit of culture. I felt at times like the Apostle Paul in Athens!

I have also been pushed by God to continue to understand what it means for Him to be my friend and confidant. I am working on it. How exactly does one relate to a savior who is simultaneously omnipotent judge and intimate love? My tendency is to keep Jesus at arms length like I did doctors as a child. They were simply geniuses to respect, fear and to avoid unless needed. A close relationship was out of the question.

I was nudged in contemplating how I interact with the Lord as I read the novel, The Shack (noted in previous post). The author implies that when we allow all of God nearer, we cannot go on being bleakly broken. We will be healed. That sounds really good to me.

If any of you have the opportunity to read this book and comment on it, I would love to hear from you. Though it was dramatic and inspiring, I do not agree with all of the theology proposed. I'd like to hear you thoughts on it!

A snapshot of the other Smiths:

• Kathy: working at Mom's Diner and two other cleaning jobs in addition to giving piano lessons; making sure I do not do weird things; cleaning up after me; being a great mommy.
• London: driving; making plans for a summer concert in Indianapolis; hanging out with friends; being a computer geek; reading everything ever written by Orson Scott Card.
• Therin: spending time with Brandon Yoder; reading one of the books in the Narnia series; riding his bike; hanging with Brandon; complaining that he is bored; doing the Lego thing.
• Savannah: singing; playing piano; singing some more; riding her bike like a little female Evel Knievel; singing; taking ballet lessons; swimming; singing; making my bed; and sometimes she takes a minute or two to just sing.
• Otto: laying around the house; marking his territory whilst on walks.

That's enough for tonight. God is good. I love you all!

~ Jeff

Lies Inside

William Young writes in his novel, The Shack, "Lies are a little fortress; inside them you can feel safe and powerful. Through your little fortress of lies you try to run your life and manipulate others."

The lies that Young speaks of are the ones we tell ourselves about ourselves and have the audacity to believe. We believe so that we do not have to change something that really ought to change. For instance, I told myself for years that I had no control over my propensity for ogling women who were not my wife. This was not true and simply a way of rationalizing and therefore of not changing behavior hurtful to my marriage and to me personally. Certainly this reality stunted my ability to mature in Christ.

So...what do think? Are you adept like me at lying to yourself? What does this mean for our lives with Christ?

Nincompoop

Did you ever notice that the word "nincompoop" is really funny? It always makes me giggle. Giggling is good for the soul. We should all do it more often!

Despite the giggling, it could be that being intrigued by this word makes me, well, a nincompoop...

Good progress was made today on the devotional. I have selected all 30 biblical texts: 7 from each of the gospels and 2 from Revelation. I have selected texts, I believe, that encourage us to ponder what we are or are not allowing the Holy Spirit to do in our hearts. It is simple for us, it seems, to block Jesus' Spirit from our hearts, to ignore the Spirit's knocking, to live embracing the invasive Darkness that is consuming the precious part of us that should be the abode of the Lord alone.

My hope is that I will surrender further to the Lord as I work. A further hope is that any who read what I write will do the same.

The Lord is knocking.

~ Jeff

Storms

A storm blew through last night. Perhaps you even spent some time in your basement, heeding the warnings of your favorite meteorologist. Most of us experienced stiff winds, pelting rain, and even hail. Plus, we were told that tornadoes were a possibility.

As the storm sirens in Archbold blared warning of coming peril, I peered out a west window to see what I could see. Indeed, the clouds were ominous enough and I could see the wind picking up as the sprinting storm approached so I sent everyone to the basement. I went, too. There it was safer.

When Jesus offered words during his time on earth he was interested in each of his listeners discovering a safer place. His words often warn of coming danger, for instance. Unfortunately, I sometimes read and receive these warnings as arbitrary commands meant to limit my freedom when I could be receiving them as beautiful words of love intended to protect me from peril.

When I receive Jesus' warnings as an offense, it is like being offended by storm sirens as they notify me that a tornado is bearing down on my home. To my peril, I might stay in bed and say, "Those sirens are so irritating! My sleep has been ruined and now my dog is frightened. Tomorrow, I am going to give the village council a piece of my mind and have those sirens removed!" If am wise, I will instead head directly for the basement and give thanks for the warning.

Jesus speaks words of warning that I might avoid sin that seeks to pounce on me. If I heed it not, I can be sure that my heart will experience a destructive spiritual vortex. Worse, I may be responsible for a similar vortex in the lives of others.

It is important for me to receive Jesus' words as expressions of love so that I will not be hurt. The words are not meant to take my life but to protect and embolden it. You see, he loves me just that much.

I love you all!

~ Jeff

Launch

There is a giggled-about adage promoted by non-clergy that implies that pastors always have something - perhaps too much - to say. I do not know if this is true universally, but I do know that I am less than a week into a sabbatical and am already assuaging the need to find an audience for my thoughts! If I won't be preaching for a while I may as well regale the three people who will actually look at this blog with so much drivel. Hey, three people is three people and I get my fix!

So far my sabbatical has proven to be restful. Though it is strange and somewhat discombobulating not to be running willy-nilly to this meeting or that, I have been basking in the slower pace. For instance, I went fishing last night to the Archbold reservoirs and caught five walleye. They were quite small but it really wasn't about the size of the fish. It was about wildlife, the setting sun, and the lapping water.

I have worked for hours on the devotional I am writing. The Lord has shown up in really tremendous ways already. Can't wait to see what it will look like in the end and to share it with others.



~ Jeff