Gain Through Loss

An "Impossible" Directive - 3

2012-02-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

We are in a study series of James 1:2-8,12 trying to understand how and why we should rejoice in tough times.

Let’s look first at some key words in our study passage.

Key word #1:

WHEN, not IF

James 1:2 - Whenever (when) trouble comes. Not “if” but “when”. Life is at times very harsh. Relational issues, financial setbacks, job problems, unemployment, disease, etc. There will be sorrows and disappointments that will test our faith. We all have our challenges – those issues for which we wished we did not have to contend. For me the challenges that stuttering and Parkinson’s Disease presents are at times seemingly unconquerable.. What is yours?

“When” adversity strikes. Not if. Let ‘s look first at various sources of challenging times.

1. Results of our own doing

A car wreck as a result of driving and drinking. Depression from unresolved emotional conflict. Any number of misfortunes can be pointed to ourselves as the precipitator. And for some, it is easier to place the blame elsewhere rather than take personal responsibility. No leaning toward a grateful, rejoicing spirit.

This person ends up with a victim mentality No hope.Very little if any joy will be experienced.

Our next posting will indicate the part God plays in our adversities.
Again, if you would like the 12 page study via email, let me know at rburwick@mindspring.com

An "Impossible" Directive - 2

2012-02-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

The Dilemma

Don’t the Scriptures that I posted yesterday sound like I’m to be ecstatic about the death of my wife – the death of my twin boy, the emotional pain of stuttering, the various negative and sometimes debilitating effects of Parkinson’s Disease? When I observe our political system out of wack, or the economy going belly-up, or one of our loved ones wasting his/her life away, my response is to be joy? YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING. Something is haywire here or there must be a reasonable explanation.

I checked three different study Bibles for explanation of this passage. Not a word. “God, give us wisdom as we endeavor to make sense of this portion of Your Word.”

First, this is not an isolated portion of Scripture. A directive theme of gratitude and rejoicing runs through much of the New Testament possibly highlighted by these four passages.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. ⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice

“Give thanks in all…. Give thanks for all….and always be joyful!” Wow, that is beyond me. Is this for real NOW or is it a directive for that time. Let’s examine.

To Whom this is written

To whom was James writing this letter? Verse one: “it is written to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations.” To fellow followers of Jesus. As followers of and believers in Jesus, the principles apply to us today.

Let’s look first at some key words in our study passage. The first one is "when." We will look at that in our next posting. Remember, if you want the 12 page study in tact via email, let me know at rburwick@mindspring.com

An “Impossible” Directive

2012-02-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

A study of James 1:2-8, 12

One of the more perplexing passsages in Scripture is found in the first chapter of James… REJOICE WHEN YOU ARE EXPERIENCING TOUGH TIMES. James is directing us to do something totally unnatural. The response to adversity is usually an emotion of fear, hurt, anger, sadness or frustration - not joy. Is James asking for the impossible? I'll endeavor to post a portion of the study daily. If you want an emnail copy of the complete study, let me know at rburwick@mindspring.com.

Though it is a little lengthy, listed are three versions of the Bible, each giving perspective with a twist.

NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him

The Message: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. ^5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. ^9-.

¹²Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

Amplified: Amplified Bible (AMP) ²Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. ³Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. ⁴But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

⁵If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. ⁶Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. ⁷For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, ⁸[For being as he is a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides ¹²Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.

Next post is entitled "TheDilemma"

Learn from the past - press on

2012-01-06T02:30:00.000-07:00

2011 is completed. 2012 has begun. What a whirlwind the last 14 months have been for us. The move from Idaho can best be catergorized by the word “loss.” Loss of a significant amount of money on the sale of our house. Loss of a favored position in the community. Loss of many close friends…of a good pastor and church…relationship with the NNU basketball team. But most of all, loss of an intimate and healthy relationship with a few authentic, vulnerable sharp men who were encouraging accountability partners.What an awesome, profitable exerience.

Then there has been loss while living in Kentucky. Had to get legal help to fight the county to be able to build. The 4-wheeler accident that has permanently damaged nerves in leg and foot. Loss of driving…of the Pontiac Solstice sports car. There is a long list of losses, but that’s enough to expose. I’ll begin feeling sorry for myself if I linger on those thoughts.

The name of this blog is “gain through loss.” As I put 2011 to bed and look to 2012, my focus must be, not the losses, but the gain that has and is taking place through these losses.

So I look back to 2011 just long enough to make sure I am learning all I can learn from the year’s experiences. What is my gain through the loss? I don’t have all the answers yet, but here is a sampling:

• I’ve learned that to be dependent on others where I can’t function myself is a ministry in itself. People are being blessed by giving of themselves to help me keep my balance, help me up when I fall, button my shirt, these being Parkinson’s challenges. That is quite a switch for this ol’ independent Estonian-Norwegian.

• For the past 30 years, I have been trying to shift from a “performance-orientation for approval” person to one who works hard but building relationships is top priority. (The great commandment: Love the Lord, your neighbor and yourself.) Stuttering has become so profuse that any speaking performance is out. Parkinson’s and the 4-wheeler accident removes much physical performance. Becoming free from the stress of feeling I need to perform is certainly a “gain.”

• I am learning to appreciate a nurturing person as well as a Type A, go get ‘em type. Kristin, our daughter through Theresa, is not known as a Type A personality. But is she ever a giving, loving, nurturing woman. During my month-long stay in the hospital she played a sigfnificant role in my care-getting, even pulling a messy bathroom ordeal. Then when I was released from the hospital, she and Keith gave up their master bedrom for us. And it would take me many pages to describe all she did for me (us), I am sooo grateful and have much respect for her. Her mother modeled selflessness for her and she has built upon it. My gain? Less judgemental, more accepting of people who present differently than I do.

• Another gain is the opportunity to build a relationship with my son while he is experiencing some significant life stressors. He lives with his 4 children about 25 minutes away.

• I am learning at a deeper level the value of having an attitde of gratitude. If there is one characteristic that has seen me through the stress of these 14 months it is this:”give thanks in and for all things.” You might ask , “give thanks that you can’t button your shirts?” “yes,” I reply. “when I can’t get my fingers to work on a button, it draws another person closer to me.”

“Give thanks for fracturing a rib from a fall?”

“Yes, some of those falls could have been disastorous. Like the time I fell into the fireplace.”

It is not dwelling on the hurtful event. And it‘s not just putting another spin on the hurtful event. It is legitimate, honest gratitude to the supreme being who can do anything. Like preventing Parkinsons’ … or whatever your situation is.

I’m finding that even making it to the bathroom on time is a big Thankyou Lord.

There is more but that’s enough for now. “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord. ..” GAIN THROUGH LOSS

To Grow, See What Needs Growth

2011-12-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

“Keep your elbow in. A straight line from shoulder to elbow to wrist. The ball has a better chance of going through the rim when it is being projected by a sraight line.” This interchange takes place on the basketball practice floor, coach with player. Coach paints a picture of what he wants the team to be doing, personally and corporately . Then he corrects those techniques that obstruct reaching the goals.

It is the same for spiritual growth. Through Scripture, God gives us a picture of what becoming Christ-like is and how to experience it. Then He observes what blocks that objective in us and causes or allows some adversity, some person or some concept in Scripture to expose it. Thus we grow the most and the deepest when we are willing to see what needs growth. Open to constructive criticism. Not defensive or rationalizing.

So one of the greatest love gifts we can receive is to have a friend lovingly and with encouragement confront us when he/she observes some aberrant behavior or attitude. This happens most frequently in small growth groups, but certainly can happen one to one. Like the situaion I shared last week with Keith confronting me with emotional neglect of my wife. I desire to be a godly husband so that hit me between the eyes, woke me up and I’m being much more sensitives to Theresa and by the grace of God filling her tank.”Theresa, I’ll probably need some reminders along the way.” Creatures of habit, you know

Then, just a few days ago I received an email constructive criticism in response to my blog that quite fully exposed my achilles heel – the driveness to achieve, to perform at the expense of neglecting ministry opportunity now especially to grandkids. I needed to hear that and emailed him back, thanking him for the note. He replied saying that was a very hard thing for him to do because he feared that would damage our relationship. (We are long-distant friends.)

“Burwick you say that you base your foundation principles on Scripture. Where do you find, ‘we grow the quickest and deepest when we see most clearly what needs growth.’”

Two Scriptures come to mind:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work

Scripture teaches us what is truth, shows us how we miss it, leading the Christian to repentance, obedience and change that brings growth (maturity).Christ-likeness. And that transaction can take place horizontally also:

Galatians 6:1-2 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

In summary, see your weakness, your faults, your sins. Repent. Do a 180..To the person who wants to grow in Christ-like character, seeing what needs growth and appropriating God’s empowerment are two key elements to maturity.

So, whether the confrontation is from Scripture or from a friend, a wise person who wants to mature in his walk with Christ will explore the criticism, learn from it and grow.

Thanks Keith and ______ (anonymous) for your gift of love. I’m a better man, in part, because of you.

Do you have such a friend? Are YOU such a friend?

2011-12-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

I am leaning that besides having the treasure of a great wife, to have a friend who will tell you “when you have a booger” is a most valuable fortune. Former pastor, seminary president and co-author of Achieving High Performance Friendship, Dr. John Vawter is truly a valuable treasure to me. After he read my blog on “loggerheads” he began a poetry dual that is shown below. John gave me permission to use it. Hope you get a kick out of it.(By the way, his book is fantastic. I commend it to you.

Vawter-Burwick poetry duel in response to my blog “Loggerheads”
Posted: 28 Nov 2011 09:59 PM PST

The battle began over a barn roof. After 10 years of marital bliss, (I mean a truly wonderful marriage) Theresa and I were at loggerheads. It seemed hopeless.
Our daughter and family and we are razing three old barns to get the material to build a nice barn on our property. I don’t mind heights, so I was on top of the barn pulling off the metal roofing. I felt very safe. But the rest of the party saw my Parkinson’s instability and thought otherwise. Especially Theresa. “You are not going back on that roof,” was her directive. I was mad. She was mad because I wanted to.

As our good friends Steve and Kathrena pointed out, the roof was just the tip of the iceberg.
r my part, life has provided me with “you can’t do that” challenges. My first academic dean at DSU told me that stuttering would hinder my college education. Consider not graduating. At NNC, the academic dean said, “no school would hire me to coach and teach because of stuttering. So, along with feeling I was a flawed instrument, I had two significant people endorsing that feeling. Having to prove I was a capable person has been a life-long ball and chain around my leg.

So, here was Theresa telling me I couldn’t accomplish something. Thus, she sees me as one who will do what he wants to do ( very self-centered)- no matter her feelings and that made her furious. I won’t go into her life details, but to say that fear has been an achilles heel for her all of her life. We were both stuck in our emotional do-do.

One fateful but freeing experience occurred as we shared with our daughter and husband. I asked them if they saw me as very selfish. After a short pause, Keith said, “Your wife is empty. You’re so busy with rock work and the other work that you enjoy, that you’re not filling her emotional tank.” Or words to that effect that hit me like a ton of bricks.

That experience has been a turn-around for me, as I’ve quit pointing the finger at Theresa and focused on me.. on my sin. My prayer became, “God , change my heart. I don’t want some surface behavioural change - doing the right things for her, I want a whole new perspective on her and on my relationship with her.”

I began to focus on how valuable a treasure she is to me and how I needed (and wanted) to protect and nourish that treasure.The results have been amazing, not perfect but to me, incredible.

Vawter Begins E-mail Interchange

We sing, “Santa up on the roof top, Ho Ho Ho”

And, Ray, “up on the roof top, please do not go”

If you are up there and take a dive

We are afraid that you will not be alive

Dear brother, we want you to be here with us and to be seen

We do not want you with a spattered spleen

You will meet God as you wrestle this through

You will meet Him in brand new ways that is what you will do

Then you will sit down at your computer to write another blog

And your words of growth and grace will convict this spiritual log

So, dear brother, I am sure it is not easy to pull back a bit

But I know you were avoiding shoveling that horse s______

You can fool Miss T and the family back there in old Kentuck

But not the Vawter boy cuz he is a Duck

So, dear man, you are in my thoughts and prayers

Because the devil has you in his cross-hairs

He wants you to be sad, angry and mad

But the Lord wants you with peace, a smile and glad.

I believe you will walk these waters and you will conquer this trial

I bet you are already learning and that blog will make us all smile

You are a dear man, ROB, Ollie, Olaf, Ray, Doctor and Coach

So go buy your pretty wife a new gift including a broach

When you do she will give you that famous smile

And say I want you with me, Olaf, for longer than a little while

So, I am done now, my dear brother and friend

I know this trial is painful but you will meet God in new says in the end.

Response by Burwick

The rooftop is the place for me,

it is closer to God, you see

and if I fall even closer to Him I’ll be.

No falling timber to hit me on the top.

If I don’t accept the challenge, I’ll see myself a flop.

If I do happen to take a dive,

I’ll land on my head and for sure survive.

Parkinson’s would have me sit in a chair, that’s all.

I wouldn’t have to worry about having a fall.

A fractured rib is the worst I’ve felt,

So Big John, get this under your belt.

If Miss T okays it, I’m back at it again,

I hope you don’t think it is a big sin.

Vawter’s response

There once was a man named Norwegian Ray

Who said “I gotta build a barn for my hay”

He was a studly man but not always able to be smart

Sometimes his thinking was hard to distinguish sort of like modern art

He decided that although he is 72

Climbing on a barn roof was the thing to do

This decision made no sense…he had a brain of lead

If he fell off the barn he would surely be dead

If he called AZ for advice he knew what Big John would say

So from his friend he decided to stay away

The Big Olaf thought he could manipulate his smart wife

But Miss T does not want Olaf dead; she wants him with some life

So, Miss T threw a fit and she was oh so right

Cuz Olaf being on a roof is not so bright

So, the big Olaf finally did consent

And off to prayer he reluctantly went

“Dear Lord, forgive me, I have not been clear

I was selfish with my wife who is so dear”

“But, Lord, while you are at it I could use a favor and a break

No more poems from Arizona would be easy to take.

That Vawter guy is a real smart ass

No wonder he was always last in his class

So, Lord, tell him to leave me alone

And, of him, Lord, please do not make a clone.”

But, the dear Lord He said to Ray

“Bringing you up here now…NO…NO Way”

So, Ray, stay off the roof and do not throw a fit

Get out in that pasture and shovel some horse s___

Vawter Again

Miss T, Miss T, please listen to me

That man of yours will try to manipulate thee

I know this man and his competitive ways

But off the roof he will fall one of these days

You must be tough and you must be firm

I tell you, Miss T, out of your edict he will try to squirm

Put pressure on him, reach down and squeeze his balls

Say, "Buddy, if you want more pain to my friends I can make calls

You are a real man, you are the real deal, you are a stud

But, if you fall off that roof your brain will be mud

So, the answer is no, I am saying no to the roof and on you there is a hex

If you want the roof and you insist, then say good bye to your enjoyment of s--"

Miss T, Miss T, I am sure this is worrying thee

But, your man has the stubbornness of a buzzing bee

So, keep saying no and tell him there is plenty to do

If he is smart he will find it out and keep pleasuring you

Burwick’s response

I was awake at 11:30, 1:30 and now it’s two

Reading Vawter’s three poems has made me blue.

What am I to do?

Do I capitulate or do I explain

how safe It is above the cow peue

Too late in the day or early in the morn

It’s back to bed with my mind all torn.

And More

John I wish I could describe to you how uplifting and encouraging you are to me. It has been a tough 13 months and to have a brother/friend practice what he writes in a book makes me one blessed man. . .

Even though you are taking a lot of fun out of life

by encouraging T to continue the roof strife.

Tomorrow again we’ll hit the barn without a frown,

If you’ll pray for a creative way to get the roof down.

Self-centered = "I am God"

2011-12-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

“Zedekiah was a hard and stubborn man, refusing to turn to the Lord” These were the first words I read as I asked God in my formal GC (God Connection) time where He wanted me to read this morning. It began with 2 Chronicles 36:13 regarding Zedekiah.

"I’m glad that doesn’t apply to me," I thought. "I may be hard and stuborn but I always turn to the Lord." Then that quiet little voice within said, “If you’re self centered you’re not turning to Me but to yourself.”

After Theresa and Keith’s confrontation of my self-centeredness (described in the last post), I’ve been more aware of it. I don’t know if it is a time of exaggerated self because of all the self thinking to combat the Parkinson's or if I’m feeling: “Parkinson’s symptoms are no longer creeping up on me, but seem to be lunging forward, so I’ve got to get it (what ever “it” is) done now before I lose my capacity to work. (Not realizing at the time that I was emotionly neglecting my wife.) This, along with my enjoyment of work and the life-long tendency to gain approval and acceptance through performance, and the fact that I was an only child for nine years, sets me up to be very “I” focused rather than “we.”

In my thinking this characteristic is not so much a relational predicament but a SIN problem. The Bible challenges the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church. I wasn’t. Call it sin. Repent – turn around and go the other way. Love her unconditionally. No matter the stance the wife is taking – adversarial or supportive, as her husband I am directed to a selfless marital love.

I’m heading that direction. Got a long ways to go.

At Logger-heads

2011-11-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

The battle began over a barn roof. After 10 years of marital bliss, (I mean a truly wonderful marriage) Theresa and I were at loggerheads. It seemed hopeless.

Our daughter and family and we are razing three old barns to get the material to build a nice barn on our property. I don’t mind heights, so I was on top of the barn pulling off the metal roofing. I felt very safe. But the rest of the party saw my Parkinson’s instability and thought otherwise. Especially Theresa. “You are not going back on that roof,” was her directive. I was mad. She was mad because I wanted to.

As our good friends Steve and Kathrena pointed out, the roof was just the tip of the iceberg.

For my part, life has provided me with “you can’t do that” challenges. My first academic dean at DSU told me that stuttering would hinder my college education. Consider not graduating. At NNC, the academic dean said, “no school would hire me to coach and teach because of stuttering. So, along with feeling I was a flawed instrument, I had two significant people endorsing that feeling. Having to prove I was a capable person has been a life-long ball and chain around my leg.

So, here was Theresa telling me I couldn’t accomplish something. Thus, she sees me as one who will do what he wants to do ( very self-centered)- no matter her feelings and that made her furious. I won’t go into her life details, but to say that fear has been an achilles heel for her all of her life. We were both stuck in our emotional do-do.

One fateful but freeing experience occurred as we shared with our daughter and husband. I asked them if they saw me as very selfish. After a short pause, Keith said, “Your wife is empty. You’re so busy with rock work and the other work that you enjoy, that you’re not filling her emotional tank.” Or words to that effect that hit me like a ton of bricks.

That experience has been a turn-around for me, as I’ve quit pointing the finger at Theresa and focused on me.. on my sin. My prayer became, “God , change my heart. I don’t want some surface behavioural change - doing the right things for her, I want a whole new perspective on her and on my relationship with her.”

I began to focus on how valuable a treasure she is to me and how I needed (and wanted) to protect and nourish that treasure.The results have been amazing, not perfect but to me, incredible.

Flunking James chapter 1

2011-11-10T02:15:00.000-07:00

"Learn it before you teach it!"
During the years I taught Bible classes, it seemed like the Lord would give me a topic to study, then would say, "learn this well before you teach it... not just head knowlege but concepts into shoe leather."

I'm chagrined to say, I may have James 1:2- 8, 12 into slipper wear, but shoeleather? Nyet! The more I dig into this passage, the more I see how far short I fall in passing the test. So, I'll stay in the closet till I have a better handle on the principle of rejoicing during tough times. Will check in later.

Our newest grandson, Noah, adopted by the Williams family

THOUGHTS INTO CAPTIVITY

2011-10-24T04:15:00.000-06:00

“You sound real good.” These same words that I spoke of in the last post confronted me two weeks later by my “old” college roomie, Jerry Isaacson. “This is the best I’ve heard you in a long time” My response this week was 180 different from two weeks ago with Mark. “ Thanks Jerry, I’m doing well.”

This response came after two weeks of diligent mental work, bringing my thoughts into captivity. Changing the way I thought – of how much I’ve lost this past year to all that I have - was not an easy task..We’re creatures of habit. Habits are hard to break. But break my “loss focus” must or self pity and depression would have been full throttle.

I’m not speaking of denial. I’m well aware of the loss of my Nampa band of brothers and scores of friends. Significant loss of money in the real estate arena. The many losses from Parkinson’s –balance, memory, driving, etc. and the 4-wheeler accident. If these losses became my focus, and at times they did, self pity and depression were a step away.

I’m finding that as I’m more consistent with bringing those thoughts into captivity and replacing them with gratitude for all I do have, life has a brighter aura and I function better. More at peace. More productive. “We become like the books we read and the people with whom w associate. As I spend time with positive people and fill my mind with positive, healthy books; as I train my self to to see life from God’s perspective, there is more hope, more joy, more contentment and more purpose for living.

That is not just good psychology, but it is based on Scripture like Phillipians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise

Praising and thanking God are great antidoes for what is ailling you and a great precursor to strong mental health.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

This sets us up for an indepth examination of James chapter1. “Rejoice when the going is rough.” YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING

As A Man Thinks

2011-10-08T07:12:00.000-06:00

A fresh look at “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.”

Wake up call yesterday.. Chatted with my good friend Mark Wheeler in Idaho. One thing he said clobbered me between the eyes and he didn’t even realize it I’m sure. He said, “you sound real good.”

My initial reaction was an inner voice saying, “but, you don’t know how much I’ve lost through Parkinsons , the four wheeler accident and relationally – can’t drive anymore, can’t do … any more, etc. My litany of loss.

I could have said all that truthfully, but I’m confident that God used Mark’s statement and my initial response to get my attention of stinkin thinkin. Like looking into those big distorted mirrors that give you a crazy picure of yourself. A totally distorted picture of self.

God semed to be saying to me, “What is your focus, all you have lost or is it all you have gained? All you can’t do or all you can do? Remember, My son, I am God – sovereign over all - yet I’m your loving heavenly Papa who is working everything to your good.”

I don’t see all the value of what I’m going through. What is my gain, Papa?

“I’m slowing you down so that you can enjoy people and life in general more. I’m showing you the importance of inter-dependent relationships. And there is much more that you’ll discover as time goes on.”

Gain through loss.

Thanks God for the effective GC (God connection) time. I’ve switched my focus and that gives me hope. Thanks Mark for our friendship Time to do some ground-tilling.

“As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”

Poodle ponderings

2011-09-28T05:19:00.000-06:00

Gary responded to my last post about our poodle. “Ray, you have joined the fraternity of the insane. What else could explain this behavior? It will get worse—you will find yourself bonding with the varmint before you know it. You should have gotten a female: they bond with one servant but males will be fickle and take anything they can get from anyone. Your dog Lovely, will play you for all you are worth.

Oh, by the way, those brown deposits that you need to pick up daily, those are called nutrient nuggets among the more refined. You will develop many other euphemisms on your own.”

Gary elucidated on the many inconveniences and the joys of having dogs. They have 2 Maltese. He continued with “Have I mentioned expenses? Eleven hundred to purchase, vet exam and first set of shots at $600, neutering both at $800, replacement of carpet and pad at $1800, fencing the backyard at $3200…

Ray, now you are a real man. You now will know what it means to lay down your wants for a friend, your wife. And you will always have someone there to remind you how shallow you are. Pups are God’s agents for our sanctification. You may even experience true sinless perfection (smile).

I think it was C.S. Lewis who said, “a man is getting better when he sees more clearly the evil that is within him. A man is getting worse when he see his badness less and less.”

Lovey ( might call him “Tiger” because he is so ferocious – smile) has a role in my life, besides being a fun companion. He is a revealor of my badness. As the last post indicated - my selflilshness. Impatience. He knocks the stuffing out of any kind of schedule that can become rigid. As I’m writing this post he has just knocked over the container that holds my spent pistachio shells. All over the floor. What a mess. And now it is the kleenex box. Shredded kleenex. I better close this and start cleaning up and give him some eyeball time..Oops, before I could move he got into my horizontal filing systm - the floor.

See you later.

G.C. God Connectivity.- Poodle Style

2011-09-25T20:21:00.000-06:00

G.C. God Connectivity. Had plenty opportunity yesterday.

1.Chopping wood, fell on the upright axe handle. On the way down: “God, help.” On the ground: “Thanks Father. That could have been real serious.” GC

2. A friend needed some money. If I loaned or gave him that request, would that be good Christian charity or would it be enabling the person’s irrespsonsibility? Time for GC, for His wisdom.

3. Wife and I fussed. GC time: “Father, give both of us the wisdom we need to see and own our part in the conflict, then the desire to repent and make it right.” (A very profitable GC time.)

4. Constipation early this morning. We won’t go into the details about that. Plus many little and big things encouraging to GC with petition or praise.

Paul has an interesting perspective on connection with the Father, found in Colossians 3:1-2: 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Commentaries are quite obscure about the meaning of this pasage.We know it doesn’t suggest we become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. No. I think God is saying through Paul. “I created you. I want the best for you. Set your mind on me, Place your trust in me.I’ll meet all your needs.”

“But God,” someone cries. “You say in Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone. I’ll create him a helpmate. My helpmate doesn’t want to meet my needs. He is so selfish.” That could be my wife Theresa pleading Him to meet needs, that out of selfishness, I’m not meeting.

This is fresh material. I’m currently sitting at my desk typing this post. At my feet is a cuddly ball of fur. A two pound, seven week old toy poodle. I don’t like animals in the house leaving their deposits for all to see and smell, so always told Theresa “no” to her request for a house cat.

Well, last week she received a call from a friend who said a friend of hers was looking for a home for a blind in one eye toy poodle – free. Was it the Lord who whispered in my ear, “All Theresa has done for you, taking care of you, that would be a memorable love and thankyou gift for her. Or was it just the idea of having a $500 dog – free? I’d like to think the former.

However, being the spiritual giant I am , I thought I should check what the Bible says about dogs. The first was 1 Kings 14:11: The members of Jeroboam’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures. I, the LORD, have spoken.’”

I don’t want a man eating dog. I don’t think the toy poodle would be in that category. So I look at the nex t reference of dogs mentioned in the Bible. Psalm 59:6 says: They come out at night, snarling like vicious dogs as they prowl the streets.

I don’t think a toy poodle would prowl the streets. So I checked out Proverbs 26:17. It says: 17 Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

No application there. How about Luke 16:21? As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

Now that one will preach! I don’t have any open sores that I know of. Some poison ivy is all. But having “Lovey,” as he is currently named, has certainly opened up some sores. A sore of self-centeredness.

Look with me at the early morning scene in our garage. I’ve taken him out to eliminate his body’s waste material. I waited and waited. He just stood at my feet wanting to be held. I waited. Finally he crawled under the golf cart. Did he do his job there? Got a flashlight. Stooped down to peer under the cart. Saw something but didn’t know what it was. Forty-five minutes later, I carry him back inside and rather gruffly say to Theresa, “There has to be a renegotiation of our contract. I happily got you the dog as an appreciation gift for all you do for me, but I didn’t sign up for piss and poop patrol. Early morning is when I have my GC time.” (Reading the Bible, praying, etc.)

Honestly, dear friend, as I read this, it just hit me. What could I have accomplished spiritually by 45 minutes in the Word as compared to the moments that dog exposed my selfishness, resulting in repentance. I had GC (God connection.) Sin – exposed and repented of brings growth and freedom. Helps marital relationships also!!! Beware the dog!

Q.T. vs.G.C.

2011-09-19T05:16:00.000-06:00

This topic has been brewing for some time. Don't know how many posts there will be. But let's go

“Have you had your quite time today?” If asked that question, most believers in Jesus would translate that to mean, “have you set aside time to pray, read the Bible, or in some fashion connect formally with God?” They would answer accordingly.

For most of my 72 years I have been a very disciplined person. Have many faullts, but laziness isn’t one of them. Thus, for over 60 years I’ve begun most every day with a formal connection with God – prayer, study, memorize, etc. However, of late, I’ve had a new insight. Whether I’ve heard this from some other source or it has just come to me, I don’t know. But here it is:

As important as a formal connection with God is (quiet time), even more so is what Brother Lawrence calls practicing the presence of God, found in his book by that title. An ongoing awareness of God and a growing connectivity with Him. Paul, in Colossians 3:1-2 presents a slightly different slant and challenges us to fix our thoughts on things above, not on things on earth. In First Thessalonians his charge is “pray without ceasing.” In Romans it is “rejoice evermore:” Give thanks for and in all things.

Notice, the link with God is not a 15 to 30 minute session, but an on-going connectedness that employs a deep relational focus lifting us through and above our circumstances, however severe they may be.

The contrast between a formal quiet time and an ongoing connectvity with God came through loud and clear this week. I was having my “quiet time with God” early in the morning, reading James one focusing on the word “ patience.” That afternoon I was having a dickens of a time repairing a rabbit cage. Just couldn’ t get my fingers and the little wires to co-operate. Patience was waning. Frustration setting in…until I recalled the word I studied that morning. Patience.

Which setting provided the greatest opportunity for growth? The instruction of James one provided the insight or knowledge and the rabbit cage situation provided the occasion for shifting head knowledge into shoe leather. Both needed. However without the shoe leather, the knowledge just seems to lead to spiritual pride.

Would you allow me to exchange that antiquated term “quiet time“ with “GC”? Meaning, God Connectivity.Whether it‘s the formal, sit down with open Bible and notebook devotions as some would call it, or the bringing into consciojus awareness of God throughout the day, it is GC. God Connection. Intentional, mental “exercise.”

Christ indwells every besliever. So there is a connecion all the time with the Godhead – conscious or unconscious. However, I’m speaking of the time we bring God into our conscious thoughts.

Some set their watch or phone alarms to go off every hour on the hour as a reminder to ”think God thoughts.” Because God is sovereign – all powerful, who doesn’t allow anything to come His children’s way without His permission, I can trust Him. I’m beginning to see God in most everything. So instead of setting an alarm, I’m endeavoring to develop an ungoing, ever present grateful atitude. “Thanks, God,” is becoming the foremost word ii my life.

Parkinson’s disease; is in part responsible for growth in a grateful attitude, leading to GC.. I fall a lot – sometimes as much as 5 times a day. “Thanks Papa. That hurt but it could have been worse.Thanks that it wasn’t worse”….until one day two weeks ago...I fell hard on my left side. The rib cage took a bea ting. “ Thanks Lord. it hurts but it could have been much worse.”

Three hours later. For the second time, a fall. Hit the same spot one rib higher.

“Oophda, Abba Papa, that hurts times two, but it could have been worse.”

Two hours later, another fall. You guessed it – hit. the same spot. A cry of pain plus tears of agony preceeded the exercise of gratitude. “Father I don’t know if I can take this anymore. The pain is severe now but it’ll be worse when I cough or sneeze. How long will this go on until death? By faith I say thanks, because You promise to work everything that happens to me for my good, the good of others and for your glory.Teach me Father. How is this to be used for my good? What is the value. You certainly could prevent this falling and subsequent pain. Help me under stand according to James 1:5.”

The pain is faced. No unhealthy “Big boys don’t cry” repression of feelings. As the pain is processed with God, the focus changes f rom the adverse situation to seeking to learn the significance of it – its value. God’s purpose through it.

That is valuable, healthy and productive GC!

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Reflections from Gary Cottle

2011-09-15T08:27:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my dermatologist removed a chunk of skin from my forearm. A couple months ago, I had noticed two freckles were getting larger, merging, darkening, reddening, lightening, changing. I made the appointment resulting in removal for biopsy of the aforementioned hide. Now I have a small wound (1/2” square) down to tissue with the outer skin removed.

I went to the doctor as a curative measure to change something that was damaged on my body. Over 60-plus years of exposure to sun has damaged my skin and I am prone to actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous lesions which left untreated can become melanomas). I visit the dermatologist twice a year and normally he freezes off a couple dozen spots each visit; I avoid exposing unprotected skin to sunlight and keep an eye out for anything unusual. I am vigilant about my skin. Today, my arm is tender but I chose to be wounded to stop a greater ill.

Wholeness is much like my wound—what we don’t prevent, we must cure. Our good Brother Ray has shared much of my story (Montana Gary) in this blog and in the last couple years has shared much of the pain of his own losses. This sharing isn’t to glorify what we experience but to encourage ourselves and others to recognize the pains of life and honestly, curatively live toward healing. Because I desire wholeness in my physical body, I am willing to recognize, be honest and treat the damage I find. I am willing to suffer the pain of the wound in order to stop the damage before it spreads.

Many of us have emotional wounds from years of exposure to life—friends, family, business, churches, the world. We can either ignore/deny the wounds or we can be honest about what we experience and use my doctor’s suggestions. After the procedure, I was given a handout on wound care which is summarized by three points:

1. KEEP IT CLEAN. The first step was to remove the damage, recognize it and cut it out, stop the spread. While it was painful and something I would prefer to avoid, healing cannot begin until the wound is exposed. Much of the pains of life is like this—we ignore, deny, hide, overlook the damage until it becomes threatening enough to cause too much pain to ignore. Then we take it to God. How much less we would suffer if we went earlier, recognizing the damage for what it is and depending upon Him for the curative process.

2. KEEP IT MOIST. After removal, I have a sore which needs care. What used to be on my forearm is gone but where it was there is a hole which needs to be filled. This will take time as the body regenerates. Emotional damage is similar in that it takes time beyond recognition to heal what has been lost. During this process, the Spirit of God can be the anointing salve that keeps the moistness so that the wound does not heal with a distortion. Current medical practice is to keep the dryness of the wound minimal so a scab doesn’t twist and pull the skin being formed. We are like that in emotional healing as it takes time to allow God’s Spirit to minister to us and reveal the process so we don’t become dry and twisted, being worse than the beginning. Hardness is not helpful.

3. KEEP IT COVERED. The wound on my arm does not need more of what caused the damage; it needs to be protected, sheltered, covered. Our emotions likewise need protection. When I first began recovery, my emotions were very sensitive to additional damage from others. It was a rawness that was easily irritated. While there were times I needed to face more damage than I was comfortable with at the time, there were also periods when I simply needed God’s covering upon my life and His care of my wounds without other disturbances. As I have a bandage on my forearm today, I know that there is healing taking place and eventually the cover must be removed but only in God’s good time.

I WEPT

2011-08-24T19:55:00.000-06:00

I wept. Last week was a week of losses that brought tears. The first, not a biggie in the life of most people. Basketball has always been an integral part of my life. From playing to coaching. I shot some hoops at my granddaughter’s volleyball practice and found I had no legs. A good shot begins in the legs and flows up and out through the extended wrist and fingers.The accident of nearly one year ago has robbed me of basketball. No tears for this loss, but the stage was set.

Took a nasty fall and really banged up my ribs – left side.It illicited my normal response – “Lord, thanks. It hurts but could have been worse.”

Five minutes later. Another fall. Same spot, one rib lower. For the first time I wept.Tears from physical pain but more so, tears of “Is this what my life is going to be like?” Frustration. Fear. Loss. Stirred in a little cup of self pity.

Lasted a couple hours, because I had jumped (as described in the last posts.) Jumped back into the arms of my Heavenly Papa who lovingly tells me, “Trust me Ray. I will work this out for your best, for the good of others and for my Glory.”

Yes, Father. I trust you. I don’t need to focus on the “what ifs” of the future.” And then I’m reminded of Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy as you trust in Him; so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

A subsequent fall brought the loving, firm words of my wife, “Ray it is time to stick close to that walker.”

Loss. Loss of free perambulating. I wept.

I took my four-wheeled walker outside. You guessed it. Both the walker and I fell. Where did I land? Yes, left side. Rib high.

Lesson learned? Allow myself to own my human feelings. Then go “upstairs” with them, with hope – not in my circumstances but in God alone..

Jump Into ?

2011-08-18T02:39:00.000-06:00

In the last blog I “jumped.” From what to what? From trying to understand why God was seemingly not answering my prayers (the way I thought best.) Jumped from the subsequent cynicism and resentment I had toward God. From confusion about the effectiveness of prayer.

I jumped from - to a simple “trust and obey.” The Bible is replete with examples of ultimate success stemming from the simple outlook of “Trust God and obey Him. Hannah Whitall Smith captures the essence in her book “The Normal Christian Life.”

She says: “Nothing that is not part of God’s will is allowed to come into the life of someone who trusts and obeys Him. This truth should be enough to make our life one of ceaseless thanksgiving and joy, because God’s will is the most pleasant, hopeful and glorious thing in the world. It is the continuous working of His omnipotent power for our benefit, with nothing to prevent it IF WE REMAIN SURRENDERED and believing.” This world view is based on Romans 8:28-29.

The only problem I have with Ms. Smith’s words is that God’s will is always pleasant. The cross wasn’t pleasant for Christ nor is “death of self” pleasant for the follower of Christ. Not pleasant but so productive. Death of self can lead to Christ’s resurrection life living through us. Loving the unlovely. Forgiving the unforgiveable. His wisdom for our ignorance and His strength for our weakness.

The jump gives me the hope that as bad as Parkinson’s may get, God will work in it for my good, the good of others and to His glory. No matter the frequency of stuttering, He will bring good out of it. (It doesn’t feel that way when the stuttering frequency accelerates and words won’t flow at all. I have to spell the word.) Just a sidelight here: sometimes if I get stuck on a word if I say “damn-it” the word pops out. Not a good technique used when I was the Scripture reader for church!!!

Have you jumped?

One of our bunnies for sale. Theresa and grandchildren are raising rabbits with profits going to organiations that drill for water in impoverished areas of the world. Need a rabbit?

WHY TRUST

2011-08-17T01:52:00.000-06:00

Barron Olaf, my two-year-old grandson, stands on the edge of the swimming pool. I am in the pool waist-deep imploring him, “jump to me Barrron.” No problem. A little hesitation. Quick splash into my arms.

Why the hesitation? It’s scarey jumping into a watery abyss. Why only a short hesitation? I’m real close so he has to only lean to reach me, and Barron has learned from previous experience with his dad that, though scarey, it is safe.

As I take a couple steps away from him in the water, his faith in me waivers but the jump is always consumated. He trusts that I won’t go out too far that isn’t safe to jump.

Just a simple little allegory, depicting the “Trust and Obey” of last posting. In my 65 of 72 years that God and I have walked together, there has been no time that He has proven untrustworthy. He has always been there for me, meeting my needs. Oh, sometimes He allowed quite a splash before I reached His arms…deaths, vocational and personal challenges. At times it is hard to hear him say "jump"cuz I don't see Him or sense His presence.

Like this last few months.- seemingly unanswered prayer. Worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms. I’m falling frequently. Getting banged up, but no broken bones. The dyskinesia has me bobbing and reeling – at times, very noticeable. Speech fluency more and more distorted, etc. God seemed to be on lunch break. I neglected my faith’s fundamentals. Got confused and resentful.

Not unlike the Boston Celtics under Coach Red Auerback during their perenniel championship days. Auerack was asked why they were so successful. His report, “We stick with the fundamentals.”

After Auerback retired from coaching, Boston spiraled downhill (until lately). They got away from the fundamentals for a few years.

Like the Celtics, I neglected utilizing the basic fundamentals of my walk with God when He says in Isaiah 43: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ..because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

Basic fundamental:

• God calls me by name

• I am His

• I am precious to Him and loved by Him

• In God’s sovereinty, He gave me or allowed me to have the adversity of Parkinson’s and also of stuttering. We observe in Isaiah 30: Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you… So it will be when the LORD begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them.

• God uses my adversity to teach me until He ultimately heals me (which might not be until my death/resurrection.)

Trust and obey. Remember, I am His and He is mine. He is my ultimate Papa who always wants the best for me.

So I am standing at the edge of the pool being implored to jump into His arms. Am I back to trusting Him? As we say in North Dakota, “Ya shoer, you betcha.” I jump.

2 of our $100 bunnies

Post Breakthrough

2011-08-13T04:59:00.000-06:00

It seems too simple. The two afore blogs indicated my hang-ups. The anger to God – gone. Cynicism about seeming unanswered prayer – dissipated. Confusion about prayer – never will understand all the dynamics. And that is ok.

Where did this freedom originate? It seems too simple. But here was (is) my solution – learned as a child, relearned at 72. (Slow learner!) TRUST AND OBEY. Trust God as He is exposed in Holy Writ and do (obey) what He directs through His Word.

If God seems far away – trust Him.

If prayers aren’t answered as I desire – trust Him.

If speaking fluency doesn’t occur – trust Him.

If Parkinson’s symptoms continue to worsen – trust Him.

Insomnia issue? Much better. Don’t know why.

As I trust Him more deeply and do what He directs in His Word, I’m at peace. Simple, but so effective (and challenging).

The song “Trust and obey” describes it well.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

More later.

BREAKTHROUGH IN SHOELEATHER

2011-08-07T20:28:00.000-06:00

I finished last posting, saying I had a 1 a.m. break through. I haven’t written since because I wanted the concept to germinate and to experience some testing to see if it was truly of the Lord. I wanted to make sure I had a good handle on the issue and that it wasn’t just an emotional experience with no lasting effect. Oven baked. No quickie microwave. The learning ex perince “well done” with some portions of meat still needing oven time.

Break through. Break through what? Through the confusion of “Why does God seem so unresponsive to my prayers of petition?” The giving to me of what I perceive are His good gifts according to Matthew 7:11.Especially my big three: 1) less stuttering and more fluency; 2)Less dyskinesia and falling related to the PD; 3) sleep instead of insomnia.

The breakthrough? One word: HUMILITY.

“Humility,” you say. “What in the world does that have to do with your situation?” Allow me to explain. .

When was the last time you heard a sermon on humility? When was the last time you asked Christ to make you humble? Frankly, in my 65 years of walking with Him, I’ve never asked for humility.

Yet, Christ describes Himself as “the Son who does nothing in Himself.” In Phillippians “He (Christ) humbled Himself, therefore God exalted Him.” Jesus taught humility: “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart. Matt.11:29

Which leads us to the definition of humility. Andrew Murray describes it as “simply the sense of entire nothingness which comes when we see how truly God is all and in which we make way for God to be all. Humility is the acknowledgement that self has nothing good in it, except as an empty vsessel which God must fill. A surrendering of the total self to God.”

Secular psychology would have a real problem with this view. Some call it “worm theology.” However, if our focus is God’s all-powerful, all loving being, how can we but see in contrast our nothingness – yet, AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS being filled with God’s all-powerful, all loving completeness! A very healthy balance.Nothing of “self.” Focus on Christ living through me.

Possibly an apppropriate summary of Murray’s book Humilty would be his words: “Humility is simply the disposition which prepares the soul for living on trust. And every, even the most secret, breathing of pride in self-seeking, self-will, self confidence or self-exaltation is just the strengthening of the self which cannot enter the kindgom or possess the things of the kingdom, because it refuses to let God be what He is and must be: their All in All.”

For my breakthrough, point one: I desire to be a godly man, “being confomed to the image of Christ.” That has been a life-long commitment.

Point two: growth in humility would be part of that conformation to Christlikeness.

Point three: I stutter. Talk funny, sometimes can’t talk at all. Good for growth in humility. Same with PD.Walk funny. Sometimes can’t walk at all. Both embarrasing but good for growth in humility. I’ve thought of these two as character builders for many years and 90% of the time I’m accepting of them. Possibly a third of the time I can even rejoice in the adversity (James 1:2-4) How ever, as the problems escalate I have wanted Good to intervene.

Now humility puts a whole new spin on petitionary praying. Petition prayers for myself may not be answered the way I had hoped. I desire character growth plus the experience of becoming like Christ in the arena of humility. I hate to admit it, but I need the humbling effect of PD and stuttering, because my default is the ugliest of sins – spiritual pride. The attitude that got Lucifer kicked out of heaven.

In praying for others, I believe I know myself well enough that if God consistently answered my prayers of petition for others, I’d have a tendency to become spiritually proud. “Hey, there goes Ray Burwick. He is a spiritual giant. You need any prayers answered? Call on Ray to pray for you.” I’ve been aware of this for a long time and have been asking God to break me of it. He is, but a ways to go.

So, since the “break through,” I’m petitioning God for self and others out of obedience to Biblical directives… not understanding the dynamics. For example, a friend has a need or a tough challenge. So I pray for him, even as I ponder questions about how prayer works. Will God respond to him if I don’t pray for him? And, how many pray-ers does it take to get through to heaven and see God work?

A friend needs a job. Are his prayers sufficient for God to move in the heart of some employer? Is God more responsive to ten people praying for a job for him? To 100 pray-ers?

I don’t understand all this, but I know that as we follow Biblical guidelines, (pray without ceasing) we’ll be successful (Joshua 1:8).

Wrapping it up: I’m not perturbed with God or cynical because I can see His objective for me is not only character growth but developing the Christ-like quality of humility. However I’m still a little confused regarding the dynamics of prayers of petition.

So, I pray for fellowship with God and to seek His wisdom. And,.I petition God but I’m endeavoring to allow God to be All in All - for me and for others.

As I fix my thoughts in this direction, I’m at peace and experiencing joy and contentment from a deeper intimacy with Abba Papa. Still more growth needed.

PERTURBED WITH GOD

2011-07-23T01:05:00.001-06:00

I’ve been challenged recently to pray according to God’s personality, not according to His power. I think the reason for the challenge was that I have grown confused, somewhat cynical and a little bit perturbed with God. Why? Because my prayers of petition were seemingly going unanswered or at least not answered in the way I thought was best or as the Bible seemed to promise.

For example, my insomnia, which I’m told is credited to Parkinson’s. Now there is no Scripture that promises healing for stuttering or Parkinson’s, but insomnia is addressed in Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

“Now God,” I complain, “am I not one of your beloved? Severe insomnia is a significant challenge. I’ve tried man’s ways to get prepared for sleep. Results? Zip.

I’ve “let my requests be made known to You” according to Philippians 4. Nothing or very little.

I’ve searched my heart to determine if there are any emotional or spiritual blockages. Silence!

Is this Psalm written to someone else or, like the food rules of the Old Testament, don’t necessairly apply now?” Confusion.

I still believe in prayer, but at this point in my journey, solely as a means to know God better and as a means of having fellowship with Him. I have trouble with that view of prayer because the Bible directs me to petition God for myself and for others. “You have not because you ask not.”

Out of prayer habit, I find myself petitioning God for something or someone, but usually cloak it with “unless you have a purpose for the adversity or if you have a better plan disregard this request, Father.” That kind of praying sounds wishy-washy. No faith believing.

Matthew 7:11 has always been an intriguing portion of Scripture. It states “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Don’t get me wrong.. God has been so good to me for which I’m very grateful. But numerous are the challenges in the Bible that directs us to let our requests be made known to God, like Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“Now God, as my Father wanting to give me good gifts and be responsive to my petitions, (according to Your word), why not speaking fluency rather than stuttering? And why not freedom from Parkinson’s? Or, the sleep issue, and the marriage I prayed for that ended in a split, plus more petitions for myself and for others. Why do You seem so unresponsive?"

As I am writing this section it is 1 a.m. July 23, 2011 And I’ve just had a breakthrough. I’ve been reading Andrew Murray’s book Humility, beauty of holiness. I’ll share the details in my next blog

Adjustments

2011-07-08T04:29:00.000-06:00

I have been working on this blog posting for a number of weeks now and I just can’t get it to flow. I think he blockage is I’M HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME INERNALIZING AND APPLYING THE CONTENT TO MY OWN LIFE.

So, here goes. Maybe I can learn more as I type. Pictured on my knees for two reasons: bowing before the Lord and can't fall when I'm on my knees.

Could one of the greatest marks of maturity be the ability to adjust? MSN.com gives us some adjustment challenges from the world’s persective, like

“5,000 cops deployed as Greeks launch ‘massive’ 48-hour strike

Iran: Our missiles can reach US bases

Blaze rages near nuclear plant.

Some definite opportunities to make major adjustments.

Possibly you relate better with MSN’s quibs on belly fat, or giving birth or losing your job.

Adjustments. Life is about adjustments. I must be a slow learner, but this is the first time I’ve connected adjustment and maturity. St. Paul’s words are the epitome of adjustment challenge: “In whatever state I’m in I’ve learned to be content.”

Think of the adjustments Paul had to make – from being stoned and left for dead to imprisonment. Yet, “I have learned to be content.” Notice the word “learned” – a process. Adjustment leading to contentment can be learned.

I’m presently in a steep learning curve. And frankly, I’m struggling – not over any one issue, but the culmination of losses that been posted prevoiously. Driving, close friendships, ministry (as I knew it,) balance (frequently fall), energy and strength and more. Adjustments.

We are in our new house. After battling a plethora of road blocks these past 7 months, we’re in – well, partially. Storage units in Idaho and Kentucky are emptied. Our basement is full of stuff. Boxes everywhere. Adjustments!

How do we reach that adjustment pinnacle of being content, wherever? Check out the following sequence.

1. Recognition. As followers of Jesus, we are blessed with the knowledge that our loving Heavenly Father wants the best for us. So spend consistent time in the Bible learning about Abba PaPa. Learn how He wants to use everything we experience for our good, the good of others and for His glory. I need to remind myself of this every time I want to go some place and can’t drive.

2. Acceptance. No bitterness about the situation, but not rejoicing either. A cognitive exercise of “whatever my lot in life, I’ll build on it.

3. Rejoicing. Appropriating God’s resources through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Some adjustments are so difficult that the Holy Spirit has to do through us what is impossible to do in our own strength. Like following Biblical guidelines of “rejoice evermore; give thanks in and for all things.”

For example adjustments I‘m endeavoring to make now are physical and relational. I’m consistently encountering tasks that I have been able to perform all my life that are now becoming impossible because of the Parkinson’s balance challenge and the nerve damage from the 4 wheeler accident. The Parkinson’s symptoms have really accelerated this year – dyskinesia, loss of balance and Pd is the reason I’m not ldriving any more. Tha t is tough. The adjustment indicates my maturity or lack thereof..

James in 1:2-4, gives a clea challenge: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

I need a lot of work on this. How about you? You may not stutter or have PD, but all have some adversity. How is your maturity level?

Where is Olaf

2011-07-01T03:47:00.000-06:00

My special friend Big John V.rousted me out of blog doldrums with the following "poetry." (Olaf is my middle name.)

"Sometimes I feel like a spiritual log

Then I am challenged by one of Olaf’s blogs

But, alas, I am afraid the man has forgotten his friend
And been shoveling on flowers what comes out of the horse’s back end

What am I going to do…where am I going to go?
If Olaf does not get his blog machinery up by to the farming saying “No”

I guess I will be out here in the dry and thirsty land
Simply looking alone to Jesus the very best that I can

It is not easy when entire sanctification keeps alluding my soul
And without the challenge of Burwick’s blog my heart is as black as coal

So, come on Farmer Olaf put down the shovel and then forget the manure
Let’s get some blogging done and see if you can find a word to rhyme with manure"

All right, already, Big John. I'll get back with it.

Gain Through Loss?

2011-06-14T04:37:00.000-06:00

Not written for a while. Busy moving four storage units into our new house. Getting the landscaping going. But even more significant, wrestling with the concept of the title of this blog... gain - through - loss. What is the gain of losing my ability to drive? And all the other losses mentioned in the last posting, Life is over as I saw it. It's a new stage of life. The uncertainty of it at times is overwhelming. My only anchor is faith in God's promises. though at times shakey, holds.

Possibly an answer was provided by my daughter Gretchen, who was here for the weekend. She handed me a book by Andrew Murray, saying with tongue in cheek, "Dad, you need this." The title of the book?
Humility. There is a whole lot of that develolping...much more needed.

So, after more prayer and pondering, I'll be back. What gain through all the loss?

Tired part 2

2011-06-03T09:57:00.000-06:00

The feeling of fatigue is lifting (The “I’m so tired of all the various losses – as listed in part in the last posting)” . Why? in part, I am learning and re-learning through all this emotional upheavel some key concepts.

ENTITLEMENT - I deserve.”I’ve endeavored to live a godly life.Treating people the way I’d like to be treated. Working hard. Trying to be obedient to the Master. I deserve a better outcome to the ending of my life. I had wanted to go out strong. When I don’t get what I want (lessening of pain) I get discouraged, then subtley angry at my Creator. Holding on to that anger, even unknowingly, adds emotional garbage to the fatigue. Can easily become depression.

The remedy for entitlement? The cross! “I die to the expectation of having my way. I accept the lot in life that You have ordained for me and I know that you have my best in mind. Help me build on the lot you have provided.

HEALTHY DEPENDENCY: I can do it myself. I must do it myself. I was raised in a home with parents who had been through the great depression, :”You gotta do what you gotta do to get what you want. Don’t depend on others.” That can be a worthy goal for some who tend to an uhealthy dependencey; however, being so independent that you’re cut off from others flies in the face of the Body of Christ – Christians taking care of each other…utilizing their gifts to enhance the lives of those close to them. Romans 12 instructs us: Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Loving and serving others and willing to be loved and served. Healthy dependency.

LET GO OF THE DREAMS, THE RIGHTS, TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I’VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO DO AND PLANNED TO DO.,THAT NOW IS PHYSICALY IMPOSSIBLE. That is an ongoing challenge as I try new ventures and find a road block of weakness or loss of balance preventing the activity. This “letting go” was enhanced this week as I watched a Memorial Day program revealing war wounds.that far outdistanced my wounds.

Also, recall with me Paul’s challenges in Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. My plans are puny as compared to what God may want to do with, through, or for me. Trust. Wait.

Or the challenge of 2 Corinthians 12. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it ( the thorn –disease, injury, whatever) away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

God’s power shows up best in my weakness. This could get exciting as I exchange my weakness with His strength.

And lastly, the “I’m tired of all the loss” discouragement issue is abating in part by taking life one day at a time. Daily bread. Being more aware of all I have for which to be thankful. Where do I bake it today? Who needs daily bread through me today? Who should I look to for my bread of the day?

More on this later. By the way, after 7 months of roadblocks, we began moving in to our new house this week. Yea!

Tired - Angry?

2011-05-25T04:28:00.000-06:00

Client to counsleor: “I’VE SAVED MY FAMILY SOME TURMOIL. I’VE TAKEN MY KEYS AWAY FROM MYSELF! IF THAT HAD BEEN A PERSON INSTEAD OF A TREE THAT I SIDESWIPED WHAT A HORRIBLE THOUGHT.

“But wow, the loss of freedom.Can’t just jump in the truck and go pick up rock or run an errand. I’m subject to and dependent on others’ schedules. If I live to be as old as my father was at death, that means 20 years of depending on someone else to drive me. OOPHDA

“I’M TIRED. Tired of the constant pain in foot, leg and knee. Tired of loss of balance that causes me to fall nearly daily.Tired of the dyskinesia that periodically rocks my body with constant motion. Tired of the leg spasms. And it looks like I’ll have to live with this the rest of my life. Tired of it” .

Hard-nosed Bible-beating counselor: “You’re not tired. You are angry. Mad at God because you believe that He is all powerful and could relieve you of this pain and doesn’t. You are angry because you’re not getting your way. Repent of your selfishness. Lots of people have it much worse than you.”

Client: “Pain is relative. Knowing that others have it worse than me, doesn’t help my pain. You’re just laying some guilt on me that adds to the emotional pain. And I’m not angry, just tired.”

HnBbc: “Do you think it is bad to be angry at God?” Is anger at God totally unacceptable?”

Client: “No. King David who was called a man after God’s own heart, voiced his anger. A number of the Psalms display the anger, but usually conclude with a ‘yet, I trust You God, attitude.’ I’m working on bringing my attitude into line with David’s model (which for me will be a life-long challenge.)

“By the way, this is my last visit. You may call yourself a Christian counselor, but your compassion is zip. Zilch.

Hmm! I’m wondering how many people left my counseling office with that perspective!!

Giving up Driving

2011-05-20T03:53:00.000-06:00

Giving up driving is a real challenge. If I didn't have a loving, supportive wife it would even be harder.It is also nice to have a friend who experiences "sympatheic pain" with me. A note fom John read:

In the midst of your grief over your loss of driving privileges (precipitated by a poor judgement trailer wreck) Olaf maybe my story can bring a smile to your face:

Susan and I were driving to the store about 8:30 tonight...in the rain. I was going to let her off at the front door and go do an errand and pick her up at the same spot. I was telling her about your little accident and deciding to quit driving and then she screamed..."John". At that very moment I hit the string of grocery carts that the bag boy was pushing across the cross walk into the store. He was not hurt, the carts were not hurt, Susan got out and I drove on.

But, it was at the precise moment of telling Susan about you that the Sanctified Grocery Carts got the hell beat out of them. By the way, you do know how Catholics make holy water, I presume. They take ordinary tap water and boil the hell out of it.

The nex t day his note read :
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BVD, Inc. announced today at a press conference held at the CNN offices that they are open for business. BVD guarantees they will demolish anything the customer needs to be demolished…and they will do it faster and cheaper than any competitor. Their motto is:

“Satisfaction guaranteed or double your junk back to you.”

BVD specializes in any size demolition work…they can handle everything from small trailers and riding lawn mowers to grocery store carts to your basic manure smelling barn. This is why their secondary motto is: “No order or odor is too big or too small.”

The officers of this new and growing company are R. Olaf Burwick and J. Eddie Vawter. Dr. Burwick, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “If this sanctified business grows as fast as the Nazzie preachers can spit out their words of wisdom from the pulpits of America, there is no reason for us not to have a public offering by the end of the year.” Rev. Dr. Vawter said, “I have no idea what is going on. Dr. Burwick asked me to listen to his 3-minute presentation and 15 minutes later I had to go to the bathroom so I said yes.”

Please remember for all your demolition needs big or small

Burwick Vawter Demolition is the one to call."

How blessed I am go have a friend like John.

Friendship's Support

2011-05-18T05:49:00.000-06:00

A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts who you have become and still gently invites you to grow. ~ William Shakespeare

“Support is one of the great gifts and essentials of high performance friendship. To support a friend is to serve as his foundation. It is to uphold and sustain under trial or affliction with patience and tolerance.” (Vawter and Wetherbe in their manuscript ‘Achieving High Performance Friendship.’

Wives often ask for support when they are presenting a problem to their husbands. They often don’t want the problm solved. They just want to know they are being heard and supported.

On the other hand, men, in our egocentricity, don’t feel we need sjupport… until we “crash and burn.” My first awareness of need for support came when our twin son died at birth. Many friends told us of their prayer for us or gave us a supportive type scripture. But the one who I felt supported me most was the friend who called in the evening of that fateful day simply saying,” Do you need a shoulder?”

Or Dave, when my first wife died, always tuned in to support a guy who thought he was so independent, but found himself very lonely and needy. Or John, when he heard of Ann’s death, called and said, “I’ll cancel my schedule. I’ll fly out to meet you.”

And now, a very supportive family that takes up the slack, fills the gaps as Parkinson Disease steals memory and driving.

I am definitely one blessed man.
Some questions to ask ourselves as posed by Vawter and Wetherbe:

1. Can you describe a time when a friend was a “supportive friend” to you in a manner that far exceeded your expectations? What difference did it make in your life for the moment and for the future?

2. Do your friends perceive you as a supportive friend?

3. The point has been made that genuine friends want the best for us, and help us grow. How do you rank yourself in this area? Are you a genuine friend? How can you improve?

Significance of a Friend

2011-05-16T04:42:00.000-06:00

I miss my Nampa "Band of Brothers." The enclosed picture reminded me of the significance of friendship. The letter from Gary seen in the following, is an example of a true friend who will not only encourage but "Kick Butt" when appropriate. Gary's response came as a result of my posting of a week ago.

"For someone as wise as you are, you often miss the significance of the simple! If you were dealing with anyone else handling the volume of change and chaos that has passed through your life in the last 15 months, you would counsel then to go easy. But not with yourself—you somehow expect you should rise above being mortal and take a road beyond the rest of us.

"The simple fact of growing (or gaining through loss) is that it takes time to process, to grow into the new man as Christ reveals Himself in our inner being, as we recognize what He is showing us and accept that He is leading us beyond ourselves.

" Go easy on your judgment of the value of your journey no matter the course that God leads you on."

WHAT A SPECIAL FRIEND!

Staggering Awareness

2011-05-15T06:50:00.000-06:00

5:30 a.m..I awaken with a staggering awareness. My driving days are fast coming to a close. The last comment my Parkinson’s doc had for me at my most recent visit was, “If you begin to show poor judgement in driving, it is time to strongly consider stopping.” I did last night. Wrecked a trailer carrying my riding lawn mower. Very poor judgement. Another loss chaulked up to Parkinson’s.

“Grieve the loss,” the counselor suggests. “Then, lets get on with living. You still have a lot of life to live and give.”

God says, “I’m still in control. I have your back covered. Still have your best in mind. This is a slowing down, more restful phase of life for you. Think of all I have empowered you to do in the past.. Allow me to give you a new vision and provide the wherewithal to accomplish it.”

Passages from Isaiah 30 come to my mind.

This is what the Sovereign LORD,

the Holy One of Israel, says:

“Only in returning to me

and resting in me will you be saved.

In quietness and confidence is your strength…”

So the LORD waits for you to come to him

so he can show you his love and compassion.

For the LORD is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help.

19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,

you will weep no more.

He will be gracious if you ask for help.

He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

20 Though the Lord gave you adversity for food

and suffering for drink,

he will still be with you to teach you.

You will see your teacher with your own eyes.

21 Your own ears will hear him.

Right behind you a voice will say,

“This is the way you should go,

whether to the right or to the left."

So be it, Abba PaPa.

Rabbit religion

2011-05-14T05:48:00.000-06:00

Theresa has been home from the hospital for a week. She visits the doctor three times per week for six weeks of intravaeous antibiotic treatment. Further testing has indicated no definitive diagnosis on the heart valve spot.

While celebrating her homecoming at a dinner out, she asked me this: “Is your relationship with Christ based on discipline or intimacy.” This was mid-meal. Dessert came and went. No answer,,,still don’t have one.

My discipline has waned this past year – in exercise spiritually and physically. That seems to carry over into my “feltnesss” relationship with God. I’m wondering if intimacy with God has a component of discipline.

Richard Fosters says it well in his book “Celebration of Discipline”
“What happens in (the discipline of ) meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart. We who have turned our lives over to Christ need to know how very much he longs to eat with us, to commune with us (Rev.3:20 ). He desires a perpetual Eucharistic feast in the inner santucty of the heart. The discipline of meditation opens the door, and although we are engaging in specific meditation exercises at specific times, the aim is to bring this living reality into all of life.”

I’d like to experience that communion more. Like our English angora runt of the litter rabbit. We put him in with his mother for solo drinking time. He clammers from one spiggot of mother’s milk to another with a voracious appetite.We just watch with amazement at his hustling antics to get his prize. I want that same kind of “hungering and thirsting for righteousness.” And that takes the discipline of creating an inner space for Christ to be communing with me and a drawing of the Holy Spirit.

Theresa

2011-05-03T06:50:00.000-06:00

Theresa is in the hospital...vegetation in a heart valve. It has rained record amounts here, but affecting a heart valve? :-) She has had chronic coughing up of mucous. Her doctor thought as a last resort, she should have her heart checked out. Sure enough - infected heart valve. GET RIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL, the doc said and she is going through testing now.

We are sad to miss out Idaho trip for my 50th graduation anniversary.We have some very special friends there. This might be a good time for you to get a peak into Theresa's "kitchen window." She journaled the following a couple weeks ago. With her permission:

The plane was ascending out of JFK on its way to Denver. My eyes were fixed on the little window, hoping for a glimpse of New York City. All I saw was darkness and swirling clouds. And then the coughing started. I didn’t think anything of it at first. Then I began to notice that I couldn’t really get my breath, couldn’t really get enough force to cough out whatever was stuck where it didn’t belong. As I thought about my shallow breaths, I became increasingly worried. Earth and help were fast fading below us. What does a person do when they’re five miles up in the air and can’t breathe! Only several years in my past, the mere closing of the airplane door brought waves of panic.

I was on my way to Denver, home of my son and daughter-in-law and four precious granddaughters. This would be my first visit with them since early October when Ray and I spent a couple of days there on our way to our new home in Kentucky. A lot had happened in the intervening months, and I was looking forward to a week with them.

The travel plan was for me to leave the airport about 9:20 and land in Denver about 10:40 Mountain time – a direct flight. Short and sweet; not to be. The plane had mechanical problems, causing the flight to eventually be cancelled. I was put on a flight to New York City, where I would have a 7 hour lay-over. Then off to Denver. An adventure, I thought; excellent people-watching at the airport, glimpses of the city. Nothing that day went as I thought it would. The most exciting part of being at the airport was taxiing in and seeing planes from around the world: Israel, Singapore, Ireland. I sat on a concourse with few people and CNN blaring loudly through the day.

But I had time to finish what I had begun on the plane – reading the book of Romans. I was amazed at Paul’s focus on the importance of our minds. It is the centerpiece, the control tower of our lives. How we think determines how we live. I recommitted myself to controlling my thoughts, submitting them to God’s truths rather than letting them run wild through corridors of fear and negativity. I left bathed in God’s word when we finally boarded the plane to head West.

A week before my trip, I was strongly drawn to Deuteronomy 33. I opened my Bible to it one morning and felt my eyes riveted to the page which contained these verses:

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides on the heavens to help you and through the clouds in His majesty. The Eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

As the plane continued to ascend from JFK, my battle to breathe continued. Those verses bathed my mind and I felt no panic, which was nothing short of a miracle! I finally got up from my seat thinking that I might breathe better if I were standing. I walked back to the restroom and gasped and prayed to the God Who was riding on the heavens to help me, Whose arms were under me. I didn’t get better and left that cubby hole to stand in the aisle. Three stewardesses were standing right there beginning to fix drinks. I told them that I was having trouble breathing. They sat me in a seat in the back and gave me oxygen.

Ten minutes into that routine, I knew that I was no better. My chest kept getting tighter and my breathing became more and more difficult. Finally one of the stewardesses addressed the plane full of people, asking if there were any doctors on board. In God’s providence, there were two, a husband and wife traveling home to Denver; she was an internist and he was in a fellowship in pulmonary medicine. Thank You, Jesus! Someone looked through the first aid kit on the plane and found an inhaler, and that brought the turning point. Calmed by the doctors, aided by the inhaler, I was finally able to begin to breathe normally. I sat there, now able to benefit from the oxygen, and thanked God Who, indeed, flew through the heavens to come to my aid.

I would have preferred that the breathing problems not happen, or that God would have answered my first prayer to take the problem away. But what I experienced was far more powerful. God had begun preparing me the week before, leading me to incredibly appropriate verses for this challenge. And then He gave me hours to immerse myself in Scripture that would speak to me about the need to control my thinking, to focus my mind on truth, take every thought captive. As I kept my mind fixed on the truth of God’s word, I felt those arms under me five miles up in the sky. That which I have long feared – being out of control – was reality, and God was there letting Himself be felt by me, assuring me that He was with me. And how many planes have two doctors on them, including one who is studying the very problem that was challenging me?

Yes, I prefer good health – and calm skies when I travel. But I’m also learning to embrace James’ words when he says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers [my sister Theresa], whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance much finish its work so that you can be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Personally, I prefer an easier route to maturity. But that’s not God’s way. And I’ve come to know for sure that God’s way is best.

I'm discouraged

2011-05-01T20:27:00.000-06:00

I write the following, not for sympathy, but to remind you (and me) that we have natural emotions that must be faced and processed or they become destructive. Before we can tap into the Christ-life we must face our humanness. Not sugar coat it with a Bible verse or run from it through some addiction. Here with, my recent journal entry:

I’m discouraged. Periodic severe lower back pain, probably from limping. Dyskinesia from the Parkinson’s medicine that has me bobbing ands weaving like a boxer. Slow movements. Energy drains quickly. Loss of balance causing me to fall. Constant foot pain from the nerve damage. A lot of things I can no longer do. I chased some wild turkey on our property yesterday and couldn’t perambulate the slopes. Stuttering is worsening. And more.

Oh, I know. Many people have it a lot worse. And who do I think I am to deserve better? Quit your bitchin’ Burwick

I will. Not yet. I’m not ready to let it go.The problem with that attitude is, if I allow this discouragement to linger I’ll get depressed and function even less efficiently. After wallowing in discouragement for a couple hours, I chose to follow Biblical guidelines and began to let it go.

First: The Bible tells us that God desires truth in the inner man. The Psalmist challenges us to search our hearts. Probing our minds for that which is within that is not of God. For me, I found discouragement which plays out in lack of trust in God’s sovereignty – probably a subtle anger toward Him. Lack of gratitude for what I do have – for how God has blessed me in many ways.

Second: Confession and repentance – a desire to turn from stinkin’ thinkin’to the reality of the Christ-life which has tough times but provides an empowerment to live above the natural. “God, I repent of my self centered discouragement. Thanks for your forgiveness. Empower me to internalize Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Definitely a mental shift from what I don’t have to what I do have. Which leads to the reality of the transformed life found in

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Repent of the self focus and ask for God’s power to grow.

Third:turn in my mind from self-thinking to praising God. For example bringing back to recall Psalm 34:

¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
   his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
   let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
   for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

A simple process, but oh, so difficult. My spirits lifted, to be challenged again some other day.

Intimacy

2011-04-29T05:16:00.000-06:00

A friend is one before whom I may think aloud.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Intimacy is a challenge for men in relationships but it is pivotal to achieve high performance friendships, state authors Drs. John Vawter and Jim Wetherbe in their book proposal, “Achieving High Performance Friendship.”

Though I can’t do it justice, I’d like to summarize their chapter on intimacy. Some say the lack of intimacy comes from a fear of not seeming “macho” or of seeming feminine. But what is intimacy? Simply put, it means to be close to someone or others, while isolation means the separation from someone or others. It means close enough to share your inner thoughts, feelings, dreams and fears.

The picture on the left describes to me the feeling of many men - isolation.

Dr. Kevin Meyer said, “We develop patterns of caring for and protecting ourselves—patterns that later become prisons that keep us from intimacy with Christ and others.”

Research shows a common element in those who make major blunders in life, such as former President Richard Nixon and Watergate. The common element is that they don’t have a good friend to hold them accountable and challenge their decisions

Professor Matthias Mehl, of the University of Arizona, reports that people who have deeper conversations report being the happiest. Happy people engage in about twice as many substantive conversations and engage in only about a third as much trivial small talk as the unhappiest people (Psychology Science, 2010).

Deterrents to intimacy:

1) belligerence and argumentativeness—some men simply refuse to be corrected…or, even consider they might be able to improve on something they are doing. Often times the response is belligerence and argument rather than considering what their friend says to them.
           2) always correct/subtle arrogance—some men always have to be right…regardless of the subject. When you are with someone who always has a quick answer and seems to have no interest in what others are thinking after awhile you realize there is no possibility of an                         intimate relationship with them.
          3) passive aggressive—some men are deflective and refuse to talk about anything of significance. They are very skillful at avoiding any talk that would get close to their deepest emotion or allowing anyone to get close to them.
           4) shop talk—some men men the extent of their conversations is professional or ministerial “shop talk” , activity or story. They seem incapable of talking about love for their wives or kids, their fears for the future or what is on the inside. It is hard to be
intimate with people who have such a lack of reality.

In summary, intimacy in friendship is:

- being open and vulnerable

- not hiding fears, dreams and weaknesses

- having immense trust that someone will keep private the things we share with them

The undertone of this definition has the connotation of growth, maturing and becoming more like Christ. If part of friendship at the deepest level is to help one another grow, there has to be a level of intimacy to let others make comments on our lives, as well as their letting us make comments on theirs.

Thanks to Vawter and Wetherbe for their great work.

Relationships 6

2011-04-15T02:58:00.002-06:00

Humility, honesty and respect are three attributes found in a dynamic male friendship, so postulate Vawter and Wetherbe in their manuscript “ Achieving High Performance Friendship - A Book for Men It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

“Usually the larger challenge is respectfully coaching a friend’s behavior that is not in his best interest. It takes courage, diplomacy and respect to not shy away from this responsibility in a friendship. Would we not be better served by receiving constructive criticism provided from honest friends?” (Vawter and Wetherbe)

An early marker of a good friend is that he not only respectfully acknowledges our good works but helpfully and truthfully encourages us in areas we could and should do better. Our Wednesdy morning group in Nampa, Band of Brothers, would periodically challenge me with the words “you are too hard on yourself.” At times I would agree with them because I believe some of my idealistic desires left me thinking of myself more poorly than I should.

On the other hand, I believe the more Christ-like growth the Holy Spirit works within us, the more we see that which detracts from our growth. The desire is to repudiate that destructive attitude or behavior. I believe a person can’t be too hard on himself if the focus shifts quickly from the observation of the abberent to repentance to acceptance of God’s grace.

The first step in growth is to see that which needs growth. As has been said, “A real friend will tell you when you have a booger.” What a treasure is a friend or group of guys who will lovingly with humility confront attitudes or behavior that needs change.”Thanks, Nampa Band of Brothers, for your involvement in my growth process.”

Celebration and Pain 2

2011-04-12T06:31:00.000-06:00

I never cease to be amazed by the power of the mind. I was helping my son clean out his back yard this weekend. I could do diddley squat. The slope was steep and I just couldn’t perambulate. Loving to connect with my son through work, a great saddness crept in. The loss of a connection with the guy in this world I love the most.

I had a choice: linger on the circumstances and get depressed or change my mindset. In the last post, we saw how the Philippians 4 passage shows us the healthy way to think.

1. Celebrate God for who He is and what He has done (for me).

2. Serve others.

3. Remember the big picture. Christ will return. No more pain.

In the next few verses the writer reveals even more specific mental processing.
Thus the pain of loss subsided as I brought my thoughts into captivity, beginning with praising God for all He has provided for me these 72 years.

But there was still the nerve-damaged leg and foot pain. It seems as I focus on the pain, physical and emotional, the hurting becomes more intense. Celebatng God seems to be somewhat of a “spiritual narcotic,” in that though the pain is still there, the magnitude lessens.

Second Corinthians 6:10 wraps this up this pain dilemna neatly: “Our hearts ache, yet we have the joy of the Lord.” Pain is inevitable, but I believe in the sovereignty of God and He promised to work all for my best and His glory. For that there is joy.

There can be value in pain. For me, the last six months has seen much needed character growth evolve out of the accident. Have you seen the value of your pain? How are you doing celebrating God? I hope you’ll join me in making that a more consistesnt exercise.

Celebration cures pain?

2011-04-11T05:20:00.003-06:00

As an only child for nine years, I got a headstart on self-centeredness. Stuttering came into the picture at a young age which added fuel to the self-absorption fire. Parkinsons handed me the next log for the fire (I must take my pills at certain times or there is trouble.) And five months ago, the ATV accident that shattered my tibia plateau, causing painful nerve damage – still, was the crowning blow to the “self-focus.”

Pain is relative. Everyone has some kind of pain. Many are much worse off than I. But a self focus caused by a little or by a lot of pain isn’t healthy personally or relationally.

So, I was reading in Philippians 4 yesterday and in the Message it reads:
“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”

As a good Norwegian would say, “Oophda! How do you celebrate when you’re in fairly severe pain (emotionally or physically?) Celebrate God all day, every day – no days off for pouting? Even reveling in Him? Wow! How does one do that?”

Notice the sequence here. Celebrating God for who He is and what He has done, decentralizes self. So does a selfless attitude to assisting others. The passage culminates with the reminder that Christ ‘s return is eminent – the big picture.

The significance of what we do with our thought patterns is even clearer in the next few verses.
“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

”Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

“As a man thinks, so is he.” More on this in the next post.

Relationships 5

2011-04-10T04:38:00.000-06:00

The 85-year-old Samford University English Prof, stood about 5 foot one inch. Should have been retired, but he loved the school and the students kept him young. Dr. (I’ve forgotten his name) always had a smilel on his cheery countenance.

I asked him one cloudy, rainy day why he always had a smile? He paused for just a moment and replied, “Every morning when I awaken, I make my own weather.”

His reply reminds me of weather and relationships. Proverbs 17:17a states, “Friends love through all kinds of weather.” I’ve spent most of my life being so performance oriented that relationships took a back seat. Now that the four-wheeler accident has caused a limited activity, I’m appreciating even more clearly the significance of friends.

That Wednesdeay morning men’s group in Nampa hung with each other through all kinds of “weather”. Even though we are separated by 2500 miles, my thoughts often return to that special group of guys. “S… you’re still a friend champ.”

Or Mark, part of a three-man set of years ago, Through a 2-year stint on the mission field and now living in California, he and his wife have become such special friends to the “cain-tucky hill billies,” Ray and Theresa..

Or John, when he heard that Ann, my first wife, died unexpectadly, immediately got on the phone and said, “I’ll get on the next plane possible, if you need me.”

Or Jerry, my college roomie of 50 years ago. Being that both of us are of Scandinavian blood, less talk, more actioin – but great fellowship.

Or Dr. Wayne, who helped me get started in my Birmingham counseling practice.

Or Gary, my long distance friend who is so encouraging. I could go on and on. I’ve been so blessed with special friends.

Then there is D… He couldn’t weather the storm. A cruel, false rumor about me was believed by him and he turned from being the most selfless, atetntive friend before and after Ann’s death, to one who won’t communicate with me. I think that is called a “fair weather friend.”

Just going through this writing exercize has reminded me of how blessed I am. May I suggest the same exercize for you?

relationships 4

2011-04-07T01:10:00.000-06:00

“A good litmus test of a friendship is the ability to provide caring, well-intended feedback and the ability to receive caring, well-intended feedback.” (Vawter and Wetherbe) No one has reached a stage of Christian perfection. To have a friend who will lovingly and encouragingly confront us with a fleshly weakness that we may or may not be aware of is a rare treasure. If our definitive goal in life is to become”conformed to the image of Christ” we must ask ourselves, “do my friendships lead me to or away from my life’s goal? Does my friend help me grow to be more Christ like or does he/she hinder me?

Relationships 3

2011-04-06T07:15:00.002-06:00

A true friend is the most precious of all possessions and the one we take the least thought about acquiring. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Before we left Nampa, Idaho, my passion was men's small groups.

Monday 7 a.m., 12-16 men - mostly Bible study, a little prayer. Great group of mostly retired guys wanting more of the Lord. Minimal self disclosure.

Monday 10 a.m. "quarterback club" atmosphere,15ish guys solving the world's problems in Nampa. No self disclosure, just a fun group of men.

Tuesday 6:30 a.m. Carrim teaching very effectively from Scripture, whetting our appetites for more of the Lord in our lives.

Wednesday 7 a.m. Fairly tightly knit group of 5 who did life together. Praying for each other. Carrying burdens with each other. Challenging each other. S, M, T and G, I sure miss you guys.

Then there were usually two or three groups that Theresa and I were involved with... firmly believing that "church" happens in small groups. Out of these groups have developed some deep, wonderful friendships.

Vawter and Wetherbe challenge us to choose friends wisely. "We are well served by positive friendships and, as we mature, we learn to discern those that are not positive. Sometimes that results in painfully having to choose to end a friendship that is not positive while taking care to cherish those friendships that inspire us to be better. And we contend that those “friends” who would try to shape us by subtle peer pressure should be left behind. At the same time, we are not best served by only choosing friends that think like we do. Friends who think alike can fall into what can be a dysfunctional dynamic called group think."

Devleoping Male Relationships - 2

2011-04-04T04:05:00.002-06:00

A lady describes her husband:"he has retired from a company that he built and owned—a company that is worth over a billion dollars. He does not have any friends. He has a couple of friends that are committed to him but he is committed to no one. Thus, at 78 he is a lonely old man...absolutely alone. Imagine…all that financial success, a 300 foot long yacht and being absolutely alone." (Vawter and Wetherbe)

“The worst solitude is to be destitute of sincere friendship” Bacon
In the proposed book, "Achieving High Performance Friendship" Vawter and Wetherbe describe , a friendship is high performance if both friends:
- are pleased with the opportunity to provide a selfless act on behalf of the other
- feel comfortable sharing inner-most thoughts, yet each respect the other’s private thoughts
- trust the other with that which they hold dear
- support the other when they fail or err and forgiveness is readily granted
- appreciate and accept heartfelt constructive criticism
- truly celebrate the other’s success without jealousy or envy
- sustain the relationship in spite of distance or time
- do not make disparaging remarks about the other

You got any friends that "qualify" for high performance relationship?

2011-04-01T20:39:00.000-06:00

Male relationships: that’s what I miss the most in our move to Kentucky from Idaho. Oh, I could list much more and many people, male and female, but there is nothing (except a great marital relationship) that compares to a small group of men meeting weekly. really getting in to each other’s lives. Praying for, encouraging each other, challenging world views, and helping carry each other’s burdens. I miss many of the groups I was in, but that Wednesday morning group of 5 achieved a deep level of emotional/spiritual intimacy that was so rewarding. I miss you guys.

My dear friend, John Vawter, is co-authoring a book on male relationships. He has given me permission to use some of his material for my blog. The introduction to the book begins with: “Men commonly experience life without deep meaning friendships. The aim of this book is to help men achieve high performance friendship. We consider high performance friendship to include respect, selflessness, intimacy, trust, support, and heartfelt constructive criticism void of jealousy and disparagement. Striving to develop high performance friendships is a powerful enhancement to our lives.”

I’m so excited about his book, co-authored with Jim Wetherbe, that as they find a publisher, it will be used as a great study guide for men' s groups. Drs. Vawter and Whetherbe state, "There doesn’t seem to be much self-reflection or introspection for many men. They rush from activity to activity but they do not look inside themselves. In the high-tech knowledge economy we live in, much time is required just to keep up with our daily work demands, and therefore many of us hope we will be able to retire before we become obsolete and can no longer keep up!"

The next posts will continue in this theme. Hopefully I can figure how I lost the ability to paragraph and fix it.

2011-03-29T04:35:00.005-06:00

Why were you born? What is your purpose? Do you have a cause? Been reading Matthew Barnett's book "The Cause Within You - finding the one great thing you were created to do in this world. Barnett is the founder of Los Angeles Dream Center - a ministry involving 200 forms of need-centered outreach.

Barnett says, "When you discover and commit to your personal cause, you'll find that God is right there beside you - ready and willing to partner with you in amazing ways."

My cause began as a college basketball coach endeavoring to help young men in character growth. My second career was private practice counseling - helping the wounded heal and providing direction for the lost. What a rewarding cause! Seeing people become free from all sorts of bondage.

Then came retirement - unwanted! I floundered. There was no formal vehicle for a cause. I reminded God of the Proverb that states, "without a vision the people perish," and that I was fresh out of vision - a cause. The ensuing years found me hearing these words - I believe from God: "Just love on and encourage people." NO excitement of winning a basketball game. NO accolades from wounded that have been set free. Just love on and encourage others. That is my cause.

What is yours? Not sure? Barnet says that the simple act of serving people faciliates God's cause within you. "If you have never known your cause, serving flushes it out. If you have been pursuing a cause but life crushed it, serving has the ower to rekindle that flame of passion."

Got a cause?

Comfort vs. Obedience

2011-03-28T03:51:00.004-06:00

Went to bed last night with this challenge on my mind: “Would you rather be comfortable or be obedient?” It has been a periodic question when plans were hitting a snag or roadblock since we left a very comfortable situation in Idaho. It was a question I believe God asked us before we made the move. To leave a very loving, caring body of friends and a wonderful pastor and church and much much more didn’t seem reasonable, especially at my age (71). Sensing it was God directing us to make the move, it was “obedience over comfort.” Then the roadblocks: the 4-wheeler accident that is still debilitatinng after nearly 5 months. The tussle with County Zoning to build a house on 10 of 54 acres. Some significant illness, in part stress related. Plus, greater s-s-speech and mobility challenges – all have contributed to some dark times. Anyone looking in from the outside would question our sanity about making the move. And it was again by a significant person. Thus, last night’s “do you want to be comfortable or be obedient” question – round umpteen. I was reminded by one of my favorate devotional writers, Os Hillman, about the value of “darkness.” He quotes Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." “What we perceive as dark periods in our lives are designed to be treasures from God. They are actually riches stored in secret places. We cannot see those times in this light because of the often-accompanying pain or fear that prevents us from accepting these times as treasures. They have a particular purpose from God's viewpoint: "...so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name." “You see, unless we are cast into times in which we are completely at God's mercy for breakthroughs in our lives, we will never experience God's faithfulness in those areas. We will never know how personal He is, or that He can be trusted to meet the deepest needs in our lives. God wants each of us to know that we are "summoned by name." Every hair of our head is numbered. He knows every activity we are involved in. His love for you and me knows no bounds, and He will take every opportunity to demonstrate this to us.” Treasures we’ve seen thus far, are significant personal growth, some deep inner healing, and the joy of being close to part of our family. Did we make a mistake? At times it feels like it. But we don’t operate on feelings. WE believed it was God’s calling: love on and encourage your children and grandchildren. Obedience over comfort.

Significance of a leg

2011-03-26T04:31:00.002-06:00

Two people rattled my cage to get back to posting . My special Montana friend Gary wrote: I am concerned that what with the digging of foundations, depth of hole, you balance issues, you may have fell off the face of the Earth or maybe face into the earth.

The other rattler was Anthony Robles, a 125 pound wrestler from Arizona State who won his weight division for a national championship. He was born with one leg. “Mom told me God made me this way for a reason.” He plans to become a motivational speaker.

I’m still adjusting to doing less amount of physical work because of the extensive nerve damage and loss of strength in my leg. At times I’m saddened by the loss because I love to work – to create with my hands, laying stone or carving diamond willow or creating stuff out of barnwood. Then I see Anthony Robles. WAKE-UP CALL. Be thankaful for what you’ve had in the past, Burwick, and enjoy the present. Tempted to think what I can’t do. Buying into that leads to frustration and depression.

Learning to accept my production restrictions, when it has always played a significant role in self perception is an ongoing challenge. I get caught up in the exuberance of being outside in this beautiful spring weather, creating a stone mail box or laying a floor in our daughters house, that I don’t realize what is happening to my legs until the night and following day. AS we Norwegians say, “I come too late, too smart.”

So the learning to “give thanks in all things” and “rejoice evermore,” is a definite work in progress.

Thanks GAry for the gentle prodding.

We are Approved

2011-03-12T05:58:00.004-07:00

Yea! We've been approved to put a house on our property. What a hassel, but lessons learned, growth realized, relationships enhanced. I'm not as excited as Coach Hillsy from NNU, pictured here at his last coaching victory, because as many road blocks as we've experienced, there could be a final. Besides, jumping up and clicking my heels while hanging on to my walker would look rather funny.

Thank you to those who have been praying for the changing of the heart of the county zoning crew.

Stuttering Experiment Results

2011-03-10T05:35:00.007-07:00

Wow! What a challenging test. I wrote in yesterday’s post about a connection between Isaiah 57:19 and Philippians 4:8 addressing my stuttering: "I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise" and ... “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

It was my objective to not only think them, but also speak them. Being more careful of the verbiage content, endeavoring to follow this Philippians guide for the day.

The test began with a new sleeping pill that back-fired. Besides triggering a halucination that scared the daylights out of me, the pill didn’t produce sleep til a few hours after taken. Then I fought grogginess for a couple hours.

My injured leg was acting up in a different way, that prompted the little voice in the closet to say: “amputation.” Other inconvienences reminded me of my challenge for the day. “Fix your thoughts and speech on what is true….

The experiement didn’t impact my stuttering, but it was a good reminder of the mental / emotional health that kind of thinking and speaking produces. It reminded me that thoughts can be controlled even when the circumstances can dictate otherwise. I will continue.

And Gary’s encouraging note was so helpful:
Ray,
My prayer for you today is that you think, believe and speak the Words of God at all times, that you have the confidence of what He would say in all situations, that your speech would build up in Him, that you would believe the truth in all things, that all would glorify God, that you may see and hear what God will do through His Word flowing out of His heart in you.

I am so blessed to have Gary as an encouraging friend. That will remain in my email post and be my prayer mantra.

Stuttering Experiment

2011-03-09T02:46:00.003-07:00

God through the writer of Isaiah continues to inspire, challenge and encourage me.

Stuttering has really taken off and at times have to spell a word cuz I can’t say it. Thus this morning Isaiah 57:19 Amp leaped off the page at me. "Peace, peace, to him who is far off [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near! says the Lord; I create the fruit of his lips, and I will heal him [make his lips blossom anew with speech in thankful praise] "

“You are stretching that one, Burwick, if you are interpreting that to mean God will heal you,” one may say. Well, I may be, but here is my take on it. God could give me fluent speech immediately, if He chose – if not here, for sure in heaven. I believe He is telling me to apply Phillipians 4:8 to my speaking. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Not only think them, but speak them. Be more careful of the verbage content. I’m going to endeavor to follow this Philippians guide for today and I’ll see what happens. Let you know tomorrow.

Fear / Insecurity

2011-03-07T05:30:00.003-07:00

Loss can significantly reveal how a person views him(her) self. Everyone carries at least a smidgen of insecurity / fear. I know I’m the “chiefest of sinners,” however the loss of my mobility and strength certainly has triggered the “what ifs” and “what will I’s”.

So, when God through Isaiah spoke again to me this morning, addressing the subject of fear/insecurity, I was so grateful. It reminds me again of the importance of being in the Bible consistently.

Listen in to God’s monologue with me an hour ago from Isaiah chapter 46.

3 “Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age. (That is me.)
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.

Some may say, “That was written to the Jews of that day. It doesn’t necessarily apply to you in the present.” I do believe we can’t arbitrarily pick a passage and claim that personally. However, as you examine Scripture in totality, God wants to give good gifts to His children. He wants to bless us and wants us to be a blessing. His blessing to me this morning was found in Isaiah 46, which supports my favorate passage:

Romans 15:13 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2011-03-06T19:03:00.003-07:00

I don’t mind stopping and asking for directions. It is important to me to know where I am going – especially if I’m lost. That has happened a few times in our new Northern Kentucky travels where the topography is marked by hilly and curvy back roads.

Since leaving Nampa, I’ve been asking God for directions. Where are Theresa and I headed? The plans to love on and encourage our kids and grandkids was thwarted by my accident November 15. After nearly 5 months, I’m getting around somewhat to be with my son’s children. Began driving the car again last week! Yea!!

Plans for building our house have been frustrated, first by a set of plans that projected the cost of construction to be $169,000 that turned out to be in the $400’s; and by the zoning commission that nixed a plan that was a gorgeous building.

It is kind of like flying into Chicago – a long holding pattern. “God, I like to do things. Have an objective in mind. Where am I headed? Can’t do the things I had planned, Build a barn. Do rock work. Leg pain is too severe. (Though it is much better.)

Then this morning in my meditation time with God, I read Isaiah 45. It was like He had drawn me to His side, put His arm around me and said: “I will go before you, Cyrus, (Ray) and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God.

I am the LORD, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things.”

Still don’t know where I am headed, but one of the benefits of staying in the Word is to place oneself in a position to hear from Him. I needed that communication from Him today. Hidden treasure in darkness. Patience, Ray

Prayer and Community

2011-03-03T17:53:00.003-07:00

Without silence the Spirit will die in us and the creative energy of our life will float away and leave us alone, cold and tired. Without silence we will lose our center and become victims of the many who constantly demand our attention.

Although the disciplne of solitude asks us to set aside time and space, what finally matters is that our hearts become like quiet cells where God can dwell, where ever we go and whatever we do. The more we train ourselves to spend time with God and God alone, the more we will discover that God is with us at all times and in all places. Then we will be able to recognize God even in the midst of a busy and active life.

IN solitude fear and anger can slowly be unmasked …they can lose their power in the embrace of God’s love. Solitude is a place of conversion… converted from people who want to show each other what we have and what we can do into people who raise our open and empty hands to God in the recogntion that all we are is a free gift from God.

Thus, in solitude we encounter not only God but also our true self. In fact, it is precisely in the light of God ‘s presence that we can see who we really are.

Solitude without community leads us to loneliness and despair, but community without solitude hurls us into a void of words and feelings. Solitude is essential to community life because in solitude we grow closer to each other. When we pray alone, study, read, write or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we intereact with each other directly, we are in fact particpaing fully in the growth of community.

Those who live prayerfully are constantly ready to receive the breath of God and to let their lives be renewed and expanded. Those who never pray, on the contrary, are like children with asthma: because they are short of breath, the whole world shrivels up before them.

Prayer continued

2011-03-02T17:12:00.003-07:00

No direct answer to yesterday's prayer ... yet. Continuing the topic of prayer, I don't recall if I shared with you some notes I took from Henri Nouwen's "The Only Necessary Thing – Living a Prayerful Life."

Prayer is the act of dying to all that we consider to be our own and of being born to a new experience which is not of this world. Prayer is a death to the world so that we can live for God.

The great mystery of prayer is that even now it leads us into a new heaven and a new earth and thus is an anticipation of life in the divine kingdom.

Loneliness to solitude. All people are alone. No one in the world is like me. I’m alone. Out of the aloneness comes either loneliness or solitude. Alonenes can be seen as a wound. It hurts and is one of the greatest sources of suffering today. However aloneness can be a gift. In our aloneness we can discover solitude when God tells us how deeply He loves us. Aloneness reveals to us an inner emptiness that can be misunderstood and be destructive or filled with promises for those who can tolerate the pain. When alone with no distractions the chaos can be so disturbing we get busy again.

Plan 5-10 minutes per day to begin. It may feel like wasted time bombarded by a mirade of thoughts and feelings. The discipline of solitude allows us to gradually come in touch with the presence of God in our lives…leading to joy and peace.

In solitude I get rid of my scaffolding: no friend to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend, no music to enterain, no books to distract, just me – naked vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken – nothing. It is this nothingness that I have to face in my solitude, a nothingness so dreadul that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions to that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something.

But that is not all. As soon as I decide to stay in my solitude, confusing ideas, disturbing images, wild fantasies and wierd associations jump about in my mind like monkeys in a banana tree. Anger and greed begin to show their ugly faces… Thus I try again to run from the dark abyss of my nothingness and restore my false self in all its vainglory. The task is to persevere in my soliude to stay in my cell until all my seductive visitors get tired of pounding on my door and leave me alone… The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unnconditinnally to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Time

2011-03-01T04:39:00.003-07:00

Would you join me in my prayer time this morning?

“Father, is it possible to be exhausted and grateful at the same time? I have so much for which to be grateful. But I’m bushed trying to find where you want us to live. OH, we have the 10 acres right beside our daughter’s 45 that is just gorgeous. But we need a building.

“Plans were to build what I thought was my dream home – advertised cost to build: $!69000 (stick built). Bids came in from $375 to 500,000. That was hard to give up. So we checked other builders and other options. Building in Northern Kentucky seemed out of reach.Then we saw what we thought was a modular home that we fell in love with. 2500 square feet. Turned down at the last minute by the county. Not enough road frontage for a mobile home.Makes no sense. 10 acres and can’t put the building on it we want.

“Options, Father, seem to be apply for a variance, which would take 6 to 8 weeks and who knows if it will be accepted. Or, start all over and keep looking. What are we missing? Or is this just time for buildng forbearance, patience? Learning to trust You, Abba Papa, even in exhaustion?
Guide our steps today."

Thanks for praying with us.

Gratitude again

2011-02-26T15:41:00.002-07:00

"Truly grateful people can’t be stopped. They bubble and overflow, refreshing others. Their habitual gratitude serves as a springboard to give a reason for the bouyant hope bouncing within them. They attract those who are stuck in the cares of this world, and woo them to the eternal Good," Vaughn

Ungratefulness can become a heart-hardening habit. First comes complaining, then resentment, then feeling victimized or entitled to things that we’re just not getting. This can lead to a mindset of covetousness that opens the floodgates to all kinds of sin.

Obstacles blocking a grateful spirit:
1. Lack of intimacy with God. Not experiencing His grace, mercy and forgiveness.
2. Carrying guilt from unrepented sin.
3. Self and circumstances focus rather than a God focus.

4. Pride / entitlement. The world owes me.

The biggest obstacle to gratitude is refusing to admit that apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
So how do we slough off pride and all those layers of sin and self-sufficiency that block us from thanking and praising God? We can’t. We need to be stripped by ANOTHER.

Cooperation with God as we face adversities, sounding something like: "God, I don't like what you are allowing into my life at the present but I trust you that out of this situation will come good."

Vaughn suggest four things that we an do to practice the presence of gratitude.
1. Remember. 2. Forget. 3.Look up to God. 4. look around to His people.
Remember our deliverance. Our deliverer. Tools to help us remember: journaling, stones of remembrance, jewelry, photos, music, eucharist (means to be thankful), smell. The more senses that are involved, the more fully the memory is encoded in our brains.
2. Forget: our sins, our shame, our successes. We get lost in cheap snares and doubts when we look to ourselves, preoccupied by our sin, our shame, our success as if it were all about us.
3. Look up to the grandeur of God. – even in tragedy.
4. Look around and connect with the fellowship of friends. Satan wants us isolated so he can gain footholds.

Gratitude is like getting accustomed to seeing in the dark. When entering a dark room, sight is very limited. As the eyes take on the changes to view in the dark, sight becomes more of a reality. Same with gratitude. The more I thank, the more I see for which to be thankful.

"Gratitude unleashes the freedom to live content in the moment, rather than being anxious about the future or regretting the past."

Gratitude

2011-02-25T19:20:00.004-07:00

Gratitude. Developing a thankful spirit. If there is a common trait that I find in successful people - who are at peace with themselves and the world - it would be one with a contagious grateful spirit.

Ellen Vaughn's book "Radical Gratitude," is a writing that I need to revisit periodically. The book is material that supports Scriptures:
Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And,
1 Thes.5: 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Col.4: 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Phil.4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Gratitude comes easier when all is going our way. But there are times of adversity when the natural response is anything but gratitude. We've had our challenges since we left Idaho five months ago. The latest being a phone call today from the county's planning and zoning office. "Your driveway is not long enough to establish a mobile home. You can't proceed with your plan."

First of all, I thought our building was a modular home (which would be acceptable). By the county's definition, our 2500 square foot triple-wide is a mobile home. This comes after we had to hire a lawyer to persuade the county that we could place a home on the property.

We've had ample opportunities these past five months to practice "giving thanks" in adversity, so it was interesting to watch my response to the verdict. "Lord, I'm grateful that I can trust You to work all this out, for our good and Your glory."

"It’s incredible," Ellen Vaughn states, "The small, compliant human action of saying “thank you” constantly links us to the awesome Creator of the universe. In the practice of perceiving every part of every day as a gift from Him, we stay connected to Christ. The conversations of a continually grateful heart become a way of life, a fountain flowing in us, the means by which we acknowledge our dependence on Christ; enjoy Him lavishly, and run to do whatever He wants."

More "gratitude" in the next post.

God, are you Listening?

2011-02-17T05:00:00.003-07:00

Taking a break from posts "living in community."

Do you ever feel or think that God isn’t listening? Or, if He is listening, the answer is usually “no” to whatever you request? The Bible is replete with promises like the following.
Matthew 7:7-11 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Doesn’t this sound like if you ask and seek and knock you will receive, find an open door. Many

such promises are listed in Scripture. The basic theme: ask in faith and you will receive.
I’ve asked God for what seemed legitimate things He could do to demonstrate His power with and for me – “for the world to see.” More times than not He seemingly wasn’t listening or was saying “no” to “giving me good gifts for the asking.” Has that ever been your experience?

What is your response? For many years I was cynical. I believed in God. In prayer. But my attitude was, “Don’t ask for anything and you won’t be disappointed.”

I’ve changed that mind set. I don’t want to be cynical. Don’t want to be mad at God for not answering my prayers – healing for stuttering; healing for Parkinson’s Disease; rejuvenation of the nerves in my leg so I won’t need a wheel chair or walker.

I was recently talking to God about this and it seemed like He said to me: “Ray, I’m not intereseted in your comfort; I’m wanting you to become more like Christ (Romans 8:29). That doesn’t come from being comfortable. It comes from the kind of response you have to these things you’re asking me to do when I don’t cooperate. Yes, let your requests be made known (Philipppians 4:6-7). But trust me to do what is best regarding that request.”

Because I’ve walked with God most of my 71 years and can look back and see how He has worked “everything to my good” because of His grace and because I’m wanting to follow Him, it is easier to yield to His direction.

Does God play baseball? If so, He has to be a pitcher. He threw me a curve ball that was totally unexpected. AS a young man, beginning my career, He and I had a “come to Jesus meetin’” regarding stuttering. I felt He said He’d heal the causes of my stuttering. For 40 plus years He slowly performed that work. Fluency increased - until four years ago. It has been down hill since, so that now there are times I just get stuck and can’t get a word out.

“How did you handle that?” you may be asking. Not very Biblically. I was madder ‘n hell at God for what I saw as a renig on his part. I wallowed in that anger and self pity for a lengthy time. In God’s grace and goodness, He seemed to say,
“You’re angry and that is okay, except you’ve carried it too long and it will cripple you and stifle our fellowship. I will be giving you something better than the healing of stuttering. Trust me.”

I can’t imagine what that would be. All I know is that the demise in fluency ocurred when I changed Parkinson’s medication. I found that some research indicates that Parkinson’s is too little dopamine in the brain and stuttering involves too much dopamine. Is God’s power stifled by my bio-chemical process? I don’t think so. God speaks in Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

I am curious though. What has God got planned that is better than healing of stuttering …. Besides the obvious “de-priding”. Or establishing the greater dependency on Him to do greater things than I can do in my own strength. What is He up to? Though seemingly silent, He is more concerned with my growth in Christlikeness than in my comfort of fluent speech.

But it is that curve ball! So be it, Abba PaPa.

Personal and Group standard

2011-02-11T23:50:00.002-07:00

My wife, Theresa, was just having her quiet time with God and she exclaimed, “Hey Ray, the close of 1 Thessalonians would be great for community living.” So I turned from reading Proverb 11 to 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28 and found what could be a perfect challenge to those living in community. I’ll extract the main concepts hopefully to encourage you to study the passage for yourself.

For the benefit of the group;
“… encourage, build each other up;
recognize and appreciate your leaders,
live peacefully;
warn those who are lazy;
encourage those who are timid;
Take tender care of those who are weak;
Be patient with everyone.

For the benefit of the individual – growth.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful.
Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances,

Ingredients of successful community living in a nutshell…personally and corporately. Measure youself and your group by these standards, I've got a ways to go in being thankful in all circumstances.

Montana Gary's Insight

2011-02-09T07:44:00.003-07:00

Montana Gary sent me a very interesting email that I thought you all would appreciate regarding living in community.

“In my devotional reading (through the Bible chronologically this year), I am struck by two factors so obvious as to be overlooked.

1. God always starts with a man, gives him a vision, gives him a mission, expands his influence, builds a community of people to Himself. Whether Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, each one has an encounter with God, a developing relationship with God, over a period of time takes that relationship to extended family, leads those in his influence closer to God, and is noted as a man of faith. To protect from untimely knowledge from a source other than God to what God wanted to create among mankind to the saving of many lives, God always begins with the one and moves to the many through him.

2. God always gives guidelines for community. As the Bible history of man unfolds, God is consistently passing to man guidelines both for living with Him and living in community. It is inescapable that from Eden on, God tries to establish relationships both with man and between men. Guidelines for relating to God, guidelines for living in community before God. Think of the guidelines given Adam, to Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and then Moses—these all promote community with God and with man. The commands of Exodus and ordinances of Leviticus promote relationship with God, rightness between men, and the general welfare and order before God.
I have appreciated this series and the broadness of your perspective from the Word and writers of bygone days. You encourage my soul and spirit to go deeper and I thank you for that prodding.”

How blessed I am to have a friend like Gary.

Dominican - 2

2011-02-08T07:28:00.003-07:00

In our series of living in community, we viewed The Dominican cloistered community yesterday and will wrap up that model today. This is certainly not an exhaustive presentation of them. WE can learn from this model in that focus is so dramatic and consistent that the bonds of that community are very strong. Something that our family units can benefit by.

The work of the Dominican Nun is one thing. This lifelong, love-filled job begun in the novitiate and continued from the moment of final vows until death, is one thing only—to be clothed, mind, heart and soul with Christ her Love; to do His Will and allow Him to do His Will in her and through her for the good of souls. Her principal tool is her Vow of Obedience; her love is that hand that wields it.

“For me, to live is Christ—to show forth daily in charity and humility His own earthly round of prayer, labor, obedience unto death. This is not to be abject and weak; it is to be subject and strong, as He was subject to His own creatures.

“To live is Christ. To live His selfless, sacrificial life to the hilt, the only way in which it can be lived; to give Him room to live in me as He wishes, without opposing or obstructing His plan; to make His plan—which is the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls—my own one plan, and to live out my life for that same end for which He in His turn was consumed, even to death on a cross.
“This is to be strong and tranquil, to possess true joy—not passing pleasure, but full and lasting joy, because it is His and it is He.

“Here is the key to an understanding of my Dominican way of life; to live is Christ. And if a moment is ever reached in which it ceases to be Christ and narrows down to self, then from that moment it ceases to be a life at all; it becomes a rather pointless existence.

“Whoever lives with me has God as his possession!” These striking words of St. Augustine sum up the heart of one of the essential monastic observances of Dominican life-fraternal life in communion, striving to be of one mind and heart in God. This communion is possible only when it finds its source at the heart of Trinitarian communion.

“We have not arrived at heaven, we are still on the way, and because each one of us brings to the monastery the frailty of our personal wounds and sins such a life of communion is not easy. It calls for reconciliation when we have offended each other. It asks us to be patient with each other in our failures and weaknesses. It demands that we live the Gospel imperative to “love one another as I have loved you.”

“This dynamic life of love is for the world a witness to the reconciliation of all things in Christ preached by our brethren. In this way, a Dominican monastery becomes a holy preaching-”a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.”

Our next post on "living in community" will be succint thoughts by Montana Gary, that you will emjoy and be inspired byl.

Dominican cloistered monastic community.

2011-02-07T01:37:00.004-07:00

Possibly one of the more structured “living in community” situations is demonstrated by the Dominican cloistered monastic community. I thought you might find it interesting to peek into their “kitchen window” for the next 3-4 posts.

The Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey are a Roman Catholic cloistered monastic community. Primary mission is to pray for the salvation of souls, and to support the preaching mission of the Dominican friars.

They follow the Rule of Saint Augustine in “oneness of mind and heart” while leading a hidden life of Eucharistic prayer, adoration, thanksgiving, and intercession which proclaims Jesus Christ to the world.

What is a Dominican Nun? Like all contemplatives, their specific mission is unceasing prayer for the entire Church, a spiritual service in the form of praise, adoration, intercession, expiation and thanksgiving. By profession, they are wholly consecrated to the Church and are called to the task of spreading the Kingdom of God in the world, using only the means of prayer and penance. “We hold in our hearts the sufferings and anguish of all, and are a sign to believers and unbelievers alike of the existence and presence of God, affirming the transcendent values of the life to come. By our hidden life we proclaim prophetically that in Christ alone is true happiness to be found, here by grace and afterwards in glory.”

“Our life is apostolic and universal in scope, consisting, according to the Dominican ideal, in giving to others the fruits of contemplation: “contemplare aliis tradere.” Yet, the ultimate end of the Dominican contemplative nun is to live by God alone and for God alone, while it embraces our personal sanctification and the apostolate, nevertheless transcends them both. It is transformation into Christ through Love.”

Let a Dominican nun explain. .”My home is a monastery atop a hill in suburban New Jersey. I would like to tell something about my way of life. But in order to see the heart of it, to feel its breath, and to grasp the spirit that animates it, you must know at the outset that this cloistered Dominican life—my life—is not so much a thing as it is a Person; is not something but rather Someone. For me to live is Christ.

“Christ—His love and that of souls—is its beginning. Christ—His work, the constant accomplishment of the Father’s will—is its substance. Christ—His example and the Rule inspired by Him—is its model. Christ;—He Himself;—is its goal, both for me—the silent “Sister Preacheress” and for each soul for whom He has drawn me here.”

GOODBY DIETRICH 4

2011-02-04T01:48:00.005-07:00

For those of you who have been praying for the county zoning board to approve our 10 acre plot upon which to build - It has been approved! YEA

Our last exposure to Dietrich Bonhoeffer takes off from last post’s COMMUNITY morning schedule. Much more could be said by and about him. I commend to you his book from which these 4 posts have been taken. Life Together

From the morning regimen, it is off to work.
Psa.104:23 Then people go off to their work, where they labor until evening.
And how to work? Col. 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

The workday – then the evening prayer. It has a special place for forgiveness. Ephesians 4:26. Don’t let the sun go down while still angry. Reconciliation for the day’s troublesome times, especially conflicts within the community.

We are implementing this exercise in our community of 5 grandchildren, two parents and us 2 prime-timers with productive results. Toward the end of the meal: “okay guys, any need for reconciliation?” Silence! No one wants to squeal on another. Prime the pump. “What about that time today when ….” And discussion begins. Hopefully it ends with, “Will you forgive me for…?” Reconciliation! It will be interesting when two adults enter the exercise. Haven’t needed to yet.
Prayer time closes with asking God for protection during the night.

Final thoughts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
THE DAY ALONE
“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community Let him who is not in community beware of being alone.

“The mark of solitude is silence, Right speech comes out of silence and right silence comes out of speech. Silence is nothing else but waiting for God’s word and coming from God’s word with a blessing.

“Meditation: we read God’s word as Gods’ word for us.

“Prayer: means nothing else but the readiness and willingness to receive and appropriate the Word, and, what is more. To accept it in one’s personal situation

“Intercession: A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its people.

Bonhoeffer on Community - 3

2011-02-03T00:31:00.004-07:00

Continuing our Dietrick Bonhoeffer perspective on community living, he suggests a daily group schedule which could be as meaningful to a two generational family as it is to a large living in community.

It begins with Morning activity: come together early for common praise (including songs, common hearing of the Word and common prayer. “Morning belongs to the group, not the individual." according to Bonhoeffer.

May I be so bold as to differ with the community guru? I need to begin the day with a God focus for my particular station in life. Study and memorizing Scripture don’t seem to happen if the execise is not done first thing in the morning. I'm better prepared for the day and for the group if I've first spent some intimacy time with Abba PaPa.

Scriptures that enforce the significance or morning time with God:

Ps. 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly
Ps.57:7-8 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.

Lam.3:23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Notice the pronouns are personal. “my voice…I bring… my heart.. I can sing… I will wake. No mention of group -“we” or “us.” So Dietrich, this Ken-tuckee heeal billee has a differing opinion. Meet with God individually. Then group.

Scripture reminds us that men of God rose early to seek God and carry out His commands: Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Joshua. So also with Christ (Mark 1:35)

Bonhoeffer addresses prayer: "Psalms teaches us what prayer means: 1 prayer means praying according to the Word of God. 2 What we should pray. 3. pray as a fellowship, selflessly.
The more deeply we grow into the psalms and the more often we pray them as our own, the more simple and rich will our prayer become. "

The prayer of the psalms, concluded with a hymn by the family fellowship, should be followed by a Scripture reading.1 Tim.4:13 tells us, "Give attendance to reading. "

In a family setting: a chapter of the Old Testament and at least half of a NT chapter every morning and evening, is suggested by Bonhoeffer . Sing: Eph.5:19-20 - 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bonhoeffer concludes his morning thoughts with , “After the bread of eternal life comes the earthly bread. Meals should be a time of rejoicing and gratitude. Eccl. 9:7

More Bonhoeffer next time.

Bonhoeffer on Community - 2

2011-01-31T01:36:00.004-07:00

Bonhoeffer evaluates and contrasts two types of community: the spiritual versus the psychic or human.

Spiritual: based on truth; human: based on desire
Spiritual: called by Christ. human: fellowship of devout goals
Spiritual; love is agape – brotherly service; humn love is eros, desire for pleasure.
Spiritual: Word of God rules; human: leader has exceptional powers.
Spiritual: the Spirit governs; human: psychological techniques and methods rule.

Human love seeks direct contact with the other person but does not serve.
Spiritual love is bound soley to the Word of Christ, doing what He guides. (I believe one’s focus is then giving and not getting – a significant ingredient in the health of any relationship - especially marriage.

Before we moved to Kentucky, I was so blessed to be part of a "once a week community" in Nampa, Idaho. It wasn't a residential community as we are examining, but how graphically these tenets of Bonhoeffer were at play - successfully. I sure miss those men. The Band of Brothers!

Next we'lll look at how Bonhoeffer suggests a daily community schedule.

Bonhoeffer on Community

2011-01-30T03:01:00.004-07:00

I've just finished reading, Life Together – The Ckassic Exploration of Christian Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I commend it to anyone thinking of living in community. Some of his thoughts: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
Though Bonhoeffer didn't use this mantra as a requirement for living in community, dying to all selfish ambition or self absorption is bottom line requirement for a successful experience in community living. If everyone in the community had that personal philosoophy - thinking of the best for everyone else - how productive would be that group.

I'm in that kind of community now. Our daughter Kristin, is the epitome of desiring the best for all concerned, followed closely by her mother. Kris's hubby comes in third and I bring up the rear. The five children are learning!!! Their prayer for each meal usually includes, "And God, please help grandpa's leg to heal." They cheered for me the other day as I took my first steps without hanging on to something. My new APO is working wonders. It is called an Ipsolon (if that is spelled correctly.) It is a brace that is very supportive.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity:” Ps.133:1
Bonhoeffer believes in the ocmmunity but is againt the cloistered: "The Christian belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes…to bring peace to the enemies of God."

Bonhoeffer challenges us regarding "THE GOAL OF ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY:
God has put His Word into the mouth of men in order that it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in he witness of a brother, in the mouth of man.. Therefore the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word.

"God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others and by himself. He enters the community of Chrsitians with his demands, sets up his own law and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly.

"When sin and misunderstanding burden the communal life, is not the sinning brother still a brother, with whom I, too, stand under the Word of Christ? Will not his sin be a constant occasion for me to give thanks that both of us may live in the forgiving love of God in Jesus Christ? Thus the very hour of disillusionment with my brother becomes incomparably salutary, because it so thoroughly teaches me that neither of us us can live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word.

"Only he who gives thanks in the little things receives the big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little thingss. The more thankfully we daily receive what is given, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases."

More from Bonhoeffer to come.

Community Living in Scripture

2011-01-28T01:35:00.007-07:00

Why are youi spending so much time on the topic: “Living in Community” Burwick. Cuz
1 That is where I currently find myself and this is foreign terriroty to me. I need to know about it as much a possible.
2.You may not be living in community now, but you know not what tomorrow brings. It could be economic disaster where you are forced to share living expenses with someone else; or,
3. You have an adult som / daughter moving back in with you, or…

Let’s examine Biblical communities
Background for the first community living demonstrated in the Book of Acts chapter 2; 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Peter then preaches a convicting sermon with the results recorded in verse 41: Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Notice the focus: apostles teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, Lord’s Supper, prayer, met together in one place and shared everything they had (even selling all they had to share with those in need.) all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. The outpouring of the Spirit produced not just momentary enthusiasm but four continuing commitments: to learn, to care, to fellowship and to worship. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Luke, the author of Acts, portrays prayer as integral to the church's life (compare 4:24; 6:4; 12:5; 13:3; 20:36). Prayer, then preaching.
It appears that this “FirstChurch of Acts” is the model for most if not all groups with a religious theme - the Dominicans and Franciscans and others. Even weird groups like Jim Jones and his koolaid killing cult had dimensions of this church in Acts.

Characteristics of Community Living in First Church of Acts that can apply to living in community now are:

1 Significance of the group over the individual. Selfish agendas applied with deceit, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, met with death. In like manner, selfishness “kills” relational harmony and unity.

2. The focal point was obvious: “More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women,” For a community to be successful, a common focus is necessary. For the First “Church of Acts” spotlight was evangelism.

3. The mission was clear: a devotion to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

4. Selfless sensitivity: (even selling all they had to share with those in need.)

5. Intentionality to unity: 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind.
We csn observe today’s growing churchs manifesting the pattern of the first church: celebration, joining in large gatherings for worship and instruction, and small group, meeting in home groups for fellowship and nurture.

Gary wrote about some Biblical relationships which tended to point to community.
Cain and Abel in field together, first example of living in community as was common with farming/ranching/home crafts in US through first half of last century.

Celebration and purification Job and offspring, while flocks caused them to range, they did spend family time together when possible 4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. 5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice 4

Issac took Rebekah into his mother’s bed, indication of sharing quarters between generations
Nomadic community of Jacob and sons, Jacob and sons communed together, stayed close and acted as community for common welfare; tending flocks, going to Egypt for food, protective of family before Joseph

Jesus in Peter’s home where Peter’s mother lived

Disciples in Barnabas’s home with extended family
These are all examples of the different types of living in community displayed in Scripture.

Misc. Confrontation Thoughts CL 10

2011-01-27T02:49:00.003-07:00

When Not to Confront

Let’s finish the concept of confrontation in community living with the following sundry thoughts.
1. Who? Though the Galatians 6 confrontation passage is written to followers of Christ, a non-believer in Christ can benefit from following Biblical principles.

2. Don’t confront if a person is acting like swine or like a dog. Matthew 7:6 Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces. Prov. 26:11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. Prov.13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.

“The sacred thing.” Not much more sacred than leading a person out of some sinful attitude or behavior. If by observing his / her behavior, it is obvious the role of dog or swine is being played, a confrontation will only aggravate the sinful pattern and the confronter will be blasted.

3. Pastor / elder needs a dual approach. 1 Tim.5:19-20 indicates that if a pastor is to be confronted there is need for two or three witnesses. If he persists in sin, he is to be rebuked and admonished before the whole church.

4. Listen to that still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. If He prompts to hold off, obviously do so. Make sure though that it isn’t your own fear of the possible altercation.

5. Check yourself. Are you facing the log in y our own eye and beginning resolution so that the approach to the one confronted will be done gently and with humility?

Biblical Confrontive Examples

Matt. 5 :23-24 If there is conflict between.
Matt. 18:15-18 The process
Titus 3:10 – kick out a fratious person
1 Cor. 5 sex with step mom

Who not to confront
Prov.9:7-9 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise,
and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

If confrontaion isn’t accepted

Proverbs 10:8 8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
Prov. 10:14Wise people treasure knowledge,but the babbling of a fool invites disaster
Pro.12:15 Fools think their own way is right,but the wise listen to others. The prudent understand where they are going,but fools deceive themselves.
Proverbs 14:9 Fools make fun of guilt,but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
Proverbs 18:2 Fools have no interest in understanding;they only want to air their own opinions.

Value of Confrontation CL 9

2011-01-25T02:41:00.003-07:00

CONFRONTATION the giving and receiving of a gentle, humble constructive criticism, meant to encourage and build up the receiver. Its value:

Psa.141:5 Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.

Pr. 25:12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry

Pr.27:5 An open rebuke is better than hidden love!

The value of confrontation is basically two fold – to enhance the harmony of the group and to augment the person’s growth process. To the person who has a teachable spirit, a well-placed confrontation can save a life.A friend might be getting too cozy with another man’s wife and not even realize it. A humble, gentle warning can save a marriage – maybe two) along with sparing a lot of heartache on the children and people close to the one being confronted, Confrontation: for personal growth and for building unity in the body.

To disdain reproof is stupid and short-sighted
Pro. 12:1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

Pro.29:1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

In summary, reproof, correction, confrontation – whatever you want to call it – is not only a good suggestion from Scripture but is commanded, “lest you be guilty of that same sin.” Accepting confrontation makes a person wiser, healthier and more productive. To refuse it is the making of a fool.

Confrontation revisited - CL 8

2011-01-23T01:58:00.004-07:00

View from our bedroom window.

Visit with me again that difficult concept of, “Confrontation is necessary for the success of community living.” Instead of our Galatiians 6 gentle and humble approach, confrontation is often a war of words followed by a schism in the relationship. Or, the opposite – no discussion just repression (bottling it up inside). Results? Explosion or implosion. Either leads to an adversarial rupture in harmonioua community living.

We’re operating under the premise that the Bible gives us guidelines, telling us how to live and die succesfully. Does it say more about confrontation? As we would say in North Dakota, “Ya shore, you betcha.” Check these out.

Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.

Eph. 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

! Tim. 5:20 Those (pastors / elders) who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

2 Tim.4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Tit.1:13, 2:15 So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith.(Same words from two different chapters.) - You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say – the words of St. Paul

And, in the Old Testament..
Leviticus 19:17 17 “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
Am I my brother’s keeper? Sure looks that way !
And remember, the best way to confront, especially in community living, is found in Galatians 6.

Living in Community - 7

2011-01-20T03:06:00.002-07:00

I made too many misakes as a father, I don’t want to blow this fresh opportnity. No, Theresa, my 65 year old wife is not pregnant. And as far as adoption goes, we’ll leave that to our daughter Kristin, who along with husband Keith are adopting 2 special needs kids from Bulgaria – a boy with downs and a girl with spina bifada

The fresh opportunity is refered to in community living as “sandwich”. Theresa and I are the bottom piece of bread in a sandwich comprised of Kris and Keith being the “business” – the meat, if you will. Their children are the top slice of bread. We moved to Kentucky at the time they moved from Texas. In that way Theresa and I can be close to one of her children (Kristin) and one of mine (R ay).

We had planned to live in our 21 foot RV on the 54 acres with space betweeen our RV and their house. We’d keep this arrangement until our house was built. That wasn’t to be. My ATV accident and subsequent lengthy hospital stay along with Theresa’s beoming terribly sick forced us to accept their invitation to stay with them in their house.

We would never have chosen this arrangement. We are typical Americans bent toward independence. We were forced into the sandwich by the accident and sickness. And WHAT A GODSEND. They gave up their spacious bedroom for our quarters. They both have been the epitome of selfless love, caring for a very sick mother and invalid dad. They are demonstrating community living Book of Acts style to the fullest. Oh, they haven’t sold all and distributed to the poor as in post-resurrection time. But their attitude is: “what’s ours is for you to enjoy,:” From Gator sports vehicle to bedroom. What a gift to Theresa and me. We are sooooo grateful.

But there are challnges jujst as there are when any two or more people connect and endevor to build relationship. For us though the challenges are quite minimal. Communication including confrontation (Galatians 6 model) has been one key. The other significant arena is putting a kabosh to selfish expecttions.

In our sandwich situation, I’m endeavoring to give more intentional time and encouragement to children and grandchildren, having learned from the first go-around where performance superceded relationship.

Living in Community - 6

2011-01-17T07:00:00.002-07:00

Summarizing our six post study, successful living in community, whether it is comprised of adult child coming back to live or an organized group like the Dominicans, productive confrontation is necessary for maintaining strong relationships leading to purpose, unity and harmony of the Body.

Galatians 6 is our model. Confrontation begins within a Body when the person doing the confronting first faces him(her) self. The humility and gentleness in which the concerns are shared is derived from healthy self-examination that produces repentance and from a desire to help carry the burden of the one confronted. No room for a judgmental spirit in that scenario.

What would have happened to the three women if they had not responded to Fred? Proverbs 13:18 presents the case clearly: Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof shall be honored. In our case study “poverty and shame” would be connected to impaired relationships… not just with Fred but people in general.

Fred’s counselor gave him homework. He was encouraged to meditate on and memorize the following significant supportive passages for Galatians 6.

Supportive passages for verse 1:
Romans 12:4-5 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Galatians 5:16, 22-26 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Humility:
Proverbs 22:4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. 29:23 Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

Isa. 57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

Matthew 28:4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Romans 12:3, 10 Because of the privilege and authority[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, …all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

Supportive passages for Christ’s law of love – verse 2.
Luke 10:27 “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

1 Peter 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Supportive passages for having an exaggerated opinion of oneself – vs. 3.
Romans 12:3, 16 Because of the privilege and authority[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.[ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Supportive passages for verses 4 and 5 – taking personal responsibility:
Matt.7:3-5 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[a] when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

2 Cor.13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you[a]; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

1 Cor.11:28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

The meditation and memorizing of Scripture leads to successful living and dying.
(Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:8)

An after thought : The Message Bible gives an interesting flavor to the Galatians 6 passage’”
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Living in Community - 5

2011-01-16T01:27:00.005-07:00

Yesterday, our first "date" in two months.

Picking up where we left off in Galatians 6:

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important Carrying a prideful spirit that looks down on another usually comes across as very judgmental. The observations of the confrontation may be accurate but if ministered in pride, the value is nada, nyet, of negative value.

. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
The Godly confrontation process has taken a 90 degree turn, from pointing out what needs to be changed in the other person to focusing on carrying the other’s burden. The spotlight now is facing oneself.

Fred was encouraged to come to grips with his own issues and process them Biblically. The temper had to begin to see a shift to patience and gentleness. Selfishness must be faced and “killed.” The drastic change the women saw in Fred softened their hearts toward him. Later , when he did talk to them about the burden they carried, they felt that he was really with them and caring for them. The confrontation, ministered from a stance of humility and gentleness, bore much fruit. Even Fred’s passive dad spent more quality time at home. It was now a pleasant place in which to reside.

In summary, productive confrontation as seen in Galatians 6 begins within a Body of Believers when the person doing the confronting first faces him(her) self. The humility and gentleness in which the concerns are shared is derived from healthy self-examination that produces repentance and from a desire to help carry the burden of the one confrontred. No room for a judgmental spirit in that scenario.

What would have happened to the three women if they had not responded to fred? Proverbs 13:18 presents the case clearly: Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof shall be honored. In our case study “poverty and shame” would be connected to impaired relationships… not just with Fred but people in general.

Fred's counselor gave him homework. That's for the next post.

Living in community - 4

2011-01-15T04:49:00.004-07:00

Yesterday's post gave us the first guide to successful confrontation - administered with gentleness and humility. We continue in Galatians 6, learning how confrontation, done God's way will be a necesary component in successful community living.

“And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Which Fred had done. He had become critical and controlling like his mother, wife and sister. They could have legitimately reversed charges and been right on. The confrontation would have been of little, if any, value.

We are out of chapter six verse one and into verse 2. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. What is the law of Christ? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and your neihbor as yourself. If a person who is living in community is overtaken by a sinful behavior or attitude, it is definitely a burden for the person and the community. A humble and gentle confrontion to one with a receptive spirit will release personal and corporate burden. If a receptive spirit doesn't exist, confrontive strategy changes and that will be discussed later.

to be continued.

Living in Community - 3

2011-01-14T01:26:00.003-07:00

Becoming a Ken-tuckee heal-bealee

To those of you who are following my medical status:the knee is weak, a little stiff and doesn't seem to be a problem. An EMG yesterday revealed nerve damage from the knee down with a couple inches of nerve rejuvination below the knee. Will appreciate your prayers for the nerves to keep growing to get an angry foot and ankle functioning again.

Back to the story of Fred, living in community with 3 critical and controling women (sister, mother and wife. He is in the counselor's office being challenged to study Galatians 6 which is like a road map to successful community living, addressing conflict resolution.

Galatians 6:1 begins with, Brothers and sisters, if another believer. This passage is written to believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. The Church. A Body of Believers as described in Romans 12:4-5. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. A healthy, positive atmosphere results when a Body of Believers can function under the following five verses guideline. Fred’s response was, “We belong to each other because we are blood. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t even want to be around each other. We are a mess.”

Galatians 6:1 continues with: “If another believer is overcome by some sin,” What is”sin?” The Bible has a number of definitions that can be best summed up with “missing the mark of living a holy life as described by the Bible.” Our sin nailed Christ to the cross, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. In our study, death to personal and corporate peace and harmony… that for which community living yearns.

“Overcome,” some versions say “overtaken”. The implication is, for example when gossip, lust or envy have become a chronic pattern, the one overtaken by that pattern is harming himself. The rest of the Body is also affected. Not good for living in Community. So, not for an isolated sin, but confrontation for a pattern of sin. A chronic critical spirit. Laziness. Gossip. Prideful spirit. Fred’s temper. A persistent sin (fault) must not be allowed to polute the person’s mind or the community. Galatians 6:1 has more:

“You who are godly(some versions say ‘spiritual’) should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.” “Well,” Fred relied. “That leaves me out. To say that I am spiritual and godly would be a real pride trip. I’m not even sure what that means and who would qualify.”

The counselor pointed Fred to Galatians chapter 5 which is a clear description of a spiritual man versus a person living for self.”Based on that description of a spiritual person, would you “ qualify" Fred was asked. His response was to the affirmitive. “I can’tsay I’ve reached all those qualities of a spiritual man, but that is my desire.”

Thus, we observe here the first parameter in Godly confrontation…carried out gently and humbly. If you are anxious to confront, you are most likely not ready to do so. A prideful controlling spirit would be evident. Resistance to the confrontation would be the result.

Anxious to continue walking with Fred in the next post.

Living in Community - 2

2011-01-13T07:38:00.006-07:00

Continuing the Fred versus three contolling women in his home saga from yesterday's post.

Personal faults and sins contaminate living in community in addition to being destructive to the holder. Such must be faced and resolved. Honing communication skills was of utmost importance for Fred and his family but even more important was the fine tuning of relational attitudes.

Fred sought counseling, saying, “What can we do about the three women in our home? MY temper explodes in response to their critical and controlling attitudes.” The counselor challenged him with the idea that they weren’t the cause of his temper. They just revealed what was inside and directed him to Galatians chapter six which provides a God-ordained plan for lovingly and encouragingly confronting faults that can pollute body life – personal and corporate… for Fred and his three living community women.

The counselor unashamably relied heavily on Scripture, having having found it to be true, that as Joshua 1:8 claims, “meditating on the Word and doing what it says brings success and prosperity.” For successful community living there needs to be healthy, positive confrontation. The counselor and Fred examined what God through Paul said about confrontation in Galatians six.

From the New Living Translation:
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Fred was encouraged to tear this apart with the counselor for deeper understandng. We'll examine that in the next post.

Community living - 1

2011-01-12T02:30:00.004-07:00

Been studying different groups that live in community - Franciscans, Dominicans, Bblical examples and others. What a wide array of groupings from very loose to strict adherence of rules. I'm not so much interested in the mission of a group at this point, as I am HOW DO THEY GET ALONG. Whether it is a 25 year-old coming back home to live, an elderly parent needing to move in with an adult child, or two families moving in together to make ends meet. HOW DO THEY GET ALONG PRODUCTIVELY?

The first challenge seems to be conflict resolution... something is going on that I don't like. How is that resolved?

Been into Galatians 6 lately. Great stuff regarding confrontation. Examine it with me for a while.

I'll lay the backdrop for the study beginning in the next post.

“Who are you to tell me there is sin in my life? You’re not so holy yourself.”
Fred, an occupant of a three generational family that lives together was tired of his critical, controlling, dominating sister always pointing out his faults. He continued, “can’t you see why at the age of 33 you’re still single? You are so critical and dominating, no man could stand to live with you.’

A response of this nature is too often the norm in confrontation. A sharp, critical and angry interchange ensues. Or too frequently the opposite extreme – represssion, stuffing confrontation so as not to cause hard feelings or experience rejection. Fred’s father was very passive. Though his mother, wife and daughter were very critical of him, he said nothing. TV and golf were his escapes. Fred didn’t want to be like his dad so he fought back.Temper was at times uncontrollable.

The desert: prep for living in community?

2011-01-07T17:18:00.003-07:00

How does God get your attention when He wants to speak to you? Many of us are so busy doing good things that God must engineer circumstances so we can as the Psalmist said: "Be still and know that I am God."AS you read Scripture, you find God placing people in life's challenges to get their (our) attention.

As Os Hilman says, He knows that if He is to accomplish His deepest work, He must take us into the desert in order to give us the privilege to be used in His Kingdom. In the desert God changes us and removes things that hinder us. He forces us to draw deep upon His grace. The desert is only a season in our life. When He has accomplished what He wants in our lives in the desert, He will bring us out.

He has given us a mission to fulfill that can only be fulfilled after we have spent adequate time in preparation in the desert. Fear not the desert, for it is here you will hear God's voice like never before. It is here you will have the idols of your life removed. It is here you begin to experience the reality of a living God like never before. Someone once said, "God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!"

I'm wondering if my "accident" that has me off my feet and pretty much confined to the house, was caused or allowed by God so that I could listen more intently to His voice.

I'm wondering what part "living in community" might play in my future. For many years I've thought of providing a retreat type place for people to R and R, for a weekend. A week. A month. Longer. Is this the training ground for that objective? I believe God loves me and has the best for me, inckuding this painful process - for a purpose. If I didn't believe that, I could easily become depressed and cynical.

Are you listening?

Thanks Kevin T for the suggestions to study community living. Have ordered Bonhoffer's book.

A Primer for Living in Community

2011-01-05T08:47:00.003-07:00

My 4-wheeler accident, nearly 7 weeks ago, has "forced us" to live in the same house as our daughter and her family. A wheel chair doesn't work that well in a 20 foot RV. Kristin and Keith have "bent over backwards" to make the stay as pleasant as possibile - gave up their bedroom, taxied us all over Northern Kentucky plus all the other DETAILS of "community living.

We're told that many "twenty something year-olds" are returning home to live with parents. Some families couldn't make it financially if they couldn't be living with another family. Community living is becoming more pervalent in the US as it has been in countries like China for numerous years.

Made me do a Google search on community living. I found a vast array of examples, from the tri-plex in Seattle called Mustard Seed House, where it seemed the parameters were very flexable, to large groups of cult type and rigid structures that appeared very unhealthy.

The Bible's Joshua 1:8 tells us that as we meditate on and obey Scripture. we'll be successful. Consequently I wanted to know what the Bible has to say on community living. No place does it have the term "community living." But there is plenty written about relationships.

Do you have any specific thoughts on this topic? I'd like to explore this in the next few blogs. rburwick@mindspring.com.

VALUE OF ADVERSITY

2011-01-02T11:45:00.003-07:00

At the left is a picture of a creek running through our property. Our application to build is now in the zoning "czar's" hand.

One of my favorate devotional bloggers, Os Hillman, writes: Seeing The Big Picture

..."Everything is against me!" - Genesis 42:36

Eventually, Benjamin along with Jacob's other sons learned that their brother Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Joseph revealed his identity, and Jacob was reunited with his son whom he had not seen for more than 13 years. He had thought Joseph to be dead.

So often we believe our dreams are dead. There seems to be nothing left in our world to live for. Everything appears to be against us. During these times, God is doing His deepest behind-the-scenes work. During these times, God is performing a deeper work in each of us -- a work that cannot be seen.

When clients began leaving my ad agency and it dried up for no apparent reason, it appeared "everything was against me." I could not see that God was orchestrating a whole new calling on my life. At the moment, it seemed like the worst thing in the world. It seemed that I had been a failure. But God said, "No." All the years before had been preparation for what God's ultimate calling would be. One of God's methods for directing His children's steps is through drying up resources: a job loss, a career change, or a disaster. In these times we are willing to listen more intently, and to seek God in ways we would not normally do. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." [C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1962), 93.]

Theresa and I know that God is not only using her sickness and my "accident" to better prepare us for our grndparenting ministry, but we sense there is more, (besides our own character growth.)

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS / DESIRES

2011-01-01T06:37:00.002-07:00

Thanks Susie H. for your words of encouragement and suggestion of Paul Brand's book "Pain: the Gift Nobody Wants." Joni Tada Erickson's book on pain is excellent. And C.S. Lewis's "The Problem of Pain" is an old classic.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WHAT ARE YOUR DESIRES FOR YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH FOR 2011? NOT RESOLUTIONS (THEY ARE USUALLY INEFFECTIVE). BUT, DESIRES. WHEN I THINK OF THIS CHALLENGE, I'M REMINDED OF THE VALUE OF SCRIPTURE. WHAT DOES GOD DESIRE FOR ME? ONE PASSAGE THAT APPLIES IS 2 PETER CHAPTER 1.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

FROM MY NEW WHEEL CHAIR POSITION I'M SEEING MORE CLEARLY THE VALUE OF SELFLESS mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
KRISTIN (OUR DAUGHTER) AND HER FAMILY HAVE DEMONSTRATED TO THE HIGHEST EXTENT THIS GODLY QUALITY...GIVING UP THEIR BEDROOM FOR AN OLD INJURED JOCK AND HIS WIFE WHO HAS BEEN SICK FOR 3 WEEKS (FINALLY DIAGNOSED YESTERDAY AS AN INTESTINAL INFECTION), PLAYING TAXI DRIVER, NURSE MAID, MESS CLEANER-UPPER AND MORE..

THAT IS MY DEISRE: GROWTH IN SELFLESS LOVE.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH DESIRE FOR 2011?

God and pain

2010-12-30T07:31:00.003-07:00

The last post, based on Hosea 6 stated "God has torn us so that He may heal us."
"God is totally committed to you and He will accomplish the purpose of the pain," quoting James Mcdonald in His book Dounpour.

There are so many directions Hosea 6 could take us. Does God cause all pain? Does He just allow it? Or is He not involved in the pain or its source? What part does satan play in pain? Is pain just a result of our fallen status?

The challenge I pick up is: what is your view of God. How do you picture God?
* Like santa claus - One who has no expectations, just a loving Being who wants to give good gifts.
*A stern judge, with gavel in hand, high demands, heavy on the justice.
*An ethereal smoke ring, hard to grasp.
*An uninvolved, abandoning step father????

I believe A.W. Tozer is right when he said, "what you think about God is the most important thing about you." Our whole existence is affected by our view of God.

My view of God has evolved from that of a stern judge to a Loving Heavenly papa, who desires to give me good gift thers (Matt.7:11). Who promises to work everything that happens to me for my good (Romans 8:28). Whose expectaion of me is obedience to His Word - which has many ramific ations.

Thus my view of God in this 4 wheeler accident that leaves me in constant foot pain and unable to walk is: God allowed it. I believe He knew it was going to happen because it must have been Him who prompted me to take my cell phone. I wasn't into the habit of carrying it. Those close to me say there is a softening in my countenance. More peace. More gentleness. And I can tell a stripping of sself-sufficiency and pride. More of a healthy dependency on God and others. I could go on but the point is: God has torn me so that He canl heal me.

2010-12-28T09:52:00.002-07:00

Loving on and encouraging people especially those who are experiencing some type of adversity appears to be my place of value - my ministry. One question that is often asked when going through a tough time is, ""what part does God play in this? Did He cause it? Or did He just allow it? Or has He no part in the etiology of this pain?"

My personal belief: 'God is sovereign - all powerful. All adversity is either caused or allowed by Him. He doesn't promse a stress-free life. He does want to use all that happens to us for our good, the good of others and for His glory. That is why I can accept (most of the time) stuttering, Parkinson's and a nerveless foot that feels like a block of wood. The Bible indicates that God is responsible for some pretty rough times. Look with me at Hosea chapter 6.
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

"God has torn us that He may heal us." James MacDonald in his book DOWNPOUR, describes "torn" as a word used for a predator that grabs its pprey and shreds it with its sharp teeth, then consumes it. Macdonald states: " Make no mistake!God is behind the hurt in your life. When your life feels torn apart, God has not abandoned you. Far from moving away from you in callousness, He is moving towardyou with compassion for the pain He has allowed. He is totally committed to you as He accomplishes the purposes for that pain."

OUT OF THE HOSPITAL

2010-12-23T06:53:00.002-07:00

AFTER 5 WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL, I'M "HOME"- WHHICH IS AT OUR DAUGHTER'S PLACE ON THE FARM NEAR ALEXANDRIA, KY. 4-5 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. MORE LATER. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

GOOD NEWS

2010-12-22T03:42:00.002-07:00

VISITED MY SURGEON YESTERDAY. SAID IT LOOKS GOOD AND CAN BEGIN PUTTING 25 PER CENT WEIGHT ON IT. SO, REHAB HOSPITAL, AFTER A MONTH I'M OUTTA HERE. HE THINKS THE NERVES WILL REGENERATE TOTALLY. I PRAT THAT IS TRUTH.

OTHER GOOD NEWS - A HUGE MEDICAL BILL IS REDUCED TO $1000. PTL

I APPRECIATED GARY'S RESPONSE TO MY YESTERDAY'S POST:

Yeh! You see it, you are right on the mark.

God is working, and as usual for most of us, not quite the way we expected.

Yes, you have been wrestling with God and your “hip” has been touched in the process; you may walk with Jacob’s staff, this process may mark a turning point in your life, but as with Israel, you will be a different man and your generations will be blessed through what you have experienced with God.

It just doesn’t feel like it.

You will be called blessed of the Lord. You will see the blessing of God upon your offspring and generations

Grandparenting Ministry???

2010-12-20T11:49:00.003-07:00

"If you're directed by God to pull up stakes from your comfortable position in Nampa Idaho and move across country to Northern Kentucky to focus on a grandparenting ministry, what are you doing laid up in a rehab hospital unable to put any weight on your left leg? And how about all the other roadblocks you' faced?"

Good question. We haven't thought about moving back to Nampa. We have thought of running back!!! Our plans are not God's plans. Our plans were to have a pole barn up by now, with fencing for cattle and horses and the beginnings of house construction. The initiation of a retreat center for grandkids, friends and others and to be a support to two of our children in their parenting prorcess.

A couple of Proverbs passages speak in part to our situation. "A man's mind plans hisway, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Roll your works upon the Lord, commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your lthoughts to become agreeable to His will and so shall your plans be established and succeed."

I believe God is telling us that what we're experiencing is preparation for our new ministry, just as if we wanted to be physicians, there would be at least 8 years of formal prep.

What does Grandparenting ministry look like to us? To influence our children and theirs to know, love and serve God by:
*innundating them with encouragement and love,
*being available,
* living a godly life,
*building a world view based on Scripture,
* touching the lives of others with loving encouragement,
*and allowing our grandchildren to observe how we handle life's challenges in a godly manner.

With this objective in mind, I would guess that the ministry is off and running. Just not lthe way we had planned.

PRAYER REQUEST

2010-12-19T05:19:00.002-07:00

PLEASE PRAY FOR THERESA. SHE IS BED-BOUND WITH A NASTY FLU. FOR HEALING AND TO LISTEN TO THAT QUIET INNER VOICE. THANKS FOR HELPING CARRY OUR EXTRA LOAD

Nocturnal Disturbance

2010-12-18T07:04:00.003-07:00

"Help! Help! Help! Help! Help!" Joe, next door, is having a rough night. The aids must be busy because that plantive cry for help goes on for quite some time.

At one a.m. "Housekeeping. Here to empty out your wastebaskets." Having just fallen asleep, I'm tempted to throw the basket at her. Justified by: "Christ was angry at the money chngers in the temple when he fashioned a whip and kicked butt."

2 a..m. - Pardon me," says the nurse. I MUST check your vitals." "Go away. Let me sleep. Besides my wife is the only one who does that!" "No," says nurse Kratchit. "Your blood pressure and temp." I'll show you my temp (er) next time you awaken me out of a deep sleep."

Then at 3 a.m. Ms.Dracula swoops in with her big black bag, loudly exclaiming,'GOTTA get your blood." She proceeds to try to find the vein, somewhere between elbow and shoulder. After raking the area causing considerable pin cushion pain, says, "let me try your right arm." what I want to say back is #%6@^&**&%$#.

Some time during the time when I would like to be sleeping, a little ol' lady tells me she is there to get my wheel chair for washing. She brings it back later when I'm asleep and leaves the chair out of reach from my bed.

And a couple times per night, I thank God for the person who invented the urinal!!!

The last two nighhts I've slept well. Besides the sleeping pill and three pain killers could it be that the sign I've taped to the door has helped? It says, "anyone coming though this door between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is in danger of experiencing the hidden trap bucket of human waste/"

TOUGH LOVE HURTS

2010-12-16T05:06:00.004-07:00

Tough love can hurt!

Lisa, my physical therapist, is a prime example of the Scripture's challange to inflict ppain for ultimate good - be it the parent disciplining the child or God engineering some painful situation to expedite our growth. Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, says The Good Book.

LISA, IN HER LOVE FOR HER CLIENTS, TAKES AN APPENDAGE AND MAKES IT DO WHAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO DO. FOR ME, IT'S TAKING THAT SEEMINGLY LIFELESS LEFT FOOT AND STRETCHING IT OUT OF ITS LETHARGY. THE PAIN CAN BE RATHER SEVERE DURING THERAPY, BUT IT SEEMS THE NERVE PAIN LATER NEEDS A PAIN KILLER TO SUBDUE ITS INENSITY. THANKS FOR THE TOUGH LOVE, LISA. I FELT SOME LIFE IN TWO OF MY TOES YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A MONTH. I WEPT OUT OF GRATITUDE.

I'M TRUSTING THAT THROUGH LISA'S TOUGH LOVE AND THE PRAYERS OF MY WIFE AND SCORES OF OTHERS AND THROUGH THE BODY'S NATURAL HEALING PROCESS, THOSE NERVES WILL REJUVINATE. I'M TRUSTING THAT THE TIBIA WILL ACCEPT THE METAL PLATE SO THAT I CAN PUT FULL WEIGHT ON MY LEFT LEG.

AND IF NOT, AS WITH JOB,I SAY, "THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM.

Ideal male relationships

2010-12-15T05:34:00.003-07:00

Rare is the man who has a male relationship marked by total honesty and transparency.

This was the summary of my chat with Dr. John Vawter last night. I had just finished reading his inspiring and instructive manuscript on male friendships. A work very well done.

As I pondered our conversation and opened my Bible this morning for my "quiet time," the perfect passage loomed as a monument to the issue John and I were addressing. Galatians 6 from the Amplified Bible reads:

BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.
2Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and [a]troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete [b]what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

How would you like to have a friend who will "tell you when you've got a booger" as described in these two verses. He is one who walks closely with God and confronts you in meekness, gentleness, keeping an eye on himself lest he fall into some attitude or behavior that is not Christ-like. You know very well that his best interest is to build you up and not be haphazardly critical. The Galatians passage continues with:

3For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself. 4But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [[c]in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

5For every person will have to bear ([d]be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [[e]little] load [f][of oppressive faults].

What a rich man I am to have a handful of men with whom I have that kind of relationship. At the age of 71 I know there are still pockets of "less than godliness" that need to be cleaned out and replaced with Christ-like behavior and attitude.

Thank you, Steve, Greg, Jerry, John, Errol and Theresa (though not male). I am one blessed man in part because of you.

'warrior Prep

2010-12-13T14:44:00.003-07:00

But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. - Job 36:15

Os Hillman writes in his blog TGIF about a boy born with a severe case of cerebral palsy who had sufffered much abuse and rejection during his growing up years. As a teenager, he met the Lord and began an intimate relationship with Him. Prayer began to be a focus in his life. God began showing him deep insights into other people, with whom he would share.
Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man.

Hillman challenges us: "God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest."

What a fitting exhortation to this old norwegian/estonian warrior.

Thanks Kevin T for your note to the last post. Hope your studies are going well at Oxford and that all is well with the family. T and I miss you guys.

no dementia

2010-12-11T04:53:00.002-07:00

After interacting with my new Parkinson's Dr. for a couple hours yesterday, he proclaimed, You don't have dementia." To which my wife Theresa LOUDLY exclaimed, 'PRAISE THE lORD. THANK YOU JESUS." With my loss of memory we both had wondered!!! Thus began the relationship with the University of Cincinnati which is rated among the nation's best in Neurology.

2010-12-08T11:09:00.004-07:00

WOW ! AM I LEARNING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I HAVE THE OPTION TO DWELL ON MY CIRCUMSTANCES:
1. BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL 3 WEEKS WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH LONGER;
2.WILL THE NERVES REJUVINATE SO I'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE FULL USE
OF MY FOOT?

AS I ALLOW MY THOUGHTS TO LINGER IN THIS ARENA THE RESU LT IS DESPONDENCY AND DEPRESSION. BUT I HAVE ANOTHER OPTION: TO DWELL ON CHRIST-LIKE THOUGHTS AS DEMONSTRATED BY RUTH MEYERS IN 31 DAYS OF PRAISE.

Father, I’m so delighted that You are both loving and sovereign, and that You cause all things to work together for good to those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose. So I thank You for each disturbing or humbling situation in my life, for each breaking or cleansing process You are allowing, for each problem or hindrance, for each thing that triggers in me anxiety or anger or pain. And I thank You in advance for each disappointment, each demanding duty, each pressure, each interruption that may arise in the coming hours and days.
In spite of what I think or feel when I get my eyes off You, I choose not to resist my trials as intruders, but to welcome them as friends.
Thank You that each difficulty is an opportunity to see You work…that in Your time You will bring me out to a place of abundance. I rejoice that You plan to enrich and beautify me through each problem, each conflict, each struggle…that through them You expose my weaknesses and needs, my hidden sins, my self-centeredness (and especially my self-reliance and pride.) Thank You that You use trials to humble me and perfect my faith and produce in me the quality of endurance….that they prepare the soil of my heart for the fresh new growth in godliness that You and I both long to see in me…and that my momentary troubles are producing for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all, as I keep my eyes focused on You. I’m grateful that You look beyond my superficial desire for a trouble-free life; instead, You fulfill my deep-down desire to glorify You, enjoy Your warm fellowship, and become more like Your Son.

I thank You for the bitter things
They’ve been a friend to grace,
They’ve driven me from the paths of ease
To storm the secret place. Florence White Willett

Scripture References (by paragraph)

1. Rom 8:28-29; I Pet 1:6-7
2. James 1:2-4 (Phillips)
3. Ps 68:8-12; 138:7-8; Job 23:10; Deut 8:2-3, 16-17; 2 Cor 4:17-18; John 12:27-28
Taken from 31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers

MY CHALLENGE: BRING MY THOUGHTS INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE WORD OF CHRIST.

REFINING FIRE

2010-12-06T03:54:00.003-07:00

So what are you learning, Burwick? What is the value of the tough time that your blog heading purposes? You gave up a comfortable life style and deep friendships in Idaho for what you thought was God’s call to minister love and encouragement to children and grandchildren living in Northern Kentucky. You thought you’d be building a pole barn and house. Instead, you are flat on your back in a hospital wondering if you’ll be able to use your left leg again.

In my journal of this morning, I think I plumbed some deeper depths. Kinda
embarrassing to share. The guy who counseled thousands, who memorized vast portions of Scripture, who seemingly had everything “together,” wrote:

“why did I say yesterday, I can run but I can’t hide? No place to run or hide. No deep male relationships to escape to. No performance opp, cept a little wood carving on my diamond willow. So am I acceptable as is? No advice to give. No trophies to recognize. Just a one-legged, good for little 71-year-old has-been. No strength. No energy. No goals. Why push hard in PT? To what end?”

Sounds like a good dose of pity-party. Ugly.
I’m not sure what I’m running from besides self-esteem issues. Possibly some
depression. I’m not sure what God’s plan is, except that which is given to His people in general throughout Scripture, encapsulated best in a “doing” and “being” combination.

Do: make disciples. Matthew 28:19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
”James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Be: conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) And it seems like the game plan to that end is for us to see what needs change to transform us to be more like Christ. This usually means experiencing a tough time or as MalachI 3 describes it - a refiners fire
2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,

“What is God doing with me through this trying time?” (Not only the physical challenges but the loss of what I had in Idaho.) I believe that God in His gentle, loving way is surfacing more of Burwick - my self-sufficiency, spiritual pride, self absorption…the kind of stuff that needs the refiner’s fire, conforming me to the image of Christ.'

GOD SPEED THE DAY

setback

2010-12-03T07:08:00.001-07:00

Can an Idaho spud grow in Kentucky bluegrass? Yes… with set backs.
Got real discouraged yesterday. Nerve damage in ankle, foot and toes is severe. Minimal movement. Physical therapy is painful … without any promises. Team meeting yesterday suggested I stay much longer than I had hoped. Usually I can handle that kind of challenge with a focus on God’s love and grace, sufficient for the day. Living a day at a time- not looking at the “whatifs.”
Having a 71 year relationship with the Creator has given me sufficient evidence that He works in everything that happens to me for my good, the good of others and for His glory. For that reason I can rejoice - no matter the circumstances. I know that in my head - now to get it into shoe leather. It is easy to lose focus in the rehab/nursing home. Old age seems so cruel. One man sits slumped over in a VEGETATIVE state. Diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease. Will that be me?
The world of “what-ifs” is a lousy place to park my mind. I refuse to linger here one more minute. Besides, it is time for physical therapy

UPDATE

2010-11-26T04:19:00.002-07:00

FOR THOSE ASK ING FOR AN UPDATE. MOST OF THE DAY IS SPENT HORIZONTAL. 5 TO 7 MORE WEEKS OF NO PRESSURE ON THAT LEG. P.T. 2 TO 3 HOUR PER DAY. WORKING ON TRANSFER FROM BED TO CHAIR.. BEGINNING TO SENSE GOD SPEAKING TO ME THROUGH THE CHALLENGES. MORE ON THAT LATER.

EMOTIONALLY DOING WELL AS LONG AS MY FOCUS IS HIM, DAY TO DAY.

Thanks for...

2010-11-24T12:21:00.004-07:00

IT'S SUCH A DICOTOMY. LYING IN A REHAB HOPITAL, 18 METAL STAPLES HOLDING MY SKIN TOGETHER OVER A METAL PLATE AND SCREWS. PLANS DASHED TO BEGIN BUILDING A POLE BARN AND OUR HOUSE ON THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ACREAGE IN THE SOUTH. ALL THE WHILE GRETCHEN AND HER FAMILY ARE HERE, CELEBRATING THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND WITH THE BURWICKS JUNIOR AND WILLIAMS.

THE KEY IS FOCUS. THE CIRCUMSTANCES AREN'T CONDUCIVE TO A THANKFUL SPIRIT. FOCUS: IT IS A WARM BUILDING. SOME ARE HOMELESS WITH NO RELATIONAL OR PHYSICAL WARMTH.

FOCUS: LOOK AT HOW MUCH I HAVE FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL. THE LIST IS TOO LONG TO ILLUCIDATE UPON HERE.

FOCUS: THANKS ABBA PAPA

Burwick where are you?

2010-11-22T13:38:00.003-07:00

I'm lying in a Northern Kentucky hospital.
Mentally: frazzled. DONT KNOW WHAT PRECIPITATED THE JOURNEY... OTHER THAN I AWAKENED NEAR MY FOUR WHEELER WHICH WAS SNUGGLED UP AGAINST SOME BRSUSH AND TREES. MY DEER HUNTING GUN LAY BESIDE ME. I HAD CRAWLED ABOUT 50 FEET, HAULING MY BROKEN LEG UP A HILL HOPING TO REACH SOMEONE BEFORE IT GOT DARK. SUDDENLY RECALLED MY CELL PHONE IN MY POCKET. 'DIALED THERESA.

FRIDAY NIGHT IS TYPICALLY DATE NIGHT. THIS NOW HAS THE REPUTATION OF BEING THE DATE FROM HELL. THE ER WOULDN'T GIVE ME MEDICAL RELIEF UNTIL THERE WAs THOROUGH EXANINATION.

TRANSFERRED TO A REHAB HOSPITAL. fINALLY RECEIVED MORPHINE. WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH. FOUGHT THE PAIN FROM THE BROKEN TIBULA PLATEAU WHICH IS NOW BEING HELD TOGETHER BY A METAL PLATE WITH 17 INCH SHOP SCREWS - WELL THEY FEEL THAT LONG.

OF COURSE MOST HAVE FELT THE PAIN OF CONSTIPATION.

THEN AT THE PROPER TIME IS MUST ASK MY LOVING ABBA PAPA,"WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS EXPERIENCE. WHY AND HOW DOES GOD WANT TO USE THIS IN MY LIFE DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH BEOKENNES? 2 COR.12 9-11

HOPE equals Joy and Peace

2010-11-09T05:11:00.003-07:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

This, one of my favorite verses, doesn't mean as much til needed... til a "hopeless" situation stares you (me) in the face. The county zoning man likes to throw his weight around and is actually violating the county code when he told us we cant build ( on 54 acres with just one house currently on it). Hopeless? Don't know. Seems like it (with two other cases somewhat similar to ours now in the state supreme court.)

I love my wife and I'm grateful for the little fifth wheel we inhabit, but a traffic light is needed in the narrow aisle at the corner of bathroom on the left and stove on the right. As I focus on the circumstances am I filled with joy and peace? NYET I have a tinge of guilt because many in the world have far less in the realm of living accommodations. And a little frustration with the zoner man. As I focus on God (and do what is appropriate to meet this man's psycho-neurotic expectation) the results are joy and peace because my HOPE is in HIM. An activity not conjured up in my ability, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope: our joyful and confident expectation of good coming from the hand of CreatorAbba PaPa (ROmans 8:28).

Would appreciate your prayers in this matter.

Trust Rest Watch God

2010-11-08T01:41:00.003-07:00

"Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so..." is probably the most significant song or one of the most significant songs written, supporting Scripture. Jesus loves me, period. Don't have to perform for that love. He loves me. For a perfomance oriented norwegian/estonian that is becoming even greater news. "Be responsible, Ray, but relax and enjoy relationships. Then, watch Me engineer circumstances in your life that will be impossible to perform. Trust me to do for you what you can't do yourself."

2 Chronicles looms big in this arena. Jehosaphat is faced with an ovewhelming sized army. Defeat is inevitable. He calls for a nationwide fasting and prayer. He is told "this battle is not yours but God's. Stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord."

He is also told that if he believes in the Lord, remains obedient, he will prosper. /the invading armies turn on themselves and kill each other. Judah claimed the spoils. "Jesus loves me this I know."

Got any circumstances that seem insurmountable? We do. But we want to learn from Jehosaphat. Trust. Rest. And watch the Lord do what we can't in ourselves do. We'll keep you posted.

Kentucky tidbits

2010-11-07T03:33:00.003-07:00

If I am understanding Romans 8:28-29 accurately, God's desire for followers of Jesus 'Christ is to realize that He accompplishes his plan to make us more like Christ "through all things". And that is a "less/more deal." Less of the self-life and more of the Christ life.

God's game plan appears to be an engineering of circumsttandes to reveal that about us that needs "less." Through loss, or pain, or stretching of some sort we are made aware of a less than Godly attitude or behavior. Self-centeredness, an angry spirit, fear, insecurity,worry etc. Follow this with a repentant spirit - no excusing or no denial. Just a simple, "that is not a Christ-like spirit, forgive me Lord. That must become less as You replace it with your holy life, Father."

Kentucky is providing a less/ more opportunity for me. Living in an 8 by 16 cubicle, hauling water in a 350 gallon tank, digging a hole in which our blackand gray water is dumped, no valuable Idaho friends with which to fellowship, no obvious ministry or any performance opp, plus more that is too personal to mentiona here - all being used by God to revceal fears, insecurities, selfishnesses, impatience that must become less so that God can fill me with more of Himself, i.e. the Galatians 5 fruit of the spirit. Praise the Lord that He is in the life transforming business,

On the lighter side, our cell phone service is quite spotty, resulting in broken contacts while speaking. Speaking on the phone is much more difficult for the stutterer. I frequently hear the words, "man, your cell phone is breaking up badly." When the issue is really a normal stutter blockage producing the silence.

Please pray that the county zoning official will approve of our building plan. He is known to be very obstinate.

Like our propane delivery man says (very slowly), "ahm just an ol'' kentucky heall beally.}

"DEEPER DEATH"

2010-11-02T03:32:00.003-06:00

Piggy-backing on yesterday's blog, if you didn't read Russ's comment, you'd get a kick out of his humor and his high level challenge to me.

As I re-read a description of my identity crisis shown in yesterday's blog, it appears that God may have me on a fast track to what some people call a "deeper death." Death to self-focus to be more God and others centered. Os Hillman describes it well in his blog

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."