Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD'S renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
Isaiah 55 speaks to the people of God in Babylonian Captivity. It anticipates an "exodus" from Babylon and an opportunity to go back home, thanks to the merciful action of Almighty God.
What is required of one who seeks the Lord?
What response from God will a seeker find?
Why?
What does God say about his will (his word)?
Why can they (and we) go out in joy and peace?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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went to a mission today that was established in 1772. It was so interesting to sit in the assembly looking at the adobe walls and to think of all the people who, looking for atonement, had passed that way. While I was there, a young mexican woman came in and quickly knelt, deep in prayer. I couldn't help but ask the Lord to bless her. She looked like she carried a heavy load.
There was a museum in the basement with all sorts of strange artifacts. There were intricate wreaths made out of human hair. The card said the native spaniards would weave the hair of their passed loved ones as a memorial to them. The original padre's beds were there. Some evidenced the fires that so often came through to scorch the landscape. It struck me how difficult it was to try to live out the gospel in this fierce land.
Well, back to the real world of chickens and seeds tomorrow night!
t
Where are you t? California I assume. Sounds cool. Don't you wish walls could talk?
Are Mondays rolling around faster than they used to? Sure seems that way.
I've got another busy week. The ElderLink thing I mentioned last week really has me busy. I am trying to put together a packet of handouts that will supplement what I plan to say. It's going to take a lot of time, and the deadline is a week from Friday.
All reports indicate that Winterfest went well. I was really glad to have Kedra, Rebecca and Ben back home. I enjoy about 2 days of solitude, and then I am ready for human interaction again. ha ha.
They were all tired when they came in, and they seemed glad to be back home. I guess I can go to my Facebook account and see hundreds (probably literally) of pictures from the weekend. I'll wait until I have high-speed internet access. If I tried it here at home on dial up I wouldn't get finished until about Thursday.
Speaking of high-speed and dial-up... Our only high-speed option is satellite which is about $60 a month. I can't afford or justify that. I keep waiting for some kind of break-through or change of some kind. In the grand scheme of things, this is really not a big deal. It can get frustrating when people with high-speed send huge files that I can't download at home. I finally figured out how to block those files and then download them at church with high-speed.
Am I rambling again?
Kedra and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary on March 10, which I believe is 2 weeks from tomorrow. I think we are going low key with the whole thing. People keep telling us we should do this or that, but I dont't think we are going to do much; probably a quiet celebration.
I told Kedra that I would get her a transmission for a present. We are just waiting on the tranny in our van to go out. The mechanic said it could be 2 hours or 2 months. I think we are going to drive it until it goes out. This way we have excitement every time we go somewhere; each trip is an adventure because we don't know if/how we will get back home with the van.
This came to me while I was out running this morning:
A tranny for our anny.
Don't you think it has a ring to it? And speaking of rings, don't think a transmission is much more practical than one?
Wow, this is something! Convicting!
Penn (of Penn and Teller) receives a Bible
Well, I knew it was bound to happen. I just didn't know when. It really didn't happen like I thought it would, but still it happened.
I went to Arby's this morning, as I do every Monday morning, to meet with my Capstone Ministries partners. We eat and plan each week.
When I ordered I noticed that the cashier automatically discounted my total. This was very unusual, because usually they ask if I am eligble for a discount. "Hoosier Uplands," I always say and they give me 10% off. [I still serve on Hoosier Uplands' Hospice Professional Advisory Board, so it is legit!]
Anyway, another lady brings Darrin's food to him, looks at me and asks (really says), "You're a senior aren't you?" I said, "No, I graduated in 1977." I thought she might think I was still in high school; you know, my youthful look and athletic build. She shakes her head and says, "You're over 55 aren't you?" I said, "No."
I had just told Darrin that I was feeling a little "down" today, so as a good friend should he just cracks up laughing. Thanks, man.
She was trying to make a joke with Darrin about how I got a senior discount and he didn't. Then she added, looking at me, "Well he just looks a lot older than you."
Thanks, woman, I needed that.
I then went out and slashed her tires and put sugar in her gas tank. It was my senior prank.
I am so excited! I'm going to get back into the smoke pit this weekend. I've taken a few weeks off, due in part to weather, scheduling issues, and an effort to eat in a more weight losing manner.
Back back ribs are on the menu this weekend. Luke is coming home and made the request. His (apparent) girl friend is coming home with Nikki, and they are coming over to eat with us. Lester and Maddie got wind of the situation and plan to come and eat also. I would like to think the draw is my smoking ability...
I've been wanting to do this forever, and now is the time. I am having Laura make me a T-shirt. On the front left side in small letters it will say:
The
Holy
Smoker
And then on the back in large letters, probably red letters:
Holy
Smokes
Barbecue
She suggested (such a sales lady!) that I get an apron also. I'll wait on that one a little while. If I ever cater, then I will get one. I am thinking I could probably cater chicken wings. I had pretty good success with them around Christmas. They would be easier to cater than ribs. Brisket, chicken, pulled pork - I could do those...
STOP! Back to work...
I am listening to Russian Orthodox music. Don't understand much of what they're saying, but I find it inspirational.
I am really surprised by this: I have a strong desire to return to Russia. I really thought that once was enough, but as time passes I find the desire to return there to be so strong. I think it is the mystery and the history of the place.
Here's a cool poem from Walter Bruggemann:
On Leaving Bondage ... Yet Again
Now we depart,
as our ancient ancestors always departed.
We leave, some of us encouraged,
some of us unscathed,
some of us energized,
all of us weary.
We leave, to depart to a better place . . .
Home . . . where we will be welcomed
with varying measures of eagerness,
resentment,
responsiveness,
or anxiety.
We pray for good departures,
in the way our ancestors left Egypt,
that we may leave the grind of productivity,
and the hunger of craven ambition,
that we may leave for a place of wondrous promise,
visited en route by bread from heaven
and water from rocks.
We pray for big departures, like those of our ancient parents,
that we may leave where we have been
and how we have been
and who we have been.
To follow your better lead for us,
you who gives new place,new mode,
new self.
We pray, each of us, to travel in mercy,
that we be on our way rejoicing,
arriving in wonder, love, and praise.
Saw 2 church signs this morning:
When you feel down
Don't frown
Sit and write your blessings down
Forecast for today:
Jesus reigns
I report. You decide.
Yesterday I went to Stonebridge to see a few folks. As I was moving from one hall to another I ran into one of my old OCU-B students, Ty. We had a really nice visit.
Ty is wheelchair bound and comes to Stonebridge 3 times a week to read the Bible and devotional thoughts to residents who are unable to get out of bed.
I find that so encouraging and inspirational. I always enjoyed having Ty in my classes. He really enjoyed learning the Bible. Sounds like he understands the message pretty well.
One of the perks of running with the Let's Go Try Mini Marathon group is access to Johnathan's Gym. I go over there 2-3 times a week, usually early in the morning to work on my core and upper body, which is really helping my running by the way.
I find gym culture a little strange, interesting, and even intimidating at times. I do not like it when there are lots of people around. Sometimes I wonder about the whole thing.
Anyway, yesterday I think I found a greater purpose for being there. I suppose physical fitness is a good enough reason ("bodily exercise profits some" - from the Bible), but I wanted a deeper reason.
There is a guy that I see there a lot; I'll call him M. M is very friendly and has been from day one. We have chatted a lot of things. I often mention church etc., to which he doesn't respond. I even overheard him the other day say, "I don't do church."
Yesterday he was telling me about how he used to run, way down in a small town in Texas. I said, "What were you doing there?" He hesitated for a little while and then said, "Believe it or not," and then hesitated again, like he was trying to decide what to say. He finally finished his sentence. almost with a tone of confession, "I was the pastor of a small church."
I said, "You need to tell me some stories." I could tell he did not want to talk about it then, so I said, "We can talk later." He said, "OK."
Sounds like a wounded soldier or a fallen comrade. Here's hoping and praying I can help.
Yup. I was in CA touring organic farms and farmer's mkts. It was really interesting for me to be on the other side of the table...to experience the reception i received from the farmer. It will certainly impact how my staff and i treat our customers.
Russia is such an interesting place and so vast. I would love to hike north in siberia through the taiga. Although the people seem so closed and cold on the street, once you move into their space (their homes) the change is incredible. Not to mention after a few rounds of vodka, it gets down right friendly. A whole generation has grown up without any form of organized religion. I think so many of the people in our age group are longing for more meaning to life. Capitalism was suppose to bring the great soul fullfilling chance, but it has simply brought a host of different problems. Now with Russia tightening her boarders, the ability to travel is slipping away. Have you ever seen the tv program where the rabbi is trying to secure passage to Israel for the russian jews? I was in so many homes that looked exactly like those he is in. It just breaks your heart. The elderly are definately forgotten if they do not have family to take care of them. There is no social service network to help.
It also makes me wonder how many elderly in our own community are experiencing aching lonliness and true poverty.
t
Wow, what a busy day/week!
t, that sounds really cool - what you did. Ah Russia...
Luke is coming home today! And he is bring the (apparent) girlfriend. She is a really sweet girl.
I am grilling chicken tonight and doing the rib thing tomorrow night.
Last night I took Rebecca out to eat and then to Barnes and Noble. She redeemed a "Christmas coupon" that I made for her. The coupon was good for dinner, one book, and one drink at Starbucks. We had a nice time. Christmas in late February. Works for me.
Still trying to get everything ready for Sunday...
Isaiah 55 is very cool.
Check out this quote from C.S. Lewis:
“Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea, we are far too easily pleased.”
Now read Isaiah 55. God is calling his people to imagine something so much better than they are experiencing. He's calling us to the same.
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