Like fire, words can either burn or warm

A written Prayer by Peter Marshall:

It is difficult not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. I need Thee, o Lord, for a curb on my tongue; when I am tempted to make carping criticisms and cruel judgments, keep me from speaking barbed words that hurt, and in which I find perverted satisfaction. Keep me from unkind words and from unkind silences. Restrain my judgments. Make my criticisms kind, generous and constructive. Make me sweet inside that I may be gentle with people, gentle in the things I say, kind in what I do. Create in me that warmth of mercy that shall enable others to find Thy strength for their weakness, They peace for their strife, Thy joy for their sorrow, They love for their hatred, Thy compassion for their weaknesses.

In thine own strong name, I pray. Amen.

Wisdom from Nehemiah

In the memoirs of Nehemiah, we find and interesting tidbit of wisdom to help us navigate the big decisions in life. You know, the ones where you wonder, "am I doing God's will?" I need to thank Pastor Robert Malone for sharing the vision of this wisdom - If you ever get a chance to interact with this great man of God, take it! You'll never be the same!

Nehemiah's account opens with some interesting comments that he's receiving from his "brothers." Remember, Israel in captivity. They can't move about like they once did! And these brothers, or kinsmen, are telling Nehemiah about the conditions of their hometown. Now this is relevant, because Nehemiah has an interestingly powerful servant job of being the cupbearer for the king of the country that now holds them captive.

So Nehemiah hears their story about the crumbling wall and the difficulties that are a daily reality for the those who weren't taken into captivity. And he remembers the goodness and faithfulness of God. And he pours his heart out to God about this troubling news. But prayer alone couldn't change the heaviness of his heart, which became evident to everyone around him, including the king that he worked for.

I'm thinking Nehemiah must have been a pretty good guy for the king to notice the change in his demeanor and then care enough to ask him about it. Not only was he good, he was also wise in recognizing his position. Both from understanding the value of humility AND from recognizing that he was a valued servant of the king. To understand position is a very valuable insight. For Nehemiah, it allowed him the courage to present this troubling situation to someone here on earth that actually had the resources to do something about it. Nehemiah was able to recognize that God was able to work through this king to accomplish His plans.

It was the faithfulness of a servant who recognized a God ordained opportunity. In that process of sorting out God's will for the situation, Nehemiah asked for some things that would be critical to completely address the situation. And He asked shamelessly and specifically.

Pastor Malone boiled the sum of Nehemiah's requests down to four simple points that we all can apply:

• First, Nehemiah asked for permission. He didn't just assume that what was troubling him would be troubling to the king. He recognized his servant position, and placed his entire request into the context of asking for permission.
• Next, Nehemiah asked for passage. Kind of like us asking for time off from work. Only servants didn't typically get vacations - so this request would've been rather out of the ordinary and in no way congruent with the work he typically did.
• Then, knowing that he served a powerful king, Nehemiah asked the king to provide protections. The trip he was to make would be across land that was owned by someone else. If Nehemiah, a slave servant, was representing himself on the journey he would never make it past the first inquiry. Not to mention the powerful enemies that desired to keep Jerusalem in ruins would never tolerate this single man to accomplish his mission. But with the authority of the entire Babylonian kingdom...he stood a pretty good chance of at least arriving in one piece.
• Finally, with complete confidence, he asks for provision. And not just a little food for the journey, but he asked the king of the country that held his people in captivity for everything he need to rebuild the wall of the major city of their homeland. That's almost comical if you think about it!

And when the king granted all of Nehemiah's requests, the real work began. So if you're feeling led by God in a mission that is far greater than your humble means, take some cues from Nehemiah. Know who you are and whose you are. Recognize an opportunity to procure resources. Then be faithful in the execution of God's plan.

Why a caterpillar?

Some might wonder why I would wander down the the wonderings of a caterpillar. But think about it, fellow followers!

When you consider the transformation of the Christian life, why not look to nature for some clues. And what complete transformation in nature do we look on with more wonder that the metamorphosis of the caterpillar?

The one thing that has struck me the most unique, as I've wandered down the wonderings, is that fact that the caterpillar only does what is natural to him. It's not as if there's a choice. We, on the other hand, are key players in our transformation. Our GIANT sized will must be surrendered and participate in the process - or not. Too often, for me, it's not.

I pray that wherever you are in your transformation process that you will consider the wonder of the wanderings. That you will be in awe of the process that follows surrendering your will! And when you get a glimpse of those "completed" parts, that you will jump for joy at the beauty He has created and the adventure that lays before you! Happy Transformation to you!

Confessions of a caterpiller

I've crawled on my belly for the better part of my memory. Getting from leaf to leaf with the series of legs strategically placed on the underside of my long, smooth belly. It's interesting. I've always had this feeling that I was made for something more grand.

Each time I sat on the stem of of a leaf, consuming it's foliage and felt the wind catch the branches of the tree, there was a certain exhilaration. I would hold on with all my might, but there was something in my spirit that told me, one day I would let go.

It felt like my existence of consuming leaves would go on forever. I was actually growing quite weary with the taste and texture of my woody, green sustenance. And yet my appetite grew. It was like I couldn't get enough. Day after day I consumed and consumed the same diet, wishing for some variety. As I ate, my skin grew tight around me. I had a sense, each time I shed it, that I was losing something important, and yet I felt it necessary to let go.

One day I felt very attached to one of the leaf stems I had been munching on. Kind of frightened that if I let go, I wouldn't survive. It was like my body was trying to tell me something. And as I hung on for dear life, I felt myself change again, but this time I wasn't letting go. This time I was hanging on. Things really got scary then!

From the tip of my abdomen to the top of my head, my body was consuming itself. And I was getting tired. I wondered if I was about to die, but my heart didn't believe that this was the end.

I think I slept for a really long time. Once I sort of roused and it felt very cold, and I didn't feel like myself. It was sort of like being turned inside out. But I was too tired to care.

Then one day I woke up with a sense of urgency. A strong expectation was in my spirit. The darkness that had surrounded me was consumed with light. My new home was still a very tight fit, and I didn't feel all my feet anymore. I thought it would be good to wiggle a bit. Just to get things moving again. I still didn't feel my feet, but there something heavy attached to my back.

With just a few wiggles, I was able to break free from my claustrophobic home. But I wasn't feeling any better. Honestly I was scared! How would I get around if I can't feel my feet? And the world was looking a lot different! Something on my head kept getting in my way. Then I felt my feet. But those weren't the same feet! Those legs were a lot longer and their fewer of them!

What had happened to me? I was very hungry, but not for leaves. I felt like I wanted to sip something. And that thing on my back. It was getting lighter, but it kept moving and tipping my balance. Then my body caught a breeze and remembered that old familiar feeling.

I wondered what would happen if I just let go. If I found a way to jump into the wind. I was feeling lighter and my spirit begged for adventure and so I did it! Some how, almost effortlessly I was floating among the leaves that used to be my home. I saw some lovely colors and went to see if they would be my friend.

As I landed near a lovely scent with a coat of bright red, I caught a glimpse of her reflection in a window. Next to her sat the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen. He was quite majestic with deep colors and creative veining. But I didn't see me. I blinked and nodded. But the only movement that occurred was the bending of the butterfly. Just as I started to turn around, I heard my scented friend whisper, "It's you dear! Aren't you lovely?"

And with that, I jumped with joy and found my wings. I flew off with great anticipation for my life was complete. My real adventure was just beginning!

hopes and goals

Some are motivated by the setting of resolutions. I've never found that to be a helpful tactic for myself. What I do find helpful is setting my goals down in some kind of concrete fashion and giving time limits to them - so this is my concrete place!

In the year of 2008, I want to accomplish the following goals with my time:

• Finish the SoulCare online class that I started in 2007
• Read the 5 books recently acquired
  
• Attend a session at the School of Spiritual Discipline in Colorado
• Put meat on the bones of the idea I have for a book
• Stay committed to working from a calendar - to create a habit
  

So, hopefully at the end of the year I can look back and see the progress made toward each of these items!

Not I, but Christ

I had an interesting conversation with a dear friend about a burdensome situation that she's watched me navigate for a little more than 3 years. Having honest feedback isn't always the most desirable position to be in, but when you're in the position to receive it in love, it cushions any sting. In the past, I've found her feedback to be both honest and loving. So as she candidly shared from her wisdom - she made a statement that stuck with me, and I paraphrase, "you may have been less than perfect in the execution of your position, but you've always sought God with your heart for your responses to [this trial]." And I realized, quite suddenly, that this is exactly what it means to live in light of Gal. 2:20. Here's how it reads from the Message translation:

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

It's kind of refreshing to know that the obligation for perfection has been met. I don't have to "do it all right," which leads to self-righteousness. I am free to pursue Christ in all things and to glory in His wondrous gift! Not that I relish or find much pleasure in these current difficulties, but to know that they are purposeful and to hear that the not so casual observer can connect the dots between the desire of my heart (pleasing God) and the actual actions that make their way from my being.

That reminds me of another tidbit of wisdom I received while participating in a Sunday School class with Mark Keltner. He said, "we want others to judge us by our intentions, but we often judge others by their actions." Isn't it true spiritual maturity (in Christ) when there's almost no distance between our intentions and our actions?

May there be less and less of me that you see!