Reflections on Recent History....

With the inauguration of our 44th President, my mind has been whirling with thoughts and reflections. I am perpetually awe struck when I consider that the United States of America now has an African-American President. President Obama is a symbol for hope and racial progress. He and his family embody the best that our country has to offer. I am beyond proud! Even further, I am proud of how Americans (in general) are rallying to show their genuine support for this new president. As I watched the festivities, I could see a sea of humanity, all joining together to show solidarity for our new leader.

While I am so excited about our new leader, President Obama, I cannot and will not allow the political process to interfere with my spiritual reality. This government can only do what governments do; rule. My joy, peace, loyalty and love are totally committed to my God! It is my prayer that Christ-followers truly give President Obama a fair chance to do what presidents do; lead. He is not the Savior of the world, nor is he the Anti-Christ! He is a man who has the august responsibility to lead this nation through the muck and mire of financial irresponsibility, unbridled terrorism, and intense skepticism.

I will pray for President Obama, his family, and his Cabinet without ceasing, as the Word instructs....I am confident that we will rise above our current crisis, and when that moment occurs, I will still give God the Glory! He alone is worthy...

Nicolas

For years I have heard about the joy of parenting. Well, nine months ago, I was privileged to join this wonderful society. I am a dad! My son has allowed me to go places that I've never gone before; diapers, vaseline, cribs and play-pens. It has been the most humorous journey. But above all of the terrestrial characteristics of parenting, I am most humbled by the look in his eyes when he awakens, is distressed, or just in need of attention. His look brings me to my knees. I understand, partially, that I am to stay ahead of him, so that I can help him to become all that he was created to be. How frightening!!!

As I watch him playing, rolling, sleeping, and attempting to crawl, I feel a deep sense of love and protection. He is my little man! I must continue to live a life that will make him proud. I must continue to make new mistakes. I must strive to do everything that I can, so that he can learn from my life-lessons. I must be a dad!

I never knew what being a dad would be like...Now I have a clue...

Day 6 - The Art of Breathing

The most critical component to our physical life is breathing. It sustains the quality, even the existence of life. We were created to receive oxygen and to release the end product. However, if one of these processes is compromised, life would cease to exist. I also believe in spiritual breathing - Prayer! Prayer is communicating with the Father, either verbally or non-verbally. The quality of our spiritual lives is contingent upon our commitment to communicating with the Father - spiritual breathing. With the myriad of activities vying for our uninterrupted attention, we run the risk of going hours, days, even weeks without 'telling God all about our troubles...' This is risky behavior! Today I am attempting to commit to praying without ceasing. I will try to breathe spiritually on a regular basis, so that I experience uninterrupted communication with the Father. I can't wait to experience the end results - intimacy, peace, faith, fellowship, direction. Let's breathe together!

Day 5 - Friends

I work with the most lively bunch of people on the planet. It's amazing that all of us have been called into full-time ministry. Today was just one of those awesome days when work spilled over into fun, spilling back into work. Isn't that what life is about at its lowest level - To enjoy doing what God has called you to do? Rare will any person spend eight hours a day working with FRIENDS. This added bonus to my work/ministry environment is truly a blessing. I am learning the true value of friendships and relationships. Both take huge amounts of work, sacrifice, humility, laughter, love, and openness. Where would any of us be without our friends? Well, as '09 gains momentum, I am committing to taking more time to laugh with my friends. The brevity of life compels us to do so.

Day 4 - Standing Still

One of my greatest challenges is patience. At times I feel like life is moving too slowly. Hence, it's my responsibility to nudge things along. How foolish! In fact, the more I help, the more I ultimately hinder. There is no telling where I'd be spiritually, emotionally, physically, or even financially if I would have learned to just stand still. Standing Still is not passivity. It is active faith! One's ability to remove his/her influence from a given situation, and allow God to do what He does best; be God! It boils down to an issue of control. I must believe and live the fact that God is more than capable of handling EVERY issue of my life. It is mine to rest in Him...to stand still.

Day 3 - Lessons from Mr. Bozo

Yesterday I witnessed the funeral of an 84 year old man known as Mr. Bozo...That's what they called him! He was a man of fun and faith, who lived a life of passion and purpose. Isn't that awesome? To get to the end of your journey, and discover that you truly made a difference is living life to the full. I must make a difference with the life I've been privileged to receive. So often I play it safe; LIMITED RISK - LITTLE FAITH - LOWLY AMBITION! How sad... Through his life and death, Mr. Bozo taught me to 'seize the day' - the moment - the time! Person after person testified that Mr. Bozo always left his encounters with a smile. Are people better off from having made contact with me? I must, therefore, love better, listen more, talk nicer, serve greater, and laugh often!

I pray that like Mr. Bozo I'm able to teach with my life, and even more with my death...

Thanks, Mr. Bozo

Day 2

We truly live as if life is certain and death is uncertain. The reality is, death is certain and life is uncertain. I've been free to ponder death, and I'm learning that death is not my enemy. Death is the sure factor that helps me to use my time wisely. You see, if I lived without the end in mind, I would lose the value of urgency. That's it! I must live with a keen sense of urgency, which fuels my purpose. I must rest, read, write, pray, serve, love, and most importantly, LIVE! In a weird sense, death helps me to live! Let's live!

Day 1

Sitting on the sofa with Nicole has never been more fun. Talking. Listening. Learning. Loving. This is living!

Writer's Block...

For years, I have been an aspiring writer. I love to see what others have written, but somehow, I can't seem to consistently communicate my own thoughts via paper or computer. It's really frustrating. Could it be that I'm afraid? Afraid of writing something great? Afraid of writing something stupid? - probably both! At any rate, this is yet another feeble attempt to get back on the writing horse. I'm embarking upon a 30-day Challenge to get refocussed! My vision is blurry! I am trusting that my disconnect from things temporal will reinforce my focus on things spiritual. It's a big risk! But, I believe that's what faith is, or suppose to be! The journey begins...