Friday, February 20, 2009
Prepare for the Valley
Valleys happen! Contrary to what a cheapened Christianity would like to sell you and I, even committed Christ followers will encounter valleys. It does not mean you are less faith filled - in fact it might mean just the opposite. James tells us... "when you encounter various trials..." J. 1:3. Note, valleys will happen to the weak & the strong, the rich & the poor, valleys happen to all of us. So the second lesson I've learned in the "Valley of Fire" is that I must prepare for the valley's ahead of time. Preparation is key for survival in the valley. When I prepare before I enter the valley I remember - God's word is a lamp unto my feet. When I prepare - I recognize that although I can not see him or hear him in the valley, I know He will never leave me. When I prepare, the Holy Spirit brings back to my mind His promises - "I will supply all your need" or "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". When I prepare I run to God not away from God. In the valley is where your legacy is tested and refined. Prepare my friends for we will encounter valleys. I will make it out of the valley - and so will you! Remember we have one life to live and one legacy to leave behind. Prepare so you can handle the valley!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Why To What
In walking through the aftermath of the fire to our home and the loss of so much I have come to learn some very specific lessons. First and foremost I have had to leave the why behind and move to the what. The whys leave me open to confusion and to an inability to move forward.
When I ask God, "why did this happen", why did it happen to my family, why now, or why would you allow this in my life, I make life about me. I somehow suppose that God owes me an answer. He does not and the theology of suffering teaches me that there is not always an answer to "why" we suffer on earth.
The Bible does teach me there are plenty of answers to the what. What are you doing God? What do you want me to learn? What can I do to advance the Kingdom while I am in the valley? What is your will for me through the valley? So I seek the what.
It is true, the sooner I move from why to what the sooner the healing takes place. Right now it takes an act of my will to move from why to what. Therefore, I choose what over why - bring on the healing Lord.
When I ask God, "why did this happen", why did it happen to my family, why now, or why would you allow this in my life, I make life about me. I somehow suppose that God owes me an answer. He does not and the theology of suffering teaches me that there is not always an answer to "why" we suffer on earth.
The Bible does teach me there are plenty of answers to the what. What are you doing God? What do you want me to learn? What can I do to advance the Kingdom while I am in the valley? What is your will for me through the valley? So I seek the what.
It is true, the sooner I move from why to what the sooner the healing takes place. Right now it takes an act of my will to move from why to what. Therefore, I choose what over why - bring on the healing Lord.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
When it's all gone!
When life is over and everything is gone what will have mattered most in creating your legacy?
I've probably asked similar questions dozens of times in my life - thinking I really had a handle on what mattered most. Three days ago we lost most of our earthly treasures in a fire that burned our wonderful log home. Lost is my Grandma's hope chest that my Grandpa made her for a wedding present. Lost are the shoes my father and his family before him wore for years dating from the 1700's. Lost are so many things that are irreplaceable. I wish I could say that I am doing great because I had cut all my ties to earthly things a long time ago. But my heart reflects a deep sadness beyond my ability to communicate.
There are things I wish I could have passed down to my children from their grandfather, my dad, who is one of my hero's but I will not be able to do so. As I told my mother about these losses she quoted an old familiar hymn, "The things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of his presence and grace." It has become my 93 year old mother's mantra. She's ready - she wants to go to heaven... there is really nothing to hold her back any more. She has let go of all her earthly ties. I've learned I am not there yet. But I am well on my way.
My awesome wife, Linny, saved all 6 kids. I have my wife & all of my children. I am a blessed man. I will invest my life making sure they are my true legacy. I can not take the things with me to heaven, I can lead them all to Jesus and we will spend eternity together.
I will also invest in others - to help them become all that God has created to them to be.
Love God, love others, give my life away! That's how I wish to live that is how I wish to be remembered. I'm not there yet - but I am so keenly aware - when it's all gone, "The things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his presence and grace."
I've probably asked similar questions dozens of times in my life - thinking I really had a handle on what mattered most. Three days ago we lost most of our earthly treasures in a fire that burned our wonderful log home. Lost is my Grandma's hope chest that my Grandpa made her for a wedding present. Lost are the shoes my father and his family before him wore for years dating from the 1700's. Lost are so many things that are irreplaceable. I wish I could say that I am doing great because I had cut all my ties to earthly things a long time ago. But my heart reflects a deep sadness beyond my ability to communicate.
There are things I wish I could have passed down to my children from their grandfather, my dad, who is one of my hero's but I will not be able to do so. As I told my mother about these losses she quoted an old familiar hymn, "The things of earth will go strangely dim, in the light of his presence and grace." It has become my 93 year old mother's mantra. She's ready - she wants to go to heaven... there is really nothing to hold her back any more. She has let go of all her earthly ties. I've learned I am not there yet. But I am well on my way.
My awesome wife, Linny, saved all 6 kids. I have my wife & all of my children. I am a blessed man. I will invest my life making sure they are my true legacy. I can not take the things with me to heaven, I can lead them all to Jesus and we will spend eternity together.
I will also invest in others - to help them become all that God has created to them to be.
Love God, love others, give my life away! That's how I wish to live that is how I wish to be remembered. I'm not there yet - but I am so keenly aware - when it's all gone, "The things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his presence and grace."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Blogging Truth
For those of you coming over for a visit from Linn's blog - let me just say - she knows what she is doing, she will post often & she will encourage you with her great stories. I... well I don't have a clue what I am doing. Those of you who thought it would be fun to hear from me more often - well I have one creative thought every month or so... that's when I sneak onto Linn's blog.
To hear about our family and what God is doing in many amazing ways keep watching Linn's blog. She's a great story teller of God's faithfulness and unbelievably great wife and role model.
My blog will be more about training those already committed to Christ to become all they can be for him. Also, i am not consistent at this point at posting though I hope to be. I do not take much time to correct - my grammar is spotty and my spelling atrocious. If you are still up for the journey, then welcome aboard. I will be praying that as you pray God will open the door of your heart to the legacy He already has planned for your life. dw
To hear about our family and what God is doing in many amazing ways keep watching Linn's blog. She's a great story teller of God's faithfulness and unbelievably great wife and role model.
My blog will be more about training those already committed to Christ to become all they can be for him. Also, i am not consistent at this point at posting though I hope to be. I do not take much time to correct - my grammar is spotty and my spelling atrocious. If you are still up for the journey, then welcome aboard. I will be praying that as you pray God will open the door of your heart to the legacy He already has planned for your life. dw
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)