Yesterday I had an experience that’s rocked my boat.
Carol and I were taking our friends Pastors Luiz Carlos Pinto and Fabio Leonardo Pinto to the airport for their return flight to Brazil. We stopped for a left turn signal at Cedar and Shields.
Coincidently, the center median is the stake out of a homeless American Vet.
I rolled the window down to give the guy a couple of dollars. The homeless man looked at me dressed in a coat and tie and asked, “Are you going to church?”
“No, but I work at a church.”
“Which one?”
“Peoples Church.”
“Hell! Where’s that?” (using his language, not mine)
“Back up the street at Cedar and Herndon.”
“That’s two days from here,” he replied as he took the money. Then before walking away he added. “Thank you sir, have a nice day.”
The light turned green and my mind raced forward. Wow! What a word picture. Here I am working at a church five minutes from a guy who’s two days away. No wonder Jesus said, “Go into all the world.”
It’s less of a journey for me to go and get him, than it is for him to come and get it.
Five minutes from here is two days for him!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Three Questions
Three questions:
1. Do you know how hard it is to embrace your grandchildren (or anyone else for that matter) when your arms are full of groceries?
2. Do you know how hard it is to worship God when your mind is full of other things?
3. Do you know how hard it is to have compassion for the world when your arms are clutching all you own?
Okay, question #4: What would happen if you put down all those things and with open arms embraced the one (The One) in front of you?
1. Do you know how hard it is to embrace your grandchildren (or anyone else for that matter) when your arms are full of groceries?
2. Do you know how hard it is to worship God when your mind is full of other things?
3. Do you know how hard it is to have compassion for the world when your arms are clutching all you own?
Okay, question #4: What would happen if you put down all those things and with open arms embraced the one (The One) in front of you?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Unfullfilled Expectations
Before going to bed last night, I took a look out the front window. Granville Avenue was dark. Completely dark. Six to eight non-working street lights, victims of thieves who stole the prized copper wire. Now the lights stand as daytime symbols of unfulfilled night-time expectations to fill darkness with light.
After a few minutes in bed it hit me: if we're not careful (individually and corporately) thieves could steal our power leaving us as only a symbol of an unfulfilled expectation God has for His Church—to be light in the dark. Prayfully, when people look at the church they will not see us as lights out, an unfulfilled expectation.
After a few minutes in bed it hit me: if we're not careful (individually and corporately) thieves could steal our power leaving us as only a symbol of an unfulfilled expectation God has for His Church—to be light in the dark. Prayfully, when people look at the church they will not see us as lights out, an unfulfilled expectation.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
God's Blogs
Okay, I just finished Lanny Donoho's book, "God's Blogs." I've had this book since receiving it at Catalyst in October. I started yesterday and finished it today. It's a must read. I'll not give it away but it's very creatively written. Favorite blogs: Money, Time, Preachers, Weddings, Olympics, Tsunamis. Read it all. I've not done it justice to pick these over the others.
Thanks Lanny for an awesome book and making it available, like blogs, for free (at Catalyst).
Thanks Lanny for an awesome book and making it available, like blogs, for free (at Catalyst).
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
If All You can See is the Mountain, You're in Trouble
At the "Celebration of Life" Service for Rose MacAlpine, I shared the following account of a flying experiencing while traveling with our Pastor, GL Johnson, some friends and associates:
One of the memories of my time here at PC is a trip with Pastor Johnson, Ed Baloian, and a couple of others on our staff. We were flying in Ed’s plane, returning home via Arizona. In the distance I could see Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental US. The more I looked at it through the window of the plane, the more certain I was that we were going to crash into the mountain—it would be the end. Finally, trying to sound brave, but wanting to alert the pilot to the looming mountain, I said something to Ed, who was facing me. Without looking over his shoulder, he stated, “If you can see the horizon beyond the mountain, you’ve nothing to worry about. You’ll fly right over it. You’re in trouble, when all you can see is the mountain.”
Some would see death as a mountain, spelling an end. Rose saw it as a fly over point as she moved into the forever horizon of God’s eternal heaven.
If all you can see is the mountain, you’re in trouble.
One of the memories of my time here at PC is a trip with Pastor Johnson, Ed Baloian, and a couple of others on our staff. We were flying in Ed’s plane, returning home via Arizona. In the distance I could see Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental US. The more I looked at it through the window of the plane, the more certain I was that we were going to crash into the mountain—it would be the end. Finally, trying to sound brave, but wanting to alert the pilot to the looming mountain, I said something to Ed, who was facing me. Without looking over his shoulder, he stated, “If you can see the horizon beyond the mountain, you’ve nothing to worry about. You’ll fly right over it. You’re in trouble, when all you can see is the mountain.”
Some would see death as a mountain, spelling an end. Rose saw it as a fly over point as she moved into the forever horizon of God’s eternal heaven.
If all you can see is the mountain, you’re in trouble.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Away Isn't Always So Far Away (Part 1)
On a recent stay at a Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles I read the following on a card placed by the phone:
“Away isn’t
always so
far away.”
The implication: telephones reduce the distance between friends and family. With the advent of cell phones, don’t we know that, “away isn’t always so far away?”
Check out Psalm 63!
Hiding in the desert, away from the threats of Saul, David longed for the close presence of God. In fact, so intense was his desire that his body ached for God. In this context David writes about his relationship with God, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:7–8)
Away from home, away from those he knows, away from those with whom he worships, David longs for the presence of God. When he stops to think about his circumstances, he realizes with God, time and geographical distance is not an issue. “Away isn’t always so far away.” He is there even in the night watches (v. 6).
The old saying, “out of sight, out of mind,” is not the way of God toward those who call Him, “Lord.”
He promises he “will never leave us or forsake us!” (Joshua 1:5)
No matter what we feel, or can’t see, He is there! He is always on the line.
With God, “Away isn’t always so far away.”
“Away isn’t
always so
far away.”
The implication: telephones reduce the distance between friends and family. With the advent of cell phones, don’t we know that, “away isn’t always so far away?”
Check out Psalm 63!
Hiding in the desert, away from the threats of Saul, David longed for the close presence of God. In fact, so intense was his desire that his body ached for God. In this context David writes about his relationship with God, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:7–8)
Away from home, away from those he knows, away from those with whom he worships, David longs for the presence of God. When he stops to think about his circumstances, he realizes with God, time and geographical distance is not an issue. “Away isn’t always so far away.” He is there even in the night watches (v. 6).
The old saying, “out of sight, out of mind,” is not the way of God toward those who call Him, “Lord.”
He promises he “will never leave us or forsake us!” (Joshua 1:5)
No matter what we feel, or can’t see, He is there! He is always on the line.
With God, “Away isn’t always so far away.”
Monday, May 7, 2007
Elvis has left the building
Recently on American Idol, through the wonders of modern video technology, Celine Dion sang a duet with Elvis Presley. Wow, what a moment! When finished, I recalled the phrase attached to the closing of "The King's" concerts, "Elvis has left the building."
Have you ever felt like leaving the building?
I don't mean checking out of life completely, although I guess what I want to say would apply to that also.
I mean: do you ever just want to give up on things, the present circumstances, the relationships, your job, your walk with God, etc.? Okay, so more than once I've said, "Doug has left the building!" Usually I've said it in a "feel sorry for myself" moment.
The Psalmist David had such an opportunity to leave the building. Psalm 11 is his response to those who encouraged him to run when King Saul was after him.
Psalm 11 starts not like other Psalms with a lament, but rather with a statement of faith. 1
In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
David realized that fleeing only put himself in a place of vulnerability—as vulnerable as a small, hunted bird in the moutains. In fact he realized that already there were those waiting with bows ready to shoot him down.
The Word says that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Here's a thought, I've never seen on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, a lion roar just before it bounced on its prey. Instead it hid itself in the grasses looking for the right moment to spring. Roaring came later, after the kill. Before the kill, only stealthful stalking.
David new that leaving the protection of God's refuge would mean disaster. For quietly, without warning, from the shadows would come a close or fatal encounter with the enemy. Why risk it?
So David finishes the question with: "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
His answer is in verse 4:
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
God never leaves the holy place of watch over those who are his own. He is ever watching, never sleeping, not even dozing. The "REAL KING" never leaves the building! Therefore, I will not leave the sacred place of refuge afforded those in his care! It's not worth the risk.
David ends with the promise for those who persevere, "Upright men will see His face." The ungodly flee, but the righteous, prevail, seeing the face of God, both now and for eternity.
However tempted you may be to "leave the building", to forsake the assembling of yourself with others of the faith reconsider. Remember, you're only putting yourself at risk. God never leaves His place of watch over you, do not leave His place of sacred refuge.
His for The Journey!
Doug
Have you ever felt like leaving the building?
I don't mean checking out of life completely, although I guess what I want to say would apply to that also.
I mean: do you ever just want to give up on things, the present circumstances, the relationships, your job, your walk with God, etc.? Okay, so more than once I've said, "Doug has left the building!" Usually I've said it in a "feel sorry for myself" moment.
The Psalmist David had such an opportunity to leave the building. Psalm 11 is his response to those who encouraged him to run when King Saul was after him.
Psalm 11 starts not like other Psalms with a lament, but rather with a statement of faith. 1
In the LORD I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
David realized that fleeing only put himself in a place of vulnerability—as vulnerable as a small, hunted bird in the moutains. In fact he realized that already there were those waiting with bows ready to shoot him down.
The Word says that Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Here's a thought, I've never seen on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, a lion roar just before it bounced on its prey. Instead it hid itself in the grasses looking for the right moment to spring. Roaring came later, after the kill. Before the kill, only stealthful stalking.
David new that leaving the protection of God's refuge would mean disaster. For quietly, without warning, from the shadows would come a close or fatal encounter with the enemy. Why risk it?
So David finishes the question with: "When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
His answer is in verse 4:
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
God never leaves the holy place of watch over those who are his own. He is ever watching, never sleeping, not even dozing. The "REAL KING" never leaves the building! Therefore, I will not leave the sacred place of refuge afforded those in his care! It's not worth the risk.
David ends with the promise for those who persevere, "Upright men will see His face." The ungodly flee, but the righteous, prevail, seeing the face of God, both now and for eternity.
However tempted you may be to "leave the building", to forsake the assembling of yourself with others of the faith reconsider. Remember, you're only putting yourself at risk. God never leaves His place of watch over you, do not leave His place of sacred refuge.
His for The Journey!
Doug
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