Retrospective Grace

I am the brunt of jokes in my home. More accurately, my PHONE is the brunt of many jokes. You see, it's old. I get remarks from phone store employees along the lines of "Oh wow, I remember when those came out.." and other such comments that only make the situation worse.

And, occasionally, just to prove how "with it" I am, I will even take pictures with my phone (yes, it has that capability!) and even upload them to Facebook! However, that in itself is a multiple step process! Consider this; after I take the picture, I have to edit it, save it to the phone, then email it to myself, download it from my email on another computer, then upload it to Facebook! I know...you're actually impressed I know the word "upload!"

But here's the rub: many of you, if not most, take a picture, tap it or blow on it or whatever you do with your fancy phones, and there they are; uploaded to Facebook or Instagram and receiving lots of comments already. Meanwhile, I'm flipping through all of the saved pictures on my phone, looking for the one I just took so that I can complete the aforementioned steps! However, it serves to be a great exercise in what I would term "retrospective grace!" Here's what I mean...and here's where I get serious.

That journey through the memory bank of my LG Envy 3 allows me a view into the past and a view of God's presence around every turn. For instance, there are lots of granddaughter pictures on board. It reminds me of how blessed I am to have this little girl only 12 hours away. It calls to mind how fortunate we are to have the opportunity to have her at our home for a few weeks each year. It helps me recall the excitement she expressed that morning when she stormed into our bedroom to let us know it had snowed. It reminds me of the excitement in her eyes when she nearly rode the length of the driveway without training wheels this summer. Memories of fun that are too easily forgotten in the rush of life. Grace filled moments of pouring into and receiving love from this little 6 year old!

This venturing into the past also shows me a shot of all four of our kids sitting on the couch in my mom's house in California taken this June. With kids spread out geographically, it's rare to get them all together. But there is another aspect of the picture that just makes me smile; they're all laughing at something! Probably at my phone while I was taking the picture, but it still makes me smile to see them all together laughing and obviously enjoying the moment. They really like each other, and it gladdens my heart that they love one another! That in itself is a grace thing. For all of the doubts we have about our parenting skills, it makes me think we might have done something right.

There is another set of photos, all snapped during an impromptu trip down the Oregon coast. It was a sort of melancholy trip, about which I won't go into deep detail here. Suffice to say it was a time of getting away and breathing some fresh sea air during a difficult time. As I see it, I am reminded of the restorative presence of God and his Holy Spirit that can bring healing and apply balm to the toughest of wounds. Still, even in struggle, that grace was, and still is apparent.

One last photo shows the Seattle skyline, taken during an early morning trip to make hospital calls. Two church members struggling significantly with health issues were the aim of my visit this particular morning. Even after 30+ years of ministry, I still wonder if what I say is wise enough; comforting enough. But then I'm reminded of the encouraging words of my mentor, Dr. Jimmy Adamson, who spoke so frequently of having a "ministry of presence." And so I strive to enter those rooms not searching for the most pithy thing to say, but rather being the most open to whatever the Lord would like to accomplish in those few moments at the bedside. I become even more dependent upon that grace.

And so, in spite of having the "prop driven" phone in a world of jets, it still affords me a glimpse of how grace filled my days have been, thanks to the Giver of Grace; the Lord Jesus. So take away the "delete file" key; I need to reflect on that retrospective grace often.

What Was He Thinkin'?

Unfortunately, many of us do not spend lots of time in the Old Testament. Oh, we know some of the "biggies" in that half of scripture: Abraham, Moses, Noah, Samson, Daniel, David, etc. Fewer of us know some of the other characters, and, I would hazard a guess that even fewer of us know the ins and outs of some of the stories. One that has been an anchor for me is the story of Joseph; especially the end. The epic of Joseph ends up concluding in the last chapter of Genesis; chapter 50. It's there, in verse 20 that we read,

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

I won't recount the entire story for you, but in a nutshell, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, carted off to a foreign country, favored by the government there, finds himself falsely accused of a crime, imprisoned for it, released from prison, rises to power in Egypt, and ends up showing mercy to his brothers at a time of great famine in Egypt. And it is then, as he is dispensing grain, and mercy to his brothers, that he makes this stunning and gracious pronouncement.

God knew all along what he was doing.

But what was Joseph thinking? What was Joseph thinking when his body hit the bottom of the pit into which his brothers threw him at the outset of the drama? What was Joseph thinking when he was falsely accused of taking liberties with Potiphar's wife? What was he thinking when he landed on the ground of the prison? In those awful moments, do you think Joseph was thinking "Wow, this is great because something great is going to come of it?" Do you think he began to contemplate the great exodus and deliverance from the soon-to- come slavery in Egypt? Was he excited about how this would set the stage for God's great work through Moses? Did he see this as simply setting into motion the coming to fruition of Joshua's budding leadership skills?

Neither do I!

But the hindsight with which we view God's sovereignty is one of the greatest "grace gifts" that God gives us through Holy Scripture. Because we are afforded this rare view of God's workings, we ought to rejoice.

I think one of the greatest "phrases within a phrase" is when Joseph says "God meant it..." To me this is just one more indicator and reminder that there is nothing that escapes God's eye. Beyond that, he not only knows, but that knowledge is intertwined with intention. God meant it. He didn't slip up; things didn't just "happen" and take him by surprise, there is purpose.

That's hard for us, especially when the situation is hard. We default to the usual expressions. "I thought God was a loving God?" "How could he intend this?" I think Isaiah did the best job of summing that one up:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

We know, by reading ahead in the story, how God wove greatness and redemption into the outcome of that story. Joseph didn't see it, but we did, and still do. And, as hard as it may be in the midst of what you are facing right now, God, I believe (and I hope you do too) is at work, meaning to weave something out of your circumstances. I believe that he has a plan, because God is a God of order and order means a plan. And I believe that the goal of that plan is His glory and not ours. That might be even tougher yet. But to sum up John Piper quoting Jonathan Edwards, we find our prime satisfaction in God's glorification.

Can you trust in that today? Are you ready to give up being god of your circumstances and allow Him to reign rightly there? As Joseph expressed to his brothers, "Am I in the place of God?"( vs. 19) The clear inference there is that God is at work and will bring about what HE wants to bring about from our circumstances.

So, what are YOU thinkin'?

Living the Dream

     I have really enjoyed hiking up Mount Peak in Enumclaw twice in the last week with my lovely wife Elizabeth. Well, wait just a moment: enjoyed might be too strong a word! I’ve loved having time with my wife; I have loved the interaction with folks coming down and going up the one mile climb; I have absolutely LOVED the weather…but…concerning how I feel as I’m hiking…that’s another topic for another entry: perhaps one on pain or misery!

   What was the most striking was one comment from a gentleman while we were descending the steep gravel road on the back side of “Peak” as it’s known by the locals. He was jogging down a side trail and as he emerged from the bushes and branches, I casually said “How’s it going?” His reply stuck in my head:  “Oh you know,” he stated, “living the dream!”

   That’s a curious phrase to me. It’s certainly not the first time I’ve heard it. It is, however, the first time I have become this analytical about it. “Living the dream;” does that mean that you actually DREAM about Mount Peak and now you’re living it because you’re here? For me, with the agony my body feels as it’s ascending, a better response would be “Living the nightmare!” But under closer examination, I think I know what he meant.

   I’m sure he was reflecting on one of the “out of character” warm days here in the Puget Sound (88 degrees when this adventure took place, breaking the all time high of 79 for the same day in 1957). I’m sure he was impacted by the gorgeous surroundings of this 1,800 foot peak that rises up out of a relatively flat surrounding area. And perhaps he was even more reflective than that: realizing that there are some that would love to come up and climb but for physical issues are unable.

   Reflecting on his comment caused me a bit of chagrin. While my first impression was “I’m living the dream too because I’m on my way down,” the more I thought about it the more I realized how grateful I should be, even for the pain. There are others that would love to make this climb and feel that same pain I’m dissing, but for a variety of reasons aren’t able. 

   I thought of some of those unfortunate, innocent race goers in Boston that now don’t have legs due to the reckless acts of two alleged bomb makers. I thought of the men and women that went far from their homes to try and secure freedom for other countries and have come home without limbs. I thought of folks in our congregation that due to health issues have slowed greatly that would, at one time, have nearly galloped up this road, but now are tethered to oxygen or other health support devices.

    “Living the dream!” Certainly, because there are those that can only dream; who won’t get another crack at living it.

   We all need a good wake up call now and again; and this one was mine. Can you look around you and see what it is that you take for granted? Maybe it’s a relationship, a person, your job, your home, maybe something or someone that generally is the brunt of more complaints than affirmations. Can you agree that you probably really are living the dream? Maybe you just need someone to shake you!

   James, in the New Testament, serves that purpose well. He writes: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change…What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 1:17, 4:14-15).

Coming Full Circle

I have to admit I am somewhat loath to wade into the social media tidewaters surrounding the work of the Supreme Court this week. Most likely you've not escaped it. If you're a regular Facebook user, undoubtedly your eyes have been caught by the various changes in profile pictures to either support the work of the court, or protest it, as it relates to their deliberation over California's Proposition 8 and the National Defense of Marriage Act.

I must say that I am in agreement with the justice that voiced a question over the appropriateness of the high court ruling on the issue of what constitutes marriage. I have always felt as though it was fairly clearly delineated in both the Old and New Testaments. It is, in any case, the source I intend to use to support my argument that what we now call "traditional" marriage is worth fighting for since it clearly, in terms of relationships, represents a coming full circle. Allow me to explain.

At the outset I must first credit the source from which I'm gleaning this fundamental example. John Piper, in his book "This Momentary Marriage," argues, I believe convincingly, this point; the marriage of a man and a woman is a coming full circle of the creation of man and woman.

In Genesis 2:18ff, God, in his quest to provide for the man a "helper fit for him," creates woman. First, it's crucial that we don't apply a western mind to the definition of "helper." The Hebrew more closely resembles a "counterpart." God, in his eternal wisdom, having observed no perfect counterpart yet in existence, creates  woman as the most suited, specifically designed answer to make this union complete, as it was birthed out of a desire to bring completion and unity (as the counter, "alone" in Hebrew is more closely "divided" ) to the man ("it is not good that the man should be alone;" Gen.2:18).

Key in that new creation is God's utilizing the rib, taken from man, in verse 21. There is a commonality in this creation, namely the rib, a part of the man, that does not exist in the animal or plant world. So this obviates that the perfect counterpart would not be found in anything other than that which would possess at least a portion of the man himself. The next verse reads "And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man." (Gen.2:22) Note carefully the man's response to the delivery of this one made from his own body: "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..." (Gen.2:23)

"At last" he exclaims! What was taken from me has now come back in the form of a perfect and complementary creation!" The problem posed by being alone, that which God said was "not good" is now solved by coming full circle; manifested in the person of the woman; created as the perfect and complementary counterpart having used part of the man. As trite as it has become, she does "complete him!"

If we truly hold to "intelligent" design, believing that God IS that intelligence, can we not trust that how he completed the circle need not be improved on? I heard someone on the radio yesterday say that what is involved in the proposed change in the definition of marriage embodies a type of "evolving." Does that not imply a NEED to change from a deficit to a more complete, more perfect solution? If so, that renders God's original intent, the full circle completion via the creation of woman, as flawed and somehow in need of an evolutionary touch to "clean it up" and improve it. That becomes a slippery slope leading to a less than adequate God, which then calls into question everything, not to mention the efficacy of the salvation he's provided as well through Jesus Christ. I think I'd rather trust and believe that he got it right the first time!

The Unexpected and Welcome Intrusion of Simplicity

Self disclosure time; I'm not the type of guy who spends a lot of time looking at, marveling at, or even really noticing some of the simple things of life; like the freshness of the morning mist (something we experience frequently here in the Seattle area), or other poetic experiences. I wouldn't say that I'm immune to those kinds of moments, it's just that the"stop and smell the roses" kinds of experiences aren't, or at least haven't, been a part of my experience.

That is, until this summer.

Two experiences occurred that really made me sit up and take notice; or better, freeze in my tracks. One was during a very simple, non-agenda filled walk in our back yard with my wife Elizabeth. Often we make the rounds in the yard taking note of what's blossoming and what's not, and more often than not, pointing out things that need to be eradicated; this plant trimmed, those weeds pulled, etc. On one such occasion as we were walking, I happened to take notice of a massive rose. It appeared that this bloom had subsisted on a diet solely of Miracle Grow! But in addition to its size, I took particular note of its intricacies. Each of the petals seemed to have been delicately placed by the Creator in such a way as to be unique and lovingly formed. "What care," I thought "was given to this signature piece of God's handiwork. And, as if to be the "icing on the cake," it smelled great!

Now remember, I don't generally have these kinds of "waxing poetic" moments! And I don't know what amazed me more; the flower or the fact that I noticed the flower!

Experience number two occurred within a day or two of the amazing rose incident. We had set up the coveted "Froggy" wading pool for our five-year old granddaughter. She was having a great time splashing around on one of those rare, "warm enough to get wet and enjoy it" days in the Northwest. I was struck by her carefree manner of play. She wasn't thinking about the next meeting she had at church. She wasn't thinking of balancing the books and the impending tuition payments coming up. She had no concern for how rough the car was idling or how worn the tires are getting. All she knew was that the "Froggy" pool was filled with water and it was time to relish it. My sense of envy nearly colored me as green as "Froggy" himself. Honestly, I was somewhat chagrined that I was that stressed. Was I really trusting in the one who owns the cattle on a thousand hills? It took both Mady and "Froggy" to awaken me to the simplicity of the moment.

I came from those experiences with something much more than just the platitude of "You've just got to stop and smell the roses" (literally)! I gleaned from this a conviction that life truly is precious, and fleeting. We don't have the luxury of  irresponsibly living aloof and walking away from what's required of us. But neither should we get so caught up in the stresses of the day (or week, or month) that simplicity becomes an intrusion as opposed to an intention, a destination, a refreshment. By that I mean that now, when I find myself "in a moment," rather than grouse about how infrequent they come and how short a time they last, I try and just soak it in and realize "I'm in the moment right now! Thank you Lord for helping me to realize that! Thank you, Lord, that you provide these moments of grace."

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said it best: "This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25)

Conspiracy to Fail

I heard a story recently on the network news that was distressing, yet not surprising for where our culture resides these days.Evidently there was an offer made by a website (which I won't name; not wanting to grant them any publicity) of $1,000,000. (yep, that's million) to anyone that could, as they put it, "bed" Tim Tebow, the recent trade to the New York Jets from the Denver Broncos. In other words (as if I have to get more graphic!) one million dollars awaits the individual who can successfully cause Mr. Tebow to violate his stand of faith regarding his virginity. That's how low we've sunk for entertainment.

There is an obvious problem with a society, or at least a portion of it, that takes joy in, and even rewards success in causing someone to fail morally. Unfortunately the real problem stems from those that cannot stomach the fact that Mr. Tebow actually is not afraid to admit publicly, as he has, that he is following the God-ordered design for intimacy. His seeking to live faithful to the God he worships and is not shy about following is anathema to the world view of some. He is living out the biblical injunction to "...let the marriage bed be undefiled..." (Hebrews 13:4, ESV) and his conviction is mocked. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that living out a biblical ethic is no longer in vogue.I'm distressed, but not surprised.

However, if that's what it means to be "with it" in society; to intentionally take pride in another individual's compromise, I'm happy to be a misfit. After all, Jesus told us to expect it. He said, in John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." I guess that's part of what it meant when Jesus told his disciples to be sure to count the cost. The days of open faith in the marketplace are long gone. Believers are not only despised by some, but are objects of conspiracy and sources of payouts if they can be dragged down. Perhaps then one's guilt is mitigated by the falling of another. So sad to see.

Disdain for Purity

I'm not too proud to admit that my wife and I hoard our change. Well, perhaps hoard isn't a good term; we collect it, only to eventually cash it in. It's always amazing (a) how much actually collects over time and (b) how it comes in handy at the most opportune of times.

As I was at the local Coinstar the other day, I heard a strange "clink" as I was pouring my coins into the feeding tray. I felt around the slot below where the reject coins end up. Sure enough, there were a few strays there, so I fed them back into the top with the other coins. "Clink" once again. So as I pulled out the "round two" reject, I noticed something different in the feel of this coin. Instinctively, I glanced down to notice Washington's head where it belonged on this quarter, but the date caught my eye and caused a double take. No wonder it felt strange: it was minted back in the day when they actually used silver! My immediate thought was this: the machine rejects the more pure and is more willing to accept the more alloyed coins.

What an apt commentary on society today, I thought. How quick we are as a culture to embrace the things that are less pure as if they are somehow synonymous with "new and cutting edge" and hence more laudable. One author recently bemoaned how our culture has "lost the ability to blush." Things that were once held in modesty are now trumpeted; and sometimes the more perverse the better. From reality t.v. to our tabloid appetite for reading material, we keep accepting a greater and more "alloyed" product while rejecting the pure. The eventual end product will be an all out disdain for anything pure.

But perhaps the cure would be found in a resurgence of valuing what is pure. Whether it ties into our purchasing power, or simply our thought life, it's there for us to recapture. Scripture implores us:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise worthy-think about these things." (Phil. 4:8)

Sounds like pretty clear marching orders to fight the disdain for purity. If we were to occupy ourselves with what is pure and allow that which is not to languish, perhaps it would curb the disdain for purity and instead, reverse the trend. Are you game?