An Explination

When I created this blog I had no idea what to title it. After days of thought and talking Heather turned to the books on our shelves for added insight. On a shelf sits a hymnal from San Francisco Theological Seminary dating back to 1931. It was given to Heather when her grandfather passed away. I guessed they thought we would put it to good use because we were on our way to Seminary. One page thirty is a song entitled, "Altar of my Heart." Read the words:


1 - Now from the altar of my heart let incense flames arise. Assist me, Lord, to offer up mine evening sacrifice. Amen.

2 - Awake, my love! Awake, my joy! Awake, my heart and tongue. Sleep not; when mercies loudly call, break for into a song

3 - This day God was my sun and shield, my keeper and my guide; his care was on my frailty shown, his mercies multiplied.

4 - Minutes and mercies multiplied have made up all this day; minutes came quick, but mercies were more fleet and free then they.

5 - New time, new favor, and new joys do a song require; till I shall praise thee as I would, accept my heart's desire.

6 - Lord of my time, who hand hath set new time upon my score, then shall I praise for all my time, when time shall be no more.


This hymn resonates with me in so many different ways right now. My hands would get tired and your eyes would become strained if I rambled on. But don't worry I will expound on this at a later date and time. In the mean time, what do you think?

Not so Random Thoughts on Life and Death

Like every other Thursday Heather picked up Maya from school to bring her home and as usual they talked about her day on the home. Maya told Heather about a conversation she had with one of her friends, Lilly. Lilly asked, "Maya, who is picking you up today? Is it you daddy, your mommy, or how about your papa?" Maya replied, "My papa is in heaven." After telling Heather about her conversation with Lilly she went on and informed Heather about her recent conversation with God. "God said that papa was going to come back." To which Heather gently replied, "no honey, I'm sorry papa is in heaven for good." Maya boldly informed Heather that, "no he's not he is with nan right now."

Did I forget to tell you that yesterday was my parents anniversary. The story makes more sense now doesn't it?

I called my mom to tell her of the conversation and she simply replied, "how does she know, how can she sense those things?"

It's amazing the comfort and joy that memories bring. You would think they would be enough, but there not. What's more amazing is the comfort and joy that we receive knowing that our loved ones are in the presence of our Lord and Savior. It is because of Christ's death and Resurrection that we can find comfort and joy in times of trouble. Positive memories will only last so long, eventually they fade away. What's the one thing that will never fade? God's love.


I believe it was the Tuesday in between my father's death and his memorial service that I was sitting in chapel at Seminary dreading the fact that I had to be there when I didn't want to be. A message was given that chapel by one of my professor's (Dr. Terveen) who suffered a traumatic loss of his daughter years ago. I came across a pod cast of the same message given a few weeks ago at a local church. The message is entitled God's Voice of Comfort and all you have to do is click on the podcast player to listen to it.



Listen to it!

Coaching

One might say that life is a race, a game, or a voyage. Nowadays more then ever it seems that athletes, teams, and crews that are taking all the glory and acknowledgement for themselves. They maintain the attitude that they alone can accomplish the task. It seems to me that they have forgotten one critical component, the coach. Joe Gibbs an excellent coach and winner believes that:

Whether the sport is football, swimming, golf, or NASCAR auto racing, to truly
be successful, you must have a top-notch coach… Without a coach, the players all want to do their own thing and go their own way, so they end up bumping into each other, causing unnecessary wrecks and wasting a lot of time, money, energy, and resources. Somebody must be in charge! Of course, the best coach is somebody who knows you and knows the best way to maximize your effort within the system. (Emphasis mine)

Some of the most influential people in my life were my coaches. They were men who believed in me, inspired me, and empowered me. It might surprise you that not all were coaches on the field or court. Some of them were coaches on life. A coach does not have to be limited to the court or field; they can function in life and in the Church. The greatest coaches that I had knew who I was and understood how to draw from me all that I could give so that the goal could be accomplished, whether it was on the court, in the office, or at church.

As I take stock of my life and envision the future I see a life of coaching. A recent quote by Steve Young at the Memorial Service for Bill Walsh illustrates exactly what I have been pondering lately in regards to life and ministry. "Somehow we could take inventory of what you were today and see what you could become in the future...What more could anyone ask than to have a coach who could foretell how high you could fly, and then gave you the wings?"

As I look at Jesus there is no doubt that he saw the best in everyone. I think of Peter and his boldness and willingness to stand up for Christ at all times only to deny him and sink to the lowest point possible. What did Christ do? How did he respond to Peter? He responded by positively reminding Peter of the good that was to come. Jesus gave Peter his wings to fly and set him on a course which has transformed history and if Christ is in you He has done the same for you.

Reflect on your own life about the men and women you have been involved as they served you as a leader, mentor or coach. How did they handle themselves? Now think about the relationships that you are in where you are the one mentoring, leading, or coaching - how are you going to handle yourself?

Here is something to ponder: Who are you preparing for flight?