today's stream of consciousness

FIRST THOUGHT: We saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets on Christmas Day. It was a terrific movie. My dad even stayed awake for the whole thing. My brother Ben, however, nodded off a few times.

NEXT THOUGHT: One of the previews was for the new Chronicles of Narnia movie coming out in May of next year. Prince Caspian is next up. It looks to be great as well. Three cheers for C.S. ol' chap!

THE NEXT THOUGHT: Seeing that preview made Clairey want to see the first one again (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). So, we watched it tonight. It was great. Aslan (the Lion) was powerful, bold, courageous, humble, and he gave his life for the life of another. The image of the Lion of Judah from the revelation looks like this "Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Revelation 5:5 A powerful image of a powerful savior.

THE LAST THOUGHT: Today, during a meeting, we were talking about Jesus (certainly a good topic on any day for any meeting). More specifically, we were talking about how Jesus doesn't need my help to make Him more presentable to people. Jesus plus something is always good, but just JESUS... now that's revolutionary! Which reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Dorothy Sayers. It goes something like this...

"The people who hanged Christ never, to do them justice, accused him of being a bore — on the contrary, they thought him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for later generations to muffle up that shattering personality and surround him with an atmosphere of tedium. We have very efficiently pared the claws of the Lion of Judah, certified him ‘meek and mild,’ and recommended him as a fitting household pet for pale curates and pious old ladies.”

I want no part in muffling up the shattering personality of the Revolutionary One. So, here's the question... In any way have I been bored with Jesus, the Lion of Judah?

If so... nothing is wrong with Him... something is wrong with me.

more later,

VAN

my new favorite commercial

Check this out. I wish this would actually happen. It would be refreshing.

More later,
VAN

running thoughts 1

I set out for my Friday morning run. Since I was running alone today I thought I'd just stay around my neighborhood. We have a 3.4 mile loop that weaves through our "unsidewalked" streets.
As the sound of the screen door hit my ears the scent of fresh baked cookies hit my nose. (That is a really wonderful smell.) In fact for the whole time I was running I was more acutely aware of the smells and fragrances in the neighborhood. The vital goodness of espresso wafting from the coffee hut on the corner, fresh cut lumber at a house being built on North Park, the fresh scent of Downy coming from a laundry vent, a wood burning stove, even a bonfire at the River Road park. Nice.
Then there is always the "wonderful" scent of car exhaust. Not a most excellent thing when you're gasping for air. In fact... it stinks. That's what got me thinking. What stinks in my life? attitudes? actions? or perceptions? Certainly too much to blog on today.
Next I smelled the fresh baked cookie thing. (Is there some sort of community bake sale going on today?) It was all over the neighborhood.
My next thought was about the story in John 12 and the woman who broke the jar of perfume and annointed Jesus. The phrase that leaps out from the passage is "The house was filled with the fragrance." This woman had many things in her history that qualified for the descriptive "stinky", but here her actions resulted in a pleasing fragrance.
So, here's the question: What's the fragrance of my heart? When people are roaming around the neighborhood of my life are my actions, attitudes and perceptions like the smell of fresh baked cookies or lung stopping car exhaust?
Just my thoughts while I was running today. Remember, when you run the O2 level gets a little decreased, so I can't be responsible for everything I think!
more later,
VAN

Lonely Places

Lots of folks feel lonely at this season of the year. But there is a different kind of lonely place.

Luke 5:16 says

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely place and prayed."

I'm not much for lonely places. Solitude drains me. I feel anxious, bored, vulnerable and well... lonely. On the other hand, being with people energizes me. Yet I have been discovering that this part of my journey with Jesus is critical to my growth.

If Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed, then there is certainly something in it of value for me. Jesus, the Lord, pulling away from outside influences, to a place of personal face to face with God. Removed from all men's perceptions (either that boosted his ego or drug him down) he could just... be, listen, hear, obey. And above it all... tell His Father that He loved Him.

I pray that God will continue to lead me into this area of lonely places each day.

Jesus knew that lonely places aren't so bad if God is there. Now I know that too!
VAN