Quote of the week. or month. or year.

I met a new friend last December as he was undergoing some medical procedures at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a brilliant man, tall in stature and knowledgeable. Civil War is his thing. Amazing.

Fred has a great relationship with God and has been instrumental in leading many people all over the world to relationship with Jesus. Anyways, Fred said that he had been talking with the Lord and the Lord just spoke to him and said...

"Fred... one of us needs to change."

Ain't that the truth. And the good news is, change is possible. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." One of us does need to change... and if we will let Him... the spirit will do it, He will change us.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

So sign me up to change. I'm ready.
VAN

We live in Track Town USA!

Just finished the biography by Kenny Moore on the life of Bill Bowerman.

I intended to read this while I was away this past summer. However, on our outbound flight to Munich my father-in-law asked to look at it... I got it back 2 weeks later. However, in the meantime I heard many quotes from the book... quotes I would have read myself if I had been able to actually read the book. (So I started another book and never got back to it till this last October.) But that is the past now. I've forgiven and am actually glad he got to read it too. He just kept saying "this guy is an incredible writer."

I have to agree. How Kenny could make races come alive, as if they were happening in real time, is amazing. These are races that hardly anyone would ever remember the outcomes let alone that they even occured. It is in fact a well written book about a bigger than life character.

I'm not a native Oregonian (though all my kids are), so it was WONDERFUL to learn of such an incredible heritage that is Track Town, USA (Eugene, Oregon).

In the next 5 months we will be connecting with the run community of Eugene by sponsoring and operating a water stop at the Eugene Marathon and by having volunteers participate at the Olympic Trials at the end of June. Isn't it amazing that the world's eyes will be on Eugene, Oregon two times in the next 5 years. (the 2012 trials are slated to be here also)

Well, I encourage you to read the book. You can get it on line (signed by the author even) at Kenny Moores website: http://www.kennymoore.us/. (I got my hardback from Costco but that was a while back. Borders has the softcovers available.) Let me know your thoughts...if you've read it. In fact, I'll by the coffee for anyone who wants meet and talk about this book!

More later,

VAN

Don't Weep, See!

The scripture from the last post reminded me of a LIFE journal entry from back in August.

Revelation 5:5
5Then 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."

John writes in verse 4 "I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll and look inside ." This seems to be a poignant moment for John. At first filled with anticipation and hope, but then despair and loss, because no one was found who was worthy to open the scrolls. In all of heaven no one was found who was worthy. IN HEAVEN?

I have to stop and recognize that this is a scene taking place in heaven... not on Main Street USA, a tavern on the corner, or even a church in the bible belt. It's heaven. Surely there would be someone worthy... in heaven? If there ever was a moment to weep... this was one!

Then with joy, an elder said "do not weep... SEE!" Sometimes we can get so focused on what things appear to be that we don't see what is really going on. The elder did see and was able to lift John's eyes so he could see too. This moment was a real moment to weep. It was an appropriate response to a definite problem. But that's not all that was going on. That's not all that was occurring. GOD WAS AT WORK! The Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth was already prepared to be the Worthy One.

In our life and circumstances, we may sometimes weep... but we need to stop and see. Jesus wept at Lazarus' tomb, but not for long, because the resurrection power was already present and at work, and everyone present that day saw. May I be like that elder and help lift the eyes of others so that they can see that God is at work. There is one worthy. His name is Jesus.
AMEN.
Van

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