Taylor's Awesome Birthday Party

We had Taylor’s 19^th birthday party today which was strange since he was born in January.  But we don’t like to procrastinate when it comes to something important, like a party…so we went ahead and held it in July.  (That way, you beat the rush.)

It was a fantastic party.  Taylor enjoyed his favorite kind of food, Chinese; his favorite form of birthday gift, cash; and his favorite people, random strangers walking by on 111^th street who were told there would be free cake.  (I’ll tell you what, if you want to gather a crowd, offer cake.)

At one point, I made two interesting observations.  One observation was that a good portion of birthday cake was missing.  The second observation was that Jasper had frosting on his coat.  I’m not sure if there’s a connection between the two, or not.  (Although, just a few moments ago, Jasper burped and it smelled like chocolate.  Odd, huh?)

So, it was a great party for Taylor….and it was a pretty decent party for Jasper, too.

All kidding aside, Happy Birthday, Taylor.  I love you!

Dad

I Like Surprising Ideas, Don't You?

Review of:  Against All Gods: What's Right And Wrong About The New Atheism

“Against All Gods” deals with questions which are raised by the “New Atheists” and in particular it deals with the naturalistic presuppositions at the root of their bold assertions.  Many books refuting the new atheism are now available but this one has something special that the other books don’t have: Phillip E. Johnson.

Dr. Johnson has an outstanding ability to cut through the tactics of his intellectual opponents, get to the root of their arguments, dissect their arguments, and then reveal the flaws and inconsistencies in their thinking.  He is a brilliant thinker—even, at times a “surprising” thinker, like when he mentions what he LIKES about Richard Dawkins (he has a lovely singing voice, you know)—and he combines his sharp thinking with effective communication skills.

For example, Johnson addresses the reality that Darwinism has become something of a “grand narrative” nowadays, among intellectuals.  And it is applied as a “corrosive force” to every field of study and philosophy and worldview.  But then Johnson makes this insightful observation:

“The one subject to which the corrosive Darwinian method is never applied is Darwinism itself, which is too cherished to be subjected to such undignified investigation.  It must be a rock of certainty, while everything else is dissolved into shifting sand by the acid of reductionism.  In consequence, the possibility that Darwinism itself is a product of brain chemistry rather than reason is never mentioned, much less featured on the cover of Time [magazine].”

He goes on, “When you hold a dominating position of unquestioned epistemic superiority, you do not need to debate rivals on equal terms, because it is safer and more devastating to sweep them away by explaining them in the language of your own paradigm.”

What a great insight!  (Although, I suspect those who disagree with him wouldn’t like the uncomfortable truth he points out.)

I’ve read most of Phillip Johnson’s books—at least the ones that are written for lay audiences—and have found them to be very interesting, very helpful, and intellectually profound.

Three chapters in “Against All Gods” were written by Dr. John Mark Reynolds.  The way that I’ve carried on about Phillip Johnson might lead one to believe that I was unimpressed with Dr. Reynolds’ contributions.  But that’s not true.  Reynolds’ chapters are interesting and helpful, as well—especially the parts where he includes lengthy quotes by Phillip Johnson.  (Come on, that’s a joke.  I’m kidding.) 

Reynolds’ tone is irenic and even, at times, gracious.  Like Johnson, he hands a compliment or two to the new atheists for their contribution to opening up an important and necessary discussion of God.  He writes, “The best thing about the new atheists is that they are starting some good conversations.”

I especially enjoyed Reynolds’ chapter which described how to read “Old Books”.  (I immediately took out my high school yearbook and applied some of the principles.)

“Against All Gods” is interesting, it is well-written and it effectively communicates insightful, well-reasoned thinking.

Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

"Good" And "Evil" Are Not Equal

Good and evil are not equal but opposite powers.  Evil exists as a corruption of good, it is not an eternally existing quality.  God is good and that tells us that good, ultimately, prevails over evil.  So, look to Christ, put your trust in Him and be encouraged.

Is Jesus Enough For You?

Jesus is sufficient.  I know that depending on what we’re facing and what we’re dealing with, that statement can seem trite or simplistic or naïve.  But I believe it’s true and have found that there’s a potent sense of comfort in its truth.  Jesus IS sufficient.  I hope you have come to realize this truth.

Getting On Board With God's Plans

The objective, in the Christian faith, is not to find a way to get God on board with our plans.  (Even though I’ve frequently tried to do that.)  The objective is for us to get on board with God’s plans.  We want to walk with Him in such a way that we sense what He is doing and where He is going and that’s what directs us.

Doing Something...Well...Something "Risky"

“Love” and “trust” are closely connected and interdependent. Real love requires trust. When trust is absent, genuine love is diminished. So, a willingness to do something…well… actually…something… RISKY is necessary for the full experience of love. We must take the RISK of “trusting”. Will we get hurt sometimes? Yes, we will. But that is part of the cost of authentic love.

Nadia Wins A Vacuum!

Nadia called me a while ago and said, “Guess what?”

I responded, “Alright….um….let’s see….uh….Eric Clapton called and he wants me to play with him at his next Crossroads Guitar Festival?”

So, she hung up.  Sometimes my wise guy nonsense gets really irritating.  But she quickly called back and said, “Guess what?” again.

This time, being mature and intelligent—and not wanting to push my luck—I asked, “What?”

She said, “I just got a call from our veterinarian’s office and they told me that as one of their clients, I was automatically registered in a contest.  And they were calling to inform me that I won that contest!”

“Wow!  You won?!?  You ACTUALLY won?!?  What did you win?” I asked.

She said, “A Dyson vacuum cleaner.  They are really expensive and highly rated vacuums….at least that’s what they say on their commercials…where they pay money to record a message in which they can say whatever they want.”

“That’s a pretty nice prize,” I said. 

(I was going to say, “That gift sucks!”  Get it?  Vacuums work by suctioning…they, literally, suck.  But, again, I didn’t want to push my luck.  And, when a joke requires an explanation, that’s often a sign that it’s not too funny.  Oops, I’m explaining, aren’t I?)

She said, “I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before!”

“When will you get the vacuum?” I asked.

“They have to do a check to make sure that I don’t work for any of the companies involved in the contest.  But once that’s done, they will ship it to me!”

It’s cool because she’s so excited about winning.  Later, when she was in my office talking about it, she was practically dancing with delight.  I love seeing her when she is genuinely thrilled…...like the day she first met me.  (Come on, I can dream, can’t I?)

So, is there a lesson that can be learned from all of this?

Actually, no, I don’t think there’s any lesson at all.  I’m just telling you about it because she’s so happy and because it’s fun to win something.  (Even something that sucks.)

(No explanation forthcoming.)

Oh wait, maybe there is a small lesson:  If—through the incredible connectivity and networking powers of the Internet—if, by some very strange one-in-a-million chance, if this on-line story were to ultimately be read, somehow, some way, by Eric Clapton…..

I’m available.

                                                                                                                   

Am I Really Trying To Understand?

I’ve noticed that, often, when I am seeking to understand God’s position on a matter upon which He has already clearly spoken, it usually means that I need to just be honest and admit that what I’m really doing is making an attempt to justify something that I want to do.   …..Anybody know what I’m talking about?

God Loves Us Perfectly

God doesn’t love us “a lot”, because “a lot” indicates a high degree of love and, frankly, that is inadequate. If God loved us “a lot” it might be possible for Him to love us “just a little bit more”. But it’s not possible for God to love us more. He already loves us PERFECTLY. “Perfect, eternal love is incapable of loving at varying degrees. God loves at only one level—perfection.” –Dwight Edwards.

What About "Judging"?

We all make judgments continuously, all throughout the day, every day.  Making judgments is a necessary and inescapable aspect of life.  The judgments Jesus calls us to avoid are opinions on issues we cannot know, such as a person’s motives, the ultimate condition of their heart, or their eternal destiny.

Let's Be The Ones Who Offer Genuine Love And Kindness

“Our world is badly in need of people who love, and it is hungering for people who demonstrate genuine kindness.  We are so deprived of it that we are astonished when we encounter it.” –James Bryan Smith.  Hey, let’s be the ones who ASTONISH others with genuine love and kindness. That would be cool—and very worthwhile—wouldn’t it?

He's Greater Than We Can Imagine

“…Jesus is a greater Savior than you think Him to be when your thoughts are at their highest.” [Spurgeon]  Is it possible that no matter how incredible we imagine Jesus to be, he’s actually even more incredible than we’re imagining?  That’s a tremendous and inspiring idea to ponder, isn’t it?  And I think it must be true.  Cool.

Writing Songs Involves Trying To Find A Way To Say "I Love You"

When I was in college, we had a guest speaker from Nashville come to one of my music classes to talk about songwriting. While speaking about crafting lyrics he said, “writing the lyrics of a song is all about this: trying to find an interesting, creative, new way to say ‘I love you’”. 

I said, “That’s it?  That’s what writing the lyrics of a song is all about?  Finding a new way to say ‘I love you?’”

He said, “That’s right.”

I never wrote any great love songs, but that moment has always remained in my mind.  That incident has served as another reminder to me of how important love is.  When we understand that “love” is perhaps the essential subject of a powerful and influential art form like song writing, we have yet another indication of the deep level at which the subject resonates in the hearts of everyone, and an indication of how vital love is.

Tried Anything NEW Lately?

“…The conditions that consistently force the brain to rewire itself are when it confronts something novel.  Novelty equals learning…” [Neuroscientist, Gregory Berns]  We need to keep exposing ourselves to new situations, new people, new ideas, new subjects, new experiences if we want to continue to learn and grow.  Question:  Have you tried anything new lately?

A Book Entitled "Different" Should Be Different...This One Is

This is a book on the subject of business marketing.  But it’s more than that.

This is a book on the subject of business competition.  But it’s more than that.

This is a book on the subject of business brand differentiation.  But it’s more than that.

The author of “Different”, Harvard Business School Professor, Youngme Moon, offers very interesting insights on the subjects I mention above, but she does more than that.

It probably seems like I’m trying to be cute, but I’m serious.  The book “Different” is more than the typical business book.  It is…well, it’s “Different”.  (And, actually, I AM trying to be cute, it’s a character flaw.  Sorry.)

What am I trying to say?  Well, first of all, I’m trying to say that I really enjoyed reading this book.  In fact, “Different” was, for me, one of those books that “you can’t put down”.  I’m not a particularly fast reader, but I read it quickly.  And I read it quickly because, to me, it was fascinating.  If you think about it, this is a pretty high compliment: a business book that “you can’t put down”…I mean, after all, it’s not even a novel with a racing, heart-pounding plot and fascinating characters and, yet, I couldn’t put it down.  (Well, that’s not completely true.  I did put it down a few times for meals.  And when that guy next to me was choking.)

Part of what sets this book apart is that Youngme Moon’s insights about marketing extend beyond marketing.  They are philosophical and psychological and some of them even border on being spiritual.  Her insights are about the experience of life and being human.  There is something unique about her writing and about her approach to thinking about business.  I like it.

This is a book about business marketing that people who don’t read books about business marketing might find interesting and helpful.

Highly recommended.

Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

Failure Is A Great Teacher

Failure is a great teacher.  When we learn from failures the lessons are generally “first-hand”—as opposed to learning lessons from a lecture or a book, i.e., someone else’s experience.  This makes the lessons of failure direct, tangible, memorable and, therefore, very potent.  Failure hurts, it’s obviously unpleasant, but there is much we can learn from our failures, if we are willing.

When Telling The Truth Is Costly, That's When It Matters The Most

When telling the truth is difficult or when it is costly, that’s when telling the truth matters the most.  The challenge for those of us who are pursuing the way of Christ is to look to Him for inspiration and strength and then…always speak the truth, in love.

Keeping Our Eyes Fixed On Him

There’s a constant awareness of God that is intentionally cultivated by the devoted follower of Jesus that helps us notice open doors and opportunities that God brings our way.  It’s possible for a person to miss some terrific God-initiated experiences because he is unaware and just simply not seeing them.  Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Him.

E-Flash From Dan, International Youth Convention, Late-Breaking Update

Dear E-Flash Friends;

There is something extra special about being hundreds of miles from home and meeting with the friendly, familiar faces of loved ones.

Nadia, Rachel and I met up with our church youth group and counselors at the International Youth Convention in Orlando, Florida, today.  And we have had a day of fun, inspiration, challenge, teaching, and deep community.  In short, it’s been a BLAST!

After all, squeeze 20 students and counselors in one hotel room at 11 o’clock at night; sing “Happy Birthday”; and serve cake; and you know that a foot-stomping good time is inevitable, right?

You say, “Dan, was it someone’s birthday?”

Nope.  We just like singing “Happy Birthday” and serving cake.  It feels festive.  Cake always tastes better if you sing “Happy Birthday” before eating it.  Sometimes I’ll even sing “Happy Birthday” before eating pancakes….especially if I’m eating the pancakes at McDonald’s.  Trust me, it’s better that way.

Actually, I’m joking around.  The real answer to the question is “Yes” we celebrated the birthdays of my nephew and nieces, Eric and Caitlin and Megan, who are triplets and turned 17 today!  (Actually, it’s late while I’m typing this.  Their birthday might be YESTERDAY by now.)

But I think the highlight of the day for me was a little more spiritual in nature.  (Not that eating cake isn’t spiritual.  It definitely can be very spiritual, especially if it’s chocolate.  Everyone knows that God loves chocolate.  Sure.  Of course, He does.  It’s in the Bible….somewhere….maybe.)  But the highlight I’m referring to happened at the conclusion of an event that’s known as the “Silent Prayer Walk”. 

After the main evening session of the convention.  The entire group of 5,000 students and leaders walk, in total silence, and an attitude of prayer, from the large convention meeting room, to an outdoor location.  The walk takes about 15 minutes in order to cover the distance from the convention meeting room, to an outdoor location large enough to accommodate 5,000 people. 

At the outdoor location, a stage is already set up and a worship band is playing, softly, as we arrive.  When the entire crowd reaches the location, the worship band leads in a time of intense and meaningful worship which leads into the taking of communion.  The communion time is structured in such a way that each of the youth groups from all around the country—actually from all around the world—huddles together and shares in communion, as a church community.

It was during this time that we were gathered for worship and communion, at the silent walk location, that the spiritual highlight of the evening occurred for me.  As the worship time unfolded, our group, spontaneously—without being directed to do so—began to put our hands around each other’s shoulders, or a hand on the back of the person from our group standing nearby.  We sang the closing worship songs, physically joined together, and spiritually joined together, many of us with our heads bowed or our eyes looking up to heaven, and our arms around each other.  The feeling of love and closeness and unity among our group was tangible and authentic and powerful and deeply moving.

It was the kind of unity that, I believe, is only experienced as a result of knowing Jesus and authentically sensing the love of Jesus.  It was a time of profound and rich Christian community.

After prayer and communion, we all hugged each other with tears and many meaningful words of love and affirmation were spoken.

In a way, this type of happening is hard to describe because the intense feelings of the moment can’t be communicated very effectively with words.  It’s the kind of occurrence that qualifies for the phrase:  “You had to be there.”

By the way, I wish you could have been there.  I really do.  It was special.  I’m so glad that God arranged it so that Nadia and Rachel and I could be there for this great time of honoring Him and loving each other.  I’m very, very proud of our youth and our youth leaders.  This is an outstanding group of people.  Their love for each other is wonderful.

And, thank you to our church.  The loving, gracious generosity the Church of God in Oak Lawn thrills me and amazes me.  You folks at the Church of God, in response to God’s leading, make this kind of thing possible and for that I am very grateful.  So are our students!  What a fantastic church!

The concluding session of the convention happens tomorrow morning at 10am (eastern time).  (Again, that’s actually TODAY, now that I look at my watch.)  If you can, I ask you to pray for our group and for the closing session tomorrow.  Also, pray for God to continue to work, in the time remaining in their trip and to give safety during the drive home.

If this makes very little sense, I’m blaming it on the fact that it’s terribly late and I’m tired.  (Rather than blaming it on the fact that it’s actually pretty often that I don’t make sense.)

Love and blessings,

Dan

This is the stage at the IYC, just before the start

of the main session, this evening.

Be Engaged In The Present

Great wisdom traditions encourage us to be engaged in the present.  The past is gone and the future has not, yet, arrived.  The present is the only place we can truly live and, as Jesus says, the present is “enough”.  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” [Jesus]  Matthew 6:34.

In Order To Love, We Must Be Able To Forgive

If we can’t forgive, it will be extremely difficult to love people, because all people make mistakes.  In any long-term relationship, the people involved in the relationship will do something that will require forgiveness, somewhere along the way.  (Remember, we will be the one who needs to have forgiveness extended to us, at some point.)  So, if we can’t forgive, it is hard to maintain significant, long-term love.

Is He Calling Me Mike?

I signed up for an inexpensive, temporary membership at a local gym—because incredible musculature has to be carefully maintained…at least, that’s what Arnold always says when he “Skypes” me to discuss his new ab routine.  And over the past couple of weeks I’ve had a few casual conversations with the guy who works the front desk at this gym.

This person is a very nice man but he speaks softly and sometimes I can’t tell what he’s saying.  (I suspect some of you are thinking about the “low talker” episode on Seinfeld.  Yep, me too.)  So, when I’ve left the gym several times, recently, he’s quietly said, “We’ll see you …. (mumbled sound)!”  And I haven’t really understood what he has said.

This morning, when I left the gym, he did this again and as the door closed behind me I finally realized what he’s been saying.  He’s been saying “Mike”. 

“We’ll see you…[very softly] Mike!”

Suddenly, I thought about some of our other exchanges and I’ve just come to realize that he’s been calling me “Mike” for a couple of weeks.

One day, when I was getting off the stationary bike, he said, “Are you done with the bike?”  At least, at the time, that’s what I thought he said.  Now, I realize he actually said, “Are you done with that, Mike?”

“How you doing, Mike?”

“Make sure you maintain proper form, Mike.”

“Wipe down the equipment when you’re done, Mike.”

“Your muscles appear to be getting smaller, Mike.”

I considered going back in and telling him that my name isn’t Mike, it’s Dan.  But it would probably embarrass him since he’s been calling me Mike for several weeks and, gee whiz, tomorrow is the last time I’ll be at the gym before we start to head back home, so, it doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal.  I suspect it will just confuse everyone if I change my name, now.

I can imagine people at the gym saying, “Why is that guy calling Mike, Dan?”

So, for one more day, at the gym, I will be Mike.  And then I can go back to the name that I’m most comfortable answering to:  Most Holy Reverend St. Marler of Calvary, Jr., the Third.

…And I know that’s the name that the majority of you are most comfortable calling me.

Here I am striking a pose before I leave

the gym....Or, wait a minute...now that

I think about it, this might be "Mike".

Learning And Growing In Community

There is a learning and growing process that happens in community which is encouraged when we come together and compare experiences, collaborate in our thinking, provoke creativity, and challenge one another to stretch.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one  man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:1.

No One Can Provide Complete Happiness For Us

When we love someone thinking, “this is the person who is going to provide me with complete happiness,” we put too much pressure on the person. We create a situation that’s bound to fail because no person is capable of providing complete happiness for us.  Realistic, honest expectations about our relationships allow them to be more free and healthy.

Reason And Emotion, We Need Both

Some people seem to want to base every thing on emotions and the feelings of the moment.  On the other end of the spectrum are those who don’t trust emotions and believe they are a sign of weakness.  The truth is in the middle.  Emotions are good and serve an important purpose.  But they work best when they work together with reason.  God created both, reason and emotions.

The Blind Side Gives A Good Example Of The Power Of Love

The movie, “The Blind Side”, gives a good example of how love can have tremendous power. It is inspiring when true love serves others selflessly and when it reaches across the divides that typically separate people.  (I know this reads like an OLD post because the movie has been out a long time.  What can I say?  I just watched it for the first time last night.) If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth watching.

You Know What You Know

If you have experienced the presence of God, you know it and no one can take that from you.  Someone may express doubt or skepticism but your experience cannot be invalidated by the opinions of others.  You know what you know.

Love Resonates With The Essence of "Who We Are"

One of the reasons that love feels good and right is that we are made in the image of God; and God is love (1John4:8). As image-bearers of God, when we love others we are doing something that resonates with the essence of “who we are” and something that fulfills our created purpose.

E-Flash From Dan, Attracting Barracudas Edition

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I was swimming in the ocean with the manatees, yesterday, near a jetty from which a number of people were fishing.  No kidding!  On five different occasions I was petting the manatees as they swam around near me.  It was very cool!  I was preaching one of my sermons while I was swimming so that must have been what was attracting them.  Manatees love a lively lecture.

(Hey, stop laughing, it could happen….in some kind of strange alternate universe.)

At one point, a mom who was standing on the jetty called out to her teenaged daughter, who was in the same area as me, and said, “Erica, are you wearing any jewelry?”

Erica responded, “Yes, I’m wearing a necklace.”

The mom called out, “Take it off, these fishermen tell me that there are barracudas in the water around there and it will attract them.”

                          ,

As you probably know, barracudas are vicious and aggressive creatures.  They move with lightning speed and have razor sharp teeth that can quickly tear the flesh…and…oh… wait a minute…hold on… you know what?  I’m sorry that’s not a description of barracudas, I got a little confused for a moment.  That’s a description of a pet hamster I had, many years ago.

Anyhow….Erica said to her mom, “It’s not a shiny metal necklace, it’s plastic.”

The mom said, “Okay!”

I looked at my wedding ring on my left hand and thought, “Hmm, it might be a good idea to keep my hand out of the water.”  (My powers of reasoning are really astonishing, huh?)

I was swimming in waters that were over my head because that’s where the manatees were.  I had a device called a “noodle” that helps with floatation but it’s still inconvenient to swim in deeper waters with one hand constantly raised out of the water.

There were no pockets on my swim trunks that would safely hold the ring, so, it occurred to me to take the ring off and hold it in my mouth.  But you and I know what would have happened then, right?  Oh yeah, I can just imagine the laughter and ridicule when I have to tell people that I swallowed my wedding ring.  (That would be similar to the time that I accidentally ate our marriage license.  Phew!  Did I ever take some ribbing for that!)

Well, thankfully, I made it back to shore safely and plopped into my beach chair.  But just then several land sharks* came out of the tall grass and chased me to the car.

Lessons?  1) Always take off your jewelry before swimming in the ocean; 2) Don’t keep a wedding ring in your mouth; 3) Watch for any strange movements in the tall grass; and 4) Never forget that we’re back to our regular schedule this Sunday, July 11^th.  The services will begin at 9 am and 11 am, but, hopefully, your heart of worship will begin way before that.

Love and Blessings,

Dan

*NOTE:  Land sharks are not real creatures.  I’m just kidding about that part of the story.

**NOTE:  Hamsters are real creatures but they don’t’ normally tend to be quite as ornery as the one I described in the story.

[ If you would like to have the E-Flash From Dan sent directly to your e-mail, send an e-mail message to: cog111st@aol.com and write "Please send me the E-Flash" in the "subject" field. ]

 

Do You SEE The Activity Of God In Your Life?

Some people never see God at work in their lives, because they aren’t looking for God & don’t expect to see His activity. When God does act, they attribute it to something else. Other people see God at work in their lives all the time, because they want to see God at work in their lives; they are looking for God’s activity in their lives. Unbelievers call this “wishful thinking”, believers call it honest observation.

An Inevitable Texting Tale

Well, there are certain things that are inevitable.  They’re going to happen.  Yes, indeed, they are GOING to happen.   Maybe they’ll happen sooner, or maybe they’ll happen later….but we know that, ultimately, they’re going to happen.

One of these inevitable things happened to me yesterday.  I actually, received a text message from my wife while we were in the car together.

Alright, granted, I was in the front seat driving and she was all the way in the back seat…you know, WAY back there in the back seat of the van.  But still, a text message wouldn’t seem to be necessary in such an instance, would it?  (Text me, if your answer to that question is “yes”.)

(By the way, Nadia was in the back seat because her sister, Paula, was on the passenger side of the front.  Believe me, when it’s just the two of us, Nadia does not sit in the back seat while I’m driving, unless, of course, we’re going some place where she needs to show up making a good impression.)

I looked in the rear view mirror as I was driving and asked her, “Did you text me?”

In response to my question I heard the notification tone on my phone indicating that I had just received another text.

I asked, again, “Is that you texting me?”

Another notification tone.  Nadia had a sly smile on her face.

It turns out that she had text-ed me a picture.  And then as I was asking if she was texting me, she was responding with the following text messages:  “No, that’s not me.”

She can be funny like that, in a tricky way, sometimes.

Later that night, as we were laying in bed, we had a good laugh about the silliness of the whole matter….via Skype.  Then we sent each other an instant message, saying, “xoxo, goodnight”, signed off of our laptops, and went to sleep.

It wasn’t REAL sleep, it was virtual sleep, but I feel rested….in a digital sort of way.

The Mature Person Is The One Who Initiates Reconciliation

In a loving relationship, it is the mature person who will initiate reconciliation, if that becomes necessary.  The mature person will initiate the reconciliation even if the mature person was not responsible for whatever has happened that has brought about the need for reconciliation. You say, “Well, I’m the mature person and I’m not going to do it. No way!” Then understand that reconciliation will probably not occur.

We Must BE What We Are Trying To Influence In Others

If we are helping someone or mentoring someone, one of the most important factors is this:  We must BE what we are challenging others to be. “You have to be somebody before you can share yourself.” [Lanier]  Our influence will be more significant as a result of “who we are” rather than “what we say”. Do you desire influence? Then BE what you are trying to influence in others.

Lizard Hunting Expedition

Rachel and I like to catch the little geckos that can be found all over the place in Florida.  (Nadia never joins us in these expeditions, strange, huh?  You’d think this would be the kind of romantic adventure that every woman would be looking for.  Oh well, I remain puzzled…)

The geckos are very fast and usually they won’t let people get close before they dart into a hiding place.  But, sometimes—if you are diligent and patient—they can be caught.

When they are caught they are, of course, very nervous, at first.  You can tell because their breathing becomes rapid…and they chain-smoke Marlboros—that’s always a sign of nervousness.  After they relax a bit, though, they go back to casually smoking a pipe, with their feet up on the coffee table.  (All of the zoological textbooks are careful to note that geckos are outstanding relax-ers.)

Actually, the pipe-smoking line was just a joke.  But you knew that, already, didn’t you?  Seriously, after they relax a bit they will sometimes sit comfortably in the palm of your hand.  (Really.  Check out the picture of the gecko in Rachel’s hand.)

I caught one yesterday and after he calmed down, he sat in my hand as if he were a long time pet.  As he continued to get increasingly comfortable he made soft noises that were very hard to hear, but I held him close to my ear and I listened carefully and I heard this sound coming from the gecko:  “Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more…”

Hey, at that point, I bought a policy.  Come on, you would, too.  Right?

Problems Are An Opportunity for Growth

God’s word tells us that difficulties, trials, problems and set-backs in life are fantastic opportunities for growth—even something to be thankful for.  I understand that truth and have experienced the reality of it.  But it still hurts.  “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2.  I hope you are experiencing God’s presence today.

Off-Line

I will be off-line for the next few days.  Love and blessings to all.


*(Although, if I go through on-line withdrawals, I may sneak back on.)

"Freedom" Is A Big Deal. I'm Very Thankful For It

I’m very thankful to live in a country that offers an extraordinary degree of freedom and opportunity.  In human history, liberty has never been a given.  Sadly, it has not been enjoyed by most people, at most times.  The lives that I and many of my on-line friends live are incredibly blessed in this regard.  I plan to take time throughout this weekend to thank God for this blessing.

Make Spiritual Disciplines A Priority

Most Christians know the things that need to be done in order to grow, spiritually: worship (corporate and private), Bible study, prayer, serving others in Jesus’ name, etc. This is not a mystery to most. The issues are: priority & discipline.  Is spiritual growth really a PRIORITY in your life and are you willing and determined to be DISCIPLINED in your pursuit of this priority?