We Want To Be Fully Known And Fully Loved

One of the most significant longings that we have in life is this: We desire that someone would know us—know everything about us, the entire truth of who we are—and yet still love us anyhow.  We long to be fully known and yet fully loved.  This is part of the significance of God’s love because this deep longing is fulfilled in a God who really does know everything about us and He loves us perfectly and unfailingly!

Doing Something Crazy With My Friend Hank

While I was on the treadmill today an incident from long ago came to mind.  I’m not sure why I thought of this, I suspect it may have something to do with the sheer boredom of walking on a treadmill.

Many years ago, I was riding along with one of my high school friends (we’ll call him “Hank,” which may or may not be his name).  While he was driving I noticed that Hank was beginning to slow down dramatically.  We were on a road with a 40 mph speed limit and he was driving about 15 mph—which is extremely slow in a car.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I want to see how the people behind me will react,” Hank said.  (Okay, “Hank” isn’t his real name.)

I had a pretty good idea how they would react.  And very quickly my guess turned out to be true.  Cars were lining up behind us.  Motorists were honking.  They were making gestures.  When they had the opportunity, of course, they went around us.  But those who couldn’t go around were not pleased with my friend’s experiment.

Hank shifted the car into neutral so that we were coasting and it slowed down even more.  In the course of our friendship Hank had done a number of things that surprised me, like the time he jumped out of the emergency back door of our school bus.  You know, the door that says “Emergency exit only?”  The door that sounds a loud alarm when it is opened?  That’s the door from which Hank chose to jump.  And he was incredibly calm when he did it.  He walked to the emergency door and opened it up as if this was the normal course of events.  Then he jumped out as the bus was rolling to a stop.

That surprised me.  And, based on her reaction (and her language) it really seemed to surprise the school bus driver, too.  Hank liked to test the limits of people and experiences and he was about to surprise me once again.

The car, in neutral, continued to slow down, the drivers behind us continued to honk, cuss and make obscene gestures.  Some people are actually quite creative when it comes to obscene gestures.  Have you noticed?  Anyhow…

And then Hank said to me, “Here, take the wheel, I’m going to get out of the car.”

“What?!?” I yelled.

Unfortunately, I think my shocked reactions to his behaviors often just served to encourage Hank because he laughed when I said, “what?!?”

Sure enough, Hank opened the driver’s side door—by this time the car was crawling along very slowly—and he jumped out and began jogging next to the car.  I can only guess what the people behind us were thinking.  Imagine looking at the car ahead of you which is making you angry because it is moving very slowly.  In the car there is a person in the passenger’s seat but no one in the driver’s seat.  The person who was in the driver’s seat is jogging next to the car as it rolls very slowly down a road with a 40 mph speed limit.

Hank was laughing as he jogged.  This was a funny and, knowing Hank, incredibly interesting experiment, in his mind.  I was wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into and I was concerned about someone from the cars behind us getting really mad and doing something crazy.

I suspect if the other motorists could have read my mind they would have said, “Wait a minute?  You’re the one who’s worried about us doing something crazy?!?”  Which, come to think of it, would have been a pretty good point.

After about half a block, or so, of running beside the car Hank jumped back in.  He shifted the car into drive, accelerated to the normal speed, and we continued on our way as if this was all part of a normal day.  You know, like the same kind of normal day in which you jump out of the emergency exit of the school bus.  That kind of normal.

The person on the treadmill next to me looked in my direction because I was laughing as I remembered this story from the past but I suspect it looked to this person like I was walking on a treadmill and randomly laughing for no particular reason.  He may have been thinking, “I hope this guy isn’t going to do something crazy.”

I wanted to tell him, “Don’t worry, I grew up hanging out with Hank, so, I’ve already done something crazy.”

The Church Is The Body Of Christ -- Audio Podcast

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

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Are Miracles A Bunch of Nonsense?

Folks who are skeptical about the Christian faith read the accounts of miracles in the Bible and they say, “This is nonsense! We know these kinds of things could never happen.”  But, in a way, the more fundamental issue is not the miracles.  The more fundamental issue is the existence of God.

If God does not exist then the miracle accounts are absurd.  However, if God does exist—if an all-powerful, Creator exists—then certainly He is capable of doing things that would be miraculous to our understanding of reality.  I believe He exists.

Lucy Peed On My Bed

Rachel was holding our new puppy, Lucy, on my bed.  We’re working on housebreaking Lucy.  She’s still young and, as you know, these things take time.  So I said to Rachel, “Keep an eye on her, Rachel.  Make sure Lucy does not go potty on my bed.”

“Alright,” said Rachel with great confidence.  And I must admit, I was convinced she had things under control.  After all, she said, “Alright.”  That suggests she was fully aware, in charge, and ever-vigilant.  Right?

It was literally less than 15 seconds later that I turned to see Lucy staring at me with her innocent puppy eyes and a look of contentment as she calmly christened my bed.  For such a little dog she really does have a lot of… um… well… uh… you know what?… never mind… that’s probably something that doesn’t need further elaboration.

“LUCYYYYY!!!!!!!!” I screamed.  Then I said, “Rachel, you said you were going to watch her!”

“Alright,” said Rachel.  Again, with a good bit of confidence.

In retrospect, as I sit writing these words, it occurs to me that I really should have seen this one coming.

E-Flash From Dan, February 22, 2014

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I’m sitting here doing some editing of my message for the services on Sunday and I’m feeling so enthusiastic that I felt compelled to let you know about my eagerness.  We’ve just begun a new series on what it means to be the church and tomorrow the message is titled, “The Church Is The Body of Christ.”

Hey, I’ve got a great idea.  Why not click on the link below to see a brief video invitation to the services?

Link…    http://youtu.be/50j9OK0L3Qc

I really hope you’re planning to be here!  I know God is going to be present.

Love and blessings,

Dan

Come To Church This Sunday!

                                              Click here for video!

                                             Click here for video!

When Our Souls Are Wounded

Hurts can happen in life that deeply wound our souls.  When this occurs, the path toward healing will involve acknowledging the brokenness as well as relational reconciliation and forgiveness.  But one of the most important aspects of healing involves intimacy with God.

The Gift of Full Attention

Some people will receive great help and encouragement today if we will listen to them, giving our full attention and letting them know that we have heard what they said and that we care about them.  We all need some people who will honestly listen to us.  When we do this for someone we are giving the person a wonderful gift.

Solving The Wrong Line Problem

If I'm at a store or restaurant with several cashiers I always choose the wrong line. The slowest line. The line in which someone has trouble paying. The line in which the cashier is a new trainee and does not actually know how the register functions. The line in which the cashier is actually a mannequin but I don't notice until 10 minutes of pointless waiting has elapsed.

So I've decided upon a new strategy. And I'm sharing it with you here because that's the kind of generous guy I am. Here's the new strategy: I will very carefully, very deliberately choose a line to stand in. Then, having made my choice, I will get in any other line except the one I've chosen since the one I choose is always the wrong one!

I hope you folks are nodding your heads in silent appreciation of the brilliance of this plan.

We Recognize Christ As Head -- Audio Podcast

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It's Getting Fun Around Our House

Our dog, Jasper, is making adjustments to our new puppy, Lucy.

Although he does sniff her a little bit here and there, just to verify whatever it is his sniffing verifies, for the most part he tries to ignore her.

The problem for Jasper, however, is that puppies have a lot of energy, a lot of curiosity and a tremendous desire to engage their older dog-brothers in playing.  I know, intellectually, that dogs don’t sigh and roll their eyes.  In fact, I’m pretty sure a dog-whisperer once told me, “Dan, always remember that dogs don’t sigh and roll their eyes.”

(Okay, it’s possible I am imagining my dog-whisperer conversation.)

I’m telling you, though, I’m almost positive I saw Jasper sigh and roll his eyes when Lucy tried to get him to run around in the snow with her.  And then he looked at me and his eyes said, “Really?”

The imaginary dog-whisperer told me dogs don’t say “Really?” either.  But can we really trust a guy who goes around whispering with dogs all day long?

Earlier today, Lucy discovered that Jasper’s tail is fun to play with.  Puppies have teeth that are like sharp little pins.  As you may have guessed by now, Lucy bit into Jasper’s tail with her sharp little pin teeth.  It was very evident that Jasper felt this bite and he gave her a clear indication that “he don’t play that game!”

He didn’t bite her or anything like that.  She’s okay.  But he got her attention.  (Large dogs are pretty good at getting anyone’s attention if they need to.)

As I said, adjustments are being made but, as you can tell, it’s getting very fun around our house.

Serving God Whether It Feels Good Or Not

There are times that we serve God and it feels good, fulfilling, exciting, maybe even fun.  There will also be times that we will be called to serve God when it won’t feel so great.  But we are called to serve Him anyhow because we don’t serve Him based on how we feel.  We serve Him out of a love and reverence for who He is; as an act of obedience; and out of a response to what He has done for us.

Nadia's Valentine Present

“What can I get Nadia for Valentine’s Day?”

That’s the thought that kept going through my mind the past couple of days.  It seems like everything I thought of fell into the category of:  “You’ve-already-gotten-that-before.”

Okay, I can get her another lovely set of Ginsu knives, sure, but as romantic and fun as Ginsu knives are they still left me thinking: is it possible there’s something more interesting?  Something that might be more surprising?

Well, on an impulse I pulled into a couple of different pet stores.  That can be a dangerous thing to do.

And as you have probably guessed by now, the little beagle puppy in the photo is Lucy.  She is Nadia’s Valentine’s Day present and the newest member of our family.

She definitely qualifies as “something more interesting” and “more surprising” than any other Valentine’s Day gift I’ve purchased.  Fortunately, Nadia loves dogs (I knew that in advance) and she’s already falling in love with Lucy.

…Don’t ask me what I’m going to do for Nadia’s birthday.  But I’m glad she doesn’t really like boa constrictors.

Danger In The Hospital Parking Lot

I was starting to walk across a road on hospital property.  Before I could cross, a van came whipping around a corner.  It was definitely exceeding the speed limit of the parking area.  I had to quickly run back and dive to the sidewalk hoping the guy was not actually trying to hit me.  While I rolled to safety I thought about the potentially strange irony of getting mowed down right there in the hospital parking lot.

(Okay, I didn’t actually “dive” to the sidewalk but isn’t the story a lot more fun if you imagine me diving to the sidewalk while you read it?)

As he zoomed by, the driver gave me an ugly look and shook his head as if to say, “What’s wrong with these dopes who try to cross the road when I’m at the wheel?”

When I reached the front entrance of the hospital I noticed that the dangerous driver was actually one of the hospital’s valet parking attendants!

Go ahead and let that sink in for a moment.  I suppose it is—in an odd way—slightly amusing.  (The amusement factor is substantially higher for me in light of the fact that I’m still alive.)

Even though I admire successful businesses I still think this is a flawed strategy for generating new customers at the hospital.

God's Commandments, Pt. 2 -- Audio Podcast

Exodus 20:12-17

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They Deserted Jesus But He Continued To Love Them Anyhow

All of the disciples deserted Jesus when he was taken into custody. 

And they even had advance notification of what was coming: “Jesus told them, ‘Tonight all of you will desert me.’” (Matt. 26:31)  This is when Peter told Jesus that even if everyone else deserts him, he would never desert him.

(Peter meant well, but sometimes he talked too much.  I’m familiar with that particular shortcoming.)

When something like that happens, most people would become very cynical and angry.  At that point, most folks would say, “Yep, that’s what I thought.  You’re all a bunch of cowards.  When I need your help the most, you turn and run.  Therefore, phooey on all of you!!!”

Jesus, however, continued with His mission and offered love, grace and, ultimately, salvation to those who did Him wrong.  That’s an extraordinary response, isn’t it?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Who Is Responsible For Me?

Here is today’s brief “unpopular rant:”  It is not the responsibility of someone else to make my life easy for me.  It is my responsibility to work hard, be diligent, industrious, conscientious and do the best I can with the gifts I have been given.

I’ve actually hesitated for several days to post these thought because I figured it would probably bother some people.  And then I thought, “How is it possible that concepts like responsibility, diligence, industriousness and conscientiousness would be bothersome or controversial?”

You cannot read tone of voice when it comes to written words, so, I will tell you I write these words with the intention of being loving, kind, gracious and helpful:  If we create a culture in which the majority of people no longer believe they have some measure of personal responsibility for their lives we are creating something dangerous and unsustainable.

Taking responsibility for our lives is not easy, but it is good and it is right.

E-Flash From Dan, February 7, 2014

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Hope you’ve had a great week and you are doing well.

I’m excited about the services coming up this Sunday.  (I know, I’m always excited about the services.  I can’t help it.  But, hey, it’s better that I’m excited about the services than tired and apathetic, right?)

Lisa Roule, Stephanie Chiocca and Kevin Durr joined me for a podcast that we hope you will take a moment to enjoy.  It’s the “What’s Coming 2/9/14 Podcast.”  Click on the link below to check it out!

Link…   http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=mediaplayer&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/mediaplayer.php&id=_{201402070902058F281E}

We are offering a baptism class this Sunday, in between the two services, if you are interested please feel free to attend.  (Participation in the class does not obligate you to be baptized.  You can attend the class simply for informational purposes.)

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Love and blessings,

Dan

Leadership And The Temptation To Manipulate People

There is an incredible temptation to want to manipulate people when you are in a leadership position of any kind.  Often those of us who are in leadership positions may even convince ourselves that the way in which we want to manipulate people is “for their own good.”  When we can convince ourselves that we’re doing something noble then we don’t feel guilty about it.

I’ve pulled this kind of stuff.  It has a lot to do with insecurity.

Leadership is a valid and necessary gift.  We need good leaders.  I’m not suggesting that leadership itself is an inherently flawed concept.  It’s not.  But I believe good leaders do not manipulate people.  We inform.  We instruct.  We point the way.  We encourage.  We exhort.  We pray.  We paint a picture of what could be.  We do what we are calling others to do. 

But manipulation is not necessary when we are doing what God calls us to do.  We need to allow God’s Holy Spirit to move, prompt, illuminate and convict.  And if the work of the Holy Spirit is not enough to motivate people to the actions we are hoping to see then we should not presume that we need to compensate with our own clever forms of manipulation.

(This thought is primarily directed at myself, but I thought some others might find it interesting or helpful, as well.)

What's Coming 2/9/14 with Dan, Lisa, Steph and Kevin -- Audio Podcast

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Taking It Up A Notch... And Then Taking It Back Down A Notch

I'm at the health club doing my cardio training and listening to 70's music. Suddenly the "groovy sounds"

I felt excited!

I felt invigorated!

I felt energized!

So in a moment of inspiration, feeling very young again, I decided to "take it up a notch."

I don't mind telling you it was a thing to behold. I'm pretty sure you would have marveled at the site!

... But after about 45 seconds of taking it up a notch I took it back down a couple of notches. I've learned the disappointing truth that listening to music from an earlier era is not, by itself, sufficient for a sustained increase in the notch level.

swept me back to an earlier era of life.

God's Commandments, Pt. 1 -- Audio Podcast

Exodus 20:1-11

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Van Troubles And A Happiness Theory

Rachel and I walked out of a store in Crestwood and jumped in the van.  When we turned the key to start it, however, I quickly got that unpleasant feeling I always get when it becomes obvious that the vehicle is not going to start.

It’s similar to the feeling I get when a doctor says, “We found something that concerns us…”

So, we called a tow truck and he said, “I’m on my way…!”

“…in about an hour.”

But, actually, he arrived about in about 25 minutes.  That was a pleasant surprise.

The van is now at our mechanic’s shop and he has not called to tell us what the problem is, yet.  But earlier today I posted a thought about choosing to be happy and wouldn’t you agree that it’s a bit ironic that my theory is being tested so quickly?

I mean, sheesh!!!  You’d think it would be at least a few days after my “happiness” post before I’d have to mess with stalled cars, tow trucks, and pricing estimates from mechanics.

Making The Choice To Be Happy

When someone is in a crummy, rude, sour mood and we are exposed to their gloomy pessimism it’s very possible that we will respond by adopting a negative mood as well because, unfortunately, that type of attitude can be contagious.  Unhappiness honestly can rub off on us.

But a negative response is not inevitable.  I know frustrating and hurtful things happen with the people in our lives.  But it’s helpful to remember that, for the most part, we really can make a choice to be happy.  And, seriously, isn’t that a better way to live?

I'm Hoping God Surprises Us

I had a conversation this week in which God showed up in a way that surprised me. I’m saying it was surprising in a good way.  I like when that happens.  I like that even though I’ve walked with God for a long time He still surprises me.  It’s probably good for Him to keep me on my toes.

As we gather today to worship God I believe He could show up in a way that would surprise us.  I’m praying that will happen.  I think it will be good for us.

Speaking The Truth Is A Loving Thing To Do

We’ve been led to believe that speaking the truth is an unloving thing to do unless the truth which is being spoken has wide, popular acceptance and consensus.  But the reality is that speaking the truth is a loving thing to do, even truths that might be difficult, challenging or unpopular.  It is important to speak truth graciously, kindly, gently and humbly.  But telling people the truth is not mean or cruel, it is loving.