periclete

Great Friends

Many of you know that one of the life changing moments in my life was back in 1991 driving home from my brothers memorial service.  It was a very difficult time in our lives, but the reception was wonderful because Dana and I had so many common friends.  We had a great time reconnecting to our friends at the reception, but on the way home, I told Deb that I felt my life was too busy for friends.  So I determined to change that and made time for friends which was the beginning of meeting with some friends early in the morning each week.   A life that is too busy for friends is simply too busy.

I also see the need to keep in contact with old friends that don't live close.  A few weeks ago I spent some time with my life-long friend Jim and his wife Margie, after his mother's memorial.  You know how there are friends where you can pick up right where you left off and it seems that no time has gone by.  Jim is such a friend.  But I know that I need to keep closer touch.

This week Tom and Bonnie (deb's college roommate) came to visit.    What a great time we had together.   Bonnie and Deb are such great friends and so alike and it was just fun to be together.   Tom is one of those guys that earns my respect so quickly.  He has such a gift of imparting into people's lives.  Tom is one of those guys who is a "refresher".  Paul writes to Philemon, "The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you brother"  Philemon 7.  One of my life goals since college days is that I would be one who "refreshes".   I have been thinking again what this looks like, and am thinking about the work that God still has to do in my heart, in my attitude, in my schedule for this to happen better.

Big Gulps

I've been thinking of the big plastic cups that you used to be able to get at a fast food place.  I think it was called, the Big Gulp.  I don't think I ever bought one because I couldn't drink that much soda in one sitting.  It has crossed my mind as I have been thinking of Jesus words, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink".   

"Drinking" of Him is something that I have been thinking of lately.  I have to ask the question, "How do I do that?".  I like what Max Lucado said about it.

W.  Receive Christ's Work

E.  Experience the energy of His Spirit

L.  Yield to His Lordship

L.  Trust his unfailing Love

The other day I was trying to remember to "drink of Him" all day and the thought occured to me that I don't want to just take sips, I want to take "Big Gulps"...completely yielded, filled and loving living in His love.  So to drink of Him first involves being thirsty.  It is a good question for me to ask.  Am I really thirsty or not?  It is interesting that when we drink of him, we are both satisfied and at the same time thirsting for more.  I will drink tomorrow.

John Newton

I am not what I ought to be.

I am not what I wish to be.

I am not even what I hope to be

But by the cross of Christ,

I am not what I was.

John Newton

Border Crossings

There is a lot of talk in the news about "border crossings".  Lately I have been dealing with a different kind of border crossing.   I guess that it is just part of my job, but it is much more than that for I get involved because I care and because it also means saying goodbye.  I have two friends that are on the edge of the border, on the very brink, but the border crossing that I am referring to has to do with helping people as they journey from this life to the next.  It is not something that I look forward to, but there are tender as well as very difficult moments.  Sometimes the mood will swing from tears to laugher and back to tears in a matter of minutes. 

It is in these rooms that I must be careful not to barge in and barge out.  Sometimes the most profound thing that I can say is saying very little.  I am often asked why.  There are some answers but a lot of questions remain.  Over the years I have tried to give some of the answers to the question  "why", but at that moment, the answers just seem trite.  Those questions are best answered at a later time. 

Only God knows how long my two friends will last on this earth.  Last week the older lady that is at the verge of her "border crossing" said, "It only gets better from here".  She has already shifted mentally from this life to the next and is now looking forward.  I will miss the knowledge that there was a little old lady living in the Sr. Care Facility with a passion for God that prayed for me every Sunday while I was preaching.

What does one say in these moments?  I often don't know what to say, but it seems that the Lord helps me say the right things but just being there communicates.  I don't understand when someone who knows they have such a limited number of breaths left in this life and they still don't ask the big questions about eternity, forgiveness and the presence of God. 

I notice peace, and even a little smile at times, on the face of those who are in their last days if they know and love the Lord. It is as though death becomes their friend to deliver them to their savior.   For others, death comes as an enemy. 

A day will come for my own "Border Crossing".  I hope it isn't too soon, but when it comes, I know Who will be waiting for me on the other side.