Love is patient...

Some Bible translations use the term, "suffers long" for the word "patient". Patience usually involves delayed gratification. It is not only waiting... but how we wait. It's an attitude. The Bible talks of patience, specifically in the life of Job.

"My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:9-10 NKJV).

 This type of patience means enduring, staying the course under pressure. It's easy to love and be loving when things go our way and people like us. It's another thing to show love when we are not getting what we want in the way we want and how we want it or when people are meanies to us.

When we are impatient, it reveals a "me first" attitude. This is rampant in today's society... and I hate to say it... rampant in my own heart at times. I admit it. I need more patience. But patience comes at a price.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:3-4 NKJV).

I'm not afraid to pray it... "Lord give me patience." How about you?

What is love?

These days I hear and read people's comments on how we need to walk in love with others. However, finding people actually walking in love with others is a scarce commodity, worth more than gold. So, what does it actually look like to walk in love?

In the Bible, there is a passage of scripture that give a clear picture of love in action. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says the following:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." (NIV)

Generally speaking, when I see the news or listen to people around me, I see the total opposite of this "1 Corinthians 13 type of love." In fact, I see impatience, meanness, selfishness, rudeness, etc. My next series of posts will look at the characteristics of love and explore how to walk in that love, even when the world is trying to walk all over us. I'm far from the mark, but it's my aim. How about you?

Gloom, despair, and agony on me!

One of the TV shows I watched as a kid was Hee Haw. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, it was a variety show based on country music, redneck jokes, and scantly dressed women.

One of the sketches had a few old codgers in overalls, sitting by a moonshine still, singing about the woes of their lives. The song started out like this:

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me.

Deep dark depression and constant misery.

If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Gloom, despair, and agony on me."

Thinking about this song reminds me of the attitude of many in our nation today. I admit, I too fall into this mindset, but in the long run, it's really as silly as the "gloom and despair" guys from Hee Haw.

Instead of cursing the darkness, I want to shine the light. In the midst of an onslaught of hopelessness, I want to help other, treating them as I would want to be treated... even if I'm not treated that way. I guess, I want to be hopelessly hopeful. Could it be any worse than... "Gloom, despair, and agony on me..."?

From here to absurdity

The more I listen to the news, the more I find myself shaking my head in disbelief. Headlines of scandal, injustice, abuse, stupidity, etc. fill the printed page, screen, and airways. I guess, as the Bible says, "... there is nothing new under the sun." Knowing this, however, doesn't keep me from being dumbfounded at times. And in these days, that is quite a feat.

The only thing that keeps me from being swept overboard is the vivid realization that God is in control. I know... "There he goes again with the cliches." But this saying is far from cliche. It's a life giving reality that never looses its meaning for me. It's why I wake up. It's how I can go to bed... and actually sleep. In the face of adversity, knowing the God of all creation gives me hope and arrests the fear and uncertainty these crazy days bring.

So, from here to absurdity, I'm ready. I'm ready to face the future with confidence, knowing the One who holds the world and the universe also holds my hand.

When night has come and darkness ascends...

When night has come and darkness ascends, wait in its wake.
In this familiar place, much like a womb, cling to your lifeline,
Nourished in the dark place.

Time gives way to strength and growth.
The darkness feels closer as the room gets smaller.
You're stronger. You're outgrowing the room.
Time to emerge.

Travail and struggle. Contractions get closer.
Hope seems dim. The walls are collapsing.
But a light is appearing.
Heart is beating. Fatigue is screaming.
Fleeting hope or Freedom awaiting.

Push and pull, the light gets closer.
Darkness rallies, but it grasp loosens.
It's hold is broken.
Darkness retreats as light reveals the one it kept.

New life emerges, never the same.
From darkness to light; from captivity to freedom.
Darkness has fled; light has come.

Arise!
The dawn has come and the light ascends.

A kick in the can!

One of the reasons I'm starting this journey of farming/gardening/homesteading is to not only be a blessing to my family by helping us be self-sustaining, especially in difficult times, but also to be a blessing to others. My moto for this journey is, "Do what you can. Help who you can."

It seems pretty simple, but sometimes I need a kick in the can to get started. I'm blessed to have friends and family who give me the extra push or pull to stay the course when I get overwhelmed and frustrated. The biggest motivation, however, is love... love for my family, love for my neighbors, and love for God.

So, what are you passionate about? Who are your "can kickers?" What is one thing you can do today to work toward your goals? Who is one person you can encourage or help today? Let me know your answers in the comments below or comment on my Facebook page. Good luck on your journey.

Shine on!

As I read Facebook posts and talk to people around me, I am amazed and overwhelmed at the amount of tragedy in people's lives. Whether it be the death of a loved one, loss of health, loss of a job, relationships in turmoil, etc., it seems that pain and tears are man's closest companion this side of the grave.

In the midst of these struggles, I also witness the unrelenting tenacity of the human heart created in the image of God. No matter how tattered and worn that image, people from all walks of life can be found defying the hardships and cruelties of life only to exhibit hope in the midst of their circumstances. It's more beautiful than a sunset, more awe inspiring than the stars at night. Those who can shine in the face of tragedy.... SHINE ON!

Coffee, Apocalyptic musings, and Compost

I love the smell of coffee in the morning. As I'm sitting here sipping my favorite beverage, I'm contemplating the upcoming year. It looks like a medley of nastiness and funk... and I'm not talking James Brown. It's hard to see any hope beyond the return of Jesus... until I look out my kitchen window and see my compost bin. There it is, in all it's funky glory, containing rotting debris and keeping the cats and other critters from dragging it off as it produces black gold for our garden in the Spring.

It reminds me of the Bible account of Joseph. He went through a series of unfortunate events only to find God using those situations as compost to grow favor and goodness in Joseph's life while, at the same time, saving Joseph's family and the nation from famine. So, with that in mind, maybe 2017 won't be as scary as I think. Bring on the compost!