Of the Imitation of Christ, XLVIII.6 - Thomas a Kempis

We have this tension between connecting and relating to the earthy world we walk in, and connecting and relating to an all-powerful, sinless God. Good thing we have Jesus as an example, since he modeled for us exactly that. Tough assignment, but what else are we going to do for our three score and ten, eh?

One of the classics I enjoy here and there is Of the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. He was a Catholic monk and lived from about 1380 until 1471. This devotional work has stood the test of time. Here are a few of his thoughts on what we treasure...

"And for this cause, thou that art truth itself hast plainly said, Where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)


If I love heaven, I willingly muse on heavenly things.


If I love the world, I rejoice at the felicity of the world, and grieve for the adversity thereof.


If I love the flesh, I shall fancy oftentimes those things that are pleasing to the  flesh.


If I love the Spirit, I shall delight to think on things spiritual.


For whatsoever I do love, thereof I do willingly speak and hear, and carry home with me the images thereof.


But blessed is the man (Matthew 19), who for thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part with all creatures, who does violence to his nature, and through fervor of Spirit crucifieth the lusts of the flesh; that so with a serene conscience he may offer pure prayers unto thee, and, all earthly things both outwardly and inwardly being excluded, he may be meet to be admitted into the angelical choirs."

Friends - from The Message Bible

Matthew 5:23
"This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.


Luke 15:1
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends."



John 14:25
I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.

Acts 20:32
Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.

Romans 12:9-10
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Romans 12:14
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

2 Corinthians 2:3
That was my reason for writing a letter instead of coming—so I wouldn't have to spend a miserable time disappointing the very friends I had looked forward to cheering me up. I was convinced at the time I wrote it that what was best for me was also best for you. As it turned out, there was pain enough just in writing that letter, more tears than ink on the parchment. But I didn't write it to cause pain; I wrote it so you would know how much I care—oh, more than care—love you!

2 Corinthians 5:16
God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14
And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

SIS#5 - Self-Improvement Sundays

***4 weeks complete - ahead of pace (>12 lbs)***

OK, the story this week is the left heel. I'm focused more than ever on the plantar fasciitis. I've got a list of rehabilitation exercises from the doctor and it's going pretty well. Yesterday I thought I'd go for a 2-3 mile walk to test it out...still paying for that one. Anyway, I'll stick to the plan until I'm able to exercise full out again.

I don't think I've had a more energetic, productive weekend than this one in quite a while. The to-do list took a major hit...yes!

I'm thrilled to still be on pace, but it was a challenging week. A good sleep tonight will be in order! Once again, if you are tackling challenges as well, all the best to you! See you next Sunday.

Toto - Rosanna

Toto in London, October 1982

I've always loved this song for the sheer musicality of it. Toto IV was released in 1982, incidentally also the year I entered high school. So the nostalgia is pretty significant for me as well, though I think I appreciate the song more as the years and decades roll by.

If you want to listen and read, right click on the title below and click "Open link in new tab/window". 

Rosanna

All I wanna do when I wake up in the morning is see your eyes

Rosanna, Rosanna

I never thought that a girl like you could ever care for me, Rosanna

All I wanna do in the middle of the evening is hold you tight

Rosanna, Rosanna

I didnt know you were looking for more than I could ever be

So I love the passion, I'm not as crazy about the drama. Dude is obviously head over heels over this Rosanna chick. Awesome. But it also seems true that he feels she's out of his league. Not a lot of details, but he's convinced she needs someone better. That's a bad feeling. 

So is she really that special, this Rosanna? I'm going to take a wild guess that she's a hottie and dude is a flame-broiled-Whopper-lovin' musician. If that's true, then maybe he can turn her feelings, a la the King of Queens, a la Paul Blart. Hello?!

Or maybe she wants to build a home and a family together and that's more than a road-bound musician could ever (or would ever) commit too. And maybe that's true. I mean, the song rocks, so maybe he feels a sense of destiny in this and can't get tied down. Better to know up front, right? Yeah, I think so.

Chorus:

Not quite a year since she went away, Rosanna yeah

Now shes gone and I have to say

Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah

Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah

"Meet you all the way." To my shame, I've never thought through those words before tonight, but I love where he's going. Usually you meet halfway, right? Compromise. Meet in the middle 'neath that ol' Georgia pine. That's good.

But dude is just flat out giving marriage advice here: there is no half way. At least in one sense that's true. I believe in compromise and negotiating and fairness, but when push comes to shove (oh my! does push come to shove, eh?!), are you willing to "meet you all the way"? When the relationship seems one-sided, or at least tilted, is that a ticket to leave? Our guy's melodic declaration is that he'll make up the distance all on his own.

I can see your face still shining through the window on the other side

Rosanna, Rosanna

I didnt know that a girl like you could make me feel so sad, Rosanna

All I wanna tell you is now you'll never ever have to compromise

Rosanna, Rosanna

I never thought that losing you could ever hurt so bad

OK, so we're kinda back to the drama here. He's more or less saying "I hurt so bad without you that I'll actually do anything to be everything you need." Really, it's complete desperation poured out in an amazing song to win back her heart.

Chorus

(super sweet instrumental break)

Chorus

Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah

Meet you all the way, meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah

So the whole song really comes down to "meet you all the way" and it raises two questions for me:

1. Who is better than whom?

2. Who is doing the meeting?

Here's what I mean. The whole idea that someone is completely out of someone's league and someone is willing to "meet you all the way" is a perfect picture of the gospel, like, the Jesus gospel.

In Jesus' story, though, the better one was also the one to meet us all the way. Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church in the Bible, says in chapter 2 that Jesus left the glory of heaven and equality with Father God to come all the way and meet us in our confusion and mess. In our drama and desperation.

His "all the way" was pretty far too. From heaven, he took a left at Bethlehem, picked up a cross to be killed on at Jerusalem, proceeded beyond the grave and back, and paid the price along the way for our junk. Now we never, ever have to compromise or hurt so bad. You might say that his face is still shinin' through the window on the other side.

"Religion" says that we have to "meet him all the way," jumping through a million hoops to be good enough. Following Jesus is a lot different than that. It isn't easy, but it's all about him meeting us all the way and learning to get comfortable in that.

I know a lot of people who seem to have the idea that they're not good enough for God or church, plus those church people are all hypocrites anyway. On the religion front, that's probably fairly accurate. None of us are "good enough" and fancy, well-dressed people whose (*#&^# doesn't stink are actually just full of (*#&^# themselves!

On the other hand, humble Jesus-followers whose hearts are broken by the pain and loneliness of the human condition, those are the ones who've been met all the way. Don't give up until you find some folks like that. They've got something worth seeking out.

Prayers for Haiti #3

Link to Google News update today

It sounds like food supplies and security are relatively in order for the Haitians, at least in the Port au Prince area. Hopefully beyond as well. The current push is for shelter, at least basic housing, before the rainy season begins around May 1. While relief efforts are growing in efficiency (that was my prayer last time), the need is still great as we knew it would be for a long time.

So tonight we pray for shelter.

Psalm 61

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

 ¹ Hear my cry, O God;
       listen to my prayer. ² From the ends of the earth I call to you,
       I call as my heart grows faint;
       lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
 ³ For you have been my refuge,
       a strong tower against the foe.
 ⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever
       and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
       Selah

So Father, yes, we pray tonight for the push for shelter in Haiti. There is fear. There is desperation. There is tension and distrust. And I pray for leadership with the character to deal with people who may challenge the very ones coming to their aid.


By faith I see cities of tents and lumber-framed shelters built up to provide at least the basic needs of these people. I see kind crews of workers, exhausted but pushing on to put up another row of shelters and to haul another load of equipment.


I pray for the shelter of your wings to envelope Haiti. I pray these beloved people would feel the arms of God in every blanket pulled around their shoulders. Warm, dry, safety and relief. Come Lord.

Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle

So we live between the now and the not yet. We live with the tension of victory and defeat, pleasure and pain.

Said the Dread Pirate Roberts, "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something."

But then there was a man who transformed pain to joy, death to life. And now we get a taste, and more will come.

[To listen, right click below and choose "Open link in new tab/window".]

Sweetly Broken

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just


At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness


At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

SIS#4 - Self-Improvement Sundays

***3 weeks complete - ahead of pace (>9 lbs)***

Three weeks down and I am completely dialed in. Case in point: we had a little Super Bowl party with family and friends at the house tonight. Lots of goodies. Plenty of opportunities to indulge. NOT INTERESTED! Not so much as a point over today, even rejecting flex points, which I could legally consume. Nice!

Dose of reality - my pace is slowing, but I new that would be the case and even have it built into my goal, remember? 3 lbs/wk for the first 10 wks, then 2, then 1. I'm still optimistic I can pull that off and hit the 40 lb down mark by May 2. 

O Praise Him (All This for a King) - David Crowder Band

Just a song tonight. All this for you Jesus...

[To listen, right click and choose "Open link in new tab/window"]

O Praise Him (All This for a King)

Turn your ear
To Heaven and hear
The noise inside
The sound of angels awe
The sound of angels' songs
And all this for a King
We could join and sing
'All to Christ our King!'

How constant
How divine
This song of ours will rise
Oh, how constant
How divine
This love of ours will rise
Will rise...


CHORUS:
Ohh praise Him!
Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy!
He is Holy!

Turn your gaze
To Heaven and raise
A joyous noise
Oh the sound of salvation come
The sound of rescued ones
And all this for a king
Angels join to sing
'All for Christ our King!'


CHORUS {x2}

Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la... laaa laa laa laaa!

CHORUS

How infinite and sweet
This love so rescuing
Oh how infinitely sweet
This great love that has redeemed
As one, we sing...

OUTRO:
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
He is Holy,
He is Holy

SIS#3 - Self-Improvement Sundays

***2 weeks complete - ahead of pace (>6 lbs)***

Well folks, it feels good. To be honest, I've been extremely strict with my nutrition the last two weeks and I can feel a huge difference already! I'm ahead of my 3lbs/wk pace and going strong.

My major motivation at this point is still my overall health, but I'm pretty pumped about how much my wardrobe will improve when I reach this first goal! I checked my storage in the basement yesterday and it was a bit like a kid at Christmas. I'll actually enjoy wearing those clothes I haven't worn for a while more than buying new.

Prayers for Haiti #2

A quick google search took me to the US Haitian embassy website, and to the crisis map for humanitarian support.

Those this is just the Port au Prince area, it represents a couple of things about the whole country.

1. The ongoing need is alarming and widespread.

2. The various efforts for relief have begun to be coordinated.

So this is my prayer for today. Father, as you draw people and resources from all over the globe, I ask you to be involved in the practical details of planning and coordination.

I ask you to call skilled men and women into strategic logistical roles.

I ask you to call men and women skilled with people in a way that pushes past power struggles and obstacles.

I pray for divine creativity to deal with the camp-like conditions. Bring ingenuity, the spirit of MacGyver!

I pray for the release of technical resources: sattelite uplinks, computers, cellular communications, strategy rooms.

I pray for logistical resources: trucks, trains, helicopters, ships, couriers.

And in all the logistics, bring compassion. Come Lord. Come and help the Haiti efforts today.

Rick Warren on Self-Control

I'll have to chat more one of these days about how I love variety in my devotional life. I may get into a certain type of studying for a while, or do prayer walks for a couple of weeks, but ultimately I've got to mix it up much more than that to stay interested and enthused for the long haul. One of my flavors is devotional readings, similar to what I'm doing with the Humble King Devotional.

I've got several devotional resources I scan here and there. One is a daily email from Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback Church in southern California. You can find the link to this sample as well as other resources here.



This one was worth saving, on self-control. I honestly don't think most people have a great handle on the concept of self-control. Either we're the free spirit and throw caution to the wind in many areas of our life, spontaneous as the Wild Hogs. Or we go all Nazi with our personal disciplines and try to guilt everyone around us into the same routine. Or we swing violently from one extreme to the other. Or we confine that sort of carefulness to certain areas of our life and color outside the lines everywhere else.

So, with that in mind, I really resonated with Rick's thoughts...

Developing Biblical Self-Control Tuesday January 26 2010 Posted by Rick Warren A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT) People with self-control master their moods. They do not let their moods master them. Most of what gets done in the world is accomplished by people who do the right thing even when they don't feel like it: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." (Proverbs 25:28, NLT) People with self-control watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: "Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself." (Proverbs 13:3, TEV) People with self-control restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? "If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it." (Proverbs 19:11, TEV) People with self-control stick to their schedule. If you don't determine how you will spend your time, then others will decide for you: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV) People with self-control manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went! "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." (Proverbs 21:20, NIV) People with self-control maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body ...." (1 Thessalonians 4:4, MSG) In what areas do you need to develop for self-control? The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself: "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, TEV) ------------------- For me, Evan, it's not about guilt but the rewards of virtue. Right choices lead to right emotions and good consequences in my life. Here's to self-control!

SIS#2 - Self Improvement Sundays

***1 week complete - ahead of pace (>3 lbs)***

So today is to be the beginning of my weight loss goal effort. I've done much preparing this week and I'm in the zone.

I'm ready.

Actually, I'm more than ready. I've really already begun. The points have been counted all week and I've been tightening down to the Weight Watchers range. The good news is, I'm already a week ahead of schedule with lost weight!

Now here's the deal, in order to guard myself from a letdown later (am I being too cautious?), I'm only going to say where I am in relation to my pace. Right now I'm ahead of pace for 1 week. Sweet! Here's the pace...

First 10 weeks - 3 pounds/wk

Second 10 weeks - 2 pounds/wk

Beyond that - 1 pound/wk

What Makes Us Different

I don't remember the day, although I could dig it out of an old journal. But I do remember words that have proved to be some of the most profound I've ever heard. A pastor-teacher named Rick Howard guest spoke at our college chapel and I made my way to the special evening session, expecting.

"What makes us different is how we respond to God."

At first blush, the statement is intriguing. Most would say there are dozens of categories more significant than the "responding to God" category.

Red states and blue states represent rancorous political debate in the US. Liberal and conservative and power struggles and positioning. Would Rush Limbaugh and President Obama agree that politics is not our greatest divide?

And remember "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus"? Seems like John Gray showed some insight at least so far as helping men and women realize their differences. And this one might be deeper than politics. We'd probably have more takers on the idea that this is our greatest divide.



What of wealth and poverty? This is on display as superstars donate millions to quake-ravaged Haiti. And that global disparity changes only by degree across our local communities. One kid wears hand-me-down sneakers on his walk to school while another cruises in style in his Lexus sedan. Don't their families represent the most polarized aspect of society?

That seems true until you start thinking about race. Ethnic diversity gone wrong can move from differences to disassociation to hostility and even violence!

So our world can be sliced many ways, and each holds merit. And Rick Howard's claim becomes more audacious the longer we consider it.

What makes us different is how we respond to God. I buy it because it speaks to a deep connection with our Creator that alters our character in a deeper way than politics, gender, money, race, education, or anything else.

I'm reminded tonight of the story of Samuel. The young boy in ancient Israel was dedicated to God as a youth and brought by his family to learn from and serve with the priests. His most famous moment as a child, you might recall, was hearing God's voice in the night and responding by delivering a very challenging and needed message to Eli the priest. (1 Samuel 3)

An old poem ties together Samuel's moment with our idea of responding wholeheartedly to God. I want this for myself and I pray it for my wife and kids as well.



O give me Samuel's ear,
The open ear, O Lord,
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy Word,
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all. Amen.

Prayers for Haiti #1

The Haiti benefit was on TV tonight. I was challenged as I watched footage of Haitian men and women being pulled from collapsed buildings, literally singing thanks and praise to God before, during and after. Tragedy stretches and tests our faith. I think there's a deep confidence in faith that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."



Beyond that, though, there's also a sweetness of divine presence in the place of desolation and desperation. God's Spirit is drawn to suffering. We know this because Jesus spent so much of his life bringing healing and hope to the broken ones. He's the humble king.

So I want to pray for Haiti, tonight and on many nights. They will have many nights of suffering. I will have many nights of prayer.

So God, tonight I ask you for compassion. Compassion in my heart and all over Canada and the United States and beyond. I pray that the faith of the Haitian people would stir faith in our hearts. Jesus, you are all compassion. Move in our hearts to love and to pray and to give.

1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

*****
Many of you will have favorite charities by which to donate and get involved. You're most welcome to comment here and make them known. I personally know some guys who were literally en route back from an orphanage project in Haiti when the quake hit. I trust the compassion and dedication in the leadership they are offering here. Donations may be made and more information gotten at http://www.welcometothewell.org/.

Unfailing Love - Jimmy Needham

Is a devotional blog an appropriate place for a love song? I mean a love song love song...like a man and a woman love song? Oh yeah. No doubt in my mind. First, Solomon's Song, chapter 4 verses 6 to 10:


⁶ Until the day breaks
and the shadows flee,
I will go to the mountain of myrrh
and to the hill of incense.



 ⁷ All beautiful you are, my darling;
there is no flaw in you.
 ⁸ Come with me from Lebanon, my bride,
come with me from Lebanon.
Descend from the crest of Amana,
from the top of Senir, the summit of Hermon,
from the lions' dens
and the mountain haunts of the leopards.
 ⁹ You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.

¹⁰ How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

And then I'm looking for another song tonight and I bump into this wonderful little tune for the first time. I really think it's worth a listen if you have a moment, kinda R&B, a little blue-eyed soul...

[right click the title and choose "open link in new tab/window" to listen]

Unfailing Love (Kelly's Song)

You’re my unfathomable precious unimaginable joy
And you’re exceedingly exciting and abundantly more than I could ask for
With your hand in mine we will pass through time and space
And every second, every minute, every hour of every day I’ll say

My unfailing love for you will not be moved
For you will not be moved
My unfailing love for you
And though the mountains be shaken
And the hills be removed
Yet my unfailing love for you

He tells a story of a King coming in glory and He is
And that same Man who devised that plan united ours with His
And so hand in hand we will walk with Him as our two become as one
And all the promises He promises to us He promises will never be undone

Be my wife

My unfailing love for you will not be moved
For you will not be moved
My unfailing love for you
And though the mountains be shaken
And the hills be removed
Yet my unfailing love for you

And the story of love down here weaves into the universal story of love continually poured out by our Creator King. God, help my love to mirror yours...unfailing. Colleen, though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, still my unfailing love for you...