A Slower Pace

Check out this video clip of a little boy from Nebraska who was gravely ill for many days and went to heaven. His book “Heaven Is For Real” is a New York Times best seller.

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…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Last night I took the family to the Southeast Christian Easter Pageant at church. It is playing for two weeks from March 18 to April 1. It began back in 1995 and has run every year but last year. This year the church decided to run it for one last year so I figured I had to get the family there to see it. And we had heard so many good things from so many people so when the tickets went on sale back in January, I jumped on it. They have a cast of over 200, real animals and special effects. And after all the hype and all the buildup, all I can say…..

is that it was amazing! Definitely the best play performance I have ever seen — better than any Broadway play or musical. And, of course, the topic is one that has such an impact and will change your life. Jesus and his life come alive on stage. The costumes, set, special effects, music, animals and cast take you back to Roman occupied Israel. I cannot say enough about it. There are only 8 more performances of this spectacular event and I would highly encourage you to go to the website and get your tickets before they are all sold out and you miss your chance forever.

You can even get a preview video at http://www.southeastchristian.org/?page=4311. And ticket prices for this wonderful event are such a bargain. Knowing what I know now, I would easily pay for one ticket what I paid for the whole family to see the pageant. Again, I highly encourage you to witness this marvelous performance.

You won’t be sorry.

And it doesn’t end there. The most amazing thing about this story is that it is true and happened many, many years ago. There is, indeed, a God that loves us so much that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us for the forgiveness of sins. While we don’t deserve it and didn’t earn it, all we need to do is accept Him as savior.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Last night we partook in our 2nd Winterjam. If you don’t know what Winterjam is, it is a Christian-alla-palooza with many different bands worshiping, celebrating and praising Jesus. We attended the Louisville Winterjam back in February and thought it was so good (and affordable) that we migrated east to Lexington Saturday for a re-do.

Our plan was to tailgate in the parking lot enjoying each other’s company along with some snacks and hot dogs. While the weather was warm enough, the occasional wind gusts would blow over any unoccupied folding chairs and basically made the tailgate effort a fail. Which turned out to be a blessing.

We gave up on the tailgate option and instead headed to Rupp Arena to get in line. And it’s a good thing we did. When we went to Freedom Hall for the Louisville Winterjam (which was on a Friday) there were a lot of people there but the line was very tolerable and not too long. At Rupp, probably because it was a Saturday, it seemed the entire Lexington community was in line. We turned this corner and saw a line of people 4-5 wide and about 1/4 mile long. Aghast, we joined it at the end.

The folks in line were friendly and in a generally upbeat mood. Church youth groups played games and others occupied their waiting time. Thankfully, they opened the doors early and we entered Rupp to stake claim to our seats.

NOTE: I much prefer Freedom Hall to Rupp. Rupp is a box. While I don’t like the navigation around Freedom Hall, every seat is a true seat, not a lame bench seat like the entire upper section at Rupp. For that reason alone, I will not go back to Rupp. After a 5 hour concert, my back hurt. And, yes, I am old. However, I did enjoy the Red show (Christian heavy metal).

One cool part of worship was when the David Crowder Band was playing “O Praise Him”. It is a wonderful worship song and everyone waved their hands in the air. I looked around and the entire arena looked like prairie grass waving in the wind of the Holy Spirit. It was amazing to see and, as so frequently happened in the past, brought tears of praise to my eyes. Below is a video of that song.

One final note of something I saw that I liked. A youth group had t-shirts made for all their kids to wear that were the same color and probably made the youth director’s job easy for control of them. However, it was the saying that go me…..

“The church has left the building…”

I thought that was a clever play on the old Elvis quote and a good reminder that the church is not a building and that our role as disciples is to be out in the world.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I subscribe to a daily email from Parenting Today’s Teens. It is a great daily reminder with relevant tips and I highly recommend it for any parent. Below is the one from March 9th and it was a very nice story that I thought hit home. Take a quick read of it.

The story of Olympic runner Eric Liddell offers a compelling example of God honoring those who honor Him.

Liddell, who later became a missionary, was a shoe-in to win the 100 meter dash in the 1924 Olympics. But when the day for qualifying for the race was changed to Sunday, he refused to run. A few days later, however, he was given the chance to run a longer race he hadn’t prepared for, and still won the gold. Clutched in his hand was a note with the scriptural words “Them that honor Me, I will honor.”

Like Liddell, don’t give up as a parent. It’s your most important role in life. God will honor you for holding to doing what is right for your children, no matter what.

Because this resonated with me, I sent a forward email of the message to many of the God-serving men in my circle who are fathers. Again, it is a nice reminder for each of us on where our focus should be.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Soon after, I received a reply email that I am including below. I’m sure my friend won’t mind. And it truly underlines the WOW God uses in our lives.

You have no idea how timely this is. Funny enough, not for a parenting issue, but a “me” issue. I was considering running a half-marathon on May 1, which is the day our next new member church class was tentatively scheduled to begin. I was considering pushing out the class schedule, figuring it was no big deal. Turns out that would mess up classroom assignments for another church class and potentially impact our classroom situation. Less than an hour after I found out about that, I got your email – which immediately erased any remaining doubt about whether or not I should run that day! I’ll find another race, another day 🙂

It’s it amazing how God works?

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

In some areas of my life I can be very sentimental. I have saved various items from events that have had great impact to me. For example, I have some birthday cards from my grandmas that are no longer alive. I have my grandpa’s hat and pastor stole. I have numerous cards from my wife and kids for many occasions. I even have the plastic hospital bracelet that I had to wear when I brought my daughter K home.

I occasionally break out the cards to read and reminisce. They not only bring me back to the event, but bring back the emotion and feeling of that close time with whom I was sharing the moment. Those cards also help me know that person more. They put their heart into it — whether it was a note on the bottom of a store bought card the specifically selected for me or it was the crayon drawing a creative picture. These allow me a connection with the one who gave me the card. And the card giver gave it out of love.

Those thoughts came to me recently during one of my devotions. And isn’t the Bible like a giant Hallmark card of love from God to us? Scripture can inspire us. It can get us to share a moment. It can bring back an occasion or event. And it can definitely help us to know God better. The words of Scripture provide an insight to the character of God because, after all, He inspired its writing. And with us reading it over and over, much like a favorite card from a loved one, it brings us closer to Him.

So get your Bible and open up God’s card to you. He loves you and He signed it with the cross.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I saw this during my Emmaus walk last year and am sharing it in honor of this week’s Emmaus Men’s Walk #131 which starts tomorrow.

“How well traveled is the path to your God?”

Here is hoping that our journey with Christ is changing from a dirt footpath to an eight lane superhighway.

…..Dan aslowerpace dot net

I haven’t blogged in over a week — and it’s not because I don’t have anything to blog about. Quite the opposite. But all of these things take up time when they actually happen and blogging has been pushed to the side, unfortunately.

In short, we have had R’s 18th birthday celebratory dinner, a minor 2″ basement flood, a weekend visit to R’s college at IWU, and some severe weather including a tornado one county away.

This morning I found my long lost prayer journal. I knew it was not readily locatable, but I hadn’t prescribed it as “lost” yet. I also was not looking diligently for it either. It was a good habit I had in 2009 and some of 2010 but I became a slave to the act of detailing my prayers. In essence, “checking the box” rather than allowing the journal to be a result or inspiration for prayer. Consequently, I slowly stopped using it in an effort to focus on prayer. However, I have spent some of the morning going back over my entries and can see God’s wonderful providence and involvement in my life and the many others I pray for. It is just spectacularly wonderful when you can look back and the painting God has created for our life and see the picture after the paint has dried. That is what I have done this morning. And my intent is to pick that prayer journal back up and integrate it back into my prayer and devotional life.

One entry I made in the first hours of my Emmaus walk struck me as interesting…..and still relevant today.

“Where am I today?
I am a confident disciple knowing history that I have always grown, but always smaller than the day to come. That does not lessen where I was yesterday nor where I need to go tomorrow.”

Here’s hoping my blog writing will increase along with my prayer journal use.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

With it being Valentine’s Day, I thought I would post a Scripture verse about love. Now we need to remember, that God’s love — unconditional, unfailing, never ending, perfect — is MUCH different than the Hallmark, diamond commercial, See’s candy, 1-800-FLOWERS, Victoria’s Secret kind of commercial love of the world. We have bastardized the word love — we use it for many levels. Not just the “I love you”, but “I love my car”, “I love the Dallas Cowboys”, “I love Dr Pepper”, “I love Survivor”, “I love In N Out Burger”, “I love”, “I love”, “I love”. The word has lost its true meaning.

Additionally, we have allowed Eros love — lust — to come to mean love. I like how the ancient Greeks had different words for love. Agape love was the unconditional or sacrificial love – like a parent would have for a child. And like God has for us. I believe this is the most important kind of love.

Eros love was the passionate, sensual love for a lover or spouse. This is the love we have warped into lust and the love that predominately owns our commercial Valentine’s Day.

Philia is the brotherly love (hence the city of Philadelphia being the city of brotherly love) that we have for dear friends and comrades. This is a love that is genuinely there but, especially among men, is shied away from due to the “gayness” factor. You don’t hear many guys saying “I love you” unless it is father/son. That is too bad in our society today. I can truly say that there are guys that I philia love — men who in my life are very important, and not just my Dad.

And while agape and philia love are very important, and probably more common in our everyday lives, isn’t it interesting that our commercial, media society have bombarded us with eros love — or the lust version of it.

The love in the verses below is the agape love. It is what we are called to do to the world — to love it — unconditionally, sacrificially, no matter what people think, and no matter how we are treated. And while we frequently fail, we should reset our minds to think in terms of this love — the perfect love modeled by Jesus.

And I am going to quote a few different versions of the same verse because I think they give it some very nice color.

1 Corinthinans 13:13

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – NIV

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” – New King James

Happy Valentine’s Day!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

My wife shared with me a letter she wrote to a friend who has had some very rough times lately. And while we all come across rough spots in our lives, many of us have enough resources, friends, or wherewithal to not spend too much time in the valleys. While they sharpen and grow us, the valleys, like mountains, aren’t places to remain in and live, but rather locations and times to make our journey through.

I share (and anonymize) this letter for those who might benefit from my wife’s wise and Scriptural counsel.

My Dearest Friend,

I have been praying for you daily, as have been my friends. I am part of an accountability group and what we do is we hold each other accountable for living a Christian lifestyle. I really want you to have an open mind and an open heart as you read my letter.

First off I cannot even begin to fathom or understand what you have gone through in the last couple of years. It breaks my heart when any couple under any circumstances ends up in divorce. In talking to you, I know this has been a very dark and hard time for you. The bitterness, lies and deceit you have been going through surely have taken its toll, both on you and the kids. And although I don’t know all the details of your final settlement, I get from you that you are clearly unhappy and disappointed with it. I have empathy for you.

~But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ~ Galatians 5:22

Now here is my advice and my challenge for you. The courts have made their decision and no matter how unhappy you are with it, you must pick up the pieces and move on. You have no choice but to do so. Your health and your well being are at stake. You have to start from this moment to make it the first day of the rest of your life. You have to give all the bitterness, anger, hurt, disappointment, and frustration to God. This is the hard part. You need to get on your knees and pray to your Savior, tell Him to give you peace, go ahead demand it from Him. Tell Him to take your worries, your pain, tell Him to surround you with His love and light. You need to pray continually. You need to focus on the positive and count your blessings. You have to see what is right with your life and move on. You need to get that Princess smile and laugh back. I know what makes you happy, surrounding yourself with fabric, painting your treasures, creating, reading, your children. Live for God first, put Him at the center and then everything else will fall into place. God wants you to live a life of joy, He loves you more than any person and His love is all the matters. Take the strength that He offers you and kick Satan to the curb.

~Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.~ James 1:12

Here is the harder part. Let your ex go. Be nice, take the high road. You don’t need to keep track of everything he does anymore. The courts don’t care anyway and it consumes you. If it’s his turn to have the kids just send the kids out. Keep your contact minimal and civil. If he wants to track what you are doing, so what? Let him. He is controlling you right now, you have to move on. He will continue to do things that upset you, you need to pray for strength, you count to 10, you find your joy and you move on. You love on your kids and don’t bad mouth him. Your kids will respect you more for it. I hope and pray you can do this. You must in order to move on with your life. You are starting over, make it a good start. I know you can do it. Princess Power!!!

~For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~ Jeremiah 29:11

Nothing new can come into your life until you are grateful for what you already have. So find your gratitude. Go volunteer in a shelter, serve meals, help those in need. Do something that makes you feel good. Don’t do it for your glory but for God’s glory. Then God will bless you. What are you grateful for at this moment? Your beautiful children? A roof over your head? Clothes? Books? Pets? Food? Even at your lowest point you are better off than millions of other people.

~but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.~

Isaiah 40:31

Keep your faith, your hope and your dreams alive! Be happy for everything that happened for it strengthens you, you are God’s warrior. Never give up, hold your head up and walk straight. Join a book club, a quilting club, a painting club, a Bible study, you will make friends. Wonderful friends who love you and understand you, friends God will bless you with.

~For we live by faith, not by sight.~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

Lastly you need to forgive. God has already forgiven both you and your ex. Without forgiveness you truly can never move forward. You need to forgive everyone who you feel has let you down during this entire process. They don’t have to say they are sorry, you just need to forgive them. God sent His only son to die for our sins, that is how much HE loves you. God expects you to forgive, so do it and free yourself completely.

~Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.~ Colossians 3:13

You must choose to trust God with your problems and your fears. To be successful at this, it is necessary to set aside time in your day to be still-be quiet before Him. He will lift the weights from your shoulders and carry your problems and fears for you. Peace that is at rest in your soul, calmness in your heart, trust that radiates through your very being comes from your relationship with God who loves you so much. God promises to never leave you, he will walk with you with whatever life brings. He will be your strength when you haven’t enough strength to lift your head.

~I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.~ Philippians 4:13

I love you Princess, it is time to move on, to forgive, forget, find happiness, start over. You will always be one of my best friends. I wish I could bottle you up and move you closer to me. I know you have it in you, I believe in you. You are a very special lady, a very beautiful strong woman. I will continue to pray for you, I have faith in you and so does God.

Peace, Love and Blessings,

Kentucky Princess

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.

Nicely said, wifey!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

During service yesterday, I was moved during one of the musical pieces. This isn’t the first time (as blogged here) and it got me thinking about all the tears shed in that sanctuary. Tears of joy; tears of praise; tears of guilt; tears of repentance; tears of forgiveness; tears of relief; tears of compassion; tears of sadness; tears of loss; and tears of love. So many deep and heartfelt emotion in one room. Whether it be worship, communion, baptism, a wedding, a funeral, a talk or a sermon. I would hope that most sanctuaries that truly embrace the human element, receive those tears as liquid bricks that make up the place.

However, I know that there are some worship rooms that are just religious museums. I know, because I have been in them. I’m not saying that you need to cry every time you worship, attend a wedding, go to a funeral, or sing songs of praise. What I AM saying is that the sanctuary should be alive with honest, human emotion of the heart given over to Christ — not just lukewarm liturgical motions. That is Christ claiming his right place in our heart.

Make sure you are attending a sanctuary — not just a religious museum.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net