Learning to Relax

Vacation should be partly defined by gaining peace and rest. One must relax and enjoy this time of freedom. This is hard to do. Have you ever noticed that? It is especially true for me. Perhaps this challenge is attributed partly to one's personality. For me, angst was a learned modus operandi, unfortunately. I have thought many people have a hard time really letting go of the pressures and expectations of life. It must be a widespread difficulty to relax in true peace and enjoyment. Sometimes, it takes a deliberate conscious effort involving self-talk to truly relax and be at ease. There are many things to oppose this interest. It could be our own tendency toward perfectionism. It could be simply selfishness. It can be challenging to accommodate children as they grow up. It could be a lack of contentment with oneself. Perhaps it is something else. In any event, I now challenge myself to let down my guard. I want to enjoy whatever the moment has to offer. There is something great to see. It may not be just for my own enjoyment. I will allow peace and relaxation, knowing that those moments of leisure are okay and meant for boosting one's soul. Vacation means the opportunity to celebrate freedom and family, and I will value that with ease. I need to enjoy such time and not fret that it is fleeting. I am trying to learn to relax, truly relax.

The Thrill of Serving

This summer, our church has begun a community outreach to some needy families. After purchasing a truckload of reclaimed food, we spent a Saturday morning helping sort through pallets of various food products. Everything was organized for the grocery store format we are using to allow families to come in and pick up what they need. We have been looking forward to this meaningful opportunity. One retired couple, specifically, has spent more than a year already getting the program started at a local school. The food backpack outreach puts food in the home of some of the neediest children each week during the school year. The faithfulness of this couple and some other folks put the church in a position to be able to expand the service opportunity. Our new pastor had the previous experience of operating a food ministry in the Orlando area. He was able to skillfully implement the larger vision. Additionally, the vision was to involve everyone in the church willing to serve. I know I was looking forward to it. Our whole family went to the gym adjacent to the church to sort the food. It was warm in there. Some food had to be thrown away. It took a while to organize a system to make the process efficient. It was hard work. And it was not exactly clean. Who knows where some of the food had come from or been stored previously? Nevertheless, I had a great time. It was so much fun for me to be able to give my energy to this project. My daughter remarked that she enjoyed the work, too. I remembered again how much fun it can be to serve. On this past Sunday, I filled in to watch the toddlers in the children's ministry area. It is hard to teach them, because they either do not understand or do not care what I am saying. We communicate some bits about the lesson and trust some of that goes into their minds. We just play with them and keep them safe and love them. This is not as thrilling to me, though. It is harder, because the results are not so visible. When I finish serving in the toddler room, however, I realize it was good. The opportunity to serve and work with other people to accomplish a task or fill a need really is often a fun time. It is amazing. When I think of all the leisure things I like to do, there is usually minimal benefit. There may be some physical exercise or some relationship-building with someone. Generally, frivolous activity has as the primary benefit my entertainment. I have seen again that serving other people with the great hope we all will grow spiritually and secure or advance in faith in Christ is really worthwhile. Using my energy and abilities in a capacity that helps other people is a great thrill, and I thank God for that.

Faith in Something True

It was the bottom of the ninth inning, and the home team was down by one run. There were two outs, and no one on base. It was game three of a best-of-three series, and the winner was headed to Omaha for the College World Series. Two very good baseball teams had worked hard in the offseason, played a long season, and won a lot of long games to get to this point. As I sat in the outfield bleachers, I was feeling distraught. I am a fan, which is an abbreviation for fanatic. I had followed this team all season, and I knew the talent and skill they had. I knew they belonged at the College World Series, the ultimate destination for college baseball teams. I had great faith they would persevere and achieve that goal. Now, it seemed a dream about to die.

The odds were totally against the home team, and it would be a great disappointment to those guys. Several of them had been drafted to play professional baseball earlier in the week. They had been the top-ranked team in the country much of the season. They were very talented and had the best pitching. And, they were about to lose game three of the Super Regional at home, again, for the second year in a row. Or so it appeared. Nonetheless, they had faith in each other. The head coach had demonstrated faith in his players. Even some of the fans still had a "mustard seed" of faith.

Could they possibly score a run to tie the game with two outs and no one on base? That would send the game to extra innings. Then, the next batter had two strikes. This was sad. Some people behind me already left. On the next pitch, the batter hit a hard grounder up the middle of the field for a single. The next batter also hit a grounder up the middle. It hit the pitcher's foot, and rolled toward the shortstop. He could not make a play. Substitute runners were put into the game for the guys on base. The other team's coach checked on his pitcher to see if he was okay. He stayed in the game. Well, he walked the next batter on four straight pitches. The bases were loaded. Two outs.

The next batter stepped up to the plate. Spectators were standing throughout the ballpark. Could this really happen? The batter hit the ball, a grounder. It went back toward the pitcher, through the middle of the field, just past the glove of the diving shortstop. Two runs scored, and the team won the decisive game in a most improbable fashion. Fans jumped, cheered, high-fived, hugged, and otherwise celebrated the amazing win. The team dogpiled, hugged each other, and ran around the field, high-fiving fans in the bleachers.

What does it have to do with faith? The young men on the team had faith in each other, and they did not give up. They did what they had done all year. The used their skill and training to compete and play hard for nine innings (more or less in a few cases). When they fell behind by one run in the top of the ninth inning, it did not look good. I had faith in this team, too. They had superior talent. They knew how to win games (They set a school record for wins in a season.). Statistically, they were very impressive. By all measures, they deserved to be in the College World Series as one of the best college baseball teams in the country. Something seemingly miraculous had to happen for them to get there. They had faith in their ability, they did all they could do, and, in this case, good things happened. It sounds simple, but it is not easy.

Similarly, God is fully able. All things are possible with God. He is worthy of our faith. He really wants to come through for us. Of course, our desires and prayers should be according to His will. He is true to His Word. Sometimes, we are in a bottom-of-the-ninth-inning-two-outs-no-runners-on-base situation. Defeat is imminent. Then, faith matters. It is a question worth asking. Does faith really matter? Yes! If you read through the gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, you will see Jesus places a great value on a person's faith.

The object of one's faith is crucial. I know I need to put my faith in something or someone true and able to legitimately expect good results. If I ask my daughter to wake me at 6:30 so I can get up and ready for work, that might not work out. If I go another step and put faith in her to do it, that could be considered unfair and foolish. She is a child, and I should not depend on her for that. She may not be able to do it. One's faith must be invested into something or someone worthy and true. Of course, with people, there is a risk since we are prone to fail at times. With God, if we understand what we can know about Him through the Bible, our faith can be properly and justifiably placed. He is completely able and dependable.

We can all find reasons to have doubt, unbelief, and pessimism, but we can also make a choice to develop and practice faith. Faith can open the door to amazing experiences and blessings. Victory can be snatched from the jaws of defeat, as someone once so poignantly said. We know life's circumstances are rarely so trivial as a baseball game, but the elation of a great ending in one of life's great trials can be much more meaningful. We have all been stung by life's hardships, but choosing to put faith in something true is far better than always expecting the worst. Sometimes, our faith is rewarded in a most thrilling and amazing way.

Motives--From the Heart

Recently at a church meeting, Robert prayed that our motives would be right. He prayed that our effort in an upcoming ministry would be for the glory of God. This prayer aligns with the Bible, and it is a consistent occurrence in the Bible that God is (to be) glorified. Since we are made in God's image, most people like some praise and glory, too. If one holds the Christian faith to be his or her truth, though, true worship is reserved for God. Often, if one seeks personal glory or recognition, this can affect the end result in a detrimental way. In a related note, motives were prominently addressed in the ministry and teachings of Jesus.

I want to think my motives are good and right. Of course, that is not always true. Robert's prayer got my attention. It served as a reminder to consider my own motives. I think motives are from the heart. They reveal our deeper desires and intentions. I am still thinking about this prayer; now I am writing about it. Sometimes, I might question my motives too much. I know it is better to question my motives than to ignore the issue completely. Motives are good indicators of the heart, a section on a spiritual report card perhaps.

We know about some of our wrong motives. Each of us has impure motives from time to time. If I recognize it, I must then self-govern and address the matter. Also, I need to ask for God's help. The Holy Spirit can help me here. I really want to know and keep my proper place in the Kingdom. I want my motives to be good and right.

The Ten Commandments in Public Space

Recently, the local school district decided to thwart the threat of the Freedom from Religion organization and post again the Ten Commandments in all the county's schools. The document had been posted in local schools for about 10 years without any serious opposition. This recently changed when an anonymous letter was received expressing offense at the posted moral code. Based upon legal counsel, the school took down the display late last year. Of course, the Ten Commandments do command reverence for God--nothing to upset followers of the monotheistic religions, but they mostly express sensible laws for a civilized and considerate population.

This story has received considerable local news coverage, and the dispute continues. The school system is apparently seeking to frame the Ten Commandments with additional historical documents to solidify the document's intended purpose in the schools. While many expressed opinions in public dialogue express doubts about the legal viability of the school systems' decision due to current precedents, I believe there is a justifiable place in public space for this well-known historical document given our national history. Other documents in United States history exemplify the spiritual and moral consideration of our early leadership. Inclusion of the Ten Commandments does not seem out of place in a nation who respects people and their property, the family unit, and a belief in God.

In time, this situation will probably be debated in a courtroom. Legal assistance has supposedly been offered to the school system. A resolution will take considerable time, one may expect. I understand this is a delicate issue with many implications, but I respect the school board for taking a stand. The county's Board of Supervisors also expressed its support of the school system. The bottom line is that the Ten Commandments is much closer to a moral code than an evangelistic document. There can only be positive influence from the presence of God's commands. Indeed, the Ten Commandments do fit amongst other historical documents important to our society. It is unfortunate that a small minority are so often able to disrupt reasonable expressions of conviction derived from our Christian heritage.

A Reminder of Our Heritage

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., once again. Each time I visit I want to return. In our three-day weekend, we walked many miles and saw much. The Smithsonian Institution museums and other nearby attractions are a great treasure. The National Park areas at and around The Mall are special to me. I remember being there in October 1997 to pray for our nation with perhaps a million other men.

Sometimes, our history and rich heritage can become commonplace or forgotten. It is good to remember our national heritage. I include this thought in this blog due to the depth of spiritual commitment by so many of our history-makers. Walking by the church Abraham Lincoln attended, a quotation indicative of Lincoln's spirituality was prominent. Reflection at the World War II Memorial, glances at the Korean and Vietnam war memorials, and thoughts about the ongoing work in the Capitol allowed me to recognize the importance of our national leadership and our nation's leadership at various times (for better or for worse).

We are an imperfect nation, populated by imperfect people, amidst a flawed world. It is good to remember, in spite of our shortcomings, our nation has often sought to aid the oppressed and uphold religious freedom while declaring itself to be a Christian nation. While our public claim to be a nation under the Judeo-Christian Deity has quieted, this reality does not change our heritage or spiritual ties. We have been blessed as a country so far, and Washington offers many examples of our unique history.

On Overcoming Tragic and Personal Loss

I have had a few experiences of contact with tragedy--heartbreaking and untimely death. It is life-changing and life-shattering. Only by the grace of God can people continue on the journey after losing a close loved one in an unexpected and seemingly untimely way. I usually feel there is almost nothing to say, and that is a fact.



The human mind and heart needs some level of understanding and hope to proceed after mind-boggling loss. This can come from our understanding and knowledge of God. In accepting the idea of free will, I can accept, with great difficulty at times, that God does allow bad things to happen to good people. We live in a dangerous world and life is so fragile.



Yet God does intervene sometimes to thwart natural laws. Miracles still do happen by many reports. Why they happen there and not here, for example, is a great conflict in Christian thinking. This apparent randomness can be justified by various reasonings, but, in the human mind, it is not quite adequate to explain the terrible loss of a beloved one. This loss is not quantifiable and it is not overcome. The grief fades in small measures over time.



Ultimately, dealing with an excruciating tragedy is an act of trust in God. We go through a documented process of grief, whether or not the the articulated particulars are accurate. The anger, for example, should be felt and released. The act of productively continuing in life becomes a default of time and a reluctance of will. The thought that things will be okay in the end is the act of trust. It is so important. This is hope.



The hope that a loved one is safe with God is often kept at a distance and not fully embraced due to the immediate grief, the suffocating loss. In reality, this is an essence of our faith. Agreeing that death is a consequence of separation from God is basic. Accepting in one's heart the well-being of a deceased loved one is an advancement of faith. It really does show some maturity. We need this. If God was permissive for Jesus to be killed on the earth, it allows us, I believe, to be hopeful following unthinkable tragedy.



The untimely loss of a loved one is a severe challenge to our humanity...and sanity. It is rather amazing that family and friends can continue in this life and eventually appear to live a life that is somewhat "normal." I know this is an evidence of the grace of God. Faith is vital here. God chooses to enact principles and laws that govern our lives and our world. Sometimes, the consequences are very harsh. Without a doubt, we may yell at God, "Why?!" That is understandable. His characteristics, His greatness, and His salvation, though, are equally confounding. These are the balm for the wounded soul.



Indeed, there often is a reasonable or logical or natural explanation for someone's death. If the person is young, the response is quite different. We tend to think the child, the 30 year-old, or the 55 year-old missed out on life. Notably, Jesus did not express this lament. In fact, he expressed the imminence of paradise to the repentant criminal. Going on to be with God is good. When I say "good," I expect this is God's definition of "good" rather than our own. This is a thought which can somehow allow mourning to turn into joy.