We're back!!! Who I am

It has been a long time since I posted a blog - I just did not feel inspired to do so.
After joining Facebook, I occasionally would respond to a post or even be inspired to post something in reply - often reacting and sometimes debating.
I don't want to do that.
What I really want is to offer some inspired thoughts that are triggered by current events, concerns for family, church family, and once in a while for society in general.
I don't want to be a grumpy old man - though I will turn 70 in a few months; and to many people, that is old.
I am a conservative Christian.  I believe the world was created by an infinite yet personal loving God who grieves for the state it is in today; and for the state it has been in since the fall of man.  I don't know how He did it; and I don't believe that we can know how.  (He even tells us that His ways are not our ways.  I believe Him and not someone who claims to understand Him or His creation.)
I don't believe the world is any worse (or better) overall today than it was when I was a child.
I believe that every generation has its own trials; and while physically things may be better; evil is still around trying to destroy the goodness that was intended.
I don't feel any guilt for the actions or failings of my ancestors just as I do not feel guilty for the failings of my neighbors.  I feel guilty only for my own faults and failings - and I try to correct them.
I believe that the best sermons are those that are lived; not those that are preached.
I believe in acting kindly towards all mankind - whether I agree with their beliefs or not.  Kindness does not mean that I affirm either actively or passively behavior that is harmful to self or to others; and this includes morally harmful behavior.
I still believe in the American form of government; but I am not convinced that we have the right people in government - in either party.
I believe that the constitutional interpretation of separation of power between church and state has been abusively interpreted to mean separation of all religion from state - with the effect of moral decay.
I believe that there is a absolute code of right and wrong that a vast majority can ascribe to and that code should limit the intrusion of government into our lives.
I believe that the three branches of government should be limited by criminal law to fulfilling ONLY their prescribed roles in the constitution.
Does that make me a radical or just a reasonable person that believes the men who were not trying to get re-elected wrote the constitution to protect us all whereas the elected officials and bureaucrats of today have a conflict of interest in governing which includes continuing in the positions of power?
Finally; I believe that we all ought to have to memorize the preamble to the Constitution and affirm (under oath) our allegiance to the entire constitution in order to vote. If we believe it should change; then we should change it in a constitutional way.  If you don't like the rights and privileges and limitations offered by it; then I think you should go where you find the privileges, limitations, and protections you want.

It really has been a long time. Life has been good. The anniversary of my marriage to Nancy is only a little over 2 weeks away, and the year has pleasantly flown by. Today is the day after the inauguration of our nation's first African-American president, and I cannot help but reflect on changes I have seen and possibilities.

I did not vote for Barack Obama - some of his stated policies gave me pause and misgivings. However, he was elected and he is my president. His election caused great celebration among some of my dearest friends, and my prayers are that they are not disappointed by his performance. His speech was wonderful. The prayers at the inauguration and at this morning's prayer service were heartfelt and laudable. I truly wish that I could have confidence that we, as a nation, could achieve the stated goals based upon Godly humanism - for in my opinion that is the role to which our government should aspire.

As an individual, a Christian, and as a family of believers - a church - we should not aspire to humanism, rather to Christian evangelism. We can easily be distracted from the overwhelmingly important task of sharing salvation by the urgency of material needs; but satisfying those needs is secondary to the the need of everlasting life.

Reflecting, it a great wonder and a blessing that racial prejudice has diminished as much as it has in my lifetime. It will probably never disappear; but, at least, most now recognize it as a vice - not in any way a virtue.

My greatest concern is that we, as a nation, are losing a commitment to moral virtue; and the party that is now in power tries to embrace many groups that would legitimize behaviours that have for eons been morally reprehensible and give those behaviours the cover of legal protection. Marriage - a sacrament, (in fact the very first sacrament instituted by God Himself) is under attack. Divorce - hated by God - is now rampant in our society. Abortion - a murderous way of dealing with the inconvenient consequences of sexual immorality - leads to more infant deaths and sexual promiscuity. Elected leaders discovered in immoral behaviour which a generation ago would have ended their careers often suffer little or no consequences. (Indeed, only those who had previously spoken on behalf of strong moral stands seem to incite moral indignation.) Open disrespect and hatred are heaped upon leaders - especially those who dare to boldly proclaim their Christian faith and practice.

So where now? Are we expecting this new president to lead us out of the morass that our society has produced? If so, we will likely be sorely disappointed. My prayer is that he will allow Godly leaders to come forward unsuppressed, and call us back to the only source of peace and prosperity that can be counted upon.

Wow! Where do I begin to try to catch up after so long an absence? First, I must explain that for several of the months I was busy maintaining our wedding planning website. Then, it was due to the overwhelming joy of of wedding, honeymoon (in Hawaii), then just the tasks of integrating two houses into one, integrating two lives, integrating two families (5 children and their spouses, each with two children, giving us 10 grandchildren), and simply viewing in awe the joy that God has brought into Nancy's and my lives.

We are still feeling our way into God's plans for our lives. My business has had its downs and ups - now mostly up. After initially taking a sabbatical from elder's meetings for six months after the wedding, a brother elder died suddenly from a heart attack; so Nancy suggested I abbreviate the sabbatical after only two months. Now our lives are full with church, family, social schedule, business, and oh, by the way, the garage with furnishings and memorabilia yet to be integrated/dispersed.

We have also found an interesting niche of ministry - working with widows/widowers trying to cope with the loss of a deeply loved spouse.

Today I have no profound observation - only the wonder at just how great God is and has been through the horrible journey Nancy and I went through before He brought us together; and how surprised and delighted - awestruck at what He has now given us. I can only grieve for those who don't trust Him to carry them through the valley of tears when it comes; because I know He has a plan for joy for those who trust in Him instead of in themselves.

No, not the physical location - just a reunion of various participants over the last 10 years. Last night most of the participants from this year and some from previous years showed up to view the video memorial for this year. What a joy it was to hear of the young man who had intended to be a youth minister upon completion tell the story of his completion of the rehabilitation program and his acceptance into a ministry training program to begin in January. The memories shared and the encouragement offered were a great dessert to the pizza dinner that was shared.
A repeated theme in most of the sharing was the recognition that "real" fun (what I define as joy) feels so good when remembered; and it never has regrets associated with its experience or sharing; whereas the worlds view of fun often has a terrible price to pay and may often be remembered with regret rather than fondness.
These men and their sponsors all have that same fondness for the memories of Death Valley; and that fondness will never go away. They are truly "treasures laid up" - if not for eternity; then surely for the rest of their lives.
So how should the redeemed then live? By hoarding up treasures for self; or by building treasures by sharing with others. I am certain that if the former is the choice; then one is excluded from the list of the redeemed. I know that the greatest joy comes when a friend or loved one is recognized and the relationship and experience are remembered. One cannot know real joy alone; and one cannot enjoy salvation selfishly - it has to be shared. The question for each of us is: When did I last share the real joy of my life with someone who really needed it? Is our joy based on "thank you that I am not like those poor lost souls", or is is based on "thank you that I am saved and know what to tell others so they can rejoice, tool"?

Angels
I met an angel last week. She is only 4 years old; and some might say she was a tragedy. This beautiful little doll was born with a terrible disorder that prevents her from "normal" development. Her disorder slows down the way her nervous system works, and has prevented her from learning to walk, talk, or do so many of the things we expect our children to do. Physically, she is indeed beautiful, and her laugh and obvious joy at being in the arms of those who love her make her charming.
Why do I say she is an angel? The answer is so plain. She inspires in those around her a simple all-accepting love that is truly divine love. Her parents and grandparents have devoted themselves to providing her with the best of care, devotion, providence that can be had. How like the love that the Father has for us they have been able to show. Yet, for all of that, they do not do everything for her. They lovingly encourage her to do all for herself that they can - for though all that she can be is so much less than they would want, it is so much more for her own good and development that they lovingly encourage and challenge her.
While her tiny hands so frequently drop the morsel of food, and the caregiver's could so easily hold and deliver that same morsel - while the child knows this and tries to hold the morsel in the adult's hand, the right sad thing to do is to insist the child keep trying until success is achieved, then praise and love.
How like the love that God has for us, His children. By taking away our will, our choices, He could provide a painless life for us, and give us all "good" things. But "good" only exists where there is also "bad"; and we would not be in God's own image if we could not choose. He REALLY loves us enough to want us to be made over into His image; and that can only occur if we struggle to achieve, to grow, and if we can fail as well as succeed; for those two exist only in tandem - never in isolation.
What a great lie the father of lies has convinced us of - that God does not really care since He allows suffering. The reality is that rejoicing can only exist where there is also sorrow; and God has given us the opportunity to choose which we will grasp.
Watching this little angel, I could not help but love her. I know that God loves her and will show her to us in her full beauty in eternity; and wants all of us to have the opportunity to show His love for her while she is with us.
How great is the Father's love for us!

Death Valley continued. What a story of contrasts. Six volunteers who seem to have their lives together and 16 men men who are struggling to make something rise from the ashes - men who really had been walking in the valley of the shadow of death - men, many of whom would say that they would now be dead if it were not for CityTeam. Some of the men had committed other crimes as well - assault, burglary, robbery. Some had spent some time in jail and some in prison. Many had tattoos indicative of past affiliations with gangs. Yet, there behaviour was at least as civil as that i experienced in the Navy years ago, and the language was purer than I have heard in many workplaces. Many were deeply committed to letting God have control of their lives - having hit bottom on their own and now hoping for a light for the future. Many had not yet gotten to the point of beginning to dream again. Some just hoped to have an association with children now lost to them. Most had left behind a string of broken relationships. Yet, all were just men who could enjoy a good physical and mental challenge. The climb over rocks, gravel, along ledges, up canyons to Slit Rock canyon required co-operation, endurance, and courage that challenged some of the participants - not the least of which was Mike, our leader, whose back pain nearly crippled him on the way up. When we arrived at slit rock and set the cams and ropes for rappelling down the dry waterfall, the challenge level rose. Not all were willing to try the descent; and actually starting down was intimidating to some. But all who tried made the descent; and a still greater sense of camaraderie developed.

After the hike back down with another rope-assisted descent, we camped where a swimming pool and shower were available. (It felt soooo good to be dry and clean that I skipped the pool.)
Tri-tip steak around the campfire closed the day; and sleep was delightful.

The trip back was even more telling of stories and dreams - now from men who trusted each other. Lunch at McDonald's was punctuated with the distribution of "Desert Rat" awards, with each man recognized for something significant about them.

I did not hear a single harsh word on the trip; and the close in group prayer and hugs all around was sincere. I cannot help but think "If only these men had had this kind of experience in their families as they grew up - how many would be in this program now???" Most knew abuse, neglect, had no loving father - if they had one at all.

Please, God, keep my heart tender and thankful and serving.

This past weekend was a real trip. No, I mean that in more ways than one. After missing out on last year's CityTeam Death Valley trip due to a broken leg, I was finally able to make my schedule, my body, and my mind all work together. (I came down with some sort of intestinal distress on Sunday evening before the trip on Thursday, and was afraid that I would, once again, be denied the privilege.) Getting up for a 3:00 AM load and departure was one of the most challenging parts of the trip. I made a thermos of 4 double shots of espresso and found my way to San Jose CityTeam. As we headed out, my assigned riders mostly fell asleep while I drove until around 7:00 AM when we stopped for breakfast. Since part of the purpose was to get to know the participants - all of whom were in various phases of recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction, we encouraged the awake riders to tell their stories. CityTeam's approach is Christ-centered, and has one of the highest "success" rates for drug and alcohol rehabilitation known. Those stories were challenging to listen to as the trip began. We had to be responsible to non-judgmentally encourage the discussion and sharing. I am not used to being around people that have managed to have lives that are so far removed from "the way".
We drove over 500 miles the first day to arrive at our first campsite. There, in the shadow of Eureka Dunes, we set up camp and experienced great fellowship. The weather could not have been better. (Although I seem to have missed the note on bringing a tent; I am really glad that I did. It gave me an excuse to sleep in my Mountaineer on two thin pads with better insulation from the cold than my companions had.)
The views were breath-taking. The hike alone up to the peak of one of the dunes with just me and God was inspiring. Taking care of the coffee demands of a group of 20 or so men was both challenging and rewarding; but the evening devotionals with singing, witnessing, and sharing were the highlight of the trips. Death ball (like baseball with a rock wrapped in duct tape for a ball, sand traps, cacti, sage brush, and capricious rules and umpiring for spice) was the afternoon's entertainment, along with launches of model rockets and potato cannon firing.
Listening to men share in various phases of their re-hab and the stories of their movement from suicidal despair to desperate search for redemption to hope for a future reminded me that Christ did not come only for the the God-fearing; but for the desperately lost and dying.
My prayer is that every one of the men I met would be inspired to develop the faith that is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The young man who went from seeking out used needles on the street in order to inject drugs to wanting to become a youth minister - knowing that first he must return to another state and face a warrant that could lead to prison time - who came to me and asked where to find a scripture that he recalled for use in the evening's devotional helped me recall the redemptive power of Christ.
I hope I am forever changed by this trip. I know it has given me a greater sympathy for men who grow up without a Godly Father image in their lives; but who begin to respond positively to the witness of what He can do when we really do serve Him; and who see for the first time the difference in joy and fun; and who find that Christians can have a LOT of fun that has no adverse consequences.
(to be continued.)

Today I read a review of two books that had been written on the existence of God. I was once again "astonished" at the remarks that were made regarding the two books. One of the books was written by a man who had been trained and lived as a minister, but had finally concluded that a benevolent, all-powerful god could not exist in light of the evil and suffering that exists in this world. The second, a former atheist, had concluded that only a god could explain the self-contemplation and awareness that exists in life.

Most of the comments supported the former position, and hinted that the latter was the result of the onset of Alzheimer's in the former atheist.

The fallacy of the argument that a benevolent, all-powerful, loving god could not possibly allow pain and suffering to exist is a great example of the perverse nature of Satan. First, one must conclude that what happens in the brief interval of physical life is more important than eternity. Second, one must conclude that a benevolent god would take away self-determination in order to alleviate pain and suffering. Third, one must conclude that "truth" is impossible to discover or is relative. NONSENSE! These assumptions are all the consequence of succumbing to the temptation to determine right and wrong for oneself. The hubris, the arrogance, the self-aggrandizing thought processes that lead one to even begin to think that understanding life is possible while ignoring the implications of eternity are simply astonishing. The problem of human suffering and its source are well documented in Job, as is the promise that God can make it all worth while, both on this side of eternity as well as on the eternal side. It takes a fundamental disbelief in God and His promises to embrace the belief that temporal suffering is unacceptable. It also takes a heartless approach to Christianity to fail to have compassion for the suffering and the oppressed. It takes head and heart to be made over into the image of Christ, who was the very image of God. Still, our primary mission in life MUST be to assure that the opportunity to eliminate eternal suffering is made known to all. The real source of suffering, EVIL incarnate, exists. Why it exists may very well be beyond our comprehension. Why it cannot defeat us is well within our grasp.