01/21/11 - MUFHH - Jeremiah 2:2

My dad used to say that people who liked (something he didn't) 'chased jackrabbits and barked at the moon.' I always thought that a funny phrase growing up, and I'm sure he appreciated me laughing at his jokes. What do I remember about my early life with Jesus, or more importantly, what does He remember about our early life together? Is my faith as firm, my devotion as deep, my purpose as singular? As I look back, there are several places I hope NOT! But there lots of ways, ways that are touched when cry at some children's movie, that I've 'grown out of', and I miss those. I believe Jesus does too. He is much more than 'Puff, the Magic Dragon' who misses the little boy now grown. He is the Ruler and Master of the Universe who misses His wayward ignorant servant and friend. Unlike Jerusalem in Jeremiah 2, I think I'll go back home now; it's getting dark, and I have work to do.

01/20/11 - MUFHH - John 3:3

Born again became an overused term when I was a kid. Oswald Chambers said it is to be fresh with everything, never stale. I believe it also means that I can't rely on my heritage for the basis of my salvation. The faith of my family and church I grew up in has always been important, and it would foolish to ignore their influence. But my relationship with my Master must be based on His activity in my life. He saved me and I respond to Him from that act of grace. For me to be born again means that my identity comes primarily from God's work in my life, and only secondarily from my family history. This is the lesson that Nicodemus was supposed to learn, that being born a Hebrew did not automatically save him from hell. He had to be born from God, base his salvation and relationship with God on God, not his heritage. Being Hebrew was a huge benefit, but not the basis. A dim light only able to set off the objects around in silhouette is not enough to save. Only the light of the Son saves.

01/19/11 - MUFHH - Genesis 15:12

The picture is the moon. Trust me. The fuzz is from taking a warm phone out into the cold damp air to take the picture. In Genesis 15:12 while Abram is obediently waiting on God, deep sleep and then 'great terror darkness' falls on him. It is then, in the midst of such a disturbing experience Abram sees the smoking pot and hears God speak. How often have I sought one example of God speaking in the Bible over another? I want the still small voice, the angel who vaporizes the meal I fix with his staff, or the disobedient donkey I keep smacking. That would be cool. Night terrors are not my preferred way of hearing and seeing God. But I don't get to choose the way He speaks. I only get to choose to listen, and watch for Him. I am consoled by the presence of God in the terror darkness with me. But that I would find Him there teaches me not to trifle with my Master. He is more terrible, awesome, and overwhelming than I can handle. With that perspective, now I can pray.

01/18/11 - MUFHH - John 20:28

Service has such a wide variation of meaning, especially culturally. My success at work in sales is largely due to my service attitude. I serve my clients with the products. But service to God is too often easy to perceive as whatever I want to do on God's behalf. I doubt God is really interested in my limited ability to think of what He needs or wants. He wants my availability to what He thinks He wants. He would know, after all. I need to dial down the selective hearing, be still, let His peace permeate my mind, and ignore the wind, earthquakes, and fires. Somewhere at that point there should be a quiet voice of the Creator, my Master. Then my service will be obedience.

01/17/11 - MUFHH - Galatians 1:15-16

What is the essence of my call from God? Initially it was into a relationship with Him. But what else? To preach? Does that sort of thing change? In Galatians 1 Paul said he was called by God to announce Jesus to the Gentiles (or nations or peoples). God seemed to leave out the 'how', and the 'why' was obvious. But his assurance of that call stayed his whole life. I have not experienced my own call in that fashion. I am bothered by that. Oswald Chambers said that '...service is the echo of my identification with the nature of God.' That does not help me much. What resonates with me as I draw close to God is in these short statements. Is that my vocational call? I guess someone might pay me to stop writing them and filling up their wall. But I still feel hung up for later use.

01/16/11 - MUFHH - Isaiah 6:8

The One who calls me calls is. He is loving, He is wrathful, and He powerful. Just the hem of His rob fills my entire worship space. The voice of His frightening choir shakes what I thought immoveable. I see Him and am ruined, so His attendant purifies me with fire. He takes care of everything preventing me from hearing the call and jumping into it with everything I am. He asks, offers the opportunity to engage in the service of One who employs terrifying four-winged flying monsters, and people like me. He clearly has tremendous range in tastes. But all is holy, nothing profane or common. And that includes me, who must be purified and forgiven as I confess my ruin. I will worship Him in the progression of my obedience.

01/15/11 - Hockey

Well, there is a pleasant mixture of both fighting and hockey. Although I do have trouble telling the difference.