Some lite reading

I’ve been reading Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas  about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer one of the greatest theological minds of the 20th century.  It’s an interesting read … part story, part history, part theology.

I determined that during this sabbatical I was going to do some non-study reading … what some might call “pleasure reading”.  So I downloaded this book on my Kindle and have been reading for over a week now.   I didn’t realize how big this book was since the Kindle doesn’t show page numbers (if it does, I don’t know how to turn that on).  Anyway, the author referenced something on page 125 and when I got to that page the little progress bar at the bottom said I was 25% through the book.  A little math and …. holy cow … that’s 500 pages!  I may have to take another week off.

Aaaanyway, I was struck at one point where this incredible theological mind that understood doctrine and dogma and historicity and blah, blah, blah, asked his students a simple question … “But do you love Jesus?”

I actually found it convicting.  It’s easy to focus (ah, there’s that word) on the stuff we know instead of the One we know.  It’s like knowing the law but missing the purpose or principle behind the law.  Going to church, ministry, knowledge, ___________ (fill in the blank) is meaningless if you don’t love Jesus.  That’s what gives all that stuff purpose.  It’s so simple, yet so elusive.  The line often gets blurred since there is an element of “what we do demonstrates our love”.  I think it has to go back to the whole abiding thing.  When I’m doing and abiding … I’m loving.  When I’m doing and not abiding … well, I’m just doing.

Are you abiding or doing?

Don't focus on Jesus ... abide.

I was reading 1John 2 and was reminded how John saw things … we need to know Jesus and then we need to stick to what we know (v.24).  I then started thinking about how that applies to the whole “People come and go, but I don’t” thing.  See if you can follow my logic … it makes sense to me.

When things change it’s not about the circumstances, it’s about Jesus.  When life get wonky, it’s not about the crap, it’s about Jesus.  When people come and go, it’s not about the transition, it’s about Jesus.  

Too often I see everything but Jesus.  I look at how to fix the junk instead of just looking at Jesus.  The easy answer is … “Just focus on Jesus more.”  (FWIW, I think focus is becoming one of those Christian-ese words … “You just need to focus on Jesus.”  True, but do we even know what that means?  Think really hard about him?  Stare up into space? Read another book about him?)  You see, I don’t think it’s about focus.  It’s about abiding.  John used it in chapter 15 of his gospel story and he uses it again in chapter 2 of his first letter … eleven times to be exact … and then another thirteen times across chapters 4 and 5.

I know what abiding means … I’ve taught on it numerous times.  Some interpret it as remain.  Which is not incorrect … I just think it’s incomplete … it doesn’t tell the whole story.  When I am abiding then I am at rest.  When I am abiding I can easily trust.  When I am abiding there’s no need to worry.

But I forget to apply it … which is ironic since abiding is all about application.  When I say I know Jesus and stick to what I know, then I’m abiding.  When I say I know Jesus but don’t stick to what I know then I’m a hypocrite at best.

So people come and go … so what?  Jesus doesn’t … and I need to abide in that.

I hope that made sense to you.

Never assume ...

Since starting my sabbatical I’ve been trying to listen more … to be aware that the Lord may want to tell me something instead of me assuming what I’m supposed to say.  I know I don’t listen enough.  I assume.  I assume I know the answer.  My dad taught me a long time ago to never assume after I assumed his van had oil in it … it didn’t.  Yet I still do it … I assume.

Anyway, I’ve been trying to be attentive and listen and I heard this, “People come and go, but I don’t.”  I needed to hear that.  I’ve been rolling it around since then trying to fully understand it and how it applies to me and where I’m at right now.  I think I’ll let it roll around some more before I write much about it.  But here’s what I’m thinking today … it goes back to the simple, central truth … it’s all about Jesus.

Alone time

As I mentioned last time, I am on sabbatical … rest.  And so far it has been mostly restful … except for that pesky triathlon I did on Sunday, but that was by choice.  To start week 2 I decided to hook up the camper and head out by myself for a few days.

Honestly, I’m a little nervous about it.  I’m really not an alone kind of guy.  I enjoy hanging out with friends, engaging in meaningful conversation, bouncing ideas, trying to make my wife laugh, etc.  I like a certain amount of noise … I don’t do quiet well.  Jesus went off by himself to rest and pray so I guess it can’t be too bad.

I’ve been told that solitude is a good thing when it’s by choice and not forced confinement.

I'll let you know how it goes.

A Time to Rest

Sabbatical - any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

I've decided that I've been spending too much time writing this blog so I'm taking an extended period of leave.  Just kidding.  But after 10 years of being the pastor of the same church I decided it was time for a break.  Not a long one ... 4 weeks ... but a break nonetheless.  I need some time to rest, to reflect, to recharge, to refocus.  (See how much I need a break ... I alliterated a sentence in my blog).

I woke up this morning ... Day 4 ... with a short sense of panic ... I haven't started my sermon for Sunday.  Then I remembered that's not my job for the next four weeks ... so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  It was grand.

I spent days 1 through 3 camping with my wife and friends at Roman Nose State Park.  It was a nice get away.  I even learned a new skill (see definition above) ... I learned how to change the water module on the toilet in my camper.

I'm not sure what all I will learn and do and get away with and put off during this break but I'm looking forward to it.  I plan to spend a couple of days alone each week to pray, read, think, and meditate and then a few days to investigate interests and ideas.

As it relates to the church, I think this will be a good time for the people to see what they can accomplish without me and for me I think this will a be a good time to see what they can accomplish without me.  We both need that.

And now for few pics from our camping trip ... just because I can.

 The view from my chair

My chair from the ridge across the lake

(My chair is the little red speck just to the right of center) 

The love of my life and me at Inspiration Point

in Roman Nose State Park.

I'm looking forward to these four weeks.