Beauty & Power.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  The politics of personal destruction, mayhem across the country, hate, violence, unrest, incivility, a virus we can't tame; fear, anger, despair, hopelessness.  

These are difficult days, yet not unlike the climate-of-culture in the First Century before the Gospel's ascendance.

As the Scriptures predicted, culture has again devolved to post-Christian paganism. Pre-born children are targets of infanticide, gender is a mythic construct, love is whatever we declare it to be, and values are defined by those who wield the most persistent, cynical, and compelling narrative.

Yet this remains: People on the Way have been given the mandate to declare this Truth...

"For God so loved the world He gave His one, and only Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life." John 3.16

It seems, too often, that some within the Faith Community would be content to simply shout it from the rooftops with conviction, yet absent compassion. This loveless approach FEELS like these zealots are bent on brandishing the sword of truth to "cut others down to size" in the name of fidelity to the Gospel--the good news.  According to these, to do otherwise amounts to a compromise of Truth...indeed it is to preach "another gospel."  What tragic irony.  This amounts to a Christianized version of Jihad. 

One need not compromise the message to deliver it in a fashion that communicates truth, urgency, conviction, exclusivity in its truth claims--in a context of grace, love, mercy, and civility. The Gospel is inclusive AND EXCLUSIVE simultaneously--God's Word is unique and powerful in this way.

He has called us to proclaim the Gospel in a context of suffering, committed to making a choice to live our lives based on the Truth of God's Word-- IN the world but not OF the world; so that His Will might be done ON Earth as it is IN heaven. 

Peter touches on this in his second letter, vv.14-16...

"14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."  English Standard Version

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4.7-10...

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."  English Standard Version

We never compromise Truth. We never accommodate culture. We never embrace human wisdom as a lens through which we selectively apply God's Word. 

This principled praxis will certainly lead, has led, to suffering, persecution, and aggressive steps to marginalize us and God's Message. That said, WE ALWAYS deliver that message with gentleness and respect born from our life-altering encounter with God's grace and mercy.  

When God's people, empowered by God's Spirit, in submission to God's Son, live transformed lives...it is breathtakingly beautiful and powerful at the same time; beautiful music that the Holy Spirit uses to impel people to effective faith "...Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead." Romans 10.5-13

Life is fast.

Liveitwell!

Today.

Our nest is empty...
Some things I cannot do.
Face is lined, hair is gone.
Confidence gives way to doubt.
Strength gives way to weakness.

Today...
Independence is community.
Knowledge is wisdom.
Love is tenderness.
Time is a gift.

Help stopped being a four-letter word.

Liveitwell!

HELP!

Celebrated my year 68 this week; 48 shared with Laura as my beloved. In this photo, taken in 1969, about one-month into our dating relationship, Laura was 15, I'd just turned 16. I remember that day like it happened yesterday.

Reflecting on life at 68, I am reminded, again, about the plaintive message in the Beatles hit, released that same year, Help. 

It occurs to me, what a tremendous insight that song had into what happens to us as we move into the final third of our lives, seen through the eyes of those five young men. Hence the plaintive nature of the song.

In fact, from this "68 years" side of the time continuum, I realize that life today is filled with tradeoffs. While I can't "do it all" anymore, the tenderness in this season, as Laura, our kids, and friends stand in the gaps, is profound. 

The Fab-Five had it figured out in 1969. They just didn't realize the light at the end of the tunnel was a train, coming to pick them up and carry them into a new more content chapter. 

Life is certainly different. It's definitely sweeter.  The challenge remains the same, clearly recorded by the prophet Micah, "...do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God." [Micah 6.8]

Leaning into my weakness, only to discover God's strength is transformational; the humility that comes with interdependence is liberating; my life, hidden with Christ, in God. This is the constant that will NEVER change. 

Thanks be to God for our blessed hope.  

Life is fast.

Livitwell!