Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is just ahead on the horizon.  We are blessed this year for many reasons.  

We will gather with Kids, Grandkids, extended family, good table-talk, smiles, a look-back in time and an extra helping of making new memories.  

We will give thanks for a life lived well, for our blessed hope--Jesus Messiah, for joy in spite of profound loss, for the laughter of small children, the creative gift of our now oldest living grandchild and for progress as a family; for a community of people, many whom we will never personally meet, who are standing with us through the "valley of shadow of death" and love us generously.

What are you serving at your house?  Perhaps the key isn't what we bring to the table, it's what we take away.

Remember, home is where life makes up it's mind.  Wishing you all a persuasive holiday celebration.

Let it be.

Live it well...bN tGit

thanks GIVING

The harvest is nearly complete.  It's Sunday,  four days to Thanksgiving. 

These are times that challenge us all; but joy, real joy can't be touched and isn't determined by circumstance...

"Lord empower us to drill down deep and discover joy in simplicity, profound blessing in being alive; a kind touch, a gentle word, a thoughtful deed, a smile, a poignant moment. Use us as instruments that produce a concert of joy wherever this week takes us; where life takes us.  Asking, seeking, knocking...Through Christ, let it be."

Make this a happy thanks GIVING.

Live it well...tGit

Out of the Gray

Lake slips into a mist of gray
Horizon broken by trees stripped by Fall, bracing for winter.
Seasons change, storms pass.

A metaphor for life? 
Fifty shades of gray, stripped by storms bracing for loss.
Where is the hope? 

A Blue Herron floats over the water. 
The Spirit floats over the chaos of life.
Flashes of color break through the mist.
Seasons change, storms pass.
God--not lost in the gray.
Hope.

Someone is at the Door.

Someone asked me this week, "Do you want a wall on our Southern border?" 

What I want is a welcome mat at the front door that says "we welcome those who want to work with us to make this a great Nation with a large heart and unlimited opportunity" AND secure borders that won't permit people to commit a "home invasion" via the back door; if that takes a wall, more aggressive policing and/or police presence, detention/hearing centers located at the border to process undocumented people back to their nation of origin in a humane, effective and efficient way; drones, helper dogs, armored vehicles--any and all this and any other civilized measure that might be employed by a government that is determined to control egress into this Nation and protect our Citizens, Commerce and Resources--THAT, is what I want. 

History does not equivocate: failure to control one's borders leads to a failed state. Period.

Live it well...bN tGit

I hear a symphony.

Many of my friends express concern about the fact that "God is being forced out of the public square." It's become a favorite pastime for People of Faith (yes I'm guilty)--lamenting the "sorry state" of the Nation.

What concerns ME? It's this: People of Faith have come to embrace the notion that the symbolic presence of God is the same thing as the authentic presence of God. Here is a short list of "hot-buttons," not intended to be exhaustive--but illustrative.

• Do we want God in our schools--disciple your children to know and love Jesus. 
• Do we want our Nation to understand that marriage is a beautiful metaphor, designed by God, of a much bigger relationship--and for this reason it is a sacred estate? Love your wife selflessly and trust your husband implicitly.
• Do we want values to govern our economy, greed to be disdained--choose simplicity and invest our resources on behalf of the poor, widows, orphans; be seekers of justice for all the disenfranchised. 
• Are we befuddled by the National obsession with abortion, perplexed by the disdain modern cultures have for human life, and high regard they show for endangered species? Find your voice and speak passionately-forcefully for the little Ones, consider... adoption, Foster parenting, Mentoring programs.

For too long, too many of us who profess to be followers of Jesus have routinely "phoned it in."

• We've been content to build private school sanctuaries, teaching Bible courses, that will disciple our children for us.
• We've turned a blind eye to the failure rate of marriages in our churches.
• We've justified selfish ambition and the boastful pride of life as "what's ours is ours" and left justice to government inefficiency and the dehumanizing impact of its one-size fits all insanity.
• We've ceded the heavy lifting for protecting the lives of unborn-children, the quality of life for born-children to others "called" to missional living.

Consider this: God's plan has always been to "show-up" via the beautiful music being played through lives well-lived by those who are His devoted followers--the Scripture makes clear that no law can stand against such purposeful, selfless living, "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5.22,23 NASB

Lives lived this way will produce a breathtaking symphony that will bring relevance back to our Mission as His Church--no longer engaged in managing the kingdom (small ''k") but compelled to build HIS Kingdom (big "K").

WHEN we take seriously our empowerment, from God, to add value to the lives of people, to make hard lives easier, to speak the truth of the Gospel into the brokenness of life without Christ, to model the transformational reality of the Gospel through the choices and investments we make--with our lives and resources, THEN they won't be able lock God out of the public square. There is no law that can stand against this kind of authenticity.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20,21 NASB

I hear a symphony. Through Christ, let it be.

Live it well...bN tGit

Now Children...

Existential Fact: Our political DNA produces lot's of anger and bitterness in this country. That's always been the case, always will be. To say otherwise is to redact history; just romantic non-sense.

Existential Fact: Americans are competitive. We hate to loose. This is perhaps most intensely experienced in our politics.

Existential Fact: There are haters on the margins of all movements involving people; when we pay too much heed to those margins--the hate tends to bleed back to toward the center.

NOW WHAT?

To my Democrat friends: Buck-up! The world hasn't ended. Stop the whining and stop being sore losers. Don't be fooled by progressive pundits--they do have something worthy to say, but they are entertainers seeking to maintain an audience; no need to parrot them--it isn't helpful. Eat the meat and spit the bones out.

We, Republicans and Democrats, have some work to do. This election was a repudiation of BOTH progressive and conservative ideology in their current applications.  Let's focus our passion and energy on the process of bringing our different visions in line with what Americans believe is needed to move our Nation forward.  Do this and perhaps both visions might emerge with a better message that more Americans can embrace AND at the same time, make hard lives easier.

Progressives have an obligation as Americans and fellow-citizens with those who see the world differently than they do, to give the Trump Administration a chance...and to actively work to make this administration a success to the degree that your values and principles will allow. That said, I submit that it does not have to be an "all, or nothing at all" proposition.

To my Republican friends: We won the Electoral College.  However, It remains to be seen just what kind of leader President-Elect Trump will be--and what kind of administration he will install; and just where that takes us, we can't say for sure.  You have had time to celebrate and wag your fingers; now, be gracious winners and effective leaders. Don't brand legitimate and passionate disagreement from "the loyal opposition" as "hate speech." Don't be fooled by conservative pundits--they do have something worthy to say, but they are entertainers seeking to maintain an audience; no need to parrot them--it isn't helpful. Eat the meat and spit the bones out.

Conservatives would be wise to allow progressives to have a seat and the table, they constitute just over half the electorate that turned out on November 8. It will continue to be impossible to get anything done if the only seats left are at the "back of the bus." Find the good in progressivism and embrace it to the degree that your values and principles will allow. That said, I submit that it does not have to be an "all or nothing at all" proposition.

To ALL my friends: We had an election.  Neither conservatives nor progressives won, something different and as yet unnamed won...and carried many conservatives to victory at the bottom of the ticket. Now, let's close ranks, stop sniping at each other and get on with the business of fixing America--our government, our communities, our schools, our families and let's work on growing as individuals.

"Now children...," it's time we grew up and gave the next generation, our children and grandchildren, a cultural/political templet that works...or else.

Live it well...bN tGit

Minions, NOT

Tomorrow, November 8, 2016, we have an election.

We will select the 45th President of the United States of America. An election is not an end, it's a beginning. We are not minons, held under the thumb of despotic Felonious Gru and a legion of henchmen. 

We are "we the people" so act like it.  Let's close ranks and hold those elected to govern responsible for the way they govern; let's also allow, no--demand, a willingness to compromise and advance the business of the Nation forward toward a brighter future.

For those stiff-necked ideologues from both sides of the aisle remember, we have a new-direction "fork in the road" every two years.  It's the "governor" on the system and virtually assures that the more things change, the more they stay the same; therein lies the genius of the Founders.

Politics, it's part of our DNA.  


Live it well...bN tGit

HELP!

Listening to the Old Beatles tune this morning, "Help."

"When I was younger, so
much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone,
I'm not so self-assured
Now I find, I've changed my mind,
I've opened up the doors.
And now my life has changed
in, oh, so many ways
My independence seems
to vanish in the haze
But every now and then
I feel so insecure
I know that I just need
you like I've never done before.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you, please, please help me?"

As I was taken back to another (younger) time in my life, it occurred to me that the (young) Beatles had uncanny insight in writing about what happens to us as we move through the final third of our lives; a time filled with loss and tradeoffs.

While we can't "do it all" anymore (not that we ever could), the tenderness we experience as our spouses, kids, and friends stand in the gaps is profound. It's in those moments we discover the rich, mysterious, blessing of interdependence.

Help is good. Life is "grand."



Live it well...bN tGit

Trying Times

"These are the times that try men's souls" wrote Thomas Paine in his pamphlet "The American Crisis" published Dec 23, 1776; the Colonies faced the almost certain prospect of defeat in their war for indpendence. Paine implored Americans "don't give up the fight."

As the curtain begins to drop on 2016: we are embroiled in an angry election for the 45 President between two very flawed candidates, our economy continues to misfire, the world is a more dangerous place than ever, we face the prospect of a nuclear Iran--still, an ascendant China, troubling news about the future of Healthcare, poor leadership--on both sides of the aisle--from those we've elected to make good decisions.  Never-the-less the fact is that virtually every generation of Americans were forced to face down a crisis...and they survived, thrived and grew strong on the idea of the American Dream.

We must remember to "keep the main thing," the main thing. The "idea of America" has been the fuel driving our resolve to be "one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all;" an idea those who traveled this way before us thought to be worth sacrificing, fighting and dying for.  Indifference to this "big idea" is the real, the urgent threat to our liberty.

Resolve to do your part; work hard, make informed decisions, be a person of strong character, celebrate interdependence and respect people who disagree with you--but press them to think outside their "box" and you, think outside yours. Don't give in to tyranny, fear or indifference--be strong and of good courage. 

Let's leave a legacy that will inspire a new generation.

Live it well...bN tGit

Wrong War.

We now find ourselves in perhaps the most contentious Presidential Election since Adams v. Jefferson--a long time.  

Like so many I am concerned about the long-term impact this election will most certainly have on the Nation my grand and great-grand children will inherit.  So much is at stake; the economy, our standing in the world, energy, health care, peace, terror and of course--our culture. 

Our culture is changing--devolving into the chaos of a-morality.  Many People of effective faith have dutifully written their Senators and Representative demanding action.  They are good culture-warriors.  I have a problem with this.  The "culture war" is the wrong campaign.  It's a battle for minds.  People of effective faith are called to battle for hearts.    

In this process, we see that people of effective faith have been seduced also; the culture war is self-serving.  It's an attempt to preserve and re-create a world less hostile, less chaotic, less wrong-headed for our benefit.  It's about preserving our values, protecting our children, maintaining equilibrium and economy so we can live out our god-informed vision of what our lives should be like.  This is normal; it's also carnal...it's the way most humans think and act.

That's not the vision people of effective faith have been called to by God. We have been called to justice, to selfless living, to compassionate action; to loving the unreached citizens of this world like God does.  When people of effective faith do that, people with no hope notice. They understand that this kind of concern is counter-intuitive.  It's not the way normal people live; they want to know "why?"   

Peter's first letter to the church contains instruction for us..."...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."   1 Peter 3.15 ESV

Peter informs us that we win the world, and transform culture, one heart at a time gently, respectfully.  It can't be done with legislation.  We don't win them with constitutional amendments.  The silver bullet isn't packing the courts with the "right kind of thinkers."  It's done by living alongside people who aren't like children of the King, who don't share His values and act in ways that reflect how radically confused people without effective faith are.

When people of effective faith insert themselves into culture in a transformative way hearts begin to change.  When hearts begin to change, minds begin to change.  When hearts and minds begin to change, culture begins to change.  When people with no hope begin to see faith, hope and love in their neighborhoods, schools, workplaces--they pay attention!  They realize they are thirsty, hungry and without hope. They realize there's more, and they want to know where they can embrace it...one heart at a time.

For too many people of effective faith, living this way just isn't something we want to do.  We're more comfortable on church properties that create space between the world without effective faith and our world of grace.  We shield our children from the world without effective faith in ways that create fear and contempt in their hearts. We forget what life without grace is like, and we become entrenched in a battle for minds using the least effective means available to us--the wisdom and power of the world system.  

Little wonder we seem befuddled, put-off by what Jesus described as "sheep without a shepherd."  They aren't like us, they don't think or act like us.  They are driven by differnt values, often by different passions.  Yet, they carry the same godly imprint on their souls that people of effective faith reflect...we are all created in His image.  We are all loved with an unconditional love.  We all have access the same unmerited overflow of His grace.  We are all sinners in need of a Savior.  

These lost sheep, these precious souls, are not the enemy.  They are victims in Satan's attempt to foil the purpose of God in the redemption of all people.  That purpose begins with a battle for hearts...and minds will follow.  We win hearts when in the power of the Spirit we come along side these unlovely people and their messy lives and seek to serve them in compassion, with sacrifice through love.

One heart, one mind... gently, respectfully, powerfully.

Live it well...bN tGit