The Simple Things

Sometimes, it's the simple things
that cause my heart to soar.
Like the scent of the one I love,
to catch me off guard.
Sometimes, it's the simple things
that make life what it is
As I lose myself in tomorrow's dream
and hope for what's to come.
Sometimes, it's the simple things
as she reaches for my hand
to let me know that she is here
and wants me here the same.
Sometimes, it's these simple things
I look forward to the most
and wonder how I made it here
without them all before.

Psalm 23 - a psalm of Billy

The Lord is my creator, I am perfect in his sight.
He holds me in the palm of his hand,
He carries me where ever I go,
He is my companion.
He has formed every hair on my head for his glory.
Even though sickness and pain may come my way,
I will not fear death,
For you are with me;
Your pen and your ruler,
They have measured me.
You reveal your plans and hopes for me even when I do not understand.
Your blessings pour out upon me;
I cannot comprehend your love.
Surely order and harmony will be reflected in my life,
As others see the beauty of your creation in me.

The Journeyman

At times I feel this life I lead
Is traveled all alone
I watch as people pass me by
With purpose of their own

And there I stand to reflect upon
The choices I have made
The greed and pride, my selfishness
These things I hope to trade

How can it be I’ve traveled here
My expectations lost
I’ve traded in for here and now
I’ve failed, despite the cost

I’m weak, alone, and on my knees
And wounded by the years
When my Redeemer calls to me
“Fear Not, For I Am Here”

He lifts my head and dries my tears
With mercy in his tone
“No matter what, this life you lead
is traveled not alone”

Why did Jesus have to die?

Have you ever stopped to think about why Jesus had to die? Why did it have to be this way? There is a simple poetry in these words and yet it reveals to me the sweet taste of mercy and love that God has shown to me. So much...that He gave His only son...

The sinner saved by grace is haunted by Calvary, by the cross, and especially by the question, Why did He die? A clue comes from the Gospel of John: "For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." Another clue from Paul's cry in Galations: "He loved me and delivered himself up for me." The answer lies in love.

But the answer seems too easy, too glib. Yes, God saved us because He loved us. But He is God. He has infinite imagination. Couldn't He have dreamed up a different redemption? Couldn't He have saved us with a smile, a pang of hunger, a word of forgiveness, a single drop of blood? And if He had to die, then for God's sake - for Christ's sake - couldn't He have died in bed, died with dignity? Why was He condemned like a criminal? Why was His back flayed with whips? Why was His head crowned with Thorns? Why was He nailed to wood and allowed to die in frightful, lonely agony? Why was the last breath drawn in bloody disgrace, while the world for which He lay dying egged on His executioners with savage fury like some kind of gang rape by uncivilized brutes in Central Park? Why did they have to take the very best?

- The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning

What would Jesus do?

“If the gospel isn’t good news for everybody, then it isn’t good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display. To do this, the church must stop thinking of everybody primarily in categories of in or out, saved or not, believer or nonbeliever.”

-Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis

I just love this quote! This talks about a means to the end and focuses on the journey rather than that ultimate goal of salvation. It takes the responsibility of "conversion" out of our hands and places it in God's hands where it rightly belongs. We are commanded to love as Christ has loved...not to save as Christ saves. How arrogant is it for us to assume that we have the ability to do that.

The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning

I have started reading this book by Brennan Manning and in just two chapters it is beginning to transform my heart. I grew up in an enviornment that tried to shelter me from the reality of life that everyone faces. And while we try to cover up the heartaches with our masks of perfection, the truth about life is that we are all subject to pain and struggle. Sometimes it can leave us stranded and lost in a world of pain. But there is hope. Enter God's grace. The wonderful thing about grace is that there is nothing we have to do to earn it and there is nothing we can do to destroy it. We just have to accept it. It is through this acceptance that we realize how powerful God's love can be and how available it is for each of us. The tender words expressed through this book has awakened a gentle spirit in my soul that wants to reach out to those struggling around me and say, "there is someone who loves you just as you are".

Amazon.com: The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out: Books: Brennan Manning

Well...what are you waiting for, chicken?

We have a friend named Aaron. He has taught us all a very valuable lesson that I would like to spend some time talking about today. For you to fully understand and appreciate this story, I need to take a few moments for you to get to know Aaron. Aaron is a simple man, firm with his hand shake and quick with a joke. He is not a Matthew McCaunahay or a Brad Pitt. Aaron is intelligent, diverse in his conversations and remarkable in his speech. He knows just about everyone. His sense of confidence follows him in the room and shows in the way he dresses. Aaron is the new Patrick Dempsey maybe with a little less McDreamy. He is connected and it is by no accident. He is sincere and is comfortable in who he is. Aaron is a good friend.

This all started when we were in college. Things happened in the usual way and life was fun and full of new adventures. For most of us, when the time came to invite a young lady to spring formal or fall festival, we squirmed around and fretted over who to ask until we finally found ourselves in that awkward moment as we stumbled over our words and managed to get a date. But not Aaron. He was the first to have a date and she was always the hottest girl on campus...although he never managed to go out with the dark-haired freshman goddess. His success in landing these dates was flawless and became the talking point of many occasions. Today not much has changed except perhaps for the increased sense of respect that we all hold for Aaron. His approach seems effortless and his poise is charismatic. He is the envy of us all and we are left wondering...what is his secret?

We asked Aaron recently what force drove him to walk up to a young lady and strike up a conversation like he had been building up the nerve to do it all evening long. His answer was simple...fear. Fear is what motivates him to step out on the line, to face rejection, and to savor the successes. But it is not the fear of stepping out there; rather, it is the fear of never knowing. It is the fear of never meeting that person who, for a moment, has captured your attention and caused your heart to race. It is in that moment, Aaron says, when he asks himself which of the two fears is greater. Even now, as I sit here and think about that cute girl, I am recounting all the reasons why I should not ask her out. If only I could learn to fear the fear. I think Aaron has taught us all a valuable lesson in life, whether it be in love or business. Seize the moment and aim for greatness. Otherwise, you will just be left wondering...what if?