Archive | March 2014

There is a way that seems right to a man

Mar8

Proverbs 12:25 NKJ
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

I love to watch people especially when I’m at the mall. You’ll find the rapport going on between people. The next time you see two people interacting or (not) interacting take a minute to notice their body language. It says so much more than the words that you can’t hear.

The other day I wasn’t even near the mall, I was in a room full of people when a duo in heavy conversation was noticeable. One was listening and the other was convincing. I mean CONVINCING! If the one who was listening was smart I suppose they made a decision to agree with what the other one was saying.

The image of these two faded in the background as I recalled  Proverbs 12:25. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Looking back at the duo again, I imagined myself in the place of the one who was  convincing  and realized how pride blinds my eyes when I think that I’m right about something.

Now, death doesn’t always mean literal although it could. It means that the CONVINCING one will soon be dining on  humble pie and their resounding opinion will die.

Be careful, know that what seems right could be wrong.. and if it is, it leads to death! Choose life, seek understanding before you seek to be understood.

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The Fruit of Obedience is Joy

Mar7

I turned 50 this week. Although this is a significant birthday week for me, my friend  who turned 50 a few months ago abruptly passed away a few days ago.  He was so young and probably the happiest man I know. We are going to celebrate his life and remember him on Saturday. I suppose someone will say a few words that will stick in my mind to help me remember what an amazing life he had. There is already a memory fixated in my heart of a barefooted man running around the office in a pair of faded jeans and t-shirt giving fist pumps. He was a trumpet player with a heart to serve God with his financial talent and sense.

raising the cross
If you don’t already know who Chuck is; let me tell you that he was the (CFO) of our church and had a GREAT heart for people. He is so unique in every way. Chuck owned the honor and responsibility for building a new church building which took three years to complete. Afterwards, he was supposed to take a three-month sabbatical to rest.
As Chuck prepared for his sabbatical he was approached by many who congratulated him and thanked hChuck Hiattim for his service to God to build such a building. He had time to take a couple’s retreat with his wife and experienced one of the most gracious times they’d ever had. He was in Israel to hear his mother deliver an honored speech. Chuck was filled with joy. I suspect that it was because he answered God’s calling on his life at every intersection of his 50 years.
For the last three years he spent his time building a stage so God could be glorified, worshipped and praised. He reluctantly accepted the accolades of his work knowing that it had one purpose which was not for him.
I will always remember my last conversation with Chuck.  I was asking for Chuck to approve the design of the baptism changing room in our new church. In previous conversations  he was very detailed and sent me back to the drawing board to do better. On that last day before his sabbatical he just let go. He closed the folder, handed it back to me and differed the decisions to another Pastor, with confidence he said, “I’m sure whatever is decided will be fine.” With a smile he said,  ‘It will be okay”.

Chuck left for Israel a few days later and while visiting the Western Wailing Wall  in Israel, he died of cardiac arrest brought on by a respiratory condition. The Lord must have been happy to receive this humble man into heaven. I turned 50 this week and am inspired to make a decision to serve Jesus at every intersection in my life just as Chuck did with his. I pray that God will help me as he loves obedience more than my sacrifice.
Rest in peace my dear friend Chuck Hiatt and thank you for inspiring me to live a more purposed life for the rest of my days. Shalom

Why Write?

Mar7

Hurry and grab a pencil and piece of paper! It’s 4:30am and I can hear a muse of words dancing in my head. I have an appointment with the Lord to write. Words are flowing fast, like a river gurgling and I MUST jump in to ride the current so I can breathe in the misty waters with Joy. I suppose if I were a singer I would be able to hear musical notes dancing around in my head, convincing me to open my mouth and sing. When you are a writer these notes make their way out through your fingers and you can hear the same dancing rhythmic symphony. I laugh with fulfilled joy as I have finally realized that my longing to sing and sing well is illusive, but that my heart sings with wings when I’m writing. Image

God has said much over the last six months and his beautiful waves of guidance remained in my heart. There was nothing earth shattering that wasn’t shared with you even so,  I’m sorry that even a morsel was wasted. He never stopped tapping on my shoulder, whispering in my ear, prompting me, urging me to get up at 4:30am for our appointment to write! This stirring usually comes when I’m reaching for the cold side of the pillow and the words just start rolling out, leaking out of my ears and mind…Then I must get up and turn on the recorder to capture every last drop.  It’s much like deciding to get up and write down an amazing dream.  I wonder if people who have beautiful voices can hear angels signing at 4am.

The calling couldn’t be clearer. I am to write what He says, period. He says abide. Be bold! Do it to glorify your Lord. He says that a Christian has ears to hear and is an over comer. Good morning!