A Visit to “Red Sox Nation”

This past week my family and I visited the northeastern region of the United States. We drove the scenic byways and witnessed firsthand the majestic beauty of a New England Autumn. The colorful displays of changing leaves were yet another testimony of the artistry of our awesome God. While we were there we also witnessed another fascinating phenomenon, “Red Sox Nation.”
First, let me state right up front that I have been a NY Yankee fan since I was a boy. (Yea, yea I know they got beat and are out of the playoffs, but there is always next year!) Now everyone knows that you can’t be a Yankee fan and a Red Sox fan, it is mentally, physically and spiritually impossible. But even sworn enemies can admire the loyalty and passion of their archrivals. Everywhere we went we were surrounded by a sea of Red Sox hats, shirts, and jackets. It would seem that no self respecting New Englander would dare go out in public without a visible display of their undying allegiance to the BoSox. Even the homeless could be seen sporting a Red Sox jersey or cap. Every restaurant and place of business proudly displayed posters and banners honoring their beloved heroes. You name it and it had Red Sox on it.
As we toured the Holiest of Holies (Fenway Park) I was truly moved by the respect and reverence given to the history and heritage of this hallowed piece of ground.
I guess the thing that most impressed me was the sense of belonging and camaraderie that seemed to pervade the atmosphere. There was an unspoken, yet tangible unity and commitment to a common cause. It made me wish that I could be a member of “Red Sox Nation”.
I think we who call ourselves Christians could learn some lessons from these diehard fans. Think about it, when was the last time that you made someone wish that they could be a member of “Jesus Nation”?

P.S. While in New England we also experienced the awesome hospitality of some of Red Sox Nations finest, the Giguere family.
Thank you Brian, Sarah, Kyle and Karleigh for opening your home to us and making us feel so welcome. You were a true expression of “Jesus Nation!”

Now That's Funny!

Photo by The Associated Press
Participants in the Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue, a group advocating environmental issues who are walking between Northampton, Mass., and Boston, trudge through a spring snowstorm on the first day of the walk in Northampton on Friday.


God will have the last laugh, so to speak. Global warming will not be the "end of this world." (Sorry Al, you lose again).
Now, while the end of the world is not a laughing matter, moments like the ones pictured above must surely bring a slight grin to the face of God, if not an all out belly laugh! LOL!!!!!!!!

Setting Your Tone

Ask any serious (or maybe a better word is possessed) guitar player and they will tell you that they are on a never-ending search for their perfect tone. You see, when your tone is not right, music is not as fun as it is meant to be. I, myself, am on such a sound quest.
To aid myself along on this lonely, torturous journey, I recently bought a new guitar amplifier. Up to this point, I have always played through a basic “solid state” amp, therefore, I am relatively comfortable with the workings and tone setting parameters of these amps. This new amp is a “tube” amp and I am quickly learning that it definitely has it’s own “personality.”
After spending countless hours trying to dial in my “tone” without much luck, might I add, I finally decided to check with the “experts” on a popular Internet discussion page. Most of the tone setting advice I received was simply the same old standard settings that I have been pre-conditioned to use. I was very near giving up on my quest for my “tone” when I received a valuable piece of wisdom from an unknown cyber space guitar guru. This lone voice crying out in the wilderness told me not to be fearful of trying rather unorthodox and unique tone settings with this amp. It seems that this particular amp responds very differently than most other amps. The problem was that I had been trying to make this amp respond in a way that was simply not part of its character and the results were sub par at best. I had to simply let this amp be what it was created to be. The results would be sweet tonal bliss!
As I allowed the depth of this mans words to sink into my soul, I realized that I should not have had to search the far reaches of the Internet to find this very simple yet profound bit of wisdom. It is a lesson I have learned and am continuing to learn in my walk with Jesus. For years I tried to adjust my “tone settings” to fit the normal status quo. I had been preconditioned to do things a certain way and the results were, well, sub par. Only when I began to find the courage to dial in my own unique God given “tone” did I begin to enjoy the music again.

Mi Tres Amigos!

These are my friends. We have traveled many miles together. We have shared many enjoyable and happy times. Together, we have also endured times of great pain and heartache. They haven’t always responded the way that I wanted them to but I love them anyway. They are my friends. Conversely, I haven’t always treated them with the gentleness, honor and respect that they deserve. On a few sad occasions I have actually dropped them and now they bear the scars of my ineptitude. At others times I have gotten preoccupied with other things and simply neglected them. Yet, Each time I have returned to find them faithfully waiting right where I left them. There have been times that I have gotten so discouraged and frustrated with our relationship that I had crazy thoughts of simply giving up and walking away. But all it takes is one sweet song to remind me why we became friends in the first place.
Oh, wait, that reminds me of another friend I have………

John 15:15 …………now you are my friends, proved by the fact that I have told you everything the Father told me. (TLB)

Prov 18:24 ..…. but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)

It’s Only Rock and Roll, But I like It!

Well it is that time of year again. Time for our annual three-day pilgrimage to the land of the Texas Rangers, Six Flags, giant malls, too many restaurants, (So much food and so little time!) and loud Christian Rock music. We will be heading out this Friday morning, and I don’t know who is more exited, our youth pastors, our youth group or me!
Now I know that this is supposed to be an event for the “youth” but it is also one of my favorite COG sponsored events. There is something amazing about being in a room with four or five thousand Jesus worshipping teenagers. Every one should experience it at least once in their lifetime. There is also the extra added bonus of getting to hear some of the best Christian bands on the face of the earth.
In my younger, pre-Jesus days I spent a lot of my time attending various other “festivals” in and around the Dallas metroplex. Events like The Texas Jam, The Rock and Roll Superbowl and various other gatherings aimed at reaching that wild eyed, hormonally charged generation called teenagers. In those days I, like most other youths was searching for something to satisfy my wandering lonely soul.
I had the opportunity to see some of the biggest “Rock Gods” of my day. You might say that I worshipped at the altar of such greats as The Boss, ZZTop, AC/DC, Ozzy, Journey, Aerosmith, Rush, Foreigner, Santana…the list goes on and on. (As far as I know the COG did not sponsor any of these events.)
I even tried out some of the Country deities like Merle, Hank jr., Gary Stewart and Alabama. I am ashamed to admit that once I even stooped so low that I actually went and saw Christopher Cross live. (Yeah, I know I was one sick puppy.)
I saw some great “shows” but I never found what I was truly searching for.
For an old headbanger like me this weekend is a chance “rock on” and still retain at least a little bit of pastoral dignity. (Hey, I gotta do it for the kids.) For many teens this weekend will be a chance to find what they are looking for. Please pray for Winterfest.
On second thought, it really is much more than Rock and Roll and I absolutely………….LOVE IT!

Spiritual Yard Work

Recently, out of sheer necessity, I grudgingly participated in one of my least favorite activities, “yard work.” Raking leaves to be more specific.
Now I realize that there is actually a strange mutant species of humans that actually enjoy this arduous activity. They have their own little sub-culture that includes a network of supply stations called Home Depots. It is a sick and twisted world, of which, I am not a part of. Surprisingly, even though I detest this mandatory husband/king of my castle chore it seems that the Lord often chooses to use these times of severe testing to speak to my heart about “spiritual things”. Such was the case as I tackled the gargantuan pile of leaves that annually cover my front yard.
As I “joyfully” raked those leaves I pondered within my heart why these things must be. The Lord began to show me that the winds of time and the storms of life, can blow unsightly debris into our “yards.” Little by little, one leave at a time, “stuff,” can pile up in our “yards.” It is so easy for us to go about our daily routines and never even give our “yard” a passing thought. Then one day we stop and really take a good look at our “yard” and reality sets in. Our “yard” is a mess.
Now, it is not like we set out to have a messy “yard” but things just sort of happen and before you know it things have gotten out of hand. We put it off as long as we can but there comes a critical point where some “yard work” must be done.
The Lord showed me that if we don’t rake our “leaves”, eventually the “leaves” will kill the good grass beneath. The “dead leaves” will smother out the “new life” beneath that is waiting to spring forth if only given a chance. It is sad that so many people in our neighborhoods have potentially beautiful “yards” but they are not willing to remove the dead “leaves” that are destroying their own lawn. I had to get started!
Now raking leaves is hard work and as the sweat dripped from my furrowed brow I must admit the thoughts of shortcuts crossed my mind. “One match would surely do the trick”! Maybe I could simply blow them over into my neighbors yard and blame them for being a disgrace to the whole neighborhood. (After all the blame game seems to be the way to go these days). Perhaps I could simply procrastinate and refuse to deal with the whole mess until the next hurricane hits and blows all the leaves away for me. The only problem with waiting for the “big storm” to hit before dealing with your “leaves,” is that the “big storm” often blows your home away, too.
There was no easy way out. The work had to be done. It is my “yard” and it was up to me to deal with the situation.
Well it was a long day. Beside the curb sat twenty bulging sacks of dead leaves. I had never imagined my “yard” could have so many leaves. My back was aching and my muscles were sore, but it sure felt good to have a clean “yard.” It felt good to leave those sacked up dead leaves by the curb and walk away from them. They were out of my life for good! “Hallelujah!” Oh how my heart swelled with pride as I surveyed the great work of my freshly calloused hands. Then it happened. As I looked toward the heavens fully expecting a “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” or at the very least an Autumn colored rainbow, much to my chagrin, a leaf gently floated toward my trophy yard.
Oh well I guess as long as I live in “this old house” there will always be a little “yard work” left to do.

Lam 3:40
40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (NIV)

Proverbs 17:24 (MsgB)
The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard;…..

I really hope you don’t think I wrote all this about “yard work.”