One Church Town is a devotional-style blog by an Iowa-raised writer living in Holland, Michigan, that blends faith, personal growth, and community. Using personal stories, spiritual readings, and vivid metaphors—such as a town with only one church to symbolize close-knit faith life— as Rommel, he explores themes like peace versus vibrancy and living with purpose.
His posts offer daily encouragement, invite deep introspection, and create a sense of companionship for readers.
Showing posts with label Courage to Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage to Change. Show all posts
Do you want to do it your way or His way? Why do I do what I don't want to do? The only church in town has answers. Yet, scripture says it takes a mighty work from the Spirit of Christ to change a man's heart - his inner man. Can you believe that God's gospel truth can be found in that one short creed that Christian representatives agreed to in 325AD? That creed is surprisingly awesome.
Just for today...
"Detachment allows us to let go of our obsession with another's behavior and begin to lead happier and more manageable lives, lives with dignity and rights, lives guided by a Power greater than ourselves." Courage to Change (p. 43)
"I wanna be true, The man inside; Wanna be better, I choose different." Am I a Poet?
About thirty years ago, I heard a definition of wisdom that rang true to me. It's still the best definition that I've heard - I've passed it on hundreds of times. Wisdom is knowing where to go and how to get there. We might all benefit by pondering this definition for awhile. We need both the first and second parts to help us distinguish between wise and unwise paths.
Isaiah 6 recount's Isaiah's experience within the throne room of God. Meeting God would surely be a good place to start when envisioning where we're going - towards the one Who created us and spoke the Truth for evaluating the quality of our lives. The Nicene Creed, written in 325AD, gives the church a good starting place for agreeing on how we get there. Collectively, a church may behave wisely - a continual process for each individual and a synergetic process for the community within the power of the Spirit of God.
I'm thankful to have a congregation of Barred owls whose family has lived with us in the woods for at least 30 years. They do have good qualities and seem wise - I like them a lot and they seem friendly.
Barred Owl
Just for today...
"I needed love before I even knew what it was. By loving others, I learn to treat myself well." Courage to Change (p. 42)
"Woke hoping good, Suffered throughout - Better creature tonight, Inside and out." Am I a Poet?
Many people are uncomfortable with the message "I love you." There's a lot "packed" into the word "love" and it can obviously be misunderstood. What do they mean and how does the love message receiver respond? Ideally, would we be able to say "I love you" to most of the people attending the only church in town? What does that kind of love look and feel like? What's the source? Is it something you feel, a measure of the quality of the relationship, or an experienced gift of God? Is it a verb (something that you do) or a noun (something that you can fall in and out of)?
Before I was born, C.S. Lewis wrote the book The Four Loves and presented it on a radio broadcast in 1958. I've listened to this broadcast on my CD's many times. He provided four helpful definitions of love, from four Greek words, used to describe that one English word - LOVE. Four types of love in a nutshell: Storge is a normal kind of affection or familiarity that's missed when it's not present; Philia is like friendship; Eros is the romantic type of love reserved for the "couples" who are absorbed in each other; Agape is the unconditional type of love similar to the love God offers us through His Son.
Courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts
Will we truly find "agape" love within the only church in town? It requires vulnerability with the ever present risk of being hurt, rejected, or even wounded with a broken heart. Yes, the only church in town would be characterized as one where the members were free to express agape love.
Just for today...
"In the past I focused on anyone but myself . . . trying to control the disorder, discomfort, and lack of safety and security of my own childhood." Hope for Today (p. 39).
"It is unrealistic to expect everyone to like me." Courage to Change (p. 39)
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." "You shall love your neighboras yourself." Matthew 22:37 (NASB)
"Risked love, Heart broke - He lifted up, Formed Us anew." Am I a Poet?
What might the only church in town look like? I asked a sketching-hobbyist friend to paint a one-church town. She responded with questions regarding what I wanted it to look like. I asked her not to bias or restrict her imagination - "Please sketch the purpose of the blog." She agreed to draw her image; yet, seemed a bit uneasy regarding how "good" it would be - would it meet my expectations? She did good...
I wonder if we'd more readily "draw" from our inner-person, soul, or heart, if we periodically did spiritual reality assessments. It seems like we'd grow in self-awareness as we pray, quietly meditate, and bend our ear toward God. Is this part of what it means to walk humbly with God?
Just for today...
"Troubles are opportunities to grow, to make us better, not bitter. Rightly used, we can learn from them not to repeat our own mistakes." One Day at a Time (p. 37)
"When in doubt, don't." Courage to Change (p. 37)
"Idea played; Formed in soul - Hand realized; Wonderfully new!" Am I a Poet?
I walked up to the door of my seventh-grade Sunday-school room. The girl that I secretly loved was with a friend. The friend asked me to show them my fingernails. I paused before extending my open hand and fingers with my palm facing the linoleum floor. They both broke out laughing - "you're like a girl! Guys show their nails as a fist with palm up." I was secretly crushed, likely tried to pretend I wasn't affected, yet my emotions must have betrayed my internal reality. My secret search for love was publicly dashed. I added a few plates to my personal armor to guard against that from happening again. Oh... the pain of rejection - my wounded heart!
The church where the scene played out
How might the one church in town have helped? My Sunday school teacher might have noticed a change in behavior. Someone might have realized that I had no good friends at church. As some aptly describe, I felt like I was alone on an island; yet, surrounded by people. My parents forced me to go to some of the youth meetings - I didn't engage. I became cynical and critical about the group that rejected me.
In High School, I found a job that allowed me to miss every other Sunday service. I tried to bring order and meaning into my life without God's help. Was a right relationship with God and friends possible?
Thoughts for the day ...
"So I continued to hide and did not accept who I really was." Hope for Today (p. 33)
"Today, being humble means climbing down from the ladder of judgement of myself and others, and taking my rightful place in a worldwide circle of love and support . . . My thoughts are my teachers. Are they teaching me to love and appreciate others, or are they teaching me to practice isolation?" Courage to Change (p. 33)
"Sought love; Illusive hope - Hurt, guilty shame; Left me alone." Am I a Poet?
I've a hard time rubbing, let alone washing, my feet - I was born inflexible. If I work at stretching for about six months, my "stretchability," is closer to normal. Six months is six times longer than the one month it seems to take for my muscles to return back to their more normal state of inflexibility.
Like many people, I was also born with a selfish sort of nature. I cooperated with others while I focused on working out a safe and comfortable life that I was proud of. Although I was primarily motivated by a need to be loved, I wanted to win in the game of life and associate with people who might help me along the way. Since humans seem to all want the same "thing," I learned to be more flexible with my interpersonal interactions and relationships.
Strangely, even the Lord Jesus the Christ's disciples exhibited selfishness and pride as they argued about who was best at the last supper before Jesus was crucified (Luke 22:24). Yes, we're prone to be selfish. On the same night of the disciples argument, He knelt down and washed each of the twelve's feet. When it was Peter's turn, he resisted this feet washing by his Lord. Jesus replied "If I do not wash you, you have no part in Me" (John 13:8). Maybe He's letting Peter know that he's clean yet needs to wash off the "dirt" of daily life to stay "clean" and rightly related to God through Him. Jesus washed Peter's feet knowing, and sharing with Peter too, that Peter would publicly disown Him three times before the rooster crowed. Yes, Peter would need his feet washed again.
Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet - Tintoretto 1548-1549
The only church in town will learn the need to live a righteous life in Christ. One that's able to bear fruit in all circumstances - they way God worked out the perfect life in Jesus the Christ. That means, for those with a nature like mine: confessing sin, washing dirt off my feet, and returning to that "right" relationship with our Holy Father through Christ.
Just for today...
"With a new and sincere humility, I asked God to remove my shortcomings . . . I want to be ready for shortcomings to be removed, and I will do what I can to prepare. I can develop a non-judgmental awareness of myself, accept what I discover, and be fully willing to change. But I lack the power to heal myself. Only God can do that." Courage to Change (p. 31)
"Washed feet; Dirty again - Self grime; Anxiously lonely." "Had a friend; Split paths - Spirit stood me; Never went back." Am I a poet?
A fellow group member read from the Courage to Change daily reader which I've partially quoted below. They realized that their repetition of "advise," to those that they cared about, was really a thinly veiled attempt to fix, manage, and control them. The repeated messages implied that they didn't trust the "subject" with their own life. Their relationship was like a co-dependent entanglement that stunted needed growth for both parties.
When I heard her share, I was personally convicted of my own self-defeating behavior. Why did I continue attempts to drive home my messaging? They may have missed what I said so I repeated it in a slightly different way or tone? They didn't seem to receive it well so I made the appeal a bit more persuasive? They didn't give me the feedback that I expected so I repeated? Yes, I was attempting to fix, manage, or control them and they likely tuned me out. I expect that their options were to remain co-dependent on me or to act the "rebel" and reject me and my messaging. Strangely, I frequently acted out the role of the "rebel" when confronted with efforts to control or manipulate me.
What did I truly want for those I cared for? Did I want them to live protected lives, like in a "zoo," or to live freely in the "jungle" of the actualities of real life? Are the controllers imagining the freedom of others like a sort of Tarzan - out of control and heading for disaster?
The only church in town will value people moving from dependence, on their care givers, to capable-independent adults. Clearly, moving from dependence to independence is good; but, we aren't complete on our own - the only church in town will profess the value of living in community. The community that God offers, in-Christ, has been essential for this rebel's transition from a self-protecting/promoting one to a fruit-bearing life. I'm free from the bondage of my old self in Christ - I will not to live in a self-protecting "cage" again. Why would I strive to cage another?
Just for today...
"If I repeatedly make similar suggestions or ask prodding questions again and again, I am probably trying to control. If I am satisfied only when the other person responds in a way I consider desirable - agrees with what I've said or takes my advice - then I know I've lost my focus." Courage to Change (p. 29)
"I have no right to deprive anyone else of the challenge of meeting his own responsibility." One Day at a Time (p. 29)
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
"Mold their behavior; According to me - We'll be better; Wait and see." "Masked actors; Within your play - Hiding their hearts; Ignoring your say." Am I a Poet?
Trying to: elongate my spine, strengthen my "core," stretch all those muscles, perform new exercises, and adapt to my lumbar-caused pain seems never ending. Once, I felt like I'd lost my way and needed encouragement from my physical therapist. She was serious when she told me that she didn't want to hear "I can't" anymore - she wanted to hear "I can." She directed me to keep a log of what I did, how long I did it, and how much "new" muscle pain or "old" nerve pain I felt. This cause-and-effect analysis was meant to record how long I was doing my suspected cause of pain and what I did to alleviate it - a clearer look at the reality of my condition and coping methods too.
It's true that my body's getting older and will likely require periodical adaptations in order to move and live as I wish to, or need to, without assistance. Yet, I don't want my "body" focus to be my primary focus. I don't plan on giving up; but, I'd rather not try so hard. I hope to develop a physical fitness routine that'll sustain me throughout the next 20 years.
Over the last 25 years of my personal and work life, "try" has been and evil word in regards to personal commitments. I prefer to focus on what you or I commit to actually do. It seems that the same idea applies here.
The only church in town will focus more on who we are and what we do than our physical condition. Yes, they will focus on the condition of our souls. Strangely God doesn't ask us to "try" to be a better person either. He asks that we receive His provision for our past misdeeds and trust Him to change our inner-person to be more like the ideal that was displayed in the life of His Son. They call it the process of sanctification that He works out in us as we abide in Him - He does the heavy lifting.
He's a really good Father. I'm so... thankful that He did a great work for and within me. The only church in town will focus on our being who we are in Christ with little emphasis on trying to be something we ain't.
Just for today...
"I found that I was overly interested in others because I had such a low opinion of myself." Courage to Change (p. 25)
"Bad habits and compulsions cannot be conquered by determined resolutions or promising ourselves that we won't go on doing this or that . . . I stopped trying to force myself to eliminate my faults when I found it didn't work." One Day at a Time (p. 25)
"I was raised to be industrious and goal oriented. Today I am discovering what play means." Hope for Today (p. 25)
"Told to do; Said I'd try - Ended failure; Wondered why." "Trusting Him; Father's hand - Peace in chaos; Promised land." Am I a Poet?
Our '22 Subaru's car manuals are at least 3" thick. I've looked at them a few times - they're helpful. Normally, I'll go to a search engine to find: my windshield wiper lengths, the right light bulb, or how to replace the cabin air filter. Yet, sometimes I need to learn about the car and I'm not really sure what to ask. Then, I go to the manual to learn about the car - often I'm surprised of what I didn't know or ask.
Once upon a time, I purchased a new dishwasher and installed it myself. Our family actually gathered and we took turns reading the manual. We actually learned what all the buttons did and how to most efficiently, and effectively, load the dishwasher. It was such an odd thing to do, as a family, that some of us still remember the day we learned about the dishwasher. I still load the dishwasher the same way that we learned that day.
Are we so self reliant that we don't need to learn from anyone else - even the designers and manufacturers of the products that we purchased to serve us? Our bodies didn't come with a manual and much of the stuff inside me remains a mystery to me. I don't even know the vocabulary for most of my inner parts. How do we actually function and interact? It seems that some of us don't like to be taught anything unless we're forced to.
The totality of this blog is as thick as my Subaru manuals. What'll I do with the completed book? Will I print it to sit on a table at my memorial service unread? Is my manual so different than everyone else's that it won't be applicable? The writing process and results have certainly been helpful and joyful for me - it's helped me to be more grounded in reality.
The only church in town will study and apply the manual for living out a good and righteous life. I've learned that the manual writers were directed to write according to the Creator's wishes. He wishes that we know enough about Him, and what's going on inside of us, to seek, trust and be rightly related to Him. Why? So that we can be free from the penalty and power of sin, bear fruit, enjoy loving relationships, and live out a right relationship with God throughout our days under the sun; "now and forevermore."
Just for today...
"I will dare to be myself . . . I will be honest with myself as I do so - I will not pretend to feel what I do not feel or to want what I do not want . . . I can only learn to love myself if I am willing to learn who I am." Courage to Change (p. 24)
"Story of life; Blogged each day - Honest reflection; Lights a way." "His presence; Or wrath - God's lit; His path." Am I a Poet?
My lower-back pain, caused by pinched nerves and sore muscles, has been real and personal. The pain taught me to behave in a way that I "think" works for me. I feel the results and compensate in a manner that I expect best relives the discomfort while allowing me to do what I want to do. Yet, sometimes a muscle will be sore from my stretching, exercising, or doing what I do - then I tend to stop and wait to feel better.
When my routine doesn't work anymore - I ask a doctor for help. They may perform an MRI to observe the hidden reality. They show me the amount of spinal stenosis, disc bulging and protrusion, positioning, arthritis formations, damaged parts, and joint wear that naturally occur over time.
In December 2023, my back surgeon recommended that I try epidural shots and physical therapy to help restore me to active duty. I was hopeful for the shots but had little hope for the therapy. I was discouraged - I wanted the surgeon to just fix me and restore me to "normal."
My physical therapist spoke a new reality to me from different perspectives. She coached and encouraged me to change my routine, habits, and understanding of how my body actually works. She shinned new light on the reality of my body, routines, habits, and physical condition. I trusted her.
I expect that we'd all agree that self reflection at the beginning of our morning and at the end of the day would be good for us. It's likely that we'd also agree that looking at our lives from different perspectives would help too. Imagining a reality, that's different then what's actually going on, might provide some temporary mental comfort; yet, reality wins in the end.
Self reflection and a desire to know and understand reality is a wonderful human capability that we can choose to exercise or ignore. The only church in town will encourage you to see reality from multiple perspectives within community and more importantly from the "Light" of God - our creator.
Just for today...
"I choose to accept the reality of my life. I am moving in a healthy direction, growing ever more able to live a good life and to love those I meet along the way." Courage to Change (p. 23)
"Imagined truth; Soothes pain - Reality trumps; For gain." "Act powerful; Fragility's true - God restores; He's with you." Am I a Poet?
Meet my favorite pants. They're old, frayed, stained, fit right, sturdy, unlabeled, and drab. I can do most anything wearing these pants; though, they aren't welcome where people expect me to "dress for the occasion." I've purchased replacements; but, they didn't seem the same. I like that old and familiar heavyweight-duck-canvas cotton and the stains and frays too.
Will there come a day when I must get rid of the pants? We all know the answer although I sometimes pretend otherwise.
I wonder where my old pants will go today? Will I put them in the Aquatic Center locker to wait while I swim? Will they participate in replacing the faucet and trying again to fix the Impala's power seats? Will I put a nicer shirt on and wear them to my men's group tonight? Will I hang them up next to my dress pants - NO! They don't have to look nice - I like 'em just the way they are.
You may feel a need to dress up, to be a better version of yourself, when you attend the only church in town. Yet, God is graceful and desires a relationship with you as you that is - humble, honest, okay and unpretentious. Remember, He is the one Who created you as you are. He makes no mistakes and has offered the way to atone for your sin defects through our Lord Jesus the Christ's sacrifice.
No, I likely won't wear these pants to a Sunday Morning Service. And, I do enjoy cleaning up and wearing pants with fewer defects when worshipping, praising, learning, and fellowshipping together. Yes, it sure is great to know that I'm loved by Him - just as I am.
Just for today...
"What we pray for may not be what is best for us. We are only able to see a little way, and our vision is clouded by our present situation and daily happenings and distractions." One Day at a Time (p. 22)
"I focused on the character defects of those around me. My need to be perfect fed into my preoccupation with others . . . I am still learning to treat myself with gentleness, kindness, and love. I'm still learning that I cannot change those around me, but I can change how I treat them - with dignity and respect." Hope for Today (p. 22)
"When I found him on the floor, I still didn't help him into bed. But I did put a blanket over him before stepping over his body and going to bed myself. This, to me, was detachment with love." Courage to Change (p. 22)
"As I am; He saved me - Redeemed position; His to be." Am I a Poet?
Thankfully, my back surgeon recommended Celebrex, epidural steroid injections and therapy, rather than surgery. I hoped to return my body to a more normal "I can go an do what I want to" state. The Celebrex and the injections reduced inflammation allowing the therapy to work for two years.
"What physical therapist would you recommend in my home town?" They didn't have a recommendation - they gave me a prescription for either four or six weeks and said we'll meet again in four months. I took a look at the therapy room in the Aquatic Center, where I'd been swimming for about two months, and scheduled an appointment with the only therapist there.
After meeting with the young-woman therapist for two weeks, my interactions and results surpassed my expectations. I didn't choose her, I chose the location and facility. I trusted her and did, pretty much, everything she told me to do. "We" worked on limitations that affected me throughout most of my life. I was so optimistic - "Yahoo!"
If I were to have selected a therapist from a candidate lineup, I likely wouldn't have selected her. I might've looked at age, sex, height, personality, education, experience... I'm so thankful that I came in with a need, was honest in every interaction, sought to understand before being understood, listened to her diagnosis rather than my own related thoughts, and trusted her. Yes, I didn't want to be naive; so I tested her a couple of times and each time her response confirmed that she was capable and had my best interest at heart. She's a human with limited understanding but I relied on her to get better. She sought to understand me better and set expectations of a sustainable solution that might work with my habits, preferences, life style, and hopes for the future.
Whose your daddy?
I especially liked her direct style of communication and therapy interventions during our 1/2 hour appointments. She appeared to be committed to helping me regardless of my responses and peculiarities. I'm so... thankful for her. Maybe, when I grow up, I can be more like her? 😊
The only church in town's object of faith will be their Messiah, their Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ whose great sacrificial work saved me from the sin penalty that kept me away from my God and Father. I'm right with God due to what He did for me. I'm right with God forever in Christ. There's a lot packed into those sentences. Why not go to the only church in town and experience more of what's really going on now and forevermore?
Just for today...
"It is only by taking offense at what others do that I will be afflicted with resentment. If I feel that what I am doing is right, I will not be dependent on the admiration or applause of others." One Day at a Time (p. 21)
"I could never tell the difference between what was and was not my business. I felt I had to take care of everyone around me until I couldn't stand it any more." Courage to Change (p. 21)
"Needed help; Trusted her - Felt relief; Grew up." Am I a Poet?
When I was little guy hanging onto my mother's dress in the grocery store, I was tempted to take a piece of penny candy from one of those huge bins. One day I made the decision, let go of my momma's dress, looked around, picked up the candy, stuffed it in my pocket, and sweated through the long checkout line. That is the first deliberate sin that I remember. I felt guilt and shame - it certainly didn't end there.
Where's the record of the good and bad that I'm responsible for? God is all knowing; the government keeps a record; the old performance reviews are archived or trashed; some people have a fuzzy sense of opinion along with memories of a few critical incidents; yet, most of it remains within my own psyche. Some memories might trigger needed forgiveness and restoration; yet, most of them are self imposed guilt and shame that's rotting somewhere within the back of my mind. Might the joke be on us for holding on, suppressing, reinterpreting, or periodically magnifying the not-so-good parts of us?
The only church in town will preach and teach that sin is a impenetrable barrier between us and God. In fact, His Word says that we can't have a right relationship with Him due to our sin. Worse yet, there's nothing we can do about it - we were born that way. We must be reborn spiritually - old man dead and our new man positioned "in Christ." This "Good News" is good because God provided the way to be restored both for this life and for all eternity too - true freedom from the penalty of sin. He did the heavy lifting - we need to believe Him, trust Him, and live that truly good life in Christ.
Just for today...
"I used to live in my own little prison, locked in by my feelings of hatred and shame. Now I'm free." Hope for Today (p. 19)
"Today I seek to become a little more accepting of myself, a little more comfortable in my own skin . . . I will remember to be gentle with myself today, trusting that the healing will come." Courage to Change (p. 19)
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-3 (NASB)
"I took; I hurt - I tried; I failed." "Hidden loneliness; Shunned light - Believed God; Grew up." Am I a Poet?
The snow was deep, the temperature was cold, and there were 18 deer outside our house - I'd seen more. They seem to be eating some plants that they didn't eat in the past - they're hungry. They're reaching higher on the bushes and even nibbling on the Myrtle ground cover. I was told that the neighbor who fed the deer died in the past year - the DNR notified her, a few months before she died, that she must stop feeding them.
There are reasons for not feeding the deer and the DNR was right for enforcing the law; yet, the problem remains. Years ago, I chose to stop getting angry at deer for eating or people for feeding. Being angry seems to just leave you angry with damage to your heart both literally and figuratively. Who wants to be an angry man? I could nag at the authorities, complain along with my neighbors, shoosh the deer away each time they threaten my landscape... I don't know what's best for the deer over-population situation and don't plan on developing my own personal opinion that I'll defend against all others. As a citizen of my Township, I did discuss the situation with authorities, learned about available solutions, and found out what deer control plans were underway.
Our neighborhood deer on a better day
I'm glad I took the time to "Think" about the deer problem that day. My course of action seemed reasonable and right according to the principles that I lived by - the type of decisions that seem to define us. The only church in town will live by principles revealed within the Word of God - they were established by the One who created the earth, the cold, the deer, and me too. I plan on living my life out according to those principles alongside my neighbors within the only church in town.
Just for today...
". . . when my opinion about another person's business has not been requested, I take the time to "Think" before getting involved." Courage to Change (p. 16)
"Where it goes; Nobody knows - Creator trust; Frees His." Am I a Poet?
There's a news show on TV and people I care about are "kind of" watching it. The broadcaster is tainting the news coverage in a way that seems partial and unfair to me. I quickly interrupt the coverage, from another room, to bring attention to the bias. I don't want them to be misguided and swayed to think like the crowd. I certainly don't want to have future arguments with them about the subjects. Why do I resist "allowing" them to have the freedom to be themselves? Are they capable of wading through the partial truths and popular opinions? Yes, I've tried to guide their thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs. Might my underlying motive be to push them to thank and be more like me?
My actions do suggest that they aren't capable of living out, or interpreting, their lives without me. I expect that they know this and often liken my interfering voice as a clanging gong or loud droning sound. They probably wish I'd respectfully let them be - think and live on their own. I might be exaggerating to make the blog more interesting; but, I know it's been true and am thankful I've been growing to be more okay with me and others too.
Are you trying to get somebody to behave in a way to help you? If so, that should be a glaring red "stop" light.
Within the only church in town, there'll be popular opinion and campaigns to push congregants to agree with... A primary function of the church is to clearly preach, teach, and work out the Word of God into the actualities of our lives. Other times, there'll be "righteous" noises that divide, drive strong emotions, and end up with more guarded, separated, and lonelier people. When that becomes more the norm, it seems that their ears and hearts might not be as open to receive the Word of God - that'd be tragic.
Just for today...
"I was busy projecting a horrible outcome to my loved one's crisis and dreading the ways in which the consequences might affect me . . . Part of me gambles that by worrying in advance, bad news will be easier to face if it comes. But worrying will not protect me from the future." Courage to Change (p. 15)
"Admired life; Esteemed way - They're mine; Hope much." "Trouble weighs; Ain't best - Sanctifying suffering; Being His." Am I a Poet?
The idea for this blog, written for 365 consecutive days, occurred in January 2023. It "popped" into my psyche as I was driving to church with the woman whom I love. Then it occurred to me that I could do this . . . yes, me. Writing a chunk of my life story, making sense of it, applying good life principles and practices, and imagining how they might work out within a hypothetical "only church in town." "I've benefited greatly from daily readers. This is a really good idea. I think I'll recommend this for..."
Yes, an idea had fully developed into a worthy life-giving and life-altering whole thing within the palette of my psyche. It appeared to be helpful for both me and those within my circle of concern. I had the resources and the capability to carry it out - it was clearly doable. Yet, 365 consecutive days was too much to hope for - surely I'd run out of story and find myself staring at a blank screen. I'm so thankful that I shared my idea with the close friend, who I originally thought might be capable of working out this undertaking, and he encouraged me to get started. Then, I shared the idea with a group of supporting guys and they also encouraged me to work this worthy endeavor into reality. So, I took the first step and began my journey. I'm so... thankful that my friends encouraged me to make the decision to move forward - step by step.
Artist's Palette (U.S. National Park Service)
What if I fail? I will to replace my "what ifs" with "even ifs." It does take faith to live out that good life that we long for. Why faith? My hope is anchored within the promises and actions of That Than Which There is No Greater.
The only church in town will share how God provided a way for His creatures to become right with Himself - our most holy, righteous and loving Father. Christ, and His great atoning sacrificial work, will be the object of their faith And, the grace that each receives will be worked out together within their pilgrimages toward that celestial city.
Just for today...
"By letting go of this battle we were sure to lose, we became free." Courage to Change (p. 14)
"If I was hurtful, and I make excuses to myself for what I did, I am building a second wall between me and the person I injured. Let me tear the first wall down by being honest and honestly acknowledging my fault." One Day at a Time (p. 14)
"Only imagined; What may be - Stepped out; Began to see." "Veiled onset; Lifted high - Heart loved; Knowing why." Am I a Poet?
During 2023/2024, my best friend and I studied, a book called "John" as part of a larger group. John's the author of the book and, arguably, the best friend of the Man he's writing about. John tells the Man's story in a way that only a best friend, and eye witness, could. The protagonist of the story's mother was Mary and His father is claimed to be God Himself. Yes, He claimed, and provided evidence, that God was His Father. The Man, John wrote about, is referred to by many names; no one name seems to capture all of who He was and is. In chapter 11, the Man is walking with His close friends toward a town called Bethany. He's going to see two sisters and their brother - John says the Man loved the three. The women's brother died and they were filled with grief. They believed this Man's father was God himself, and hoped that He would heal their brother. When He witnesses grief emoting from the women, John says "He wept."
I can related to this story - intellectually and emotionally. The day I spoke at my mother's memorial service "I wept." I continued to weep, at unexpected times, for week(s) - I loved my momma so... much.
The only church in town will share how this man, Lazarus, was raised from the dead just a few months before his Savior's blood was shed, body buried, and body resurrected by His power. Strangely and wonderfully, scripture confirms that we can be spiritually co-crucified, and co-risen from the dead to live rightly with God, in Christ, now and forever. Man, that's good news! Hey, why not read the book of John today?
Today, I stand thankful for my faith in Christ and for the love of my momma too.
Just for today...
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20 (NASB)
"Do I secretly relish feeling sorry for myself and want sympathy from others?" One Day at a Time (p. 13)
"Once upon a time I was afraid to live life for myself. This was because I did not know how to do it and thought that there was no one to show me." Courage to Change (p. 13)
"Show me how; To live good - What to do; How I should." "God saved me; Loved me so - Whole in Christ; This I know." Am I a Poet?
Please read the welcoming statement that I delivered at my mother's memorial service. The service occurred Saturday, January 13th, 2024, at 2:00pm.
"Welcome to this service where we will be honoring and celebrating the life of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Each of our relationships with her was different yet she significantly affected us all. We’ll all have a chance to share our own experiences either within the service or with each other. For me, a momma’s boy, she showed a loving sort of grace throughout all my comings and goings. She was the only person, with skin on ‘em, that loved me no matter what. Even when she didn’t like what I was doing or saying, I could get up close, smile, stare into her pupils, kiss her hand, and spread my arms out wide and she would drop her airs, smile and we were okay together. I witnessed grace consistently, only from my momma. I mean no disrespect to any of you who love me - it was just different with my Mother. With everybody else, it’s been kind of conditional. And today we’ll be praising God for the grace that was extended to my Momma, by God, through the great work of Christ when He shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins that once separated us from God. Her faith rested in God and not in herself - in the last years she prayed frequently for His help to endure a struggle like standing up from a chair. That’s why I’m wearing this red tie - to remind us of the blood of Christ - the only reason I and you are right with God."
You can find unconditional love within the only church in town - throughout this life and infinity.
"To infinity and beyond!"
Just for today...
"I am accepted just as I am. I never have to pretend, or wear a mask over my feelings . . . In my new family, love is not a point system. I don't have to earn love from others - it's given freely as a gift." Courage to Change (p. 11)
"Gift given; Friendship core - Detached souls; Wanting more." "Need redeemer; God's grace - In Christ; Eternal pace." Am I a Poet?
Thankfully, I've learned the value of focusing on, and being more aware of, the present - where life actually occurs. Our bodies sense what's going on now even though the cause of the sensation is likely rooted in the past. We can read about God and our spirit can sense His Spirit in us - in the present. He intervenes - His Spirit is present while we quietly pray or meditate. We've reasons to expect what will happen in the future; yet, each new day's unknown. How many end-of-day thoughts are: "I never would've expected that?" Yes, we'll all experience and recall each day in different ways. Oh... to be more in synch with others, listening, to grow our understanding of "what's going on?"
One day, I wrote what I planned to say at my Momma's memorial service. Almost all of my parent's descendants attended that memorial service. Congregates were asked to focused on the past, and remember, some of who she was amongst them. All had lost a relationship - a chunk of who they were and a partial cause of who'll they be. Yes the "we" is valuable and and a more complete perceptive than the limited "me."
I believe I spoke from my heart. I desired to project my love for my momma; each and every family member; and for "That Than Which there is No Greater," our God, our Creator, our Savior. Maybe we left the memorial service with a better understanding of the wonderfully-different people that make up the "we" of family.
When you walk through the doors of the only church in town, you'll have the opportunity to leave the distractions of the world, your community, your home, and the cares of the world outside. There'll be opportunities to focus on the present - the spiritual reality that's true in the present and future. The congregation will be a wonderful "we" who share a common faith in our common Creator, Lord, and Savior.
Maybe there's a way to integrate "we" into a favorite motto for my living a good life? "Live for today, plan for tomorrow and think on eternity."
Just for today...
"To break the cycle of worry and fear, I'm learning to focus all my attention on this very moment . . . These bits of reality help rescue me from "what ifs" and "should haves" by anchoring me in the present." Courage to Change (p. 10)
"Felt deeply; Aroma sweet - Touch of hand; Heart beat." "Maybe love; Passing whim - Thirsty need; To know Him." Am I a Poet?
If I could go back in time, how would I intervene, with the younger version of me, in order to avoid some of the trouble and brokenness that came my way? I'm not sure if I'd want advice from a meddlesome-future version of me. I might've told him to mind his own business and leave me alone to work out my own life. If I'm not sure that I would want to "try" to change me, then why have I tried to fix, manage, and control other people?
Do I need all the people within my circle of concern to feel, and be, okay in order for me to be okay? If so, I'll never be okay. Am I responsible for the aims and choices of those people within my circle of concern? Certainly not! Is my need to share my life experiences a misplaced onus for desiring to control their lives so that I can feel better about me and my life? Maybe...
It would be great if the only church in town was your "ideal" church - it won't be. Just go already and begin walking according to God's revealed truth along with other pilgrims - a better future, beyond your imagination, awaits.
Just for today...
"Once I was able to see my suffering as my own reaction to others, I could begin to identify my contribution to the problem. Sometimes my part is bringing up something that was better left unsaid, or starting a serious conversation at an inappropriate time. Other times my part is harboring unrealistic expectations. When I see my part in the pattern, I can choose a response other than suffering. There is no need for me to suffer because of the behavior of others." Hope for Today (p. 9)
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
"But when the applause of others becomes the reason for my behavior and necessary for me to feel satisfied, then I have given them power over me." Courage to Change (p. 9)
"Prayer waned; Worry stepped in - Fix everybody; Manipulative sin." "Better me; What they need - Loved & loving; Starter seed." Am I a Poet?
