Resurrection

The message this week was about the resurrection of Christ. It got me thinking. Resurrection reverses the usual order of things. We are born, we grow up, and we die. Resurrection reverses that order and is evidence of God's order of things breaking into the world. The resurrection of Christ was a permanent reversal contrasted to the resurrection of Lazarus who eventually died again.

There are, I think, many "resurrections" in our life - many evidences where the usual order of things reverses - both physically and spiritually. Some of these might be in relationships where instead of estrangement and separation, forgiveness is sought and given and the relationship is resurrected and reconciled.

Physically we see it every year with the changing of the seasons. One of my favorite songs by Nicole Nordeman illustrates this - See it here.

I like the connection between resurrection and life. Just as physical resurrection means physical "coming back to life" so it is with the spiritual and emotional. Be on the look out for how the normal order of things in your life is reversed from time to time - how someone is generous instead of selfish; how a kind word is spoken rather than a critical one; how someone chooses to forgive instead of hold bitterness and hate.

And take time this spring to notice the buds on the trees, the bulbs sprouting up in the garden, and the grass turning green again....and think of the resurrection.

You Are

Another Monday - busy day - late night - good thoughts to post but no time so they will have to wait until tomorrow. But - have you ever wondered what is going on with the people around you that you don't know? Have you ever been having an extremely horrible or unbelievably amazing day and walked by other people without them knowing? Now, consider that those same people that you are walking by (or however you want to picture it) might just be having the same experiences - either hurting terribly or having the best day of their life. Or quite possibly they are having just a run of the mill day without too much extreme in either direction. Either scenario gives you (and me) the power to influence and affect someone else for the better or for the worse. We can add to their pain or comfort and strengthen. We can add to their joy or diminish and lessen it. We can tip someone towards the despair side of the scale even if just a little bit or we can move them in the direction of life. Each interaction is significant. Each an opportunity. Realistically I know I don't think in these terms on a consistent basis. Too often I am consumed by my own little world with its own little problems or even its own little victories.

So tonight I am thinking that someone at sometime might read this. So, I have the opportunity to encourage, bless, and maybe even spur them onto something greater. Ok, so here goes. Your life is not insignificant. You were made for a purpose. You are loved and appreciated. If you are feeling like there is nothing to rejoice about - know that God sees and feels the very sorrow you are going through and you are not alone. If you are feeling like everything is peachy keen then I smile with you.

I guess that's it. Pollyanna has spoken. Now she's going to bed.

Freeeeee Dayyyyy

I am not sure what I liked most about this day:

• Good Super Bowl game with the Giants winning.....nice.
• Good friends coming over to enjoy said football game....sweet.
• Sleeping in......TOPPER.
• Communion at church done differently reminding me of Portland.....got a little emotional on that one.
• High School Musical I, II, III marathon on all day (the sing-a-long versions).....Not ashamed to admit I'm a fan.

What I do not like however is easy to identify:

• Eating way too much. I think I cashed in about 5 or 6 free days worth of calories. Here is to hoping my body doesn't revolt in less than desirable ways.

Hope your Sunday was SUPER......(I couldn't resist)

End of Week 12

It is hard to believe that 12 weeks ago Sarah, Cade, and myself started P90X. It is very hard to believe that I have been getting up at 5 am for the last 12 weeks. When I was a teacher the earliest I got up was 5:45 and every morning I dreaded that.

So we finished the program today and I can honestly say that I have seen results. We followed the workout routines to the letter. The diet part we weren't as legalistic but did stick to their recommendations. What I mean by legalistic is that we didn't use their recipes and count calories on an excel spreadsheet. We cut out what they said to and stuck to the main categories they suggested. And threw in one day a week where we could eat anything we wanted.

So here are the results I have seen. My clothes are a lot looser; some of the food I used to enjoy tastes really "loaded" or "sweet" now; I am sore all the time (to the point that I am taking next week off to try to recover a bit); and I usually fall asleep about 5 minutes after hitting the pillow.

After 12 weeks there are still parts of the program that I cannot do - specifically parts of the yoga routine. My body does not twist and stretch like those rubber band people they have on there. Flexibility has never been my strong suit so as we start round two my goal is to work on my stretchiness. I've always wanted to be stretchy - so much so that I have dreams about being able to rest my head on my knees as I am sitting with my legs straight out. Then I wake up and can barely put my socks on while standing up.

So - If you want to get into shape - our gym opens at 5 am in my garage. We'll leave the light on for you. But not tomorrow - day off - and free eat day so I'll be sleeping in and then grazing on whatever I can find as we watch the Giants beat the Patriots.

In the words of Tony Horton - "Do your best and forget the rest."

Unloved

So I got to thinking tonight about memorial services and who shows up and why. I got to be a part of a service today that was really quite moving. My favorite part of the service is when people get up and share their personal stories and memories of the deceased. There are usually some humorous recollections, touching experiences, and emotional stories that represent how that person was connected to family and friends. It's all about the good stuff - love, happiness, and joy.

So here was what I was thinking about. What if everyone who showed up at your funeral was someone you didn't necessarily get along with or better yet - was someone that really hated you. What if the stories that were shared were of times that you cheated someone, cut them off in traffic and gave them the finger, or bullied at some time or another?

What if the person who died was deserving of all the comments of disgust and disdain they were receiving? What if they were truly not loved by anyone?

That got me thinking more and what came to mind was a song. I think I'll simply let the song speak for itself. Just something to think about.....

I have been unfaithful
I have been unworthy
I have been unrighteous
And I have been unmerciful

I have been unreachable
I have been unteachable
I have been unwilling
And I've been undesirable

And sometimes I have been unwise
I've been undone by what I'm unsure of
But because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

I have been unbroken
I have been unmended
I have been uneasy
And I've been unapprochable

I've been unemotional
I've been unexceptional
I've been undecided
And I have been unqualified

Unaware - I have been unfair
I've been unfit for blessings from above
But even I can see
The sacrifice You made for me
To show that I have never been unloved

It's because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

By Michael W. Smith

Would you like to dance?

Face it - we've all been there. On the dance floor, no one to dance with for the moment and we are asked by someone who we don't really want to dance with. So what are some responses you used to get out of dancing?

This was the topic of discussion at our dinner table tonight. It seems that my son has a dance tomorrow at his school. Normally, he wouldn't go to such childish and foolish activities (his thoughts on dancing) but he is taking leadership this semester and part of the class requires him to attend the dance.

So I asked him...."What if you are asked by a girl you don't want to dance with - what will you say to get out of it?" (I shared with him some of my best excuses but those are top secret)

He said he would probably just say yes and dance with the girl. Disappointing.

However, my 9-year-old Jlyn piped up and said, "Why don't you just tell her you need to go check your meatloaf."

I'm glad I wasn't drinking milk at that moment. Such wisdom at that age. I couldn't have been prouder.

Ask Me A Question

So a couple of years ago we did a relational gift exchange with our small group. This was inspired by a thing called Advent Conspiracy that our old church in Portland promotes. The idea is to give more and spend less at Christmas and to be intentional with the gifts you do give to encourage relationship building. The gift we received was The Question Jar which is filled with......you guessed it.....thought provoking and conversation starting questions.

Tonight's question is shown above - "What are three feelings you've had today?"

1. The first feeling I had today was wanting to go back to bed. I pretty much have this feeling everyday when the alarm goes off. I like sleep. I would have to say that my favorite time of day is right when my head hits the pillow at night. I am confronted every morning with a pivotal decision that requires the utmost exertion of will power to get in the upright position and CHOOSE to get up and exercise.

2. Today I prepared a message for a memorial service I am officiating this week. It is for the mother of a good friend of mine. I guess the best description of the feeling I got while doing it is "honored". It is always humbling and honoring to be asked to officiate a service for someone's family member. In this instance, knowing the family like I do, I am especially honored and blessed to be a part of their celebration of her life. Additionally, my friend is also a co-worker so their is a secondary "family" involved as well as many of our other colleagues will be present to celebrate too. I am looking forward to our time together.

3. I guess feeling number three is........drum roll please.........amazement. Yes, that's right - amazement. I am amazed that I actually posted for a whole month and that it is already February. So here is to another month of ramblings, thoughts, and digital diddies from the inner sanctum. May your February be full of chocolate, hearts, and roses....and a little L'Amour as well.