I know it's a long title but it summarizes a question I've had for a long time. I observed the answer firsthand this week.
The scripture presents this paradoxical parallel in II Corinthians 4:16-18.
"So we do not lose heart, Though our outer self is wasting away our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen, For the things that are seen are transient but the things that are unseen are eternal."
My dear friend, Ward, is 86 years old and has stage four prostate cancer that has metastasized into bone cancer. He is grappling with increasing pain and is, essentially, bound to his bed. Cared for by his adoring daughter, son-in-law and grandson, he is in a totally-nurturing environment of sacrificial loving support.
Ward worked with me for fifteen years in ministry, caring for the seniors of our church, visiting in the hospitals and rest homes, as well as teaching and sharing his life experiences form sixty-plus years as a pastor. All of us who knew him were enriched by his humble spirit and his humor. None of that had diminished when I visited him on Monday.
I was anxious to see Ward, but apprehensive. I was uncertain about how he would look and from recent phone calls with his weakness becoming increasingly apparent, expected the worse. But as I entered his room he was smiling, welcoming me with the familiar words, "How are you, Bishop?" He was sleepy--apologizing for his inability to keep his eyes opened--but kept us laughing...and crying. At one point he said, "I am only catching half of what you are saying so you'll need to stay twice as long..."
It was clear that Ward had waited for us to come. My friends, Bob and Evelyn, and Beverly, my wife, had planned the visit in advance, hoping to catch Ward one more time before God called him home. We reflected on times past, shared experiences at Grace Fellowship Church where we all had served together, and talked about people who were mutually important to us. Ward's physical weakness was undeniable--he is no longer able to get out of bed--but there was an inner resilience and strength about him that was undeniable.
How so? How can one be in pain, facing his own mortality and, yet, at the same time be alive and vibrant with life and hope? The paradox in the text from II Corinthians alludes to a differing perspective--a focus on things that are eternal, not transient, and an ability to separate the momentary pain and affliction from the ultimate eternal reward and victory. As the physical body wears down and death becomes imminent, there is for the believer whose focus slowly changes--I call it a time of relinquishment--a renewing and strengthening of the hope he has before only verbalized but now embraces with accelerating clarity.
I saw that clarity in Ward. He has fought hard to live but now, as the strength for the battle for life diminishes in the face of the reality of his weakening condition, there is a sharpened affirmation of the faith he has long proclaimed and practiced. The inner man is being renewed in preparation for eternity.
It's a conundrum--an enigma we may not fully understand until our time comes. For me it is heartening to know that God's promise of grace for every situation is certain and sure, and that His strength is truly made perfect and complete in our weakness. Thanks, Ward, for providing the real life illustration of that scriptural passage for me.
I walked to my car crying--we all were--because there is no denying the inevitability of death And the certainty of our own mortality. And our grief in losing--though only for a season--one we love so deeply.
But I was crying for myself--not for Ward. He is being renewed already...and a new body is on order for him, to replace this one he is shedding now. Only God knows when. We wait for His perfect timing.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
cancellations
Cancellations last minute in the counseling world are painful because it is almost impossible to fill the spot. For me it is difficult since each scheduled appointment is very important to me.
Someone cancelled today--they had a good reason--and I found myself grumbling. I asked myself as I walked on the beach instead, "Why is it that I handle change with such a combative spirit?"
Admittedly I am a creature of habit and I function best in an environment of order and regimen. You will know that if you walk into my office and look at my desk. It's funny when I step back and evaluate "why?"", that it boils down to issues of predictability and control.
And how much of that do I really have a handle on...?
I obviously cannot predict the actual events of any day.
I acknowledge as well that my clients had no control over what happened in their young lives today that prevented their coming for counseling.
I want sameness in my work life. I want to come and know that my office is in order and that my clients will be on time and that I can go home when I planned.
As I walked at Pismo Beach I remembered Hebrews 13:8--"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." That is one certainty I can count on. That will never change.
Maybe I am learning that. Walks on the beach--today the product of a cancellation--put me in touch with what's going on inside of me.
Today I am remembering that in my uncertain--sometimes frustrating world--of last minute changes, Jesus is the same!
Yesterday, today, forever.
Someone cancelled today--they had a good reason--and I found myself grumbling. I asked myself as I walked on the beach instead, "Why is it that I handle change with such a combative spirit?"
Admittedly I am a creature of habit and I function best in an environment of order and regimen. You will know that if you walk into my office and look at my desk. It's funny when I step back and evaluate "why?"", that it boils down to issues of predictability and control.
And how much of that do I really have a handle on...?
I obviously cannot predict the actual events of any day.
I acknowledge as well that my clients had no control over what happened in their young lives today that prevented their coming for counseling.
I want sameness in my work life. I want to come and know that my office is in order and that my clients will be on time and that I can go home when I planned.
As I walked at Pismo Beach I remembered Hebrews 13:8--"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." That is one certainty I can count on. That will never change.
Maybe I am learning that. Walks on the beach--today the product of a cancellation--put me in touch with what's going on inside of me.
Today I am remembering that in my uncertain--sometimes frustrating world--of last minute changes, Jesus is the same!
Yesterday, today, forever.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
a fragile world
As I watched the news yesterday I was disheartened by the burgeoning crisis in the Ukraine, the launch of missiles in North Korea, the new proposal for "three-parented" children (a "not-so subtle" form of eugenics), the bill before the Arizona governor regarding businesses and their responsibilities to gays (it was vetoed, thankfully)...and an unending list of other critical issues threatening to discolor the landscape of our already fragile world.
Mostly, I thought about my twelve grandchildren.
They range in age from six years old--Brady had a birthday yesterday--through seventeen--Sage graduates from high school in 2015. What kind of a world will they inherit?
I felt sad because in the midst of all of this social and global confusion, there are whispers that we are making progress. In the name of tolerance and equality we are redefining traditional marriage; we are coercing participation in a noble but costly plan to provide health insurance for everyone; we are proposing to brutally slash the size of our armed forces in a volatile world climate under the guise of good economics and we are quietly looking the other way while our President--as others before him have done, acts with papal-like authority in executing policy.
Where will it all end?
It is a fragile world, seemingly held together by men--a few good, most not--well-intentioned and traqically flawed. They are in over their heads.
Above them is a sovereign God.
This is His world. He is still in control. And He will be when my grandchildren become adults.
Somehow, that gives me hope.
Mostly, I thought about my twelve grandchildren.
They range in age from six years old--Brady had a birthday yesterday--through seventeen--Sage graduates from high school in 2015. What kind of a world will they inherit?
I felt sad because in the midst of all of this social and global confusion, there are whispers that we are making progress. In the name of tolerance and equality we are redefining traditional marriage; we are coercing participation in a noble but costly plan to provide health insurance for everyone; we are proposing to brutally slash the size of our armed forces in a volatile world climate under the guise of good economics and we are quietly looking the other way while our President--as others before him have done, acts with papal-like authority in executing policy.
Where will it all end?
It is a fragile world, seemingly held together by men--a few good, most not--well-intentioned and traqically flawed. They are in over their heads.
Above them is a sovereign God.
This is His world. He is still in control. And He will be when my grandchildren become adults.
Somehow, that gives me hope.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
"Don't miss the grace of God..."
Hebrews 12:15 warns us, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (NIV)
I have been thinking about that verse a lot; I have often quoted the second part of the verse about bitterness but rarely remembered the first part--"Don't miss the grace of God!" (Barrett paraphrase).
I discover a high incidence of bitterness in marriage--unprocessed anger that leads to broken or abandoned communication and inevitable bitterness and resentment. Neglecting the first part of this verse is to miss the scriptural antidote to the fertilization of the root of bitterness.
It is "the grace of God"? How so?
1. The "grace of God" is His unmerited favor towards me.
2. God's grace is freely bestowed upon me as His child.
3. I am not to "miss" this grace, or forget and ignore it.
4. Remembering God's grace towards me becomes a springboard for me exercising grace to others.
5. I remember that I am flawed and sinful and God's grace abounds towards me; cannot I extend His grace to my spouse? to my colleague at work? to a rebellious child?
I don;t want to be bitter; I have been and I remember how painful it was. Truly it affected all of my life and the resultant defilement was far-reaching in to other unsuspecting relationships.
"Don't miss God's grace!" The next time you're in conflict--angry, even wounded--remember the grace extended towards you--and extend it freely to another. Bitterness and resentment cannot flourish in a life fertilized with God's grace!
I have been thinking about that verse a lot; I have often quoted the second part of the verse about bitterness but rarely remembered the first part--"Don't miss the grace of God!" (Barrett paraphrase).
I discover a high incidence of bitterness in marriage--unprocessed anger that leads to broken or abandoned communication and inevitable bitterness and resentment. Neglecting the first part of this verse is to miss the scriptural antidote to the fertilization of the root of bitterness.
It is "the grace of God"? How so?
1. The "grace of God" is His unmerited favor towards me.
2. God's grace is freely bestowed upon me as His child.
3. I am not to "miss" this grace, or forget and ignore it.
4. Remembering God's grace towards me becomes a springboard for me exercising grace to others.
5. I remember that I am flawed and sinful and God's grace abounds towards me; cannot I extend His grace to my spouse? to my colleague at work? to a rebellious child?
I don;t want to be bitter; I have been and I remember how painful it was. Truly it affected all of my life and the resultant defilement was far-reaching in to other unsuspecting relationships.
"Don't miss God's grace!" The next time you're in conflict--angry, even wounded--remember the grace extended towards you--and extend it freely to another. Bitterness and resentment cannot flourish in a life fertilized with God's grace!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Mentoring
It is an interesting season in life having just turned sixty-six. My father died at this age and so i have always wondered whether I would make it. Thankfully, both my twin brother and I celebrated our 66th birthday together last weekend.
What makes the season challenging are the winds of change. They are ever-present as I move from twelve hour work days to two day work weeks with the luxury of discretionary time. Additionally, I no longer punch a clock nor do I scramble to make time for administrative meetings and late night counseling sessions. I am, to a "frightening" degree, in control of my own time schedule.
It's "frightening" because I have an accelerated sense of upward accountability for the usage of my time. There was always that in pastoral ministry but there was also horizontal accountability as I thought about the expectations of my board and of a growing congregation.
Now there is for me a handful of counseling clients, eight grandchildren nearby, a local church and an adult class weekly teaching assignment, and my ongoing ministry "overseeing" a pastoral training institute in Haiti. It's enough.
But I have extra time. And I have an opportunity in these later years, given the presumption that age and experience produce some wisdom worth sharing, an opportunity to mentor. It was brought home to me today at a Bible Study led by my stepson who is a pastor. He was leading a discussion on REAL LIFE DISCIPLESHIP, written by Jim Putman, and discussing people "upstream" and downstream" in his sphere of influence. As a class participant I had completed the assignment asking us to do the same. As he shared his "upstream"--those to whom he looks for wisdom and counsel--my name was there.
I was startled. I had listed his name, given our weekly family and church interaction, as in my "upstream". We laughed about it later.
I love mentoring. It isn't that I have it all figured out. But I have learned some things--many of them through the rigors of personal experience--that are worth sharing with others, if for no other reason than to help theme escape some of the painful learning process to which most of us fall prey.
In the last few weeks I've mentored someone who is recovering from painful experiences in church leadership; another has been talking to me about a ministry idea and we have rehearsed some of the "pro's" and con's". Ina ll of these situations, and more, I am smiling at the memory of lessons learned and the opportunity to share them with others who come to me...probably because I am old. Probably because I am available.
No doubt because God has a purpose for us even in our later seasons of life. Don't miss a chance to be a mentor.
What makes the season challenging are the winds of change. They are ever-present as I move from twelve hour work days to two day work weeks with the luxury of discretionary time. Additionally, I no longer punch a clock nor do I scramble to make time for administrative meetings and late night counseling sessions. I am, to a "frightening" degree, in control of my own time schedule.
It's "frightening" because I have an accelerated sense of upward accountability for the usage of my time. There was always that in pastoral ministry but there was also horizontal accountability as I thought about the expectations of my board and of a growing congregation.
Now there is for me a handful of counseling clients, eight grandchildren nearby, a local church and an adult class weekly teaching assignment, and my ongoing ministry "overseeing" a pastoral training institute in Haiti. It's enough.
But I have extra time. And I have an opportunity in these later years, given the presumption that age and experience produce some wisdom worth sharing, an opportunity to mentor. It was brought home to me today at a Bible Study led by my stepson who is a pastor. He was leading a discussion on REAL LIFE DISCIPLESHIP, written by Jim Putman, and discussing people "upstream" and downstream" in his sphere of influence. As a class participant I had completed the assignment asking us to do the same. As he shared his "upstream"--those to whom he looks for wisdom and counsel--my name was there.
I was startled. I had listed his name, given our weekly family and church interaction, as in my "upstream". We laughed about it later.
I love mentoring. It isn't that I have it all figured out. But I have learned some things--many of them through the rigors of personal experience--that are worth sharing with others, if for no other reason than to help theme escape some of the painful learning process to which most of us fall prey.
In the last few weeks I've mentored someone who is recovering from painful experiences in church leadership; another has been talking to me about a ministry idea and we have rehearsed some of the "pro's" and con's". Ina ll of these situations, and more, I am smiling at the memory of lessons learned and the opportunity to share them with others who come to me...probably because I am old. Probably because I am available.
No doubt because God has a purpose for us even in our later seasons of life. Don't miss a chance to be a mentor.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
UPDATE ON SEMINAR--COMMITMENT: THE VOW FACTOR IN MARRIAGE
The first week of the marriage seminar on Commitment took place on Sunday, January 12th at Grace Church in San Luis Obispo. The teaching sessions as well as the accompanying work sheets will be available on my website int he next several weeks. See www.Full-LifeCoaching.org.
Some of you have requested the seminar material and if you want to receive it by mail, please contact me at 636 Clarion Court, Suite 101, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
A helpful assignment for couples looking to strengthen their commitment to one another is to study Ephesians 4:25-32 and to do the following.
1. Individually identify the principles of communication that appear in this passage.
2. Underscore those that are difficult for you.
3. Share your results with one another and covenant together to pray for these specific areas of need.
This is a good place to start. Next week I will identify those principles that I seeand you can compare notes with what you found.
Some of you have requested the seminar material and if you want to receive it by mail, please contact me at 636 Clarion Court, Suite 101, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
A helpful assignment for couples looking to strengthen their commitment to one another is to study Ephesians 4:25-32 and to do the following.
1. Individually identify the principles of communication that appear in this passage.
2. Underscore those that are difficult for you.
3. Share your results with one another and covenant together to pray for these specific areas of need.
This is a good place to start. Next week I will identify those principles that I seeand you can compare notes with what you found.
Friday, January 3, 2014
New Year's "Drears"
Is "drears" a word? I'm uncertain but I'm confident the word communicates with some of you.
It is not about failed resolutions from last year or the futility of anticipated resolutions for the new year. It sometimes is about a gnawing feeling in the gut of our stomach that reverberates painfully with the frightening "here we go again".
But I am another year older now. And I will be sixty-six later this month (no card or gifts, please). And I should be wiser.
The good news is, I think I am. I recognize this reoccurring January visitor and the cold water it would throw on every determined effort I make to set meaningful goals for the new year.
Nonetheless, I am determined.
I've been journaling--no one gets to read my journals--and I am hopeful--again--that in spite of missing the mark in some critical areas last year, by God's grace I did learn some lessons that are an increasingly significant part of my life resources in coping with the challenges that are sure to come in 2014.
Left to my own resources, that gives me the "drears".
Looking to Him, it diminishes my fears.
Welcome, new year.
It is not about failed resolutions from last year or the futility of anticipated resolutions for the new year. It sometimes is about a gnawing feeling in the gut of our stomach that reverberates painfully with the frightening "here we go again".
But I am another year older now. And I will be sixty-six later this month (no card or gifts, please). And I should be wiser.
The good news is, I think I am. I recognize this reoccurring January visitor and the cold water it would throw on every determined effort I make to set meaningful goals for the new year.
Nonetheless, I am determined.
I've been journaling--no one gets to read my journals--and I am hopeful--again--that in spite of missing the mark in some critical areas last year, by God's grace I did learn some lessons that are an increasingly significant part of my life resources in coping with the challenges that are sure to come in 2014.
Left to my own resources, that gives me the "drears".
Looking to Him, it diminishes my fears.
Welcome, new year.
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