Graceful Exits & Future Possibilities

I've had different passages from one phase in my life to another. Some of them have involved passageways from one circle of friends or labors to another. Once when I was young, I changed my youthful vocation from working in nice restaurants with big tips to working as a management trainee in a national department store chain.

It changed a whole circle of friends and associates. I lost touch with many, but gained new relationships after the change.

Another significant passage for me was after being in the ministry for eight years, I was forced by circumstances to move to another circle. That departure was more significant than going from serving to selling. My wife and I left the same denomination of our families and growing up years, where my father has served for over 40 years.

There have been many other transitions since then. Over the years, I learned a valuable axiom about how to regard these significant passages. It came from something I read in an article written by a now retired columnist for the Boston Globe. Here is the excerpt that I have kept for over thirty years now:

“There is a trick to the graceful exit. It begins with a vision to recognize that a job, a life stage, a relationship is over – and to let it go. It means leaving what is over without denying its validity or its past importance in our lives. It involves a sense of future – a belief that every exit line is also an entry; that we are moving on rather that out.” – Ellen Goodman

So many times, we think we need to “adversarialize” the past in order to justify the new transition. Exit lines are just that. Recognize them; take them; move on in gratitude and faith.

If you leave an Interstate, you don’t have to first find fault with it in order to feel good about off-ramping onto HW 50. You just flip on the turning signal, move to the right lane and take the exit.

I pray that God will grant you the grace to make graceful exits with gratitude for the past and maintain anticipation for the future.

“So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace.” 2Pet. 3:14 (The Message)

Resurrection Sunday Proclamation

Sunday, April 4, 2010 will be Easter. The historic, liturgical church has called it “Easter Day.” I personally have preferred to call it “Resurrection Sunday” for many years. There is a liturgical proclamation that is used on Easter Day that is full of rich, biblical truth from beginning to end. Savor it for your personal enrichment.


Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our Lord is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
Radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
Echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices
We should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father,
And His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with His blood,
And paid for us the price of Adam's sin
To our eternal Father!

Through the Passover sacrifice,
Christ, the Lamb, was slain, and
His blood consecrates the hearts of all believers.

Through that night, God freed the captives
From slavery and led them into liberty!

Through that night, the pillar of fire
Destroyed the darkness of sin!

As a result of the Lamb's sacrifice,
Believers in Christ everywhere, are
Washed clean of sin,
Freed from all defilement, and
Are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

Through that night, Jesus Christ
Broke the chains of death
And rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
Had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave
You gave away your son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
Which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God
To see Christ rising from the dead!

Of that night scripture says:
"The night will be as clear as day:
It will become my light, my joy."

The power of that holy night
Dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
Restores lost innocence, brings joy to mourners;
It casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles
Earthly pride.

Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth
And man is reconciled to God!

The flame of resurrection light though divided
Remains undimmed:
A pillar of fire that glows to the glory of God.

May it, through the Church's witness
Mingle with the lights of heaven
And continue bravely burning until
All darkness is completely dispelled!

May the morning Star of God ever find this flame
Still burning in all our hearts:
Christ is the Morning Star, who came back from the dead,
And shed His peaceful light on all mankind,
God's Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever!

Again, rejoice, O Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
Echoing the mighty song of victory!

-- Roman Catholic Sacramentary (pp 182-186)

Consider printing this off for your pastor. He/she may appreciate it before Resurrection Sunday.

Navigating In Stormy Waters

One time, over 30 years ago, I was part of a group of brothers sailing on a large schooner. The craft was about 63 feet long. We were out in about six-foot swells while it was raining. A few of us were standing out on the bowsprit and the cables running to it from the gunnels. We were holding to the cables running up to the forward mast. When the bow would hit the bottoms of the swells, water would wash over us, and we would laugh with deep delight. We were so confident with our "sea legs" and were accustomed to how the schooner acted in that kind of weather and seas. We had been there times before.

We had guests with us that day that were not accustomed to the sea or sailing. At one point in our absolutely delightful frolic, I looked back some 55 feet to the cockpit behind the mainsail at our guests peering over the cabin top at us. They were very ill at ease... okay, frightened! At that moment and then later, I mused to myself on all this as a metaphor of how different followers of Christ react to stormy weather. The picture that day on the schooner was not completely unlike the contrast between the disciples during the storm at sea as the Lord Jesus slept below.

They ran below and woke him, saying: “Lord, save us! We’re going down!”

His reply was: “Why are you so afraid, and have such little faith?”

Our guests that day, unlike us, did not know the strength of that strong vessel. We knew how the schooner had been built, like H.W. Longfellow wrote, we knew at some time in the distant past when it was being built, that...

In the ship-yard stood the Master,

With the model of the vessel,

That should laugh at all disaster,

And with wave and whirlwind wrestle!

("The Building of the Ship")

During this stormy season in America and the rest of the world, when everything is changing and many in power make decisions that are more for themselves than for citizens, my mind goes through the numerous emails and Facebook entries where I have read the concerns of so many. Most seem to have difficulty, separating America from God's Kingdom in their thoughts.

When the natural is in focus, the invisible-eternal is all blurred. However, when we get the eternal in bold relief to the visible, we can see how little difference it makes that the swells are crashing across the bow of the "Ship of State" of God's grand kingdom. I can envisage many huddled "aft" and peering forward, not knowing how seaworthy the craft is and not understanding the nature of the seas when they are troubled.

Then in my mind, I look toward the bow to see if any are enjoying the ride. Now, if our Sovereign King, is truly enthroned, and if He is at the helm of our futures as believers, then why would we worry? Why could we not enjoy the journey, knowing Who is really steering the course?

God's "Morning After Pill"

We all know about "morning after" pills. You know, they are taken by some when they wake up and realize something happened the night before...they were in a daze and now reality is setting in. So they take a pill that is supposed to terminate anything conceived the night before.

That is only a metaphor for how many woke up after the health care bill passed in the night. They are reaching, fumbling, grasping for anything which will just "fix it." Anything which will get us back to the way it was before.

That is not the answer. Today is no different than any day before the health care bill passed. The issue is (still!) the transcendent reality of The Kingdom of God and majesty of its King.

Ben Franklin was, of course, right when he said, "God does rule in the affairs of men." But, Daniel said it even better:

"He (God) changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." Dan. 2:21 (NKJV)

So, let me ask you. If God IS sovereign, and in that sovereignty, if He sets up and takes down kings, then why are we so quick to blame those presently in power?

If God set these people up in power (as the Bible says), then perhaps we got the leadership that America deserved for this time in our history. America is in such a wayward condition (I speak of Christians within the citizenry). I think this present "raising up" of those in power may have been a wakeup call to believers in America. But it wasn't a wakeup call to "retake" what was given away in politics or social order. It was a wakeup call to change our ways as a nation, spiritually. The changes in politics and social order are only the fruit of the tree, so-to-speak. The root is spiritual, not intellectual or political.

Moving from lethargy to anger is not waking up fully. You know, when someone wakes you suddenly when you were in a deep sleep, you can get irritated. After the anger of being disturbed from a stupor of sleep, reason and reflection must come next. A true awakening should bring remorse, godly sorrow and repentance (i.e. a 180 degrees in direction).

But, political and social change won't cause our King to bless or rescue our nation. It takes an awakening to see how far we have drifted from our coarse. And, trust me; we have all wandered from true loyalty to the King and His Kingdom. That is not the same as loyalty to American values. The former is eternal and unseen, but America is temporal and visible. BIG DIFFERENCE!

The good news of the Gospel is not telling people about the content and true meaning of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. It is about a King who rules righteously and a Kingdom of priests who rule justly before their God (read Isaiah 32:1-8; 1 Peter 2:9-12).

The Good News is that where and when the King is obeyed, He changes times and seasons to benefit the citizens -- not of America -- but of the Kingdom of God (who live in America and all other nations of the earth). This is a BIG DIFFERENCE. The answer is not about national healthcare, immigration, or who occupies the White House, who legislates on Capitol Hill or who rules at the Supreme Court. The answer is in the hearts of men, women and children when they turn back to the King as the One Who:

"...made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us..." (Acts 17:27 NASB)

Now, if our King, Immortal and Sovereign, can turn the hearts of rulers like He changes the course of rivers (see Proverbs 21:1), then He can change times and seasons, and reverse trends with the word of His mouth. He can perform the miraculous and reverse economic and political trends! We only see the underside of the tapestry -- down there it all looks disordered and confused, hopeless and irreparable. But, nothing is impossible with God; He can do anything He wants.

So, what is our part? Well, it does not begin on the activist or even visible arenas. It begins in the hearts of men, women and children. If it doesn't begin there, we can't expect success to follow, because God is the only One Who "...changes the times and the seasons; ...removes (power centers) and raises up (other power centers); and ...gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." Dan. 2:21

Take this pill and swallow it. It can terminate the illusions and false hopes which were conceived during the night!

My Wife: The Gentler Side of God’s Image

AND GOD SAID:

"When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so, I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.

"Man was put to sleep in order to create you from his own body. From one bone, I fashioned you; I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped and modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

"Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

"You are my choice to reflect the glory of the Church, the Bride of Christ… You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and I am pleased to see the virtues which you long for down deep in your heart.

"Your eyes – don't change them. Your lips – how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose – so perfect in form. Your hands – so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes your compassionate and caring tendencies reflect that side of me.

"Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only hear my voice and sense my presence. So the things I wanted Adam to share and experience on a companionship level, I fashioned in you. You innately possess capacities for my holiness, strength, purity, love, protection and support. You are special because like Adam, you are uniquely an extension of part of me. Man represents my masculine, protective and providing side; and woman my feminine compassionate, mothering, loving emotions. Together, you represent the image of your God, for I created man in my own image – in my image I created him male and female (see Genesis 1:27).

"So man should treat woman well – love her, respect her, for she is a delicate, and priceless creation gift to man."

– Author Unknown

I love you, Roberta!

Mutations or Majesty?

Lately, I’ve been wondering why so many conflicts and controversies grip the guts of people of faith. To get caught in all that is to fall (to some degree) from a level of grace. Here is how the Apostle Paul put it to the Galatians:

“I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.” (Gal. 5:4; The Message)

When we move from our faith that seeks first the Kingdom of God, and instead, depend on the means of humanity to accomplish righteousness, we cut our listening hearts off from the Spirit’s gentle whispers.

However, when we reach by faith’s eyes and heart, for the King’s perspective, our hearts and minds are pulled to the higher ground where He is seated with His father. We’re all born from above, and born for things that transcend secular methods to accomplish God’s purpose.

Let me recommend that you read about the Seventh Chapter of Daniel. He (Daniel) saw various ugly and mutated beasts coming up from the briny waters of the lowlands. But one phrase keeps appearing: "I kept looking."

If we are going to sail through the turbulent waters of this age, we have to keep looking past the mutant beasts churning the dark waters of politics. Daniel looked past each beast until he saw the Ancient of Days taking His seat on His throne. Even after that, he kept on looking until he saw the Son of Man – presented to His Eternal Father, the Ancient of Days – taking His seat with His Father.

Don’t forget – they are still seated there! Our Lord is ALREADY CROWNED KING. Daniel lived in Babylon, but Babylon didn’t live in Daniel.

Many believers in Christ simply do not see Him seated or crowned… YET. Furthermore, they either don't know or don't even believe that He rules NOW over his kingdom.

Maybe they are frightened. But, it's supposed to be the sinners in His kingdom (Zion) that become frightened by the shaking; see Isaiah 33:14. In that same passage, Isaiah went on to speak of the righteous – those whose eyes were on the higher places. He spoke of them as having a better frame of mind and hope. Those people of God with a transcendent perspective will only ponder the terrors and anxieties around them. They will not fear them!

Naturally, as an American, I am concerned with the changes to this republic and economy that seem to be unfolding. But I choose to look past the distasteful creatures vying for power and control. Our hope, and anchor of the soul has to remain firmly "within the veil" that separates the visible concerns from the Kingdom promise (Heb 6:18-20). This hope is "both sure and steadfast."

The hope set before us is not a Christian renaissance of “traditional American values.” Our hope is ONLY in God's great kingdom. America, as a nation, is not part of God's restored Kingdom. The United States is “of this age,” just like every other nation on earth.

Everything else -- EVERYTHING IN TIME-SPACE -- HAS TO BE SHAKEN until ONLY that unshakable kingdom remains (Heb 12:27-29). That perspective transcends America and all other nations. That is a victorious view of history. But, the many conspiratorial anxieties in the air make it difficult to see or hear that view.

That transcendent, biblical perspective on the Kingdom of God really gets my juices flowing. When I see it, my faith and hope become sure and steady.

Let me finish this meditation with my own paraphrase, drawn heavily from The Message:

"Keep looking until you see the king—such a beautiful sight! And you’ll take in the wide vistas of land. In your mind you’ll go over the old terrors, asking: 'What happened to those who condemned and tried to confiscate your treasures? And the one who gouged us of taxes? And that cheating moneychanger?' They are all gone! Out of sight forever! Their insolence is nothing now but a fading stain on the carpet! No more putting up with a language of old words with different meanings. The sounds of gibberish in my ears are now gone.’

"Just take a long, meditative look at the Kingdom of God, will you? Centering your worship in festival feasts! Feast your eyes on the Throne Room, a quiet and comforting place to live. No more pulling up stakes and moving on, no more patched-together lean-tos. Instead, GOD! GOD majestic, God himself the place in a country of broad rivers and streams. For GOD makes all the decisions here. GOD is our king. GOD runs this place and he’ll keep us safe. (Paraphrased from Is. 33:17-22; The Message)

Can we not look past the saltwater uproar to the Hills of Zion that still “yields a thousand sacred sweets, before we reach the heavenly realms, or walk the golden streets?”

Hebrews 6:5 speaks of having “tasted… of the powers of the age to come.” Why not pour yourself a good stiff drink of those powers and face the anxieties of what is to come? The King rules NOW. Grace, full and free, to bombard hell’s gates flows freely NOW. Why not awaken out of sleep and take on the festal robes and face it all in victory like royalty?

Dual Citizenships Prioritized

I've been thinking about how concerned (and entangled) Evangelicals are in the political, legislative, and policy issues of this day. Granted we are expected by our King Jesus to vote, and "render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar." That is to say, our King, expects us to honor the laws and customs of the land of our "earthling" citizenship. This applies insofar as it doesn't violate the commands and dictates of our eternal SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) Manuel: the Scriptures.

Believers in Christ have a dual citizenship: one is with the place of our earth-land domicile. The second is in the eternal dimension of the Kingdom of our God and King. The first is temporal, and therefore not the ultimate reality. The second one is eternal, recorded in the heavens and ultimately full of reality. This second citizenship is the primary one: in the Kingdom of God. Because we live in unreality (earthling time-space) we tend to consider the wrong one as real. Therefore we misplace our priorities and loyalties. The closer we live to the border between nations, the more cultures, languages and customs become mingled. These days, it's easy to forget our true citizenship, identity and priorities.

Pontius Pilate once asked Jesus if he was a king. The answer came from another dimension. Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). That is to say “not of this planet, its time, politics or social order.” This was profound and difficult for this Italian ruler to comprehend. It was (and remains) a significant and pivotal statement. It is like a fulcrum point upon which something is moved with a lever to lift and shift priorities and paradigms from one level to another.

When a believer's anxious thoughts begin to multiply within him/her (Psalms 94:19) about changing political or societal orders, then the "Kingdom" consolations of who we are and Who our Lord is, must bring delight to our troubled souls. It recalibrates our views and priorities.

The people of this age CANNOT thwart the purposes and intent of God's Kingdom. So, if we know this to be a reality, and that is where our ultimate priorities really lie, then why should we fret about the problems of America or any other nation of this world? Hmm... Should we not be like, Mary, mother of our Lord, and ponder these things in our hearts?