Double Haiku | Twilight

    twinning as they pass

    molten, blushing, flirting, still

    known by each their plight

    closer they may draw-

    the hinge concludes, not befriends

    drawing both to night

Steward of Your Vessel

One morning, before everyone else got up, I hopped on my bike and rode three miles down to a nearby landing. Then I sat for thirty minutes on a pier, noticing thoughts and giving thanks to God, praying and admiring nature.

When my time was up, I hated to leave the silence and the cool air (even though I was growing chilly). I hopped back on my back and rode the three miles back home.

What you don't realize is that the person that walked back through my door was not the same person that walked out of it. I woke up particularly angry and frustrated that morning. Even when I sat alone quietly reading scripture and praying; I could feel this buzz, like a current, reverberating through my thoughts, making it hard to focus.

There could have been any number of things to define as the cause; circumstances, hormones, thinking patterns, even going a few days without exercising. etc. Who knows?! -But trying to pinpoint it didn't seem like a fruitful effort. So many times, that action has led to blame, condemnation or further aggravation.

I knew that I didn't want to spend my day that way. Not only would it be hard for anyone that I came in contact with but it would be harder for me to get through as well. So, after I finished reading my Bible, I quickly got dressed so that I could squeeze in a ride before everyone else got up.

I couldn't help but notice that the "energy" that felt like anger pulsing before had left my bones as it was released in pedals down and up the hill again. Now instead, there was a quiet emptiness. Not the sad kind, but more like a place of rest, safely tucked inside my heart. One that was free and had room to accept more the world around me.

The word steward came to mind, and it struck me.

As 'good people' and/or 'Christians' we often think of stewardship over things and resources that are given for us to share. The definition even says that a steward is "a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train; and one who manages drinks or meals." 

When we consider that all things that are given for God's purposes, then we too, are considered His vessels (Romans 9:21-23, 2 Corinthians 4:7). Many times, by sharing ourselves, we can be the most useful or effective resource in the life of those we are alongside.

Yet, in this crazy-busy world, we often don't make time for ourselves to exercise, meditate, read scripture, or tend to other self-preserving habits. Especially if they involve "extra work" or something unfamiliar. -Other, more demanding, things frequently get our attention instead; wearing us down.

If we are to serve, love and be a light... why would we not want to lead with the cleanest vessel possible? It is easier to love when we're not frustrated. It's easier to be patient when we're rested. It's easier to pray and share a Word when we know the words we need to share.

This may sound exhausting, unrealistic or even legalistic. Yet we do not give a second thought to changing the oil in our car or handling routine maintenance for other vessels and tools we 'can't live without.'

You and I are the only stewards of the vessels that He has given us to navigate this life. May we find the time and encouragement to honor Him by caring for ourselves; giving our truly best to others. :)

Jonah Study Notes

Bible Notes:

• Chapter 1 - These notes are in testimony format below.
• Chapter 2 - These notes are in testimony format below.
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4

My Testimony Links - I happened to go through my own personal storm while I was reading the book of Jonah. Chapters one and two really spoke to me, so they are in testimony format below. It's pretty long. I may go back and 'back fill' notes for chapters one and two later but for now, here's what I have.

• What Kind of Storm is this? | Part 1
• The Part to Remember During a Storm | Part 2
• And so he ran | Part 3
• Down Below | Part 4
• The Vessel Might Break | Part 5
• Making the Leap | Part 6

Resources: These are the resources that I used throughout my study time.

• Mathews Henry Commentary
• Life Application NIV Bible that includes commentary
• Book ‘Surprised by Grace’ by Tullian Tchividjian

Photo Credit: Faith Baptist Church of Goose Lake

Another send off

My first thought when I saw this picture was 'Holy crap, Michael [on the right] is in a pair of pleated pants.' 

My second thought is that this must be what heaven looks like right about now. Two fellas catching up. [As T.A., the man on the left, joined Michael in heaven this week.]

Then in reading 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 15:46-49, it made me smile a little more. These two men are not only at peace or made new-- They are now even MORE beautiful and whole, than we've seen. -Now also free of the burden of an earthly physical body and simply able to be the love and light that they were created to be. -And brighter! I know that it's a sight to see! <3 Shine on friends. Shine on!

--

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NLT

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.[a] 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:46-49 NIV

The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. [Even better! -Emphasis mine.]

Happy New Year

God gave us a future but not so that we would stay the same or hand it over to our past. Press onward friend. Happy NEW year to all, with love!