So, I show up at church to pick up my daughter last Wednesday, and am accosted by Branden, the High School Pastor.
Branden: Hey Dale - on our upcoming trip to Uganda, we plan to do some dramas. I know that you mentioned that this was a neglected area of HSM, so you're the first one I thought of. Would you be willing to pray about helping us develop some sketches, etc. and - Holy Spirit willing - maybe join us on the trip?
Dale’s Mouth: Yeah, okay. I'll pray.
Dale’s Head: I'm 49 years old, and have successfully avoided going on any mission trips for the entire 26 years of my Christian life. Sure. I'll pray. Don't getcher hopes up too high, Pal.
So I'm sitting in the Fellowship Center on Sunday, and the "Chasing Daylight" campaign gets mentioned. That, of course, sets off a whole 'nother mind pattern. See, I had some significant issues with the campaign. I much prefer the simpler, more straightforward message that came from Steven Curtis Chapman in "The Great Adventure".
"Saddle up your horses, we got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder, of God's amazing grace!
We'll follow our Leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other, whoa! this is The Great Adventure!"
As a matter of fact, that song has been our family’s “theme song” for about 12 years now. So this argument starts up in my head.
Dale’s Heart: So, do you really believe that? You’ve claimed The Great Adventure, the glorious unknown, for several years now. Shoot, you named your company after it. But do you really believe it?
Dale’s Head: Sure I do, but this is different. This isn’t unknown. This is heading off to some strange 3rd world country. Been there, done that, Dude. Remember that brutal series of trips to Mexico City back in 01? Do you really want to go through THAT again?
Dale’s Heart: Excuses – Gee, how did I know those would be coming? Those were business trips, and you ventured in there all alone. You weren’t there to minister for Christ, you were there to implement software. The question is still hanging there, Bucko - do you really believe it?.
Dale’s Head: Ah, c’mon Man!
Dale’s Mouth (to wife): This seat is killing me. I’m going to stand up.
Dale’s Feet, after a few minutes, start moving across the room towards Branden.
Dale’s Head: Hey! Heyheyheyheyhey! What are you doing?! Where do you think you’re going?! Stop it! Who’s in charge here anyway? Stop I say! STOP!
Dale’s Mouth (having a hard time maintaining composure): Hey Man. I’m terrified, but I’m in. (Branden administers a hug) I’m being dragged kicking and screaming, but I’m in.
Branden: I think that’s the way it has to be.
Dale’s Mouth: I’m 49 years old and have never done anything like this.
Branden: Neither have I, so we’re in this together!
Dale’s Head: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dale’s Heart: Yessss! Here we go folks. THIS is The Great Adventure! ‘Bout bloomin time we stepped out!
November 25, 2008
September 29, 2008
Seasons Change
My family has just gone through one of those important milestones in life. My wife and I took our first born and dropped him off at college last week. To nobody’s surprise, my mind and emotions have been engaged in a gymnastics tournament throughout the whole process.
To begin with, we are absolutely thrilled with the college that he chose and the experiences that we have had there. This school has rejected the traditional notion of parents dropping off their freshmen student and leaving. They have developed a 2 day program where the parents are walked through the process of what they will be teaching the students, what types of ministries are available, what service opportunities the students will have and what school services are available. Every step of the way we had faculty and administration officials – up to and including the President of the University – thanking us for entrusting our son to them. There wasn’t a single one of these people who projected insincerity in any form.
The temptation is obviously to look at this like we’re the first parents who have ever experienced this type of event. Whether it is sending a child off to college, off to the military or off into the work world, however, it is an experience that virtually every parent goes through in one form or another. It is exciting. It causes anxiety. It brings us great pride in our son. It even causes a certain level of mild fear.
As I contemplated all of this over the weekend, I tried to bring some perspective to my thoughts and feelings. It so happens that my business partner down in California helped in this regard.
His wife is about to give birth to their second child. The already have a lovely 3 year old girl, and it appears number two is to be a boy. They are understandably excited about the prospect. In around 15 years, they will undergo a similar experience to what my wife and I are currently walking. Around 3 years later, the young man about to be born will then take his turn. My partner and his wife have the same excitement, anxiety, pride and fear to look forward to.
I then started thinking about the faculty and administration of the college thanking us for putting our trust in them to help continue the education of our son, how they were honored by our trust. I thought back to his birth and the first time I held him in my arms, and I realized that there are more similarities to these events than I originally thought.
Quite simply, when our son was born the Lord placed him into our hands to allow us to raise him and educate him. I didn’t express it at that point, but I am so very thankful that He entrusted this young man to us. We were deeply honored to have been allowed to raise him and educate him to this point. The important thing for us to remember, however, is that he belongs to God. Always has, always will. Our Father entrusted him to us for a season, but that season has now changed and it is time for the next.
The final piece of the 2 day event was the Convocation. It was held in the school Pavilion (gymnasium), and began with a set of bagpipes escorting in all of the faculty of the school, dressed in full academic regalia. After prayer, a message on Communitas and the singing of a hymn (Be Thou My Vision), the faculty formed a circle around the perimeter of the gym. The new students were then invited to come down out of the bleachers and enter the circle where they were welcomed by the faculty. It was a physical symbol of our son leaving our home and joining the new community of the University. Very poignant. I’ll admit that my sunglasses snapped onto my face as we left the building to hide my tears!
So yes, the occasion has affected me deeply. I take comfort, however, in the thought that we have now entrusted our charge back into God’s hands. He never really left.
To begin with, we are absolutely thrilled with the college that he chose and the experiences that we have had there. This school has rejected the traditional notion of parents dropping off their freshmen student and leaving. They have developed a 2 day program where the parents are walked through the process of what they will be teaching the students, what types of ministries are available, what service opportunities the students will have and what school services are available. Every step of the way we had faculty and administration officials – up to and including the President of the University – thanking us for entrusting our son to them. There wasn’t a single one of these people who projected insincerity in any form.
The temptation is obviously to look at this like we’re the first parents who have ever experienced this type of event. Whether it is sending a child off to college, off to the military or off into the work world, however, it is an experience that virtually every parent goes through in one form or another. It is exciting. It causes anxiety. It brings us great pride in our son. It even causes a certain level of mild fear.
As I contemplated all of this over the weekend, I tried to bring some perspective to my thoughts and feelings. It so happens that my business partner down in California helped in this regard.
His wife is about to give birth to their second child. The already have a lovely 3 year old girl, and it appears number two is to be a boy. They are understandably excited about the prospect. In around 15 years, they will undergo a similar experience to what my wife and I are currently walking. Around 3 years later, the young man about to be born will then take his turn. My partner and his wife have the same excitement, anxiety, pride and fear to look forward to.
I then started thinking about the faculty and administration of the college thanking us for putting our trust in them to help continue the education of our son, how they were honored by our trust. I thought back to his birth and the first time I held him in my arms, and I realized that there are more similarities to these events than I originally thought.
Quite simply, when our son was born the Lord placed him into our hands to allow us to raise him and educate him. I didn’t express it at that point, but I am so very thankful that He entrusted this young man to us. We were deeply honored to have been allowed to raise him and educate him to this point. The important thing for us to remember, however, is that he belongs to God. Always has, always will. Our Father entrusted him to us for a season, but that season has now changed and it is time for the next.
The final piece of the 2 day event was the Convocation. It was held in the school Pavilion (gymnasium), and began with a set of bagpipes escorting in all of the faculty of the school, dressed in full academic regalia. After prayer, a message on Communitas and the singing of a hymn (Be Thou My Vision), the faculty formed a circle around the perimeter of the gym. The new students were then invited to come down out of the bleachers and enter the circle where they were welcomed by the faculty. It was a physical symbol of our son leaving our home and joining the new community of the University. Very poignant. I’ll admit that my sunglasses snapped onto my face as we left the building to hide my tears!
So yes, the occasion has affected me deeply. I take comfort, however, in the thought that we have now entrusted our charge back into God’s hands. He never really left.
June 25, 2008
One of These Days
Has it really been over a year since I posted anything on here? Time sure flies when you get busy, but thanks to my sister-in-law, I realize that I have something I need to post.
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it in here before, but I do some amateur acting at our church. I was asked to play a minor role in a dramatic sketch during our church services this last weekend, and it has had an unexpected impact on my life that I thought I'd share.
The sketch was titled "One Of These Days". The scene opens in a cemetery, with some mourners gathered around a grave and a couple of groundskeepers working on cleaning up a bench. As it progresses, it turns out that the groundskeepers are actually angels. After an initial discourse by them, the scene shifts to the minister who is presiding over the funeral. I was playing the minister.
I gave a pretty depressing little spiel:
"As for man, his days are like grass
As a flower in the field, so he flourishes
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone
And its place remembers it no more
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Another life comes to an end
Let us take a moment of silence"
One of the angels freezes time, and chides the pastor for not finishing the verse. "Psalm 103:15 goes on to say 'But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age'. This is not the end. I think you need to go back to seminary." The angel then snaps everyone back in.
The grandson of the man who has died then starts to make some comments, but gets frustrated and walks off. The angel freezes the rest of us again and they (the angels) have a discussion with the grandson, reminding him of the immenense of the resurrection. The rest of the group is then unfrozen, the grandson returns and delivers a short, stirring discourse, and the band goes into "One Of These Days", the song made popular by FFH (the church band and singers did a fabulous job on this, by the way). Towards the end of the song, the angels - who have now changed into more heavenly garments - walk over to the grave and lift out the grandfather - who now has his new resurrection body. He has a brief reunion with his grandson and then walks out in glory.
The sketch was very well written and performed, and the effect on everyone present was, well, dramatic. I saw lots of tears - most of them through the blurriness of my own.
So this all happens at the 2 services on Sunday, June 22, 2008. I found out early in the morning of Tuesday, June 24 that a dear friend - David Diehl - had passed away the previous day. Dave was a young man - I don't know his exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was around 45. He was wise beyond his years, and possessed a dead pan wit that could level anyone. Dave has left behind a beautiful wife, Lori, and 2 daughters, Lexi 12 and Dani 7.
Dave was the Executive Pastor - basically the business executive - at the church we used to attend. My wife and I had been in a small group with them, attended numerous functions with them, visited each others homes, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Back then I still participated in making a fool out of myself on the golf course, and often did so in front of Dave. I remember one early morning outing with just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time relating our life stories with each other.
When I heard this news, my thoughts were immediately drawn back to the sketch. I know Dave loved the Lord, and I KNOW that he is now with the Lord. Every time I think about that sketch now, I picture him as the one who is pulled out of that grave - dressed in glorious white. He emerges with wonderful surprise, and walks over to Lori and his daughters. They are able to embrace one more time before he heads off to wait for them with our Lord. Even as I type these words, I'm having a difficult time seeing through my tears.
Oh, I have questions for God - why do Lori and the girls have to endure this? Why is he being taken so young? But I know now more than ever that I WILL see him again. More importantly, so will Lori, Lexi and Dani.
A final footnote on the sketch. Russ, the man who played the grandson who is grieving the loss of his grandfather, did a magnificent job with the role, and it was played completely from the heart. He lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer last year.
He WILL see her again.
Praises to our King!
I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it in here before, but I do some amateur acting at our church. I was asked to play a minor role in a dramatic sketch during our church services this last weekend, and it has had an unexpected impact on my life that I thought I'd share.
The sketch was titled "One Of These Days". The scene opens in a cemetery, with some mourners gathered around a grave and a couple of groundskeepers working on cleaning up a bench. As it progresses, it turns out that the groundskeepers are actually angels. After an initial discourse by them, the scene shifts to the minister who is presiding over the funeral. I was playing the minister.
I gave a pretty depressing little spiel:
"As for man, his days are like grass
As a flower in the field, so he flourishes
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone
And its place remembers it no more
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Another life comes to an end
Let us take a moment of silence"
One of the angels freezes time, and chides the pastor for not finishing the verse. "Psalm 103:15 goes on to say 'But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age'. This is not the end. I think you need to go back to seminary." The angel then snaps everyone back in.
The grandson of the man who has died then starts to make some comments, but gets frustrated and walks off. The angel freezes the rest of us again and they (the angels) have a discussion with the grandson, reminding him of the immenense of the resurrection. The rest of the group is then unfrozen, the grandson returns and delivers a short, stirring discourse, and the band goes into "One Of These Days", the song made popular by FFH (the church band and singers did a fabulous job on this, by the way). Towards the end of the song, the angels - who have now changed into more heavenly garments - walk over to the grave and lift out the grandfather - who now has his new resurrection body. He has a brief reunion with his grandson and then walks out in glory.
The sketch was very well written and performed, and the effect on everyone present was, well, dramatic. I saw lots of tears - most of them through the blurriness of my own.
So this all happens at the 2 services on Sunday, June 22, 2008. I found out early in the morning of Tuesday, June 24 that a dear friend - David Diehl - had passed away the previous day. Dave was a young man - I don't know his exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was around 45. He was wise beyond his years, and possessed a dead pan wit that could level anyone. Dave has left behind a beautiful wife, Lori, and 2 daughters, Lexi 12 and Dani 7.
Dave was the Executive Pastor - basically the business executive - at the church we used to attend. My wife and I had been in a small group with them, attended numerous functions with them, visited each others homes, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Back then I still participated in making a fool out of myself on the golf course, and often did so in front of Dave. I remember one early morning outing with just the two of us, and we had a wonderful time relating our life stories with each other.
When I heard this news, my thoughts were immediately drawn back to the sketch. I know Dave loved the Lord, and I KNOW that he is now with the Lord. Every time I think about that sketch now, I picture him as the one who is pulled out of that grave - dressed in glorious white. He emerges with wonderful surprise, and walks over to Lori and his daughters. They are able to embrace one more time before he heads off to wait for them with our Lord. Even as I type these words, I'm having a difficult time seeing through my tears.
Oh, I have questions for God - why do Lori and the girls have to endure this? Why is he being taken so young? But I know now more than ever that I WILL see him again. More importantly, so will Lori, Lexi and Dani.
A final footnote on the sketch. Russ, the man who played the grandson who is grieving the loss of his grandfather, did a magnificent job with the role, and it was played completely from the heart. He lost his 12 year old daughter to cancer last year.
He WILL see her again.
Praises to our King!
June 9, 2007
Soon End In Joy
As you may have surmised from reading previous posts, music is a very important part of my life. Now, when it comes to performing the Lord definitely did NOT bless me with gifts in this field. With the help of a hoist, a dump truck and a cloud of witnesses surrounding me I can sing well enough for possibly 50% of the population to figure out the tune. With the exception of mucking through the required "recorder" production in the 5th grade (when everyone else in the class was bleating away as well), I've never been able to do anything with an instrument.
So for better or worse, I'm forced to rely on those who have been given gifts in this field to quench my needs. That's okay, because there is a multitude of people in this world who ARE gifted in musical talents.
Music for me, however, has often led the journeys of my soul. In the days before I became a Christian, I desperately sought music that would help me to "find my identity". I often sought out secular artists that would show me as being "cool and yet different from everyone else".
Upon accepting Christ as my Savior, however, I began to realize that music was so much more than being "all about me". I've come to understand that music speaks to each person differently than the next, much as God has created each person differently. I've also come to view musical gifts and talents as being gifts from Him and - like all gifts from our Lord - they carry responsibilities. I believe God created music as a tool for us to worship Him. Again - like all gifts from our Lord - musicians, singers and song writers have the choice as to whether or not to use them in this manner.
As my journey with Him has moved along, I find myself less and less inclined to listen to music that doesn't involve worshipping Him. Yes, my iPod has a few secular songs on it - primarily nostalgic songs that remind me of particular points in my life. The vast majority of music that I listen to, however, is by Christian artists who use their gifts to worship the Lord.
The group of artists whose work has touched me most deeply over the past couple of years is a group called Jars of Clay. They're often labeled as "alternative", so I find it rather ironic that one of their best works has been an album called "Redemption Songs". It is a collection of Jars' interpretation of old hymns.
Now please understand this about me - I really don't care for sitting in a church listening to soe of the old dirges. Having grown up outside of a church setting, I still feel the proper place for an organ is playing "Charge!" or "3 Blind Mice" at a hockey game. On this particular work, however, the artists have taken such old time classics as "It Is Well With My Soul" and "I'll Fly Away" and rearranged them to really strike a chord with modern tastes.
The one that has been touching me most deeply recently is "God Will Lift Up Your Head". This is a song originally written by Paul Gerhardt. I'm not sure when Paul wrote it, but it was translated into English by John Wesley, so it has to be over 200 year old. The lyrics can be viewed here, but I would strongly encourage the reader to stop into a music store or iTunes and listen to it.
http://www.jarchives.com/dgod_will_lift.htm
The verse at the end goes:
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
So I'm listening to this a couple of weeks ago as I'm waiting to board a flight from Atlanta to Portland. "So shall this night, soon end in joy". What are my options here? I either arrive safely home to be with my wife and kids. So shall this night soon end in joy! What happens if the plane goes down? I'll be joining my Lord in Heaven! So shall this night soon end in joy!
So for better or worse, I'm forced to rely on those who have been given gifts in this field to quench my needs. That's okay, because there is a multitude of people in this world who ARE gifted in musical talents.
Music for me, however, has often led the journeys of my soul. In the days before I became a Christian, I desperately sought music that would help me to "find my identity". I often sought out secular artists that would show me as being "cool and yet different from everyone else".
Upon accepting Christ as my Savior, however, I began to realize that music was so much more than being "all about me". I've come to understand that music speaks to each person differently than the next, much as God has created each person differently. I've also come to view musical gifts and talents as being gifts from Him and - like all gifts from our Lord - they carry responsibilities. I believe God created music as a tool for us to worship Him. Again - like all gifts from our Lord - musicians, singers and song writers have the choice as to whether or not to use them in this manner.
As my journey with Him has moved along, I find myself less and less inclined to listen to music that doesn't involve worshipping Him. Yes, my iPod has a few secular songs on it - primarily nostalgic songs that remind me of particular points in my life. The vast majority of music that I listen to, however, is by Christian artists who use their gifts to worship the Lord.
The group of artists whose work has touched me most deeply over the past couple of years is a group called Jars of Clay. They're often labeled as "alternative", so I find it rather ironic that one of their best works has been an album called "Redemption Songs". It is a collection of Jars' interpretation of old hymns.
Now please understand this about me - I really don't care for sitting in a church listening to soe of the old dirges. Having grown up outside of a church setting, I still feel the proper place for an organ is playing "Charge!" or "3 Blind Mice" at a hockey game. On this particular work, however, the artists have taken such old time classics as "It Is Well With My Soul" and "I'll Fly Away" and rearranged them to really strike a chord with modern tastes.
The one that has been touching me most deeply recently is "God Will Lift Up Your Head". This is a song originally written by Paul Gerhardt. I'm not sure when Paul wrote it, but it was translated into English by John Wesley, so it has to be over 200 year old. The lyrics can be viewed here, but I would strongly encourage the reader to stop into a music store or iTunes and listen to it.
http://www.jarchives.com/dgod_will_lift.htm
The verse at the end goes:
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
So I'm listening to this a couple of weeks ago as I'm waiting to board a flight from Atlanta to Portland. "So shall this night, soon end in joy". What are my options here? I either arrive safely home to be with my wife and kids. So shall this night soon end in joy! What happens if the plane goes down? I'll be joining my Lord in Heaven! So shall this night soon end in joy!
I was on a flight several years ago that was that was going through some pretty nasty turbulence, and an image came to my mind of God's hands holding up the wings. The comfort of that image stayed with me for a long time. Now, I'm comforted by "So shall this night soon end in joy."
Music is definitely one of God's gifts to my soul.
May 30, 2007
An Example of God's Grace
Well I still first remember the first time
I felt the power of your kiss
It hit me like a bolt of lightning
I said I never will recover from this
And like the words from the mouth of a prophet
I have lived to see those words come true
Just look at me now, I'm still reeling
With every little kiss I'm reminded
How wonderful it is to be in love with you
With every little look
With every little touch
With every little kiss
Like a moth being drawn to a candle
This is something that I can't resist
I guess you could say I'm addicted
Cause I keep coming back again and again
And after all of the storms we have weathered
All the seasons of change we've been though
Well Somehow the flame keeps getting brighter
With every little kiss I'm reminded
How wonderful it is to be in love with you
With every little look
With every little touch
With every kiss you give me just a little taste of heaven
Just one more good gift that God has given
I don't want to miss one single little kiss
"With Every Little Kiss" by Steven Curtis Chapman
My wife and I recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. 21 years. The entire concept is astonishing to me.
Every time I look at her, I'm amazed that a woman like that would love a man like me. I still experience pangs of fear, that she'll come to her senses and realize that she deserves someone better.
Having her as my life's partner gives me concrete proof of the existence of God. As the revered hymn "Amazing Grace" puts it, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." God loves me in spite of the fact that I'm totally unworthy of that love. Same goes for my wife. In a world where there was no God, this would simply be impossible.
She is my wife, my friend, my confidante, and all things in between. I apologize, but I simply do not have the words to express all that she means to me. I also won't share EVERYTHING she means to me in this venue!
I felt the power of your kiss
It hit me like a bolt of lightning
I said I never will recover from this
And like the words from the mouth of a prophet
I have lived to see those words come true
Just look at me now, I'm still reeling
With every little kiss I'm reminded
How wonderful it is to be in love with you
With every little look
With every little touch
With every little kiss
Like a moth being drawn to a candle
This is something that I can't resist
I guess you could say I'm addicted
Cause I keep coming back again and again
And after all of the storms we have weathered
All the seasons of change we've been though
Well Somehow the flame keeps getting brighter
With every little kiss I'm reminded
How wonderful it is to be in love with you
With every little look
With every little touch
With every kiss you give me just a little taste of heaven
Just one more good gift that God has given
I don't want to miss one single little kiss
"With Every Little Kiss" by Steven Curtis Chapman
My wife and I recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. 21 years. The entire concept is astonishing to me.
Every time I look at her, I'm amazed that a woman like that would love a man like me. I still experience pangs of fear, that she'll come to her senses and realize that she deserves someone better.
Having her as my life's partner gives me concrete proof of the existence of God. As the revered hymn "Amazing Grace" puts it, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." God loves me in spite of the fact that I'm totally unworthy of that love. Same goes for my wife. In a world where there was no God, this would simply be impossible.
She is my wife, my friend, my confidante, and all things in between. I apologize, but I simply do not have the words to express all that she means to me. I also won't share EVERYTHING she means to me in this venue!
The reason she isn't listed as one of my Mentors is that she means so much more to me than that.
I simply thank my gracious Lord for bringing her into my life!
May 28, 2007
Memories
Wow - it's been a couple of months since I added anything on here. Time flies when you're busy I guess.
I'm approaching one of those milestone moments in life - my 30 year high school reunion. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it to the actual reunion, but it has given me opportunities to re-connect with many of the people I grew up with and went to school with. Looking through a 30 year lense, I realize what a remarkable group of people I was privileged to know.
It also gives me occasion to engage in a little self-relfection. Again through the lense of time, I see a young man who was often very engaged socially and yet frequently lonely. I see a person who could be often bitingly sarcastic and critical of others. I often long to be able to rewind to those days, mark down every hurtful thing I ever said to someone and offer up my profound apologies.
I also carried an inordinate amount of pride, particularly in my "intellect". Decent grades in school came pretty easily, and I was a very strong test taker. I somehow managed to morph that into me being some kind of ivory tower intellectual.
But what did I learn from these things? I've come to know that God has used these experiences to shape the man that I am continuing to become.
Let's start with the self applied "intellectual" label. On this one, I have to go back to one of the "mentors" that I've already posted about - C.S. Lewis. When I read Mere Christianity, one of the clearest realizations I came to was that my so-called intellect was folly. I was not the smartest person around, and knowledge is useless when held up to wisdom. As I've aged, I've noticed that my capacity to absorb more knowledge is diminishing, and I'm fine with that. What I pray for now is wisdom and discernment. I pray that He would help me to make the best decisions I can. I pray that He would help me to grow in my love for Him and for his children. I still have so very far to go.
As far as my penchant for nastiness goes, I still have many miles to go to overcome that. I will say, however, that occasioanally I find myself learning from that as well. Let me tell a little story on that point.
I have a beautiful, delightful daughter. She is currently 13, and has caught the drama bug that infects her Dad. A couple of years ago, we were doing a sketch for one of the church services. The premise of the sketch was 2 guys going out to collect for a food drive. One of them (me) was apprehensive, the other one was trying to show him that things wouldn't be that bad.
The two guys started going up to doors and met several different characters. One of the characters - a young teenage girl who was "punked out", was played by my daughter (she's very tall so can pull off roles older than her actual age).
When we arrived at church that morning, she was dressed in a short black skirt, her hair was colored a bright pink and going in many different directions, she had fishnets on her arms, a ripped sweatshirt and generally looked like a rather "undesirable" teenager. She looked perfect to play the role.
What shocked me, however, was that from the minute we walked in, she started drawing stares. As we got out of the car in the parking lot, a lady drove by throwing eye daggers at her. Many other people within the church - of all ages - gave her disapproving glares as we walked down the hall.
What was going on? Don't you people know my daughter? She's sweet and kind and loves the Lord. She's not a punk! How can you judge people like this?
(Before anyone forms an undeserved impression of our church, it is NOT a stodgy, "everyone dressed to the hilt" type of place. To give you an indication, I tend to wear shorts much of the year, and you see very few suits and ties in the place. I guess it just shows that people are humans wherever you go.)
A still small voice said "Hmm, suppose you ever judge people like that, Dale? Judge them based on looks alone? Automatically pigeon hole them into some category based on their looks or some other characteristic?"
Guilty as charged, Lord.
I'd love to say that I never judge people anymore, but I'd be a bald faced liar. I do find myself checking myself more often, and pray that He continues to open my eyes to my shortcomings.
So for whatever it's worth, I offer a blanket apology to all of those many people I have offended in the past. Please forgive me.
I'm approaching one of those milestone moments in life - my 30 year high school reunion. Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it to the actual reunion, but it has given me opportunities to re-connect with many of the people I grew up with and went to school with. Looking through a 30 year lense, I realize what a remarkable group of people I was privileged to know.
It also gives me occasion to engage in a little self-relfection. Again through the lense of time, I see a young man who was often very engaged socially and yet frequently lonely. I see a person who could be often bitingly sarcastic and critical of others. I often long to be able to rewind to those days, mark down every hurtful thing I ever said to someone and offer up my profound apologies.
I also carried an inordinate amount of pride, particularly in my "intellect". Decent grades in school came pretty easily, and I was a very strong test taker. I somehow managed to morph that into me being some kind of ivory tower intellectual.
But what did I learn from these things? I've come to know that God has used these experiences to shape the man that I am continuing to become.
Let's start with the self applied "intellectual" label. On this one, I have to go back to one of the "mentors" that I've already posted about - C.S. Lewis. When I read Mere Christianity, one of the clearest realizations I came to was that my so-called intellect was folly. I was not the smartest person around, and knowledge is useless when held up to wisdom. As I've aged, I've noticed that my capacity to absorb more knowledge is diminishing, and I'm fine with that. What I pray for now is wisdom and discernment. I pray that He would help me to make the best decisions I can. I pray that He would help me to grow in my love for Him and for his children. I still have so very far to go.
As far as my penchant for nastiness goes, I still have many miles to go to overcome that. I will say, however, that occasioanally I find myself learning from that as well. Let me tell a little story on that point.
I have a beautiful, delightful daughter. She is currently 13, and has caught the drama bug that infects her Dad. A couple of years ago, we were doing a sketch for one of the church services. The premise of the sketch was 2 guys going out to collect for a food drive. One of them (me) was apprehensive, the other one was trying to show him that things wouldn't be that bad.
The two guys started going up to doors and met several different characters. One of the characters - a young teenage girl who was "punked out", was played by my daughter (she's very tall so can pull off roles older than her actual age).
When we arrived at church that morning, she was dressed in a short black skirt, her hair was colored a bright pink and going in many different directions, she had fishnets on her arms, a ripped sweatshirt and generally looked like a rather "undesirable" teenager. She looked perfect to play the role.
What shocked me, however, was that from the minute we walked in, she started drawing stares. As we got out of the car in the parking lot, a lady drove by throwing eye daggers at her. Many other people within the church - of all ages - gave her disapproving glares as we walked down the hall.
What was going on? Don't you people know my daughter? She's sweet and kind and loves the Lord. She's not a punk! How can you judge people like this?
(Before anyone forms an undeserved impression of our church, it is NOT a stodgy, "everyone dressed to the hilt" type of place. To give you an indication, I tend to wear shorts much of the year, and you see very few suits and ties in the place. I guess it just shows that people are humans wherever you go.)
A still small voice said "Hmm, suppose you ever judge people like that, Dale? Judge them based on looks alone? Automatically pigeon hole them into some category based on their looks or some other characteristic?"
Guilty as charged, Lord.
I'd love to say that I never judge people anymore, but I'd be a bald faced liar. I do find myself checking myself more often, and pray that He continues to open my eyes to my shortcomings.
So for whatever it's worth, I offer a blanket apology to all of those many people I have offended in the past. Please forgive me.
March 25, 2007
Busy busy busy
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is, it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
From Word of God Speak by MercyMe
Haven't posted too much lately because I've been pretty busy with work. Since I'm a self-employed consultant, being busy with work is necessarily evidence of God's provision in my life. Do I always stop to realize that fact and thank Him? Sadly, no I don't. Of late, however, I definitely have.
So over the past couple of weeks I've been out in Chicago working hideously long days at a grocery distribution center. I flew home Friday night. This morning (Sunday), my son and I are packing up the car and heading out on a college visit road trip to California. We'll get home next Saturday. Next Sunday I get back on a plane for Chicago.
Bear with me folks - life doesn't always allow time for me to post my thoughts, but I have to pay the bills.
And the funny thing is, it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
From Word of God Speak by MercyMe
Haven't posted too much lately because I've been pretty busy with work. Since I'm a self-employed consultant, being busy with work is necessarily evidence of God's provision in my life. Do I always stop to realize that fact and thank Him? Sadly, no I don't. Of late, however, I definitely have.
So over the past couple of weeks I've been out in Chicago working hideously long days at a grocery distribution center. I flew home Friday night. This morning (Sunday), my son and I are packing up the car and heading out on a college visit road trip to California. We'll get home next Saturday. Next Sunday I get back on a plane for Chicago.
Bear with me folks - life doesn't always allow time for me to post my thoughts, but I have to pay the bills.
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