Comfort Food

I love the label "comfort food". Although it is seldom used in a positive way I like the sound of it. Most of the references to comfort food that I have heard have a close connection to either chocolate or potato chips. (No offense to potato chips, but that's not much of a contest - even for a salt lover like me). I'm getting ready to board the plane and head to Moscow. I'm looking forward to the trip. But, as I sit in the airport in Washington, I am reminded that this is not home. I am away from my home and my family. So, I grabbed a cup of comfort - decaf from Starbucks. A warm cup of familiar coffee is comforting. It's a blessing to have a taste of home in so many places. It's a great reminder of how we should live every day. The New Testament reminds us many times that this life - the here and now - is not home. We are strangers, pilgrims, sojourners, travelers. So what is our comfort food? The Psalmist describes it perfectly, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul thirsts for God". Take comfort in the presence of God. No matter where we are God is with us.

Growing a great soul

Yesterday I shared a message about the relationship between obedience and nourishment for the soul. It's not hard to draw some parallels between what goes on in our physical body and our spiritual health. When we have a healthy diet we reap certain benefits. How do we grow a healthy soul? We feed it. After pondering the menu of life my conclusion hasn't changed. The healthiest diet for the soul is packed full of obedience. Prayer is good. It's a great way to commune with God, draw near to God and hear from God. It's like a good appetizer. But, if we fail to obey, our prayer life alone will not grow a great soul. Bible study is rich. It has the potential to fill our minds and hearts with eternal principles. It's like my favorite bowl of soup. But, those principles do not help us if they are not attached to obedient response. Obedience is the main course. It integrates our prayer life and our Bible study.

Rest

It's Sunday night and I'm winding down. It's a great time to talk about rest. We live in a 24/7 world. The fact that I'm sitting in bed blogging is an indicator of how much our world has changed in the last few years. Earlier today I shared a message at Heritage drawn from the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:25-30. His invitation is amazing. It seemed to me like an appropriate message for moms on Mothers Day. Jesus invites us to come to Him and find rest. Weariness is epidemic today. Yet rest is available. Why do we go without rest? I'm not talking about physical fatigue. I'm talking about soul fatigue. It's because we try to find rest outside of our relationship with Jesus. Real rest, true rest, soul rest cannot be found outside of our relationship with our Savior.

Almost Miss USA

Not that I am a fan of Miss USA pageants, but it was hard to miss the talk about it this week. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, has been the focus of a lot of commentary after her politically incorrect answer to pageant-judge Perez Hilton's question about same-sex marriage. Here's the short version of a big story: He ask her what she thought about it and she told him and he didn't like it. What concerns me most about the issue is a comment that reflects a growing sentiment in our culture in America. Hilton responded to questions this morning on the Today show by saying that Prejean as a Miss USA contestant should answer questions in a way that "will make everyone feel welcome". Notice he didn't say that she should be honest. I'm not concerned at all about who wins Miss USA this year or next year. As I said, I'm not a big fan of pageants. As a follower of Jesus, I believe this issue gives us an opportunity to consider how to answer tough questions. Truth is not always welcome or welcoming. But, that does not relieve us of our convictions. In addition, we have a responsibility to saturate our answers with truth, love and grace.

What's in a name?

Last weekend, Adam Dunn of the Washington Nationals played baseball sporting a uniform minus the "o" in Nationals. Aren't uniforms supposed to be uniform? Even though his jersey was flawed, he was still able to play the game. Sometimes we focus on the outside and forget that it is what's on the inside that matters. Last Sunday morning I talked a little bit about the message of Jesus toward the church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6). According to Jesus the church at Sardis had a reputation (outward appearance) of being alive, but the church was dead on the inside. It's a great message for the church in America today. We cannot continue to be more concerned with whether we give the appearance of life and vitality than we are with heart and character issues. Real life is a heart issue.

Leap of Faith

Theism requires a leap of faith, but it is a leap into the light, not into the Dark.
Dean Overman (A Case for the Existence of God)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

Have you ever wondered why the disciples did not understand important teachings of Jesus until after the resurrection? It may have had something to do with belief. Years after the resurrection of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews explained some things about belief. Belief is a catalyst. It is the initiative that sparks a search to know God and to be near God. But, belief in God is always a leap of faith. It requires us to venture away from our own neat and tidy understanding into a world of knowing that is bigger than us. But, it is not a leap into the dark. It is not a dead end because faith is not the goal. Faith is a bridge. Our leap of faith is a journey a part of our journey to God. If we leap by faith to belive in God, God rewards us. There is Light at the end of our journey. Our faith allows us to know God and see everything differently: in the light of His love.

April Showers

Outside my window is a large pear tree. In the past few weeks I have watched the transformation from winter to spring. It is a reminder to me of the kind of transformation that was a catalyst of faith in the life of Brother Lawrence in the 17th century. Brother Lawrence was looking at barren tree one winter day and his anticipation of leaves, blossoms and fruit gave him a "profound impression of God's providence and power, which never left him". It's a great thought for us in the week after Easter celebrations. God's power brings new life. God's provision sustains life and provides meaning and fruitfulness in life. Brother Lawrence is known for his commitment to "the practice of the presence of God". True contentment is found when we enjoy His presence daily.