vacation 2012 cruise to Belize and Mexico

At the end of the trip Jay asked when we were
getting on the boat?  Then he saw a barge and yelled
"There's a boat!"

Fabulous meals

Alex and me at dinner

In Belize waiting for sister to get her hair done

More waiting

Juliana getting her hair done

Eli and me getting sick of waiting

Diane and Savannah waiting

This is where Alex, Savannah and I went Snorkeling on
Cozumel, Mexico

A couple sleepy boys

What a smile

Good times

Back home

Let it Flow

Unbelievable, typically the coldest days of the year in West Michigan (the end of January and the beginning of February) and we have a thaw. As the ice and the snow melt and the water makes its way down the hills into the valleys, ravines and ultimately back into Lake Michigan I think how the world God created can teach us lessons. Water is Life. Fresh Water flows through streams, rivers and lakes keeping a balance life and renewal of life. However when water has no outlet and the ground cannot absorb any more the water that is left is either filled with pollutants that it has collected along the journey or it becomes over taken by microbial life. Such Pools are soon depleted of oxygen and become stagnant. We sometimes like pools of water. We like them in big cement containers treated with all sorts of chemicals so that noting can possibly grow in them. I think my kids would often rather swim in a pool rather than a lake, which is a shame living so close to a natural wonder such as Lake Michigan.

In our spiritual life we can also experience stagnation. Good faithful people can feel the toxicity building in their spirit all the while wondering why since, it seems, they are doing everything right. I would propose this as a cause: The blessings of God may be flowing in but if they are not flowing out they are becoming stagnant. Starting with the question “What do the blessings of God do for me?” is the wrong place to start. We are not the end of the road for God's work. When we came to faith in Jesus Christ, the work of redeeming the world did not come to screeching halt. We have been saved by the grace of God through His Son Jesus. Thank you God! However, we have been saved for a purpose. It's not to rest, though we do find rest in God's Spirit; it's not to be glorified, though we do share in Christ's glory. It is to partner with God in the ongoing process of the creation of the world. The blessings that are poured out on us must not rest in us but rather flow through us. The “right” question for our spiritual journey (one of many such questions) is, “How can the blessings of God flow through me in this moment/situation/season/life?”

Think about it. Every spiritual master you can think of has been a servant of the people; a person that gives far more than has ever been received. To you linear thinking, mathematicians out there that are screaming that that is impossible. I say, yeah its impossible without God. But praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise Him all creatures, here below. Praise him above you heavenly beings. Because this is the life that we have been saved to live. It is not for a few spiritual masters for us to point to and say, “well at least they are doing on our behalf.” No! It is God's will that we all be the conduits of his love, mercy and grace.

See you Sunday.   

God's Orchard

Look inside.  Look deep into your spirit.  What do you find?  Is it love, resentment, selflessness or self-preoccupation?  What we find may be all these things or none of them.  Perhaps you don't know what moves and motivates you.  It is only when we let our spirit be quickened by the Spirit of God that we can begin to make it better.  In the Bible, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Galatians.  In it he wrote:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

If these Fruits are not evident in our lives then the work of the Holy Spirit has not taken root.  This is a clear indicator if our spiritual health.  Remember, it's not the mask that you present to the world that you will be judged by, it is what you do in secret. Your prayer life, your spiritual discipline is not meant for anyone but you.  These practices are to draw you nearer to God and, in the process, nearer to your neighbor. 
Spiritual disciplines are ultimately about your relationship with God.  If, however, you unaware of God's presence or don't believe in God at all, the spiritual disciplines will be less likely to produce fruit.  I say less likely because a belief in God is not required.  It is not required because God's existence is not contingent on your or any ones belief.  Even an unbeliever can pray (though I wonder to whom they would make their address).  God can and certainly has made Himself known to those who previously denied God's existence.
It is a good first practice, when trying to cultivate spiritual discipline, to regularly acknowledge the presence of God.  

Psalm 46 verse 10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 

Rest for a moment in God's Holy presence.  Clear your mind of everything but this abiding presence.  If you are able to do this only for a moment, this practice will change your outlook.
Set a timer of some sort to ring every hour.  When it rings, stop whatever you are doing and bring your awareness to the very real presence of God.  It is interesting how far our minds can wander away from God.  
With regular practice we can train our mind for a higher purpose.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and perceived and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-11)