I’ve been having a good discussion with one of my colleagues about time. Is time real for us… or is it an illusion created for our benefit?

So… God is eternal and eternity has no beginning and no end. So does God operate outside of time?  I’m getting a headache.

Anyway, I believe that the infinite and eternal God of the universe invades the finite and temporal area of time by wrapping up in flesh and becoming human to show humanity what it means to live and to love.

I’m just thinkin….

How about you?  … What do you think?

Ben and I had just left the conference for a bite to eat, and we were really excited about what we felt God would do through the “Pray for Reign” prayer conference.  During the conference we learned about a simple way to engage total strangers in prayer from the conference speaker Colin Millar.  Colin taught us to ask people whom we interact with this question, “If there was just one thing that I could pray for you about… what would that one thing be?”

Ben and I proceeded to one of our favorite restaurants and sat down waiting to order.  We stared at each other and said, “O.K.  Which one of us is going to pop the question?”  I won the toss.  So as soon as the waitress made her way to our table to take our order I asked, “Hi, what is your name?”  She told me, “Din”.  I then asked, “Din, if there was just one thing that I could pray for you about… what one thing would that be?”  Her mouth opened up and her eyes got big and she exclaimed, “What?  Do you see something on my face?  Do I look like I need prayer?”  Ben and I were startled.  Then she said, “Guess?”  Ben began to list off a series of one word general needs, “Ah.. Finances, healing, peace, hope…”  We all got silent for just a moment.  Then her face became really serious.

Din said, “I have just gotten off the phone with my son.  He just had his first automobile accident and totaled our car!  He is not hurt… not even a scratch.  I’m really concerned about him, I know he is O.K. but he is so young and emotional.  Please pray for us!”  We held hands in a triad, bowed our heads and Ben and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving that only the car was damaged and Din’s son was spared any harm.  We prayed for Din’s to have peace and feel the presence of Christ.  We prayed for a resolution that would bring healing to Din’s son emotionally and spiritually.

Ben, Din and I were in awe of how God reaches into our lives as we reach out in His love to come together in prayer.  My advice to anyone who is looking to experience the healing and loving power of God in their lives, is to ask someone close to you, “If there was just one thing that I could pray for you about… what would that one thing be?”

Just Thinkin’

I had lunch today with Pastor Jon and another church member.  We were all discussing different close encounters with God that we have had as we received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Communion).  I would like to hear about your encounters during the Lord’s Supper.

I invite you to share your experience and reply to this post.  I know that your touch point with God during communion will bless us all as we share about our experiences in this Holy Mystery.

Just thinkin’

I’ve got a question for you all.  I’m currently studying a pericope of scripture from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  It is Ephesians 6:10-18.  The question I have for you is… “How do you stay strong during the times of tribulation in your life?”, and, “Which piece of God’s armor is the most important for your own protection?  Why?”

Please give me a sentence or two on each question.  I hope to have dialogue about this.  Let’s talk.

Just thinkin’

Last weekend I was driving down the beltway on my way to an appointment.  Normally I have the radio on and listen to music or talk as I travel to and fro.  But this day I was traveling in blissful near silence, just hearing the air conditioner fan and the hum of my tires on the pavement.  I was watching the road, of course, but couldn’t help but notice all of the flags that were displayed in front of the buildings that are strung out along the beltway.  Something disturbed me about many of these flags.  Many of them were faded and tattered on the ends.  They looked as if they were worn out and in need of repair.  I hope someone will take the time to clean them up and mend the tatters so they can keep flying high.

Sometimes I can relate to the way those flags must feel.  I bet you can too.  Day after day we assume our post and send out a message that we’re still here, faithfully doing our part.   Those flags depend upon their caretakers for restoration and renewal.   But, you and I have the most skilled and healer of all.  So, today I’m asking Jesus to repair the brokenness and tattered areas in my life.  Hey, I’ve got an idea!  Why don’t you join me?

Just thinkin’.

Our family enjoys caring for a seven year old Australian Shepherd named “Koda“.  My wife says that Koda is my dog, but technically, she’s our family dog.  Koda likes to hang out at my feet when on the computer… she nudges my hand when she wants me to pet her. When I get home from work or a trip she gets so excited that, when I come into the house, she runs in circles and jumps up and down waiting for me to bend down and pet her fluffy shiny coat.  She wakes me up in the morning to go outside, and stares me down at dinner time waiting for some scraps.  She loves to be around me, and I truly adore being with her too.

Sometimes I wonder why I don’t have that kind total devotion and excitement for God.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the Lord and try to keep Him at the forefront of my entire life…. but sometimes I feel as if I would just let go of my inhibitions and run around and jump up and down in his presence that I might experience the joy that Koda displays in my presence.  Sometimes I think when I sleep; I’m at His feet as He works in the world.  Sometimes I think when I nudge His hand I can actually feel Him touch me with assurance that He is there and He cares.  Have you nudged God’s hand today?

Just thinkin’.

I was down in the medical center, here in Houston, early in the morning.  After praying with one of our church members, before she went in for surgery, I proceeded to go to the elevator to return to my car in the parking garage.  I waited for the elevator.  After about a minute an elevator car arrived and the car door opened and out came an elderly gentleman.

This man was riding one of those “hove-a-round” chairs.  He seemed to be having some difficulty exiting the car, so I stuck my arm in so the elevator car door wouldn’t bump against him.  This guy was very well dressed and had silver white hair that was immaculate.  I noticed his bright white smile and his steel blue eyes as he thanked me for holding the door.  As I looked into his eyes I recognized him.  I said to him, “You’re Dr. Denton Cooley, aren’t you?”  He said, “Yes I am”.  I said, “Dr. Cooley, I just wanted to thank you for working on my dad some years back.  I appreciate all that you have done. My name is Phil Grose, I’m a pastor at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church.”  I shook his hand and he said to me, “I appreciate all that you do.”

As I drove back to the church I began to think about the pioneering spirit that Cooley and his team had as they blazed new trails in the field of heart surgery.  He was not afraid to try something new and advance his field of work in order to save a life.

So I thought to myself, “What am I doing that is stretching the envelope… what do I do that is pioneering?  I’m I willing to risk and give something new a chance in order to save a life?”   Just thinkin’.