Praying God's Will

I've been thinking about prayer today... how my ideas about prayer have changed (I hope grown) over the years. For me there's always existed a tension between praying boldly in faith and praying according to the will of God. There have always been times when those two concepts were in sync, but there have also been times in my life when I felt the tension... praying fervently... not sure my prayers were in God's will. Maybe you've felt that tension as well.

The last few years I have learned to think of prayer as way God wants us to partner with Him in His work. To do that... to partner with Him in that way... makes it even more important to pray according to His will. That, of course, raises the importance of Bible study... in order to understand the kinds of things God thinks are important so I can pray that direction.

It seems to me that we usually use that phrase "according to God's will" as a limiter, a way put a caveate on bold prayers, a reason prayers are not answered the way we want. However, I was looking at Ephesians 3 today, and it hit me in the face... Paul writes:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul is so confident in God's power... in prayer. It dawned on me that praying in sync with God's will is definitely not a limiter. He can do so much more than we can even think of praying about, that if we can actually get beyond ourselves to the point we are actually praying in the center of His will... WOW!! There is no telling what God can accomplish through our prayers "according to the power that is at work within us."

May each of us grow in our ability to think and live and pray in step with Him.

Cross Country

This afternoon I ran over the hill to Contra Loma Park to tour around on the trails for a few miles. As I was about to head back around the lake and over the hill home, cars and buses with high school runners were arriving for a cross country meet. I coached cross country in the 70s and 80s in Arkansas, attended a couple of meets in TX, and ran CC a couple of years when I was a student at Harding back in 69-71, but a Thursday afternoon CC meet took me all the way back to Hueneme HS days. While almost all of our meets in college and when I was coaching were Saturday meets, in HS we ran lots of Thursday dual or double-dual meets, running only occasional big meets on Saturdays. There's just something special about the head-to-head intimacy of a dual meet. :)

Heading home, I had a message that she had been released from jury duty in Martinez early today, without being selected for the jury (yea!!) and was on her way home. I called her with the news about the meet, and she was excited as well. You see, in HS (although they didn't have girls sports in those days) both her brother and her boyfriend (me) ran CC, so she loved going to meets.

We walked over the hill in time to see part of the varsity girls race and the varsity boys race as well. The course had enough hills to be challenging, but was still pretty fast. There were some really good runners, and it was fun watching the races. The one thing that was missing... which I actually didn't miss at all... was that queezy feeling in the stomach that comes with both competing and coaching. It was fun to just watch the races, enjoying the performances of the runners.

We walked back over the hill and headed home. Virginia had to hurry to get ready to go to a "witches party"... but that's another story.

World Series

As a kid growing up in SoCal, I was a pretty serious Dodger fan. Most years it was a good time to be a Dodger fan, although I do remember one year that they blew a 13 game lead the last month of the season and (if I remember right) lost a one game playoff with the Giants. Most of the time, though, they were fun to watch... if you liked pitching, steals and defense. In the 60s with pitchers like Koufax, Podres, Drysdale and Osteen, the other teams usually didn't get too many runs.

In 1965, Sandy Koufax sat out game 1 of the World Series in the Twin Cities to observe Yom Kippur. (I wonder if that would happen today.) Minnesota beat up on Don Drysdale, Koufax's replacement that day, and even edged out a victory over Koufax the following day, but both Drysdale and Koufax returned to form in Games 4 and 5 of the Series when it moved to Los Angeles. Koufax did it again in Game 7 back in the Twin Cities to put the Dodgers over the top in the series. Koufax had a 0.38 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 24 innings. WOW!!

Here's a quote from the Twins Manager, Sam Mele, "If anyone would like to make the World Series the best five out of nine games I would be willing to go on with it right now. But Koufax is murder. Great! The best I believe I have ever seen. You hate to lose, but we didn't disgrace ourselves. We were beaten by the best pitcher that there is anywhere."

A couple of years earlier, the Dodgers gave me one of my favorite memories from Jr High when they swept the mighty Yankees 4 straight. Now, that was fun!!

Speaking of fun, Maury Wills was always good for lots of excitement. Whether it was beating out an infield hit, stealing a critical base, or playing the banjo, he provided lots of entertainment. With the Dodgers poor hitting in those days, it wasn't uncommon for them to win 1-0. Wills would beat out something or walk; he'd steal 2nd and maybe 3rd; then a sac fly would bring him home. Their hitting was so bad at times that Drysdale often had the best batting average, and it wasn't unusual for him to pinch hit.

My days as a rabid Doger fan are long gone... partly because we haven't lived in SoCal since the 70s, but also because I just don't follow baseball like I did as a kid. However, living in Houston for 14 seasons did sort of shape me into an Astros fan. I think they sort of reminded me of the old Dodgers in that many of the stars of the team have spent most of their careers as Astros. So many players today bounce around from team to team like bumper cars at a carnival. Anyway, all that to say that I'm pulling for the Astros. How about you?

Scary Monsters

I ended up the weekend pretty tired. Sunday morning was really good... sort of left me spiritually energized as our worship assemblies often do... but Sunday afternoon I felt the fatigue of the weekend slip back into my body. So, why was I so tired? YOUTH RALLY!!

This weekend was the 10th annual Scary Monsters Youth Rally in Martinez. Last year we attended only the Won By One concert, so this year was our first real Scary Monsters experience... and the first youth rally we've been part of in years.
And because it was the 10th anniversary, we got to hear all the origins and history, including the themes for the first 9 years. It's really pretty cool... the premise is that Satan is the only really "scary monster" around, and he uses all the tools of his trade to trick us and bring us down and draw us away from God. All-in-all... it's probably one of the most continuously creative youth rally themes I've seen in all my many years of doing that kind of thing.

Of course there was LOTS of singing, and the presenters this year were guys who had taught at Scary Monsters in the past... sort of a reunion. Visions (drama ministry troupe from Cascade) and Won By One (singing group from Pepperdine) were there again... both doing their usual great job.

Here are some pics...

Giant biblical script

There are really two really cool unique aspects to this youth rally worth mentioning. One is that they actually cook really good meals and feed everyone. None of this load-up-your-group-and-hit-restaurant-row for this youth rally. Nope, Saturday and Sunday mornings it was pancakes, sausage, bacon and fruit. Saturday lunch we had grilled burgers and hotdogs. Saturday night it was grilled tri-tip and teriaki chicken. Sunday lunch was Mexican food prepared by the Hispanic congregation. And... dessert Friday and Saturday nights. Actually it's pretty amazing they can pull off feeding 400+ so efficiently... lots of hard working volunteers and Ray Lawson's creative leadership are what make it happen.

The other unique thing is the afternoon carnival... games, crafts, rock wall, and almost everything except the ferris wheel and the roller coaster.... well, a couple of pictures are worth more than words.














Anyway, adding it all together (the rally, staying up late visiting with WBO, who stayed with us, etc.), I ended up the weekend tired... and feeling really blessed.

Troy

I'm watching a DVD tonight while Virginia is gone to a baby shower. It's been a long time since I read the Iliad, but the story is fresh in my memory. I remember the themes of love and greed and power and intrigue... in the Homer's rich style.

The movie is... well a movie... and because it is, it is much more graphic than reading Homer's epic poem. It is indeed a reminder of just how bloody all those battles we read about in the Bible actually were.

Now to the reason I'm even writing this at all. At one point in the movie Achilles is asked, "When will it end?" His reply is simply, "It will never end." And centuries later, it has not ended.

To paraphrase the late Reuel Lemmons, only the gospel of Jesus will make way for the doves of peace to build their nests in our cannon barrels.

Mercy

I got to thinking about my first job, way back in 9th or 10th grade. A guy at church named Jake Ratzlaff was the foreman at a ranch just south of Oxnard. Now, you have to understand that in California, sometimes a ranch has nothing to do with cattle. This ranch majored in lemons and lima beans if I remember right. Anyway, needed someone to ride around in the lemon orchards spraying weeds, and he hired me and another kid to do the job.

Looking back, I doubt that he really needed us... he was just giving a couple of kids a chance to earn a few bucks. That job lasted several weeks. Then, for the next few summers he hired several guys from church to work in the bean fields, mostly hoeing weens out of the beans. Those are days to remember... walking the rows... transistor radio tuned to the local pop station strapped to my belt... packing a big lunch and lots to drink....... but I digress.

Jake didn't have to give any of us jobs. Oh, we tried to do the best we could, but his regular farm hands could work circles around us. He was just a guy who saw beyond himself... saw some teenage boys whom he could help shape... and he showed us a little mercy. I never really thought of it as "mercy" until recently, but that's what it was... mercy... seeing the need... feeling compassion... taking action.

I really think that if Jake had been on that road to Jericho in Jesus' parable, he would have taken care of the wounded man just like the Samaritan did... from what I remember about Jake, he may have gotten there first.

New Fence

Our neighbors behind us have been upgrading their house over the last few years, and they're close to having it done. They've recently totally redone the kitchen and family room, and their back yard looks like it belongs in a magazine. One of the last steps for them is replacing the old original fence that is pretty much worn out. Because we share the part of the fence that's along the back (east), we're splitting the cost with them for that section. The workmen were out today working on it. It's gonna be really nice when they finish it... all premium red wood, complete with a nice lattice across the top.

That'll mean that the only original fence is the stretch to the south. The north fence was replaced just before we moved in, and some guys from church helped me replace the short uphill section on the southwest side. Don't know when we'll try to do the south fence, but I think it can wait a while.

Had a good run today... headed over the hill to Contra Loma and did about 5 miles altogether. About as good as I've felt in a while... may have been the great weather we're having.

Look for God's blessings this week!

Men's Retreat

I woke up Saturday morning to the smell of coffee brewing, bacon cooking and quiet conversation coming from the other room. It was light outside, and the younger guys in the large room where soom of us had slept were still sleeping, so I got up and headed for a cup of coffee. Daryl had been up for about an hour, and he had made some real headway on breakfast. That man has a gift with food... and he enjoys the cooking he is so good at. I poured a cup and went to look out one of the windows. There was a light and evenly distributed dusting of snow on the ground and the trees, and water dripped from the roof as the heat from the cabin melted the snow on the roof. What a pristine image as we began a new day.

Chick had gotten to my house about 3:00 Friday afternoon, and Doug picked us up around 4:45. We successfully negotiated the traffic around Sacramento, though it was a bit heavy in places, and headed up I-80 into the Sierras toward Truckee. Ken and Daryl greeted us, the first of the Friday night arrivals, and the other cars all rolled in over the next hour or so. Supper was Daryl's "whatever-I-have-on-hand" chile... it was great!! We were in for one of those special weekends.

Friday night and Saturday we explored some of the ideas John Eldredge talks about in his book, Wild at Heart. Good presentations, meaningful discussion, more good food... I think we all came away with a commitment to live the adventure God has for us. It was a very good weekend... already looking forward to next year.

Becoming a Man

We're doing a couple of small groups at church for dads... Raising a Modern Day Knight. The intent is equip dads to raise their sons... leading them to "authentic manhood." It's a pretty good program with several strengths... the video presentations are well done; the small group discussion is empowering; the homework and projects with sons are the heart of the material. It's good stuff.

This week the point was made that our culture lacks markers or rituals to denote the passage from being a boy to manhood. It's true when you think about it. College pretty much extends many aspects of adolescence. We often glorify games in various forms, and make fun of people who take things seriously. The trend in culture seems to be moving away from people taking responsibility for themselves and their actions. Many times our leaders sound like neighborhood kids... blaming each other instead of "owning up." AND in our larger American culture we truly don't have ceremonies that mark manhood.

And yet... many of our boys do grow up to be responsible men, men who love God and their families, men who really want to live like Jesus. So, somehow God works through who we are and who we are not to get the job done again and again. And when I look at my adult son, I am so proud of the man he has become... for sure in spite of my mistakes... and maybe partly because of a few things I did well. Whatever, God is shaping him, and for that I am truly grateful.

Weekend Wrap

Virginia, Marla, Mike and Michele made it back from Nashville this afternoon. They all had a wonderful weekend... the leadership conference, the worship conference, seeing old friends, making new friends, and (in Virginia's case) seeing family as well. I think they all came back worn out... but one of those really good kinds of fatigue... like when you have a really satisfying workout. Anyway, they're all excited about getting other folks to go to ZOE West Coast in Fresno in January.

Worship this morning was a special time... as it often is here at Eastside. We seemed to really connect with the messages of the songs, and I think pretty much everyone was challenged by Jarrod's sermon. The blind man Jesus healed saw more with the eyes of his heart than we often do... and his new sight led him to follow Jesus. Perhaps the most challenging thought is that Jesus went to the cross not so much so we wouldn't have to, but to show us how... so that we can know how to pick up our crosses and follow him.

At the end of the service one of our tenors on the praise team (Tom) got everyone's attention and asked us all to pray for a guy who works for Tom at the golf course. His name is Don and he has macular degeneration. Tuesday he's undergoing a procedure that may extend the time he will have his sight, and Tom asked us to pay for him. Join with us, will you?

Thank you, Lord, for blessing our church family with a growing desire make a difference in the lives of people in our community. Show us how we can best follow Jesus.

Missing ZOE

Virginia called me from Nashville earlier today, and I think I'm going through "ZOE withdrawals" today. This is the first Nashville ZOE Conference I have not attended. From the very first one... with only about 200 of us, through last year with 1400 or however many can fit in the Great Hall at Woodmont Hills.

She, Mike, Michele, and Marla flew to Nashville early yesterday for the annual Leadership and Worship Conferences. Frankly, after traveling Thursday through Tuesday, I was sort of glad I wasn't going when she left... but NOW I'm missing all the classes, singing, catching up with folks, etc. that's always so much a part of ZOE weekends. I know it made sense for me to stay home, but now I'm REALLY looking forward to ZOE Fresno in January. Also, I have needed these days in the office anyway... reality check, Rick.

Of course, another plus for going to Nashville is that we have family there... and I'm not getting to see them this year. But, my nephew, Ryan, ran a PR (17:03 - 5K) in a cross country race on his 16th birthday. Way to go, Ryan!!

OK..... now just when does January get here???

Roosevelt Reunion

From Thursday of last week through yesterday I was out of town visiting my mom. For 13 years in the 40's and 50's she taught high school business and English courses in Roosevelt, Oklahoma... home of the Rough Riders, my dad's alma mater (1929), and also my first "home town." In the spring of 1956 my family moved to California, where she continued to teach, my dad worked, and my brother and I grew up.

Well, for many years now Roosevelt has a school/town reunion every couple of years, and folks come from all over to see former classmates and teachers and just have a good time. The school in Roosevelt closed down in the early 90's, but the reunions continue, and it seems that most of those attending are grads from the 40's, 50's and 60's.

I flew to Little Rock on Thursday, and Mom and I drove to Hobart, OK on Friday and checked into our rooms at Hobart's only motel, the Highway Inn... not a bad place, but definitely past its prime.

We attended events Friday night and Saturday, and it was the greatest fun to see Mom interacting with her former students ("kids" as she calls them)... all of whom have been out of HS 50 years or more. I think every single one of them had her for typing, and some had her for short hand or bookkeeping or English; she was also the girls basketball coach.


They all expressed thanks for the things she taught them... in the classroom to be sure, but also deeper things... things they said impacted how they lived their lives. It was a good weekend. I think it wore her out, but I'm pretty sure she thought it was worth it.

Because both she and my dad grew up in OK there is still lots of family there. So, we also were able to visit with family from both sides, renewing relationships that time, distance, and hectic lives have pushed to the back burner. That was fun for both of us as well. We drove back to Cabot, AR on Monday and I flew home Tuesday.

I know we must live in the present, trusting God to walk with us as life's path unfolds before us, but every now and then it's also good to just stop, turn around, and take in the view of where we've been. Life is so full of rich blessings and meaningful relationships... it's important to take some time to just cherish them and give thanks.