Remember Jesus!

I'm working with a new phrase, a phrase I'd like to apply and leave with people.  It's this --

Remember Jesus! 

Check it out: last night I received a text from our youngest, Zachary.  He was informing me that he spent $32 on the Union 76 card...and, that he and a bunch of his buddies just returned from a 22 mile backpacking trip in Yosemite (...a ten hour drive, one way, from his college, homework pending and practice requirements for an upcoming collegiate golf tournament, out of state...hum, guess I'm getting old 'cause I simply don't know how these kids get done what they get done in 24 hours!).  My response was simple: "You're welcome for the gas...Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on the planet!"  As I was readying my index finger to push the send button - I stopped and thought that I should say something spiritual; after all, he's a senior, 21 - I'm the dad with the right to speak truth into his life...right?  Well, after dismissing the normal father-to-son verses in the Bible, I simply typed: Remember Jesus!  I hit the send button, gave my babe a kiss, said goodnight to my middle son Sean, spooked the three cats with a hiss (just kidding) and went to bed.

When I woke up early this morning, that phrase, Remember Jesus, was all over my mind.  What a cool thought, don't you think?  You see, whatever I'm doing, where ever I am...I can Remember Jesus.  Whether I'm doing fantastic emotionally or in the pits of despair, I can Remember Jesus.  If I'm mowing the lawn, working with a couple during marriage counseling, sitting at a ball game admiring the athleticism of the players, I can Remember Jesus.  This is a great concept, at least it is for me. 

Camp out with me on this for a moment: when was the last time you simply thought of Jesus?  No, not in the conventional way of remembering: in the setting of communion, which is a precious time.  Not even in church, or during your quiet alone time with Him; not even in casual conversation with someone.  Rather, when have you simply kicked back and just thought of Him?  You know, without any requests or pleas for help.  Just thoughts like, "Lord, what are You doing right now?"  Or, "How are you praying for me, specifically-individually-intimately, these days?"  Maybe this thought, "Jesus, what was it like hanging out with Peter?  John?  James?  Judas?"  Or even, "Lord, why do you love me?  Seriously, I can be a pain in the...neck!" 

I don't know about you, but for me - this seems to be revolutionary...just the remembrance of a God who loves me, in spite of me; wow, music to my heart of hearts.  Folks...Remember Jesus - its a worthy experience!  See ya...

God is...oh, so Faithful!

My Sunday morning tradition usually places me at Morro Bay's infamous Rock, typically around 6:15 or so.  I like too frequent this popular surf spot to collect my thoughts, review my Sunday sermon and simply hang out.  And you know, if there's ever been a Sunday morning I needed the serenity, calmness and peace, it was this am.  You see, it's been one of those weeks, from unfair & unfounded accusations to intense marriage counseling sessions that only God could heal - personal to corporate, tough days last week, no question!

Well, as I was looking at my notes, enjoying the brisk air and the scent of salt water, I noticed the consistent 2-3 foot swells coming in from the Pacific to Morro Bay's shoreline.  It was simply beautiful to watch, wave and wave, coming in one after the other as if orchestrated to paint a picture of faithfulness. 

As I sat in my car, windows down, listening to the seagulls fighting & arguing over left over moldy french fries, I had an experience - an experience that was..simply put, refreshing.  Yes, I know the verses from the Bible, "His mercies are new everyday!"  "If God be for me, who can be against me."  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  You've heard these, I'm sure of it.  What was refreshing for me was the age old truth: God is faithful.  Yes, just like the waves before my eyes, God was speaking through His creation: "I Randy, am Faithful.  Just like the waves will continue to roll in on the beaches of my creation, I too will roll My love, My grace, My mercy, My consistency and My faithfulness over your person, each and every day.  In fact, My child, I desire to wash you afresh with my Presence every moment of every day!"

Oh yes, what a gentle reminder of God's goodness...friend, the next time you venture to the ocean, watch the waves and let your mind travel upward and Thank God for His consistent and faithful way about Him that continually, eternally says, "I Love You!"

Broken Sand Dollars Speak Truth

Tami and I were on one of our walks on the beach last night, enjoying our alone time, taking in the scenic view of the Pacific Ocean and collecting our sea glass, shells and sand dollars.  As we gathered only the perfect tokens of sea life, I made this silly comment, "...babe, why not take the broken sand dollars, don't they have any value to you?"  You see, Tami actually brings these things home, washes them and places them in our house to give it the...you know -- the, the...beach feel!  Her comment: "...no, only the perfect ones!" 

Well, being one that roots for the underdog, I began to collect all the broken sand dollars I could find - and you know, there were plenty of them hanging out.  As I was collecting all the scarred ones I could find, initially to place them strategically in the house to see if Tami would notice my rebellious spirit, a thought came to me: all of us are broken to some extent.  Then, Isaiah 61 came to mind that states the Lord will come to heal the broken hearted.  I also remembered the passage that states Jesus didn't come to heal those who are well.  Rather, He came to heal those who are sick.  As I contemplated this truth, I began thinking of the broken and scarred sand dollars we call humanity and the overt dismissal & invalidation this culture seems to receive from those who behave like they've arrived.  My heart was grieved and convicted at the same time, knowing full well I've been on the judgmental side of the tracts far too many times.

Last Friday, I had a ride-along with my buddy named Richard, a police officer with the MBPD.  As a chaplain for the PD, I have such a great time hanging out with the team at the station and really do care about these great public servants.  Richard is no exception, he's a fantastic person and his heart for people is second to none.  Our day was filled with a bomb scare, a domestic violence call and a ticket here and there.  Well, the highlight of the day was our trip to the park to meet what Richard called, "The Citizens of Morro Bay."  There were about 8 of them - homeless folk; or, broken sand dollars, if you will, that simply needed love and attention.  As we got out of the car, one gal came over and gave Richard this hug of gratitude; the rest of the folks called my friend by name and thanked him for coming by. 

I was humbled and blessed at the same time; humbled because these folks are real people, with real needs and behind every one of them was a real story.  Blessed because I meet some really cool people that impacted me in amazing ways.  And, the value of this lesson didn't come to fruition until I began collecting sand dollars that were broken and scarred, all alone on the wet sand on the strand in Morro Bay.  You see, broken sand dollars are all over the shore in Morro Bay.  And, likewise, there are broken people all over Morro Bay, Los Angeles, New York, Ethiopia - all over the place.  Broken people that just need to be believed in, loved on, given respect and held up in dignity & told they can win!

And, this is why Jesus came - the heal the broken hearted, to give them beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.  Friend, can we admit that we haven't arrived and may we, this week, find one broken sand dollar to invest our time and life in?  I pray so - personally, I'm going to look for Denny, a homeless guy that wants to borrow my propane stove...

 

Broken and Scared Sand Dollars!

Confessions of a Coffee Snob



Really good stuff - from New York...

I came to the realization the other morning that I am an official Coffee Snob.  I had hints of it when we lived in Temecula and I would frequent all to often the 9 different Starbucks!  It seemed that each store had her own feel: one was for the fitness crowd, another for the yuppies, one for the smokers who hung outside, others for the young mothers who would sit, sip and share how great their children were. 

Well, the other day, Tami P. and I were at the store and thought we would buy the cheapest coffee on the shelf; you know the economy & all!  Seriously, we spent like $2.99 for this large jar of something.  It smelled okay, looked like a dark roast and kind of seemed like it would taste good.  Hum...it was terrible; simply terrible!  As I sat the other morning on my couch, holding a cup of whatever you want to call it, with my Bible - I had this critical, negative way about me that wasn't impressive nor attractive (its moments like this that my babe tells me I'm really ugly and need to go to the red chair...that's my time-out!). 

After moments of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to do my best to enjoy the tar and reminded myself that 95% of the world didn't have the luxury of sitting on a leather couch, with a cup of coffee that was waiting and calling for me at 4:05 in the morning!  Can't say I really felt shame or convicted - just rather silly and ungrateful. 

Moral to the story: I'm learning to be thankful for the little things, yes - even inexpensive, not cheap, coffee.  And oh, by the way, my lady came home the other night with a large can of Chock full o' Nuts -- my favorite coffee to give me a small token of her thoughtfulness! 

Some thoughts on Doing vs. Being?

This from my first trip to Israel - I'm standing just north of the Sea of Galilee, near the City of Capernaum; this is the site most scholars believe Jesus preached His famous message entitled:
The Sermon on the Mount!

Working through a personal quandary this week; namely, the difference between doing & being.  Being raised in a home that was all about effort, sweat and hard work (and the rewards thereof...) & reading through the Word of God over the past few years, I have some internal conflict raging in my spirit. My specific issue is there seemingly needs to be movement in order to effectuate anything; however, as I'm preparing an eight week study on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 for our fellowship in Morro Bay, I'm discovering that these eight characteristics are realized in who we are and Whose we are, not in the realm of production on my nor your part.  In other words, if I'm to embrace these truths, then these traits Jesus speaks of truly have to flow from within me and not be reduced to something I do.  Am I making sense?  Jesus says that I'm - you'll - we'll be blessed, happy, stoked when these are part of our life.  And, the humbling reality is that I can't manufacture or conjure up these Godly gems in my journey - its all Him...in and through me.  I guess what trying to communicate (and learn!) is that these Beatitudes are present in the life of a believer are just that: BE and not do attitudes.  And the doing flows from the being, not the other way around.  In short, the lesson I'm trying to own and apply is that for a guy that lives in a fast paced world, being a triple A type and one who is, sad to say, validated by hard work, Psalm 46:10 is in order: Be Still and Know that I Am God!  All to say, if you're the busy type like me, look at the picture above and imagine yourself sitting at the feel of Jesus.  Its 78 degrees and the Master Himself says, "...come unto Me and I will rest you.  For My burden is light and My yoke easy!"  Relax, kick back and let the Person of Jesus saturate your life today!  As you do, He will flow through you and draw others to His love!