Enjoy the Journey!

Proverbs 2:1-5

            Life is full of decisions, from eating to what house to buy, from where to run to choosing a career – we are all confronted daily with making a choice on a variety of subjects.  Many years ago, my friend and mentor Mickey told me to “Enjoy the Journey!”  You see, I was feeling a tug on my heart to become a Youth and Missions Pastor and, to walk away from a lucrative career in the medical business world.  As I agonized over this life changing decision, my friend simply said, “Randy, Enjoy the Journey!”  I never forgot that and, after many months of prayer, discussion with my wife, input from great friends, not only did we Enjoy the Journey, not only did we apply the above passage to our situation, some sixteen years later, we know we did what God wanted. 

As a Pastor, I counsel daily with lovely folks in our congregation that face decisions, some radical, life changing decisions; my input to them is always two-fold, Enjoy the Journey and, go to the Word!  In Proverbs 2:1-5, we are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches us those principles by which we may know God’s guidance and helps avoid any unnecessary detours. There are 8 commands (vs. 1-4) that we are to follow when seeking God's directives and if obedient, an answer will be given (vs. 5).

1. Receive His Words - allow God's word to be your road map...

2. Treasure His Commands - like a priceless gift, treasure what He requires and says...

3. Have attentive ears – Be sure your spiritual ears are wide open...

4. Incline your heart to understand - lean not on your understanding...

5. Call for insight - to know when faith rules over pragmatism...

6. Raise your voice - pray like crazy...

7. Seek after - as a deer seeks refreshment, pursue the Living Water's heart...

8. Search with resolve - be committed to a reckless abandon to find His plan...

So, when a decision is on the horizon, remember to Enjoy the Journey; and, as you do, apply the advice from Israel’s third king Solomon and your answer will come!  Last, when we go about choosing and hearing God’s heart on any matter we’re facing, rest assured we will experience a peace that is beyond our human understanding and, we’ll be rested & comforted in knowing He’ll guide our every step!

Watch What You Say!

 

Yesterday, I was having my alone time at the beach, enjoying my Monday relaxing and basking in the beauty of Morro Bay. I had my coffee, my journal and my Bible. A verse from King David located in the Book of Psalms 141:3 not only caught my eye, but it also caught my heart...in a convicting way. It goes like this:

 

 

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."

 

 

Basically, this piece poetry was telling me to keep my mouth shut, to watch what I say, to close my mouth, to...you get the picture. Immediately, my mind started to jump all over the Bible to other passages that confirmed what I was hearing. For example, I read in Mark 9 and the story of the Transfiguration. Peter is so caught up in the moment he says something really lame; namely, he blurts out that it would be good to build three alters - one for Jesus, one for Elijah and one for Moses. No sooner did he get that out of his mouth did a voice come from heaven, "...listen to My Son!" In other words you knuckle head, listen to Jesus, the other dudes are just like you! And, then I journeyed over to James 1 where the half-brother of Jesus said that we should be quick to hear and slow to speak; or, since you've only been given one mouth and two ears, use the ears more man.

 

 

It seems to be a common thread of scripture, be careful what comes out of your mouth. Ephesians 4:29 reminds me that everything I say should speak unmerited favor to those who hear it. Paul, the author of this little New Testament book stated that we should be use our speech and what we say in a way that not only provides unmerited favor to the hearer, but also what we say should be a form of ministry, a way of lifting up, a way of blessing to the recipient.

 

 

Bottom line, for me: think and pray before I speak. Profound, I know...let me put it this way, as I wrote in my journal yesterday: Randy, think about what comes out of the door of your mouth in such a way that it is a blessing and not a curse; ensure its refreshing, empowering and full of love.

 

 

A simple reminder for me, perhaps you, that what I/we say should be a form of building up verses tearing down, a way to say I/we love instead of a way to express disdain, and a way to serve others rather than taking from others. Speech is a powerful tool - let's use it for His purpose and for His much loved humanity!

The Power of Touch

Last Friday was one of those days that will be etched in my memory bank for a long time to come.  On Friday’s, I’m honored to serve the Morro Bay Police Department as a Chaplain and ride in the squad car with my buddy Hannibal.  My day started with two hours of marriage counseling at my office over at the church and ended ten hours later back at my office counseling a good friend through a turbulent time.  Needless to say, I was emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically spent.  What happened in the middle of my therapy sessions is what touched, tugged and even tore at my heart.  You see, I never know what to expect on Fridays – and, Friday the 6^th of August was no exception.  From a domestic violence situation that Officer’s Pipan and Hannibal handled brilliantly to the normal police work, I was stoked to witness the MBPD champion what they do so well – care for the citizens of Morro Bay.

During my observations, I was touched emotionally with the touch physically of these officers.  As a Chaplain, my role is simply to provide a word of encouragement, a silent prayer here and there and, if needed, a word of counsel to a distraught civilian.  On one of the calls, a family was grieving over the death of their three dogs.  When we arrived, a ten year old girl was having trouble breathing as she grieved over her pain – Officer Hannibal to the rescue.  He walked over and hugged this girl; she melted in his arms like no other.  The result: her tears stopped and she was comforted.  The girl’s mother was hurting too, tears uncontrollable – Officer Pipan to the rescue.  She walked over and put her arm around her & whispered, “…I’m so sorry for you!”  Her touch to the distraught lady also brought great comfort and love.

As I reflect on that touching moment (no pun intended), the physical touch of these two officers spoke volumes, almost screaming out loud with a broadcast that said, “Hey, we might be a cops; but we’re also humans that care for you; and, we are here for you, right now, to participate in your pain!”  This reminds me of a story some 2,000 years ago reported by a young follower of the Way named Mark.  He wrote of this woman who had a blood issue of twelve years, who sought every doctor in Israel, spent all her money – all to no avail.  She heard of this Jewish guy who was a Rabbi that had healing powers.  She thought, “If I just touch Him, I will be made whole.”  She risks everything and finds this Miracle Maker to simply touch His garment.  When she did, not only was she healed physically, I submit she was healed emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  In fact, the Carpenter said, “…I felt the healing powers flow from Me!”

You know, the Power of Touch is unlimited.  Doing a quick study this morning on touch I learned that babies thrive when touched, teenagers communicate better when touched, and, adults are happier when touch is normal place.  Very interesting, extremely intriguing and a great lesson for a guy who has proximity issues!

Well, this short note can’t suffice to communicate the importance of touch and I’d like to close with a short story about one of Morro Bay Citizen’s that recently passed away.  Our little fellowship partners with the MBPD often to feed those who are down-n-out, those who are in financial difficulties and those who simply need help; in fact, we do this regularly on Friday’s.  Rhonda was one of our dear residents that we as a church loved, and the MBPD treated with great honor and respect.  On Friday’s, our dear Rhonda would literally wait for a touch,  a bear hug from one of our hero’s named Jenny.  When we arrived at Rhonda’s home, Jenny – at 90 – would literally jump out of the car and run to give dear Rhonda a hug!  The picture below is the two of them, hugging just a week before Rhonda’s passing (Rhonda, we miss you & love you!).

In short, thank you Officer Pipan, Officer Hannibal and yes, thank you Rhonda and Jenny for your example that a hug here, a hug there, a touch of love can go a long way to communicate care, compassion and comfort!  Today, let’s all look for someone to touch and express our love for them…they probably need it!

The Place of Rest: The Beach!

Sometimes, I'm simply speechless when I head to the beach with my wife to simply hang - to go with no agenda, no 5 miles to run, no 200 crunches to pump out...just to hang with my babe!  It was last night, both of us worked most of the day - Tami with her favorite client named Sammera (I call her Habibi...Lebanese for Sweetheart) and me, with the MBPD.  My wife had a good day, yet difficult with her caretaking ministry; my day was long, though relatively easy.  Tami cooked, cleaned and labored at puzzels with her dear friend; and, my pal Richard and I drove the streets of Morro Bay doing police work (we were able to feed two homeless guys and provide a token of love for them).  Needless to say, when I came home at 6 or so, both of us were exhausted from a long week and we needed some solitude.  Well, we quicky ate some chicken tacos and looked at each other with that special '...we're going to the beach look', and drove literally 4 minutes to our favorite place, the beach at Morro Bay.  You see, after a long day, an action packed week, a crazily busy life - we are drawn to the ocean to rest, to recharge, and to experience the peace that our Creator promises to His kids.   

Let me paint a picture for you of what we experienced last night; you'll have to allow me some literary freedom, okay?  Cool...close your eyes for just a moment.  Breath in through your nostrils, a deep breath.  Alright, the scent of the sea water, the kelp beds and the ocean is beginning to fill your lungs.  Keep your eyes shut; can you feel the slight breeze brushing up against your face?  Can't you just feel that little droplet of water crashing against your cheek to welcome you?  Are your eyes still shut?  Good!  Now, listen closely: Can you hear the waves coming in and out, the birds chirping, the sea otters barking and yes, the dolphins frolicking through the waves?  Okay, open your eyes!  Can you see the sun setting off in the west, saying goodnight over the cliffs in the horizon?  Can you see the marine layer making its presence known with the dampness ringing through the air?  (this was our exact experience last night; in fact, its almost identical each time, yet so different that each experience is new...)

The beach, for Tami and I, is not only majestic, beautiful, amazing and yes, breathtaking, it is also an invigorating experience with our God, every time!  We firmly believe in a Creator, no question.  And, we firmly believe that this Creator desires for His kids, you and I, to experience Him in specialized, individualized and personalized ways, ways that are unique to each person.  For Tami and I, it's the beach.  For you, it may be the mountains, the desert, your backyard...I don't know, but I do know this: He wants you, us, to visit that place often to catch up, if you will, to recharge, if you may, to simply hang and enjoy Him, if you're open? 

I guess the reason for this short note is to first, thank God for the place He's carved out for me to visit Him; my special place that He expresses His love to me at (...the Torah calls this Bethel - the House of God; John the Beloved calls this experiencing God anywhere, anytime...).  And second, to encourage my friends to go to that place He's handpicked for you to hang, enjoy and rest.  Today, take a step back from the busy life you've adopted, be careful to not allow the urgent to preempt the important and go to that place and experience Him in a whole new way...you'll be glad you did!

King David wrote one day, "One thing I have desired of the Lord that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His Temple!"

In Celebration of a Dream

It was the summer of 1983, I just graduated from Cal Poly and I was moving from SLO to a place called paradise, commonly known as Morro Bay.  I distinctly remember driving my blue Toyota Turcel down main street in a nostalgic, cocky on top of the world, ready to make my mark type of attitude.  I turned left on Napa Street and drove about a quarter mile or so and parked at street number 420.  As I jumped out of my car to begin unloading my minuscule worldly possessions, I layed eyes on the most beautiful brown eyed babe I'd ever seen; in fact, this beauty was washing her car and, yes -she was even in a purple bikini.  I thought, '...man, I've got to meet this one!'  The first words of out my mouth were so romantic, so profound, so me.  I said, "...hey, will you wash my car?"  You know, it just came out; what was I thinking?  Something like, "...good afternoon, my name is Randy.  How are you today?  May I help you?" would have been appropriate.  But NO, a fumble, an error, a missed free throw - yes, "...hey, will you wash my car?"  Seriously, what a dufus.  Well, her comment was, "...um, I think you should be washing my car!"  It was as if she said, "...you idiot, what a dork you are!  Really, can I wash your car?  Get lost you weirdo!"  I proceeded to smile, unload my car with my head down in shame and embarrassment and yes, anger.  You see, I blew it and felt there was no chance of ever going on a date with this well spoken, direct and absolutely hot looking young coed! 

Well, after a few weeks, I couldn't help myself.  I mustered up enough guts to ask her on an official date (I still didn't know her name...).  She said, "...sure, I'll go!"  I couldn't believe it.  Well, from the moment she agreed, I knew I was in for the ride of a life time.  In fact, deep down, though we had only talked once or twice since my lame introduction, I knew this was my gal.  On our first date, back in 1983, on the Embarcadero in Morro Bay, in my car, I asked her to marry me.  Seriously, I really did - I knew she was the one.  Well, in Tami fashion, she responded, "...um, please pull the car over and let me out.  I'm going to walk home!" 

I look back one that day and chuckle, as she does!  A year later we were married and twenty seven years later, with three grown young men, a daughter in law and a host of cats, I'm still in love with this brown eyed babe.  Today is our anniversary and I celebrate my wife and thank God for the blessing of my life.  A few years ago the movie Dream Girls came out and there was a song that had the following lyrics, "...when I first saw you, I said Oh my, Oh my that's a dream - that's my dream!"  Today, I feel the same, Tami is not only still my dream - she's the Proverbs 31 lady that still captures my heart! 

A Journal Entry while in Ethiopia



I wrote the following in my journal at 3:00am on the 20th of May while I was in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia:

"...a phrase in the Torah has caught my attention in light of and in relation to what a former Pharisee, Religious Leader Paul wrote some 2,000 years ago; namely, whatever and in everything, I mean all of my existence, do for the Lover of my soul.  As I read this, my mind, my preacher mind, immediately is beginning to formulate a sermon for my much loved church 11,000 miles away (...my thought: you all really need to hear this...).  Yet, as I read this passage and evaluate this phrase, I'm having a moment - a moment that is saying to wait, a moment that is saying, '...this is for you pal!'  Okay...the Torah quote is from Deuteronomy 30:20.  Moses is addressing the children of Israel, encouraging them to love God, obey Him and, hold fast to Him so that they may dwell in the land He promised to their fathers.  Here's my thought: the land is the place that God gave to them years before, a land that even today is greatly disputed.  In fact, its a land that is flowing with milk and honey, with an abundance of...milk and honey.  In other words: its amazing, breathtaking, both to the eye and the soul.  Okay, as I sit here, with a candle light, music blaring at the disco outside the guest house, I ask, '...how does this relate?'  The answer: what my favorite Rabbi named Yeshua said some 2,000 years ago, '...I've come to give life and to give it more abundantly.'  Could it be, as the Holy Scriptures have a way of interpreting herself, that the dwelling of Deuteronomy is for us, for me, all these years later?  A place in life that God has purposefully with intention, specificity and intimacy created for me to live and exist in?  Let me say it this way, the Hebrew word for dwell, if my one year of Hebrew serves as an expert, carries with it the idea of living life to the fullest, under the directive of God?  The life to the fullest is, then, where my satisfaction, purpose, meaning and fulfilment lies!  Further, if I live there, exist there, ultimately He, God, is pleased because He's fulfilling His purpose in me and the hope is that I glorify Him in that place, that dwelling.  You know, this seems so freeing, so loose of societal expectation, of human expectation, of personal expectation!  And, as I live, explore and exist in that dwelling, my life is realized and complete.  Hence, He's glorified and I become whom I am designed and created to be; namely, one who dwells in His presence continually.  Last, as I dwell, hang out and simply be with Him in the place called milk and honey, I truly can experience the peace, the joy and the abundance that He promises!  Interesting...I'm blessed in this journey and He's stoked for me!  Wow..."

Reflections...

I just returned from a two week trip from one of the poorest places on earth: Ethiopia!  I think this has been my 23rd or 24th trip to Africa and every time I come home I'm simply amazed, stunned and somewhat bewildered for what life has afforded me here in the West.  Namely, the freedom I have to  worship my God openly and to live in a place that is so abundant, so rich, and so plentiful.  Let me be honest though, I think I'm blessed with what I have.  You see, I've met so many folks who've been persecuted, beaten and have suffered greatly for their faith & they seem to have an intimacy with their Creator that I dream of having...it really seems that in their sufferings, they have a deeper connection to the Lord that I aspire toward.  Further, I know all to well that the abundance of things cannot buy my happiness or my fulfillment, no question!  My confession: some of the richest people I've met have been some of the poorest people on this here planet; some of the most fulfilled, content people I've ever met have been brutally beaten because of their unrelenting commitment to Jesus.  Here's a snap shot of my trip:

Once again, we were arrested in a small village outside of Gondar.  This time, we were held for over two hours because we were simply talking about Jesus - Ethiopia is suppose to be a free country, however, when one is out in the bush, all bets are off, if you will.  The Chief of Police told us to leave the area and if we wanted to proclaim our religion, we'd  better do it in a church or a synagogue - not openly.  His words, "Let this be a warning; if you're caught again, you will do jail time!"  Our translators informed us that jail time this go around could be up to one month...go figure.  Last time, we did spend two days in jail; my Ethiopian friends spent five days and when they were released, they informed us they sang all night and shared their faith with the local prisoners (I seriously remember laying on a floor that one night if there wondering if there would be coffee waiting for me in the morning - I really did think this!)...

This is the area we were arrested...

When I return from a developing country, I purposefully walk through Morro Bay's Albertsons to, well...take it all in.  Seriously, if I were to take some of my friends in East Africa to one of our stores here on the West Coast, dude - they would be speechless.  And, I frequent coffee shops and restaurants to, well...take it all in.  When we are in the country side, most people have never heard of a Bob's Big Boy, a Starbucks...let alone an establishment that sells food or drink while you wait.  And yet, in their simplicity, such a deep communal friendship is almost intimidating to a Westerner (Question for you: whens the last time you had coffee or tea with your neighbor?  This is an everyday experience for my friends in Ethiopia...convicting, hah?)

Coffee at a precious ladies hut...

As I prepare to go to the office in an hour or so, with emails to return, phone calls to make, a sermon to finish - my hope today is that I can embrace what my friends have over there; namely, a deeper appreciation for the life I have and an intentional devotion to developing my relationships. You see, when it is all said and done, all we really have is a God that is madly in love with us and, friends that we can link arms with and be grateful. 

Thanks for letting me ramble, this isn't the most profound blog in the blog world, just some thoughts I'm formulating! I think the picture below sums it all up for me: these kids have nothing according to world standards, yet the joy in the face tells me they really have it all:

Joy comes from within, not without!