Beacon Of Death

Eli Hooper is an eloquent and articulate exegete that indubitably exacts from a carefully chosen text or life example a powerful application that drives home his point. Or maybe more distinctly expressed, “That boy can preach!” That’s why I am searching diligently for a way to refer to the Bible as the Beacon of Death just like Eli did at our Men’s Day Seminar. I’ve thought of sermon titles like, “The Death Star of Sin Meets the Beacon of Death.” But that’s not working. Maybe, just an allusion to a fatal door knocking campaign involving an over zealous campaigner who vaporizes a neighbor with Acts 2:38… but who goes door knocking anymore? If I may be serious for a moment (and yes, that is possible) Eli really can preach and his point about the Bible being perceived as a beacon of death is truly an important topic when it comes to knowing how and when to share your faith!

Eli challenged us to see how Jesus wanted his disciples to go into the community and interact naturally with others. He relayed how he was able to interact with the Starbuck’s generation more effectively without his Bible open like a counter display flashing, “Christian on duty… Christian on duty!” The time to release the two-edged sword from its sheath is when the battle is on… not when you’re attempting to engage someone in conversation. The Word of God is precious but it’s best introduced first with the living Word of God, Jesus the Christ. The moniker, “Bible Bangers,” unfortunately has sometimes been aptly applied to some who market the Word of God like used car salesmen! Now, don’t take Eli or me as suggesting that one not be faithful or forthright with the Bible. The suggestion is not to compromise the truth but as Paul exhorts Christian slaves, “…show that you can be fully trusted, so that in every way you will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (Titus 2:10).” The heart of the gospel is that it is for all and therefore our faithful challenge is to learn how we can communicate it to all!

I’ll be relying on God’s wisdom and grace to help me have an open heart so that I can lead others to open their Bibles. I pray that the living Word of God that spoke all things into existence will find kind eyes and words that will be a beacon of His love! That Starbucks become a beacon filled with the aroma of Christ as well as coffee! And I thank Eli Hooper for challenging me to take my faith everywhere I go always ready to share it as well as infuse it into what comes naturally. -DAN

EVANESCENT

It’s no secret that I like words. I am enamored with the blank canvas of a sentence yet to be. I’m enchanted with a story begging for just the right adjective to illuminate and animate its essence. Words are like arranging the furniture in a dreary parlor to find just the right arrangement and accessories to make the perfect living room. I confess that I even like the way certain words feel when they travel from mind to mouth and exhale through waiting lips to seek out an audience. Words hold both power and delight. They must be used with caution for they have equal potential to lift weary souls and yet also to completely shatter the fragile. Words as treasures and gifts are the messengers of the heart. Words as weapons and unfiltered ramblings become torpedoes that destroy harmony and progress. Their importance cannot be underestimated and must always echo the divine measure: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). So the apostle Paul urges us, “Let your conversation be always full of grace… (Colossians 4:6).”

Which brings me to my new friend and addition to my wrangling corral of words: Evanescent. Don’t be mistaken and think he is my bubbly friend effervescent or jump to conclusions that its something to do with Evan’s natural body odor. This is the word that describes life. It captures both the fragile nature of life as well as the challenge to savor each moment. Evanescent is a word borrowed from the Latin that means to vanish, to dissipate like a vapor. James the brother of our Lord writes, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14).” Yes, life is evanescent and we are as Job suggests withering flowers and fleeting shadows. Life at best is short. Too short not to savor each moment and strive to make the best of what each day brings.

So, here is the evanescent point… make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5). Stop the busyness and noise of rushing to the next moment and breathe deeply what is before you. Worship God in the present. Shower those next to you with a love that has no other focus than to be with them in the moment. See the colors. Hear the breath of life. Smell the aroma of Christ. Feel the warmth of eternal life that beckons us home in the promise of a return. And know the joy of the Lord that provides a peace that passes all understanding! -DAN

Passing Out

Among those that I count as dearest of friends are Jo and Bob Barker. We were in preaching school together and have stayed in contact through the years sharing both the good and the bad times. My kids call them Aunt Jo and Uncle Bob. Pam and I make sure that we get our Bob and Jo fix from time to time (but never often enough). Recently, we went out to eat with them and to their home to play hand and foot (our preferred card game). Bob has had asthma for a lifetime but has progressed to having oxygen all the time. It doesn’t slow him down one bit though. However, during our card game Bob had a coughing fit and began to pass out falling toward Pam. With her help and the rest of us we caught him and he snapped out of it. Pam’s eyes were as big as saucers (okay, tiny saucers but big tiny saucers)! Jo calmed Pam with recounting that Bob had done this to her on their second date. I had seen it once during preaching school and felt for Pam but remembered that Jo had calmed me then by her composed demeanor and instructive words, “It’s okay, once he passes out his body calms down and he’s okay.”

Bob then related to us that it had happened once at church and that all the members had gathered around him crying out, “Bob we love you!” Bob said, “It was at once both embarrassing and comforting.” That’s why I love Bob Barker… Oh, he’s human enough to be embarrassed but rises above it all to know the love of others and His God. The breath of life may fail him from time to time but the breath of Heaven, the Spirit of God never fails him.

Since that night I’ve been thinking that maybe I need to pass out more. No, I don’t mean literally but rather to let go of the struggles that I’m sure I must conquer and to let God straighten out my breathing. Yes, I know that let go and let God can be over used and trite but I also know that my worst enemy is myself. I know that life has always proved to be better and more bountiful when I’ve conceded to God’s will and rested in the shadow of His wings. Finding God in those quiet whispers of life requires one to be still and know that He is God! It’s not about how hard we can fight or what noise we can make but what voice we can hear. So, take Bob’s advice/example when the struggle is too great –pass out… maybe then God can breathe new life into you! -DAN

Shacking Up

Yes, I think everyone should consider shacking up! No, I don’t think living together without the sanction and blessing of marriage should even be considered. What I think everyone should investigate is William P. Young’s book, “The Shack.” At the recent Elder-Link Seminar hosted by the Cordova congregation, Rubel Shelley, gave such a glorious review of this book that someone left his class to purchase one of the fifteen copies of the book they had available. The writer of the “Message,” Eugene Peterson, says, “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!” Having read it… I believe that what Peterson means by “that good!” is that through story Young is able to make theology come to life as he takes you on a journey of tears, laughter and spiritual exultation. Yes, it’s that good!

Now here’s what I think you are thinking… “Dan, don’t build it up that much because my expectations will be too high and I’ll be disappointed!” Okay, here’s the deal I’ll make with you… if you promise to read it with an open heart and you feel like you wasted your money –I’ll buy it from you! Yes, it’s that good!

I don’t want to spoil the book for anybody so I’m not going to comment on what new insights you might experience on how you understand God or your place in time and space… I’ll leave that journey to you. But when you’ve made the journey –let’s talk!

Now, do I think this book must be read for soul survival or faith assurance? No, it’s not the Bible nor is it the greatest fiction book ever written. It is quite honestly a spiritual journey that I’m glad I traveled and believe that others will be blessed by the journey as well. Maybe I’ll see you on the road? -DAN