Half-Brained Idea

Our last visit to our beach house in Oregon afforded us an opportunity to see a lot of wildlife including spotting a whale from our deck. Pam in a moment of reflection asked me, “How do whales sleep?” As an air breathing mammal the question of how does a whale sleep without drowning seems like a good question. So I googled. My internet quest revealed a few important facts and scientific speculation based on observation in controlled environments like the zoo as well as in the wild. Scientist would first remind us that whales and dolphins unlike humans are conscious breathers. Breathing for them is a twenty-four seven decision. They must make a conscious effort to surface for a breath. Since sleep is necessary for all living creatures then how does a conscious breather survive the unconscious state of sleep? Scientist have theorized from observation and tests that both dolphins and whales sleep with half of their brain while the other half stays semi-conscious and able to breathe and watch for predators. In fact, they have been observed with just one eye opened. So, what can we learn from this half-brained idea?

The most obvious lesson is that once again God’s marvelous design of creation reveals His presence in all things! The Creator of all things leaves us marveling at His handiwork as all creation sings praises to His name. But I think there’s an even more wondrous lesson. The brain which I believe seats the soul is an organic mechanism that God created with abilities far reaching anything we ever imagined. The old adage is that humans only use 10% of their brains but science and common sense have exposed this myth. The brain is fully functioning but what is true is that the intellectual capacity of the mind has such far reaching potential that some believe the brain has unlimited capabilities. One might want to take a healthy spoonful of humility with such statements yet, also acknowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! God made us a little lower than the heavenly beings (Psalm 8:5), that is, we have remarkable mental and spiritual potential. There’s nothing half-brained about this idea but rather an awesome and humbling challenge for each of us to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Let’s take our cue from the dolphins and the whales to keep one eye open always looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Let’s vow to strive to allow God to use us up in His service and keep us useful to the kingdom even when we are at rest. May God bless our voyage with alert eyes and receptive hearts and may He find us faithful servants! -DAN

Signed

While on vacation I vacated the busyness of routine and everyday expectations to finish reading a book on the “Manhunt” of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth… I went hiking and walked our beach to commune with God… I ate all too well… I played phase ten dice with my lovely bride until we rounded off the corners of the dice… and I wrote a couple of poems because the ocean stirs me. Here’s one:

Signed

When I focus with my heart,
In each vista I see His design,
Before me is heaven’s art,
Each one God clearly signed.

The ocean sings its constant roar,
There God forever clearly seen,
In sunset bathing wave and shore,
His presence signed in ocean green.

Upon the mountain top towering high,
The Ancient of Days cathedral lies,
An eagle swoops to perch nearby,
God’s signature streaming in the skies.

From mountain top to ocean sunset,
His majestic sovereignty is cast,
Ruler, Maker, Sustainer, Perfect,
Signs His work future, present and past!

- Dan 2009

Diary of a Wimpy Preacher

On my birthday I received a gift from a creative soul and professional educator who sized me up and selected a book entitled, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Now one could take that personal but knowing the giver I was delighted because to tell the truth I had been eyeing the book every time I passed it on the bookshelves. Author Jeff Kinney has fun with middle schooler Greg Heffley’s journal (it’s not a diary Greg wants us to know and though he told his mother not to buy a book with “diary” on it she did… but it’s not a diary!). I’ve enjoyed the insightful revisiting of sophomoric days gone by and the reminder that no matter what age you are you don’t want anyone to think you’re a wimp or at least that’s what we might think at first.

The irony of the book is that even though Greg tries his best not to have the wimp reputation he ends up sacrificially rescuing his best friend Rowley from the ultimate horror of being shunned by the entire Middle School. It involves touching some discarded cheese but best understood in the universal untouchable status of those who have cooties. Greg spares Rowley by claiming he touched the cheese and thus takes on the sins of Rowley in an act of true friendship.

I pray that in my life I might be the wimpy preacher who in the spirit of Christ takes on the sins of others so they might become more than conquerors. I want the Spirit of Christ that empties self and takes on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-11). I want to be bold enough like Paul to be considered the fool for Christ’s sake (1 Corinthians 4:10). I want to be wimpy enough as a preacher to be found nothing more or less than a clay jar filled with the treasure of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:7). I want my reputation to be assayed by the scales of true friendship (Romans 5:7, 8) not popularity or admiration. I’m ready to go wherever the cross will lead me for it is in weakness not strength that God’s power is delivered (2 Corinthians 12:9)! I guess this is the diary of a wimpy preacher. -DAN

Closer To The Son

Call it global warming, an El Nino effect, or urban radiation from the proliferation of pavement, concrete and traffic… whatever you call it, the reality is that the weather is hot! There are some of you out there that are like the classic movie title, “Some like It Hot.” But most of us gather around the air conditioner sipping cold drinks and fanning ourselves with junk mail. Somewhere between sips and fanning we take a deep breath and confess, “O well, it is summer.” Yes, the reality of hotter weather is and always will be proximity to the sun. The closer we orbit to the celestial incinerating center of our universe the warmer the temperatures. This won’t cool anyone down but I think there’s a wonderful spiritual parody in that the closer we get to the Son the more we are on fire for the Lord! Proximity to the divine heats things up!

I’ve always felt that the challenge of James 4:8 (Come near to God and he will come near to you…) was how close to God do you dare to get. The lifelong quest is how do I accomplish that challenge for my life? O, we know the standard list of: Bible study, prayer, church attendance/fellowship and spiritual meditation. But there’s this spiritual longing that just keeps one thinking, “I’m just not there! I want to be closer but I seem to be in a rut.” Well, I don’t have THE answer but I do think that what helps is a tall cool glass of beatitudes to let one know how high their spiritual flame burns.

Jesus prefaces His role as fulfiller of the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17) by recounting God’s blessings for His people. The surprise is it’s not the spiritually elite or sanctified satisfied nor the religious know-it-alls but rather the poor in spirit, the mournful, the meek and those that hunger and thirst after righteousness! Getting closer to the Son doesn’t generate self heat that blinds others with our spiritual brilliance but rather reflects humbly the Lord’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6). Spiritual fires burn best with a longing to be closer to God even though we feel poor, lament our woeful nature and cower at the realization that we are not worthy of His grace. Yet all of that is met with God’s assurance that He’s looking for the thirsty and hungry not the satisfied! So brothers and sisters let’s keep on hungering for His word, longing for His presence and parched for the Spirit’s living streams of the water of life… and each day we’ll find ourselves closer to the Son! -DAN