B-log

My imperfect gift

Sun, 27 May 2012 12:00:24 -0500

Several year ago, Cotter fashioned a hammerhead shark out of clay for a school art project. He was so excited about it that he told us about it every step of the way. The first day he fashioned it from his own hands, using a picture from a National Geographic as a model. The next day he painted it, and left it to be glazed and fired. He told us, “I got a little fancy with it, but it’s really cool.” Finally, he brought it home from school and offered it to me as a gift.

I held the glossy pink shark in my hands, with its black, blue, brown and yellow polka dots, and examined every detail. From its pencil eraser-indention eyes to the cuts in the side representing gills, from the blackened mouth to the split tail fin, this was the gift of my child. And the CJM carved into the sharks clay underbelly reminds me to this day of everything he put into presenting me with his gift. This is his gift to me and it is the finest hammerhead pink polka-dotted shark that has ever been crafted. I cherish his gift because I cherish my son.

I’ve been following Christ for half my life (give or take). As I understand it, I’m giving him the gift of my life. A lot of the time, I doubt it looks much like the example I’ve been given to model it after. It’s imperfect, to say the least. Such as it is, I give it to my Father because I love Him…and more important, because He loves me.

Of the many cool things about God…my Father in heaven…this is perhaps the coolest: He’s holy. And His holiness is so badly misunderstood because there’s nothing that compares to it. There’s lots of words that give us a clue to what his holiness is (or is like)…perfection, purity, righteousness…and these are all right and true. Make no mistake, though, no matter how you describe it, one essential quality is that His holiness is beautiful.

The gift I give my Father is what it is…imperfect, damaged, and maybe even kind of ugly. Giving my gift is my love-borne expression of worship, and my Father receives my gift in the beauty of holiness. The beauty of holiness transforms everything in its presence to be beautiful, too. I worship in the beauty of God’s holiness, and my gift is beautiful because His holiness is beautiful.

There will never be enough words to explain the greatness of my Father in heaven.

Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2)

Tipping Point

Sat, 26 May 2012 11:46:28 -0500

(adapted from my archives)

I believe in generosity extended toward restaurant wait service. I tip a baseline of 15%, but service has to be pretty bad to not rise above it. Even when the order is wrong, or food is improperly prepared, I try to be gracious and still reward the waiter for their time and effort. Usually, McAnally tips hover in the 20-25% range. At the holidays, we give more, and we try a couple times a year (usually at Christmas), to tip the bill (100%).

Tipping well says a lot. It communicates:

Appreciation for service.
Acknowledgment of the person’s livelihood.
A value of the dining experience
The goodness of God.

Lest you think that last point is a stretch…Regardless of whether the waiter knows you, when you tip well, they will tend to identify you more favorably (particularly if you match your tip with an equally pleasant experience as a good guest with polite manners, grace, and gregariousness). However this is especially paramount if the wait service discovers that you identify yourself as a Christian (and try to make this an easy discovery for others to make).

When they connect your generosity with your Christian identity, it opens the door for you to speak about how generous God has been with you, and how it is natural and normal for God’s children to extend the blessing of generosity to others.

You don’t have to be a big spender to be a big tipper. Maybe you will go out slightly less if you are slightly more generous, but probably not. In all likelihood, you won’t even miss it. Everyone likes to be acknowledged, and I have seen wait service professionals demonstrate sincere appreciation for a thoughtful, generous gratuity.

As in many areas of life, you have been blessed to be a blessing. Don’t withhold that blessing, just because the chicken was a little rubbery.

Vision Check

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:58:00 -0500

(adapted, from the archives)

“Creating a clear and compelling vision statement is not a simple matter.” (Gordon Quick, founder, CEO Mentors)

“Nothing matters more than the ownership of a vision.” (Bill Hybels)

A few years ago, I spent extended time in a conference recently that talked extensively about vision. In a group of professionals responsible for the visions of their respective organizations, I was shocked to see how many of them (virtually all of them) could not articulate the vision for their organization for the next twelve months. Much of what was shared was iterations of mission or purpose statements.

This hearkens to Proverbs 29:18 which links a lack of vision in leaders to struggles in the people who follow.

A couple of things to note about vision, and the statement that captures it:

A true vision comes from God (Hosea 12:10). Vision that does not come from God is illusion, delusion, or distraction, but not vision.
Visions from God point people to God because he reveals himself in visions (Numbers 12:6). If you are pursuing a vision or following a vision that has a destination in anything other than God himself, you are not following God’s vision.
True vision clarifies purpose, eliminates distractions, and puts action to mission. It opens the eyes of the vision caster (Numbers 24:4). A vision that confuses or complicates a person or a church from following God is not a God-given vision.
There exist some who communicate a compelling vision, but it is not of God. (Jeremiah 23:16). Use biblical criteria to determine if the vision caster who has captured your ear is in fact one who has been captured by the Holy Spirit.
God continues to be and will remain in the vision business until the need for visions cease (Joel 2:28). If your leader has been given God’s vision, follow that leader whole-heartedly as that leader follows Christ!

People I know: Stacy Razzano

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:56:32 -0500

In 8th grade, Stacy moved to Craig from Rifle. We became friends the day she walked in to Mr. Ghiardelli’s English class, once I quickly realized that my smittenness for her would be unrequited. Stacy worked in a bank as a receptionist after high school. Today she is president of that bank. She’s kind of a rock star in that way.

People I know: Ismael Gomez

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:52:09 -0500

Izzy was our high school basketball team’s best shooter and leading scorer. He also was our football team’s kicker/punter. He taught me every cuss word in Spanish (most of which I have forgotten). We used to give him a hard time for wearing Polo cologne, when Drakar Noir was clearly the better choice for the distinguished Northwestern Colorado young man.

People I know: Gene McAnally

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:43:47 -0500

My Uncle Gene was the Marlboro Man. He was a true cowboy who managed a ranch, roped cattle and told many campfire tales. He had a new joke every time we met. He was probably the hardest-working man I’ve known.

People I know: Jeff Maney

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:16:45 -0500

My Pledge Son from Boston, Jeff joined Sigma Chi and introduced me to the perceived superiority of all things originating from New England. A true Bronco “hateh,” Jeff disputed Elway’s greatness. He and I clicked on pretty much everything else. Today, Jeff works with the US Border Patrol, protecting us from the infiltration of illegal aliens…coming from our neighbors to the North.

How to thrive anywhere

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:48:00 -0500

How to thrive anywhere:

my take-aways:

Look for potential - First, in people. every person has potential. Look for what can be developed in a person. Second, in opportunities/challenges/situations. How can I leverage the circumstance to progress toward a goal?
Pick everything apart - Status quo can be lethal. Satisfaction with “good enough” certainly is. Everything must be picked apart to identify potential and to strategize excellence.
Speak the universal language - common concepts that are relevant to me: love, community, relationship.

"Your prospects are as bright as the promises of God."

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:47:00 -0500

“Your prospects are as bright as the promises of God.”

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind."

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:59:22 -0500

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind.”

Defeating Adversity

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:06:58 -0500

By Cotter McAnally

(Cotter wrote this essay on the assigned topic for a competition on his football team. Consequently, he was chosen to meet Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson)
Cotter McAnally

Defeating Adversity

Even though I’ve had a pretty good life, I’m no stranger to adversity. Sometimes, the situations have made me sad, while other times the adversity has upset me and left me frustrated. As I have faced my own difficulties and challenges, I’ve learned how to come out on top against whatever challenges come my way. Because of this, I realize that adversity makes me stronger, and even difficult times can make me better in the long run.

When my grandmother died in 2006, it was one of the first times I was old enough to actually face real adversity that I understood. She was one my first close relatives to die. Her death was sudden and unexpected. For the first time in my life, I experienced real grief. During the weeks after her passing, I learned that I needed to show compassion and I needed to forgive. As I gave forgiveness, I found that my sadness went away and it was replaced with comfort. I’ve been able to apply this to other experiences where people mess up and need forgiveness. Forgiving others helps, and it is one of the ways I have overcome adversity in my life.

In early 2010, my family was struck with news that changed our lives. My dad worked as one of the pastors at a church in Grapevine, Texas. His position was basically the right-hand-man of the main pastor. He had multiple responsibilities every Sunday and throughout the week. Surprisingly, one afternoon when I got home from school my dad was already there. After everyone got home my dad told us the shocking news that the church had laid him off. My jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn’t understand why a church would fire a man that helped them get through every Sunday, and a man who was so important in the church’s growth. Though we all were sad, we prayed for God to help us find a new home church. My dad looked for different positions around the area so my sisters and I could go to the same schools. We found one location, but he was not chosen for the position. Then, another church named Scottsdale Bible Church asked him to consider a job at their church. He talked multiple times on the phone and had even visited the church in Arizona to talk. Throughout the whole 14 months of him trying to find a job, we continued to pray and ask for help from God. Eventually, the church offered my dad a job. Our prayers were answered. We were so thankful for God being good to us and providing for us while he was without a job. Even though it was a long time for us, we were so happy.

I learned that through this long time of adversity, I was never alone. My family was there for me, and I tried to be there for my family. Throughout the 14 months, my family talked more and more about the possibility of moving. They also asked for our opinions and wanted to know what we thought. At one point, we took a “secret trip” to Missouri to look at a church that was considering my dad. We had a lot of fun on the trip, but agreed as a family that the move wouldn’t have been good to move there. Facing adversity is easier when you face it with the people you love and trust.

These are only two examples of how I have faced adversity in my life. I think forgiving others always helps me overcome adversity. I can also always rely on my family for support when I am facing tough times. But what helps me most to overcome adversity is Jesus Christ. He gives me wisdom, and I feel like I can do anything through him. After I accepted him into my life, I have been able to reach out to others to help them with adversity they face. He has given me strength and power to overcome the obstacles I encounter. I am truly blessed that he died for me, and he is the reason I can overcome adversity.

desperate faith

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:19:00 -0500

I try to be transparent about my faith.

At times,though, I don’t think I represent it correctly.

It’s not that I misrepresent my faith…I just think that there are seasons where words fail to reflect the true experience that is summed up in this word “faith.”

I’ve walked through a few situations where my faith was tested, stretched, challenged. And on the other side of those times, God bore out my faith.

You see, those words you just read don’t even do justice to what really took place during those experiences. It all looks so….sterile. Tough times + faith = winning!

And that’s so not how it works…at least for me.

You see, about 20 years ago, God was kind enough to give me a different type of faith than what I had the prior 20 years. In my first two decades of life, my faith was really not much more than a sense of optimistic hope. It was pretty empty and meaningless, when I look back at it. It wasn’t much more than a wishing-on-a-heads-up-penny sense that things would go my way if I wanted it bad enough.

When it did, I was happy. When it didn’t I was still happy because I labeled it a fluke and assumed it would work out my way next time according to my made-up-rules of kismet.

Then, when I wasn’t looking nor asking, God changed me. To do it, he gave me a new, different type of faith. It wasn’t optimistic luck, like before.

Now, my faith is more like a desperate dependence.

And that sounds pretty depressing, if you read it out loud. Go ahead, try me.

Here’s the thing, though. It’s not. It’s desperate dependence, but it isn’t depressing. This desperate dependence is the best thing ever. Because it’s honest. It’s real. And it works.

Before, when my faith was just an optimistic hope, it wasn’t based on anything. It was flighty, transient, unsubstantiated.

Now, my faith has an object. God is the object of my faith. Specifically, Jesus.

My faith is rooted in the person of Jesus, and the claim that He is God.

Here’s what that looks like in real terms.

I’ve put my soul - my most precious commodity - in his hands. I’m trusting him with the most important thing I can offer. If I’m wrong about this, it’s on him. If I’m an idiot for it…well, my life is far better as a fool for him than it was before, without him. I’ve accepted that price. I’ve weighed that risk, and I’m at peace with it.

With my soul in his keeping, I stumble forward through life. I recognize things I overlooked before…appreciate in a new way. Family, friends, health, prosperity…the list goes on. However, there’s not much at first glance than would look different than the “easy faith” possessed by most people, whether or not they share my outlook. Generic faith is great when life is sunshine and snickerdoodles.

But then tough times hit. I’m not talking about needing to get a new set of tires or having to scale back from full cable to basic cable. In my life, it’s been things like…

our house catching fire and losing all our possessions
news that my mom took her own life
losing my ministry, where we had great relationships and effectiveness
an extended period of no employment, living on our retirement and seeing our “nest egg” disappear

You get the picture…this were things where “keeping my chin up” seemed to make me vulnerable to getting knocked out. “Easy faith” would have withered if that’s all I had in my reserves. These situations at times sent me reeling. At times it had me on my face. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t easy. I had nowhere to go.

So I went to my faith. I went to this new faith that is the safe place for my soul’s well-keeping. I didn’t go there lightly with a smile on my face.

I went there tearfully.

I went there empty.

I went there desperate.

I never feel like a hero for living by faith. Not then and not now. I feel tiny and weak, going to a God who is huge, and at the same time distant and ever-present.

In these times, He took much from me, yet was amazingly gracious and generous.

He allowed me to be sifted, to shake free the things that had made me comfortable.

As things were taken, as luxuries were sacrificed, he remained. He asked me at each step, “Do you love me?”

And I do.

But make no mistake. It’s not epic.

It is desperate.

I have dear friends who are facing valleys or strongholds or forces that are real and huge and terrifying and gut-wrenching. They have questions and no answers.

And they share this same desperate faith that has changed my life.

They cry out to God, knowing he hears and knowing he loves and knowing all “the right answers.” But this life is real and the attacks against their peace are vicious. Their marriages face strain because of it, their children’s understanding of God is stretched to the point of breaking, and it seems like their own sanity is even at risk.

In fact, the only pure thing that remains is this desperate faith.

It is a simple, tenuous faith that goes back to God and says, “This is on you. I have nothing apart from you. My hands are empty, my needs are so big that to call them ‘gigantic’ makes ‘gigantic’ seem tiny. I don’t need your ‘stuff,’ Jesus. I just need you. If I have a moment with your Spirit, I can take my next step. I can take my next breath. I can think a clear thought. I can form my next word. That’s all I want.”

And that’s the faith that works.

By this, I mean it’s effective. But more than that…it’s the faith that works. It literally goes to work. Because this is the faith that God gives. It’s simple. It’s pure. It’s focused. And it’s foundational. When God strips everything away, he rebuilds on the foundation of himself.

The Bible calls it “beauty from ashes.” You might call it a masterpiece from manure. I just know it works.

When you are at the end of your rope, and all you have is desperate faith…it’s an amazing place to be. I’m not saying that as easily as it is to read it…and by “amazing,” I don’t mean “great” or “wonderful” (although in retrospect, both those synonyms apply). By “amazing,” I mean it’s a unique place where you see God move and hear God speak in ways that you often miss because of the distractions and din of everyday life. It’s long periods of silence and waiting, interrupted by small-but-generous mercies that keep you functioning…and then an answer.

The season does pass. The provision eventually arrives. It’s rarely what you could have predicted or would have assumed. More often than not, it results because God changed you through your desperate season. He made you more pliable, more merciful, more sensitive, more compassionate, more selfless through it all…more usable, more available.

Day-to-day life doesn’t wrap up in a bow with a made-for-TV happy ending. Biblical promises captured in pithy scriptural recitations are both painful and precious to the ears. Seeing God answer the prayer of others while your own go unanswered is both encouraging and perplexing. And even when there is provision, and the desperate season “comes to pass,” there is still an aftermath to be addressed, consequences to be reckoned.

So this is my faith. And the faith of my dear friends. And I pray for them daily with desperation that echoes my own past desperation (which itself is a reflection of empathetic identification).

The pools of desperate faith are ironically deep for seeming so frustratingly shallow. It must be this way because it is where God dwells, proverbially. It is where you can flail as though drowning, but are certain that you will be rescued.

God, as you rescue me…rescue my friends.

grace/works

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:02:43 -0500

I’m a product of grace.

When God changed my life, I wasn’t looking for him.

When God intervened, I wasn’t desperate for him.

For me, it was simply a matter of being confronted with the evidence and being convinced.

Everything…and I mean everything…that God has done in my life is a grace gift that proves his love.

Not everything has been for my good, at the moment it happened. It has been for his good, though. And in time, I’ve seen how its been for my good, too.

So much, though, is clearly and evidently good gifts, reflecting the good and beautiful nature of this God who chose to love me. My family, my friends, my life mission, my place to serve, people I encounter and am blessed to encourage, pray with, shepherd, disciple, exhort. Reflecting on it all and thinking of so many people by name…well, it drives me to my knees in gratitude.

Matthew 5:16 says, “let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

I hope I’m a light-shiner. Everything that I’ve accomplished that means anything is because of God’s grace, and I hope that the shine of those accomplishments is understood to be the reflection of his goodness. Where I’m a good husband, it’s because of God. Wherever my children are impressive…it’s because God has been so good to us and to them. Wherever I do well as a pastor…it’s because God’s Spirit shepherds me. Whatever you believe about God, I hope you’ll see my life and believe my words that wherever there is good, it is solely because of the grace of God, expressed through my faith in Jesus, led by his Spirit.

The Target Spot = The Circle of Life

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:56:31 -0600

(another Whitney-centric post from my archives, dated 12-31-2004. My prayerful condolences to all those grieving her tragic death.)

We returned to Target today. Not the same one where we had our brush with Bobby & Whitney, but a Super Target just up the road a few miles. I’m not certain, but I think the difference between a regular Target and a Super Target is that a Super Target offers special orange flavoring on their shopping carts, although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend licking the handlebar any time soon.

Shortly before our Super Target excursion, we had the TV Radio Station on and Bobby’s Every Little Step I Take played, giving us cause to celebrate by remembrance that Bobby was indeed no One Hit Wonder, and to regale our children with the, “Do you remember who we saw last week?” story, as though they had any social bearing whatsoever that would have given the experience significance.

The reason for Operation Spot Spend was so we could allow the children to redistribute the wealth that was their Christmas money sent by Kelli’s folks. They proved adept at making wise, fun selections. I think they all possess my mother’s genetic proclivity for shopping, which I think lay dormant in me. Cotter has fully committed to the Bionicle way of life, Kelsi decided to invest in some dress-up options (a pink flapper dress and an equally pink boa), while my oldest child Kaylyn warmed/broke my heart with the mature gift decisions of a music CD and jewelry. The days of Barbie have seemingly passed like the doll’s own affection for Ken.

On the way to the check-out, I indulged my inner adolescent and purchased the little “80s video game in a box” that plugs directly into the TV and allows instant access to Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, Pole Position, Mappy, and one other one that I thought was lame back in 1985 and still think it is today. We plugged it in when we got home and I got to enjoy it for approximately 8.4 seconds before the children commandeered it and promptly established high scores that I’ll never approach no matter how long I try.

To offset my own indulgence, I also purchased for my bride the soundtrack to 13 going on 30. With great hits like Jessie’s Girl (is there a better song capturing 8th-grade girlfriend jealousy?) Crazy for You (which, no doubt, Jessie dedicated to his girl at the Spring Dance), and Head over Heels (which causes me to wonder if Belinda Carlisle ever heard the stuttering exclamation, “Go, Go Go’s, Go!”), this disc makes you want to squeeze into the Parachute pants or slip up the leg warmers one more time.

Or maybe it’s just me.

The best moment came though, as we skipped through the aforementioned CD and discovered the most important song of all time.

That’s right….

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

by Whitney.

This all goes to show you that when it comes to Target, eventually all things merge in to one.

And a Houston runs through it.

Saving All My Love For Christmas Bargains

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:44:58 -0600

(this is from the archives, originally dated 12-22-2004, from our star-crossing encounter with Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown in the most unlikely of places.)

Yesterday, we did the Christmas shopping marathon. Stops at Media Play, followed by the Mall, followed by a high-class lunch at Burger King, where they let me have it my way, followed by Target.

Lil’ Bit (Kelsi) ran out of steam at the Big Red Bullseye, trying to lay down her sweet pea-pickin’ head on the handle of the cart as I chauffered her from aisle to aisle. It wasn’t working.

So, Kelli and I agreed that I’d take the kids out to the car while she finished up.

I hopped at the chance to be done and we rushed out to the Durango.

About an hour later, I get a phone call…

Kelli: Okay, I’m done. Watch who’s coming out behind me…

Me: Who is it?

Kelli: Just watch!

So, I get out of the car, and Kelli is standing at the curb like a teenage girl waiting in line for a New Edition concert to begin.

Moments later, all I could say was holy Robbie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike!*

It was Bobby Brown.

And can I just say And I Will All-Hall Ways Love You, because right behind him was his fur-wearing bride Whitney Houston.

They, too, were doing their Christmas shopping at Target.

And they had lined up behind my bride to pay for their wares.

Kelli was a little too star-struck to be totally nosey and scope out what they were spending their money on.

Maybe next time, especially now that we know where we can find them.

Kelli recounted the following episode as it played out:

Whitney (picking up a tabloid, possibly looking for photos of herself): Oh No! Barbara (Streisand) has cancer! I’m going to have to give her a call! Bobby!

Bobby, (shuffling to the gum rack, to determine his Freshen Up options): Why they talkin’…all this stuff about me…why they don’t jus’ let me liiiiive….

Whitney: BOBBY!

Bobby: What do you want, WHITNEY?

Whitney: Remind me to call Barbra when we get home?

Alas, it was too late, for Bobby had already shuffled off again with his daughter Bobby Jr., to the in-store X-Box station.

I have have nothing but love for Bobby & Whitney.

The first time I ever danced with the woman who would one day become my bride was to Whitney’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody at an end-of-the-summer dance at Craig’s Old Armory.

And who can forget the time when I, as a teenage boy, was connecting with my hip hop side by listening to Bobby’s My Prerogative, when my brother pushed open my bedroom door, and with Aldo Nova’s Life is Just a Fantasy blaring from his room’s stereo speakers, he asked me a question of comparitive music theory, “Are you gay?”

All I’m saying was that as far as yesterday was concerned, it looked like a certain Atlanta-based, music-recording married couple was trolling the local department store looking for a little gratuitous attention for Christmas.

And my bride and I gave the gift that keeps on giving.

We unapologetically stared as they filled up their black Lexus SUV with yuletide goodies.

We stared and didn’t turn away.

While we were certain we made a love connection with the Brown family, weren’t so certain that we actually followed through on our plans to trail them all the way to their home and open our Target-bought purchases together.

Nonetheless, on behalf of our new friends, the discount-shopping former superstars, we wish you a Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve.

*No disrespect intended, of course, to Johnny, but that goes without saying

Hey. I liked your 2012 post on January 1. That was encouraging for me this morning! Love ya bro!

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:46:50 -0600

you’re welcome…and thanks for letting me know!

The book

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:05 -0600

(note: I originally wrote this in 1993, shortly after I became a follower of Jesus. The fun discovery is that it dates the event of my salvation, which I had not remembered that I had ever recorded!)

Many times I picked up the book, read a paragraph or two and set it down without a second thought. I found the literature to be interesting, but cumbersome with its details and difficult language. Using these and other excuses as my rationale, I set the book aside, and instead devoted my attention to other, more “contemporary” authors. All the while, this book and its author waited patiently for me to return to it. Years went by and the book gathered dust, but still within reach, knowing that I someday would read the book in a way that I never before had thought possible.

Then it happened. A series of events took place that changed my life. On January 10, 1993, I turned my back on the life I had led for 21 years and opened the book I had spent so long avoiding. This time it would be different. Before, its gold-stamped title had intimidated me. Now, the words Holy Bible beckoned me, invited me. There was something about those two words that effused authority and reliability that compelled me to, for the first time, “dig in.”

As soon as I first opened the Bible with an intent to read for comprehension, I was overwhelmed with its content. I didn’t know any better than to just begin at the beginning. From the first sentence, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” I was captivated. This single assertion confronted and refuted the worldview I had come to casually adopt. I had grown up with a generalized, safely-within-a-box view of God. I may have acknowledge a belief that God was real and even that God was the Creator, but that mental assent was never subject to real scrutiny, and in the pervasiveness of evolutionary teaching/indoctrination, I never thought too deeply on the matter. Yet, now, here in print staring me in the face…I was compelled to explore further.

As I read on and Genesis gave way to Leviticus, and the Law gave way to the Prophets, and as the Old Testament gave way to the New Testament and the Gospels and the Epistles and ultimately the Revelation, I found many passages to be relevant to my life and applicable to my personal situations. I felt like the author had written the book expressly for me. A passage out of the book of Psalms summarized my experience of reading the Bible: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (119:105).

Surely, I had many questions. I highlighted things I didn’t understand. I made a decision early on, though, that the presence of a question mark in my thinking was not the indication of a stop sign. Instead, it was a green light to keep reading, keep learning, keep growing.

In learning about the Bible, I found the book’s history to be as amazing as the stories within its covers. While Tolstoy may have written War and Peace in 5 to 10 years, the writing of the Bible took over 1500 years to complete. The stories within the Bible cover more than 4000 continuous years of history. The Bible stands alone in literary achievement.

The Bible is easily the most accessible book in the world. Regardless of the hotel at which you may be staying in North America, when you open that desk drawer, the Bible will be nestled in the corner, waiting to be opened. No other book has been printed as widely, translated as worldly, and studied more thoroughly.

Authorship of the Bible is another factor of the book’s writing that is unparalleled in literary history. Books that require a corroboration of two or three or even a dozen authors are usually considered authoritative. Proportionately, then, the Bible is indisputable in its assertions. During the fifteen-plus centuries it took to complete the Bible, sixty generations of people came and went, and 36 authors completed its text.

These authors were no literary giants, either. Their occupations ranged from tax collector to physician to professional fishermen to tentmakers. Other authors were kings, musicians, farmers, servants, gatekeepers, poets, and carpenters. Not only did the authors have widely varied backgrounds, they had little or no knowledge of the others’ existence and writings. In some instances, the authors themselves were in the dark as to the meaning of their own words. Evidence of this fact comes from the first book of Peter:

“…the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted …” (1:10,11).

Despite all of the authors’ disparities of time, social and political status, and financial standing, the words of the Bible are unified in its theme and reflect an evidence of God’s individual authorship.

As I sit here typing on a computer, the authors were afforded no such luxury. Moses contributed his five books while leading a population of oppressed people from the Egyptians across the desert. The apostle Paul wrote epistles while imprisoned by the Romans for being a Christian. The words of the Bible were written on reed plant, animal skins, stone, clay, wood, metal, pottery and other materials. The authors wrote God’s words on whatever surface possible, often facing persecution and martyrdom for completing their assigned task.

Neither the Bible’s history nor its number of printings would be relevant if it weren’t for the content of the book. Within its pages are dramas, books of laws, “how-to” books, counseling books, action/adventures, epic love stories, mysteries, poetry, songs, history books, parables, and prophesies. In fact, the only genre not represented in the Bible is fiction.

Two of the many stories in the Bible hold special meaning for me. The first tale is found in 1st and 2nd Samuel in the Old Testament. Deep in the valley of Elah, the men of Israel were struggling in a heated battle with the Philistines. From the back of the Philistine formation strode Goliath, the giant of the army. He challenged any Israelite to fight him one on one.

As the Israelites cowered in fear, the Philistines marched forward, claiming more and more land as their own. Finally, the young lad David, in the valley only to deliver supplies to his older brothers, stepped forward to meet Goliath in the center of the valley. Calling upon the name of God, David drew five rounded stones from the ground and prepared for Goliath’s attack. As the giant drew near, David drew the first stone in his sling, spun the small weapon over his head, and cast it toward his opponent. David’s stunning victory over Goliath instantly crushed the will of the Philistines.

Though minute details may differ, nearly everybody can recount this story, whether or not they be “people of faith.” But this is just the beginning of David’s story. David proceeded to become the most popular and most powerful king that Israel had ever seen. Even so, the complete story of King David is not filled with victory and success. For example, David, once king, sees a beautiful lady named Bathsheba from the rooftop of his home and decides he must have her for his own. After learning that she is married, he sends off her husband to the front lines of his army to be killed. David impregnates her and later marries her once she is widowed. Their deeds do not go unpunished, and their son dies at an early age.

I value the story of David because I am able to apply the lessons that David learned to my own life. I find it comforting when I witness God forgiving David for his mistakes in life and still accomplishing great things through him. David’s story provides me with encouragement and a peace of mind in the assurance of God’s grace.

The second story is not only the most popular from the Bible, it is easily the most important. The story of Jesus Christ, regardless of the number of times that I read it, moves me like no other story every written. Every one of the 66 books has a name for Jesus Christ from which I can apply to how He affects my life. I can read four different, but agreeing Gospels of the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The authors of the Bible account for His blameless life, and his willingness to die for the sins of the world. In the book of Revelation, I read about His foretelling of the cataclysmic encounter with Satan, His assurances of victory, and His promises to return to all who call upon His name.

I realize that a lot of what was just written may alienate many readers, because they don’t see all of this when they read the Bible. I understand because I’ve been there. I was making God convenient to my life. Convincing myself that my lifestyle was justifiable to God. He was never a factor in my life.

As soon as I accepted that He was my King, things changed. Once I turned control of my life over to Jesus, I read the book with a new perspective. Now I open the Bible, knowing that the words were authored by God, as inspired through others. I know that He will not lead me astray as He fulfills His promises. In the Bible, God gives me assistance on everything from finance to romance, from family disputes to neighborly disputes. He has trained me to listen for His voice, to follow His guidance.

I don’t expect everybody to agree with me. I hope that at some point in life, the skeptic will open the Bible, considering that the words in the Bible are more than just words. I took a risk and tried it once, and my life has never been the same since. I have a peace of mind that before was missing. “Strongholds” that once controlled me no longer do, because He satisfies me with His love and grace. I believe the Bible is more than just words. These words of the Bible are the Gospel, God’s good news for His people. I know this; in fact, I stake my life on it.

Write more better in 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:30:06 -0600

from my archives:

40 PROBLEM WORDS AND PHRASES

And also - This is often redundant.
And/or - Outside of the legal world, most of the time this construction is used, it is neither necessary nor logical. Try using one word or the other.
As to whether - The single word whether will suffice.
Basically, essentially, totally - These words seldom add anything useful to a sentence. Try the sentence without them and, almost always, you will see the sentence improve.
Being that/being as - These words are a non-standard substitute for because. [Being that] Because I was the youngest child, I always wore hand-me-downs.
Considered to be - Eliminate the to be and, unless it’s important who’s doing the considering, try to eliminate the entire phrase.
Due to the fact that - Using this phrase is a sure sign that your sentence is in trouble. Did you mean because? Due to is acceptable after a linking verb (The team’s failure was due to illness among the stars.); otherwise, avoid it.
Each and every - One or the other, but not both.
Equally as - Something can be equally important or as important as, but not equally as important.
Etc. - This word often suggests a kind of laziness. It might be better to provide one more example to suggest that you could have written more, but chose not to.
He/she is a convention created to avoid gender bias in writing, but it doesn’t work very well and it becomes downright obtrusive if it appears often. Use he or she or pluralize (where appropriate) so you can avoid the problem of the gender-specific pronoun altogether.
Firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc. Number things with first, second, third, etc. and not with these adverbial forms.
Got - Many writers regard “got” as an ugly word, and they have a point. If you can avoid it in writing, do so. I have [got to] must begin studying right away. I have [got] two pairs of sneakers.
Had ought/hadn’t ought. Eliminate the auxiliary had. You hadn’t ought not to pester your sister that way. Ugh, hillbilly language.
Interesting - One of the least interesting words in English, the word you use to describe an ugly baby. If you show us why something is interesting, you’re doing your job.
In terms of - See if you can eliminate this phrase. It’s usually wordy, redundant, or simply not needed.
Irregardless - No one word will get you in trouble with the boss faster than this one.
Kind of or sort of. These are OK in informal situations, but in formal academic prose, substitute somewhat, rather or slightly. We were [kind of] rather pleased with the results.
Literally - This word might be confused with literarily, a seldom used adverb relating to authors or scholars and their various professions. Usually, though, if you say it’s “literally a jungle out there,” you probably mean figuratively, but you’re probably better off without either word.
Lots/ lots of - In academic prose, avoid these colloquialisms when you can use many or much. Remember, when you do use these words, that lots of something countable are plural. Remember, too, that a lot of requires three words: “He spent a lot of money” (not alot of).
Just - Use only when you need it, as in just the right amount.
Nature - See if you can get rid of this word. Movies of a violent nature are probably just violent movies. Avoid wordiness and awkward phrasing wherever possible.
Necessitate - It’s hard to imagine a situation that would necessitate the use of this word.
Of - Don’t write would of, should of, could of when you mean would have, should have, could have.
On account of - Use because instead.
Only - Look out for placement. Don’t write “He only kicked that ball ten yards” when you mean “He kicked that ball only ten yards.” It’s called a misplaced modifier and has kept red pencils down to the nub for years:-)
Orientate - The new students become oriented, not orientated. The same thing applies to administrate — we administer a project.
Per - Use according to instead. We did it per your instructions? Naah. (This word is used frequently in legal language and in technical specifications, where it seems to be necessary and acceptable.)
Plus - Don’t use this word as a conjunction. Use and instead.
Point in time - Redundant: forget it! At this time or at this point or now will do the job.
Previous as in “our previous discussion.” Use earlier or nothing at all.
So as to - Usually, a simple to will do.
Suppose to, use to. The hard “d” sound in supposed to and used to disappears in pronunciation, but it shouldn’t disappear in spelling. “We used to do that” or “We were supposed to do it this way.”
The reason why is because. Deja vu all over again! Redundant, awkward, and incorrect.
Thru - This nonstandard spelling of through should not be used in academic prose. Same goes for nite. Use night.
‘Til - Don’t use this word instead of until or till, even in bad poetry.
Try and - Don’t try and do something. Try to do something.
Thusly - Use thus or therefore instead.
Utilize - Don’t use this word where use would suffice. (Same goes for utilization.)
Very, really, quite (and other intensifiers) - Like basically, these words seldom add anything useful. Try the sentence without them and see if it improves.

Now, go and write better.

Remember Chris

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:28:50 -0600

Here’s the manuscript for the message I shared at the memorial of my dear friend, Chris LeFevre. Please be sure to read the postscript at the end.

***

As with many of you, I am proud to say that Chris was my friend. I met Chris when, in the 4^th grade, my family moved, which caused me to switch schools from East Elementary to Sunset Elementary. Somehow, I linked up with Troy & Chris. Their epic foot race to determine the fastest kid at Sunset Elementary had already been run, and they had formed a friendship alliance that never wavered. In a lot of ways, I could have been the “third wheel,” but to their credit, they welcomed me in and we all became close friends.

My early memories of Chris include him always having the newest, coolest video games but always being willing to let us play. We’d pile up in his bedroom, loading up his waterbed and taking turns playing games. Gramma (Dorothy) was worried we were going to make that bed burst, but Chris always made sure we emptied our pockets of pencils, forks, sticks, knives, or anything sharp.

In Middle school, his lunches always included Pringles and Beef Jerky. Somehow, this exotic cuisine made him the envy of everyone. Chris shrewdly negotiated for the best food in the lunchroom using these precious commodities.

Chris was always one of the fastest kids in the class, but I remember that Chris hurt his knees and had to have surgery. And rather than it sidelining him, after his surgeries, he’d hobble out to the football fields in his leg brace and crutches and play defensive line, batting down the passes of the other team during our lunchtime games.

As we got older, the memories are ironically a little more vague but a lot more precious. Too many weekends to count, we all were together…Bevr with Meaty, Rusty, Brad, Rollie, Fred, and myself. We always knew how to find a good time…out at Shad’s house, Amy’s property, sometimes it was a hotel room, or some stranger’s residence, sometimes out on the rocks behind my house. I now understand that it wasn’t the location…it was the company. And those times, no matter where we were, they were always filled with laughter. Simply put, those days were carefree and perfect.

The years passed and we grew up. And as we all know, growing up means that days are no longer carefree, and once they are no longer carefree, they are rarely perfect. Despite it all his own difficulties and trials, Chris remained a loving husband, a dedicated father, a professional worker, and a good friend. And in this moment, it has encouraged my heart to know that throughout his life, Chris retained those incredible characteristics that caused everyone to quickly become his friend and want to spend time with him. All of us were better…richer…blessed for having Chris in our lives.

It has been said that memorials such as this are for the living. And we know that to be true even as we gather today to reconcile our own emotions and grief. We have come together to look back and reflect on the beautiful life of Chris…who was a husband, a dad, a son, a grandson, a nephew, an uncle, a co-worker, and a friend. But we also look forward looking for hope as we try to figure out what life is supposed to look like with this sudden void, this unexpected hole in our lives that is here because of Chris’s death.

This time is bittersweet because with his passing, every one of us is confronted with our own mortality. And in the perspective of the reality of our mortality, we come face to face with what we believe about life and death. We all come to our beliefs differently. Some of us form our beliefs internally…we build opinions about certain matters that we hold dear,opinions that are shaped by our own experiences, perceptions, or dispositions. Other of us have beliefs that are shaped by external sources - outside factors that influence or even change our opinions because they offer objective considerations that we hadn’t previously taken in to account.

In a crowd like this, we likely have many different beliefs and I won’t presume that you necessarily believe what I believe. And that’s okay. What I want to share with you briefly from an external source that has not changed in its history. This source is the Bible, and this resource makes the audacious claim that it accurately declares what God wants you to know about himself. In sharing this with you, I am praying that you will have fresh hope about God’s love for Chris, and just as importantly, God’s love for you.

I want you to know is that God is very concerned that you believe the right things…about him, about yourself, and about his love for you. There is a book of the Bible called “John” that was written specifically for this purpose. In fact, in Chapter 20, verse 31, which is at the end of the book, John writes, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

God wants you to believe the right things about Jesus, and that by doing so…you may have life in his name.

That’s a pretty huge thing…this “life in his name,” that you can really only appreciate if you know what John’s talking about. Thankfully, he explains it at the beginning of the book that he wrote. And that’s the second thing I want to share with you…God wants you to believe in Jesus as the source of true, everlasting life.

Here’s what the Scripture says in the very first chapter of John, in verse 12: “But to all who did receive Jesus, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

To recap: God wants you to believe in Jesus so that you can have life, and also, that in doing so, you can relate to God as his much beloved child.

There’s a lot of confusion about Jesus today, and I don’t want to presume that you know the real deal. He’s misrepresented a lot. So I want you to know that Jesus was never confused about himself, no matter what you have heard. Here’s just a little of what he said about himself…these are all recorded from the book of John:

Whoever believes in the son has eternal life. (3:36)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (5:24)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (11:24-25)
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (12:46)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (14:1)

Do you see that God wants you to “get this?” He wants you to understand. He wants you to believe, so that you may live. In fact, he summarizes it in John 3:16, which may be the most popular verse in all the Bible:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

You see…it’s not about church. It’s not about money. It’s not even about religion. It’s not about doing enough “good things,” or staying away from enough “bad things.” From God’s perspective, it’s all about believing the right things about Jesus, in terms of trusting in God and depending on God and staking your life on God because he loves you and he wants you to live as his child…because he loves you.

Friends, this is the best message of hope that I have because it is the greatest message of hope available. God loves you. He wants you to believe in him and his love for you shown through Jesus.

Chris and I never had a conversation about belief. My hope is that Chris had this beautiful belief in God. And I can tell you with great certainty that if Chris could speak one word to you right now, that word would be “Believe!” I am certain that Chris would not want you to leave here today without this matter settled in your spirit. I’m convinced because of what I know about God and what I know about Chris that he would not want you to leave here today in either doubt or unbelief. Because Chris loves you and because God loves you, the most hopeful, hope-filled thing you could do is to believe in Jesus.

We all came in here at different points but we are at a common crossroad…a decision point about whether or not to believe. For some of you, you already believe this, and I’ve affirmed what you already believed. For others, this is new…perhaps completely contradictory to what you’ve believed until now. Some of you will resist or reject this message of hope and hold on to what you currently believe. I understand that and I respect that. Others of you, though, have heard this message of hope and have a change of mind about what you believe. I encourage you to believe your new beliefs and doubt your old doubts, rather than doubting your beliefs and believing your doubts. Believe that God loves you. Hold on to that belief with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, all your strength.

From this common crossroad, we will move forward in our own directions. We will hold Chris in our thoughts and warmly regard him in our hearts. We will cherish our beautiful perfect moments…the camping and fishing trips, the campfire laughter, his generous spirit and easy, contagious grin. While we all wish we could pause at a perfect moment and remain there, time marches ever forward, and we move forward with it, hopefully with fresh hope and new believe in the overwhelming love of God.

My prayer for each of you is that you will remember Chris at his best, that you will be quick and gracious to forgive him wherever forgiveness is needed, that you will take the time to thank God for the time you were blessed to spend with Chris, and that you will embrace the belief that God loves you with a deep, wide, vast, immeasurable eternal love and is calling out to you even today to live in that love and believe.

***

On Sunday after the memorial, I received an email from Chris’s aunt. She wrote:

I wanted to fill you in too that I didn’t have a “spiritual’ conversation with Chris per se, but when he was in South Fork, when things were really falling apart with Jenny, I talked to him on the phone and encouraged him to get in touch with someone at a church who could minister to him & listen, & give him HOPE. He followed through and a couple guys came over. He later told me, he accepted Christ and within the same week or so got baptized. He did in fact believe and was saved.

God is great in his love, grace and mercy. His saving grace was sufficient the exact moment that Chris first believed. God’s mercy is greater that Chris’s worst decision and lowest point. Nothing can separate Chris from God’s love…not the events of December 17, nor nothing forevermore. Because of God’s awesome love, Chris is alive now and forever in the presence of God, through his simple faith in Jesus as Lord.

surreptitious

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:01:05 -0600

I really like the word surreptitious, despite its negative meaning. It’s one of those neat words that just rolls off the tongue, and it sounds exactly like what it means. You’re almost compelled to say it in a whisper. On the linguistic fast-food menu, the word is a veritable Big Mac, with two all-beef plosive patties amidst the soft whole grain sesame-seed triple fricative buns, not to mention the lettuce, tomato, pickles & cheese of the vowels, which takes a speaker from close-back to close-mid-front to close-front to open-mid front all in one word. And then there’s the special sauce variable triphthong, if your dialect so inflects.

Clearly, this post was just for me. Thanks for bearing with me as I plumb the depths of my dorkitude.