Hurry!

So this morning I'm reading from Exodus, end of chapter 5 and into 6.
Basically, Moses says to God: "Ever since I spoke your name there has been trouble and you have not rescued your people at all."
God's answer is this: "I am and I will."
"I am the Lord."
"I will...bring you out, free you, redeem you, take you as my own, be your God."
And I thought - how my time table is not the same as God's. I want things done now. I'm in "hurry mode" and if something should be done, well, yesterday is when it should have been done...And that impacts my relationship with God.
"How long?" It's like I know what God wants to do, or can do, and yet - why not yet?
And today I'm reminded that God's promise stands strong.
God is. And he knows. He cares. He can. And He will.
For you too.

I Am Shaq

So, I finish today's run, and I'm walking up to the house with my sunglasses, headband - I'm not the coolest cube in the tray...
And these little kids - 3 boys all about 11 years old, are playing basketball in their driveway (across the street from me).
I say something about them playing a game, and they say they don't have enough players. I say "Oh, okay - I'll play for just a few minutes."
We make introductions - and I am very careful to say "My name is Mark"...
They're dinky little guys, the rim is 8 1/2 feet high - and these little boys never call me "Mark". Instead, the talkative littlest one (he's now my opponent) just keeps referring to me as "Shaq". He never actually talks to me. Just about me. Like I'm not there. I miss a dunk and he hollers "Shaq misses the wide open dunk!"
Mocked by a 6th grader.
By the way - my team won.

Call Me Jacob

Whenever I've preached about Jacob (the Bible dude), I've portrayed him as a "deceiver" (that's what his name means) - who pulls a lot of shady deals to get what he wants. I always thought he was kind of the booger of the two brothers.
But recently, I've started seeing a different side of him.
I find my heart has begun to connect with him, in a way.
I like his "wrestling" scene with God: he wrestles God for a blessing. He wants God's blessing so bad that we won't let go. God finally gives him his blessing.
Lately - I've found myself praying for a blessing from God. God has given me so much: an incredible home - a super city/community - a wonderful church to serve.
We're very comfortable and happy. All of those things that one wants: we have.
But I've been praying that God will bless us with new believers at our church.
Lot's of them.
I've been to every section in the hospital, and my favorite is the maternity ward. That always makes me smile.
And so, the DF prayer focus I'm on right now - is the Jacobizing of Mark.
I've been praying hard for focus for our church. And I won't let go. Until He answers...and then - I still won't let go.

Daniel Fast

Well, here we are in the Daniel Fast.
Yesterday, McKenna asked me why we fast? Great question. Without thinking about it, one could fall quickly into some kind of "works righteousness" deal. You know, hoping that God will love you more because you're sacrificing. Or, a "this for that" kind of thing - "Maybe God will give me what I want if he sees how much pain I'm in..."
I like this explanation though: To gain control over my own appetites - so that nothing drives me except for God. Philippians 3:19 talks about how our god can be our appetite - and I've found that's pretty true. Lot's of things can become my god - even food! Mary makes fun of me for always having a pocket full of snacks, wherever I go. It's true. My car has candy. My pockets have candy. Every jacket of mine has something to munch on. Hmm - deep problems!
So - the Daniel Fast is reminding me that I can trust God, no matter what.
I'm still not sure what to do about the caffeine headache - but I'll manage.

Help Received

Well, I'm used to thinking, and writing about opportunities to help people in need.
I'm usually swinging the hammer, or using the duct tape - at least I'm holding someone's tool bag for them...
But this time, I'm on the receiving end.
The other day, I called Master Plumber Don Luke from Canton, MI - a great friend from the olden days... because I needed some advice on fixing a leaky faucet.
Don replied: "You can wait, and I'll come help you. Or, you could try to fix it, break it, and then call me and I'll come help you."
Since those were my choices I decided to wait. So this morning, Don and Annette were in town and they dropped by.
We talked, had some coffee, ran to the store, and in just a bit, had the sink and shower all perfect.
I say "we" loosely. Don did the work. I talked, drank coffee and held the duct tape just in case.
Just a reminder: Jesus said "Whatever you've done for the least of these, you've done for me." Sometimes it's okay to be the "least of these."
Thanks Don!

hmmm

Cadbury Eyebrows from Nils-Petter Lovgren on Vimeo.

Fun at CTCA

Yesterday, was fun at the hospital. Mary's annual cancer checkup.
It was a great day...
Last minute, we called my folks and asked if they'd like to take a road trip with us - they did!
We got up early and left - nice relaxing trip to Zion, IL.
Mary checked in and then we all went to lunch (the hospital has an incredible restaurant, serving "good for you" meals - lot's of fish, etc. and the serve us FREE.)
Then, we sat and read for awhile. Mary had her first test.
Then we had a couple of hours until her next meeting. So, we went up to the third floor, where they have a beautiful, state of the art workout room, lot's of windows, weight machines, treadmills, etc. All of us worked out for an hour, then showered up...
The most fun part was each of us hitting the "suspended punching bag". It nearly knocked my glasses off when it hit me in the face!
Mary had her last meeting where the doctor said "All is perfectly well, you're the most healthy person I've seen today!"
Then, we went back to the dining area and had dinner (another amazing meal!)
Then, headed home - got back about 10:30 last night.
Fun day, even though it was spent at a hospital!