In our Life Group, the question was asked to define the perfect couple.  Immediate answers went to the things of this world – looks, finances, well-behaved kids; all the perceptions of success as our society defines it.  It was how I used to define so much but changes in my life have helped me bring a new vision of success to what I see.

Father Thomas Keating, in his book The Human Condition, says this, “Sometimes a sense of failure is a great means to true humility, which is what God most looks for in us.  I realize this is not the language of success, but we have oversubscribed to that language.  We need to hear about the interior freedom that comes through participation in the sufferings of Christ, the symbol of God’s love for everyone on earth.

It has taken some difficult moments for me to realize that I am promised nothing but suffering on this earth.  While Job was given a great deal after his suffering, I cannot believe the scars of what he went through left his mind but it never changed his love for God.  David, a man after God’s own heart, saw his family fall apart but he never changed his love for God.  The apostles faced beatings and prison but it never changed their love for God. 

What is it that makes me think I am different?  That I can have a “happy” life without all that suffering?  That going to church and contributing to my 401k is my means to an enjoyable future? 

The Bible is filled with people who suffered mightily.  One such story tells of a man who was beaten, his flesh ripped away from his body, people spit on him and then he was nailed to a cross to die.  It is understandable that he could be completely confused by the treatment because he was the son of God but his final words speak volumes about who he was…and who I must be.  Humbly, he said “forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.” 

I continue to pay my mortgage and contribute to my 401k and make plans for the future but I also know it can be taken away in an instant and that it very well could be replaced with suffering.  My joy is that each day I continue to accept that knowledge more living in the security that at the very worst, I still will not be called to bear all the sins of the world. 

I don’t want to oversubscribe to what success means to the world any longer – only to what success means in my relationship with my Savior.

Grace and peace to you.
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A good friend recently said “if people truly believe in a literal heaven and hell, it seems like they would act different.”  That’s been stuck in my head the last few days as I ponder how I’m living.  Do I approach each day living as if there is a real heaven or hell awaiting me or do I approach each day like there will always be a tomorrow if I can just muddle through today?

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Do I find the opportunity each day to share Christ with someone or am I more focused on the basketball game I want to go to?  Do I find the opportunity to serve someone each day or am I more focused on where I want to eat lunch?  Do people see Christ living in me or do they see a guy just getting through the day, just trying to survive the rat-race?

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I want to start living each day much more committed to the reality of my belief that there is a heaven and a hell and that there is a Savior who died for me so I could live in heaven and that I have been called to exhibit Christ-likeness in my words and actions.  I want people to know I believe there is a heaven because of my joy through Jesus Christ and the unexplainable love of God, the Father and my Lord.

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Yes, my good friend, I do believe in heaven and I do believe in hell and I hope your words will push me to live more wholly devoted to Christ each day.

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Grace and peace to you.
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I just realized it is March 1.  I’m not sure what that says about me but have had several thoughts run through my head and none have happy answers.  I’m not organizationally ready to start blogging again today so I will fill this space with rambling thoughts.

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I have been making a list of ideas and will start rolling those out in the next few days.  Exciting, huh?

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OK, for excitement, the Rangers start intrasquad scrimmages today.  That means baseball is close! 

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My son’s team played this weekend and while the record didn’t indicate success, the play on the field was really good and he had a great tournament. 

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More rain today.  Yippee.

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Do you ever have a lunch with someone where the conversation is so good you are thinking about it for days?  I had one of those Friday with a good friend.  Stuff we talked about is still bouncing around in my brain and it keeps bringing me back to one central thought – the power and majesty of God is indescribable.  Even though I continue to try and verbalize what God is doing in my life and in others, my efforts are weak to effectively describe God.

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I hope to get rolling soon but there’s too much to do today.

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Grace and peace to you.
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