The Last Mile

Sometimes Rabbit Trails are a Good Thing

2014-03-04T22:39:00.001-07:00

I was teaching Old Testament class recently and we were reviewing the fall of Jericho and Achan's sin when I went on a massive rabbit trail.

I shared with the kids how Joel 2:32--"Those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"--gave a rebellious soul like mine hope.

And we talked about how Romans 8 helped me understand grace.

In Romans chapter 8, we went from "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" to "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus"

We talked about how if God justifies us, who can accuse us? (you may want to read that twice)

We discussed that nothing--not hard times, not sad times, not nakedness, not attacks, not danger, not violence, not ANYTHING can separate us from God's love.

As things progressed, I realized this was not an optional rabbit trail--God wanted someone to hear this one. So I shared this fact with the kids, "I don't know if it's all of you or one of you that needs to hear this, but someone needs to hear this."

We hopped down the rabbit trail of grace for awhile and then class resumed as normal.

After class, one of the students came up to me and said, "Coach?" (what they call me)
"Yeah?" I replied.
"I think I was the one who needed to hear that."

I wanted to pick her up and hug her and swing her around the room and cry, "Don't ever forget you are a forgiven child of the most high God! Don't ever forget you are not condemned! Don't ever forget He loves you!"

That's what I wanted to do.

Instead, I smiled, gave her knuckles, and said, "God is mighty, little sister!"

But my heart said, "Don't ever forget."

Show 'Em What You're Made Of!

2014-02-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

In the hard times, we all have a chance to "show 'em what we're made of."

When life hits us below the belt, this saying is supposed to encourage us to be strong or make the right choices or to "do good stuff."

"Show 'em what you're made of! Be strong! Be tough! Be a light to the world! Remember, no matter what happens, God is in control!"

I don't know about you, but, all too frequently, when the dark times come, I find "what I'm made of" isn't very light or strong at all.

And "God's control" is often cold, cold comfort.

I find when the hard times come, "what I'm made of" isn't all that pretty.

I find I'm made of doubt and anger and selfishness.

When life isn't what's expected, when the curve balls hit, what I'm made of is small and petty and afraid.

In those times, no one wants to see "what I'm made of."

"And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
(Rev 21:6)

He makes our weaknesses strong and our darkness light

He takes our selfishness and turns it into giving

He takes our doubt and makes it faith.

He transforms our fear into life.

He is making all things new, even "what we're made of."

It's not Right!

2014-02-15T14:37:00.000-07:00

Recently I was reminded of a family member who was taken from us at a young age.

At the funeral, I hugged his mom and tearfully whispered, "It's not right for a parent to outlive a child."

It's not right for a parent to watch their child die!

It's not.

It's not right for a flag-draped coffin to be a parent's reward for raising a patriot.

It's not okay for an infant to taste life only to never experience it.

To watch cancer take your child piece by piece is not just.

Or right.

It's wrong. One-hundred percent wrong.

"Again Jesus cried out with a loud shout. Then He died."
(Mark 27)

When I read about Jesus' execution and see the earthquakes and the no sun and all that other craziness, you know what I see?

The broken heart of every parent who has lost a child.

I see God telling us, "You're not alone."

Praying for all parents who have lost or are losing a child.

Even Though

2014-02-04T21:43:00.004-07:00

The prophet Habakkuk (good name for your next child :) ) ends his letter with a powerful idea. I paraphrase:

Even though the crops don't come in and the fruit on the tree is rotten...

Even though the sheep and cows are dead or stolen...

I will rejoice in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.

The LORD God is my strength.

He will set my feet like the deer. He will let me walk upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3)

"Even though"

Even though the next check isn't enough to cover last month's bills

Even though our ship has never come in (or sailed)

Even though marriage is not what we hoped for

Even though this career is, well, a career instead of a passion

Even though life keeps hitting us below the belt over and over

I have no idea what your "even though" is, but I do know this:

God alone is our source of safety. He alone is our joy and our peace. He alone is worthy of our praise, trust and worship. He alone is our Father and King. He alone is our answer.

He alone.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to try to rejoice in my God who delivers us from the "even though's."

Revolutions!

2014-01-03T15:57:00.002-07:00

Recently I saw this: "What is your New Year's revolution?"

Of course, the grammar teacher in me immediately wanted to respond, "You mean 'resolution,' right?"

But then I got to thinking about it...

Shouldn't we start revolutions rather than make resolutions?

We could say things like, "I revolt against my clothes being too tight!"

What if we defined "revolution" as "a full turn?"

"I revolt against being critical of my spouse!"

"I'm making a full turn away from complaining!"

"Will you join me in turning against carrying bitterness?"

Or guilt. Or anger. Or pettiness. Or the hurt caused by people who should have cared for me.

How about revolting against carrying our parents' baggage? Or the hurt some thoughtless person in church caused?

I don't know about you, but, in 2014, I'm joining a revolution against complaining about others.

What's your revolution?   Here's a good list to pick from:

"All of you, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you."
(Colossians 3)

That crazy, crazy church!

2014-01-03T14:38:00.004-07:00

Oh, that crazy, crazy church!

Decades ago, I found myself so disappointed with the church that I had to choose between "the church" and "not the church." I chose "not the church."

I chose wrongly.

The consequences of that choice are still affecting me today. When I realized the error of that first choice, another choice loomed in front of me.

I had to choose to either be a "good" church member and be "just fine," while living a broken life behind others backs, or I had to choose to be transparent while working at making the church better. Reluctantly, I chose the latter.

It hasn't been easy. I knew I would open myself to trust people who would slander me, to forgive people who would not extend the same grace to me, to serve people who would never be satisfied, and to work for people who would not show thanks or appreciation. I knew I would be genuine to disingenuous people. I knew I would be honest to the dishonest. When I chose to rejoin church, I chose to be lied to, walked upon, used up, tossed aside, and hurt by people who should do the opposite. It hasn't been easy.

You know what else I've found? I've found I'm not alone. There are other people in the church who want to see it become the Bride of Grace it's supposed to be. There are others who work to build unity and trust within the church. I've found people who are honest and genuine. I've found people full of grace for my failings. I've found people who serve at any cost. I've found people who trust me when I don't deserve it.

It's up to us. Do we choose to be "just fine"? Or do we risk being transparent? Do we risk being hurt or do we leave?

I don't know about you, but I'm not leaving.

More Than We Can Handle

2014-01-03T14:37:00.004-07:00

I have to admit...

Sometimes life is just ridiculous. Problems never seem to stop, sometimes life feels like a row of Dominos falling, crashing into one another, time after time after time.

You with me?

I know we should have the "at least you have food and roof--be content with your circumstances" perspective but my response to that platitude is: "the reason I have this problem is BECAUSE I'm blessed with a roof and food. If I didn't have those things, I'd have different problems!"

Problems are STILL problems no matter where we are at in our social or financial life.

Paul had problems...

"...we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we were under a sentence of death. But that was to make us rely, not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead."
(2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

"burdened beyond our strength"

Hmmm...I guess God gave Paul more than he could handle. Any of us have more problems than we can handle?

Why? To make us stronger? To bless us? To test us? Maybe. Sometimes those things are the result. But the real reason we have more problems than we can handle?

So we can "rely, not on ourselves, but on God"

I don't know about you, but I'm gonna try relying on Him today!

Weight

2014-01-03T14:36:00.004-07:00

I don't know about you, but sometimes the weight of this place is just so...there. You know what I mean?

Sometimes the crushing despair of this place makes me want to quit.

Sometimes it feels like burdens are the only things we can feel.

Just in case any of you are feeling as overwhelmed as I am right now:

"Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."
(Psalm 55:22)

"He will take care of you."

Clinging to that promise like crazy at the moment.

Time

2014-01-03T14:33:00.005-07:00

Ever question how often God thinks of us?

"...grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time"
(2 Timothy 1:9)

He was thinking of us before there even WAS a before!

Prior to saying "Be," God was mapping out how to forgive and accept us by His own effort and sacrifice.

That pretty much blows what's left of my mind.

So, I guess we can say He's been thinking about us more often than the existence of "often."

... wow ...

I don't know about you, but peace has just invaded my day.

He knows

2014-01-03T14:30:00.004-07:00

Recently, I did a graveside service for a friend's mom. I cried. (surprise, surprise.)

I'm guessing many of you have cried when you've experienced loss like this as well.

We're not alone.

...Jesus saw them weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
Jesus wept.
(John 11)

Ever had your heart groan?

Ever experienced loss?

Been left alone?

Been beat down by the hurt in this life?

So has Jesus -- He knows. He KNOWS.

One thing

2014-01-03T02:14:00.001-07:00

Regrets.

I'm guessing they pull (and claw and scratch) at you too. Some days I have to say this verse literally hundreds of times:

"...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14)

"one thing" -- Either we reach back or we reach forward.

We either let go of the regrets or the regrets refuse to let us go.

We keep driving forward or we spin our wheels. -- Which "one thing" do we choose?

I don't know about you, but I'm not reaching backwards today!

Innocent

2014-01-03T01:18:00.002-07:00

I don't know about you, but some days I feel so ... I don't know ... dirty? worthless? Maybe just utterly ugly and broken.

And guilty. Always with the guilt.

But then I remember this:

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
(Rom 8:1)

"no" as in "none." Zero. Zilch. Nada.

It is impossible for us to have guilt. He took it all. Every last bit.

We can't make ourselves more or less guilty.

It's not possible.

Live innocently -- cause we are.

Nevertheless

2014-01-03T00:49:00.003-07:00

You ever said, "Where ARE you, God!?"

I know I have.

We're not the first.

For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes";

Nevertheless
You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

(Psalm 31)

David felt abandoned, unseen and unheard. I'm guessing we've all walked that road a time or two.

"Nevertheless"

David's feelings--his fears and doubts--had nothing to do with the reality of God's work.

"Nevertheless"

When I reread the passage, I am filled with awe of an amazingly patient and caring God.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to rest easier tonight knowing that even when I feel unseen and unheard, His "nevertheless" is soon to come.

Guest writer!

2012-09-20T22:36:00.001-06:00

My long time friend, Andrew Vanderbeek, has posted two short stories and the first episode of a serial for you to peruse. I'm hoping Andrew will be a regular contributor to the blog so feel free to give him any feedback as well. Enjoy!

2012-09-10T21:50:00.002-06:00

Welcome!

I decided to go ahead and do a blog with my fiction work and some of my poetry.

Writing, particularly poetry, is often a source of healing for me and, as such, is often written when I am feeling wounded or alone. So if it seems "un-Jason-like" now you know why. :)

My fiction covers a wide variety of topics and characters. "The Creep" story is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi romp that is still in the works. I have the first few chapters done and a few more in the oven. The whole tale is quite large so it may be awhile until I get it all done. Other fiction drafts are in the development stages but I'll post 'em as soon as they're done.

Course, Christianity bleeds through in most things I write. As is proper.

As an uber-rookie, I always appreciate constructive feedback and I hope you enjoy!