Humbled

So at the end of December I made my first visit to the VA clinic. I don’t think you can appreciate how humbling an experience it was. (You can read the “rest of the story” a little further on.) As I arrived at the clinic I realized that I’d forgotten all my paperwork. I’m uptight about going there in the first place and now I’m stressed that I left my papers at home. So when I go in for my check-up my blood pressure is 135/92. It’s usually 125/72. Thankfully, Gigi faxed my papers after I called her - from the VA’s phone because my cell phone had died (but that’s another story). Anyway, the rest of the story…

I'd never had the nerve to ask the VA for help. When I thought of all the folks more deserving than I, I was reluctant to even fill out the paperwork. See, I was a cadet at the US Coast Guard Academy for one year, 1967-68. Due to an injury incurred there, and because being a cadet is considered “active duty”, I received an honorable discharge, DD214 papers and all. (The enemy would have to be landing at Horton’s Point for the cadets to be called into service.) And what exactly would my headstone at Calverton Cemetery read? Cadet Georgie?

Anyway, I’m at the VA Clinic and the folks, who are so nice by the way, are asking me questions.
“In what war era did you serve?”
“Oh, Vietnam.”
“How long?”
“One year.”
“Overseas or stateside?”
“Uh, stateside.” [does my voyage to Wilmington, NC on “The Eagle” count?]
“Ever wounded?”
"Um, nope." [unless you count the “Dear John” letter I got while I was at the Academy]

And so it went. My blood pressure never did come down.

I was embarrassed to be treated so well. All the while I’m thinking, I don’t deserve this. But a friend told me I was legitimately eligible and she worked out all the details for me. Still, I was humbled to be brought into the presence of my government to receive help.

And I got to thinking. I wish I felt so humbled and awed at the thought of being in God’s presence. The Almighty Sovereign King has, by his grace, told me I belong. I am eligible for all his benefits. And what did I do to deserve such kindness? Nothing. A Friend brought me there.

How do we get to God? Jesus takes us into his presence. There we are, humbled and loved at the same time. Awed and yet at peace.

Please, let us not take God’s goodness and grace for granted.

[By the way, thank you, Debbie.]

Sincerely in Christ,
George

December 30, 2009

You may be looking for a New Year's resolution to make. Good for you. We all need something new and different. So here's something for you to consider - let's all take a trip through the New Testament using a plan created by NavPress.

It's called 5x5x5. Easy enough to remember. Five days a week for 5 minutes a day, you and I read a chapter of the New Testament and then pick one of the 5 reflection tools (listed below) for getting deeper into God's Word. And then you get two days off for good behavior! It might even be a good study for home groups.

January 1st we begin with Mark chapter one. The entire year's reading can be found on our website or at the NavPress website.

Anyway, Gigi and I hope and pray for you a Blessed New Year, knowing that God will guide all of us and keep us for His glory.

5 x 5 x 5 Bible Reading Plan
Below are 5 different ways to dig deeper each day and encourage meditation. We recommend trying a single idea for a week to find what works best for you. Remember to keep a pen and paper ready to capture God’s insights.

Underline or highlight key words or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text. Periodically review your markings to see what God is teaching you.

Put it into your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly and then rewrite each phrase or sentence using your own words.

Ask and answer some questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down some thoughts on how you would answer these questions.

Capture the big idea. God’s Word communicates big ideas. Periodically ask, What’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?

Personalize the meaning. When God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we must respond. A helpful habit is personalizing the Bible through application. Ask, How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?

Yours in Christ,
George

I found this great prayer for the end of the year, written by Puritans a long time ago and found in a book called The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.

O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in thy presence,
in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise;
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

The World In Solemn Stillness Lays

There are two things I like about snow - only two things. When my children were very young and we lived near Buffalo, I enjoyed snow – its depth, the cold, the shoveling, snowball fights ... Now there are only two things – or did I say that already?

One is the reminder from the Old Testament that though our sins be as scarlet red, they will be white as snow (Isaiah 1:18); though our lives are stained red from our sin they shall be as white as snow. I love that. God does that in our lives. King David, after messing up his life, confesses to God and says that if God will forgive him he will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).

When it snows and you look out on the world, all the dirt is covered up. The great thing about our Father in heaven is that our sins are not just covered up but they are done away with. They are gone. Remembered by God no more. Removed from us as far as the east is from the west. This is a new day.

Secondly, when snow blankets the earth it is so quiet. On Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the world came to a standstill – at least out here on eastern Long Island. It was quiet, still, peaceful. I like that. The snow reminds me that God says, Be still and know that I am God. Stop what you’re doing for a little while and remember what your life means to me.

This Christmas Eve might be a good time for such a reflection. On Christmas Eve we will celebrate the coming of Christ into the world. We will (hopefully) pause for a while. I hope you will join us or worship wherever you find yourself. The sermon for our church is entitled A Down-To-Earth Savior (read Philippians 2, Isaiah 53) . . . . great music lined up to praise God and reflect on the meaning of the night.

Yours in Christ,
George

December 16, 2009

So I was visiting a church member in the hospital when I recognized the man in the next bed. I asked him if he would like me to pray for him. "No, I can take care of myself, thank you," was his reply.

I’m not exactly sure what he meant because his presence in a hospital bed was evidence that, in one respect at least, he could not take care of himself. He needed the medical profession. Perhaps he was referring to his soul. And it caused me to wonder how many other people think the same way. I suspect many don’t want to think they need God to love them, guide them, and forgive them. It takes an astute spirit to realize that one is a sinner in need of saving (forgiving). We deceive ourselves in thinking we are not sinners, fully able to turn our backs on the God who wants nothing more than to share his love with us; a love manifested completely in Jesus.

Let’s face it. None of us can take care of ourselves. As children we depended upon our parents; as adults we depend on the government, our jobs, social institutions, and eventually, funeral directors. One of the greatest promises in Scripture may be found in 1 Peter 5:7. The disciple, in the midst of life’s difficulties, writes, Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.

Wherever you are. Whoever you are. Let God forgive you. Invite him into your life – your whole life. That man in the hospital was entrusting his life to the medical profession. How much more do we need to entrust our lives to the God who created us?

Yours in Christ,
George