Faith and Flying

Hebrews 11:1 shares "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Hoping and Not Seeing. Not exactly a concept which can instill a lot of confidence in the day and age. In the professional landscape, we must ensure ROI.  And establish the pathway to success and move along it accordingly.

But what about us. What about us with our lives. Should we live our lives Hoping and Not Seeing? Doesn't seem to make all the sense in the world, does it?


I flew in to Atlanta from Minneapolis last night. Now flying to me is always a little odd. A big heavy metallic tube with wings that launches me and my fellow passengers up into the air and brings us back down safely, quite a ways away from where we started. You get on. The door is shut. It's crowded. A metallic voice shares status updates as to your whereabouts. And you just sit there—perhaps every once in a while getting up to pee—then right back to your seat. I hope this plane is gonna do as I believe it will. Get me where I want to go.

So, I had been dialed in to a couple of USA Today crosswords from the past couple of days, and took in some airline TV entertainment. Then the metallic voice shared that we were approaching our destination and to please check the security of your seat belt. At this point I am always reminded of the big, heavy, metallic tube with wings thing and check my seat belt. It was a bit of a rocky decline. Probably due to the weather. Swaying side to side. Back and forth. I tightened by seat again and again. Though I couldn't see the ground, I hoped we got there safely. And as I tightened my seat belt, I was more and more latching myself on to this plane.


Now if faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, then am I tightening my belt to Jesus? Do I fully entrust Him to bring me safely to a destination which is a ways away from where I started? Tested faith is quite a definer of that which you have faith in. And the Lord has historically proven flight-worthy. Honestly though, I am a little scared of a tested faith—when all we can do is tighten our seat belt to that (or whom) which we trust. And this is a life full of faith tests.

Don't Think I Can

The question is not,"Can someone lead a good life without Christianity?" The question is, "Can I?" - CS Lewis 

I don't believe so...

Grind? Really.

The first day back after a long weekend is always a tough one. After few days away from the office—time with family and friends, and a good bit of rest—dialing back into the grind of work is not always an easy thing to do. My first born didn't even want me to mention the word "school" yesterday. And I don't think I am quite ready to think about marketing, retail communication, and design.

I have a friend that had a death in his family over the Thanksgiving weekend. May God be with him and his family, provide a new-found peace, and may they be surrounded with support and love.

Life is a lot more than we often consider. May I keep a good perspective on what a grind really is. And hold an awareness of a bigger picture than my own.

Whack Friday

So this morning after the meal (Thanksgiving that is), I am sufficiently still full. And frankly a little remorseful. What was started as some settlers thanking God for their bountiful harvest and sharing a time of peace with their new neighbors (my early AM understanding of it’s origin)—has turned into a glutenous celebration of food, family, and football. Nothing against the three “Fs”. I am a big fan. But you know what I mean.

I did enjoy a marvelous meal with my folks, some in-laws, my wife and kids. We did thank God for what we have and played a dinnertable game to offer additional thanks—and I am deeply thankful for a lot. But I gotta tell ya, this morning after the meal, as I sit in an Atlanta Bread Company, still belly full, watching the cars tear around and fill up the Kohl’s parking center for pre-dawn sales opportunities, I am quite in a contemplative mood.

First of all, why do we eat so much? I’ve heard that we get three days worth of our optimal caloric intake in the span of three hours. When do our appetites say “uncle”? And even when they do, why do we override that voice?

Secondly, when did we decide that we need to grab another day (all 24 hours of it) after this feast to shop? I don’t understand this experience. Perhaps its to simply save a few bucks—perhaps its simply the lunacy associated with it. However, it does seem a nauseatingly appropriate activity for our society and culture. Why not spend a day eating and sitting around, then go and buy a bunch of stuff for ourselves or those really close to us. Probably a lot of which is using credit (you know, the money that we don’t even have). You could argue that the gift is in the giving, but I really doubt the legitimacy of a lot of that speak. Its to get the stuff, y’all.

Then there is the stress. Some of which comes from our internal battle to rationalize or justify our glutenous behavior—after all, we’ve earned this money. Some of which comes from our self indulgent desire to have our kids have what other kids have. Or ourselves having what the Jones’ have. And not being perceived as less than, or unthankful in our gifting.

What if this Holiday Season we focused outside of ourselves. What if we took the money designated to our kids and told them that we were gonna use it to help a couple of children stay alive and eat for a year. Or that we were gonna help keep some young preteen girls from being sold into the sex slave market. Or that we were gonna help find a cure for childhood cancer. Or that we really don’t have the kind of money to buy all of the stuff.

What if this Holiday Season we focused on Jesus. The God/man who had ownership on true perspective. The One who could answer all of the “whys” that we ask. The One who provided the ultimate example of gift giving.

What if this became a season of appetite control, sacrifice and honor due. Clearly, I am no shining star in the battle to overcome appetite and don’t continually give sacrificially. I fall way short. But with God’s help, and and as I consider Him and His desires for me, and respond to that help and consideration, I can move further that way.

"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” " 1 Peter 1:13-16


Of course there are exceptional folks who are exceptions to some generalizations above, but I think you know where I am coming from....

The Art of Art

There's a young guy at Quick Trip that has the early shift. Outside of the "thank you see you soon" type of communication that you receive at every quick trip, he wished me "Have a great Thanksgiving". This guy is consistent. I see him a good deal of mornings when I stop in for a knock-off Red Bull. He is always pleasant. And even memorable.

Seth Godin would call this art. How we do things. Not why or for what we do things, but simply how. Particularly the little things.

I believe this takes a simplification mentality, a self-awareness, and an honest desire to make the world a better place. Clearly there are things which influence our abilities to do this. Our beliefs, attitudes, and energy play key roles.

You could argue I was an artist by trade, but that is what I do. It's when we apply art to what we do—and perhaps more particularly, the moments we do—that makes it more meaningful, and arguably more impactful. I think I'd rather be known for my art. Might I create art today.

Thanksgiving

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

I am thankful for:

• Each day being new
• Forgiveness
• A wife who loves me, listens to me and I get to love!
• Children to love and influence
• Friends of all styles, shapes and sizes
• A Savior
• Perspective
• A steady paycheck
• The little things
• A voice
• Gratitude
• The ability to change
• Joy in pain
• Example and influence
• The Word of God
• Good music and song
• Laughter
• Community
• Discovery
• The glory of nature
• Expression
• Giving
• Learning
  
• Course correction
• Folks who put up with me—warts and all
• A good book
• A nice India Pale Ale
  
• And more...

Not necessarily in that order :)

Another Angel

Well, another Rally Kid is now with her Creator. Hailey Trainer passed away on Sunday morning. She was the oldest living survivor of her form of solid brain tumor. Oldest at some 2.5 years. I wrote about her a few of months ago (Not Again). Once again the questions of "why" will plague many around Hailey. At this point, logic flees. Certainly you could put a clinical hat on and explain the effect of cancer, but many of us are not that clinical. But logic escapes. In any sort of place where logic resided it is replaced. Replaced with grief, anger, sorrow, faith, peace, frustration, clinging, support, escapism, compassion, sympathy, confusion and understanding.

We were discussing pain and suffering the other day in a class. We talked about how we can very easily throw a well intentioned Bible verse out with the hope to help provide some support and clarity. All too often, that doesn't help much for the recipient of said verse. I don't think we can ever fully understand the ways and means of God. Not here. Not now.

"Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." - John 21:25

Please pray for the Trainer family once again. Their perspective and receipt of God's grace has been amazing to experience.