The Unwritten Page

Tonight was great.  My wife, Pam and I, along with our friend Josh, shared a meal with two new friends, who have been coming to our Sunday gathering.  One was a man who was “houseless, not homeless” named Marc, and the other a 60 year old man from Guatemala, named Santiago, who spoke very little English.  As we sat and communed together I felt something magical happening.  I heard the struggles of Marc and why he felt prone to wander (He has lived in Maine, Hawaii, and Miami).  He is a restless soul, who desperately wants to find peace and rest.  And I loosely put together the stories Santiago shared, of his life in Guatemala.  Though language was a barrier, I enjoyed his company and his joy.  His spirit encouraged mine. 

Anyway, as we sat and shared and ate, and ate, I was very aware of God’s presence.  Only God could orchestrate a meal of this kind, with 5 people who have so little in common and yet so much to share with each other.  It was very diverse to say the least.  So many times I eat to survive, but find no real satisfaction for my hunger.  Tonight I left the table feeling full.  My heart was full.

Tonight my heart was encouraged by God and those I shared with.   

I hope your Sunday was as good as mine.  Who did you dine with today?  Did you leave the table feeling full?  

Check out the new trailer for Superman Returns.  It gets me pumped.  Why is it that I connect to this story (Hmmm…I wonder)?  Does this resonate with you? 

http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/trailer.html

“God looked over everything he made; it was good, so very good!” (Genesis 1:31)

“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out… For what I do is not the good I want to do…”(Romans 7:18-19)

“Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4-5)

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed… He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16-17)

I have a always had this strange infatuation with underdogs.  I love the teams that are picked to finish last, and that seem to have no chance whatsoever to win.  When victory comes, it makes it that much more sweet.  I have for some odd reason, always fit in this catagory.  Probably by some strange subconscious choosing of my own.  For instance, I was told in high school, by a counselor, that “college is not for everybody” and maybe I ”ought to start thinking about a vocation that doesn’t require a degree” (I KNOW - can you believe it?).  Anyway, I now have two college degrees and am the first in my family to graduate from college (where, I might add, that I first heard about and began following Christ).  I was told that my calling to ministry, shortly thereafter, was “just a phase and I would get over it, as soon as I realized there was no money in it” (that one hurt).  Yet, here I stand 13 years later, in South Beach, starting a new community of faith (and broke I might add, but loving life).  When I decided to move to Miami, I was told that I was “crazy”, that this would never “work out”.  Well, perhaps - but here I am. 

Anyway, all this to say, I don’t mind being the underdog - actually I am fueled by the fact that ONLY God sees my true potential and capacity for success.  And I know that God loves an underdog (look at the ragtag bunch of misfits he chose as disciples, and still chooses to this day)

I would love to hear stories of other underdogs like me.  Are you out there?  Please share.

Acts 5:38-39

“…If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.  But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them.  You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” 

As the sun dimmed

its cruel light

to kiss the evening sky

heaven played

a lonely tune

as if to say goodbye…

 

The stars appeared

and sang on key

the moon began to weep

for it was full

of love to give

and promises to keep…

 

The darkness mourned

and bowed its head

but could not make a sound

this silence

of an anthem true

by secrecy was bound…

 

Doomed by fate

this love affair

so plagues the mortal mind

why should the day

that loves the night

leave it far behind?

 

 

 

I have had trouble sleeping lately…Well, my whole life really. But, especially in the last week or so. You see, when I was a kid I had trouble sleeping because of the cold war and the constant talk of a nuclear attack. I used lay awake and think “what if it happened tonight?” - the things I haven’t accomplished, the experiences I haven’t shared. I am sure that part of it was because I watched the movie “The Day After”, which could freak a kid out. My sleepless nights as a kid turned into sleepless nights as a teenager and I carry them with me now. No, not because of the threat of a nuclear attack, but it is always something, you know? Mostly about things undone - a future not yet lived. This week, it has been the fear of aging or getting old. It is very apparent lately that I am not as young as I used to be (physically especially). Call it a quarter (well, 1/3) life crisis. But, as I write this, I am watching a middle age woman command her aged mother to “Sit!” and “Stay!” Is this where I am headed? No apparent purpose, no thoughts of my own, no living just surviving…A pet to be cared for by those around me? I want it all to count for something. I want to live and then head out on a chariot of fire. But, perhaps I am livng life half asleep.

Do you have trouble sleeping? Why do you think that is?

I am nobody…

Dust of the ground

Trampled under foot

Clinging to life

A life not yet known

Waiting for breath

Dreaming to be…