The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Plumbing

At the place where I work the duties are quite, shall we say, ecclectic. I have my regular things to get done, but also have new and unique challenges. Some are pleasant. Some, well... A few weeks back I got a call from my co-worker with this statement, "The toilet's overflowing from the apartment upstairs and I don't know waht to do." A clog had happened in the drain pipe outside the building PAST the place where the business drainage hooks in. As you know from physics, when there is a clog in a pipe the fluid (and anything it is carrying) will find the easiest exit. This happened to be the business toilet.

I had the "joy" of getting a sewer line cleanout snake and do the deed of unplugging the pipe. This was the least of the "joys." Afterward, I had to go inside and sweep, mop and cleanup the dirty, stinky mess all over the floor. It took days to get it all cleaned up and usable. Of course, during the episode, I kept finding myself thinking, "Why should I have to do this?" "We should hire someone to clean this up." For a variety of reasons, this was not possible. It was up to me.

Days later, after the smell left my nostrils, the Lord pointed somethings out to me. According to the Bible, my sins stink worse to God than this sewer backup did to me. In some inspired writings I recently read that sin was so repulsive to God the Father that Jesus could not see past the grave. He was not sure that He would ever see His Father again. Sin was so awful to God that Jesus thought that He might forever be separated from His Father.

This planet has sewer problems. It is full of it. And yet Jesus willingly came here. He didn't just run a snake up the pipe (interesting symbology there). He got into all the mess, not up to His elbows, not so that some splattered on His shoes (like it did on mine). He got into it fully and completely and cleaned out the clog Himself.

Dear God, let me see sin as you see it. Jesus, thank you so much for what you did for me. I love you.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Card Party

Today we had our second annual card/letter party at our house after Sabbath School and Church. It is a time to join together to minister to those in need in the local or larger community through words of encouragement. There is so much to learn about God's Kingdom in this time of ministry. Class, age and education boundaries desolve. Some look up Bible verses. Some draw pictures. Some write messages. Tools include markers, crayons, pens, pencils, sissors, glue, glitter, etc. The only commonality is the love and caring in the hearts of those particpating. Some (mostly the men it seems) are so worn out from the cares of the week that they are enjoying the bright sunshine, blue sky, singing birds and unseasonably warm temperatures here in the Ozarks by "actively resting."And I, well, I'm typing about it to tell you, then I will be helping where needed.

What a great example of the Kingdom of Heaven, as shown in His people on earth. The Kingdom of Heaven isn't some mystical, prophetic future time of universal change, it can truly be seen here and now. The Kingdom of Heaven can be within you. If we spent more time working together toward the common goal of showing God's love to others, we'd spend alot less time looking at each other and noticing the flaws. As in the card/letter party, many tools are available for our use from God. He has counted His resources and found He is not wanting. Like the people making the cards, all the tools are equal. No one gift or talent is any more important than any other. We head in a direction opposed to God when we start comparing our gifts to those Christ has given to others. As Jesus showed us, at times it is even appropriate and necessary to take time to rest. Each person has been given the tools for the task that God has called them to at that moment. It was so wonderful to hear each card creator receiving praise and encouragement from all the others. No making fun. No "mine is better than yours." At times it would be nearly silent as the concerns behind the cards were shared. At times ripples of laughter broke the calm surface and spread throughout the house. All in one accord working for a single purpose - sharing and speading God's love. It can't get much more Kingdom Like than that.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like the WV Mine Tragedy

Please do not get the wrong impression from the title of this post. My hearfelt prayers have been lifted Heavenward for the families and friends of the miners who perished in this accident.

The waiting for news from the mine must have been tortuous. Not knowing what would be discovered when the miners were found. Then, in 20 minutes, from the misinterpretation of one side of a phone conversation the news was spread - most found alive! "Our loved ones are OK and we will see them soon." The bells rang, the laughter pealed, the hugs and tears and prayers filled the entire town. Then, within 3 hours, the awful truth that all but one was dead changed the laughter into threats of violence, the bells rang in mourning and the tears of joy were replaced by tears of grief and sorrow. "Praise God" became "Why, Lord?" But there were some, just a few, who said that it was not the time to be angry. It was not the time to cast blame. They must come together and make it through as one.

Some spiritual lessons can be seen, even in tragedies like this. As I watched the events unfold, I was reminded of my history lessons. In the days leading up to October 22, 1844, there was great uncertainty. Some were anxious. Some were dreading. All were waiting. As the time of the believed second Advent of the King of Kings drew near there was excitement and jubilation amongst those who were yearning for the event. Their Most Loved One was about to be reunited with them. But as the time came and went, the disappointment was palpable. Many, in fact most, turned away - some angry, some bitter, some disillusioned, all disappointed.

But there were a few who said, now is not the time to be angry, now is not the time to cast blame. We must come together and study the word so we can make it through as one. And they did and discovered that, as in the WV mine accident, there had been a communication misunderstanding. They thrilled at the thought that, Jesus still would come! It was not time for His return to earth, just a time for his role as our High Priest in Heaven to change.

How about you? Have you had deep dissapointments? Do you find yourself asking, "Why? What's the use?" My friend don't give up. Now is not the time. Why? Because, without a shadow of a doubt, I can tell you that Jesus is coming soon! And this time it really will happen! Are you ready?

God Lives Under the Bed

Just got this from my wonderful sister in Ohio. Just had to pass it along. Thanks sis.

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped outside his closed door to listen. "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed."

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will.

He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn chick. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats.

His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished.

But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others.

His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.

He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am.

My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Race Through the House

My precious little princess (aka Greta) has many enjoyments, even at the mature age of 2. One of them is singing. Another is racing. With two older brothers to try and catch all the time, as soon as she could walk, she began to run and still loves it. One of her greatest events is to stand at one one end of the living room and say, "Say 3, 2, 1, go!" When we do so either counting down or up, she begins what I can only describe as pure joy on feet. It's a flat out run, with laughter and smiles all the way. As soon as she reaches the other end, she's ready to start her next race. It is so exciting just to watch her. But sometimes, she takes it to the next step. "Daddy, run with me" or "Chase me" or just a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face, a giggle and a flip of her hair and she's off with someone on her heals amid squeals of delight.

The apostle Paul likens the Christian life to being in race with a great prize at the end. I can easily identify with his words. But I'm not sure I accept what many people say about this verse - that the Christian life is full of nothing but hardship and trials and constant striving. My Jesus tells me to come and take His yoke upon myself for HIS YOKE IS EASY and HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT. A burden? Yes. But one that, with Him, is easily carried? Yes. Our problem is when we try and take the whole yoke on ourselves. That is a miserable Christian life.

One of my favorite songs of late is by the group the Eason Trio. The song is entitled "Enjoy the Journey." "Enjoy the journey. Rest in God's love. Give Him glory. Be strong and stand up. For He has given a life worth living. So until eternity, enjoy the journey."

Can't you see Him standing there, that twinkle in His eye, that smile on His face, His voice calling, "Come on, run with me."

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Stormy Sea

A couple nights ago, we were just winding down our supper. Sharon was in the other room using the computer, Greta was down and playing and Michael, Matthew and I were still at the table. I had just put on a CD to listen to by Valor (www.valormusic.net). The CD begins with the song "Walk on the Water" asking "Jesus, won't you walk out a little farther for me?" Of course this was talking about the storm when Jesus was walking on the water. Matthew said something that had such wisdom. He commented, "Hey, that means to Jesus it was like a bridge." Wow. To Jesus, the storms in our life, the difficulties, the chaos and unceartainty, to Jesus are nothing more than a bridge. A bridge to come save us. A bridge to salvation on the shore. Have faith in your times of trouble. Those troubles are solid under the nail-pierced feet of Jesus.

Psalm 23

I received this recently from a friend in New Mexico. You may have read it before. If so, be blessed again.

The Lord is my Shepherd - That's Relationship!
I shall not want - That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters - That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul - That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That's Guidance!
For His name sake - That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's Testing!
I will fear no evil - That's Protection!
For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over - That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security!
Forever - That's Eternity!