“Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3

Twenty-four years ago, God gave me a vision. I was walking to church and I saw it. The image was as clear in my mind and spirit as if it stood before me. I saw the church I pastored, but it looked different. There were additions to the original building and increased parking space. The Church was full of activity. I was not counting people, but everywhere I looked, ministry was happening. I didn’t know what all the ministries were, but I could see people blessed in, and by, the work that was taking place. People were coming and going, and those that left were clearly on a mission. The community, region, and the world were affected by what God was doing.

I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy. God was moving, and the church was being the body of Christ. You can imagine the hope that filled me, and how it grew as I saw the plans for the first addition begin to come together. The vision was seared into my thoughts, and my heart. I could not wait to see what would happen next. However, it was not long before I found out I was about to be assigned to a new church. I couldn’t understand why God gave me such a clear vision, only to remove me from it.

I began to think God gave me the vision so that I would pray for it to come to pass, which I continued to do. I wondered if it might be preparation for something else God wanted me to do, but it seemed so specific. After a few years, I started to believe that the vision was for someone else and, while I continued to pray, I felt like I lost something. From time to time, my wife would say, ” Maybe, one day, you will go back and finish it.” I loved the sentiment, but it simply wasn’t possible… until it was. After 22 years of waiting in prayer, I was offered the opportunity to return. Many pieces of that vision are already in place, but the passion God gave me decades ago is once again burning brightly in my heart. God’s appointed time arrived.

The Lord told Habakkuk to keep the vision large, and to wait for it. The vision came with an appointed time, and God’s visions do not lie. God’s timing is not ours, and when God is ready, the vision will surely come. It may seem as if the fulfillment of the vision is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. What feels like a delay, is actually preparation, but it is easy to give up in the season of preparation. We can lose hope and faith that God will fulfill it.

A good friend frequently reminds me that all of the times “suddenly” appears in Scripture, it usually occurs after a long season of waiting and prayer. What appears sudden is actually the result of preparation for God’s perfect timing. The waiting is not easy, but God is faithful.

The Lord’s word came to pass for Habakkuk, and it is coming to pass for me. God’s Word for you will come to pass as well. It may not come in the time, or in the way, you expect, but God did not forget you, or the vision. Don’t lose heart, and don’t give up. Wait for it. It is not over until God says so, and remember, all of the promises of God are, “Yes, and Amen.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

So, if you are holding onto a vision from God, but seeing no results, keep the vision large so you can see it, and remember, “If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”

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Life does not always feel like it is supposed to for the season we are in. Our circumstances, emotions, and thoughts may not be in sync with what we expect for the timing of our lives. We may feel joyful when we could feel sad, and we may feel discouraged when we have many reasons for encouragement and hope.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the beginning of the most meaningful season of the church year. It is a week I look forward to every year. I know that I will end the week exhausted and ready for some rest, but the power of these days is amazing, and truth they proclaim about God’s love for the world, and for me, is profound. Every service is full of meaning, and the time in between is laden with reasons for reflection, revelation, and expectation.

This year, I confess that I don’t feel very much like the season suggests I should. Like the weather that doesn’t yet appear like spring, I am not overly inspired to wave my palm branches in celebration tomorrow morning. In many ways, I still feel like I am at the very beginning of Lent and that Easter is a long way away. Thankfully, the season does not wait for my feelings to be ready. Instead, it calls out to them saying, “Wake up! The time is at hand! Embrace what is coming for the resurrection is on its way.”

I can only imagine what Jesus felt as he entered Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday. Clearly, he knew where the journey would lead him. The hope of the resurrection must have been mitigated by the reality of his betrayal, and the pain of the crucifixion that were yet to come. The week ahead likely seemed overwhelming, yet he put his trust in God and walked out the path that was before him.

Thankfully, none of us is required to be led by our feelings. We can take every thought captive by the power of the Spirit, and we can choose to live by a deeper connection to the One who promises resurrection, and a stronger conviction that, through Jesus Christ, joy truly does come in the morning. In just a little while, all of nature will declare that spring is here, and in just a little while, the Dawn from on high will break upon us. We may feel out of season, but we are called to wait and believe until it is fully revealed in our lives.

May our Holy Week be blessed as we embark upon this sacred journey with hope in the One who calls us to believe.

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Personally, our family, like so many others, is making its own preparations for the celebration. Food and presents are being purchased, plans to be with family are being made, and some decorating has begun. There always seem to be more details than time, but even that craziness is part of the preparation.

Things and events that really matter require preparation. A great holiday with family rarely springs forth from planning the day before. In fact, when we neglect or procrastinate our preparations, we are usually forced to make other, less desired arrangements. Yet, with adequate planning and action, we can find all that we need and maybe even a little more. Then, when the celebration arrives, we are able to enjoy it to the fullest.

This is the reason for Advent. Despite the carols being played in grocery and department stores, the Santas we see everywhere, and even the numerous manger scenes with the baby Jesus already present, we are not celebrating Christmas yet. We are preparing for that celebration, and it involves much more than scheduling and decorations. The season of Advent is a preparation of the heart and spirit; a getting ready for what God is about to do in our lives and the world. Yes, we know that the birth of Jesus already took place historically, but in preparation for celebrating that event, we make ourselves ready for his continued arrival in our world and look toward the day when he returns in final victory.

It is tempting to leap ahead and miss all of the waiting, but part of the blessing is found there. Like the blessing of delayed gratification in so many other parts of our lives, waiting for the full celebration of Christmas makes its celebration all the more special. It also gives us time to reflect, to contemplate, and to make ready the mangers of our hearts for a fresh experience of the Incarnate God in our lives.

I know it is tempting, but can we be patient and wait? Can we avoid scouring our spiritual homes to find our presents early and not peek at those wrapped gifts awaiting Christmas Day? It may be hard, but it will be worth it when, like children rushing down the stairs to see the magical display, we embrace the revelation of God with wide-eyed wonder. May we be blessed in our giving and receiving, but also in our waiting.

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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart – Luke 2:19

Mary often gets overlooked. This woman chosen by God to bear the Savior of the World and nurture him to adulthood barely gets more than a nod at Christmastime by many people. Of all the women throughout history, she is the one chosen by God to be the means by which Christ enters the world. What an amazing indicator of her availability to God and her willingness to be faithful.

There are many things we can learn from Mary, but one of the facets of her life that profoundly speaks to me and my life is this simple quote from Luke. Here, in the midst of all of the busyness around her that included crowds, a noisy stable, her new child, and shepherds declaring God’s revelation to them, Mary takes it all in, holds on to these things as treasures, and ponders them in her heart. What a great message at Christmas and what a wonderful lesson for life.

The holiday season is always busy, sometimes far too busy. It is easy to get lost in the multitude of tasks and commitments that come this time of year. There is the list of family traditions that simply must be maintained, while new requirements and expectations are created. Work continues, and even includes more responsibility with year-end paperwork, planning for 2012, and more meetings and parties than any other time. In the midst of all of these activities, the other aspects of life continue. Things need repaired, bills must be paid and personal challenges still exist. All of these expectations and this activity can seem overwhelming at times.

The well-know psychologist Carl Jung once said, “Hurry is not of the devil, hurry is the devil.” Profound words that speak to our lifestyle, not only at Christmas, but at all times. We fill our lives with activity and busyness, all the while edging out the time for reflection and meditation. We become so busy living our life, that we lose the time to appreciate it in the process.

Here is where we need the heart and attitude of Mary. Sometimes, we simply need to stop, take in what is happening in our life and ponder it quietly with God. Like Jesus, who would take time to go to the mountainside to pray, we need time to bring our life before God and receive God’s direction for our next steps. We need the Holy Spirit to help us mine the treasures out of our daily experience so that we can see the holy treasures that surround us.

This morning, as I write this, I am facing a task that I do not want to do. I know it will take more time than I want and require a significant amount of mental and emotional energy to complete. My thoughts keep becoming caught up as I ponder the task and my desire to procrastinate. Yet, I am aware that as I actively ponder this task, I am missing numerous treasures that surround me.

Today will be what it will be, and what needs to be done, must be done, but I do not need to surrender my blessing in the process. Just as Mary found a way to hold fast to the blessing of God in the midst of her experience, I too can open my eyes to God’s gifts in this moment. We all can, and that is the real beauty of our relationship with God. At any moment, we can look with God’s eyes and see the treasures that surround us.

Here are just a few I am savoring this morning. Maybe, they will inspire you to find something similar in you day as well:

• The sunshine flooding the room on this crisp winter day
• The warmth of my home, both physically and emotionally
• My family and the love we share with one another
• The quietness of this moment
• My friends who bring richness to my life
• The coffee and bagel that nourished me this morning and tasted so good
• The Scripture and words of life it spoke to me as I read it earlier
• The presence of God calming my spirit and empowering me for the day ahead
• The knowledge and hope that I can do all things through Christ
• The joy that comes from knowing that I am a friend of God

Even as I write this list, I see more reasons to treasure this day. May you find them in your life as well and ponder them in your heart, and may the true spirit of Christmas bring life to your spirit and your busy schedule as well.

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It is not a question you will hear many people ask, at least not in such blunt words, but often it is the reality behind much of our motivation. With a world full of demands and desires, it is easy to look for the minimum investment required, but is that what God asks of us? Is that what God is like? There are many comments I have heard throughout my ministry about what the Lord requires of us. More frequently than I would like, or would expect, the heart of these comments are rooted in this minimalist mentality.

God, however, demonstrates a heart of extravagance toward us. We celebrate God’s blessings in our life and anticipate God’s provision in the future. In this divine generosity we find the example of the holy life. God blesses and cares for us, showing us great compassion so that we, having experienced these joys can share them with others. This is the heart of grace and hospitality that exemplifies the Spirit’s presence within us.

Yesterday, a good friend invited us to her home for a Christmas luncheon. Her home was decorated for the season and the table was set for the guests to enjoy. She prepared appetizers and placed them around the kitchen so that we would all be able to visit as we gathered. Drinks were offered, special dishes prepared and love was shared. Her hospitality made everyone feel welcome and valued. Each piece of the celebration was an expression of love.

It was clear that much time was given to the preparation of the two hour event. All of the graciousness we experienced was the result of a lot of planning, decorating, and cooking. It was also an expression of our friend’s heart, and each person was blessed as a result. Such a blessing warmed our heart toward our hostess and toward each other.

Sharing gracious hospitality is a wonderful expression of the joy of the Lord that is within us. Yes, it takes time, energy and commitment, and there are few shortcust along the way. Sure, it is extravagant, but so is the love of God whom we represent. Each act of hospitality says, “Welcome, you are loved, appreciated and valued.” It is a witness that simply cannot  be shared with a meager mentality.

Last night, we ended our day with a Christmas concert at the church. Every year, we invite a local men’s chorus to share their gift of music with us and the community, and every year the people come to get in the spirit of Christmas. It is always a special occasion, but one of the highlights remains the reception that follows. Church members make a variety of finger foods from deviled eggs to veggie pizza for our guests to enjoy, and every year people stay and visit with us and with one another. It is a wonderful time of community and it is there that we often hear people say how welcome they feel.

We could make cookies and coffee and say, “thanks for coming,” but that just doesn’t have the same feel to it. When we take the time to make the little extras we are saying something about the God we serve and the people we love. Just like the Christmas luncheon we attended, it is all of the special details that share the heart of love with others. There is certainly more than making food involved in sharing Christian hospitality, but Jesus reminded us that even offering a cup of cold water in his name was great ministry, and when we offer ourselves to others in this way we share God with them.

The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) It is a simple command, but one with great power. When we practice hospitality, we demonstrate what God is like. It is a part of the Christian life that we need to make time for, and Christmas affords us many opportunities to practice. We serve an awesome, extravagant and gracious God. What a wonderful privilege it is to be like him as we serve others.

May your holiday season be filled with divine blessings and as you practice hospitality, may you be God’s blessing to others.

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These words many of us sing around this time each year, are from the hymn, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.” They are also the words from Matthew 4:28. A clear reference to the agricultural process, they are certainly appropriate when we begin to think of Thanksgiving and the harvest season. As we celebrate the blessings of our lives, we can also give thanks for the process that brought us here.

One of the things that I hear in these words is: “process.” In a culture that seeks immediate results, often with little effort, it is important to remember that the order of creation demonstrates the process required to receive those results. The harvest does not just happen, not even when we wish for it very much. The harvest comes after seeds are lovingly planted, nurtured and watered. The results come after seasons of patient waiting for the crops to mature and faithful protection of those crops against a variety of natural dangers.

What makes this agrarian image such a valuable teaching is how closely it parallels the harvest of faith and righteousness in our lives. Our path toward perfection and holiness is a process. Our journey in faith is a process. Our maturity in all aspects of our lives comes as the result of a process. All that is growing in our lives requires patience, perseverance, and persistence. There is no real shortcut, and we should be thankful for this truth, for much of what really matters on our journey is the journey itself.

Many people love to travel and experience new places, but some of the best travel memories they share involve the travel time itself. Simply “getting there” is not the real goal. It is the experience of getting there, being there and coming home that holds the real value.

Education echoes the same themes. It is important to achieve key steps in the process, and moments like graduation are deeply meaningful and significant. However, much of the real leaning, along with the most valuable lessons, happen outside the classroom, and are not found directly in the curriculum. It is the places we struggle with discipline that make us stronger. It is conversations outside of class that help us to learn more than was expected. The relationships we make along the way can be a source of joy and strength for life. The process is as important, if not more important than the product.

Ultimately, it is our faith journey that can benefit most from our attention to the process. Too often we are so busy trying to “get there,” wherever there happens to be, that we miss what God is doing in and with us on the way. Frequently, when I talk with pastors who are in the process toward ordination, I hear them say things that imply that they cannot wait to be ordained so that they will be able to minister. I understand and remember those feelings, but the truth is, we all have the opportunity to minister every day, not just when we achieve a particular goal. We are all ministers of the Gospel.

Likewise, we would all like to come to the place where we have fully matured in our faith, but honestly, it will not happen, for we will always be maturing. With each new accomplishment, there will be at least one new opportunity calling us forward.

As we celebrate the harvest this year, let’s not lose sight of what it took to bring that harvest to fruition, and while we are sharing thanksgiving for all we have, let’s remember to be thankful for the process that brought us here. Then, when we look toward the future, we can celebrate our goals, but we can also celebrate the process that will take us to them, and then we can enjoy the journey as we go.

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​This month, our attention turns toward thankfulness and generosity. As we begin to decorate our homes, make plans with our families and bring in the stores for our harvest celebrations, we also begin to make ready our hearts to offer our thanks and praise to God. We recall the journey we took to get to where we are and the many ways God led and protected us along the way. We take inventory of our lives and celebrate the numerous divine gifts and blessings we received: life, health, family, friends, community and our salvation through Jesus Christ. We heighten our awareness to God’s great generosity and we ask the Spirit how we should respond.

Eugene Peterson, in his biblical translation “The Message,” translates the words of Luke 6:38 to read, “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” As we encounter the awesome, generous heart of God, what other response can there be but to be generous ourselves? As those who know the joy and wonder of being blessed, we want to see those gifts developed in the lives of those around us. Instead of focusing more on what we can “get,” we look for God’s guidance to understand how we can give.

Too often, giving is only discussed in terms of money and pledges, and we easily begin to feel that our giving is really only about what others think they can get from us, but real generosity is not only about a check or some currency. Instead, it is about a lifestyle where we seek to demonstrate the heart and attitude of God in everything we say and do. God’s loving, giving Spirit is extravagant, should ours be anything different in response?

This month, as we consider thankfulness, let us demonstrate it with more than words. Beyond a few memories and words prayed before our Thanksgiving meal, let’s take action to offer God our sacrifice of praise through acts of extravagant generosity. Our actions will speak volumes to those around us, will strengthen our spirits in the process and, most importantly, will bless the heart of God.

​You are blessed by God. Be thankful! Be generous! Be extravagant!

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I remember when there was no instant messaging, texting, or email. It was a time when a letter could arrive on my desk, sit for a day or two before a read it, be mailed by the end of the week and I was considered prompt. Now, I occasionally get phone calls in the early afternoon wondering why I did not respond to the email sent to me at 11:00 a.m. that morning. People with crises message me on Facebook and are shocked that I am not constantly aware of what is happening there. It is a different world.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology. We live in an exciting time full of possibilities others could only dream of. My productivity is greatly enhanced by the ease and accessibility of my iPad and computers and I find great pleasure in reading ebooks on my reader. I just recognize that there are times it is good to unplug.

As the effects of a busy Easter season, vacation, and a myriad of work and family obligations made there impact on my life, it became obvious that I needed time, time away from busyness to refresh and offer my best to my family and the ministry. I chose to unplug and seek some renewal. I thank all you, my followers, for your patience during this season. My family and church thank you too. As a result of the time away, I feel more energized in my relationships, my ministry and my writing. I look forward to sharing this experience with you.

As I return to my regular posts, let me encourage you to be attentive to you time and the rhythms of your life as well. don’t be afraid to step away from the computer, turn off the cell phone, or even leave your email in the inbox for a bit while you enjoy time with family, friends and God. Technology blesses our lives, but it does not own them and sometimes an electronic fast can do you good.

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