Snow and frigid temperatures make staying indoors very tempting right now. Navigating roads and sidewalks is difficult, if not dangerous, and the windchill makes your skin hurt. There is nothing inviting about these times. The stark cold and snow, along with overcast skies, can be discouraging and depressing. Curling up and waiting for it all to pass seems like a natural thing to do.

Looking out my windows, I can see that most of the neighborhood is enjoying time at home. Schools are closed, traffic is significantly reduced, and chimneys belch out smoke and exhaust from fireplaces and furnaces. Staying safely warm seems to be the order of the day, except for one lone squirrel.

Apparently, my little friend did not get the memo. Instead of holing up somewhere, he is out enjoying the adventure, climbing the snow drifts, making art with his tracks on the pristine snow, and sitting on the tree limbs watching over his domain. He is clearly making the most of this snow day.

The world can seem cold and hostile. At the very least this feels uninviting, and often it seems equally discouraging and depressing. Our spirits weaken, our passion fades, and we feel like locking ourselves away to await better days. Putting in the effort to engage the harsh reality around us seems like too much work, while staying isolated in our own comfort is a great temptation.

Yet, somewhere in the midst of it all, there is a voice calling us to venture forth into the hostile environment and seize the day. There is a nagging awareness in the back of our minds that adventures are waiting that only the brave will experience. Tempted to retreat, our child-like selves keep reminding us of the passion we once had for days like this, times when we needed parents to remind us of the severity of the cold, and protect us from our passion to embrace it all with joy.

Of course, there is wisdom in assessing the risk, and we need to protect ourselves from the dangers around us. Yet, the neighborhood squirrel reminds me that our desire for safety can easily eclipse our passion for adventure. Maybe, instead of frequently retreating from the harsh reality that surrounds us, we ought to embrace the possibilities as we go out to leave the imprint of our lives on the world.

Most of our town will never see the tracks through my yard. They will likely be covered over by the blowing snow very soon. Still, I saw them; maybe someone else did too, and the squirrel knows they are there, because he was there.

Safety and security are valuable, but measured risk yields a reward. Stepping into places others are wary to go gives us experiences others never have, and leaves the mark of our lives in places that would otherwise be empty. We need those experiences, and the world does too. We are people with a purpose. We have a mission that is bigger that the confines of our comfort and safe space. It will not be easy. It will not be safe. Oh, but it will be exciting, meaningful, and worthwhile.

The world may be cold, but warmed by the Spirit, we can go forth to make meaningful marks along the way, while we savor the joy of the adventure. Unknown to him, my new friend, the squirrel, taught me a lot about embracing the life God gives me and offering my unique presence to those around me. Maybe, he has something to say to you today, as well.

The post Lessons from a Squirrel appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

There is nothing quite like knowing you are on your way! There is a sense of excitement and joy that comes from each new beginning in our lives. We feel things begin to tremble as we begin to launch and we know that we are underway, something amazing is about to begin. The anticipation is tangible. Even facing some fear and the unknowns, we know the adventure is starting.

Last week, I had the pleasure and privilege of officiating the wedding of a very dear friend and her fiancé. Standing before them as they shared their vows and exchanged rings, it was easy to see the joy on their faces, and everyone felt their anticipation for the new life that they were embarking on in that moment.

I always share a few words with each couple I bless in marriage, and I make sure to mention that not every day ahead will be as utopic as their wedding day. Challenges will certainly come, and there is no way to predict what awaits in the future. What is sure is that they are joining their lives together with each other and with God, and they will, through the strength of those relationships, be able to face whatever comes their way.

Such significant moments come with joyful expectancy, and a healthy dose of respect for the unknowns of the future. It can be a wedding, the birth of a child, a new vocation, or a new calling. These, and other similar moments, become launching pads into God’s future, and when we embrace them in their fullness, there is much to celebrate.

In the Book of Revelation, God says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) In the very text that epitomizes God’s future for humanity, there is the promise that God is making everything new. When we walk in faith, we are assured that God is working to re-create us, and our circumstances. Not only is this a promise of hope, but it is a definition of life. Day-by-day, God’s new life for us is being revealed and created.

To say we soar with Christ is an excellent description of what our life of faith is truly like. We continue to climb higher with him, and we experience greater vistas of beauty and wonder. What was once our ceiling, now becomes the floor for the next step of the journey. What once seemed difficult is now commonplace, and what was only a dream becomes reality. With each stage and step, our ability to see more and dream bigger dreams increases.

It would be easy during the shaking and rattling of lift off to back out or change our mind. The immediate experience of that moment can be intimidating, but it is only a short season that is leading to something far more beautiful that we ever expected. Soaring with Christ is a wonderful thing.

When I was younger, I took lessons toward gaining a private pilot’s license. I still remember the day my instructor got out of the plane after we landed and said, “You are ready to solo. Take her up yourself.” My stomach was in my throat. My heart was beating fast, and it was hard to breathe. The thought of my lift off was very intimidating. There were many hours of theory and practice behind me, but this was the real thing.

Sitting at the end of the runway, I pushed the throttle forward and the plane began to move, slowly at first, but rapidly picking up speed. About halfway down the runway, I felt the wheels leave the ground. I was far from steady, but I was flying. In moments I was hundreds of feet above the earth and enjoying an experience I will never forget. Soaring around the airport was amazing. The view was beautiful, and I felt so alive. It wasn’t long before it felt normal to climb into the cockpit and take off by myself.

Soaring with Christ comes with the same intimidating fears, but the reward is worth facing those fears. Nothing we experience compares with the wonder and amazement that comes from the choice to say, “Yes!” Lift off is worth it. We are meant for it.

Whatever God is calling you into today, say, “Yes!” Soaring in faith is an exciting experience. May God’s blessing be yours for the journey!

The post Lift off! appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Gravity, it is the weak force of physics that keeps us strongly rooted to the ground and affects everything from the lightest feather to the grandest sun. It is something we depend upon for life to remain ordered, and it is surprisingly difficult to overcome.

We see that difficulty every time we watch a rocket launch. Massive amounts of fuel are needed to create the thrust energy needed to lift the rocket from the ground. At first it barely moves, and slowly develops forward momentum. Still, that momentum would be almost instantly lost if the thrust were cut off. However, once free of the strong pull of the earth’s gravity, very little energy is needed to change direction or increase speed.

Like the rocket that exerts great energy to free itself form the gravitational force pulling it back to earth, we must also exert great energy to break free from the things that pull us back in life. If we stop too soon, or back off from the effort, the pull of the former things will quickly drag us backward.

The Hebrew people were slaves in Egypt. The Bible tells us the lived in subservience for 400 years. Generation after generation being born and dying in slavery. They dreamed, prayed, and cried out for freedom with a vision that one day they would be free from oppression.

Enter Moses, the man God chose to be the tool of God to liberate the Hebrew slaves. The story is lengthy, but as God moved powerfully through him, Pharaoh relented and set the people free. In the process everyone saw the supreme power of God, and rejoiced that they were delivered from their bondage.

Early in their journey away from Egypt they encountered an obstacle, Pharaoh was coming after them and they were trapped. Having seen the great power of God to set them free so recently, you would expect their faith to be high as they called out to God to deliver them again. Instead, the gravity of their previous life took hold and they began to complain to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die? We were better off as slaves in Egypt!” It was a complaint spoken repeatedly in spite of God’s continued deliverance.

Jesus’ apostles were not immune to this pull. After all he taught them; after three years with him; after seeing him manifest the power of God and then doing the same themselves, the shock of his death led them to return to fishing, the vocation many of them possessed prior to his call to follow him.

We are not immune either. The Psalmist said, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to in and are saved.” Yet, all too often, when the struggle hits, we run the other direction, right back toward where we came from. It happens in individual lives, in families, and in churches. When faced with adversity, unknown outcomes, and obstacles that seem dramatically bigger than our abilities, we try to fall back to what we once knew, before we were walking in the Spirit. We try to solve things in our own strength, or we try to run and hide. The pull of what we knew and where we were is a powerful force to overcome.

Of course, adversity, unknown outcomes, and substantial obstacles are also the foundation for great adventures. They are often the source of grand tales and the stuff of legends. It is when we push to overcome the pull of our past and our fears, we break free from what holds us back and are able to soar with Christ! Imagine the possibilities and discoveries that await us when we break free and pursue the adventure of a lifetime with Jesus. Let that nugget sink in and give you a little more hope, and power to persevere.

In my next post we will look at some forces that draw us back. What do you find tends to draw you back from living the adventure with Jesus?

The post Gravity appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

One such search in my life was for a journal that met my needs. As a writer, observer, and life-long learner, I find journals a valuable aid to capturing the important, and the mundane, for future reference. As a person of faith and a pastor, I find journaling a tremendous tool for spiritual growth. Such a significant tool should meet my utilitarian needs, and prompt my creativity.

I’ve gone through a lot of journals. Leather and cardboard covers, hard and soft bound, ruled and blank, I used a bit of everything. I have a few favorites and, while many were enjoyable, I never found “the one,” until last week.

My wife mentioned a journal she thought I would like a few months ago. She saw it while searching for some planner options and thought I would like it. Called the Midori Traveler’s Notebook, it was a mid-sized leather journal with customizable refills and a number of accessories. She was very impressed. I was not. It had to be special ordered, seemed similar to what I already had, and after 30 years of searching, I expected it would be just one more journal for my shelves.

I was wrong. When I finally took a good look, I began to believe it might be exactly what I wanted. I took the risk, made the order, and received what I desired for years.

My first journal entry read, “After decades of searching for a journal that would truly inspire me, I found it! I cannot believe I did not see it for what it is when my wife first described it to me. Now, filled and ready, it awaits my stories, reflections, and insights. Poems, observations, and revelations from God are on their way. The adventure begins.”

I am not selling journals now, though some of you might find this an answer to your search as well. I am struck, however, by the significance of not giving up the quest. Jesus told his disciples, “seek, and you shall find.” He was focused on much deeper matters, but the similarities are interesting.

Sometimes, we settle for second best, or we give up on our search for what really matters. We often try a myriad of things along the way only to realize we still haven’t found the right way. Occasionally, someone comes along and points us in the right direction, but we let our past experiences keep us from seeing the truth.

Life is a journey, an adventure. There is so much to be enjoyed along the way, even our wrong choices can position us for something better. We need the voices of others, and of the Spirit, to guide us along the way, and most importantly, we must never give up!

There are already some significant spiritual reflections and discoveries in my new journal, but I keep celebrating how such a simple thing, can be a symbol of so much more. I can’t wait to see what I discover next!

May you be blessed upon your journey. May you be excited by the possibilities that lie ahead, and may you savor every moment of your adventure!

The post I Found It! appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.