Christmas Day Change

This morning we read Luke's narrative of the birth of Christ. I noticed anew the change that took place following the birth. Prior to His birth the scene is dreary as Joseph and Mary are compelled to be away from home at the worst of times, and they are basically excluded and alone sharing space in a barn with the livestock. The scene changes at His birth- glory follows - Angels appear and share the news with Shepherds in the field, "glory to God in the highest..." they sing, shout, and celebrate. News so exciting, so wonderful, so absolutely amazing the shepherds can't help but go and see this event the angels spoke of.

Every time Jesus comes on the scene things change for the better - even at His birth. No doubt He was just a little pile of wrinkled flesh like any other baby, but yet He was "Immanuel" - God with us. His presence had come and the world - the lives of individual people - would forever be changed. Isn't it funny how we tend to fence off the effect of Jesus to the past of long ago, "That was then, but this is now". Can you imagine what life would be like if His presence was welcomed into every meeting, conversation, church, workplace, and home? Yes, we can imagine it if we will - the effect would be no different than the night of His birth. Give it some thought....better yet, give Him a try.

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

I'm sitting on the back porch watching it rain. It's rained so much that everything seems to be shut down as if God was strongly suggesting a time of mullination. I'm reminded again how God is always right on time. It's funny how even the animals seem to take a day off and weather the storm. The birds don't fly that much and the cows spend a little more time under the trees or in the barn. The dogs are laying on the porch in a paralyzed state slumber that looks to be deeper than any sleep known to man. Though we usually complain about it rain is really such a good thing.

Rain is like times of mullination as it refreshes, cleans the clutter, and provides the fluid needed for all that live. There is one major difference - rain is completely beyond our control and taking time to think is a choice we make. Why not turn the television off for a while and just give it some thought and you'll see what I mean.

He Who Talks Too Much

The talking heads of sports crack me up. The next time you're watching a ballgame on television pay close attention to the commentary, and you'll see a good example of what happens when you talk too much. Silence is a big "no no" so I guess they have to say something even when it's wrong. Nine times out of ten whatever they say now is totally different from what they said a moment ago. I really hadn't paid much attention to it until lately - it all began when a commentator covering golf mentioned a player who loved to putt "right to left". It he's right handed he always putts right to left...right? Now we listen carefully to what they say and it makes a sporting event double as a comedy.

So, the mullination lesson has something to do with talking because you must versus having something to say. More often than not if you just keep quiet others will never know how much you don't know and you'll appear all the wiser. It really makes perfect sense, and what's the problem with silence anyway? Mull on it a while and you'll see what I mean.

He Who Has More

There once was a man who had acquired great wealth and with this wealth he developed a beautiful piece of property. He had a lake, a nice home, a guest house, and a paved drive with beautiful trees and a white picket fence. It was something to behold, and all who visited were highly impressed with what he owned. It was a joy to live there and especially delightful to sit on the porch and enjoy the view or walk down to the lake and fish for a while. Yet, it was rare that he had such time to enjoy what he had purchased.

On the other side of town there was another man who had worked hard all his life, yet success seemed to come in very small pieces for him. Though he had little money he managed to build a small one room cabin on a small lake back in the woods. He made a road leading back to the lake with an old bulldozer, and after a rain he used his old 4-wheel drive to get there. His friends who visited kidded and joked about the old tin, and mostly old material used for his cabin. It was 'neat' not necessarily 'nice'. Nevertheless, it was a joy to live there and especially delightful to sit on the porch and enjoy the view or walk down to the lake and fish for a while. He spent days with long afternoons enjoying it all, and he fished so much he knew every little nook and cranny of that lake. As he sat on his porch during these long afternoons he often marveled that he could have so much. He was thankful that he worked so hard over the years to save and build with his own two hands such a fine place.

Question: Who really has more? Mull on it a while.

In the Eye of the Beholder

"Beauty" is neat thought. It exists in every place, and within every person in some form or fashion. All you have to do is look for it, notice it, and appreciate it. The sunrise has this remarkable beauty whether you're on the farm, in the big city, or at the beach. It doesn't matter where you are it has this majestic, slow, steady, explosion of color, light, and hope.

"Beauty" is in the eye of the beholder because only the one who beholds gets to see it. If you sleep past the sunrise you miss out, but if you get up and look you witness the beauty of a new day. If you pass that person by, or focus only on what is not attractive you miss out on a beautiful thing. Sadly most people spend their time on what is not beautiful in others. Whether its their spouse, neighbor, child, or boss - its always what's wrong with them instead of what right. What a shame to miss the beauty. Maybe we tend to do that because we doubt our own beauty deep down inside. There's an old saying, "there's good in everybody" - That is true...even in you (rhyme point!).

So, beauty only exists if it is beheld by someone. In other words if you fail to behold it you cheat beauty itself and beauty doesn't rest on those who refuse to behold it. Get it? Mull on it and you will. Here is a clue - You always become like what you behold.

The Dawning

The dawn is such an interesting time of the day. This morning its cool, damp, foggy and surrounded with shapes and shadows that will emerge as bushes, trees, and creatures as morning arrives. You can see these shapes emerging yet you're not sure what they are, and the imagination seizes the opportunity and transforms them into all kinds of things. You imagine a deer, a bear, lions, and even big foot himself eases along through the fog of early dawn. Eventually day breaks and all those creatures are slowly revealed as bushes and tall weeds moving with the wind.

Life has its moments of dawn just like each morning. Times when you struggle to make sense of it all, and the imagination runs wild being energized mostly by fear. Eventually the dawning happens and we begin to make sense of all the shapes and shadows of life. I guess the good news is that morning always follows the dawn, and usually the darkest and coldest times of the day are at dawn. So, when things seems really bad or uncomfortable take heart because morning is coming and all our surroundings will be revealed for what they truly are. Mull on it, and you'll see what I mean.

Turning over a new leaf?

Ever think about a leaf? It begins in the spring with excited growth, stretching out more and more. It waves in the wind high above the ground and immediately gets to work processing all that stuff from the sun that makes the rest of the tree grow. That leaf probably feels pretty good waving in the wind doing its work, and basking in the sun. But then things begin to change just a little each day. The sun doesn't stay out that long anymore and the leaf begins to feel old and change color. To top it off something from beneath seems to be pushing him closer and closer to the edge. Now there's this fear of being so high up rather than fun in the sun. He probably thinks, "I don't want to fall from way up here!" But no matter how much he fights it he is pushed closer and closer to the edge until finally one day it happens - He is ousted, but the fall isn't so bad, in fact its really more like a drift than a fall. He discovers the ground, and its soft from all those other leaves that fell through the years. Eventually he just crumbles into small pieces, smaller and smaller until finally he's small enough to seep down in the ground and get in those roots and make his way to the top again - this time he's so much higher than before.

Strange is the life of a leaf, and surely there's some lesson in there if we just mull on it long enough. Maybe there's no such thing as a new leaf after all - the past simply provides the fuel we need to grow to greater and greater heights. Can you imagine what it would be like if a leaf just kept on growing for the life of a tree? Leaves would be so big the tree couldn't stand up I guess.

give it some thought.

How's the Weather

We've had the rain lately! It's funny how we put God in a predicament sometimes by cutting hay and sowing a field on the same day - that's what you call a win-loose or loose-win situation because if it rains its wonderful for the seed sown, but terrible for the hay on the ground. I kind of feel bad for doing that.

I felt it last night and knew it this morning - fall is here! There are some things that you can definitely count on and a change in the weather is a gimme. The hot, humid, sweaty, rain forest low has turned into a dry, cool, crisp, blue sky high for the coming week. Seems there's a lesson here....

If you don't like it the way it is just be patient things will change. If the present is good then enjoy the moment, take it in, give thanks, and remember it. Whether things are good or bad it makes sense to cherish each moment because each moment is all we have for a time. Give that some mull time, and maybe you'll see what I mean.

The Surrender of Freedom

Call it crazy, but the idea of a democratic society surrendering its freedom to itself is asinine. Yes, it is the right thing to get up in arms about any loss of freedom within a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Just mull on the idea for some time and you'll get what I mean. I'm no politician or political expert, but common sense demands no title or degree.

Think about the basics of surrender for a moment. The victor is automatically liable for providing for those who surrendered. For example, Japan is a strong economic society today because they surrendered to the United States as a result of WWII. Upon their surrender we were obligated to provide the support needed for rebuilding their country. The same is true for Iraq, and Afghanistan today - we are in essence obligated to restore what we destroyed simply because we are the stronger force.

Now, with that small tidbit in mind think of who the people of a government of the people surrender to....and who then is liable for support? You see, it just doesn't make any common sense whatsoever. When the people of a democratic society surrender freedom to its own government there is no one left to provide what freedom is lost. Maybe its time we are reminded that our government is not a seperate intity, but rather our very self. And maybe we need to be reminded that we elected those in office and if we really don't like what's going on in Washington we need to do some unelecting. Give it some thought and go to Washington this weekend if you like - You are free to do so by they way....at least for now.

What Happened to the Kid?

I just read a great story about a mother and daughter who were caught in a rain storm at a department store and it brought back memories of playing in the rain when I was a kid. Whatever happened to the kid in us? Have you seen the commercial on TV advertising a vitamin that brings that kid out again?

It seems we grow older with far to little color, and we get immune to the simple joys of living. We seek stability and longevity for some reason even though deep down we know life is so short. We loose the ability to take risks, and become so careful and drawn up that we begin to squeak when we walk. We get serious and that doesn't fit with a life that is mostly trivial. Mull on it a while; money they say makes the world go round, but isn't money trivial? You can't take it with you, and if you have money you probably have very little time to enjoy it.

There is only one remedy for this grownupitis - the next time it rains go outside and run around, get muddy, and soaking wet. When you look in the mirror you will discover a smile that you probably haven't seen in a long long time. So, lighten up and don't take things so serious. We all have a kid inside that needs to play, be carefree, and laugh - mull on it a while and you'll see what I mean.

Your Life Story - Tell it to Your Self

What do you really remember about the past? Just imagine, its evening and the sun is barely sinking with it's usual beauty of red, orange, yellow, and purple. amazingly the chores of the day are done, dinner is over, and the kids are involved in something that doesn't demand your attention. As you sip on a good cup of java you begin to think of the past. What do you think of? What comes to mind?

Odds are you've never had such a moment to begin with. But, just give it a thought and consider your history for a moment. If you were to tell your life story what would you tell? I know, it's a session of 20 questions, but just entertain the thought for a moment. Telling your life story may be the best thing you've ever done.

I'll never forget an assignment given in class a couple of years ago, "walk, tell your life story until the wind blows it back in your face." That was it. All the students looked at one another for a moment and then we went our separate ways walking and talking to ourselves. I know it sounds crazy but it was one of the best things I've ever done, and...yes, I admit it, its one of the best things I still do. The most difficult person to understand is our self, and a review of our history is somewhat a review of our self.

If you give it a try you will find yourself telling a story of stories because life is mostly just that; a story of stories. Right or wrong, the events of the past shape our view of the present as well as our expectations of the future and you may be surprised at the bogus mindset developed by past expereince. One thing to remember, its important that you walk and that you have no time limit for the exercise. Give it a try...it is mullination at its best.

Packing up to Move

Stuff, stuff, and more stuff! It's amazing how much "stuff" you accumulate over the years. With a move just around the corner I began rummaging through the shed and I'm shocked to discover all those duplicate items. I have two of everything, especially when it comes to small tools that are easily misplaced and rarely used. Items presumed lost, then replaced in a time of need, and miraculously they show back up out of nowhere. Maybe I could practice a little more organizational skills when it comes to the shed out back.

I've discovered that you accumulate a lot more than stuff over the years. Friendships, stories, lessons learned, lessons given, experiences that stick, and strong emotional attachments. It just goes to show that life really consists of the relationships we have with people. The stuff means very little, but the relationships and their effect last a life time. Life always boils down to who you love, and who loves you.

Maybe it would be a good idea, from time to time, to pretend you're moving. What would you pack, what things would you sell at the yard sale, and what would you haul to the dump? And while you're pretending just go ahead with everything except the packing. Trust me, if you ever actually move you'll be glad you had those moving drills over the years.

Who needs people?

Independent, self-sufficient, the entrepreneur spirit - it's the American way? Maybe, but maybe not. It seems to me we have a shift in values from "let me do it" to "somebody else should do it for me". And then you add the side note, "and leave me alone while you're doing it." Culture, value systems, and life itself is strange to say the least. Is anyone really independent and self-sufficient?

The trend seems to be a work at home and do your own thing, but in reality not one of us could function without someone else. Even the entrepreneur running a one man business is totally dependant on the consumer. Something within us demands togetherness but we fight against it with all our might. The typical trend is to come together, develop or discover an issue, and then choosen sides and part ways. Think about it; we are the United States of America - why? Why not the United State of America? It seems we always come together to divide up, like choosing teams on the playground. Some say we have two political parties, but actually there are simply two parties of parties and the fun is long gone.

Strange - we need each other, but the first chance we get we divide up. Yes, as they say, people are strange, and we're a little strange ourself. There must be a reason for it all - maybe we actually need something or someone else. Mull on it, and you'll see what I mean.

Life Happens

There are some things in life you can really count on, I mean really count on. You can know with absolute confidence that life happens and life changes. Now that is profound don't you think? You can never alter life happening, it just does. And, you can never change the fact that life changes. Now, that makes me feel so much better just knowing there are things I can count on.

So, here is the point of mullination - why do we cringe at news of change? Why do we act so surprised, disappointed, or even devastated at times because of the happenings and changes of life? I guess it's because we are creatures of habit, and deep down we kind of like it the way it is. We may complain throughout the day but all in all we basically wish most of life would just stay the same.

If life is going to happen anyway, and changes are inevitible - maybe we should learn to role with the flow, sink our lives in what really matters, and embrace the wonder of this ever changing world we live it. And, one more very important thing; cherish the "now", because the "now" won't be here for very long. Ever heard, "don't wish your life away"? Mull on it, and you'll see what I mean.

Third Shift - Can't Wait!

I've never worked third shift on a regular basis, and I wonder how those that do get used to it. Occasionally I have third shift nights when sleep seems to be sleeping somewhere else. I used to feel weak during sleepless times, but third shift last night awakened some new thoughts. I felt I was allowing things like worry and fear to penetrate too deeply so I turned to one of my favorite passages - Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It seemed the place to turn because typically those things that rob us of sleep come from moments of doubt. But, maybe that's not all that true all the time.

Eventually I continued reading and verse nine caused the stir, "My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you." I began to think of all the night time happenings in the bible; often in dreams of the night God spoke, and sometimes He even awakened His people from their sleep for a special message. The Psalmist speaks of thinking of God on his bed, and continuing through the night watches. So, I guess third shift isn't all that bad after all.

During the night all is quiet and we are left to our thoughts alone....well maybe not all that alone after all. From now on I'll not begrudge the night nudges, but rather embrace that time as special time with the Father. Who needs sleep after all? Who would have ever thought that third shift was something to look forward to?

Dan

Third Shift - Can't Wait!

I've never worked third shift on a regular basis, and I wonder how those that do get used to it. Occasionally I have third shift nights when sleep seems to be sleeping somewhere else. I used to feel weak during sleepless times, but third shift last night awakened some new thoughts. I felt I was allowing things like worry and fear to penetrate too deeply so I turned to one of my favorite passages - Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." It seemed the place to turn because typically those things that rob us of sleep come from moments of doubt. But, maybe that's not all that true all the time.

Eventually I continued reading and verse nine caused the stir, "My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you." I began to think of all the night time happenings in the bible; often in dreams of the night God spoke, and sometimes He even awakened His people from their sleep for a special message. The Psalmist speaks of thinking of God on his bed, and continuing through the night watches. So, I guess third shift isn't all that bad after all.

During the night all is quiet and we are left to our thoughts alone....well maybe not all that alone after all. From now on I'll not begrudge the night nudges, but rather embrace that time as special time with the Father. Who needs sleep after all? Who would have ever thought that third shift was something to look forward to?

Dan

Straight Answers to Life's Problems?

Straight answers to life's problems would be nice. Often I think of Habakkuk who struggled to understand the actions of God. Not just the question of "what", but also the question of "why". Obviously it just didn't make sense to the old prophet - why did God allow the evil to overcome the righteous, and why in sweeping away the wicked would the righteous have to suffer as well. How could He allow a wicked nation of ruthless people overrun His chosen nation no matter how bad they had become. 

The questions of old, are the same today. "God what are you doing? I don't understand." or maybe in a moment of faith weakness we ask, "God, why aren't you listening?".  Most can identify with Habakkuk from time to time, and others most of the time. But, just like the questions, the answers basically remain the same. Or, rather the conclusion is the same - God is God and I will praise Him regardless of what happens in this life, even when life makes no sense whatsoever to me. God is God and I'm just thankful He knows what is best, and I'm thankful that God is doing exactly what I need.

Imagine That

Did you see the news this morning? There's nothing more news worthy than a ball of fire falling from the sky. Over parts of Texas a mysterious ball of fire was seen hurling towards earth, and as of yet, there is no explanation - no plane crashes reported, no satellite collisions in space - all the necessary ingredients to exercise the imagination. 

Imagine.... it was a secret test of a new military weapon that went bad, and its a great government cover up underway to play it down. Or, maybe it was a space ship that crashed and the SSIS (Space Ship Intelligence Service) is secretly on the scene. At this moment they are moving mysterious materials and peculiar green creatures to hidden science labs in the desert for testing. Or, maybe it was a rocket launched from China or Iran that one of our secret military space stations intercepted and secrecy is necessary to ward off any panic. Panic would be really bad for the economy. 

Well, most likely it was just a piece of the ozone layer breaking up due to the global warming crisis. This was no doubt caused by all the gaseous cows in Texas eating some Mexican feed accidentally infused with peppers. Yea, that's probably it - makes about as much sense as anything you hear on that big square thing in the Living Room.

Well, I said it!

Yesterday I wrote a blog about the adventure of life with all it's ups and downs. I really didn't expect to experience all the adventure in one day, but this has been one of those days. A day best described as a blurr - problems, heart aches, unexpected revelations, and joys all wrapped and packaged in blurry moments with no transitions in between. 

Yet, within today's grand adventure I had glimpses of God that were goosebump clear and compelling. His love never ceases to amaze me, especially when He gives me a subtle yet profound reminder when I'm at my worst - the very moment that, in my view, I would be most unloveable. It's like a cool breeze off a mountain stream in the heat of summer. Oh, how I would give up and quit were not for His timely reminders. 

A part of me longs for a less adventurous day tomorrow, but there's also a part of me that fights sleep so that today's glimpse of God doesn't drift into the past.

Life's motto

Problems, concerns, hopes, and dreams - life certainly has it's share of ups and downs. Changes are relentless - some are welcomed and others are not, but life goes on. One moment the motto is "this too shall pass" and occassionally it's "let it last". Nevertheless, you guessed it, life goes on. 

Maybe life's motto should be "enjoy the experience". Whether the moment is good or bad enjoy the experience and cherish the life adventure God has given. If life was always good we'd be bored, and just devise ways of creating chaos. Give it some thought, keep your chin up, and embrace the adventure. Afterall you will never have another chance to live this moment...why waste it?