Triggers…

Even though my dog is no longer around, I have continued taking the daily walks we took and find that while I do miss his company (and all the positive attention he drew), I still enjoy getting out to breathe in the fresh Tennessee air, while exploring my surroundings, and spending time talking to God all along the way!

My favorite of the usually three walks (sometimes four), continues to be the first-thing-in-the-morning walk… after my Bible study time and a quick shower!  The day is at its freshest point, the well-kept and nicely landscaped apartment homes complex is just waking up, the temperature is crisp and cool (except for the freezing days of winter and the HOT mid-summer scorchers) and nature and all the little critters are on full display.

During that initial walk of the day, my Bible study notes are sharp on my mind and my travelling prayer-time tends to set the course of my day.  Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about “TRIGGERS” and how certain stimuli can set off particular reactions and/or responses in us… in the daily course of our lives.

On the positive side, I’ve been remembering more and more details of one of the most special 2-night, mid-week holidays that my wife and I enjoyed at The Fort Ross Lodge up on the Sonoma County California coastline in 1998.*  As I look around my apartment today, I can’t help but notice that I seem to have more pictures of that event hanging on the walls than of any other from the 48 years of our relationship!

I won’t go into a lot of detail of the experience because it was very personal in its nature.  But suffice to say, there were some very unique and wonderful, heart-felt experiences that we encountered that were TRIGGERED by what I’ve been learning this week to be Spirit-led “premeditated words and actions of faith.”  For as it turns out, I was pretty excited about our time together (so what else is new… right!) and had (unbeknownst to her) put a lot of time in preparation through prayer, activity planning, gifts and special food treats for our holiday.  And in this regard, Galatians 5:6 teaches us that,

“All that matters now is living in the faith that is activated and brought to perfection by LOVE.”  (Galatians 5:6 / The Passion Translation) 

I don’t think that with Piper being gone for almost seven years now… that it is a coincidence that I still have many more pictures of that special time, than any other… especially since I always took lots of pictures (and especially of her) during every holiday we took together!  I believe that the Lord just likes to give us reminders of the special times that He has blessed us with… DON’T YOU?

On the somewhat negative side, I’ve also been reminded this week of some of the confusing and less-than-positive responses we received when Piper got sick and disabled beginning around 2010.  I’ve learned this week, that those reactions were also TRIGGERED by “premeditated words and actions” …but not of those activated by FAITH working through LOVE, but instead… of those driven by FEAR… which to my understanding… is the opposite of LOVE! 

I John 4:18 informs us that,

“No fear exists where His LOVE is. Rather, perfect LOVE gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love.”  (God’s Word ©)

I’d often-times wondered what generated those surprising (to me) responses back then and was given an answer in my Bible Study time this morning that correlated with a similar situation that Paul wrote about in Romans chapter eight, when he told of how the love and grace of Jesus liberated us from the rules (the Do’s and Don’ts) of the Old Testament Law.  He explained how the Law basically turned into a mess of impossible-to-follow lists of demands - that was originally intended to be something good for the Jewish people! (See: Romans 8:4 / “The Heart of Paul - A Relational Paraphrase of the New Testament” by Ben Campbell Johnson**)

So… like the intent of the Law… I believe that these individual’s response had originally begun with good intentions for us – but over time, as Romans 8:5 explains, had yielded to

“Old attitudes and patterns” and fallen “captive to whimsical impulses and past conditioning (ie; TRAINING)…” (The Heart of Paul**)

I now believe that those reactions that we encountered toward our situation, were simply the results of a (careless and unknowingly) well-practiced (or TRAINED) automatic response to the uncomfortable situations that they experienced over the years.  I’ve always felt that if they had actually realized what they were doing… that they would have immediately adjusted their actions into a more positive mode.

Once again, the Lord is reminding us (Read that: me… and maybe you too, if the shoe fits!) that the way we respond and/or react to the TRIGGERS in life depends upon the things that we have been diligent to deposit in our hearts!  And to me… that only means two things… Spending regular and consistent time in fellowship with the Lord in His Word and then to PRACTICE, PRACTICE and PRACTICE some more - what the Word teaches us… NO matter how different it may be from the world’s “normal” way of life.

The diligence and work of repeated PRACTICE relates specifically to the Godly TRAINING program that we take upon ourselves… in order to best handle the adverse situations and circumstances that may come around in our daily lives… and the verses of scripture that immediately come to my mind in support of this responsible lifestyle is where Paul told of how he learned to successfully and spontaneously respond to the ups and downs of life in Philippians 4:12-13 where he boldly declared,

“I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m TRAINED in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of CHRIST’S EXPLOSIVE POWERE INFUSES ME TO CONQUEFR EVERY DIFFICULTY” (The Passion Translation)

So… What will it be for you? 

What are the things that TRIGGER responses of FAITH that are empowered by Godly LOVE in the daily schedules of your lives… and what are the things that TRIGGER responses of FEAR that seem to be void of the infusion of Godly LOVE in your life?

Hummmmm… and then the most logical questions would be… What are you going to DO about it… and what are the responses of Godly LOVE that you need to start TRAINING on?

I just bought a couple of light weight dumbbells to add to my daily exercise routine, along with my walking schedule in order to help me keep up with our kids and grandkids… along with all the other things that I still want to do and accomplish in my senior season of life. 

So… that extra physical TRAINING, getting more DILIGENT with my diet and staying CONSISTENT in my daily study and PRACTICE in and with God’s Word can only help… RIGHT?  

Have a GREAT week and let me know how your PRACTICE and TRAINING in the different areas of your life is doing!

 

*Ah… and there was always the wonderful and relaxing enjoyment of taking the T-Tops off my Camaro and driving along the winding curves of Highway One with the cool ocean breezes blowing through our hair and the incomparable scenic dioramas of the Pacific Ocean outside the windshield… it was the perfect way to de-stress before we arrived at our destination! – As long as Piper didn’t remind me too many times to “Slow-Down Jim!”

**Volume One -  © 1976 by Ben Campbell Johnson – Word Books, Waco, Texas 76703

Are You Equipped for the Day Ahead?

My daughter and I went grocery shopping at our neighborhood Kroger yesterday and as we were walking back to my car, with our shopping cart literally loaded to overflowing, we passed by a local Wilson County Sheriff’s Deputy who was on his way into the store.  I’m not totally sure why, but I took special note of all the equipment he was wearing and/or was attached to his utility belt/holster.  With his dark sunglasses, gun, bullet proof vest and everything else, he definitely looked like he was ready for just about any situation. 

But what caught my attention the most, was the look on his face.  It wasn’t the typical “I mean business” look that most Police Officers seem to wear when on patrol.  No… it looked a little soft and gentle… kind of submissive… and maybe even a bit flustered! 

He was talking on his cell phone and totally absorbed with the conversation he was having when we passed each other… and well… as he went by, I burst out into a quiet giggle because I instantly understood “the look.”  I gathered from the one-sided exchange that he had to be talking to his wife… saying, “Yes, yes I am heading into the store right now to pick that up for you…”

I got the idea that he really didn’t want to be there and pick up whatever she had requested… but from the soft look and the gentle tone of his voice, it was easy to pick up a close relationship between the couple and a genuine desire, on his behalf, to meet her need.  It reminded me of the first time my young wife, Piper, had requested that I go to the local Long’s Drug Store and purchase a certain feminine item for her.

All I can say is that I was TOTALLY embarrassed, but similar to how the deputy Sheriff looked and acted, I loved my wife and wanted to meet her need… so I tried my best to put on my game face… which I’m sure I failed miserably as I clearly recall feeling hot and stuttering my way through the cashier’s “Did you find everything you needed” greeting, as she rung up the sale… to which I had added a bunch of other needless items… thinking I could disguise my real  purpose for being there!

Okay… Okay!  As you’re reading this and laughing at me and my young twenties-year-old failed attempt at being “Mr. Cool…” I bet each of you could tell me of a similar situation that YOU faced sometime in your past!

And speaking of Mr. Cool… As I’ve studied my Bible and reflected over our passing interaction with the Deputy Sheriff the other day, I have begun to see how we… as Christians… are in many ways… just like that law enforcement officer… uniform and all!  I Thessalonians 5:8 tells us to not only act as children of God’s light, but also to be,

“Dressed up in faith, love, and the expectation of salvation.” (The Message) 

So therefore we, like him, wear a uniform that should quickly identify us as Christians… or you could say, as officers of God’s divine law of love. (see: James 2:8)

And then… consider all the equipment that most Police Officers wear nowadays.  I think back to watching the old Police procedural TV show ADAM 12… which showcased, what most experts at that time,* agreed to be one of the best equipped, most technologically advanced and organized Police Departments in the United States… and all the officers on the show carried on their person was a gun, handcuffs, a baton and a flashlight… without any means to communicate with their dispatch once away from their cruiser!

Well… that Sheriff’s Deputy had so much equipment attached to his bullet-proof vest, utility belt/holster and multipocketed pants… that I don’t know how he was able to walk… much less keep his pants up (I’m long wasted and have to deal with that problem!)  But obviously he did and was more than likely able to deal with the great multitude of fast happening situations that he could possibly face on a daily basis!

And again… we, as Christians, are also called to be equipped to handle the variety of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and financial situations that we walk into each day.  Don’t believe me?  Then grab your favorite Bible translation and turn to Ephesians 6:10-18 and read where Paul commands us to

“Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies.” (Ephesians 6:11 - God’s Word ©) 

So YES!  Think about all this the next time you walk or drive by a Police Officer who is protecting your community.  Are you putting on ALL the equipment that the Lord directs us to dress with… before you leave your home each and every day?

The way I see it… When the Lord looks at you and me… He sees us as the soft, gentle, humble and submissive individual like the Deputy who was taking lovingly to his wife… BUT on the other hand… The devil, who is the real enemy of our souls, swallows hard when he sees us coming - because all he sees is the uniform of God’s armor that we wear and with it… the inherent authority that we carry as Jesus’ brothers and sisters!  (see: Matthew 28:16-20 / Mark 16:14-20)

Pretty Cool… and powerfully LIFE-CHANGING… wouldn’t you agree! 

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend and a super-successful week ahead!

 

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam-12   - 1968-1975

The Other Side of the Cross

As I began to think about and prepare myself for the celebration of Easter Sunday tomorrow, I was immediately flooded with poignant childhood memories of finding Easter baskets filled with all kinds of yummy tasting delights in our living room, the pageantry of Easter morning service at our Catholic church and the festive, fun, and sometimes loud, extended family gathering that followed in the afternoon that captivated all of your senses… as soon as you walked into the door of my Grandma and Grandpa’s home… with the over-powering fragrance, flavor and warmth of exquisite, lovingly cooked Italian masterpieces.

But Easter had always meant more to me than just the tangible holiday family traditions.  I wasn’t really sure why… but I knew it had special significance to my church and faith life.  Today, I will whole-heartedly confess that I didn’t really understand the nitty-gritty religious mechanics, doctrine and over-all significance of the event until I started dating my wife-to-be in high school. 

She knew from the start, that I was hungry to know more of the things of God and with great insight, she gently and VERY patiently began to share the understanding of her faith with me, by both precept and daily example…  And she accomplished it in such a way that it quenched my thirst… but yet… left me with a huge appetite for more!

So, this week, with quite a few years of deeper study with both practical understanding and experience under my belt, I thought about Easter Sunday and found myself… once again… going back to my childhood days and picturing the big crucifix that always caught my attention as it hung at the back of the altar at St Eugene’s Cathedral.  And it dawned on me that Easter Sunday isn’t about Jesus on the cross… It is all about what happened after He was taken off the cross.  Easter or what many of us refer to as Resurrection Sunday, is the remembrance and celebration of the empty tomb and what happened (and is available to all of us today) on the other side of the cross!

Therefore, it was with that revelation that I opened up my Bible to the gospels and began to read the initial reports of that morning’s events, as recalled by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  As I read these news reports that were captured for us to read over the centuries since the events, I felt the Lord instructing me to write down the words and phrases that seemingly jumped off the page as I read from the different writers.

So, I did and those words and phrases which were used repeatedly by many of the four writers of the gospels were*:

“Suddenly”

“Don’t Be Afraid”

“Don’t Panic”

“Bright As Lightening”

And that both the angel and Jesus encouraged the women who came to anoint Jesus’ body, that they “Remember What Jesus Had Told Them” before his death.

I’ve always been taught that as Christians, we should spend the majority of our Bible reading and study time in the epistles, as these books were written specifically to YOU and ME… THE CHURCH! So, as I thought about the words and phrases that stood out to me while reading the various chronicles of what the disciples experienced on that morning - on the other side of the cross… and facing an empty tomb… I realized that those few words give us an outline of how we are to approach our Christian faith on a daily basis.

As Christians, the epistles tell us who we are, what our rights and privileges are as adopted sons and daughters of the Almighty God, and of the power and authority we have in this world, that has been delegated to us by Jesus**

Therefore, there is never a good reason for us to be afraid or react in panic.  For as we study and remember and then act upon what Jesus tells us in His Word, we will have many suddenly moments where the revelation and truth of God’s counsel will shine forth in our darkest times and be the bright as lightening revelation and answer that our hearts are crying out for.

And you know?  It is ALL available to us on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CROSS!

 

I pray that your celebration of Resurrection Sunday this year will bring new confidence, enthusiasm, peace, joy and a fresh personal commitment to your daily adventures in Christ!

 

… And while you’re at it… Save a See’s Bordeaux Egg for me!  (Oooooh!  Now, that brings back a TON of childhood memories to me! – My mom got one for us 3 kids every year – through adulthood!)

 

*Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18 - As read from my favorite God’s Word © Translation

**See: The Great Commission scriptures in Mattew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-20.