The Mountains Called

The mountains called and I answered. I was whisked to the top with 12 others making a team of 13. Two of the team were two of my boys and mountain mates -- Clayton and Aaron (l - r in the picture). The mountains were beautiful beyond words. They were glorious beyond imagination. It was good to be there on the mountains.

It was the annual "youth group" ski trip. We planned. We packed. We prepared. We traveled. We shopped. We unpacked. We made food for each other. We cleaned up after each other. We all had chores. We laughed. We talked. We played games. We listened. We read scripture. We prayed. We composed a worship service with God and each other in mind. We worshipped. We were all a little different, and yet we were together for some very similar purposes. Oh, did I say we also skied?" It was awesome beyond words.

I skied a fair amount in my youth. I used to think I was "somebody." But what could be better than seeing each of these young people pass me by? When my own boys left me in the dust I was happy to say, "You boys go ahead; I'll be o.k." The mountain belonged to them. The mantle was passed. They were now the "ski dog" I used to be. Like someone stepping out of the light, it is time for me to retire and let the young ones enjoy what rightfully belongs to them. I have had my turn on the mountain.

Isn't it great to see someone learn something new, master something hard, bond together, and try new things? Isn't it grand to see one of them fall and see someone else pull them to their feet? What is better than to hear one of them say, "Would you help me?" Or, hear another say, "You can do it"? Affirmation is just another word for Absolution: You are forgiven. You are graced. You belong.

Skiing is not easy. Neither is being united. You have to work a bit at each.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 90, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or your brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God."

We love the mountains. But our dwelling place is God. More beautiful and more glorious than the creation is the Creator Himself. And the One who made the mountains? He made you and me, too. Before the mountains were born, before you and I were born, there was God molding and shaping us to be as He would have "us" to be.

We sometimes hear people speak of a "personal and intimate" relationship with God. There might be something to that. But what about the corporate relationship? What about the Body arranged and molded together just as God would have us to be? What about the people of God bound together int he mercies and graces of Jesus, His blood making us "one" in spite of lesser differences? It would not be much fun skiing by yourself. It wouldn't be much fun being a church by oneself, either.

What was most impressive about the mountain we skied is that it was set in a mountain range: It was not one mountain, but many. On top of the chair lift you could see mountain after mountain after mountain each molded and shaped by God. From the same chair lift you could also see people -- as far as the eye could see. Were they also "molded" together by God? In spite of their differences? In spite of what they do not hold in common each is held in common in the palm of God's hand. That is beautiful beyond words. That is glorious beyond imagination.

Isaiah 64:8 says, "But you, O Lord, are the potter and we are the clay; we are the handiwork of your hands." What strikes you here?

God does not mold us individually. God does not so much make me as He makes "us." "We" are His workmanship. God molds "us" together. He shapes 13 and 30; 300 and 3,000; and so on. He makes us in His image, the Triune God: Three distinct persons in one glorious Deity. What is better than to hear "us" say: "Will you help me?" and "May I help you?" To hear each other say, "Let's do this together." "I love you." "Thank you." And "I'm sorry." What is better than stepping out of the light so someone else can see and allowing the "young ones" to have their turn?

Here is a mountain man challenge: Let's go ski together, or do something together. Let's pack and prepare; let's work and play; let's listen, love and laugh; let's each have our chores. Let's read some Scripture together and pray together. Let's each take our turn, and give a turn to the next. However different we may sometimes be we are molded together for a very common purpose: God's beauty and God's glory.

The mountains called and so I answered.....God is calling, too.....Jeff

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Iron Men are Men of God. Iron men are not men of the world or men of themselves. They are not wimps and whiners and complainers. Iron men are courageous. Iron men are bold. Iron men are strong – or at least growing that way. Iron men are more than victorious through Christ, Romans 8:37, and able to do all things through Him who gives them strength, Philippians 4:13. Iron men are men of God. Perhaps there are iron ladies, too, who are ladies of God. Let me know!

Men of God are men of Christ. By Christ you are forgiven -- and forgiving. You are washed. The blood of Jesus, God’s son, cleanses you from all sin, 1 John 1:7. Say that until you believe it. And say it until others believe it, too. No sense pointing out failings and faults. We know without Christ we can only fail and fall. If you want someone not to fail or fall it makes more sense to tell them about Christ and His blood: The Blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses you from all sin. You are no longer a slave. You are no longer a victim. You are no longer the subject of someone else’s failing. You are now the subject of God’s forgiveness. You are now the benefactor of faith. You are men of Christ. You are therefore men of God. Men of God are Iron men.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” I am almost certain that the same holds for iron ladies, too. Check it out and let me know.

The Proverbs are God’s Words of wisdom to you and me. God’s wisdom is not like man’s wisdom, or ladies' wisdom, or the world’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your path.” God’s wisdom is not a matter of what you know and think. God’s wisdom is not a matter of your opinion, your preference, and your tastes. Isaiah 55 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so also are my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Too many men talk about what they think. Too many men talk about what they know. Too many men talk about their interests and tastes and desires. Ladies might do this, too, though I don't know first hand. What do you say, ladies? Do ladies sometimes talk a lot about nothing?

Men of God talk about God’s thoughts. Men of God talk about the wisdom that comes from on high. Men of God talk about God’s ways. Men of God talk about God’s desires. Men of God talk about what pleases God. That doesn't mean a Bible verse and a sermon all the time. It does mean saying bright, hopeful, positive, encouraging, and forgiving things. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Say only those things that edify and build up others..." Have I told you lately that I love you?

Iron men build up others. Iron men are productive and constructive. Let's remember our chemistry, shall we?

FE is the chemical symbol for Iron. Don't ask me why or what it stands for -- It could mean Faithful and Excellent for all I know. But if you will look up your periodic table or consult a local Chemistry Professor -- Dr. Petrich, if you now him -- they will tell you FE is the chemical symbol of Iron.

Now here's some things you may not have known:

Did you know that iron is the most common and most used of all metals? Iron makes up 95% of all the world’s metal production. Iron, then, is useful. It is productive. It is valuable. Iron makes things. Iron is constructive. It is a positive force. Iron doesn't just sit around doing nothing. From cast iron skillets to the St. Louis arch iron is everywhere. It is the backbone, fabric and foundation of our world.

That is the kind of men we can be as men of God. Men of God are iron men. We are common. We are useful. We are productive and valuable. We make things. We do things. We don’t just sit around. We are the fabric and foundation of a godly society. We are iron men.

Did you also know that iron is one of the softest of all metals. Huh. That’s interesting. So iron is strong and able. It is also soft and pliable. Iron can be molded and shaped. It is not boorish. It it is not resistent. It is not unbending and unchanging.

Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and to be careful to keep my laws….. I will be your God and you will be my people….”

That is the heart of an iron man: A man that knows God. A man that is soft and pliable to God’s ways. A man who can be molded and shaped, who is not rigid and made of stone. A man who is humble, confessing of sin, and growing stronger.

As iron sharpens iron, the Proverbs say, so one man sharpens another.

Iron men are molded and shaped by God into His image. Iron ladies, too, I presume. This molding and shaping is God's doing. He designs that we would be together. United in Him. Having equal concern for each other where there is no division. Iron that rejoices when other iron rejoices; and iron that weeps when other iron weeps. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, look it up for yourself.

Iron men are not wimps. They are not whiners. They are not complainers. Philippians 2:14, says, “Do everything without arguing or complaining.” There is an iron man challenge: No argument or complaint, afterall God is in control and we have learned to be content in Him.

Do you remember the context for Paul's writing to Philippi? Among other things, two ladies are arguing and complaining; sorry ladies, its true; and its a downer for the whole gang. In Philippians 4:2-3 Paul says, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Synteche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, I ask the rest of you, too, to help these women." There is an iron man, and an iron lady: Help each other; encourage each other. As iron sharpens iron...well, you get it.

Iron men make each other better. Who are some iron men in your life? Here are some iron men in my life: Hal and Carl; Derieck and Alex; John and JP; Mel, Mike, Linus, and Kris; Clayton, Aaron, and Jason; Dr. Petrich and Dr. Pearce; Tracy, Ron and Ron; Mike L., JD, Tony, Scott S., David, and Gary; Marty, Greg, Doug, Bruce; and my Dad! These are just a few -- and not even to mention the iron ladies! Iron men make men better; sharper; finer. These men make me better. Thanks, guys!

Teddy Roosevelt once said, “We need the iron qualities that go with true manhood. We need the positive virtues of resolution, of courage, of indomitable will, of power to do without shrinking the rough work that must always be done.”

Aesop, world philosopher and man of wisdom once wrote, “It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.” Bravery and courage are not spectator events. Bravery and courage insist on entering the race, jumping into the trenches, and coming along side of another.

Jesus kept no distance. Jesus was made of iron. He was strong and able. He was also soft and pliable. He was molded and shaped to the needs of people. He stepped out of heaven for you and me. He sharpens us. He forgives us. He molds us. He makes us better. He makes us finer. He refines us – sometimes with challenges and difficulties, but He smelts out all the impurities in the refiner’s fire. He makes us clean, holy, productive and constructive.

Jesus keeps no distance. He steps into our lives. He steps into fire itself. Jesus is an iron man. And He makes us iron, too. Iron men; Iron ladies.

Here is a moutnain man challenge: Cut the distance. Step into a person's life. Call someone on the phone. Write them a card or letter or email. Forgive someone. Reconcile. Take someone to lunch. Invest in a child. Pray. Be positive and hopeful. Go out of your way to make one person's day better.

I love you very much. Jeff

The Stillwater Project: Courtesy

The Stillwater Project is a monthly meeting of sharp and innovative thinkers. They gather to discuss changing times and culture. Their focus is fostering character qualities that change the world. Today's project was courtesy.

The Stillwater Project is a group of 25 thirteen year olds. They don't busy themselves with idle theory and the way things "might" be. The Stillwater Project speaks in absolutes and the way things are. The Stillwater Project tells it like it is. It is worth listening to.

The Stillwater Project has been meeting for 6 months now. They have discussed Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Caring, Attitude, and now Courtesy. The Stillwater Project asserts that these characteristics are first cousins of each other. Each character trait tempers and shapes the next. What they mean is that Honesty means little if it is not tempered with a Caring heart; Respect means little if it is not shaped by a Courteous spirit.

Asked what Courtesy means to them, the Stillwater Project sited all the character traits discussed to date and added some others too. Here are the results:

The Stillwater Project:

Courtesy

• Respectful
• Honest
• Caring
• Responsible
• Kind
• Polite
• Listen more than talk
• Thoughtful
• Putting the needs of others before one's own
• Being Generous
• Giving
• Looking people in the eye

The Stillwater Project then put the term to the test by roll playing. Two of the group staged a dialogue while a third joined the group. The third was friendly and engaging, but the two ignored her. Then, in the scripted scenario, one in the group responded to a cell phone call and ignored the other two. The Stillwater Project then assessed the circmstance with the following suggestions of courtesy:

• Make others welcome
• Smile and engage newcomers
• In most situations, do not receive cell phone calls or text messaging when you are talking with others, in class, or at a dinner table (it was noted that there may be exceptions to this rule especially if you are expecting an important call from your parents, etc.)

The Stillwater Project concluded with some light and spirited banter. Ultimately, being courteous is putting the Golden Rule into Practice: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Here's a mountain man challenge: Rope up with a 13 year old and take a walk on the wild side. Step into life and the real world. Don't talk about the way things used to be. Find out how they really are. If someone has a tongue ring, ask to see it. If someone has a tattoo, tell them how nice it looks. Show some interest in others. Not everyone is the captain of the football team or a straight A student. Find out about people. Listen more than talk. Look people in the eye.

See you on the Mountain. Jeff