Adventure Land

Adventure Land and the Swiss Family Tree House, Fantasy Land with Skull Rock and Pirate’s Cove, Tomorrow Land with the Rocket Jets and the Submarine Voyage captivated my imagination as a boy in Disneyland during the 1970’s. I remember walking around the park with my Grandparents and pure adrenaline pulsed through my body as I soaked in all the sights, sounds and thrilling rides. It was like my brain was on an intravenous supply of Disney caffeine. I became lost in my own fantasy land and even when my Grandparents had worn down and wanted to leave, I was still running at full steam.

Charlene and I took our kids to Disneyland a few years ago for the first time and it was like I was transported back in time to my childhood experience. At the end of our family trip we were all exhausted but joyful in our time together as one of our best family memories to date. Now, this isn’t a commercial for Disneyland (unless Disney executives reading my blog would like to make a big $ offer), but it does illustrate a feeling of excitement, anticipation, thrill, adventure, rest and enjoyment. A crazy thought – what if we were able to stir up those same feelings in our worship and service to God?

What if we had a similar anticipation and experience in attending church? I know it’s like comparing apples to oranges and maybe a ridiculous thought, but what if? Kids would eagerly wake up early in anticipation, teens would be fully engaged, and adults would view this time as a highlight of joy and rest to their busy and draining schedules. Pastors wouldn’t feel like they have to beg people to attend services. Can you imagine how church services would be transformed with all the contagious enthusiasm during worship? What if sermons were anticipated with the same appeal of Submarine Voyage in looking through the portholes in discovery of a treasure chest of gold, a sea serpent and mermaids? What if we all left church feeling energized, full of joy, wanting more and planning for our next time back together?

Walt Disney created a world with a wonderful story of adventure and fantasy which has become woven into the fabric of our American culture. God has created a story of adventure, truth and love that is not fantasy but real, and He invites us to become woven into His story for today and eternity. I look forward to that day when I stand in the presence of the glory of God with my friends and family. I can only imagine what the new sights, sounds, smells and feelings I will experience at that time. I know it will be overwhelming, exciting and full of adventure and “It’s a Small World” will seem like a small world indeed. In John’s vision of the Throne Room of Heaven he describes it in Revelation chapter 4.

 ³ The One who sat on the throne looked like precious stones, like jasper and carnelian. All around the throne was a rainbow the color of an emerald. ⁴ Around the throne there were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. They were dressed in white and had golden crowns on their heads. ⁵ Lightning flashes and noises and thunder came from the throne. Before the throne seven lamps were burning, which are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, clear like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living creatures with eyes all over them, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion. The second was like a calf. The third had a face like a man. The fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of these four living creatures had six wings and was covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.
He was, he is, and he is coming.” – Revelation 4:3-9 (NCV)

Discover more of John’s vision in the book of Revelation and discover the great adventure we have today in Christ and his preparation for us in eternity.

Sing for Joy!

What makes you sing for joy? A raise or promotion at work, playing on the floor with your grandkids, watching your daughter say “I do” to a godly man, having all of your kids take a nap at the exact same time, or maybe taking another bite from a decadent chocolate dessert. What makes me sing for joy? When I am filled with joy from the laughter from my kids, touchdowns from Tebow and the Broncos, a perfectly grilled medium rare rib eye steak, the smile of contentment from my wife. As wonderful as those moments are my joy is in response to something good or someone. There is one source of joy that is both a response and a position of faith regardless of what’s happening around me. The Psalmist inspires us with a timeless truth that encourages us in our source of strength and our response of joy.

^ Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
^2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre. – Psalm 81:1-2

In this Psalm King David reminds the Israelites of God’s divine presence, protection, and deliverance throughout their history. God also shares a present promise of “if you would but listen to me...” then God’s hand of blessing would be upon them. The word listen implies more than just hearing, it is an action, a position of humility and obedience to God. When the Israelites were active in worship and obedient to the law they witnessed seasons of peace, prosperity, and growth. They could certainly sing for joy in response to God’s blessings on their life.

Today, we worship in the knowledge and faith of God’s blessings fulfilled in his Son, Jesus Christ and in the gift of his Holy Spirit indwelling within us as believers. The source of his strength and his love is always present, always full, and always accessible. What more could we ever ask for as His children. I can sing for joy regardless of my circumstances around me for He is my source of joy, today, tomorrow, and forever.

“My Heavenly Father, I give thanks for your presence, power and love within me. Forgive me for my lack of faith to let discouragement, uncertainty, anxiety, and fear take the place of joyful worship. Regardless of what today may bring, I will sing for joy to you, my God, my strength. May my joy be a testimony of your love to others who desperately need true joy in their lives, Amen.”

Driver's Ed.

“Are you comfortable? The peddle on the right is the gas, the other one is the brake. P means park, D means drive, R means reverse, N means neutral. Always wear your seatbelt, check your mirrors, and be aware of your surroundings. Ok, let’s put the key in the ignition…try the other key. Good, step on the brake, put it in Drive, check for cars and lightly step on the gas peddle.” My first time out as a parent teaching his teen son to drive. Asher just received his driving permit and it falls upon me to be his personal Driver’s Ed. Instructor using my unblemished Kia van. It may just look like a family van to you, but to me it’s my convertible (it has a sun roof that we use for the few weeks it doesn’t rain in Portland) super cruiser. I would submit it to our local Show-N-Shine car show, but surprisingly no one else sees its power and beauty like I do…and I would have to wash it.

One of my first indelible words of truth and wisdom I shared was the word “Stop”. The louder and more nervous I said it, the harder one should press on the brake. The second was “Confident drivers are safe drivers. Insecure drivers are hazardous drivers. Over-confident drivers are reckless drivers.” Competent and confident drivers make good decisions, follow the traffic rules, keep emotions under control, and are courteous to others. Insecure drivers make timid decisions, do not fully grasp the official and unofficial rules of the road, and are not aware of their surroundings. Over-confident drivers make bold decisions, rules do not always apply to them, they tend to drive with emotion and treat others on the road as obstacles to avoid. You know those statements could apply to us in other parts of our lives as well.

We can see that insecurity in our lives can make us ineffective and hazardous to others. The root of most insecurity is fear. We can have fear in our relationships, finances, parenting, vocation, goals and dreams, and certainly learning to drive. That fear can lead us to hazardous relationships, unhealthy anxiety, and poor decisions in life. The Apostle Paul gave encouragement to a young pastor in his first assignment “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind”. 2 Tim. 1:7

On the opposite side of the spectrum we see that over-confidence in who we are and our control of all areas in our lives leads to recklessness. I would argue that most over-confidence is rooted in pride. Pride and its companion self-centeredness are a reckless heart and spiritual position that destroy the self and hurts others. Taking advantage of others, being rude and inconsiderate, verbal and physical abuse, gossip, slander, malice, bitterness and rage are all destructive behaviors that flow from over-confidence. “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12

I strive to be competent and confident in life, as well as safe driving on the road. With Christ in my life I have the Spirit of God who is my strength and wisdom where all things are possible. I hope to have the balance of submission and love to Him and others through humility. When, I find that balance I can see His blessing upon my life at home with peaceful, loving relationships, at work, with friends and with influence in our community. “…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5b

I have not doubt Asher will be a competent and confident driver with experience and golden nuggets of instruction from me, “If a squirrel runs across the road, its better to squish it then dent my bumper by swerving and hitting a mailbox.”, and I have no doubt of the Holy Spirit at work in your life as well.