Forest Fires

Two days ago a forest fire started just West of Colorado Springs. I was in a softball tournament that day, and shortly after our second game started, I saw a small trickle of smoke rising to the West. My first thought was that a house was on fire, but as the game progressed and the trickle grew into a massive column of smoke, I knew the fire was on a much grander scale than what I had originally thought. It was also farther West than what I had originally thought, for which I am grateful.

So far, no structures have been lost, although thousands of acres of forest have been consumed by the raging inferno. But what is almost more disconcerting to me is the raging inferno going on in people's hearts as the rumors swirl about this fire (and others in the state) being intentionally started by an arsonist. A cry (rightfully so) is going out demanding Justice for this atrocity, but some people are taking it to an extreme. Some have demanded that those who started this fire be burned alive just so they know how it feels. Others have requested spending 15 minutes alone with them before dropping them down a mine....followed shortly by a stick of dynamite.

I believe this demand for Justice is an indicator of us being made in the image of God. God is Just, and when we see injustice, it is natural to feel the need to do something about it. But God is also Merciful, and it's very hard to show mercy when we feel so much pain and see so much damage. Personally, I find it hard to balance seeking Justice and extending Mercy. Assuming someone did start this fire (and the others around the state), I think they do need to be brought to Justice, and I take confidence in the knowledge they will one day meet Justice face-to-face and have to accept the consequences of their actions. But I am not the one to give them that Justice. In my anger and frustration, I would not be able to properly balance Justice and Mercy and give them the proper judgement.

And as I contemplate why they might have done this, I can only conclude that they have either been greatly deceived in how to best communicate their issues or that they are suffering from some mental or emotional sickness.

Again, assuming the cause was arson, I am praying

• The authorities find him/her quickly so as to not allow him/her to start any other fires
• That he/she would come to put their faith in Jesus Christ so as to not have to experience God's Justice
• That other people would realize that are just as sinful as this person is

One last thought.....the Bible tells us:

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
(Proverbs 26:20-21)

Watch out that you don't start fires of your own by your gossip or quarreling.

my 'Sacred Pathway'

We're going though the book Sacred Pathways in one of our small groups. The book is about how there are different pathways on which it's easier for some people to worship God. The author elaborates on several of them and gives a small 'test' at the end of each chapter to see if that's one of your pathways. I scored a 28/30 on the Naturalist (one who connects to God easily by being out in nature). I wasn't really surprised by that, but I was digging through my office the other day and found a sheet of paper which confirmed it to me.

I went on a several day backpacking trip a couple years ago, and wrote this one evening:

I am surrounded by wildness and I feel at home.
The stream gurgling around me,
The tree at my back cradling me,
There is so much peace around me, I absorb it and am at peace.

I sat by a stream in a medow earlier and shared the area with two deer.
They watched me, I watched them.
I ignored them, they ignored me.
Harmony.

I imagine Adam sitting in a beautiful garden enjoying the wonder of God's creation and watch as two animals approach him. He looks at them and says, "You will be called 'deer.'" Thousands of years later, I sit here watching them, feeling akin to Adam.

I look up at the trees and feel so small. I am amazed that they grow here, not by the hand of any man, but by the hand of God. What is their purpose? Do they have one? Is it so that I would sit beneath them, ponder these questions and worship God?

Then the next day while taking a break:

I sit here on top of this ridge and again, I am in awe of God. I feel small, I could never even imagine a place like this let alone speak it into being. God, you are so awesome! Thank you. Thank you for this. Thank you for giving me these friends and the opportunity to experience this.

It is so easy for me to feel close to God when I am surrounded by His creation. Other people find it easier when they are drowned out by loud music or flashing lights, in standing up for others or in caring for them, by having a structured worship service or by getting into a theological debate.

For me, it's separating myself from man's creation and immersing myself in God's creation.

Long Nights and Short Fuses

These past few weeks I have been learning a lot about myself. One of the more interesting things is how my personality has changed as a result of lack of sleep over an extended period of time.

Normally I would consider myself a very easy-going guy. I'm laid back and it takes a lot to ruffle my feathers. My outlook on life is predominately jovial and I have a really long 'fuse.' I tend to be more extroverted than introverted, and really enjoy being around other people.

But after several weeks of reduced sleep, I would have to describe myself as grumpy. I constantly feel uptight, and it seems the littlest of things irritate me greatly. I have found things to be more black and white than shades of grey, and as a result, I am finding more faults in the people around me. I may not express it audibly, but I am snapping at people in my mind. I really have to be careful in the things I say and in how I say them. Interestingly enough, I'm tending to be more of an introvert than an extrovert now. Truth be told, I don't really want to be around other people. In fact, I've even started to just go sit in my car to eat my lunch, which I would not have dreamed of doing earlier. Instead of being open with people, I'm shutting them out.

And I hate being that way. I hate being grumpy. I hate being irritated at the people I'm surrounded by. I hate hearing myself berate others in my mind over things that really don't matter. And I hate not having the mental and emotional energy to beat down this ugly side of myself.

I am learning in new ways what it means to rely on Jesus for strength. Bible verses about 'waiting on the Lord,' 'serving with the strength God provides,' and 'doing all things through Christ,' are taking on a whole new meaning. It is only through His supernatural influence will I be able to rise above these circumstances and shine His light.

The Doughnut Man

I was reliving some childhood memories with a friend today, and in lieu of it being National Doughnut Day, I was reminded of a show we watched prolifically as kids. If you have never heard of "The Doughnut Man," then you'll want to watch the clip below.

The overarching concept is that we are like doughnuts. We have holes in our hearts which can only be filled with God's love. The Doughnut Man communicates this concept to children by having them help him fill the holes in the doughnuts with those little doughnut holes while singing cute little songs. The show is complete with songs, dancing, engaging stories, and a talking doughnut. But as I watched this clip, I was struck with how weird it was. Here is a grown man dressing up in pink overalls, dancing around with children, and having them join his 'club' to fix doughnuts....all in the name of Jesus.

Needless to say, this show isn't culturally relevant any longer, and I now realize that I really should haven any issues with shows like Barney or Spongebob-Squarepants considering what I watched (and loved) as a kid. In fact, if "The Doughnut Man" aired today, it would probably be promoting Gay Christianity. The times certainly have changed in the past 20 years!

Upon further consideration, I figured that if I watched shows like this growing up and turned out ok, then my kids stand a good chance of turning out ok too, despite what videos I have them watch. :)