Stunt Kites

I haven't done much kite flying lately. I have only flown kites a few times in the past five years or so. Much of that is because my "good" kite needs repairs. And buying kite parts seems a bit frivolous when other bills need to be paid.

But I brought out my only "working" kite at a family get-together Sunday. It was fun for me. Even though I ripped one kite on the barn roof top, I had a good time. Even though good kites can cost a few dollars, once purchased, they require no gas or electricity. All you need is a fairly steady wind.

It was especially fun to see my nephews have fun with it. When the wind gusts pick up, it can give a person a pretty good workout. And it is just plain fun.

There are probably a few different symbolisms. But I tend to associate the wind with the Holy Spirit. It can be extremely powerful (think tornado or hurricane). But, still, wind is invisible. You may not see the Holy Spirit. But you might be able to see where it has been at work changing lives and circumstances.

One of the key things about kite flying is being aware of where the wind is blowing. First of all, is the wind blowing today? If so, what direction? And how steadily is it blowing? Once the kite is up in the air, the key is to work with the wind.

Most of us Christians have lots to learn in listening and discernment. But the most effective ministry is when the wind is blowing, when the Holy Spirit is moving. When the Spirit is moving, there are all kinds of possibilities. And power is available for internal and external miracles.

When I talk about internal miracles, I don't just mean physical healing. Although that certainly happens. And I have felt it go through me to others.

Sometimes, changing circumstances is the easy part. Even demons (fallen angels) can do some of that. Angels are powerful. But the bigger miracles are often the changed hearts. Being able to forgive or let go of bitterness, disappointment, resentment, etc. or simply have hope are often much bigger "miracles" in the grand scheme of things. The invisible force of the Holy Spirit, like the wind, can be very powerful.

Can you identify where the Spirit is moving in your community? Will you join in? If God is patiently working on internal miracles in your life, are you open to that?

When the wind of the Holy Spirit blows, will we fight it? Or will we join in and work with it?

Big Bog 2

Over the weekend, I briefly talked about Big Bog State Park with an unnamed friend. You can read a little more about the park in the previous posting.

As you can see, there is a nice boardwalk through the bog. This new boardwalk is about one mile long.

My friend immediately rejected the idea of walking that boardwalk. She would become claustrophobic and might stray off the wide walkway and sink a little bit.

Individually, and in general, I see how people sometimes feel that way about Christianity.

They doubt they could stay on the "straight and narrow". So why try at all?

But, the whole idea of the gospel is precisely that. We cannot stay on the straight and narrow on our own. We are all tempted. And we all give in to temptations from time to time. The "good news" is that the Holy Spirit is willing and able to help us do what is pleasing to God. And the blood of Jesus covers the sins of those who are repentant (willing to change their ways).

We are all weak. We are all bent towards straying. We all naturally resist doing things God's way. But the good news is that we have a helper and a way out to please God despite our failings.

The "narrow way" is an invitation to something better. It is not an impossible dream or a threat. With God's help, and only with his help, it is entirely feasible. The possibilities are limitless, if we continue to let God take control and show his power in us and through us.

The narrow way can seem insurmountable based on our own strength and past experiences. But, if we let God show his power, it suddenly becomes "doable". And the demonstration of his power can continue to grow as we get out of the way and let his kingdom/kingship/rule come into our lives and situations.

Don't let the impossible stop you. God is bigger than your doubts and whatever else may be holding you back from a reconciled relationship with him. The path awaits. Will you take a step or two down the narrow path?

Big Bog 1

We visited Big Bog State Park last weekend. At least parts of the park are very new. And I commend the state of Minnesota for preserving this unique area.

I was kind of ignorant of bogs. But it sounded like something new and different. In 2005, the state built a mile long boardwalk into the largest bog in the lower 48 states. It is roughly 70 miles wide by 30 miles north and south. The bog is mostly a peat bog with lots of the peat moss found at gardening stores. If I understand correctly, the dead plant life just builds up over time because it is too cold to decay it all into "soil".

The bog is definitely wet - although that isn't obvious at the surface. In spots, the actual soil is up to 15 feet below the surface. At pretty much any point, if a person tries to walk on the bog, they will sink knee-deep or deeper. It is a very unique ecosystem.

So the boardwalk gives us all a chance to experience the bog without being bogged down or stranded for days.

Walking along the boardwalk is kind of like staying on the straight and narrow. Straying from the path laid out before you can have some negative consequences.

If only following God's will and desires was so obvious... Even with good intentions, sometimes the path is not very obvious at all.

But God leads us in a variety of ways. Sometimes the path is very obvious. We may follow willingly. Or we might try to go our own way. Or perhaps we will delay, hoping that path will remain an option if we come back to it later. Even if the path is clear, it does not guarantee that every person will take that path.

Sometimes the path is pretty clear. But we have a very hard time going down the path. Fortunately, God is pretty patient. If we seek to please him, he will honor even our baby steps as we tentatively move out in a new direction.

Sometimes a narrow path seems too limiting. God gives us free will. If you don't wish to have time with him and be on his team for his purposes, he lets you go (with a few tears). God won't force a person to spend millions of years with him and worshipping him. He will let them go to hell. It isn't God's preference. But he lets people choose hell on their own.

And sometimes, even for believers, the path isn't as clear as we would like. An obvious path through the bog/wilderness/life would sure be handy. Sometimes it is appropriate to wait for further direction. But more often, we are called to step forward in baby steps and more will be revealed later (perhaps when we are ready for it). We can't let fear paralyze us from moving forward into new things. Quite often, God is just waiting for us to take those first steps.

When the path is revealed, how will you respond?

Kum Ba Ya

And they all sat around singing Kum Ba Ya... (or sometimes spelled Kumbaya)

A couple weeks ago I sang Kum Ba Ya for the first time in perhaps 30 years. I admit I chuckled a bit when the song began. I looked it up later and confirmed it wasn't just me that considered that song in less than favorable terms. It is often used in TV shows and other media as representing a group oblivious to their surroundings and usually assuming everything is rosy.

Unfortunately, that fairly describes many Christian congregations and groups. They can easily slip into complacency and irrelevance. The gospel and Christianity are very relevant to life today. It is powerful and effective and can radically change lives. But the way it is communicated is often lacking. And I include myself in that judgment. I don't always communicate what Christianity could be.

But, back to Kum Ba Ya...

The phrase "kum ba ya" is translated "come by here". The song is extremely simple. Each verse just introduces one new phrase. So its simplicity makes it an easy target for jokes as well.

But what does it mean?

The song can be a genuine plea for God's presence. Someone's crying or praying or singing. Come here Lord.

The invitation for God's presence is honorable. I am hurting. I am crying. I am praying. I am rejoicing. Whatever is going on, come and join me.

If you are a believer, you have probably heard how God is present everywhere. And Jesus has promised to be with believers at all times (via the Holy Spirit). So our minds know he is present. But still, sometimes it is difficult to feel his presence. And then we might doubt.

Basing things on feelings can easily lead to straying as the presence of demons (fallen angels) and other lies and deceptions can begin to feel more "real". So feelings are deceptive.

But still, God has given us feelings as well. Personally, even though I know God is with me, it is still nice to feel his presence occasionally. Some people I know have felt the presence like a warm blanket or a hug. I don't recall feeling that. Elizabeth felt baby John leap within her when hearing of Mary's pregnancy with Jesus.

I don't think I have ever felt a leaping within. But I have definitely felt something physically at times. I feel it perhaps once a month. For me, it most often occurs when I hear a story or message that firmly aligns with God's desires (usually for the nations). I am not sure how to describe it. But it is basically like a wind blows through me for a second or two. It is usually just my upper trunk (heart and lungs area). The feeling doesn't "make" something true. But it is encouraging to feel and experience it.

So, as much as Kumbaya sounds simplistic, I understand the plea and desire.

For those feeling discouraged and lacking hope, make your presence and your power obvious.

For those who have strayed and feel unable to approach you, Lord extend your mercy and lift them up to move forward, with baby steps if necessary.

For those struggling and becoming weak in the battle, come and extend your strength and encouragement.

For those rejoicing, come and celebrate with them and help them be aware of how you have made that rejoicing possible.

For those singing and worshipping and seeking to please you, help them feel your appreciation and approval.

For those doubting your existence in their lives today, show your power and love in whatever way is appropriate for them. You know what they are ready for and what they can handle. Display your presence in unique ways for each one.

And Lord, we are thankful that you genuinely do care. And you are already present. So please just help each reader know and feel your presence and your love for them. Thanks. Kum Ba Ya. Come and be with us.

New Game and Web Site - Unity Rocks!

Today I added another web site.

UnityRocks.com

I like to come up with creative ways to communicate a message. Hopefully, I succeeded. The game isn't necessarily "complete". But it is usable as a first draft.

I bought the domain months ago. Even though I had plenty of other things to work on, it seemed like the day to finally get that off my To Do list.

I have plenty of room for improvement for working towards unity as well. So I need to play the game too.

One of goals of the Ethnic Church Directory and I Am Not a Goat sites is also about unity and Christians working together as a body.

Relevant Christianity in Mainline Churches

I finally got a chance to check out the Praise in the Park in Osceola, Wisconsin. It is on Sundays at 6 pm. And I usually can't get to any event at that time due to other commitments.

I am sure the event varies from week to week as different churches lead. At least that appears to be how it works. One unnamed mainline church was leading this past Sunday.

For the most part, it felt like a time warp back 30 or 40 years. Nearly all of the 20 or so attendees were 70 years old and older. Most of the songs that were familiar were ones I hadn't heard in a church or any Christian event since childhood (many years ago).

We all have different musical preferences. But my concern is that the church be relevant. Christianity is very much relevant for life today in America and any other country. But the way it is often presented is as something that hasn't changed since the fifties. I have heard people express concern that teens and young adults don't attend church much. Is the church presenting a message that is relevant for their lives? Is the music style approachable and reflecting the musical tastes of this century? Do the spoken messages address the issues and concerns of real people under the age of 30 or 40? Many people prefer communication via video and other visual media. Is the church using that effectively?

I had a good time at the park. A time of worship is nearly always good. And it helped me on my little project of discovering more of the church "body". It is helpful to discover and know other parts of the church so we can understands roles and needs so we can work together.

Even though I was okay with the Praise in the Park. I doubt very much an unchurched young family in their twenties would feel comfortable there. A Community Worship in Forest Lake the following night had a totally different feel with free food for outreach, songs from the past five years, and a gathering from several churches. We are learning there too. Attendance numbers have struggled over the past few years. We are not connecting as well with the community as we would like either. We are experimenting to see how it can have a greater impact.

If you are a Christian, is the message you are presenting via your groups, and individually, relevant? Are we presenting something people actually want? The "good news" of the gospel has great benefits. There are also great costs as we give up the throne (lordship, ruling) of our lives to trust God. But if the message of the Bible is presented accurately, it is very relevant.

What are we communicating? What are we hearing?

Next up, Kum Ba Ya - They all sat around singing Kum Ba Ya...

Hiking on the North Shore

A few weeks ago, my son David and I had a great time on the North Shore. My sister Raylene and I had been trying to coordinate getting out on one of my spontaneous road trips. We finally connected. Thanks Raylene for suggesting the trip and joining us.

Her daughter "A" (protecting her privacy a bit) also came with. She took a day off the Bocce Ball pro tour to join us. She had tried to fool us into thinking she didn't know how to play Bocce Ball at an Independence Day family gathering. But she performed expertly. That was fun to see.

We bypassed Gooseberry Falls where "everybody" stops. We stopped briefly atop Palisade Head. It is a quick stop with a nice view - and a nice breeze many days.

We didn't have tons of time, but we headed for Tettegouche State Park with the highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota. I admit the falls aren't terribly high compared to many states. But any waterfall is kind of cool to be around.

Many of my trips up nort' have been alone. So I got to share a few trails and views with David too.



"A" had her doubts about hiking. But she did great (like I knew she would). She handled the rocks and hills just fine. And she crossed the swinging bridge both ways. At that spot you pretty much have to come back across the bridge.



Even in July, the Lake Superior water is cool. Rather than wading in the Baptism River water, we braved the cold water. Hey, it gives us stories to tell! And we were surprised how tender our feet were over the nicely rounded rocks. David did great skipping rocks. And nobody got hit by a flying rock. There were some close calls though.





They all did great taking alternate routes to the top of a little cliff. Why use stairs when you can risk your life?





Next we headed to Split Rock State Park. We skipped the lighthouse and explored other parts of the park. We had a picnic dinner sitting on a rock with a nice view. It was too early for a sunset this time.





So you want to be a rock star...





We stopped in Two Harbors on the way back. Here is a little industrial beauty:



I enjoy getting a little exercise while exploring God's creation most anytime. But this trip was especially fun as I got to share some of my favorite experiences in a few hours' time.

It was a little hot. And our legs weren't used to the off-pavement hiking. But it was fun to see people accomplishing things they had never done before - even with some smiles sneaking out once in a while.

Thanks Raylene for the trip!

Most of the time when we say we can't do something, what we honestly mean is that we are unwilling to do it, or even try it. Are there positive things you "cannot" do waiting for you to experience? You may be surprised at what you can accomplish, one step at a time.