As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Monday, July 14, 2014

Weekend Snapshots: Games...and Truth


After an amazing string of perfect weather weekends, this weekend brought hu. mid. i. ty. No dessert on the patio this weekend. Nope. 



Photo by Kati


But the weekend also brought good things. Kati had friends over for a game party. Ron and I had a date night. The five nearby grands had their summer sleepover with their aunt-friend Bekah. Kid games. Ron painted some more shutters. Eve called from Maine to report that she learned to swim. (Yay, Eve!!) Easy, laid back meals...take out pizza, tacos, store bought ice cream. Family games. A lazy summer Sunday night spent watching old Matlock episodes. 

And reading an essay written by my son Ryan. Full of memories...and truth...and challenge.  


What Would You Think if I Sang Out of Tune?

Every disciple when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. (Lk 6:40)
The late musician, Rich Mullins, in response to why his songs sounded so much alike said, "That's why pastors are so boring. . .everybody only really has one sermon in them. . . everybody only has one song." Since hearing that, I've wondered what my one song is, or maybe what it should be.

Three years ago my Poppop died. In the late nineteen forties he was a young man of the world returning home from a war overseas guarding airplanes and German prisoners. He and his young bride began their new life together as two pagans living in a small apartment overtop a church, and they lay in bed on Sundays listening to the songs and the words spoken below. Soon after, on his knees, my Poppop met Jesus the Friend of sinners, and he would talk about Jesus for the rest of his life. Like the rest of us he left behind, he was human, but when he sang of Jesus and spoke of Him, it was like Jesus was a person, like he knew Him. One of my best memories with my Poppop is painting the endless tin roof of a chicken house one spring and him singing, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long." For me, this was his legacy. This was his one song.

Now if Jesus is my one song, then I need to discover the answer to this question: Is He a subject or a person? If Jesus is a subject, then getting all the right answers is important. If Jesus is a person, then knowing Him is what matters. It's like the difference between a theoretical tretise and a love song.

Ralph Waldo Emerson asked,  “Where in Christendom is the Christian?" Good question. There always seems to be a lot of religiosity worship, but this isn't worth singing about. I see this sad song every day on my drive to work, lettered on the the church billboards I pass with andecdotes and moral causes, patriotisim, financial advice, and warning about church attendance. I hear it on the religious radio, men shouting with the fervor of a dictator followed by the syrupy plea for money, "You can request this book right now for a generousgift to support the ministry." Now if my one song is about Jesus of Nazareth. . . then His words and His life should be the lyrics, not religion, not even the subject of Jesus, but Jesus the person.

One poet said, "We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand." So I guess I'm wondering what my one song is and just hoping that it's a song about Jesus. Someday I hope that my legacy will be, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1Cor 2:2)


Is Jesus your song? Is He my song?

10 comments:

  1. Good essay! I've heard the comment, 'Religion is man's attempt to obligate God.' I don't know who said it, but I think it's right on. Religion is a an outward thing. Faith is inward. Sometimes religion is a mask worn to hide the fact that there is no faith in God at all.

    Love the fun family weekend. That first kid game looks like someone hand made it. Is that right? What a great idea. Personalizing a game with a spinner. My grandsons would love that!

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  2. So appreciated the essay... I'm thrilled that young men think such thoughts today or more well put...have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is no self-help program.

    Love seeing your game nights. Hope that some cool returns. Will the Polar Vortex reach you?

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  3. Yes we are hoping for that Polar Vertex. Fun game pictures, Kati is a good photographer. And your son is a good writer and thinker! I love how he weaved in the legacy of his grandfather with his faith today, but that is how it should be isn't it. I wonder what he wrote it for. Tell him thank you.

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  4. Rich Mullins was one of my favorite "theologians". ;)

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  5. Love the song your father sang. What a great legacy for your son Ryan. Wonderful thoughts to read...

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  6. Looks like an awesome weekend! And wow...that essay is something else...I know you must have been proud!

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  7. Well, written Ryan! So thankful to read this and hear your heart and challenge to us.

    I know you are proud Cheryl. Well done!

    Deanna

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  8. This was sooo well written! LOVED it. It has given me much to think about. I very much want Jesus to be my song. My relationship with Him to be the thing others notice in me and want. But is it always? This is where our focus should be!

    Loved seeing your family week-end!

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  9. I really like the essay - interesting, well written and gives one of the most important truths for all to understand - we need to know the man, our savior, Jesus. Oh, I also like "Apples to Apples".

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  10. Such a beautifully written essay! Thank you for sharing it with us. I also love the song his Poppop sang.

    We're getting some cooler temps this week, hope you do too! Have a great day!

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