>Fast or Famine

>by Robin Schmidt

I bought a One Year Chronological Bible at the end of last year. My new year's resolution was to read through the entire Bible. I even thought I would like to read "ahead" so that I would complete the reading before the holidays this year. I started out strong. I read every day, by the end of January I was into the mid February readings. And then it came to a dead halt. I don't remember why.

I had enlisted a friend to be accountable with and at the end of February I went to visit her and we decided we would "catch up" with our reading together. So I sat down, poolside in the sunshine and began to read. The trouble was I couldn't go quickly. There were things to ponder and even to talk about together as we read. But if I am going to read through the entire Bible, I don't have time to stop and think about it. At this pace I will never catch up!

Reminds me of a song by Alabama:

I'm in a hurry to get things done,
I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I've really got to do is live and die,
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why.

I still want to read the entire Bible, and I will, but I think now that laying my eyes on every word is not the point. The point, I think, is to lay my eyes on God.

If the Bible could be distilled down to its most basic message you might be able to say it with three words: Look at God.

That is hard to do. Looking at God is what stopped when sin entered the picture. Adam and Eve were looking to hide, not wanting God to see them and not wanting to see him. They stopped walking together.

Famine

The book of Joel begins by describing a devastation of the land by locust. What the gnawing locust left, the swarming locust ate, what the swarming locust left the creeping locust had eaten, what they left the stripping locust had eaten.

There was nothing left. Drunks were sober, there was no wine. There was nothing for the animals to eat, nothing to offer on the altar. They were starving. There was nothing.

And the Lord told them to declare a holy fast.

Right.

There is no food - not like when your teenager says "there's nothing to eat." This is a famine and there is nothing to eat, NOTHING. And God directs the people to declare a holy fast.

Why? Because in a famine you are looking for food, when you are fasting you are looking at God.

God speaks

When Jesus was walking the earth God the Father spoke audibly twice. Can you imagine? What was that like? I wonder what impact that had on the people who could hear it. God spoke out loud twice.

The first time was when Jesus went to John to be baptized. God said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." At the transfiguration God said the same thing with an addition. John, James and Peter are on the mountain with Jesus and God speaks, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased: listen to Him."

Listen to Him.

Choices

Jesus told Martha that her sister Mary made a better choice. Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to him. Martha was all bent out of shape about everything that needed to be done, but do you know what? Jesus wasn't going to talk forever. It's not like his life was one long monologue. He would eventually stop teaching and then they could get a meal together. Martha had a choice: stay all hot and bothered or stop and listen first and then work later.

Be still and know that I am God. It is hard to be still. It is hard to listen. But it is a choice, and remarkably it is available for anyone. So, what'll it be? Fast or Famine?

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Why do this?

There is a strange phenomenon that has taken place in the world today. Not very long ago there were little girls with diaries that had locks and keys. Now, they have been replaced by Blogger, Xanga, Myspace, and Facebook Notes. The world is invited into our minds, memories,thoughts, concepts, and ideas. So why do this? Why invite people in?

A friend of mine, Ken, said that blogging was cathartic and that in it this generation finds hope for community and connection. I think he is right. There is something cleansing about writing your words out. Sending your ideas into the universe and to possibly have them read one day by someone. In past times people wrote books. Well, nobody reads anymore. I am struck by the fact that Jonathon Edwards, a Christ-follower from an earlier time, seemed to be aware that his journals would someday be read. He had an eye to the encouragement and edification of future people.

My hope is that through the posts on this blog I will find some aspect of this cathartic enterprise. I have attempted blogs before. The first began well. Then devolved to YouTube posting and pictures. The images took over. This time I hope there will be a difference. I hope that the posts here will be the kind reminiscent of earlier generations with an authenticity that cleansing requires and an eye to the reader who in some way might possibly be edified.

A friend of mine wants to know the meaning of the title of the blog. Well, quite honestly most other "cool" names were already taken. I was thinking about CS Lewis and Narnia when I opened this one and his whole thing about sneaking in behind the dragons of this world. That along with the image of a back porch. So, slipping in the back...

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>Words of Good Cheer... Filling the Air

>by Robin Schmidt

Have you hauled out the holly? Decked the halls? Do you hear jingle bells? Silver bells? Are you simply having a wonderful Christmas time?

The sounds of Christmas...music.

Music is an amazing and powerful thing. It can set a mood, or take you back in time. Words and sound combine and together give expression to our deepest emotions.

If I am alone in the house I will sit by the lit tree and play Amy Grant...Breath of Heaven, Little Town of Bethlehem, Emmanuel. I listen and contemplate and pray.

If I am out and about I enjoy Paul McCartney's Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, it has a cheerful energy.

Silver Bells takes me to my Grandma's house on the east side.

Growing up I opened gifts to the sound of Johnny Mathus.

No one does Jingle Bells like Barbara Streisand (upsot?).

My favorite carols are God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Holy Night.

What about you? What is the Christmas music of your childhood? What is your favorite carol? Why? I would love to hear about the music that touches you.

P.S. Don't let this Sunday, December 9th, be a silent night. Come to Grace Chapel at 7pm for One Starry Night. We will be filling the air with the sounds of Christmas.

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>The Horse Knows the Way

>"Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh in the white and drifting snow."


I always think of that as a Thanksgiving song. Thanksgiving approaches and I begin to sing those lines in my head. It is very comforting isn't it? The road to Grandmother's home is so familiar the horse knows the way.

I wish I knew as much as that horse. I have no idea where I am headed.


Mapquest
I would like a map, please. I would like to be able to trace the path I will travel and see what is coming. I want to know if I'm headed over a river and then through some woods. I want to be prepared, get geared up, brace myself. I want to know what is coming and what is expected of me. I would like it all laid out very clear and plain.

I haven't been given a map, have you?


Uncharted territory
Have you been following Helena's recovery? Day after day Chris reports of progress that amazes everyone. We marvel at the wonders reported and witnessed. We about burst with joy. Who could have guessed five weeks ago we would be here today? Who can predict where we will be tomorrow?

Not me.


Tight squeeze
There is a narrow path - that's the one I want to be on. It's a tougher trail. Sadly, it is the road less traveled.

To travel this narrow path I have to stay within earshot of a still, small voice. I have to walk close enough to God to hear Him.

Now that's a narrow path.



Stay the course
There are a lot of people following Helena's recovery from the accident. And many of them are drawing close to God, close enough to talk, to ask for His mercy and healing for this dear daughter.

I don't know where I'm headed. But I know from whence I've come. And looking back, ah that path is clear and I see God. I see His provision, His grace, His love, His care. And today, tomorrow, Thursday, I will draw close to thank Him for all He has done, for how far I have come.

Maybe I know as much as that horse after all. I do not know what lies ahead, but I guess I do know the Way. His name is Jesus. I must remember to stick close.

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>What did you do Wednesday?

>October 31 Grace Chapel families scattered to their homes, to await their neighbors....

This was the first year the porch light was on at the Schmidt house, and it rocked my oldest daughter's world. So I sat on my porch steps (it was such a nice evening) talking to Anne on my cell phone and explaining why, after 25 years, we were passing out Halloween candy. I would interrupt our call every couple of minutes to greet Spiderman or various princesses who came calling.

For about two hours I greeted children and parents, admired costumes, joked about dental bills, and offered candy to older siblings who were walking with their families. It was a very pleasant and relaxing evening.

Being on the border of the city of Detroit, most of our Trick or Treaters are driven in from other neighborhoods, and so I didn't meet many of my local neighbors. The folks I saw I won't likely see again, until maybe next year, if they liked my candy, and yes, it was the good stuff.

As I tried to explain to Anne, this was less about Halloween, and more about people, just being friendly to people. By the time we hung up I think she had an idea of how sitting on my front porch giving out candy and smiles might be something Jesus would do.

What about you? What did you do on Halloween?

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>Just Walk Across the Room Week 3

>

Lord Jesus, as we continue to make our way "across the room" help us to craft our individual faith stories in a way that people can understand and relate to. At the same time, Father, guide us when we present the follow-up 'Good News' story about your Son to others. Amen.

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>Just Walk Across the Room Week 2

>

Father, we thank you for the many groups that are forming. Thank you for
the new leaders, and the friendships that will come from this time together.
Father, we ask for focus and time management as fall activities vie for our
time. Bring each of us closer in our relationship to you. Show us those
people you want us to walk to and prompt us to hear their story and develop a relationship with them. Make us sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and make us the instrument to bring 'life' to spiritually 'dead' people. Lord, we are asking to be truly 3D people. This we ask in the holy, precious name of Jesus. Amen

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