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To continue expanding on our previous blog on the DISEASE series and the Rx for wellness, let’s consider the oft told story of the choice of feeding the black dog or the white dog. Retired Methodist Preacher Buddy Miller, with his sharp wit and Texas draw, used our “choice of feeding which dog” frequently while discussing our sickness (disease).

We do have a choice which dog we feed–the black dog (disease/sin/sickness) or the white dog (purity/wellness). Our choice is important as one dog will often become strong and well satisfied and the other will become weaker with being thrown the scraps and, thus malnourished and subject to be dominated. Make sense? I should ask myself which dog is at my dining table the most—oops.

Now, consider the previous blog and the comment Andy made a couple of weeks ago about our tendency when ‘pricked’ by God about our DISEASE. I agree with talking head #1 that we usually revert to what we are most comfortable improving…body, mind or soul; not the festering sickness that needs the antibotic STAT. I guess I need to ask myself again, which dog am I feeding…darn it.

Please don’t misunderstand what I am rambling about. We do need to feed our body (physical), mind (emotional and intellect) and soul (spirit). I referring to what I wrote about earlier—the key for wellness is intentionally working toward one’s balance in all three areas. I hope this REALLY makes sense .

I believe we Lofters do want to be well. It is a tough go and requires dedication, effort, sacrifice, and sometimes pain before becoming well. It will not be the PC thing to do and difficult to handle at times. So, I ask again, which dog am I feeding today?

Dream with me Lofter a moment when you sing along the song from a couple of weeks ago…

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
What ever my lot you have taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come
Let this blessed assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And He shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well; it is well; it is well with my soul.

It is well; it is well; it is well with my soul.  (refrain)

I’m upset with the black dog inside and want to kick it out! U?

Love to hear from you. More later..East out.

Ok…we are sick. Maybe my body is relatively healthy (no way), but I may need some soul or mind work. At least as Brian pointed out last Sunday we are all in this diseased condition together! Hey—kudos to Andy to reminding us two weeks ago that when God “pricks” us a little, our tendency often is to ‘go to work’ improving the area that is already most healthy…ouch.

I think we Lofters are getting it and look forward to learning more about the “fix.” Our Lord wants us to be well and do good. May I suggest that begins by seeking balance in one’s life—body (physical), mind (intellectually and emotionally) and soul (intimacy with God)?  Some of us may even remember the old Wesley question –“How is it with your soul today?”

And, from my experience, living in balance is a tough go and has always been so. It takes work, real commitment, and accountability to self, God and others.

Ug…on the bright side…balance in a Christian’s life leads to a sustainable fully devoted walk with God, authentic relationships in community and increased desire to help others in need. (Lofter core values)

My prayer is that we are collectively beginning to believe that striving for a balanced life will continuously fuel the passion within…to be and do as the Holy Spirit directs. And that, Lofters, is a great reason to really work on rejecting sickness and embracing wellness.

Talking heads #1, 2 & 3…keep it coming…we’re getting it.

More Later. East out.

The big Q this week is what will you be giving up for Lent? I thought I’d write a random list (in no particular order or a lot of thought) of what I’m not giving up for Lent. This might be a good exercise for you, too.

I’m not giving up on…
God is love; marriage and fidelity (as God ordained it); on the need of family and close honest relationships in community; on personal responsibility and accountability to God and others. That good will triumph evil.

Nor, am I giving up on the people called Christian, the church; its mission to the world, the remnant found in post-Christian countries, peoples, and groups around the world, or that true peace is found only in Christ.

I’m not giving up on the Bible…the truth of the gospel, nor my separation from God due to sin, the need for personal redemption and a need (responsibility) to share the gospel of Christ in word and deed.

Nor, am I giving up on the lost, least, lonely, poor or marginalized who live among us and my responsibility to them. That we (you) is better than me.
I’m not giving up on becoming better and doing good; of improving myself; of understanding self and God more intimately. Nor am I giving up on honoring consequences of personal decisions.

I’m not giving up on the power of prayer; nor, am I giving up on the presence of the Holy Spirit nudging and pricking me about the “dis-ease” in my life.
I’m not giving up on Jesus. Lent reminds me again that He ‘chose the nails’ and did not give up on me.

I’m not giving up on God’s promise that He will provide and answer my cry to Him; nor, giving up on Jehovah’s omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence.

Finally, I’m not giving up on the Christian hope of the resurrection and eternal life in Christ; God’ love for us and the free choice we each have and must personally make.

I hope you join me this Lenten season ‘not giving up.’ What will you keep for Lent?

Oh—by the way—no way am I giving up grinding my own beans for a great cup of extra hot Java, Misto or Latte…and never will I give up my gourmet whole grain white popping corn.

More later, East-out.

Selah

Last Sunday, as I was milling around in the alley at the loft, a friend stopped me and said she liked the blogs I’ve written this year. “Cool”, I thought—someone’s actually reading them. We talked a few minutes and I mentioned that I hoped I would be writing over 200 stories in the three blogs this year with a hope, if my ramblings are any good, to publish a devotional guide for lofters next year.

She stopped and asked “how in the world do you get the ideas?” I stammered in my very articulate manner, “I don’t know.” Fortunately, worship was beginning so I was off the hook.

Actually, I do know. I ask the Lord to give me ‘fresh eyes’ every day. As an old guy, I rejoice that I just have another day; a new day do be better and do better. I think that’s a pretty good idea now that I think about it; I recommend that you try asking God for ‘fresh eyes’ for the day.

I believe that Jesus awoke every, day with fresh eyes looking for the hurting, the lost, the needy, the least, and those living in the margins of his world. We need to add looking at fresh eyes at ourselves–the gnawing in the pit of our stomach; the prick we feel as we try to ignore, or at least compartmentalize, that Andy is calling during his current talks the “dis-ease” in our life.

The really neat thing is that we can do this where we are and with the gifts, talents, abilities and life experiences the Lord has given us.  I need to do better balancing looking with fresh eyes using the lofter core values of communion with God, living in community and compassion. U? I want to hear about how you are doing.

More later. East out.

Selah

A reoccurring theme we hear during the Olympics is that the athletics are passionate about their sport. Passion is a good thing…in fact, it’s great! However, I’ve heard it so often this year I keep reaching in the frig for a V-8 Fusion drink.

On the other hand, as I scribble this, I’m struck by the fact the U.S. is tied with Slovakia in the race for the gold—maybe there’s a spiritual lesson for me in this. Anastazia Kuzmina, the 25-year athletic, coach and police officer, upset the favorites for an early gold in the women’s 7.5km spirit Biathlon.

Good for her…a great example that ample resources, advantages in training and world rankings may fail when compared to one’s determination, drive and passion toward the prize. Many of the 5 million citizens of the Republic are cheering from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube—a new national hero!

I have other heroes in Slovakia—church planters, missionaries and the Christian remnant who are making a difference daily where they are and with what they have. There is a renewed spirit in Slovakia particularly in the last two decades among evangelicals who are passionate and committed to their calling.

My heroes are everyday people who earnestly and passionately seek God. You and I may or may not be blessed with great resources, natural talents or abilities, or much of a “following.” However, we can and should all strive, as the Apostle Paul said and did, for the prize. How are you doing?  Are you in training and on track for the gold?

Let me know what you think.  More later. East-out

Selah

And so it goes…another piece of spam titled “It’s all about you.” Of course it is, or so the marketing gurus wish us to believe.

It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m Mr. Grumpy. My brother’s grandkids call him “Grumps”; today I prefer Mr. Grumpy. I guess my problem is that deep, deep, deep down I know that they are lying to me…it’s not about me. Here I was thinking this whole deal called life was about me! Or maybe…I’m asking is that all it is? Ever been there?

I hope you shouted “been there—done that.” So, how can I feel better (be better?)…let me see what Diagnosis said this morning? Maybe I’m grumpy because we)are DIS-eased. There is something eating at me; pricking me; yes, even gnawing a little.

My (our) disease (illness) may be mind (emotional or intellectual), body (physical) or soul (spiritual). Neverless, a beginning step in reordering one’s life directly toward God is understanding that we are dis-eased. Yes, often we are not at ease. Our “talking head” Andy brought that home clearly this morning.

So here are some quick thoughts for Mr. Grumpy. (1) Exactly where am I out of balance? (2) God does His best work in us when he pricks at me. U?

More later. Uncle Bob-out

Selah

Want to take on a recent (2/12/10) tweet by our talking-head-in-chief (aka Andy N.)? Here goes- “Line from a conversation today-God I have no problem with. It’s church I’m not so sure about.”

As I shake my head thinking about this and some more of my hair falls out (I need all it all—believe me), I think “Hmm…I need an answer for this, I guess.” Immediately, I formulate my best answer based on sound theological reasoning…something about the fall of humankind and the human condition, Jesus is the head of the church, point 3, point 4, blah, blah, blah.

Then, in my theological astute and irreverent way, the answer comes to me! Believe me—I hear this often as I go off on a tangent—“And your point is?”

Hear me…plain and simple. Theological understanding is important; however, winning a theological argument, or at least one point, isn’t nearly as important as sharing one’s life (including doubts and struggles) in Christ. I know me. I’m not really spiritually well. Maybe, I need a Diagnosis this weekend at the loft. It’s almost Sunday, and I need to hear from the Lord, U?

This I believe: working on the loft core values of communion with God, living in community for growth and accountability, and the personal expression of compassion are all absolutely essential in my life. How about you?

As the saying goes “we can all be part of the problem or the solution.” My Rx says ‘gain understanding of my present condition (hiccups, warts and all), apply a little wisdom of others I love and trust, continue to get well by doing good. Do this in His name and in this order …today and every day.”

Love to hear what you are doing and goin’ to do about the perceived gulf between God and church.
Uncle Bob out.    More later, Selah

Bob East here.  With Super Bowl XLIV behind us, a “real new year” begins.  For many, the  unlikely ‘who dat’ New Orleans Saints win; and we begin anew anxious (and I hope excited) to see what 2010 brings.

So…a new year also began at the loft with Duct Tape. Lofters were challenged to reclaim and live our core values of communion with God, community within and compassion toward those we meet and hear about in our journey.  Diagnosis: What Makes Us Sick? is up next and  begins this Sunday.  I hope to see you here.

It’s a funny how we often treat illness.  I’m just recovering from the dreaded (ug) stomach virus struggling to be diligent about taking the needed antibiotic for 10 days.  I know…I know….I’ve been told that not taking the Rx for the full prescribed term is a common reason many have a relapse ….but, really, I do feel better already.  You been there…even spiritually?

Maybe, just maybe, I’m treating the Rx super pill as Duct Tape–a temporary quick fix—rather than the intended purpose.   And so it goes with our spiritual life.  It’s a new year…let’s begin by diagnosing every area of our life, own up to the sickness within, and begin anew with the right fix.  You in?

A close friend (and fellow TWUMC member) is a member of a small group I meet with weekly.  He had a serious health scare last year and was fighting a (literally) potentially deadly infection in his leg.  Needless to say, he wasn’t looking for duct tape; he wanted the real deal—a cure for the infection.  He is well today because he acted. Faithfully following his physician’s direction and the strong antibiotic prescribed cleared the infection in about a month.  My prayer is that we lofters are looking for the real Rx deal—Jesus—and look  toward The Christ who is the only one who really can make us well.

2010 is a new year.  The loft blog is new (and still under development).  Our mission to to make lofters aware of what’s happening; tell stories of lofters and others making progress along the journey and encourage all of us to daily live our core values where ever God places us.  You in? Tell others and stay in touch.

Often I’ll “prick us” a little…the talking heads call this ‘building tension.’  Sometimes… in an irreverent way…I may poke fun, but always with a log in my eye looking at another’s speck.   I do promise honesty from my perspective;   I’m just a guy stumbling along trying to serve God.  I want to hear from you and what you are thinking; we can learn from each other.

Servanthood is this year’s theme at the loft; you ready? Join me in a prayer that when others ask ‘who ‘dat’, the answer is ‘em lofters’ marching in. Uncle Bob – Out

More later, Selah.