Wayfarer on the Creative Path

Christmas 2007

We had a great time with family this Christmas!

On the Saturday before Christmas we gathered at Grandpa Dean and Grandma Jeanne's for Vander Well Christmas (part 1). Taylor and Madison were with their mom, so it was just Wendy braving the oncoming snow storm on the drive to Des Moines. Terry, Bonnie and Ellie were in town from Chicago, and we got to meet their new puppy, a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Daisy.

We had a wonderful lunch and opened gifts before Wendy and I had to high-tail it back to Pella before the weather got any worse. As always, there were plenty of gifts to go around. Grandpa and Grandma decided to give us kids some special heirlooms from the Vander Well family. They gave me the Dutch family Bible that belonged to my Great-Grandfather who came to the states from the Netherlands in the late 1800s (very cool). Jody kept Grandpa Vander Well's head warm with the cap she knit for Grandma (see picture).

On Christmas Eve day we were expecting to travel to Iowa City where Wendy's brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Heidi, were expecting thier first baby. God granted Heidi's Christmas wish and little Sophia Parker came a week early. Rather than put Heidi through hosting all 15 of us in their three bedroom apartment, everyone came to our house!

Of course, little Sophia was the center of attention. The little cutie got passed around all day long and never fussed a bit. We had more great food (ugh!) and plenty of laughter as the family stayed all afternoon. We loved having Heidi's parents, Miss Ann and Mr. Fred, join us from Louisiana!

Christmas Eve was a quiet one for Wendy and me. After a day full of food and family we waddled over to sit on the couch - just the two of us - to watch a movie (that ever-sentimental holiday classic - Live Free or Die Hard).

Christmas morning was just the four of us exchanging gifts in our home. In an act of extreme, sacrificial love, Wendy gave me the 23-hour documentary Baseball by Ken Burns (Wendy hates documentaries). I on the other hand, gave Wendy a hand-mixer, mixing bowls, a double-boiler and a book of chocolate recipes. Anyone who's had Wendy's cooking - especially her cheesecake - will immediately realize that I am going to personally benefit from these gifts, but she did ask for all of it (okay - most of it - I swear I remember her saying she wanted mixing bowls!) :)

Speaking of Wendy's cooking. We usually like to have a nice, big family breakfast - just the four of us - on Christmas morning. We opted to skip it this year. Part of it was that we knew we'd be eating very well in just a few hours.  I also realized that, were I to go swimming that morning, I would easily be mistaken for a small, off-shore island.

As far as the rest of the gifts, the girls, being teenagers, got what they wanted: cash. Cold, hard, cash. Dinero. Dough. Jack. Bones. Moo-la. Greenbacks. Samoles. Scratch. I'm sure it will go towards clothes, though Madison did use hers to buy a new nano video iPod. I must note that Taylor, prompted by the Holy Spirit, was instrumental in raising cash (read: hundreds of dollars) from among her teen-aged peers and donating much of her own money to a needy local family. What can I say? The girl's a class-act.

By noon on Christmas Day the four of us were back at the Vander Wells for Christmas part deaux. Tim was back from his trip to Europe and the girls were anxious to see their cousins (see picture). More (urp!) food, followed by more gifts, followed by more food, followed by games.

Wendy and I took a break to buzz over for a Christmas visit with the Van Tuyl family (Wendy's relatives - though not by blood - you see Wendy is....well, it's complicated...just trust me, they're family). It was a great visit and we received this really cool little toy guitar that sounds real and is easy to play. Madison's been having fun with it!

We went back to the Vander Wells and enjoyed some more conversation before Aunt Jody talked Grandpa Dean in to making eierflensjes. This is a thin Dutch crepe (sprinkled with sugar, honey, or jelly then rolled up) that has been a rare family treat through the years. My "Grandpa V" used to make with my Dad for family gatherings when were kids. We still try to have them once or twice a year. So, Dad whipped up a bunch, which was a good thing since we'd certainly HADN'T HAD ENOUGH TO EAT!

That's probably more detail than you wanted. Wendy and I have commented at what a blessing it is to gather with all of our various mixtures of family, and to thoroughly enjoy the time. There was no fighting. There was no bickering. There was no tension. There was a lot of conversation. There was a lot of laughter. There were special moments. There were tears of joy. There was prayer and the holding of hands.

...and plenty of food :)

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 22

God, God...my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere? Psalm 22:1 (TM)

When you read Psalm 21 and Psalm 22 next to each other you begin to wonder if David was manic depressive. He goes from "everything is great and God is blessing me with everything I ask for" to "why did you dump me miles from nowhere?"

I don't think David was manic. I think he was human, and his Psalms are 3,000 year old blog posts that chronicle the normal ups and downs of human experience. December is a time to reflect back on the previous year and look forward to the next. What one of us can't look back at the last year and remember both Psalm 21 days and and Psalm 22 days? Who hasn't praised God one day and then muttered complaints the next?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Jeff Bauche

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 21

Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it. We are out singing the good news! Psalm 21:13 (TM)

A mentor and friend of mine used to always say, "the best is yet to come". It became his catch-phrase for a long while and I heard him utter it countless times. It stuck. I think about that phrase almost every time I attempt to peer down the road at the horizon. "the best is yet to come."

Through good times and tough times, the best is yet to come.
Through divorce and despair, the best is yet to come.
Through blessings and boon, the best is yet to come.
Through death and grief, the best is yet to come.
Through 2008, the best is yet to come.

Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it!

Decorate With Love

The Christmas festivities are almost over. It's been a long, four-day weekend of gatherings and get-togethers. My waistband is screaming for mercy. My garbage can is overflowing with tissue paper, wrapping paper, boxes and bows.

Wendy decided that she was going to skimp on the decorations this year. There was no great spiritual motivation for this decision. I think it was more about sanity. So, there was no big tree with lights and ornaments - just a little 12 inch tree with no lights and pre-attached red bulbs that we pulled off a shelf in the cellar and stuck on a side table. Then there was the nativity set. That's it.

Call us Scrooge if  you wish, but the reality is that Christmas came to our house on Monday. From Grandma Vander Hart down to newborn little Sophia we had a house decorated in loved-ones, laughter and love.

And I don't have to spend hours packing the decorations away!

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 20

When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true! Psalm 20:5 (TM)

One of the things you realize about David as you read through the Psalms is the pervasive nature of his faith. It was never about what he was going to do but what God was going to do. It was never about his victories but about God's victory. It was never about his strength, but about God's power.

God, grant me more of David-like faith. Help me see You in every bit of me. Help me acknowledge you in every circumstance.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 19

Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Psalm 19:13a (TM)

The job I've been guilty of "thinking I can take over" for God is that of judge. I can look back through my life and see all of the people who I've judged in so many inappropriate ways. I've come to learn that the judgement seat of God is a huge chair and my butt doesn't fit it. I took off my "junior holy spirit" badge a long time ago. My job is to love, bear, encourage, and forgive. Judgement is God's job - His alone.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and JLM.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 18

Is there any god like God? Are we not at bedrock? Psalm 18:31 (TM)

I wonder if it was this psalm that prompted Jesus story about of the two men who built their houses - one on sand and the other on solid rock. The results were like night and day.

Bedrock - and we're not talkin' Fred Flinstone. We're talking solid foundation on which you can build to the sky and know for certain that you will stand no matter what the elements throw at you. That's good stuff!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and oldshoewoman

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 17

I call to you, God, because I'm sure of an answer. Psalm 17:6a (TM)

This verse struck me this morning, not only because of David's faith (being sure of an answer), but also the fact that his faith motivated him to pray. Because he was sure God would answer, it spurred him to call out to God. I have seen God answer prayer so many times in so many ways, but I have to admit that I'm still not always motivated to pray. It often seems like a chore - another check on the spiritual to-do list.

I need a little of David's heart today.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and ninjaneil

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 16

I say to God, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense. Psalm 16:2 (TM)

I have no idea how I would navigate life without my relationship with Jesus. When I look back at the highest peaks in my life - He was behind it and in it. He preceded me into the darkest valleys along the journey and walked with me every step of the way. Knowing that He is there and that He has been utterly faithful gives me faith and hope for today and tomorrow.

Without Him, nothing makes sense.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and noamg

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 15

God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? Psalm 15:1 (TM)

What a great question. The interesting thing about this Psalm is that David goes on to offer his ideas on the things that will earn a place on God's guest list, and yet if he thought about his own life he would realize that he made God's guest list when Samuel anointed him king as a young shepherd boy. God graciously invited him to dinner and appointed him a place of honor and it didn't have a thing to do with what David had done - or had not done. God blessed David throughout his life and honored him by "establishing his throne forever" and proclaiming Jesus the "son of David". Again, this had nothing to do with what David had done or had not done.

If you're wondering what to do to get on God's invitation list - relax. You're invited.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and philthecow.

Chapter-a-Day C

Don't they know anything, all these impostors? Don't they know they can't get away with this— Treating people like a fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray? Psalm 14:4 (TM)

I love the metaphor used in the paraphrase here. Treating people like a "fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray." I know I've made a lot of references to the current election cycle lately, but the psalms are full of references to leaders and their character.

I get a little miffed (call me a cynic) when I hear or watch presidential candidates - most who have made tidy sums and guaranteed nest-eggs provided by tax-payers - talk in the corporate "we" as if they are at risk of foreclosure and financial ruin themselves.

I hope that we, as sheep, are wise in picking our national shepherd.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 13

Long enough, God— you've ignored me long enough. I've looked at the back of your head long enough. Psalm 13:5 (TM)

I happen to be a fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Vikings. The loveable losers of MLB who haven't won a series in 100 years and the NFL team that's 0 and 4 in the Super Bowl. Come playoff time, it stinks bein' me.

Perhaps that's why I identify with David's "Long enough! Long enough I've carried this!"

But as David always does in his psalms, the ranting complaints always end in God's deliverance and his triumph.

Maybe next year.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 12

God's words are pure words, Pure silver words refined seven times. Psalm 12:6 (TM)

What I found interesting in today's chapter was the contrast David heard between the words of the people around him and God's words.

Here in Iowa it's three weeks until caucus. You can't spit without hitting a presidential candidate. We were having dinner last Friday night with our small group and Hillary walked in with her entourage. The television is a steady stream of political ads. Promises, threats, spin, and fear-mongering in never ending messages draped in red, white and blue.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy we have a democratic process. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Nevertheless, politicians are not know for the "purity" of their words. I get done watching the news and I feel like I need to take a shower.

God's words, by contrast, are eternal. They are like fresh spring water constantly bubbling up with renewed, life-giving meaning.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 11

Once we're standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye. Psalm 11:7b (TM)

There's something in the male psyche that drives us to want to stand tall before our fathers. We grow up in Dad's shadow - fighting hard to earn his respect. Boys become men, but still they yearn to look the ol' man in the eye and hear words like "I love you, son," and "I'm proud of you." I've been fortunate to hear both statements - many times - from my Dad. I've also known friends still struggling with the fact that they've never received "the blessing" and likely never will. Even when you do hear it, the desire to have your father's respect never goes away.

I hear that as the conclusion of Psalm 11. In verse one we run to the arm of our Heavenly Father. We learn from Him and we are set straight on the right path. It is then that we find ourselves standing tall and looking Him in the eye. It is then that we hear "Well done, son. Well done."

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and albyspace

Diverse Reaction to Community Theater Post

It's always interesting when a certain blog post resonates with people - and how it resonates.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about "My Love/Hate Relationship With Community Theater". It was basically a r ant that came out of a particularly stressful time during the holiday production and was intended to communicate that while we all get frustrated with each other in the midst of a production, the shared experience links you together and causes you to care for these people deeply.

The post was picked up by the guys at Your Neighborhood Stage, "the world's only podcast dedicated to student, religious and community theatre." They thought it was great and Chris called to interview me for the podcast. We had a great conversation.

The post was also printed by our local newspaper, which seems to have led to all sorts of reactions, interpretations, and misinterpretations from readers and members of the community theatre. Many readers got it immediately and responded with "sounds like my church" or "sounds like my kids' soccer league," which was a big part of what I was trying to say. All community, volunteer organizations have similar experiences. It's frustrating to work with other human beings, but the shared experience brings you together. It's like family - your drive each other nuts but you love each other deeply.

Others were offended and convinced I was dissing them specifically and personally. I feel bad about this. I wasn't speaking about any specific individuals in the piece but about the types of personalities you encounter. I hope that they can reread the piece and see the larger picture of what I was communicating. By the way, I readily accept that I frustrate others every bit as much (if not more) than they frustrate me!!

<sigh> People.

The Ice-Man Cometh

Please say a prayer for us today (Tue, Dec 11), as an ice storm makes its way across Iowa. Our beautiful, mighty oak can't handle the weight of the ice and limbs are falling on our house and driveway! The rain continues to fall and we're hoping that we don't lose any more limbs or incur any more damage. There's going to be plenty of clean up as it is already!

As we sit in our office we can hear the crack and crash of trees and limbs falling all over the neighborhood. It's a rather strange feeling knowing that the tree could come down on top of you at any moment and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it!

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 10

But you know all about it—the contempt, the abuse. I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you. You won't let them down: orphans won't be orphans forever. Psalm 10:14 (TM)

Faith is choosing - daring - to believe that God will fulfill His promises despite the current circumstances and overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Faith is...

• Abraham daring to believe that God will give him a child though he and his wife are in their nineties
• Moses daring to believe that God will deliver Israel from Egypt
• Hannah daring to believe that God will open her barren womb
• Young David daring to believe that God will give him victory over Goliath
• Joseph daring to believe the story of his pregnant, betrothed wife

Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief.
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Gaspi

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 9

God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked. Psalm 9:9-10 (TM) 

I've always been a fan of spy movies like the Bourne Identity and spy novels like The Brotherhood of the Rose. One of the themes in great spy stories is the "safe house" or Sanctuary. The embattled and worn spy, who has been out on his own can go to the safe house where he will find rest and protection.

We all go through times when we feel out there on our own, surrounded by the enemy. Weary and worn, we need a safe place to rest, to heal, to recharge our batteries. God offers a safe place to rest to all who ask, but you must ask. God provides sanctuary to all who seek, but you must seek. Notice that the psalm says you'll never be sorry you knocked, but you must knock. For "he who asks receives, he who seeks finds, he who knocks - the door will be opened."
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 8

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? Psalm 8:3-4 (TM)

I remember seeing a poster in high school made up of several frames. It showed the earth. In the next frame it showed the Earth as a dot in our solar system. The next frame showed our solar system as a dot in the Milky Way. The next frame showed the Milky Way as a dot in the known Universe. You get the idea. We are so small in the expanse of the cosmos that God made. The reality of it gives even more wonder to the truth that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and cmatulewicz.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 7

God, if I've done what they say— betrayed my friends, ripped off my enemies— If my hands are really that dirty, let them get me, walk all over me, leave me flat on my face in the dirt. Psalm 7:3-5 (TM)

Many of David's psalms were "imprecatory" in nature. That's a hoity-toity seminary term for "kill my enemies". David's call for God to do in his enemies came from a desire for justice, and his desire for justice came from an understanding that his heart had to be right. He could not ask for God to bring justice if his heart wasn't right - if his own hands were dirty.

We all have a desire for justice. We want God to bless us and punish our enemies. But, this should lead us all to self-examination. A thousand years later, Jesus (who was David's great-great-great-great-great-like-forty-greats-grandson) would teach us that justice is really a heart issue. If we are God's children then our hearts will lead us to love and bless our enemies. The question is not so much "God kill my enemies" as much as it is "God help me to respond to my enemies as you would have me respond."

The cool thing is that both David and Jesus' teaching acknowledge that God is ultimately the judge of both our enemies and us.
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 6

Please, God, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for a change; I'm so starved for affection. Psalm 6:1-2 (TM)

One of the encouraging things for me about the Psalms is that I can commiserate with David and the other writers. We're all human and share a common human experience. I go through times when my relationship with God seems so strained. When I read David's honest heart-felt emotion I say, "Yes! Yes! I know what that feels like!" I also understand that sense of faith underneath all of the frustration and despair.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and aussie_patches

I know God is for me. I know that He is good. I know that there is purpose for me in my circumstances. That doesn't mean I won't feel the pain or the emotions it invokes.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 5

But you'll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Psalm 5:11 (TM)

When my daughters were little, I could not enter the door of the house without hearing the cries of "Daddy!" and the patter of little feet running into my open, welcoming arms. They are teenagers now. Today, that patter of feet you hear is them running for the door.

My role is different now, as it should be. Like the Prodigal's father, I often find myself waiting to welcome them. I'm waiting for them to come home. I'm waiting for those moments when they need to run for cover. Then my arms are open to welcome them.

In the same way, Our heavenly Father is waiting for us. His arms are wide open. Run for cover.
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and assbach.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 4

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more."  Psalm 3:6 (TM)

I was at the Grand Temple of "More" yesterday - the Mall of America. It was Madison's 16th Birthday trip and we took her and some friends up to the mall (Wendy and I dropped them off and grabbed the light-rail for the Metrodome where we saw the Vikings whip it up on the Lions). The girls had a great time and I was happy for Madison.

Look, I can't throw stones when it comes to materialism. I've got more than I need and I've made a lifetime's worth of stupid purchase decisions just because I wanted "more". But, I've been thinking a lot about contentment lately. The problem with "more" is that it has to be housed. It must be taken care of. It adds another thing to maintain, to wash, to fix, to worry about - only to sell it for pennies at a garage sale wondering why I wanted that so badly in the first place. Seriously, how much "more" stuff do I have that is just garage sale fodder?

David's next line is interesting. He didn't have much to his name out in the desert, on the run, and living in caves.

But he had joy and he slept well at night.
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Join the conversation! What verse in today's chapter meant something to you? Email subscribers can click on the title of this post and you'll be taken to a "permalink" of the blog post. Once there, you can scroll down and submit a comment. Feel free to share what you got out of today's chapter! If you're viewing this on the blog-site, simply click on the "comments" link at the bottom of the post. Share your own thoughts!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and sylar_major.