Wayfarer on the Creative Path

The Creator Doodles

The other morning I was on my way to grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks. It was early and the sun had not yet risen. I turned to my right, looked out the car window, and witnessed one of the most spectacular celestial scenes I've ever witnessed.

The rising sun had created a brilliant, fiery pink shaft of light shooting straight up into the air. I don't know if it was clouds below the horizon that directed the sun's rays like a giant searchlight, but it took my breath away. I had my camera in the back seat of the car and quickly pulled it out to take this picture.

A minute later, it was gone.

Every once in a while God reminds me that He is Creator and, like all true artists, His creative work is never finished.

The sky is God's canvas, and each day we get to watch Him doodle.

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 31

Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me. Psalm 31:15 (TM)

Faith is not a permanent state of being; It is a moment-by-moment choice.

(note: We are breaking up Psalms into five sections of 30 chapters each. Today begins our journey through chapters 31-60.)
Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and PPDigital.

A Century is Long Enough

Tomorrow is the first Spring Training game for the Chicago Cubs and you can bet it will be a heckuva lot warmer down in Mesa, Arizona than at Wrigley Field. Nevertheless, it's a wonderful sign of the coming of spring and the boys of summer. After the winter we've had, I'm more excited than ever for the promise of warm summer evenings at the ballpark.

The last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series was in 1908. It will be 100 years this year. Baseball's "lovable losers" have been frozen out of a championship long enough.

Maybe this year!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and brighter than sunshine.

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 8

Dear brothers, I'm a walled-in virgin still, but my breasts are full — And when my lover sees me, he knows he'll soon be satisfied. Song of Solomon 8:10 (TM)

One of the reasons people avoid the Old Testament is that it confuses them. The Old Testament often confuses people, because it is often hard to place things written 30 centuries ago into a context we get today. In an age of population control, abortion on demand and "the pill", it's sometimes hard to imagine a time when, for a woman, being fertile was the single most important thing to your family, your friends and to society as a whole.

For a woman in Solomon's day, you were expected to produce children - especially sons - who could inherit the family estate, work the land, and provide for the family. If you weren't fertile or perceived as an unlikely candidate for fertility - your chances of getting married were reduced and the family had the added pressure of providing for an old maid. Even in today's society, women who don't get married feel the skepticism of their families and the culture as a whole. In Solomon's day it was infinitely worse.

This is why the woman's brothers, in Chapter 8, are concerned with the size of their sister's bosom. The family's job - especially the male members of the family - was to broker the deal to get little sister married off and take another mouth-to-feed off the family's hands. A young girl would have been watched closely to make sure she had the physical signs of a fertile woman - baby makin' hips and adequate breasts.

The woman in the Song of Solomon is celebrating her womanhood and declaring that she is fertile, that is is ready to marry and bear children for her husband-to-be.

Enough Already!!

I drove to Minneapolis yesterday morning through an ice storm (yes, mom, I made it safe). This was a trip scheduled earlier and rescheduled because of a winter storm. I think we've already doubled the normal amount of snow fall. There's a mountain of ice at the bottom of my driveway that's too thick to chop through. I have so much snow and ice on our back porch that any thing melting just backs up against the house and creates a skating rink at our back door. Arrrrrrrrrrrggghhhh!

GOD?! Could you turn off the ice maker and SHUT the freezer door, please!?

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 7

The feelings I get when I see the high mountain ranges — stirrings of desire, longings for the heights — Remind me of you, and I'm spoiled for anyone else! Song of Solomon 7:6 (TM)

I am my lover's. I'm all he wants. I'm all the world to him! Come, dear lover— Song of Solomon 7:9-10a (TM)

One of the things I love, as a stage director, is getting to watch Wendy on stage. I love it on several different levels. I love that she's a wonderful, capable actor and I appreciate her talent. I love watching her do something she loves and enjoying herself thoroughly. But, I also love that she's my wife and lover. I think she's beautiful and desirable and I love watching her knowing that - when the show is over - I get to take her home!

What struck me in today's chapter is the differences in what got the man and woman's motor running. The man gazes upon his bride and it's the visual stimulation that turns him on. He describes his woman's looks and the more he describes her, the more his eyes feast on her, the greater his desires build. In fact, all he has to do is look at the mountains and his mind wanders back to her breasts.

As Wendy would say, "such a boy."

The woman, on the other hand, makes it clear that it's being the object of desire which turns her on. She sees that look in his eye, she feels how much she turns him on and that turns her on. I see the same reaction in Wendy when she catches that look in my eye :)

Creative Commons photo of the Grand Tetons courtesy of Flickr and Vulcho.

The Curtain Falls on "The Odd Couple"

I was in the catwalk above the stage last night as we were cleaning up the lights from our production of "The Odd Couple." Sheryl Vander Linden, who did a wonderful job playing Renee, walked onto the bare stage beneath me. Olive's New York apartment was gone. The props were put away. The furniture was crammed to the front of the stage, ready to be returned.

"It's always so sad," Sheryl said mournfully, looking at the empty stage.

I know what she means. There is a grieving process to letting go of a fun production. And yet, the bare stage is just a metaphor for the possibilities. There are other productions to be staged. There are other experiences to be lived out under the lights and actors to get to know and with whom to work.

But not for a while, yet.

It was a long weekend for Wendy and me as we finished our four show run of "The Odd Couple". The show went really, really well. We had great crowds for Thursday and Friday night. Things tapered off for Saturday and Sunday - but those who saw the show really enjoyed it.

Now, it's time for a break from the stage. There is no Tulip Time show for USP this year, so the next production picks up in May - and we have typically stayed away from getting too involved in the summer show. We're looking forward to spending more time at the lake this summer - so that's motivating us.

That doesn't mean we don't have plenty to do. There are a ton of organizational things we'll be working on for the theatre this Spring, but that can be worked in along the way. Last night as we drove away from the theatre we felt the pressure of production lifted. It was a great show and I'm proud of what we put on stage, but I'm also glad that it's over.

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 6

Never mind. My lover is already on his way to his garden, to browse among the flowers, touching the colors and forms. Song of Solomon 6:2 (TM)

I believe that we've lost an appreciation for the Song of Solomon because our culture has lost its appreciation and understanding of metaphor. One cannot read the Song of Solomon and appreciate the sensuality, the celebration of sexual love, that God is expressing without an understanding of the metaphor involved. The garden and the flower have, since ancient times, been a literary metaphor for a woman's vagina. Why? In nature, the flower is the precursor to fruit. In sexual terms, the vagina is the precursor to bearing the fruit of children.

When the woman says, "my lover is on his way to his garden to browse among the flowers" she is anticipating him coming to gaze upon her, to touch her sexually - to make love to her.

Now, apply that same metaphorical understanding to the man's words later in the chapter...

One day I went strolling through the orchard, looking for signs of spring, Looking for buds about to burst into flower, anticipating readiness, ripeness. Before I knew it my heart was raptured, carried away by lofty thoughts!

In technical terms, the man has been looking for a young woman who is ready to marry and bear him children. That's not exactly the stuff for a Hallmark card, so enraptured by love he finds her body "budding," "ripe," and "bursting into flower," he is "carried away by lofty thoughts." In other words, he looks upon the body of his young lover and gets turned on.

Opening Night for "The Odd Couple"

Last night was opening night for "The Odd Couple". It's been a bit of a trying production simply because of the lack of help. We're finding it harder and harder to get people to commit to volunteering. Which means, not only am I directing, but I'm producing, assisting with lights, assisting with the set, organizing refreshments and serving at intermission.

Ticket sales were slow, but I think that it's the weather. Last year we had to cancel a show and reschedule a reprise. Many people never made it out to see the show and ended up eating their tickets. With the incessant snow storms this winter, I believe that people are waiting to see if they even want to go out.

We had 85 in the audience last night and the median age was...well...about 85. My heart sank as I watched the stream of old folks comging through the door. I figured it would be a tough crowd for the cast and in my pre-show pep talk I came just short of telling them "consider this a final dress rehearsal" as I figured the audience would be deaf, sleeping or angry that someone said "dammit" on stage.

Well, me of little faith.

The audience laughed, and laughed, and laughed - then wouldn't stop laughing for the actors to complete their lines. The crowd munched on cheesecake during intermission until we had to pester them back into their seats. As the audience left, I stood to take programs from people who wanted to "recycle" them (another one of my duties). People were raving about the show and some said they wanted to save their program to give to friends and co-workers and tell them to come see the show. I'm anticipating some great word-of-mouth ticket sales over the weekend.

It couldn't have been a better opening night. After the show, Wendy and waited until everyone was gone to lock up (another one of my duties). We looked at each other and gave each other a knowing smile. This is when the hard work pays off.

This is when it's fun!

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 5

But my lover wouldn't take no for an answer, and the longer he knocked, the more excited I became. Song of Solomon 5:4 (TM)

There is something God designed deep into the DNA of creation. Man is the hunter, the pursuer and woman is the gatherer, the captivated recipient. While the sexual relationship is a never ending ebb and flow of call and response from both parties - there can be no doubt that a woman responds powerfully to the experience of being pursued and captivated. God bred into men the heart of a relentless hunter who is filled with intense satisfaction at the successful completion of his quest.

We should celebrate the uniqueness of our creation. Together, the combination makes for some pretty passionate nights!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and hexod.us.

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 4

Oh, let my lover enter his garden! Yes, let him eat the fine, ripe fruits. Song of Solomon 4:16b (TM)

It's interesting to see the "call and response" style of the Song of Solomon.

In the earlier chapter, the woman calls out for her beloved and the man responds. In chapter 4, the man calls to his lover - telling her how beautiful she is, how sweet the curves of her body are, how wonderful her kisses are, how succulent her "fruit" is, and how he longs for her "secret garden."

By the end of the chapter, the woman has heard every word and - turned on by the call of her beloved - she responds by inviting him into her secret garden to feast on her.

The sexual relationship between spouses is a subtle, never-ending call and response. Both are to call - both are to respond. Who does the calling and who does the responding at which points in time is part of the mysterious music of marriage we must all pen for ourselves. We each find our own style, timing, harmony and rhyme. Like movements in a symphony, our call and our response weave in and out of the days, years, and seasons of our lives.

Nevertheless, both call and both respond. When the call is missing, so is the response. When the call is discordent or harsh, the response follows.

Oh Lord, may my call be sweet and melodious to my lover's ear.

A Rant for Today

Why is it that, when school is cancelled, the kids are still asked to attend rehearsals and activites for extra-curicculars? With each snow day the girls have had this winter, Madison has continually been expected to make it to show choir rehearsal. What message are we sending to our kids? It's too bad outside to learn anything in the classroom, but you darn well better risk getting out to practice your song-and-dance routine!

[scratching head]

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 3

Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover. I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful. Song of Solomon 3:1 (TM)

Part of the human experience is knowing the heady, joyful experience of being "love sick". When your feelings are so strong that you're sick to be apart from your beloved. That's what the lover is experiencing in Song of Solomon 3. One of the things I love about this book is that it speaks to God's delight, acceptance and pleasure of this very important part of life when we often dismiss it as unspiritual, at best, and, at worst, ungodly.

God loves romance. God loves being "in-love". He created us to fall in love and to experience the intensity of feelings and emotion that come with being in love. Yes, it may only be a piece of the relationship - and we must learn to keep our heads about us when our hearts are love-sick - but let's not forget to enjoy the ride!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and craftygoat.

Welcome to Narnia

Another week, another snowstorm. We got socked with ice and blizzard conditions yesterday. Church was cancelled. Schools are delayed again this morning. We've had record snowfall this winter and the forecast is for more in the coming week - just in time for our production of "The Odd Couple." Arrrrrrrrrrrggghhhhh.

I feel like we live in Narnia: Always winter but never Christmas.

I can't wait for Aslan to get here.

Chapter-a-Day Song of Solomon 2

He took me home with him for a festive meal, but his eyes feasted on me! Song of Solomon 2:4b (TM)

Having just celebrated Valentines Day, I've been thinking a lot about love and sex. I believe that the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world is simply to be desired - to feel that unmistakable knowledge that you are wanted by another. The woman in the Song of Solomon is taken home by her lover for a feast, but when she sees that look in his eye - she knows that she is the banquet on which he is longing to feast. What is her response? See the line before...

All I want is to sit in his shade, to taste and savor his delicious love.

Communicating your desire - your holy lust and sexual appetite for your spouse - shouldn't be confined to Valentine's Day or an anniversary. It should be woven in to the daily fabric of  your relationship.

Production Week

It's been a while since I've posted what we've been up to. January and February have been crazy months. Not only have I been busy closing out 2007 projects for work and getting 2008 projects off the ground, but the winter weather has been daunting. We've also been neck-deep in the spring production for Union Street Players.

It's now "production week". The female version of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" opens a week from tomorrow. It seems that Wendy and I have spent every spare moment working on the show and getting ready to open. Wendy is playing the slobby Olive Madison and is doing her usual masterful job on stage while keeping me and the behind-the-scenes aspects of the production on task.

I've enjoyed directing as I always do. We've got a small cast and crew, which is easier on one-hand. It's simpler to manage a smaller number of people, and this group has been a joy to work with. On the other hand, smaller cast and crew means that you have fewer volunteers. Usually, a large cast means more parents, spouses and friend on the periphery who are willing to pitch in to help with the show. So, everyone is doing more - helping with the set, helping with props, helping with lighting, etc. That means the level of time and involvement is even greater than usual.

It's always exciting to see a show come together. Production week is a heady mix of elation and anxiety. We have a lot to do before opening night, but the show is hilarious and I can't wait to hear the audience's laughter. One way that you can tell you've got a good script is when the cast still laughs at all the jokes they've said and heard a million times. Last night at the run-through the cast and crew were constantly laughing.

The show is Thu-Sat Feb 21-23 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday Feb 24th. Tickets are only $6 in advance and $8 at the door. For anyone who's a regular reader, I'd invite you to take an evening and scoot down to Pella for an evening of live entertainment! If you want to order tickets in advance, you can call in a credit card order to Wendy or me during the day (641-620-9107). I hope to see you there!

photo: Wendy plays Olive Madison to Suzi Jones' Florence Unger.

Chapter-a-Day John 21

When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. John 21:7b (TM)

When Peter realized that the resurrected Jesus was there before him, his immediate reaction was to be with him. He couldn't wait to be with Jesus - even if that meant diving head-long into the Sea and swimming to shore.

How anxious am I to be with the Master? Am I so anxious to be present with Jesus? I admire Peter's spirit. Loaded down with the tasks and cares of my every day labor, I think I'm more like the others who take their time finishing things up so I can row to shore. I want to have Peter's heart - desiring, above all else, to be with God as quickly and as much as I possibly can.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and iirraa.

Chapter-a-Day John 20

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. John 20:19 (TM)

I was talking to a friend at church the other day. When I invited this person to come help out with the upcoming production of "The Odd Couple" they quickly blew me off. "I'm to busy with church," was the reply before reeling off a litany of church activities in wich they were involved.

Now, I have no problem with being involved at church, and I have no right or desire to judge this person. What they do with their time is between them and God. What I do wonder, however, is how often we - as today's disciples - stay safely hidden behind the "locked doors" of our church activities.

As Jesus prayed just two nights earlier, His desire was not for the disciples to leave the world - but to go into it. How can we share the good news with the lost if we won't get out from behind locked doors to seek them out?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and documentarist.

Chapter-a-Day John 19

The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." John 19:15b (TM)

The Jewish leaders hated the Romans. The Romans were an occupying force in their homeland. Jerusalem and all of Judea were constantly at the political boiling point. Jewish freedom fighters, known as zealots (Jesus disciple Simon was one of these), were in a campaign to kill any Roman and force them out of the area.

And now the Jewish leaders say to Pilate, "we are good Romans - we have no king but Caesar." It's amazing to what lengths we will go to protect our human capital.

creative commons photo courtesy of Flickr and keepps

Chapter-a-Day John 18

Annas interrogated Jesus regarding his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered, "I've spoken openly in public. I've taught regularly in meeting places and the Temple, where the Jews all come together. Everything has been out in the open. I've said nothing in secret. So why are you treating me like a conspirator? Question those who have been listening to me. They know well what I have said. My teachings have all been aboveboard." John 18:19-21 (TM)

Everything about Jesus arrest and interrogation stunk. Annas was the father-in-law of the high priest. He'd been high priest before his son-in-law, Caiaphas. Annas was the "godfather" of the religious leaders. Caiaphas may have had the title, but Annas wielded the power. Annas and his family stood to lose A LOT if the "Jesus issue" wasn't dealt with.

Jesus knew this. He knew the law. By saying "I have spoken openly...my teachings are aboveboard" he was calling Annas to a legal point-of-order. It was against the law to hold a trial in the middle of the night - in the darkness. It was also inappropriate to question the accused without a quorum present (which they were hastily doing as Annas got the party started).

Jesus spoke truth and was rewarded with a slap on the face.

You know, while it's easy to look down our noses at Annas and the boys, I have yet to be involved in a church where there wasn't at least one Annas and his ilk. Power-brokers holding sway and pulling strings behind the scenes, ensuring that their wishes are carried out, their status is maintained, and their hold on power is not threatened. Sometimes this is the pastor, sometimes it's a well-established family in the church or a business man who buys his influence with large donations.

As Michael Corleone said, "we're part of the same hypocrisy." God help us.

Chapter-a-Day John 17

I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. John 17:15 (TM)

Wendy and I were recently asked to be part of a script-reading for a playwrite who is producing an original work in our area. It's an interesting piece. One of the themes in the play is a radical group of right-wing Christians who create their own gated community and who end up trying to manipulate world events to bring about the end times. The portrayal is intended to illustrate that radical Christians are not really all that different than radical Muslims and that the interrogation techniques we now employ on radical muslim terrorists could, under the right circumstances, seem just as easily justified on radical Christians. It's not comfortable subject matter, especially for those who call themselves conservative evangelicals. For many, this play is simply going to be seen as an attack from the far left, and the author's political leanings are not in doubt.

While I hate having any label placed on me - it was clear that Wendy and I were the only people in the room to whom "conservative" and "evangelical Christian" would apply. Yet, I don't regret being there and being part of the discussion that night. In fact, I know and am proud to call almost every person in that room my friend. The company was great. The food was great. The discussion was lively and stimulating - and I'm sure we were able to share my thoughts and a perspective which was different than everyone else in the room.

Jesus was never in favor of separation from the world. He didn't want the disciples running off into hiding where they could be comfortable isolating themselves. He wanted his followers to impact the world through love and relationship.

You can't actively love what you're never around.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and bass_nroll.

Chapter-a-Day John 16

I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. John 16:33a (TM)

Several years ago my sister was diagnosed with cancer. Our family had not, fortunately, had to deal much with cancer so it came as quite a shock. I remember back to that time and when I heard the news I was filled with peace. It was inexplicable. In fact, as she started chemo and radiation treatments, as her hair began to fall out, as the family grappled with all the "what ifs" - I had an unshakable, deep assurance that she was going to be okay. This peace had nothing to do with me. It was a peace given to me and that is the only way I can explain it.

Need peace? Just remember the words Jesus uttered just moments before he said the ones above:

"This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!"

By the way, my sister is fine!

Peace,
Tom

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and fjalarinn

Chapter-a-Day John 15

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant." John 15:5 (TM)

Let me be up front with you - I have a brown thumb. I'm not good with plants and crops. I do, however, have an appreciation for things that grow. I have an appreciation for soil and seed, planting and harvesting, seasons and things organic. You can't help it growing up in Iowa. It's becomes a thread in the fabric of your life.

I love that Jesus describes our relationship with him in these terms - "intimate and organic". Like all relationships it ebbs and flows, it's dynamic, it gives and takes. Too often we try to put our relationship with God into a formula. Read this, say this, pray here...fit thought A into slot B. NOW you have a relationship with God.

I learned long ago not to judge people's relationship with God. It's organic and intimate. How can I know it? I don't know what Holy Spirit is doing in their lives. I don't know where they've been and where they are now or where God is leading them. And who am I to judge them? It's so organic, I can't presume to place my formula on top of their relationship with God and come out with a right answer. How silly. How presumptuous. How arrogant.

My job is to simply love them actively, and perhaps to walk along side them for a time.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and aussiegall

Chapter-a-Day John 14

"You've heard me tell you, 'I'm going away, and I'm coming back.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life." John 14:28 (TM)

I was watching the documentary "Baseball" by Ken Burns the other day and it told of the death of the great pitcher Christy Mathewson. Brought to his untimely death bed by the heinous gas warefare of WWI, the man known through baseball history as "the Christian Gentleman" said to his wife, "I guess you'll go out and have a cry now. Don't make it a long one. This could not be helped."

Reading this verse brought to mind all of the funerals I have attended and officiated - and they are many. Most were filled with intense grief for loved ones. A few, sadly, are filled with emptiness and void of any real human emotion. Few funerals are filled with the joy and understanding I believe Jesus alludes to here. In preparing his disciples for his impending death he trying to get them to see the bigger picture. He was attempting to get them to see beyond the cross to the empty tomb.

I'm not sure we have a healthy nor proper understanding of death in our culture. I'm not sure we have adequately grappled with it and come to terms with it the way Jesus was trying to get us to do.

There should be more joy at funerals.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and dsb nola.

Chapter-a-Day John13

"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35 (TM)

Notice Jesus did not say, "This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples..."

• when you have a little silver fish on your car
• when your refuse to work on Sunday
• when you're in church every Sunday
• when you dress up for church on Sunday
• when you have a really big Bible with cool Bible cover
• when you read all of the latest Christian bestsellers
• when you only listen to Christian radio stations

the one thing tha Jesus commanded that we demonstrate to the world which sets us apart as His followers is this: when we love one another.