Wayfarer on the Creative Path

Brush With Greatness - Cubs' Style

Dave Letterman used to do a feature called "Brush With Greatness." You never know when or where you're going to run into a celebrity. I've had a few brushes with greatness through the years. Most of them have been in airports, where the famous and jet-set are always coming and going. Even in our small, Iowa town you occasionally see a celebrity or two. It was just a couple of years ago I ran into CBS News Anchor Harry Smith up on the town square.

So, perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me when I walked into the local sport's bar to catch the Cubs' game (because Mediacom refuses to carry CSN and I can't get Dish - thank you very little), and sitting there is Cubs' Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Fergie Jenkins. I just saw that he was in town for an appearance with the Iowa Cubs. I just didn't expect him to be sitting there in our little town's watering hole.

No, I didn't ask for his autograph. It's not my style. But, it was cool seeing him. When he left the Cubs were down 9-1 to the Rockies. Too bad he didn't stick around. The Cubs rallied and are now winning 10-9 in the top of the 9th.

Captivated by Juno

Speaking of being captivated. Taylor has been pursuing Wendy and me to watch the movie Juno, and she caught us at just the right time last night. We sat down for a family film night to watch the movie together (it was Taylor's 5th time watching it). Wendy and I were certainly captivated by this wonderful movie and lay in bed late into the night talking about it and along with various tangential life conversations it prompted (which, in turn, made the tornado siren at 5 a.m. seem awfully early!).

Wendy put it best when she said that it was one of the most life affirming movies we've seen. Not because it presents life in an ideal, Hollywood dreamworld - but because it affirms the beauty of life in the midst of a messy world of blessedly imperfect people and relationships.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 29

I'll make Aaron and his sons holy in order to serve me as priests. I'll move in and live with the Israelites. I'll be their God. They'll realize that I am their God who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live with them. I am God, your God. Exodus 29:45-46 (TM)

Its interesting for me to watch as boys pursue my daughters attention. It's the natural order of things that God, the master artist, put into place when He created the universe as expression of Himself. John Eldridge and his wife have done a wonderful job of chronicling it in their books Wild at Heart and Captivating. The male pursues and the female seeks to be captivated. The man initiates and the woman receives him. God makes it clear throughout scripture this natural dance between man and woman is a metaphor, a word picture, of His relationship with us. He is the groom, we are the bride. He initiates, we receive Him.

That's why I found it interesting, after chapters of God laying out the detailed sacrificial system in the book of Exodus, that God doesn't say "the sacrifice will make Aaron and his sons holy" or "adherence to my rules will make Aaron and his sons holy." It is God Himself who makes them holy. God is the pursuer. God is initiating the relationship. God approached Moses. God instigated the Exodus. God is leading them to the promised land. God is moving in to live with the Israelites.

I still remember the cold February night in 1981 when I chose to receive Christ into my life. But before I received Him, He had spent years working to get my attention - slowly, methodically drawing me towards Him. I can look back and see the events, relationships and conversations that God sprinkled into my path to draw me in. God pursued me.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Captivated by Him Photography

You Say You Don't Believe in Miracles?

It's almost June and the Chicago Cubs are tied for the best record in baseball.

And people still say there is no God.

:)

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 28

Aaron and his sons must wear it whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the Altar to minister in the Holy Place so that they won't incur guilt and die. This is a permanent rule for Aaron and all his priest-descendants. Exodus 28:42b-43 (TM)

It's human nature to take for granted what we have, and forget what we should appreciate. On this side of Jesus' resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God's presence is a given. Jesus is "with us always," and He is ever-present in each believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As we read through these chapters of Exodus, it's amazing what great lengths the Israelites were required to go just for one man to enter God's presence on their behalf once a year. Not only that, for any willfully disobedient person to enter the presence of a Holy God was a death sentence.

It was that death sentence that Jesus incurred on our behalf when He died on the cross. No longer do we have to put on ornate metaphorical vestments and have some priest go to God on our behalf. God is available to any who will believe and receive Him into their life. We can be in Holy God's presence each and every moment - now and forever.

As we are conscious of God's presence in our lives today, let's be thankful that we don't have to go through all the ceremonial sacrifices and trapping of Exodus!

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and dtchristner

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 27

Now, order the Israelites to bring you pure, clear olive oil for light so that the lamps can be kept burning. Exodus 27:20a (TM)

Don't lose heart. Don't wander off. Keep the faith.

Keep the flame burning.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and BertRudestein

Big Graduation Weekend!

We're still recovering from a long weekend of celebration as Taylor graduated from high school. The folks were down on Friday for the commencement ceremony. The ceremony was actually pretty good as these things go. One of the student speakers was Taylor's old boyfriend (now her good friend), Andrew, who did an admirable job. Taylor was all smiles as she crossed the stage to accept her diploma.

We didn't see much of Taylor on Saturday as she made the round of graduation open houses for her friends. Her open house was on Sunday afternoon and we shared the Open House with her friends Emily and Sophie (Emily and Sophie are joining Taylor on her mission to Romania and Sophie will be her roommate at college in the fall). There was a steady stream of family and friends who came to congratulate the girls and enjoy some of the ten chocolate cheesecakes Wendy made last week. Taylor felt really honored by everyone's presence.

Yesterday was a holiday. After all the weekend festivities, we needed a little rest and relaxation. With Wendy's little sister, Suzanna, visiting this week (that's Suzanna getting a kiss from Wendy in the lower picture) we decided to enjoy the Memorial Day weather to take in an Iowa Cubs game (Cubs Win!) followed by a cookout with our friends, the Vande Lune's.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 26

The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Holy-of-Holies. Exodus 26:33b (TM)

A portable worship center. Those are the instructions in these chapters. A sanctuary-tent for God's presence that the Hebrews can carry on their sojourn from Egypt to the promised land. Notice, within these instructions, that God commands a clear separation between His presence and the people. He gives a very clear word picture to the Hebrews: "There's a separation between you and me. I'm in here and you can't come in." Why?

There's this problem called sin. The separation began in Genesis 3 when Adam's and Eve's willful disobedience banishes them from God's presence in the Garden. The question then was the same one that faces each of us today. The things I should do I don't and the things I know I shouldn't do I do. What do I do about this willful disobedience called sin?

As history proceeds, God sets about to set up a systematic provide a blueprint for worship, and within that blueprint is the Message in metaphor. Sin separates us, but there is a curtain, a Gateway into my presence and through that sacrifice this curtain shall be torn and I will make a way for you to come in and be with me and me with you.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and MidnightComm

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 25

Let them construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them. You are to construct it following the plans I've given you, the design for The Dwelling and the design for all its furnishings. Exodus 25:8-9 (TM)

When most casual readers get to this part of of Exodus, it's easy to lose interest. What's with all this Sanctuary stuff and all the instructions for making furniture? What does that have to do with anything?

A lot.

God is an artist. He expresses Himself in metaphors. For worship, He gives the nation of Israel three word pictures that foreshadow the climactic moment of history (his-story, if you prefer):

• A chest (better known as "the ark of the covenant", ala Indiana Jones!) which contained the Word, just as the world would discover that Jesus is the living Word.
• A table for the bread of Presence (manna), just as Jesus would be the table on which would be set the bread (his body) and the wine (his blood) through which we are allowed to be in God's presence.
• A lampstand, just as Jesus is the Light of the World and sets us as a lampstand to light the way for others to see Him.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and gnmcauley

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 24

Moses took the rest of the blood and threw it out over the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has made with you out of all these words I have spoken." Exodus 24:8 (TM)

Blood is an important theme throughout God's Message. God is an artist and He expresses Himself in metaphors and word pictures. Blood is a metaphor for life and the shedding of blood is a metaphor for death. All the way back in Genesis 3 God told us that the result of our willing disobedience was death. We are appointed to die and be justly judged.

Unless...

A sacrifice is made, blood is shed, another dies on our behalf. Ultimately, God would send His own Son to be the ultimate sacrifice - his body broken, his blood shed - to pay the price for our disobedience and redeem us from our guilt. Until that day, a system of animal sacrifice, instituted through Moses, was used as a metaphor for the ultimate sacrifice to come.

Down payment was made on the debt of sin. Blood was shed. It covered the people and their sin...and pointed them towards the ultimate sacrifice to come. Jesus would someday pay our debt of sin in full.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Stitch

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 22

"Bring the choice first produce of the year to the house of your God." Exodus 22:19a (TM)

One of the themes consistent throughout scripture is that our giving is to be from the best we have, right off the top. The principle serves as a word picture to help us remember several very important truths. First, God is worth the very best that we have. In fact, He's worth all that we have and more. Second, everything we have belongs to God anyway, so first give Him back what He's graciously given you. Third, we need to be content with what we have left and to live within our means. Giving of the choice first produce also reminds us that it is not about us.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and RuTemple

Taylor's Last Day

Yesterday was Taylor's last day of high school. She finished her Government final, which was the last academic hurdle for her. She walked out of school after a half day and her primary education was over. I could hear the joy and relief in her voice on the phone. I hate to sound like the cliche parent, but it really does amaze me how quickly time seems to have flown from the day that little kindergartener in her denim dress and pink backpack headed to her first day of school.

I'm excited for Taylor. I'm excited to see what God is going to do in her life. I'm excited to watch God use her to make even more of a difference in others. The world needs Taylor out there spreading her own brand of love, kindness and grace. I am here to cheer her on at the top of my lungs. You go, girl.

Pay no attention to the tear running down my cheek.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 22

"Don't be stingy as your wine vats fill up."  Exodus 22:29 (TM)

Believe it or not, I had several things upon which I could have commented from this chapter. The principle of restitution, for example, is an important issue in parenting and society. Holiness, purity and the mistreatment of societal outcasts are also worthy of discussion, and I was chewing on them as I read. But then I read verse 29 and thought of Alex.

Alex was my driver last night. I'm speaking at a business conference this morning and Alex was the gentleman sent to pick me up at the airport. Alex was a nice man who immigrated to the United States over twenty years ago. His slavic accent was still so heavy that I had a hard time understanding much of his story about coming to the states and his difficulty finding work.

As we neared the hotel I reached into my pocket and found myself in the classic Dutchman's dilemma. I had a one dollar bill and a twentiy. My mind debated long and hard in those final few minutes of the ride. As Alex talked about the Indianapolis Colts' new stadium I was agonizing over what to tip him.

Figuring that the right thing to do is usually the most difficult I chose the most uncomfortable option. I gave him the twenty. If you're tempted to pat me on the back you need to know that, to my discredit, I was still struggling with my choice this morning when I read the chapter. Perhaps I chose to be giving, but I certainly wasn't cheerful about it.

"I have blessed your wine vats. They are full," God whispered to my spirit as I read this morning. "Stop being so stingy. Besides, that twenty wasn't yours to begin with."

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Derusha.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 21

"These are the laws that you are to place before them:" Exodus 21:17 (TM)

For 400 hundred years, the Hebrews had been slaves in Egypt. They had been ruled over and governed by Pharaoh. Now the entire nation is on a sojourn to the promised land and they have no official system of government or rules by which to govern themselves. Imagine the chaos of millions of people on a 40 year trek.

A few chapters ago, in Exodus 18, we read about Moses spending day and night with people lining up to have him judge matters between them. The first step in organizing the nation was to have a group of leaders organized to help judge disputes between people. But how are you going to make sure all these judges rule consistenty?

God is helping Moses set up a system, a "rule of law," by which this fledgling Hebrew nation can be organized and governed. We have a system of rules, too. The federal government has a set of rules, or laws, called the "U.S. Code" which helps judges rule. Each state has their own set of rules, or laws. Iowa's is called the "Iowa Code." The cool thing is that God's "rule of law" organizational structure is still in effect today - even though the rules have changed.

When reading the Old Testament laws, it's easy to get mired in the minutiae of rules that were made for a different time and culture. The laws are often confusing to us thousands of years later. It's important to keep sight of the big picture of what God was doing and the principles of law that still govern us today - even if the culture and civilization have changed radically in the thousands of years since.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and liltree

Playhouse Weekend With Kev & Beck

This past weekend was our second annual pre-Memorial day getaway with friends Kevin and Becky down to the playhouse on the lake. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start to the summer tourist season at the lake and we enjoy being down there the weekend before when you get great weather without things being crazy busy.

The four of us took off Thursday night and spent two full days in conversation and laughter. The weather was wonderful and all of us enjoyed a relaxing mix of sun, shopping, food, drink and conversation. We even got our first sunburn of the season!

It would have been so easy to stay aaaaall week long!

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 20

No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20:17 (TM)

From the home office in the Throne Room of Heaven, Exodus 20 is God's Top Ten List of Rules not to break (there's more than 10 rules - believe me - just wait until we get to Leviticus!). It's always interesting to go through God's Top Ten list. It was #10 that stuck out to me today. Growing up, when I learned the list and read it for the first time in the good ol' King James version - it told me not to "covet". That was easy. I didn't know what "covet" meant and never gave it much thought. And, since none of my neighbors had a donkey (and even if they did, I certainly wasn't going to "covet" it...what ever that means...if you get my drift). Number 10 has always been an easy one to glance over.

The Message does a good job of making it clearer. It also makes it more convicting, though with the "ox and donkey" reference it is still easy not to catch God's drift. You see, we live in a world, in an economy, that is predicated on wanting more. When you lust after what your neighbor has you go out and buy one yourself. And, let's be honest. We're all just kids in a great big toy store.

I've got to get me one of them iPhones.
Did you see his new car?! I want one.
I wish I had her wardrobe. I swear, she owns everything in the store.
Why did she end up finding such a great guy? Why should she get married when I'm still single?
It's not fair that he has that new, huge house and I'm still living in this dump.
Sweet flat-screen. Dude, where did you get that?

Lusting is great for the economy, but God's concerned about the effect that has on my heart. That's why He talks so much about learning to be content. And, I've still got a lot to learn in that department.

God, help me to be content; help me learn to focus my thoughts and my heart's desires on you.

Be my treasure.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and Myrrien.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 19

Moses went down the mountain to the people and prepared them for the holy meeting. Exodus 19:14 (TM)

The idea of preparing to meet God is not isolated to this passage. The liner notes on many of the psalms identify them as "songs of ascent" which were intended to prepare people as they climbed up to meet God in worship at Jerusalem. Heart preparation for worship is a concept that we have, by and large, lost in our culture. Many of us put in our hour or two at church on Sunday morning, but did we do anything to prepare our hearts for "the holy meeting"?

Here is a great opportunity to take our relationship with God to a new level. Perhaps we should look at Saturday as a day of preparation for worship rather than a final day to party before resting for the coming week.

Numbering Your Days

Speaking of mentors, I received an e-mail this morning from my friend and mentor, Chuck. Chuck turned me on to the Psalm 90:12 idea of "numbering your days". It's amazing and humbling to know how many days you've spent on this Earth and contemplate what you've done with them. Today is Chuck's 27,000th birthDAY (that's a lot of candles). I'm still a spring chicken today at 15,355.

You can quickly calculate your own number of days here.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 18

Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can't do this alone. Exodus 18:17 (TM)

Everyone needs a mentor. I know people who have multiple mentors in different areas of their lives. A person might have a financial mentor, a spiritual mentor, a physical training mentor, etc. The idea is simple and it is ancient. As successful as Moses had been, he needed the wisdom of his father-in-law, Jethro, to objectively view Moses organization and offer a crucial piece of advice. We benefit from the knowledge and experience of those who have gone before us and know the road ahead.

I'm blessed to look back at several men and women who have been "Jethro" for me. How about you?

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 17

"God said to Moses, 'Write this up as a reminder to Joshua...'"  Exodus 17:14a (TM)

Joshua was the general and this battle was his first test, but it would certainly not be his last. Not only would Joshua continue to lead the army through the 40 years of wandering, but God knew that he would eventually take Moses' place and lead the nation in the conquest of Canaan. God wanted to make sure Joshua had a reminder of what God had done to give him strength and courage when he needed it.

Most of us have examples of what God has done for us. Miracles of provision, strength through trials, answered prayers, and incredible blessing are likely a part of your faith journey as they are mine. How will you children, grandchildren and future generations know what God has done? What incredible strength and encouragement we could give them and their faith if we will simply write it down or tape it.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and bdorfman

Homecoming Perspectives

I'd been on a sweep through the western plains since Monday. Madison had her end-of-the-year choir concert last night and I really wanted to get home for it. The flights were not working in my favor. Cheyenne to Denver to Chicago to Des Moines was the only shot United gave me and it was still going to get me home late. The outlook was bleak. Then, a glimmer of hope began to emerge. My flight from Cheyenne to Denver left early (flights never leave early) and landed early (flights rarely arrive early). I looked that the departure board in the terminal. There was a direct flight to Des Moines leaving Denver in a few minutes on the other concourse if I could just make the connection.

I ran to the train. I ran up the escalator. I the sprinted towards the gate of the Des Moines flight. Looking at the departure board my spirit lifted. It said "Boarding"! I pulled my suitcase and lugged my briefcase down the concourse. It was then that I realized that the gate was swarming with a crowd of people. It took me a moment to realize what it was. There were, what looked to be, hundreds of Iowa National Guard troops in their camouflage making their way home on that flight.

I pulled up from my dead sprint and began to walk slowly towards the gate. Making that flight suddenly took on a new and humbling perspective. Yes, I wanted to get home. But I'd been gone for two days in Montana and Wyoming to coach some call center supervisors. These people had been gone who knows how long on the other side of the world to deal with God only knows what tragic horrors.

I slowly pulled up at the back of the line and waited. I felt about as much hope of making that flight as I do when the Cubs need a late inning rally. But, I was okay with that. Get these people home to their families, their own beds and a home cooked meal. If I have to be late than so be it.

The last of the troops were on board leaving me alone with the gate agent. She looked up at me. "Any seats left?" I asked.

"One," she said grabbing my boarding pass for the Chicago flight. "Go on aboard. I'll take care of the paperwork later."

Before we landed the flight attendant led the plane in an ovation for our returning troops. I made it home in time to take the family to dinner and attend the concert. Welcome home.

God is good.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 16

The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, "Why didn't God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" Exodus 16:2-3 (TM)

People are fickle. Fame is fleeting. Public opinion can blow with the Wrigley Field wind (in one minute - out the next). Those who once loved you now hold you with suspicion. Those who were singing your praises are now making up mocking parodies like Wierd Al. Leading a team at work through a project or leading a family through vacation is challenging at best. Imagine the management task before Moses and Aaron: leading over a half-million people (plus their pets and livestock) on a camping expedition that would eventually last forty years.

Strong leadership means holding the course and doing the right thing no matter what the wind of public opinion is doing. You can still listen to the complaints and you can choose to respond appropriately. Nevertheless, leaders who run off half-cocked in response to every critical comment or each whim of the masses will eventually make decisions that are bad for everyone (and you thought public opinion was bad before).

Creative Commons graphic courtesy of Flickr and Ben Murphy Online

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 15

"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to God, giving voice together..." Exodus 15:1 (TM)

Reading this song of Moses brings back memories. I sang a version of the chorus of this song as a young person in youth group. How cool to think that a song which is thousands of years old is being sung in one way or another today. What God did is still being celebrated. He is still being glorified for it.

But isn't that the power of music as a method of communication? Music is so powerful because a simple melody combined with the lyric gets fixed in your mind. I often hear people say they can't memorize, but they're still humming the words to some song that was on in the background of the department store. Have you ever been humming a song to yourself and you think to yourself, "I never consciously set out to memorize this song, but I know most of the words by heart!"

It's also powerful in reminding us of a time and place. Madison and I were in the car the other day and a song came on the radio. "This reminds me of 6th grade," Madison said with a smile and a chuckle at the memory. Don't you do the same thing. A song takes you back to childhood, to high school, or even to a specific moment or event in time.

No wonder God tells us to worship him with song.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and usonian

Family Dinner

Family dinner is, more and more, a rarity. Each week we have the girls with us, Wendy and I try to find at least one night during that week for the four of us to sit down at the dining room table together and share a nice meal. Between extra-curriculars, jobs, friends and church activities the girls evenings are usually packed. Wendy and I are, likewise, involved in church, work commitments and community theatre. We are often fortunate to find just one night for family dinner, as we did this past Monday.

Yet, these meals are well worth the conscious effort. Wendy worked overtime to prepare an amazing meal for us Monday night. I took care of putting the garlic-lime chicken she marinated on the grill. Otherwise, she took care of the rest including the homemade rolls. The Ghiradelli chocolate cakes with real whipped cream she made for dessert were better than any dessert I've eaten in a restaurant - ever. And, as good as the food was, the fact that we were sitting at one table, sharing a meal together, and having conversation with one another was sweet nourishment for my soul.

Taylor is graduating in a few weeks. We're actively planning her departure for college in a few months. Both girls will be on the other side of the world on mission trips for a month this summer. These moments to have a meal together, to commune with the girls, to talk and laugh and think and dream - they will become even more rare.

Savor the choice moments.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and TimmyGunz

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 14

God said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots, over their horsemen." Exodus 14:26 (TM)

A young girl was using some quiet time in school to read her Bible. She read Exodus 14 about God dividing the Red Sea so that the Israelites could pass through safely and she became visibly excited. "God is so awesome," she exclaimed to herself with a big grin on her face.

"Young lady, what are you talking about?" her teacher asked from his desk, suspicious of her comment and her reading material.

"I'm reading about God dividing the Red Sea to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt," she answered.

The teacher stared her down across the reading glasses perched on his nose. He scowled and huffed, "It's not true. Scientists have concluded that the Red Sea was only a few inches deep at the time!"

The girls eyes got bigger. Her smiled widened. "God is so awesome!" she exclaimed once more with more excitement.

"What do you mean?" the teacher asked pointedly.

"To think all those Egyptians drowned in just a few inches of water!!"

There are a lot of amazing miracles in scripture that we will never prove or disprove. As my friend Nick writes, it's not about proof, it's about faith. Some will never believe no matter how much proof there may be. While faith may be reasonable, matters of faith will always be beyond reason.

Creative Commons photo of the Red Sea courtesy of Flickr and Mark and Kylie.

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 13

"The day of observance will be like a sign on your hand, a memorial between your eyes, and the teaching of God in your mouth. It was with a powerful hand that God brought you out of Egypt. Follow these instructions at the set time, year after year after year." Exodus 13:9-10 (TM)

I'm a forgetful person. You can ask my wife. Rare is the day that I leave the house for a client meeting and don't return a minute or two later to fetch something I forgot. I don't do well without lists and reminders.

God knows that we, as humans, are forgetful. That's why he instituted metaphorical reminders. The Passover meal was an annual reminder of what God did in delivering Israel from Pharaoh. The Lord's Supper is a regular reminder of what Jesus did in delivering us from sin.

I've learned that this is an effective practice as a child and as a parent. Instituting small, regular metaphorical reminders that give ourselves a word picture of a spiritual truth is an effective practice. One family I know would have a family devotion every Saturday night in preparation for Sunday worship. They had a large lighting fixture above their dining room table like a candelabra. Each Saturday the children could explode "party poppers" that would then get caught in the fixture, the streamers hanging down like a huge flower. All week long the children would see that light and remember that Sunday was a day of celebration - a day to which they should look forward.

We need reminders lest we forget what God has done.

Tulip Time 2008

Wendy and I arrived home from our week off just in time for Tulip Time. While the cool, wet weather wasn't the greatest - it didn't seem to dampen the spirits or the appetite! On Saturday our driveway was full of the cars of out-of-town guests who appreciate that we live just one block from the square! :)

Having acted in the last three Tulip Time productions, it was actually nice for Wendy and me to sit back and not have any responsibilities. We ate lots of Dutch treats, enjoyed Central College's production of Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Opera House, and enjoyed Madison singing with the Chamber Choir at the community service on Sunday.

Now, it's back to the pile of stuff on my desk and the inbox full of e-mails on my computer!

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 12

The blood will serve as a sign on the houses where you live. When I see the blood I will pass over you—no disaster will touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:13 (TM)

While on vacation, Wendy and I listened to audio books in the car. One of the books I had read before, so I knew the story. It struck me, as I listened, how one of the characters in the book foreshadowed an impending climactic moment with every word he uttered. I'd never caught it before, but his every word hinted at what was to come.

God is a master artist and a storyteller. He expresses Himself metaphorically. The story of the Passover is both a foreshadow and a metaphor of what is to come. It is no accident that the events of Easter happen at the time of the Passover celebration, nor is it mere chance that Jesus was celebrating the Passover with the disciples when He instituted what became the Lord's Supper. The two events are connected.

The Passover foreshadows Jesus' sacrifice to free  us from our slavery to sin. The blood of the sacrificed lamb covering the people so that the Angel of Death might pass over is a picture of Jesus, the lamb of God, who was sacrificed that any who put their faith in Him might pass from death to life.

Cubs Give Me a Birthday "Bash"!

The "W" flag was flying over the famed Wrigley Field scoreboard last night, capping off a really nice birthday. Wendy and I had to get a little work done yesterday morning before heading south on the "EL" to downtown. There was a Edward Hopper/Winslow Homer exhibition at the Art Institute that we really wanted to see. The Hopper paintings were very, very interesting when placed in chronology. It was fascinating to see a painter's style and expression evolve.

It was off to Pizano's, a favorite haunt near the Art Institute, for some lunch before heading back to the hotel for a little nap before the game. We got up and I donned the personalized Cubs jersey Wendy gave me for my birthday before walking down Addison to the game.

The weather was better last night (but not much). We dressed even warmer and brought blankets - so the wind off the Lake didn't chase us away. We held out in our cheap seats in the upper deck of left field through the 3.5 hour Cubbie slugfest. The fact that our boys in blue pinstripes gave me a birthday "bash" and scored 19 runs (including 2 homers by Iowa Cubs veteran Geo Soto) gave us plenty to cheer about.