Keep shining for Jesus!

Thanks Michael!

Last weekend Kristi and I were with her fiancee Adam at the Columbus AFB in Mississippi. Sunday evening we were invited for supper with one of Adam and Kristi's new friends, Michael and Lindsay Lewis. It was a delight to be in the Lewis home - we enjoyed salad, pasta, cobbler and get-acquainted conversation. Stories from our families brought laughter and bonding.

After supper several additional friends of Adam, Michael and Lindsay came to play games. I still chuckle as I think of this 53 year old playing Catch Phrase with these 22-25 year olds. :-) The generation gap was subtly obvious (at least to me) but joy increased as I observed community and "family" emerging among young adults who were strangers except for what they had in common:

• officers - 2nd Lieutenants - and spouses in the Air Force and in the first phase of their training
• a love and passion for God and desire for this to be #1 in daily life.

As I excused myself, partly so there would be an even number of people ... mostly because I needed a quiet walk to talk with God and hope for his whisper back, Michael gave me a parting blessing I will not forget: Keep shining for Jesus!

(I had wanted to walk, pray and be in silence as I am in the midst of learning (again!) to accept and honor the reality that as Christians we are not out of the same cookie mold. The diversity of theological understandings, practical discipleship and passionate convictions of living out the Christian walk never ceases to amaze me; yet at times, I find myself in a stupor of confusion. Plus as a dad, the reality of releasing my daughter whom I am deeply fond of - a tear comes to my eye as I write this - to a young Christian man I admire and a life unknown to me is creating a cacophony of thots and feelings.)

I hoped Michael's parting shot Keep shining for Jesus! affirmed the desire of my heart and mind to let my actions give evidence of my understanding of being a follower of Jesus had been evident during the round of golf, dinner and fellowship we had shared.

The irony of this military officer (Michael) blessing this pacifist (me) with Keep shining for Jesus! caused me to laugh as I walked. Did he know what I have believed and taught for years? It didn't matter to me ... and today I'm laying this paradox at the cross fully knowing I will also continue to walk in this paradox and tension.

Michael's Keep shining for Jesus! has challenged me to speak and act for Jesus each day ... most often this will be in the unexpected encounters and interactions with people. His blessing renews my determination to include faith in my walk and talk.

Thank you Michael for shining for Jesus! Your words were a needed blessing, challenge and encouragement. Thanks for providing a framework of our purpose as Christians for our short time here on earth.

PS: This dad has fully blessed Kristi and Adam's commitment to a lifelong love, friendship and honoring Jesus together each day!

Beyond cold!

I thought I would brave the elements this morning at 7 am to plow our driveway. Call me a wimp but -10 with a westerly wind was a rude awakening to the day. Chandler, our lab, wasn't even excited about running around the house while I worked outside.

It is so cold this morning my hands quickly started tingling. After 15 minutes I hustled back inside ... are any of you familiar with that sensation when your fingers regain normal body temperature ... let's just say it was enough to make a grown man do a weird dance and cry!

Today Kristi and I travel to the Columbus AFB in Mississippi to see Adam and for the two of them to make some plans for life after June 12. While a little anxious for our flight I look forward to being with Adam on his turf.

So suddenly I have this stray thot: God came, and comes, to our turf!

No more ice cream!?

Yesterday I finished off two boxes of our holiday ice cream! Relax, I used a small dessert bowl and there was just one ice cream scoop sized dip of in each box. What's Christmas without Peppermint Stick and Candy Cane ice cream!!?? The delectable taste was thoroughly enjoyable, I savored each spoonful as our grand-daughter Allie played in the living room.

This morning I had a reality check: no more ice cream (at least not the seasonal flavors we've come to enjoy) ... it was a symbolic gesture that the holiday season is officially over. Is it over? What does it mean that the Christmas season is over?

• Will there be no more special foods (the comforting flavor of peppernutten dissolving on my tongue ...) to enjoy and tempt me?
• Will the "joy" we express by being friendlier be boxed up and placed in storage for 11 months?
• Will the priority of family time take a back seat to the demands, expectations and stresses of the job?
• Will the slower pace with time for reflection and rest disappear quickly like the beautiful wrapping on gifts?
• Will the wonder of God's love - coming to his creation as one of his created - slide to the back of my mind?
• Will the nagging reality (and some guilt) of broken relationships which haunt me at Christmas time and keep me from complete joy leading me to consider the difficult yet sweet work of reconciliation disappear like the last spoon of ice cream?
• Will the opportunity for spontaneity be replaced with the mundane routines of each day?
• Will generosity and the joy of giving extra to others disappear and a return to self-survival return?
• Will grand-children running, singing, sleeping, crying, disappear from my week?
• Will my tendency, my sin, of self-centeredness take the place of seeing others first?
• Will worship of our Redeemer, our Way of Life, Jesus continue with the needed creativity and freedom as we celebrate a familiar story (at least we'd like to believe we know it so well)?
• Will I still hold the hand of my friend? Will I still freely hug?
  

So, next trip to the grocery store I'm looking for the seasonal flavors of ice cream. I won't find peppermint stick ... but are there any presidential inauguration flavors, how about MLK flavors, OK I may have to wait until February 14th! Until then ... I resolve to keep the Christmas spirit!

Our family Christmas

We welcome Andrew

This collage includes several pics from the hospital with our grandchildren Allie, Bennett and Andrew and their parents. I couldn't resist the two cute pics of Bennett after her bath this morning at our house. Our grandchildren are blessed to have loving parents, we praise the Lord God for this.

This evening the Beun household in Berlin is a family of four as Laura and Andrew came home!

If you click anywhere on the collage you can enlarge the pictures!