24 January 2009
Home
But recall the former days, when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, (33) sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. (34) For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (35) Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (emphasis, mine)
In "Faith's Hall of Fame," the author of Hebrews goes on to say that Abraham:
...was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
In speaking of Jesus Crucifixion, outside the gate of Jerusalem, we are encouraged to go to Him, to be like Him, and to bear His reproach...
...for here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (15) Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. (16) Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (20) Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, (21) equip you with everything good that you may do His will...
Pastor's of the past would refer to Christian's (in my mind, there is only the 'born-again' kind (see John 3, Jesus' discussion with Nichodemas)) as Alien's and Stranger's on this earth.
Pastor Carlos, at this morning's men's breakfast up in Q-Town, reminded me that this world, actually, is not my home. In effect, much like the Christian's in Bible times, we are looking for Heaven, a city whose designer and builder is the Lord of the Ages (Jesus Christ)!
I own a house. I have a passport for the U.S. of A. But this may change one day. Maybe, like the early Christian's, I'll be put into prison for talking about Jesus and His love for all mankind (I hear this is hate speech). Perhaps I'll have to forfeit my right to travel, or reside in the place of my own choosing due to the 'sky falling.'
OK, so that seems a bit silly; but it wasn't for the Hebrews of whom we just read! If they had their property plundered, it's possible that mine will one day be, as well. This world is not my home.
I love my computer, and my books. My house is cool for what it is (OK, so it's not that cool, yet), but I don't really need these things ...as far as need goes. Someday I'll loose my house, my computer, my stuffs. Someday I'll loose the whole world, I'll die, but please, just give me Jesus.
John 14 says He's working on that home for me, where I won't be alien or stranger, because I'm already a resident up there. I may not have a laptop, or lots of books in Heaven, but Paul tells Timothy that there's treasure there:
[We] are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for [our]selves as a good foundation for the future, so that [we] my take hold of that which is truly life.
Lord Jesus, I pray that when the time comes, we will have such a relationship that I can truly say with my whole heart, 'you can take the whole world, but give me Jesus.' Mold me into your image. Prepare me for every good work You have in mind for me. Live in me, love through me, and glorify God in all I say, think and do.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Hebrews 10:32-35, esv.
Hebrews 11:10
Hebrews 13:14-16, 20-21a
I Timothy 6:18-19 ... emphasis mine in all, [brackets] mine, as well.
Labels: alien, Carlos, God, Heaven, Hebrews, Home, Q-Town, residency, stranger, Timothy
22 January 2009
Catch-Up
I suppose it's about time I catch up here, eh?
Honest and sappy, first, OK?
I've been mostly F.I.N.E., but sometimes S.A.D. has kicked in over the past month.
Frustrated
Insecure
Neurotic
Emotional
Seasonal
Affective
Disorder
Both seem somewhat selfish, upon introspection, but I don't seem able to fully control either. No, I'm not professionally diagnosed w/SAD, but rain/clouds/snow/freezing combined w/'perceiving' I'm alone in this world tend to get me there quicker than bright, sunshiny days!
I hesitate to put much personal up here about Christmas, so let's just say I was in Maine for a White Christmas. Travel days were clear (weather-wise), although the ride back to the city of brotherly-shove was bumper to bumper the last three + hours! Boring and lonely, for the most part.
My immediate family (down to nephews :-]>) were all there the whole time :-[> I was. It's quite amazing to admit I missed having alone time with my parents!
We got together one day with friends from my REAL growing up days, and I LOVED it. The Spielvogels are such wonderful people, and we got to meet all the spouses. They have a great house/ camp less than two hours from my parents. I hope to get back there sometime soon!
I've been working on having a better 'work ethic' at work (say that three times, fast). Administratively I've been a lot busier this year, because of it!
Ministry at HUSA is changing hours soon... Not sure what God's doing to me, there. I just know I lose a church night, which for this single guy is 'family time.' I love my guys, though. They bless me in ways they'll never know this side of Heaven!
I'm working on pricing for re-doing my main floor at home (all wood flooring, knocking out a wall, moving cabinets and the electrical stuffs...), and then pursuing a better mortgage!
Yup. Errands, and sleep, and trying to be a friend to all takes up the rest of my time.
Jesus is mostly on the throne of my life. We're taking time together at the end of the month to fellowship and so I can learn His voice a bit better. I can hardly wait.
Well, sorry for the mellow-drama.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Christmas, family, FINE, HUSA, Jesus, lonley, SAD, Spielvogel
14 December 2008
Unconditional Friendship
Is there such a thing as Unconditional Friendship. That is the question I was posed.
I see my friend has posted his answer, and I have not yet responded, so here I go (before reading your answer, Randy)...
My friend Craig would say my answer is a 'Chasism.' My answer is "Yes & No."
The only YES I can come up with would be Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
On a fully man to man (as different than man to God-man) plane I fear the answer is NO. I have always wanted the answer to be yes.
A big portion of my life has been spent in a passionate pursuit of the man or men who would fulfill my quest for unconditional love, acceptance, and yes, friendship. Apart from Christ (and I've discovered He is who I was actually pursuing), these things are most definitely beyond reach, and there is the biggest condition. Christ must be a part of the friendship.
There is another condition.
To the best of my ability I have followed what I know to be God's command to love and role-model that love of God to more than one individual, in essence, be a best friend whether that is returned or not. I have been hurt, abused, misled and occasionally rejected (albeit briefly) as I have attempted to be a friend-that-sticks-closer-than-a-brother.
The condition is that a friendship is a two-way street, walked together, hand in hand. What I have freely offered, w/o condition, still must needs be received.
The human heart according to Jeremiah 17:9 (?) is deceitful and wicked. This side of heaven, I don't see it happening anymore.
I've mentioned friends on this blog in the past. I love them more than I love my self and they know I will not hesitate to do anything for them (if I deem it in their best interest, or feel God's leading that way -- more conditions?), and have on more than one occasion.
Money? Time? A hand? Advice? My life? Love? Patience? Hope? A desire to share the meat of the Scripture? Love for Jesus Christ? A Passionate Pursuit of the Holy One? All these and more I gladly dedicate and consecrate to our friendship and relationship with Abba -- Father God.
Since my love for my friends is from the overflow of my love for God, and by His grace this will not change, than I would say that from this side of the street I pose the offer of unconditional (faithful?) friendship.
I see it as the love of a wife for her husband, but now-a-days that seems altogether too conditional. Many are even skipping the vows.
The love of a Father for his children? I don't know that that would stand the test, either.
In closing I would have to bow to God, the Master of the Universe, and say that Unconditional Friendship is a two way street, based primarily on a love relationship with HIM; the overflow of which can be a conditional 'unconditional friendship.'
Hope you're not too confused.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Chasism, conditions, Craig, ETC, friend, friends, friendship, Nate, Randy, Ryan, unconditional
05 December 2008
Emergency Department
Well, a day or two ago I spent a few hours in the emergency department of my local hospital.The diagnosis: near-syncope.
I could have told them that.
For those who don't know, I work full time as an EMT-Paramedic (as opposed to an EMT-Basic).
My partner and I had actually just saved a life... that doesn't happen all the time; many who activate EMS (the Emergency Medical System) really aren't having a life or limb threatening event... At any rate, we were headed to the fuel yard when my cell phone began to feel heavy in my hand.
...When my 'heavy feeling' didn't go away, and light-headedness began, I checked out my pulse and decided I wanted to put myself on a heart monitor so I had my partner pull over (and we called the other crew, as nothing like this had ever happened to me before). I was in my 'normal sinus arrhythmia' as usual, but there were some variations the other medic got excited about, and I decided were worth checking out (considering my symptoms).
So, I got my second ride -- for myself -- in the back of an ambulance.
Out of the 5 ED physicians on duty, I was assigned the one who has been my medical command physician at a volunteer squad for some 14 years... Funny.
Vital Signs:
BP up initially
HR Normal for me (under 60bpm)
SpO2: 97% (over 95 is a passing grade)
R Normal LS CTA
Still felt lightheaded/ heaviness for several minutes in ED, especially w/quick movement.
The most stressful part was that my books were back at the station, and they wouldn't let me on facebook to catch up even though there was a computer in the room! I had to watch Law and Order after an hour of nothing...
At any rate, I had a 12-Lead ECG, heart monitoring throughout, blood tests and a CT scan (yes, I now have proof I have a brain). The long and short of it is the discharge diagnosis was: NEAR SYNCOPE (almost fainting). Really ppl, srsly.
I have a follow up appointment next week w/my PCP to review the bloodwork, etc., and schedule specialist's appointments (yuck).
Well, hopefully this will limit some questions about my ER visit, but feel free to ask anything, and PRAY. It could be dehydration (most likely in my mind), a blood sugar problem (least likely in my mind) or a cardiac problem (possible, as my heart beats pretty slow for a big guy).
In case I haven't told you in a while, I love you, and Jesus does too!
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
PS: If this is disjointed, I apologize. It was not written in one sitting. :-]>
Labels: ambulance, cardiac, ED, Emergency Department, ER, facebook, God, sugar, vital signs
29 November 2008
Thanksgiving Spectacular, circa. 2008
The above is from "No More Stupid" - a blog I follow by Teri, a friend from the other coast.Jesus is always there for us and He orchestrates schedules, events and even dinners so that believers can minister to other believers in times of trouble and in times of celebration.
As I read her insightful entry on her family and their resemblance to the body of Christ, I was reminded that the body of Christ is my family.
Holidays have not always been happy times for me.
I recall the occasional holiday growing up when I would be 'banished' to my room for some seemingly insignificant event, causing me to miss whatever I had deemed the 'best part' of that particular holiday. Sometimes it would have been the parades, other times, the arrival of some relation or another. The perception of this young me was that celebrations would be better off without me there.
This philosophy of living carried well into my adult years; likely affecting more than 3/4's of my holidays.
Thanksgiving 2008 was likely the best holiday I've celebrated; although it didn't look like it was going to be from my earlier vantage point.
Working in E.M.S. (9-1-1) I generally go home (the parents) every other Christmas or Thanksgiving. Being scheduled naturally for Wednesday and Friday in November, I will be home for Christmas. Having Thursday off could have meant another sad holiday alone.
Enter Ryan and Nate, two of my favorite people on the planet. These brothers celebrated Turkey Day 2007 at Ryan's house, and thoroughly enjoyed it. They invited me to join them this year, and I readily agreed.
Through a series of events, as the holiday approached Nate decided to travel over the holiday, placing a small quandary in my festivity planning. As a note, I am sooo thankful that he got to head to warmer climates to spend time with a best friend of his from ages past.
The problem, was that this may mean that Ryan and Hilliary may change their plans, which of course, would change mine (you recall, don't you, that it really is all about me). But 'Jesus is always there for us. He orchestrates schedules, events and dinners so that believers can minister to other believers in times of trouble, and in times of celebration.' Isaiah said 'but the Lord is mindful of His own... He remembers His children.' Either way, I'm blessed.
I had resolved to celebrate the day with Jesus, even if other opportunities had NOT arisen.
The confirmation came and the Holiday arrived. Communion Thanksgiving Eve was great. Pastor's Brian and Carlos led a great evening, w/Pastor Joe speaking. Slept in Thursday morning.
Arrived at R&H's and hung w/them and the babies. Watched 'Star Wars: Clone Wars' then more of Hill's fam arrived. They were very pleasant and relaxed. Appetizers, drinks and fun ensued and led through a lunch that would easily compete w/Mom's (sorry, Mom, but Hilliary did a wonderful job...). More of Ry's family arrived for 'desert' and hanging out.
Well after dark the place began to thin out again and the hilarious comedy "Kung Fu Panda" aired on the DVD/TV. I don't know when I've enjoyed a movie so much. The lowest note was the last movie of the night, "Tropic Thunder" which I can't even say was laced with swearing. That was the main focal point, methinks. At any rate, I love Ryan and Hilliary so much the more and am thankful to be a part of their family. Brother Nate was missed, but made an appearance via photo/text messaging that brought a good laugh.
I can hardly wait for the Wedding Feast coming up soon. I'm sure to sit near Nate and R&H and so many of you. The food will be beyond comparison, the atmosphere clean and blessed, the building (which I might add, has been in the works for a couple thousand years) beyond compare! And the Groom: I can only imagine. The spouse of our dreams to spend eternity with.
Thank you Jesus, for a incredible day.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus,
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: family, fellowship, food, God, Hilliary, Holiday, Jesus, Kung Fu panda, Nate, Ryan, Star Wars, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving 2008, Tropic Thunder, Wedding Feast
19 November 2008
Blogging Envy
Well, I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I'm to do with this blog-space.
Do I want to do a journal or devotional or ...? :::sigh::: Both?
Oh, well.
What happens, will happen.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
15 November 2008
Derek Kostovick
Today I had the unique privilege of attending the "senior composition recital of Derek Kostovick"...
WOW!
It's been 18 years since I last was a music major in college and let me tell you, until you've seen Derek you've not been to a collegiate recital. The compositions were great!
A Sax Moot was quite possibly my favorite! With Derek on the grande piano, joined by Kevin Padworski, I was thrilled and moved by this piece! The skill obviously draws a lot of exclamation marks from this reviewer! ! ! In all seriousness, though, the perfect 'trills' or 'downward runs' perfectly synchronized on keys and saxophone were musically provoking.
The Dark Waltz was wonderful. During this piano solo, I was able to envision moments of dance laced with gossip sessions and snide looks cast out from all sides at the Phantom-esque middle-aged or older couple simply enjoying each other, and the pleasure of the dance irregardless of those others in attendance. Breathtaking.
Harmonia Reflections. In this piece I thoroughly enjoyed the piano, and this was a stellar piece which truly had a galaxy in view!
For Bell of the Ball Derek was joined by his self-described 'partner in crime' to sing a "Renaissance" duet. Lauren McDowell fit the part well, and played her part as the Belle of the Ball.
Derek dedicated Stay the Same to the 'life and family of Kelsey Gallagher.' I can only say that I loved it! We all can relate, and this fitting piece brought a tear to each eye! Joined by Emily Clark (obviously an excellent singer in her own right), Derek reminded us that true friendships will last into eternity, picking up where they left off after a few months or a few decades. Thank you, Derek.
I wish I had stood to applaud A Sax Moot, but was pleased that the audience eventually gave young Mr. Kostovick the ovation he deserved, although the encore was not a Kostovick original.
I would like to end this review praising God for the excellent talent extended to Derek Kostovick, and thanking Him for the joy placed in our hearts because of this talented and accomplished musician. May Derek continue to bless the One who blessed him.
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Derek, Derek Kostovick, Kevin Padworski, Lauren McDowell, recital, review
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
