Monthly Archives: August 2010

Wayfarer's Journal

Fun at the Playhouse

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Wendy and I have been enjoying some time at the Playhouse. We came down last weekend with Madison and our nephew, Solomon. Madison, like most busy 18 year olds, has not had time to make a trip to the lake with us since last year. It was her first time seeing the new place.

Grandpa and Grandma Dean and Jeanne had been down for a couple of weeks. They were working hard to finish the drop ceiling on the lower level. By the time we had arrived it was nearly finished and the carpet had been installed.

We had a great weekend with the folks and Madison and Sol. The kids made up for lost time on the waverunners. Sol also made another (regrettably failed) attempt to get up on one ski. The kids also made a trip in to watch a movie and headed down to Cap’n Rons for an evening. It was fun to listen to the two of them. They’ve grown up together and were thick as theives as kids. Now, the conversation is about college, apartments, and relationships – but the constant jabbering and laughter is the same.

We are in the final stretch of construction. Dad finished the ceiling, door latches were installed and furniture was pulled out of storage. Madison and Solomon were the first to use the lower level bedrooms!

On Sunday morning the folks took Madison and Sol back home while Wendy and I prepared for another round of company. Chad and Shay and the boys arrived Sunday evening for the week. With two little ones, the Playhouse has been in constant motion and filled with noise since they arrived.

Chad has been among the faithful friends who’ve helped us finish the lower level, and he helped wrap up the plumbing over the past couple of days. We now have a fully functioning bathroom!!

It hasn’t been all work, however. The boys have been swimming off the dock, swimming down at the beach, fishing for Bluegill off the dock, playing bean bag toss, and there’s always movies to be watched. We all headed to the water park the other day to enjoy the waterslides and get a break from the hot August sun. Of course, there have also been waverunner rides and a boat ride to eat at Bulldog’s Beach House.

It’s been incredibly hot, but it hasn’t stopped us from enjoying the fun!

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 3

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The right pillar he named Jakin (Security) and the left pillar he named Boaz (Stability). 2 Chronicles 3:17 (MSG)

As I read the description of Solomon’s temple with all of its ornate construction filled with precious metals, I can’t help but remember that God created a new paradigm with the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. No longer would he dwell in a temple made of woood and metal, but in the hearts of those who believe. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV).

If my body is a temple of the God of creation, then how precious it is. I read today’s chapter, I read of the two giant pillars named “security” and “stability” and I think of the pillars in my own life. I not only think of God, who is my rock and fortress, but also of my parents, my grandparents, my wife, my family, my mentors, and my dearest friends. My temple stands fast with strong and faithful pillars. Without them, my life would have completely fallen apart long ago.

Today, I’m thankful for those in my life on whom I can and do depend; grateful for the pillars of this temple I can aptly name “safety” and “security.”

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and J.W. Photography
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 2

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Solomon then took a census of all the foreigners living in Israel, using the same census-taking method employed by his father. They numbered 153,600. He assigned 70,000 of them as common laborers, 80,000 to work the quarries in the mountains, and 3,600 as foremen to manage the work crews. 2 Chronicles 2:17-18 (MSG)

In today’s chapter we see King Solomon employing the same census methods for taking count of the “foreigners” living in Israel. Did Solomon not know that his father repented of his actions in taking the census; “trusting statistics instead of God?” Did Solomon realize that there was a heavy cost placed on David and the country for his actions in taking the census? Did Solomon think that he was okay in taking the census because he was doing it for the work of God’s temple, or that it was okay because he wasn’t counting his fellow Israelites? I’m intrigued to think about Solomons reasoning. Was he ignorant, arrogant, or a combination of both?

For all of Solomon’s lauded wisdom, we see in today’s chapter the foreshadowing of a tragic flaw. Solomon did not learn from his father’s mistakes. He will take a census and then he will put all of the non-Israelites to slave labor for the temple and his own palace. This is the first in a chain of events what will ultimately divide the nation and lead to civil war.

Those who don’t learn from history (even family history) are doomed to repeat it.

Wayfarer's Journal

Not a Fun Way to Wake Up

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At 4:00 a.m. yesterday Wendy and I woke the sound of a long, sonorous cracking noise followed by a large thud. Our old oak tree had dropped a limb right between our garage and house. Fortunately, no one was hurt and damage was minimal.

Still, it wasn’t a fun way to wake up. And, it sort of messed up my agenda for the day!

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 1

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That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, “What do you want from me? Ask.” 2 Chronicles 1:7 (MSG)

What do you want?

It’s such a revealing question. As an actor, I was trained to break a character’s words down and ask this question for almost every line of a play. “What is it you want?” For the character of Lars Knudsen (pictured), the motivations were pretty simple. Lars wanted his love, Martha.

A character, a person, you, and me – we all speak, act and think out of that which motivates us. Watch a person long enough, listen to their conversation, and you can often find what motivates them. Their words and their actions reveal their motivation. You can see what they want.

What do I want?

It’s not such an easy question to answer. I’d like to say I want wisdom and I want God’s will. But, the reality is that my words and my actions convict me of less honorable motivations.

Today, I’m trying to answer the question honestly. What do I want?

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 29

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“But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we’re doing is giving back what we’ve been given from your generous hand. As far as you’re concerned, we’re homeless, shiftless wanderers like our ancestors, our lives mere shadows, hardly anything to us.” 1 Chronicles 29:14-15 (MSG)

Wendy and I went for a walk the other night. It was a gorgeous summer evening and we opted for a slow, “flip-flop” walk (as opposed to a more serious “tennis shoe” walk). We conversed as we walked and I shared with her some of the feelings I have around the tremendous life shift we’ve experienced in the past year.

We’ve had both girls move out of the house. One of them got married and brought a son-in-law into our family equation. We’ve taken over my parents’ place at the lake and built a house there. We’ve watched Wendy’s younger siblings graduating from medical school, college, and high school. We’ve experience tough economic times and uncertainty about the future. And, we’ve experienced some of our own deep disappointments. It feels like the path has changed, and I’m still trying to get my footing. There are feelings of grief, joy, fear, hope, disappointment, excitement, relief, and regret all churning around inside me.

It was good to read David’s reminder today, and to try to gain some perspective. I am just a wayfarer and a wanderer. My life, my journey, is but a fleeting shadow in the grand scheme of things. All I am and all I’ve been given were from God’s hand in the beginning. I am, step-by-step, making my way home to give it all back.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and sarahrah
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Chronicles 28

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David continued to address Solomon: “Take charge! Take heart! Don’t be anxious or get discouraged. God, my God, is with you in this; he won’t walk off and leave you in the lurch.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 (MSG)

I know a person with big dreams. Almost every conversation I’ve had with my friend revolved around their next great idea. The common thread in each conversation is that they will make a lot of money for which they won’t have to work very hard. Content to have faith in the next great brainstorm, this person avoided college altogether. Their life has been an endless string of menial jobs while they dreams up the next get rich quick scheme.

I can’t really point the finger at this person without three fingers pointing back at me. When I think about it, my interaction with this person have always prompted me to examine my own life. I have my own pile of big ideas and great intentions that lack the initiative to get off my butt and accomplish them.

I love David’s final admonishment to Solomon. David could provide Solomon with everything necessary to build the temple, but Solomon would have to have the initiative and perseverance to start it and then see it done. “Be strong and courageous and do the work.”

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have some work to do.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and asurroca