Raising A Stink

Continuing my thoughts of my life in a crisis, being at a crossroad and still being effective for God to use.

John 12:4-8

The setting is important here: Jesus has joined Martha, Mary and Lazarus for a celebratory feast.  After-all, Lazarus has been resurrected from the grave!  Also in attendance, we know of, Simon the leper, and the disciples.  Of course, it could be the 12 or the 120, there was the inner circle and the greater circle whom hung with Jesus.  Lets go with 12 so that Lazarus was not going to be bankrupted here!

Love Jesus with all you have been given by God.  That should be:

• Heart
• Soul
• Mind 
• Strength

That would be by blessing someone else, with what you have been given.  It will be different for each of us and in for those we are to bless as well.  You might even have to model forgiveness and unconditional love!  Whom has heard of such a thing in this culture!  But, it might just be required of you.

Look for a stink to happen when your life smells good to God!
Oh yeah.  Mary (Miriam) anoints Jesus' feet with her tears and perfume valued at a years wage by a professional soldier!  Heap big bucks were just expended on a dead man walking and I think she knew it.

I am told that Nard smells like gardenia, personally I hate the smell of gardenia, but oh well that is just me.  In the ancient times that much would have been noticeable, if not overcoming in a small home filled with people.  And the smell would have lasted for days.  Remember Jesus is now entering his last week on Earth.  Lots of symbolism here.

But, Judas condemns her for the waste.  His greed is exposed to everyone whom hears.  Judas could have complained of her having let her hair down in public, much less before the Rabbi!  She was touching Jesus, tsk, tsk!  Etc.  Yeah he could of complained of much but he only went for the value of what had just been "wasted".  What would Jesus do?

How about first protecting her honor by reprimanding Judas and I dare say then she was to blessed for her sacrifice and honor given him.

Listen for the only opinion that counts.
Do you live to please God or others?
How many defended Mary (Miriam) here? Only Jesus did.
In reality it is only His opinion which counts.  "Leave her alone....." He said.

Do not let your critics stop you from your service or duty before God!
Be of service to God, invest your life in others, silence your critics!

Let the fragrance follow you.
You know Jesus reeked of gardenia through all of the last week of his life.  I have no doubt he raised a few eyebrows where ever he went!  The smell was known, the value was known, and this rag tag Rabbi just reeked of it.  Where do you imagine that amount of wealth came from?!?!?!?!

Make everything in your life a sweet smelling offering to Jesus, in spite of the critics in your life!

*********************************
So, I sit here, judged by my friends, by my church, by my elders, for having invested myself in others.  It does not help that Lucinda turned on me, believing she was saving her daughter, and got her to share tales.  I realized when I heard the words, that they were Lucinda's, not our shared daughter's (no, she is mine by adoption).  So, Kris carries with him a mighty stink at this time.

My defense is only the truth, which is unpopular because it is nowhere as juicy as the tales.  And when the critic ultimately calls upon Timothy, and Paul's admonishinon not to deal with females, I have to reply:

• I did what I was called to do
• I called upon females, in my life and church, to help and none would
• I called upon help from my church and it would not
• And no Christian doctrine is based upon a single verse
• So, Mr. Critic, your problem is exactly what?

Yeah, there is the rub.  Christians are quick to condemn, but really hate to realize that they are condemned by their own inaction, especially when those doing it are the very ones I called upon for help in the first place!  Doesn't stop them from condemning me - to their shame and eventual condemnation before God.

You see, God is blessing me, even as to the world's eyes I am getting exactly what I have coming.  He knows I have no value in possessions or wealth, I only cherish people.  Most of the people left my life long before this mess, because I was "stupid" in investing myself in a known problem, or believing Kris is having a mid-life crisis (he isn't, my mind is quite clear and there are no red sports cars in my future!).

So in spite of the critics in my personal life and in my church, I continue to do as told to do by God.  Which infuriates a few but oh well.  I have always been solely answerable to God and will continue to be as far as my actions and prayer life are concerned.  Yeah, I have often thought myself quite insane.  The more pressure put on me to recant my belief that I have done as God has asked, only recalls the picture of what a freed life looks like in the eyes of one whom suddenly realizes their freedom.  And so, my tasks, I have quietly removed from public view, but that in no ways means I have seen the light of truth from my critics - no, i just removed the temptation from them for further condemnations.  If it is of God, they will "know" miraculously, not from this blog, nor my life, what I am about, then I might listen.

And to the two whom love me, thank you for standing by me through what continues to be a tragedy.  Honestly, I think there might be a book in this .....  But, I would have to have it published as fiction, whom would believe ever believe this tale?

Seeing Jesus in the Crisis

Thinking on John 12:9-11, 17-19 in light of this past week.

The crowds gathered.  Rumors had it that someone, a guy named Lazarus, had been raised from the dead!  In the crowd were those whom had prepared him for burial, those whom carried this body to the tomb, those whom had rolled the rock into the opening of the grave, those whom had paid to mourned his death.  And he was actually alive?  You have got to be kidding!

Jesus came at Mary and Martha's request, not to heal Lazarus as asked, but to demonstrate that the day of the Kingdom of God was at hand.  Lazarus was to be exhibit A as to the power of God and the truth of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9, we as Christians are a chosen people, a priesthood, we belong to God!
We exist to serve God and His purposes, not the other way around!

Do not drift from your faith!

How could anyone argue Lazarus' death and now new life?  Imagine the crowd, torn between joy, fascination, horror and shock!  Here was a dead man walking!  And the Rabbis equally were stunned.  How can you discredit or claim someone is of the devil when he just raised his friend from the dead?

Death had been conquered, Jesus had just shown the world that He had dominion, He was of God, His claims were true.

Critics will plague you your entire life - take heart, they can not keep you down or from your God assignment.

Beware, your life is never going to be neutral.

There is no witness protection program for Christians!  You have become the salt which adds flavoring to all around you.  You have become light, a witness for God, you will draw people to you!  (okay I skipped to 1st John there!)

Your life is permanently changed.
Your life is now a witness to the reality of the Real God.  And that would be for the good or bad.....
You life is suddenly a testimony to what God has done and can do.


You came to Jesus because you had a need: you stood in the way of what you needed to get to God.
Your accepting Jesus as the payment between mankind and God for our failure, changed your status.
Your willingness to be baptized and to become a follower, perhaps even a disciple, sets you a part.
Your life becomes your witness to a world lost in sin, not knowing where to look, observing if you are different.
And when bad times hit, how you react will either show that difference or that you are just like them.
So, let your life reflect Jesus and His love, in good times and bad.

And if you can, I know that God will lift you up from whatever is there to crush you.

*** so, as you have been reading, my life is now at a crossroads.  the past has been destroyed by my daughter.  the only salvation to my predicament would be for my daughter to show up in person and recant her tales.  but no that is not going to happen too soon, eventually, i do believe so, but not in time to save the shattered remains of my life.  my future is now unknown to me.  i only have faith, sharpened by a lifetime of seeing God's hand and knowing He is there to catch me in this free fall.  but he has blessed me with a kindred spirit to steady my feet as i step across to a whatever that new path is.  so with one old friend and one new friend there to help me restart life, we will see where things go.  maybe there is a book deal in this disaster..... ***

Loss of a Musketeer

It was October 1973, I became a Christian thanks to the efforts of a lady in my uncle's church.  Swedish Rocket Scientist did the same due to a random witness whom crossed his path in college.  His younger brother also separately had become a Christian through a radio ministry.  We were all baptized together.  Add Dutchman and there was now a foursome of trouble makers.  :)  Often accompanied by Dutchman and our cousins.  We have had quite a 39 year run!

Through the years we all stayed in touch.  We all supported one another in all ways.  We are a band of brothers.  Yes, you can pick your family.

From Rear: SRS, Sister, Ed.

Monday evening, I got the call we have all dreaded, the death of one of us.

It was Ed, the little brother of SRS.  SRS and his sister were in Olympia at a hospital where their lone relative was following another stroke.  SRS had just moved her there last week from the homeland so that she would be closer to him and his siblings.  So the police left a message on the sister's phone.

Of course, since that was all there was in the message, we had no idea what happened.  SRS was finally able to meet with the coroner Tuesday and it turned out he died of a heart attack while visiting a friend.  It is good he died with friends, but he may well have not even have known it.  Heart attacks are no my idea of a great way to go.....  But, his family has a long history of them, their father having his first at 53 and then the final one at 56.  Ed was 59.

Last Tuesday, Dutchman and Swede had met with me and discussed what to do about Ed.  He has been chronically under employed his entire life and with retirement rapidly approaching - well, what is he to do?  Thursday, SRS met with him to discuss this.  Nothing was settled and SRS left him with things to think about.  That was the last any of us heard from him.

If you would be in prayer for strength for what is left of their family through this hard time, it would be appreciated.  And pray for consciousness for Ellie, the aunt, with a chance to witness yet again to her and for her to choose wisely.

I Met A Young Lady

I met a young lady,
Of Skye,
Whose bright red hair,
Caught my eye.

She was to share:
Of her gifts,
Intelligence,
And Bible knowledge.

But her life,
Had been hard,
I mentored her,
In the God I knew.

Side by side,
We have walked,
Since that day,
Mostly in harmony.

But the day came,
Almost unnoticed,
When what drove her died,
And she said nothing.

For years,
I have waited,
For her to return,
But it has been in vain.

I met a young lady,
Of Skye,
Whom I could not help,
And she left a stranger.

Fully Aware

God had warned me what last week was going to be like, so I pre-wrote the posts for the entire week.  I knew I would be unable gather my thoughts.  I had a pretty good idea what was coming and prepared to be betrayed - there was just no way I could have suspected how it was to play out and that poor battered single emotion took the hit like a bullet to the brain.  Oh God last week was bad.  And I so need my friend but alas that was not to be possible.

So pastor, bless his dear heart, decided to tell Gaelic Girl the substance of my 5th pastoral review.  Thank you for the integrity you have shown there guy!  No he still does not believe the tale but he thought it important she know what the gossip was.  As I have commented before, man's logic - not God's wisdom again played out by him.  Interestingly, his story ended far different than reality was.  So different that I had to wonder if he had become confused or if the head of the elder board decided to ad lib my rebuke for insisting on continuing to pray for my estranged daughter.  Very interesting and honestly, I don't care anymore.

Given ammunition, GG was all over me for 3 days straight, when she was home.  It was ugly, uglier than anything I have ever experienced in my life and God would not allow my walls up.  Apparently, Kris had to learn about emotional pain.

Her complaints are like shaving cream, but I was right, this all dated back to the fall of 2009 and winter of 2010, when Lucinda was staying with me.  She was angered that I would allow Lucinda to help clean in the kitchen, prepare meals, etc.  To me it was not like anyone else was going to help!  And help is always appreciated.  But, GG can not understand that.  New Daughter doing much the same in the winter of 2012 was the end of all to GG.  The final betrayal.  The end of trust.

My fault was not understanding and already knowing she was leaving our life of ministry we had shared for 35 years.  And so on February 24th I can mark the notch of the end of the longest friendship in my life.  It is with great remorse for I had hoped that she would return to whom she was, but that is not reality it seems.  I also got uninvited to her next therapy session today.  To bad, I could given that lady an earful!

And so, I was forced to implement what I had promised my new friend I would do, I just did not understand how soon it would be!  I expected months, I got one week.  So, left footed, I have begun the transition to a new path, as the old one grows narrow and comes to an end.  And that new path - I really know nothing of.  Starting afresh is so very, very odd.

I no longer know if my daughter's return is on this path, that trip to the southern hemisphere I actually relish, or ?????  I know nothing at this point other than I am going to need time to heal. 

Your prayers are sought.

Musical Saturday Morning

I decided to make a last minute change to my music selection for this morning.  I was going to go with Phil Collins, Misunderstanding, it certainly was the theme for the past month - in one horrible manner.  And making a change means doing some retyping to next weeks posts!  argh!

However, the 27th dramatically altered my life.  Out of the clear blue (even in our rain), I was blindsided.

The net result was that my old character was suddenly whacked sideways, so far that the old me suddenly struggles to  even appear (except under attack).  And since that old character is safety for me, it is uncomfortably foreign to me to be completely controlled by lightness and somewhat defenseless.

So, as I walked to the house on the 27th, a song I had hated as a youth came roaring back into my mind.  OMG, Cowsill's?!?!?!?  Have I now gone insane?  But, the Cowsill's it was - and I hated the Cowsill's.  Well, if I suddenly could understand an almost fifty year old song, why not use it this morning and you and think, "Gees, Kris couldn't get this song until now?"  Yeah, that is how blind a sociopath is.....



And so my new friend, see what you have done to me? I understand songs now......

Where Are You Going?

Well if you are a Christian, I know where you are heading to - in the end anyway!

John 14:1-3

In my father's house - guess what - we are all family!
Your room is apparently already awaiting your arrival.
In life you can be anxious, troubled, afraid of the future and where you are going.
But, once at our ultimate destination, our home with God, you can not be turned away, if you are in Christ!

Heaven is about family.
It is after-all the family of God whom is destined to be there.
Unlike the English translations concerning our home in heaven, we are not destined to receive a mansion, it is a room, attached to the house, the master - God - dwells in.
We will be with Jesus, living in close proximity.
Growing up with almost no family, this is going to be a bit of change for me and I imagine to many others as well.

Refocus!
How we face hard times, should reflect the changes within us, since you have come to salvation.
You have a future, it is secure, we can relax and not fret about tomorrow.  You do win, in the end.
When the culture turns against you, when times are tough, just keep believing.

We were made for somewhere else, our life is meant to find completeness in God, through Jesus, and with Jesus in Heaven.


Just a little different from the message of this age and culture, eh?