Provision and Pursuing

As often as I've been able over the last month or so, I've woken up early, opened up the window in my den (or whatever other room I find myself in, if traveling), and listen to the birds. Their joyful songs remind me of Jesus' teachings in Matthew 6 - that the birds neither sow nor reap and yet they are provided for. God provides for them. God provides for us. It is good for me to reflect on this.

Megan and I just returned with our team from the 4Ward Conference - the regional leadership gathering of the Vineyard Great Lakes. It was good. I'm pretty stirred up - for God, for the people in our area, for our church. I love our church.

I really want our church to grow - to see more people discover eternal life and freedom in Jesus. I really want our church to know community - vibrant relationships where people are authentically sharing life. But we can't pursue growth. We can't pursue community. If we do, things get all messed up.

Jesus says we're to pursue first God's Kingdom and God's righteousness, and if we do that, then all these other things will be taken care - growth and community and personal satisfaction and a whole load of things besides. To pursue God's Kingdom is to experience reality as it is described in places like Luke 15 and to live out Jesus' agenda as described in places like Luke 4:18-19. As we do this we're pursuing the righteousness of God - all things he considers right and good and just.

So the birds have reminded me this morning that we're to pursue first God's Kingdom and God will provide for what is necessary.

I'm encouraged

Doesn't it feel like good manners are pretty much dead? Meg and I watched a Jane Austen classic last night, Persuasion, and for some reason it really stood out to me how different the cultural manners were. And how generally nice theirs were. Well, anyway, all is not lost. As I was driving through downtown Royal Oak tonight, I saw a young man and woman walking arm-in-arm, Jane Austen style. There was a light rain and everything, but they seemed oblivious. They seemed to be enjoying one another in their own world. Well done, mystery man! Gentleman-ness is alive and well.

Can I Run Faster Than ... ?

If you know Eli, you'll know that he's really into comparisons right now. Bigger, taller, older, stronger, faster ... you get the idea ...

So when Megan puts Eli to bed, she spends time praying with him. Recently she's been praying for him to be protected from the Enemy. "What's the Enemy's name again, mom?" Eli recently asked. "His name is Satan, honey," Megan replied. "Mom," Eli continues, "do you think I could run faster than Satan?"

What do you say to that?

Morning Reflections

I woke up again early this morning. Not quite as early as yesterday, but still pretty early and engaged with my day right from the start. I like to wake up early because it is a quiet space. I also like to spend time with Jesus. I've got a lot of ministry things I'm working on right now and I wanted to spend some good time in prayer, for them, and also to connect with God before engaging in a full day of working on them.

I was just sort of listening to this worship song, Beautiful, and it really dawned on me again how beautiful Jesus is. He's the reason I got up that morning. He's beautiful. And I wanted to gaze on and soak up his beauty. I just sorta sat there taking it all in, and it was good.

Then as I was on my way in to the office and leaving a message on a friend's voicemail, I had this strong impression reminding me that Jesus never fails. Jesus never fails. Jesus' love never fails. Isn't that good? This brings me hope. Man, I was almost moved to tears again, reflecting on how he never fails. He never fails us. He never fails to accomplish his purposes. Jesus, the Beautiful One, never fails.

Jim Pool & Friend or Rob Bell & Maverick?

Is the picture below Jim Pool and his cadet friend or Rob Bell and Maverick on vacation?

You be the judge.

Blast from the Past

Who is this man? And what is he saying?


Its an old picture of me from Army magazine, circa spring 1994. Here's the larger image, to give you a sense of the larger scene. Note the caption.About a dozen of us cadets were given the opportunity to take a (free) trip to the Normandy coast to discuss the D-Day invasion, around the time of the 50th anniversary of that amazing day.

Still preaching. Just a different gospel, I suppose.

Meet Me At The Sign of the Beefcarver

Among most of my friends, the Sign of the Beefcarver has something of a bad reputation. Okay, that's actually understating it. I've heard it openly mocked. But when Megan mentioned tonight that we might need to go out tomorrow to eat because we're a bit low on food, I'm proud to admit that the Sign of the Beefcarver is one place I'm happy to consider.

I like the Beefcarver. Good, solid, heartland food with plenty of older folks and youngish waitresses (and waiters) wishing they were working somewhere else. But they help you to your seat, even without a tip. And it reminds me of my grandma; we used to eat there a fair amount as a kid. Of course, I haven't been to the Beefcarver in years. I was so mocked the last time I went, which was years ago, when our friends Grant & Cheryl Lynn first visited Detroit, that no one has been willing to go back with me. Clarification: it wasn't so much Grant & Cheryl Lynn that mercilessly made fun of me, but it was sort of the prevailing mood.

Anyway, the grandma's of today are eating there still. At least those who haven't gone vegetarian and who practice bikram yoga.

So, friends, meet me at the Sign of the Beefcarver.