The Senator

From a friend's blog.  Thanks Ruminator.

This has been around before, but in the light of the current political environment, it seems appropriate.

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

The Senator’s soul arrives in heaven and is met by Saint Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says Saint Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the Senator.

Saint Peter says, “Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the Senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules”, replies SaintPeter.

And with that, Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises…

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where Saint Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven,” Saint Peter says.

So, 24 hours pass with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and the 24 hours in heaven passes by and Saint Peter returns.

“Well, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now which will you choose for your eternity?” Saint Peter asks.

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers, “Well, I never would have thought it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be happier and better off … in hell.”

So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning…




Today… you voted.”

Accepted!

I guess it really didn't take that long, but it seemed like quite a wait to me.  I received word this morning that I have been accepted into the Master of Theology program at Dallas Seminary.  This represents the beginning of a significant change in direction in my life as I prepare for a greater role in serving Christ.  I am really looking forward to the challenges of learning both Greek and Hebrew.  Language was never a strong point for me.  It will be really cool to see God working in me to get through it.  But, the greater thrill will be to see how the Lord will use us in the future to the benefit of Him kingdom.

I have often thought of the seminary experience as both blessed immersion in the Word and fuel for the race.  To be prepared to handle the scripture from an educated and tested standpoint under the leadership of Christ and to be able to deliver the message passionately and clearly, will be a privilege.

There are many things yet to do and much prayer needed.  If you feel lead, please pray that the Lord will continue to prepare my heart and mind for this exercise.  Also, please pray that my family will be prepared and supported, that our financial needs will be met, that God would show Himself strong and faithful through continued encouragement and provision and that we will glorify Him throughout this chapter of our lives.  Finally, please pray that our place of ministry will be prepared, even now, for our service.

It is love that drives me to this place and a desire to spend the second half of my career engaged in things of eternal meaning.  Thank you, Lord for giving me the skills to employ in your service and the faith to yield to it. I'll admit, I am both scared and excited in ways hard to describe.  But, that's ok...let's get started!

Application Update

Just a quick update on the application process at DTS.  All of the reference letters have been submitted, as has my church validation letter.  DTS uses a unique process to request these letters.  They require that I submit the contact information of the preferred recommender, then they contact that person independently.  Really, it's pretty cool.  It is all done electronically.

Now, it is up to the admissions committee.  Talking to my admissions counselor revealed that my application will be forwarded for consideration next week.  He also told me the process would require about three weeks.  In the meantime, I need to work (I do still have a day job), prepare music for worship and plan September and October's Young Families SS lessons.  That's plenty!

Application In

What application?  That was the previous post.  Scroll down and start there.  However, after reading the previous post, you may be wondering exactly "Which one?"  I'm glad you asked; Dallas Theological, of course.

Yep, all the parts and pieces came together and have been submitted for processing.  I am very excited.  Our family is too.  I probably won't get to start until this spring, but that's ok.  There are still a lot of details to work out.  Not the least of which is paying for it.  However, we really believe that this is a prime opportunity to see the Lord provide and we are looking forward confidently expecting that He will.

The opportunity to prepare for the second half of my career life is a great privilege.  The chance to engage in work that counts for eternity is awesome.  Please don't get me wrong, we all have the opportunity to work each day for the Kingdom.  I'm really talking about the joy and privilege of doing so on a full-time basis.

So, I'll keep you posted... One of my favorite quotes is from Jim Elliott, missionary to Ecuador who, along with four others, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Waodani people through efforts known as Operation Auca.  He said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  That seems so appropriate here.

Application

For sometime now, probably going on seven years, I have contemplated a seminary degree.  I am finally ready to take the challenge.  I won't go into all that has motivated me to consider such a move, but suffice it to say that I have felt the call to utilize the spiritual gifts I have been blessed with in concert with the practical experience I have gained in the corporate world in a more direct and, hopefully, full time service to our Lord.

The application is complete except for a couple of inputs required from my wife and pastor.  Wife is home, pastor is on vacation.  So, it will be just a bit before I can turn it in.

The feeling, though, that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders is undeniable.  So, is the fear.  However, whatever fear there is, is tempered by the complete peace I feel with this decision.  I have received may encouragements and through prayer and fasting, I believe I am moving in the right direction.

That's all for now, I'll let you know how the application process turns out.  That is step one.  Step two is paying for it.  That will probably be the acid test for God's will.  I'm confidently expecting great things...We'll see!

God-Sized Things

I have recently been made acutely aware that living by faith in circumstances beyond your control is one thing.  Stepping out in faith is another.  It seems that the Lord gives us a preparation time to learn of His grace and provision in the midst of those events we do not choose.  For me, it has been the loss of a teaching position, the sever illness suffered by one of my children and the complete helplessness I feel as a business developer.  In each of these events, He has proven Himself faithful to provide and care for me and my family.  He has allowed me to experience joy and continue in ministry even though the storms raged around me.

Those were times of preparation.  Now God calls to step out in faith, to do bigger things in His name.  Really, He calls to do the kind of things only He can do.  He asks that I follow in servanthood.  Wow.

I have experienced every kind of emotion as I have contemplated His direction.  And, ultimately, through prayer and fasting, have come to experience a great peace that He has and will continue to care for me and my family.  That peace pervades the fear of the unknown in a unique and indescribable way.  Will I respond to the call?  Yes, I will...

Humility or Humiliation

I suffer with pride.  It seems I always have.  And in that struggle lay my inability to reconcile the virtue of humility against the continual sting of humiliation.   While I desire to be humble before God and His will for my life,  it seems the whole world wants to kick me in the gut and keep putting me down.  Why is that?  Is there a balance between humility and humiliation?  O Lord, will you teach me, protect me?  I am so tired of the low blows.

Psalms

I am impressed with the Psalms.  King David is so real, so human.  He repeatedly praises the Lord in such eloquent language and immediately confesses his sin and need for the Lord to have mercy.  I feel that way so often.  I seem to always be praying praises and asking for mercy in the same breath.

David asked the Lord to write His instructions on the heart, that they might keep him pure.  I pray the same.  O Lord, please, write your instructions on my heart.  Do not let me forget you in the course of the day.  Do not let the voices and noise of this sinful world shout louder than you.  Let me her you in the midst of the troubles of the day and praise your holy name.  Keep me from temptation, keep me from sinning in my heart.

It seems so easy to be close to the Jesus in the quiet time, yet so quickly I succumb to the emotions of the day.  Typically, those are tainted by pride.  Maybe today the grace of humility will be with me without harm.