david wilson (ie. mr. wilson) emailed me a few weeks back.  he told me for "some reason" God was telling him to tell me to read proverbs 3.  he didn't have any lengthy explanation at why or what God was wanting to tell me, but he passed on the "word from the LORD" and that was good enough.

i read it that night.  and i've read it several nights since.  just thinking about the words of wisdom found in this chapter of proverbs.  granted, all of proverbs is wisdom.  but what was God wanting me to hear in the midst of my journey.  here's what God has been speaking to me through proverbs 3 the past few weeks:

there are lots of "live longer" and "look younger" ideas out there.  you can buy cremes and take vitamins and work out, eat healthy, take botox, lyposuction, face lifts and butt lifts, herbal drinks and the list goes on forever.  but God talks about prolonged life and long life in this chapter.  now i'm not a "list" kind of guy.  hate the "3 steps to" and the "4 ways to fix" sermons.  but i found 5 things God mentions in regards to long life.

• "Do not forget my teaching but keep my commands in your heart" (vs. 1-2).  I think this one goes beyond the long life of this world.  By keeping God's commands it brings an eternal life that lasts to eternity.  His commands are active and alive and require action.
• "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD....this will bring health to your body and nourashmint to your bones." (vs. 7-8)  Fear the LORD?  Istn't this contrary to the love and grace and peace and hope that is God?  I think it's more about a healthy fear.  A loving fear.  A fear that isn't about me worrying that this "Police-cop God" is on the lookout and ready to bust me.  But an honoring fear, a humbleness and recognition that EVERYTHING is the LORD's.  He is Creator and Life-giver.  Fear Him!  I'm not afraid of Him, but I do fear Him.  I am a sinner saved by grace and He is holy and perfect.  And that brings health to the body.
• "Fear the LORD and shun evil....this will bring health to your body and nourashmint to your bones." (vs. 7-8).  Another thing that is healthy to the body is fearing God and shunning evil.  I think it's easy to look at some of the evils of the world and turn away.  But what about the evils in our midst?  The evil of overeating when someone in our town is hungry.  The evil of unacceptance and judgment in churches.  The evil of debt, greed, and overspending.  Do we shun those things?
• "Blessed is the man that finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding....for long life is in her hands." (vs. 13-16)  Again with this wisdom thing?  What are you trying to tell me here God?  Give me understanding and wisdom!  Wisdom comes from the LORD.  It's not about doing things the world views as wise.  It's usually the opposite- weak are strong, last are first, forgotten are loved.  When we are unwise with the world's standards it most often is in line with God.  And that brings health to the body.
• "Preserve sound judgment and discernment...they will be life for you." (vs. 21-22).  Yellow flags!!!  Troy doesn't always do this!!!  Rachel helps me with this.  If it weren't for her I'd have been a knife salesman, selling cookware, Rainbow vacuum salesman, etc, etc.  My judgment and discernment often fall a bit short.  Probably the sanguin in me.  Ready to try anything.  Let's do it.  No reason to think about tomorrow.  LORD, give me discernment.  Not just in jobs but in life.  In how I treat my kids, my neighbors, my wife, my co-workers, strangers, my enemies.  Give me discernment in how I live- how I eat, sleep, spend money, give money, talk, think, deal with cancer.

So the key to long life?  It's not about all the junk I mentioned earlier.  It's not about finding the right doctor to treat cancer.  It's about God.  It's really the only way.  Or should I say the only Way.

May my life be an offering to Him no matter how long or short it is!  In Christ I pray.  Amen.

i like how crowder on one of their latest cds had a title then in () had another title.  so i'm going with that philosophy today.

i'm not really sure if it's whining.  maybe observation.  maybe whining.  i'm not sure.  i'll let you be the judge of it.  if i'm whining, just tell me to shut up.  i can handle it.

i've noticed first hand now that when something bad happens people get all up in arms and are ready to "pitch in" and help however they can.  everyone really has a desire to help.  i think people in general have that capacity- to lend a hand.  everyone wants to feel like when tragedy strikes, they'd jump in and do whatever to help.

a few examples:

• when we found out i had cancer, we received cards and calls and meals and notes.  people we hadn't spoken to in years came out to show their support.  "whatever you need" and "let us know how we can help".
• sept. 11, 2001.  think about the devestation afterwards and how many people volunteered to help with new york.  the clean up.  serving meals.  looking for the lost.  thousands gave of their time and money to help!
• natural disasters.  it amazes me at how many go to help when there are tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.  think about katrina.  again, thousands went down immediately to do whatever to help people.  even some places around us took folks in for months to help them out.

here's what i've noticed.  here's where the whining starts.  (and it may not be whining.  it could be God calling us to more.  not sure yet....)  once the hub-bub dies down, the support dies down.  i think the "newness" wears off and we fall into one of the following traps:

1. I don't want to seem pushy.
2. There is surely someone else doing that work.
3. They don't need the help anymore.
4. Everything is going to be alright.

maybe other traps!?!?  but here's the deal- people are still struggling over katrina.  homes and entire neighborhoods are still not rebuilt.  lives in new york are still left wanting.  and i still have cancer.

i don't think we realize how important the little things are.  when i get a card in the mail, it lifts my spirits.  (right now my spirits are pretty low.)  and you know what amazes me?  there is a church in knoxville tennessee that sends me a letter or card every week.  i know the preacher and he put me on their prayer list.  this must be some kind of praying church because 8 or 9 people and families have sent me something.  they don't know me!!!!  but they know the power of prayer.  the power of carrying each others burdens.  of a kind word.  of not giving up!

then take for example a group of people i email this update to.  it seems like daily or at least every other day one of them is sending me a quick note to encourage.  many of them don't know me but penni sends them my update.  and they in return send me prayers and love.

so why am i writing this today?  it's NOT to have you all send me cards and fix us dinner.  it's not to guilt you into helping with the next disaster.  i guess it's on me.  see, i used to be one of those folks who would send a card or swing by and pray or email once and figure, "i've done my work.  if they need anything they'll let me know."  that's just not the way it works.  the need is still there.  i need to get off my butt and do something about it.  i need to send the card.  i need to call the guy.  i need to carry the burdens.  because we're all in this together.

and some may call that whining or pleading or whatever.  not being strong enough.  too weak.  "rub some dirt on it and you'll be fine."  no i won't.  not without you.  not without each other.

so next time there's a prayer request at church or a hungry man standing by the road asking for a donation or a tornado that levels a community or your friend gets cancer or a neighbor is going through marital problems or the kid in your kid's class has some issues....may you, may WE carry that together.  may we act in the love of Christ.  may we not give up doing good works and helping each other.  may our words be full of life and our actions point to the Life that never ends.

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.