A Week With Zeek

Looking Back...Looking Forward

It was exactly one year ago that I decided to jump into the wonderful world of blogging.  I have enjoyed rambling about events, sharing thoughts, posting weird pictures and expressing my opinion on various topics.

   

During these 12 months I have received great input and feedback from people.  I have reconnected with some old friends and made some new ones, especially when they link from my blog to my Facebook.

I have also been criticized a bit.  Apparently my opinion (and the opinion of the majority of people in California) about Proposition 8 stirs up some hatred.

Well, what does this next year hold?   I just helped move my oldest daughter and her husband back to the Modesto area so the family is in the same area again.  The church is doing well and I look forward to encouraging people to explore and understand God's Word more in 2009.  I am playing basketball and trying to stay in shape.  This is getting more difficult as 50 approaches (next week).  I am still working toward my Master of Strategic Foresight through Regent University.

Have a great New Year and stay connected with the Lord!

Paul

Proposition 8 Isn't Hate

hate  \ˈhāt\ v. & n.  1.  a: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury b: extreme dislike or antipathy : loathing.  2.  an object of hatred

I was amazed last week when I read about the response to Rick Warren's participation in President-elect Obama's inauguration.  Frankly, I expected the usual group of silly and confused conservatives to bash Rick for accepting the offer.  But when I read about the outrage and hatred expressed by the gay & lesbian groups, I just had to scratch my head.

    

These groups "preach" tolerance and love for all people but they are unwilling to be around a person who holds to a biblical worldview.  An article I read quoted the leader of one of the national groups opposed to Rick praying, calling Rick immoral.  Interesting.  A friend who has known me for many years called me a bigot on my Facebook and said I hate people who have chosen a gay lifestyle.

Before and after the most recent election, the "hate" I was hearing and seeing most wasn't from those trying to protect traditional marriage.  Unfortunately, there are a few people who profess to be followers of Jesus who do hate people.  Even worse, there are some people who thinks God hates people who sin.  WOW!  People like that cannot be more wrong.

I could go on and on, but as I have reflected on this issue I keep going back to the Bible. Jesus said we are to love all people.  Jesus loved all people but He also helped people understand that sin would destroy their lives.  He said, "I don't condemn you...go and sin no more."  Love and truth wrapped together.

Jesus also told His followers that people would hate them and oppose them because they really hate Him.  We can easily see that happening today.  He also said it would get worse and that people would exchange truth for a lie. Calling people who stand for God's view of marriage fits here.

What is the point of this rambling blog?  If you are a follower of Jesus focus on loving God and loving others.  If you aren't, maybe just start by reading the Christmas story in the Bible.  God is love.  God is truth.  Truth is love.

Have a great Christmas!

Paul

P.S. - Maybe in the future I will go more into the whole "rights" stuff.

 

The Power Of Family

One of the strongest and most pleasant memories from my childhood is getting together with the extended family.  Now, I know this isn't the case in many families, but for some reason when we got together with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, the "fun level" was turned up a notch.  My cousins are like my brothers and sisters because of the amount of time we spent together.

   

Our parents started a tradition that has carried on for at least 50 years.  At Thanksgiving we all get together.  Grandma and Grandpa are gone now.  My mom and aunt are no longer with us.  But on Thanksgiving, all the cousins and all their kids and kids spouses make a huge effort to get together, even if just for a day or two.

   

I know our children are growing up with the value that family is powerful.  Family is fun.  I think in some ways they think family is cool.

                            

Every year I have someone ask me about my family, especially when they hear how we have tried to stay somewhat connected and gather together at Thanksgiving.  The only answer I have to the "why" is that I feel the reason we have tried to stay connected is that for the most part we have all tried to stay connected to God.

The pictures in this blog may not mean much to many people, but they are some of the most precious and powerful memories I have.

Bottom line...the power of family is at its peak when it is energized by the power of God.

Paul

By the way, can you figure out which picture is me?

Doubt, Deception, Decline, Defeat...Joy

I have had the privilege of working with children, students and adults for over 30 years in two churches.  The thrill of observing life-change at any age level is worth all the headache and heartache that goes along with loving people.

          

The headaches come from many things, especially trying to figure out how to continually help and encourage people in an ever changing culture.  The heartaches come primarily when people make the decision to follow their own path instead of God's.  It is impossible to know why they made the decision they made, but after many years I have seen a little bit of a pattern.

 

I believe all followers of Jesus struggle with doubts from time to time.  The question is, what do we do with those doubts.  Do we talk to God and others about them or do we hold them in.  If we hold them in they can easily become a deception.  We start to believe the doubt or the lie instead of the truth.  When this occurs, most followers of Jesus go into spiritual decline.  They no longer spend time with God.  Spending time with other believers can be painful because someone in decline knows something is wrong.  As the vitality of their walk with Christ fades, defeat soon sets in.

     

The amazing thing about the Christian life is that God never turns His back on us or gives up.  I have met so many people who have gone through years of defeat who discovered the joy that God still loves them and desires to reconnect with them.  As they reconnect, the purpose of living and thrill of following God returns.

God is incredible!

Paul