2 Corinthians 4:16
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

Note: Deb M, a former classmate from high school who now resides in B.C. wrote: “we are all a spiritual people having a physical experience." Her sister, with a chuckle I beleive, then commented on the physical form we’re given to travel in. As I look upon my own “form” of transportation I’m thankful for their thoughts.

I enjoyed the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. Although I’ve not read Fitzgerald’s story of living life in reverse, the movie portrayed to me a thought of reverse engineering. That in the spiritual and physical dimensions of life, God employs reverse engineering and restores us to the original intended image – “Let us make humankind in our image according to our likeness.” Therefore throughout this process we are brought to a hazy understanding and ultimately to a birthing point of the next dimension – new arrivals in this life as well as the one to come.

Which brings me to the thought of that meshuga place called middle age. I think I might be arriving at the station. Could it be that middle age refers more to landscape than a place in time? More of a position of sight? A place where I can finally see that the path I’m on may in fact have an eventual ending. Not that it will be immediate (at least I hope I can’t see that far), but that it does have such a point of arrival. From where I stand (and as I pop a few Motrin) I can look back and enjoy the view from afar. Yet, as I look ahead I get the sense that what I know and have experienced won’t go on forever. In rumination, my life is but a series of steps, one at a time, and the total of those steps represent my being now. Ahhhh, but those still ahead, those steps that I’ve not yet made – those that are yet to become are all that I might still be someday. So, with that in mind (and for you Allman Brothers fans), “Lord, I’m gonna keep on keep’in on!”

Still Rockin, Ted

1 Samuel 17:38-40

I went to high school and wore a letterman’s jacket. I had an image and then graduated.
I went to college and joined the fraternity, played rugby, wore the image and life moved on.
I put on a suit and went into business and wore the image and the path changed
I got married and wore the image and it too, changed.
I went to seminary and into ministry and wore a robed image until I hung the robe in a closet…

I’m getting the idea here that there is a pattern – you think?

In 1 Samuel, David has a humungous challenge in front of him – a Goliath one in perspective to life. It is a life threatening challenge to him and his countrymen that could disastrously end in a blink of an eye. Saul, the king, gives David his own personal image – his armor. I look at these two situations, mine and David’s. I begin to get it – imitation can be suicide.

I was with a new acquaintance yesterday. He is in such a place in his life that as soon as he attaches to an image, he is whisked away to a completely different situation. Never enough time to try one on and wear it. Naked in a society where so many have a choice as to which one to wear today. He feels abandoned to who he could be or might have become. He and I cast images of the past aside, ignored the showers we faced between sun breaks and smiled in the warmth of the sun. We took those things around us, accepted the day and did the best we could with what we had – we formed a new image and titled it friendship.

May you be so fortunate as to be naked this week too!

Shalom, Ted

Scripture: John 17:13-19

Thought: Last week was full of messages for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday/Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday – a brunch for all, new music with a fresh and enlivening sound of talent from a budding musician. With it all said and done I’m told that the winner over Easter weekend was Hannah Montana: The Movie. Yes, Variety Magazine reports that it had the second-best Easter weekend opening ever, grossing an estimated $34 million bolstering Miley Cyrus’ star status. Ah, the world we live in – and in reality that’s what Easter is all about – the world we live in.

Congratulations Miley! When the director said “lights, camera, action!” defined by the world’s standards, Hannah Montana: The Movie hit the top of the charts. But that is where the casting call and the Easter message part. The casting call of life (and Miley knows this too) is defined not by the world, but by the call to serve the world. Our heavenly Director forgets about the lights and camera and just calls out Action!” It’s not about the show, but the response. The daily missions we are called to in our supporting roles, bring into people’s lives a true life giving message of God’s love. It is all imparted through our main character – the living, risen Christ himself. And every now and then – we get a speaking part.

Praying your week hits the top of the charts in someone’s life!
Now, where’s that make up trailer… Ted