Back Home Again!

The ride home was as scheduled, 10 hours from door to door! I love it when it works that way. When I got home the wildfires were out around Moorpark, though there’s some smoldering going on because we can smell the smoke in the air. Eight homes were lost in our town, some not too far from here.

I loved the comments on my last blog, especially from those who were part of our times there and wanted to share what they learned with others. Evan added some comments about the weekend on his blog and Brent shares some of the rewriting going on in his heart on his 12/04 blog.

And for those hoping for a trip to Nashville, you may get your prayers answered. I’ve just been invited to attend a small-group working session with the First Amendment Center, the ACLU and the Council on America’s First Freedoms to see how public schools are dealing with issues of religion and religious liberty, and what can be done to address the remaining issues. That happens the first week of March, so I may come in early and hang out with some Nashville folks…

I read this the other day in Colossians, and it just rang in my heart. For the past 12 years I have been part of an international dialog with people about what life in Christ and what life in the body can truly be in our day. Hundreds of books have been written. Thousands of web pages have been added to the dialog. I’m one who appreciates intellectual study and discussion, but it’s good to be reminded that such things are incredibly limited. The only way to learn to live this life is to (how do I say this?), live this life!

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Jesus Christ, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do waht you’ve been taught. School’s out; quite studying the subject and start living it! Colossians 2, the Message

I love that. Of course, if you’re new to this dialog and don’t yet feel rooted in him, don’t take this the wrong way. There is a season to learn to live in him and get let him switch our priorities around. But for those who just keep reading and studying and discussing, hoping to find an answer ‘out there’ somewhere, don’t forget this is a life to be lived, not a life to talk about endlessly. The Way and the Truth and the Life already dwells in you. Follow him day by day, step by step.